US3690307A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vapor venting and purging system for engines
Assignee: Physics International Co
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Filing: 1970-08-13
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Granted: 1972-09-12
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Expires: 1990-08-13
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine wherein a fuel float bowl and gasoline tank are connected through a vapor trap to the ambient atmosphere to prevent pollution by hydrocarbon vapors. The vapor trap is purged at high engine loads by an air flow through the vapor trap and into the engine, the air flow being controlled by the use of a sensor stationed along the path of the fuel or air components prior to their entering the cylinders. In a fuel injection engine of the type wherein fuel pressure varies with engine load, the vapor trap is coupled to a venturi through a valve that is opened only when the fuel pressure exceeds a predetermined value. The valve has a variable opening so that only small amounts of purge air flow through the vapor trap to the engine at moderate engine loads and large amounts of purge air flow only at very high engine loads, to provide a minimal change in the fuel-to-air ratio.
Inventors
- 👤 Cormac G O'neill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:03
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M25/00; F02M25/08; F02M25/089; F02M25/0836
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
In an engine which has a fuel container, an air intake assembly that includes a constricted portion for drawing in air, and a cylinder for confining a combination of fuel and air while it is burned, the improvement comprising: vapor trap means coupled to the ambient atmosphere for trapping fuel vapors; first means for coupling said fuel container to said vapor trap means; a variable opening valve having a valve cylinder with forward and rearward ends, a valve member mounted in said cylinder and having a tapered portion which narrows towards said forward end of said cylinder, and a spring for urging said valve member towards said forward end of said cylinder, said cylinder having a pair of openings respectively coupled to said vapor trap means and to said constricted portion of said air intake means, at least one of said openings located behind the initial position of the widest part of said tapered portion of said valve member; and means responsive to the rate of fuel delivered to said cylinder and coupled to one end of said valve cylinder for producing a pressure therein that urges said valve member towards said rearward end of said cylinder with a force that increases as the rate of fuel delivery to said engine cylinder increases.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
In an engine which has a fuel container, an air intake assembly that includes a constricted portion for drawing in air, and a cylinder for confining a combination of fuel and air while it is burned, the improvement comprising: vapor trap means coupled to the ambient atmosphere for trapping fuel vapors; first means for coupling said fuel container to said vapor trap means; a variable opening valve having a valve cylinder with forward and rearward ends, a valve member mounted in said cylinder and having a tapered portion which narrows towards said forward end of said cylinder, and a spring for urging said valve member towards said forward end of said cylinder, said cylinder having a pair of openings respectively coupled to said vapor trap means and to said constricted portion of said air intake means, at least one of said openings located behind the initial position of the widest part of said tapered portion of said valve member; and means responsive to the rate of fuel delivered to said cylinder and coupled to one end of said valve cylinder for producing a pressure therein that urges said valve member towards said rearward end of said cylinder with a force that increases as the rate of fuel delivery to said engine cylinder increases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
270 words
In an engine which has at least one fuel container for holding fuel and cylinder means for burning a fuel component and air component to provide power, the improvement comprising: a hydrocarbon vapor trap having an outlet coupled to the ambient atmosphere and an inlet; a valve including a hollow valve body with first, second, and third ports respectively coupled to said fuel container, said inlet of said vapor trap means, and said cylinder means, said valve also including a valve member moveable in said valve body and having forward and rearward ends, and spring means for urging said valve member in a predetermined forward direction, said valve member having portions that block communication between said first and third ports of said hollow valve body only until said valve member is moved rearwardly a first distance, that block communication between said second and third ports only until said valve member is moved rearwardly a second distance greater than said first distance, and that permit communication between said first and second ports only while said valve member lies forward of a predetermined distance which is substantially no moRe than said first distance; and valve operating means responsive to engine load for moving said valve member progressively rearwardly within said valve housing at progressively higher engine loads, including moving said valve member rearwardly by at least said first distance whenever the engine is on, whereby to vent said container to said cylinder only when the engine is on, to purge said vapor trap only at high engine loads, and to vent said container to said vapor trap when the engine is off.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
270 words
In an engine which has at least one fuel container for holding fuel and cylinder means for burning a fuel component and air component to provide power, the improvement comprising: a hydrocarbon vapor trap having an outlet coupled to the ambient atmosphere and an inlet; a valve including a hollow valve body with first, second, and third ports respectively coupled to said fuel container, said inlet of said vapor trap means, and said cylinder means, said valve also including a valve member moveable in said valve body and having forward and rearward ends, and spring means for urging said valve member in a predetermined forward direction, said valve member having portions that block communication between said first and third ports of said hollow valve body only until said valve member is moved rearwardly a first distance, that block communication between said second and third ports only until said valve member is moved rearwardly a second distance greater than said first distance, and that permit communication between said first and second ports only while said valve member lies forward of a predetermined distance which is substantially no moRe than said first distance; and valve operating means responsive to engine load for moving said valve member progressively rearwardly within said valve housing at progressively higher engine loads, including moving said valve member rearwardly by at least said first distance whenever the engine is on, whereby to vent said container to said cylinder only when the engine is on, to purge said vapor trap only at high engine loads, and to vent said container to said vapor trap when the engine is off.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |