Reactor air flow control valve

Claim 2

In an exhaust reactor system for an internal combustion engine having an induction passage, an exhaust manifold means defining a combustibles flow path of the exhaust reactor system, an air pump, a reactor air flow control valve including a housing providing a first passage connectable to said air pump and to said exhaust manifold means to supply air directly to said combustibles flow path, a second passage in said housing to supply air from the air pump to said induction passage, an induction passage pressure actuated valve in said second passage means for controlling the flow of air to said induction passage, a third passage in said housing for dumping air from the air pump to the atmosphere, a dump valve positioned in said third passage to control the flow of air therethrough and pressure responsive means operatively connected to said dump valve to effect operation of said dump valve as a function of the air pressure from said air pump.

Claim 3

In an exhaust reactor system according to claim 1 wherein said pressure responsive means includes a diaphragm operatively connected to said dump valve and defining with said housing a first chamber open to the atmosphere and a second chamber, means in said housing providing a restricted passage for air flow from said air pump to said second chamber, an exhaust temperature responsive means providing a variable restricted passage for air flow from said second chamber to the atmosphere and, spring means in said first chamber acting on said pressure responsive means to normally close said dump valve.

Claim 4

In an exhaust reactor system according to claim 1 wherein said induction passage pressure actuated valve includes a gulp valve positioned in said second passage to control the flow of air therethrough, a second diaphragm operatively connected to said gulp valve and forming with said housing a third chamber and a fourth chamber, conduit means extending from said third chamber and connected to said induction passage to subject said third chamber to the pressure in said induction passage, a timing valve means providing a restricted passage for air flow from said third chamber to said fourth chamber to gradually effect a balance of pressure on opposite sides of said diaphragm so that said gulp valve is opened by said diaphragm only for a predetermined interval of time, and spring means operatively connected to said gulp valve to normally bias said gulp valve to a closed position.

Claim 5

In an exhaust reactor system for an internal combustion engine having an induction passage, an exhaust manifold means defining a combustibles flow path from the engine, an air pump, a reactor air flow control valve including a housing defining a manifold passage means having an inlet connected to said air pump, a first outlet connected to said exhaust manifold means, a second outlet connected to said induction passage and a third outlet in communication with the atmosphere, an induction passage pressure actuated valve controlling the flow of air from said inlet to said second outlet, a valve positioned to control the flow of air from said inlet to said third outlet and pressure responsive means operatively connected to said valve to effect operation of said valve as a function of air pressure from said air pump.

Claim 6

In an exhaust reactor system for an internal combustion engine having an induction passage, an exhaust manifold means defining a combustibles flow path from the engine, an air pump, a reactor air flow control valve including a housing defining a manifold passage means having an inlet connected to said air pump, a first outlet connected to said exhaust manifold means, a second outlet connected to said induction passage and a third outlet in communication with the atmosphere, an induction passage pressure actuated valve controlling the flow of air from said inlet to said second outlet, a valve positioned to control the flow of air from said inlet to said third outlet and pressure responsive means operatively connected to said valve to effect operation of said valve as a function of air pressure from said air pump.

Claim 7

An exhaust reactor system according to claim 4 wherein said pressure responsive means includes a diaphragm operatively connected to said valve, said diaphragm forming with said housing a first chamber open to the atmosphere and a second chamber, means in said housing providing a restricted passage for air flow from said air pump to said second chamber, an exhaust temperature responsive means providing a variable restricted passage for air flow from said second chamber to the atmosphere and, spring means in said first chamber acting on said diaphragm to normally close said valve.

Claim 8

In an exhaust reactor system according to claim 5 wherein said induction passage pressure actuated valve includes a gulp valve positioned in said second passage to control the flow of air therethrough, a second diaphragm operatively connected to said gulp valve and forming with said housing a third chamber and a fourth chamber, conduit means extending from said third chamber and connected to said induction passage to subject said third chamber to the pressure in said induction passage, a timing valve means providing a restricted passage for air flow from said third chamber to said fourth chamber to gradually effect a balance of pressure on opposite sides of said diaphragm so that said gulp valve is opened by said diaphragm only for a predetermined interval of time, and spring means operatively connected to said gulp valve to normally bias said gulp valve to a closed position.

Claim 9

A reactor air flow control valve for use in the exhaust reactor system of an internal combustion engine having an induction passage, an exhaust manifold means defining a portion of a combustibles flow path, an air pump, first conduit means adapted to supply air to the combustibles flow path in the exhaust manifold means and second conduit means adapted to supply air to the induction passage, said control valve including a housing providing an air manifold passage means including a first passage adapted to supply air from the air pump to the first conduit means, a second passage adapted to supply air from the air pump to the second conduit means and a third passage adapted to dump air from the air pump to the atmosphere, a normally closed gulp valve controlling the flow of air through said second passage, induction pressure responsive means connected to said gulp valve to effect opening of said gulp valve as a function of a predetermined low vacuum signal received from the induction passage, a dump valve positioned in said third passage to control the flow of air therethrough, said housing further defining a chamber, pressure responsive means operatively connected to said dump valve and dividing said chamber into a first chamber open to the atmosphere and a second chamber, spring means in said first chamber acting on said pressure responsive means to normally close said dump valve, means providing a restricted passage for air flow from said first passage to said second chamber, and exhaust temperature responsive means providing a variable restricted passage for air flow from said second chamber to the atmosphere.

Claim 10

A reactor air flow control valve for use in the exhaust reactor system of an internal combustion engine having an induction passage, an exhaust manifold means defining a portion of a combustibles flow path, an air pump, first conduit means adapted to supply air to the combustibles flow path in the exhaust manifold means and second conduit means adapted to supply air to the induction passage, said control valve including a housing providing an air manifold passage means including a first passage adapted to supply air from the air pump to the first conduit means, a second passage adapted to supply air from the air pump to the second conduit means and a third passage adapted to dump air from the air pump to the atmosphere, a normally closed gulp valve controlling the flow of air through said second passage, induction pressure responsive means connected to said gulp valve to effect opening of said gulp valve as a function of a predetermined low vacuum signal received from the induction passage, a dump valve positioned in said third passage to control the flow of air therethrough, said housing further defining a chamber, pressure responsive means operatively connected to said dump valve and dividing said chamber into a first chamber open to the atmosphere and a second chamber, spring means in said first chamber acting on said pressure responsive means to normally close said dump valve, means providing a restricted passage for air flow from said first passage to said second chamber, and exhaust temperature responsive means providing a variable restricted passage for air flow from said second chamber to the atmosphere.

Claim 11

A reactor air flow control valve according to claim 7 wherein said pressure responsive means is a diaphragm and wherein said exhaust temperature responsive means providing a variable restricted passage includes a sized conduit in communication at one end with said second chamber and at its other end to the atmosphere, a thermostat positioned adjacent said other end with its fixed end in thermal contact with the exhaust manifold means and a throttle valve fixed to the free end of said thermostat and movable therewith relative to said other end from an unrestricted flow position relative thereto at low exhaust temperatures to a restricted flow position at higher exhaust temperatures.

Claim 12

A reactor air flow control valve for use in the exhaust reactor system of an internal combustion engine having an induction passage and an exhaust manifold means defining a portion of a combustibles flow path, an air pump, first conduit means adapted to supply air to the combustibles flow path and second conduit means adapted to supply air to the induction passage, said reactor air flow control valve comprising a housing, a first passage through which air can flow and includiNg an inlet and a discharge, said inlet being connected to the output of the air pump and said discharge being adapted for connection to the first conduit means, a gulp valve controlled passage in said housing in communication at one end with said passage and adapted at its other end for connection to said second conduit means and induction pressure responsive means connected to said gulp valve to operate said gulp valve as a function of a vacuum signal from the induction passage, and dump valve controlled passage means in said housing connected at one end to said passage and at its other end in communciation with the atmosphere, said housing further defining a chamber, pressure responsive means dividing said chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber, said pressure responsive means being operatively connected to said dump valve, said first chamber being in communication with the atmosphere, an orifice controlled passage in said housing connecting said first passage to said second chamber, a vent opening into said second chamber for the discharge of air therefrom, and a thermostatically operated throttle valve positioned to control the flow of air through said vent opening with full venting being effected at temperatures below a predetermined value with flow through said vent opening being restricted at temperatures above a certain value whereby said pressure responsive means effects opening of said dump valve as a function of temperature and exhaust manifold pressure.

Claim 13

A reactor air flow control valve for use in the exhaust reactor system of an internal combustion engine having an induction passage and an exhaust manifold means defining a portion of a combustibles flow path, an air pump, first conduit means adapted to supply air to the combustibles flow path and second conduit means adapted to supply air to the induction passage, said reactor air flow control valve comprising a housing, a first passage through which air can flow and includiNg an inlet and a discharge, said inlet being connected to the output of the air pump and said discharge being adapted for connection to the first conduit means, a gulp valve controlled passage in said housing in communication at one end with said passage and adapted at its other end for connection to said second conduit means and induction pressure responsive means connected to said gulp valve to operate said gulp valve as a function of a vacuum signal from the induction passage, and dump valve controlled passage means in said housing connected at one end to said passage and at its other end in communciation with the atmosphere, said housing further defining a chamber, pressure responsive means dividing said chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber, said pressure responsive means being operatively connected to said dump valve, said first chamber being in communication with the atmosphere, an orifice controlled passage in said housing connecting said first passage to said second chamber, a vent opening into said second chamber for the discharge of air therefrom, and a thermostatically operated throttle valve positioned to control the flow of air through said vent opening with full venting being effected at temperatures below a predetermined value with flow through said vent opening being restricted at temperatures above a certain value whereby said pressure responsive means effects opening of said dump valve as a function of temperature and exhaust manifold pressure.

Claim 14

A reactor air flow control valve according to claim 9 wherein said induction pressure responsive means includes a second diaphragm operatively connected to said gulp valve and forming with said housing a third chamber and a fourth chamber, conduit means connecting said third chamber to said induction passage, a timing valve providing a restricted passage for air flow from said third chamber to said fourth chamber to gradually effect a balance of pressure on opposite sides of said diaphragm and, spring means operatively connected to said gulp valve to normally bias said gulp valve to a closed position.