US3743258A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel converter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-03
•
Granted: 1973-07-03
•
Expires: 1991-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A converter for supplying a combustible mixture of air and a gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine. The converter replaces a conventional carburetor and its purpose is to effect burning of the fuel mixture more efficiently and completely. The converter comprises a venturi device having an inlet connected to an air filter and an outlet connected to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. A throttle plate located between the venturi device and the filter contains a main throttle valve which controls the supply of air to the venturi device and a second throttle valve which controls the supply of a mixture of gaseous fuel and air to the venturi device. For idle and low speed operation, the mixture of gaseous fuel and air is admitted through the second throttle valve. For increased speed and power, air is admitted through the main throttle valve and at the same time liquid fuel is supplied to a roughened and heated interior surface of a center of the venturi device. A film of the liquid fuel spreads over the roughened interior surface of the venturi center and is evaporated quickly into gas which mixes with the air. The amount of liquid fuel supplied to the roughened interior surface of the venturi center is controlled by a needle valve which is set by a monitoring device. The monitoring device is connected across the venturi device and senses the pressure differential in the venturi device for setting of the needle valve. Thus, air and a mixture of air and gaseous fuel is admitted to the venturi device through the primary or main throttle valve and the secondary throttle valve in the throttle plate for operation of the engine. When the film of the liquid fuel spreads over the roughened surface of the venturi center, it is quickly converted to a gas and the gas is combined and thoroughly mixed with warm turbulent air drawn into the inlet of the venturi device through the main throttle valves by operation of the engine. This supplements the mixture of gaseous fuel and air admitted through the secondary throttle valves. The amount of the film of liquid fuel supplied to the venturi center is controlled by the monitoring device in conjunction with the amount of warm turbulent air entering the venturi inlet through the main throttle valves so that the proper mixture of gas and air is obtained in accordance with the power required by the engine.
Inventors
- 👤 F Florentine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:50
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M7/00; F02M7/12; F02M7/133; F02M31/00; F02M31/02; F02M31/16; F02M31/18; F02M31/183; F02M7/18; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
A converter for supplying a combustible mixture of gaseous fuel and air to an internal combustion engine, which comprises: a. a venturi device for connection to an intake manifold of an engine; b. said venturi device having an inlet and an outlet and comprising, c. an outer casing and d. a venturi center located within said outer casing; e. said casing and said venturi center having opposing surfaces defining a venturi passageway having an intake communicating with said inlet and a discharge communicating with said outlet; f. one of said opposing surfaces comprising a roughened interior surface of the venturi center; g. said interior surface of the venturi center being roughened to promote the spreading of a film of liquid fuel over said surface; h. means for supplying liquid fuel to said roughened surface of the venturi center at the intake of said venturi passageway; i. said means comprising a fuel line connecting the venturi center to a supply of liquid fuel under pressure; j. said venturi center containing a series of radially spaced passageways connected to the fuel line and discharging onto said roughened surface at the intake of the venturi passageway; and k. main throttle means located at the inlet of the venturi device for controlling admission of air to said venturi device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
A converter for supplying a combustible mixture of gaseous fuel and air to an internal combustion engine, which comprises: a. a venturi device for connection to an intake manifold of an engine; b. said venturi device having an inlet and an outlet and comprising, c. an outer casing and d. a venturi center located within said outer casing; e. said casing and said venturi center having opposing surfaces defining a venturi passageway having an intake communicating with said inlet and a discharge communicating with said outlet; f. one of said opposing surfaces comprising a roughened interior surface of the venturi center; g. said interior surface of the venturi center being roughened to promote the spreading of a film of liquid fuel over said surface; h. means for supplying liquid fuel to said roughened surface of the venturi center at the intake of said venturi passageway; i. said means comprising a fuel line connecting the venturi center to a supply of liquid fuel under pressure; j. said venturi center containing a series of radially spaced passageways connected to the fuel line and discharging onto said roughened surface at the intake of the venturi passageway; and k. main throttle means located at the inlet of the venturi device for controlling admission of air to said venturi device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A converter for supplying a combustible mixture of gaseous fuel and air to an internal combustion engine, as defined in claim 1 which includes: a. means for heating the roughened interior surface of the venturi center and evaporating a film of liquid fuel from said surface to a gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
A converter for supplying a combustible mixture of gaseous fuel and air to an internal combustion engine, as defined in claim 2 which includes: a. a series of vanes mounted in the inlet of the venturi device; b. saiD vanes imparting turbulence to air entering the venturi device through said throttle means; c. said turbulence of the air mixing the air with fuel gas arising from said roughened interior surface of the venturi center.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
A converter for supplying a combustible mixture of gaseous fuel and air to an internal combustion engine, as defined in claim 1 which includes: a. an adjustable needle valve in the fuel line supplying liquid fuel to the venturi center; and b. monitoring means connected across the venturi device for setting the needle valve in accordance with a pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of the venturi device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
101 words
A converter for supplying a combustible mixture of gaseous fuel and air to an internal combustion engine, as defined in claim 1 which includes: a. an adjustable needle valve in the fuel line supplying liquid fuel to the venturi center; b. monitoring means connected across the venturi device for setting the needle valve in accordance with a pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of the venturi device; and c. a check valve in said fuel line; d. said check valve admitting air to the fuel line when pressure in the fuel line is equal to and less than atmospheric pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
215 words
A converter for supplying a combustible mixture of gaseous fuel and air to an internal combustion engine, as defined in claim 1 which includes: a. a first adjustable needle valve in the fuel line supplying liquid fuel to the venturi center; b. monitoring means connected across the venturi device for setting said first needle valve in accordance with a pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of the venturi device; and c. second means for supplying a gaseous mixture of fuel and air to said intake of the venturi passageway independently of the first fuel line; d. said second means including a passageway communicating with a supply of air and with the intake end of the venturi passageway; e. a porous body positioned in the path of the air entering said passageway; f. a second fuel line connecting said porous body to the source of liquid fuel under pressure; g. a second needle valve in said second fuel line; h. a valve in said passageway for controlling the flow of a mixture of gas and air through said passageway; i. a linkage connecting said valve to said second needle valve; j. said linkage operating said valve and said second needle valve in conjunction with each other and prior to operation of the main throttle means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
356 words
A system for supplying a combustible mixture of gaseous fuel and air to an internal combustion engine, which comprises: a. a venturi device having an outlet adapted for connection to an intake manifold of an engine and an inlet; b. said venturi device having an outer casing and a venturi center; c. said casing and venturi center having opposing surfaces defining a venturi passageway having an intake and an outlet located within the casing; d. one of the opposing surfaces being formed by a roughened interior surface of the venturi center; e. means for heating said roughened interior surface of the venturi center; f. said venturi center having a first series of radially spaced passageways formed therein discharging onto the roughened interior surface of the venturi center at the intake of the venturi passageway and a second series of radially spaced passageways formed in the venturi center and discharging into the intake of the venturi passageway; g. an air filter connected to the inlet of the venturi device for supplying air to the venturi means; h. main throttle means connected between the inlet of the venturi device and the air filter for controlling the flow of air to the inlet of the venturi device; i. a second throttle means for controlling the flow of a gaseous mixture of fuel and air to said second series of passageways; j. means for supplying the mixture of gaseous fuel and air to said Second set of passageways during idle and low power operation of the engine; k. means for supplying liquid fuel to the first series of passageways in the venturi center and to the roughened interior surface thereof during high speed and high power operation of the engine; l. monitoring means connected across the inlet and outlet of the venturi device for sensing a pressure differential between said inlet and outlet and controlling the supply of liquid fuel to the roughened interior surface of the venturi center during high speed operation of the engine; and m. vane means located at the inlet of the venturi device and imparting turbulence to air entering the inlet of the venturi device.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
356 words
A system for supplying a combustible mixture of gaseous fuel and air to an internal combustion engine, which comprises: a. a venturi device having an outlet adapted for connection to an intake manifold of an engine and an inlet; b. said venturi device having an outer casing and a venturi center; c. said casing and venturi center having opposing surfaces defining a venturi passageway having an intake and an outlet located within the casing; d. one of the opposing surfaces being formed by a roughened interior surface of the venturi center; e. means for heating said roughened interior surface of the venturi center; f. said venturi center having a first series of radially spaced passageways formed therein discharging onto the roughened interior surface of the venturi center at the intake of the venturi passageway and a second series of radially spaced passageways formed in the venturi center and discharging into the intake of the venturi passageway; g. an air filter connected to the inlet of the venturi device for supplying air to the venturi means; h. main throttle means connected between the inlet of the venturi device and the air filter for controlling the flow of air to the inlet of the venturi device; i. a second throttle means for controlling the flow of a gaseous mixture of fuel and air to said second series of passageways; j. means for supplying the mixture of gaseous fuel and air to said Second set of passageways during idle and low power operation of the engine; k. means for supplying liquid fuel to the first series of passageways in the venturi center and to the roughened interior surface thereof during high speed and high power operation of the engine; l. monitoring means connected across the inlet and outlet of the venturi device for sensing a pressure differential between said inlet and outlet and controlling the supply of liquid fuel to the roughened interior surface of the venturi center during high speed operation of the engine; and m. vane means located at the inlet of the venturi device and imparting turbulence to air entering the inlet of the venturi device.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
313 words
A system for supplying a combustible mixture of gaseous fuel and air to an internal combustion engine which comprises: a. first means for supplying a mixture of a gaseous fuel and air to an internal combustion engine during idle and low speed operation of the engine; b. second means for increasing the amount of gaseous fuel and air mixture supplied to the engine during higher speed and power operation of the engine; c. said first and second means operating in conjunction with each other with said second means supplementing the mixture of gaseous fuel and air supplied to the engine by said first means; d. said first and second means including a venturi device having a venturi passageway therein connected to an intake manifold of an engine and having a venturi center; e. said venturi center having a roughened heated interior surface for converting a film of liquid fuel to a gas; f. a fuel line connected to said venturi center and supplying an evaporable liquid fuel to said roughened interior surface for evaporation of the liquid fuel into gas; g. main throttle valves for admitting air to said venturi passageway; h. an auxiliary throttle valve for admitting a mixture of gaseous fuel and air to said venturi passageway; i. fixed vanes positioned in the path of air entering the venturi device through the main throttle valves and imparting turbulence to said air; j. said turbulence of the air mixing the air with gas arising from the film of liquid fuel on the heated and roughened interior surface of the venturi center in passage of the air through the venturi passageway; and k. a monitoring device connected across the venturi passageway; l. said monitoring device sensing a pressure differential in the venturi device and regulating the amount of liquid fuel supplied to the venturi center in accordance with power requirements of the engine.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
313 words
A system for supplying a combustible mixture of gaseous fuel and air to an internal combustion engine which comprises: a. first means for supplying a mixture of a gaseous fuel and air to an internal combustion engine during idle and low speed operation of the engine; b. second means for increasing the amount of gaseous fuel and air mixture supplied to the engine during higher speed and power operation of the engine; c. said first and second means operating in conjunction with each other with said second means supplementing the mixture of gaseous fuel and air supplied to the engine by said first means; d. said first and second means including a venturi device having a venturi passageway therein connected to an intake manifold of an engine and having a venturi center; e. said venturi center having a roughened heated interior surface for converting a film of liquid fuel to a gas; f. a fuel line connected to said venturi center and supplying an evaporable liquid fuel to said roughened interior surface for evaporation of the liquid fuel into gas; g. main throttle valves for admitting air to said venturi passageway; h. an auxiliary throttle valve for admitting a mixture of gaseous fuel and air to said venturi passageway; i. fixed vanes positioned in the path of air entering the venturi device through the main throttle valves and imparting turbulence to said air; j. said turbulence of the air mixing the air with gas arising from the film of liquid fuel on the heated and roughened interior surface of the venturi center in passage of the air through the venturi passageway; and k. a monitoring device connected across the venturi passageway; l. said monitoring device sensing a pressure differential in the venturi device and regulating the amount of liquid fuel supplied to the venturi center in accordance with power requirements of the engine.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
151 words
A system for supplying a mixture of gaseous fuel and air to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, which comprises: a. first means for admitting a mixture of gaseous fuel and air to the engine during idle and low speed operation of the engine; b. second means for increasing the mixture of gaseous fuel and air supplied to the engine for increased speed and power; c. said second means including a venturi device having a center with a roughened and heated interior surface; d. an adjustable needle valve for controlling the amount of liquid fuel supplied to said roughened and heated interior surface of the venturi center; e. a monitoring device connected across said venturi device for setting the adjustable needle valve in accordance with a pressure differential across the venturi device; and f. a main throttle valve for controlling the amount of air admitted to the venturi device.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
151 words
A system for supplying a mixture of gaseous fuel and air to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, which comprises: a. first means for admitting a mixture of gaseous fuel and air to the engine during idle and low speed operation of the engine; b. second means for increasing the mixture of gaseous fuel and air supplied to the engine for increased speed and power; c. said second means including a venturi device having a center with a roughened and heated interior surface; d. an adjustable needle valve for controlling the amount of liquid fuel supplied to said roughened and heated interior surface of the venturi center; e. a monitoring device connected across said venturi device for setting the adjustable needle valve in accordance with a pressure differential across the venturi device; and f. a main throttle valve for controlling the amount of air admitted to the venturi device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system for supplying a mixture of gaseous fuel and air to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, as defined in claim 9 which includes: a. means for imparting turbulence to the air admitted to the venturi device through said main throttle 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) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |