Patent US3730160A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3730160A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energization of the combustible mixture in an internal combustion engine
Assignee: Energy Sciences Inc
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Filing: 1971-07-01
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Granted: 1973-05-01
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Expires: 1991-07-01
Abstract
Abstract Engine vacuum is used to draw a stream of air into the intake system. Some of the energy of this air stream is converted to pressure waves. The flow rate of the air stream is controlled responsive to the mode of engine operation to provide the proper amount of pressure wave energy.
Inventors
- 👤 N Hughes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:24
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K5/00; G10K5/02; F; F02; F02M; F02M27/00; F02M27/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
In an internal combustion engine having one or more combustion chambers, a carburetor for mixing air and fuel to form a combustible mixture, an intake manifold for coupling the combustible mixture from the carburetor to the combustion chamber, and an interface between the carburetor and the intake manifold, the improvement comprising: a source of fluid at a higher pressure than the intake manifold; a fluid line connecting the source to the interface between the carburetor and the intake manifold to draw fluid from the source through the fuid line into the intake manifold without passing through the carburetor; means in the fluid line for converting a portion of the energy of the fluid drawn from the source into pressure waves that propagate with the fluid into the intake system; and valve means in the fluid line responsive to the mode of engine operation for controlling the flow rate of the fluid from the source drawn into the intake system through the entrance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
In an internal combustion engine having one or more combustion chambers, a carburetor for mixing air and fuel to form a combustible mixture, an intake manifold for coupling the combustible mixture from the carburetor to the combustion chamber, and an interface between the carburetor and the intake manifold, the improvement comprising: a source of fluid at a higher pressure than the intake manifold; a fluid line connecting the source to the interface between the carburetor and the intake manifold to draw fluid from the source through the fuid line into the intake manifold without passing through the carburetor; means in the fluid line for converting a portion of the energy of the fluid drawn from the source into pressure waves that propagate with the fluid into the intake system; and valve means in the fluid line responsive to the mode of engine operation for controlling the flow rate of the fluid from the source drawn into the intake system through the entrance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 1, in which the source of fluid is air at atmospheric pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The combination of claim 2, in which the converting means comprises: means for generating shock waves having an intensity related to the flow rate established by the controlling means; a resonator dimensioned relative to the wavelength of the shock waves to convert the shock waves to sonic waves; and means for coupling the shock waves to the resonator to covert them to sonic waves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination of claim 3, in which the resonator is located at the interface between the carburetor and the intake manifold, the generating and controlling means are remotely located from the interface, and the coupling means comprises a conduit having a cross-sectional dimension multiply related to the wavelength of the shock waves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 3, in which the resonator is formed in a flat plate interposed between the carburetor and the intake manifold at the interface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
155 words
The combination of claim 5, in which the means for generating shock waves is a shock wave generating cell comprising: a cylindrical nozzle body open at its end adjacent to the coupling means, bounded along its length by a side wall, and bounded at its other end by an end wall having a large center hole; a plurality of smaller equally spaced peripheral holes disposed about the center hole in the end wall in oppositely arranged pairs; a plurality of pairs of oppositely disposed throat plane stabilizing holes lying in a common plane in the side wall near the open end of the body; and a cylindrical cover enclosing the nozzle body to form an annular region surrounding the cylindrical side wall of the nozzle body, the cell cover completely enclosing the nozzle body except for its open end and an opening at its upstream end that communicates with the holes of the nozzle body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination of claim 1, in which the converting means comprises a pressure wave generator through which the fluid drawn from the source passes to generate pressure waves, the flow rate through the pressure wave generator being in part directly related to the absolute pressure in the intake system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination of claim 1, in which the controlling means comprises a vacuum-operated, valve through which the drawn fluid passes, the valve opening above a predetermined absolute pressure in the intake system representing acceleration, closing below the predetermined absolute pressure, and having a bleed orifice through which a small amount of the fluid flows when it is closed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination of claim 1, in which the carburetor has a main air flow passage from the atmosphere, the combination additionally comprising means for energizing with pressure wave energy all the air passing from the atmosphere through the main air passage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination of claim 1, in which the engine additionally has a crankcase manifold containing combustible crankcase emissions, the source of fluid is the crankcase manifold, the fluid line is a PCV line connecting the crankcase manifold to the interface between the carburetor and the intake manifold, and the valve means is a PCV valve.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-30 | 1976-10-30 | 1977-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-30 | 1980-10-30 | 1981-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-30 | 1984-10-30 | 1985-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |