US3749545A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for controlling liquid fuel sprays for combustion
Assignee: The Ohio State University
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Filing: 1971-11-24
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1991-11-24
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for increasing the efficiency of combustion by controlling liquid fuel sprays characterized by electrostatically influencing the size distribution and trajectory of liquid fuel droplets introduced into the combustion chamber. The liquid fuel spray, the walls of the combustion chamber and any ducting associated therewith are electrostatically charged by appropriately positioned electrodes to influence a fuel droplet-air contact which tends to maximize combustion efficiency and hence reduce air pollution.
Inventors
- 👤 H Velkoff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:00
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23C; F23C99/00; F23C99/001; F02; F02M; F02M27/00; F02M27/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for controlling the size distribution and the path of liquid fuel sprays entering a combustion chamber comprising, in combination, the steps of applying a predetermined potential between the inlet fuel nozzle and electrode means disposed adjacent to but spaced from the outlet of said nozzle to charge the fuel droplets leaving said nozzle; directing the path of the charged fuel droplets leaving the nozzle and entering a combustion chamber to mix with an air stream by dispersing said droplets with electrodes disposed in a predetermined location along the desired path of the droplets and the air stream; applying an opposing charge relative to the charge applied to said fuel droplets to the walls of the ducting along the path communicating with the combustion chamber to repel the droplets away from said walls and move them toward the central zone of the ducting; and firing the fuel-air mixture in said chamber at a downstream position relative to the position of said electrodes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for controlling the size distribution and the path of liquid fuel sprays entering a combustion chamber comprising, in combination, the steps of applying a predetermined potential between the inlet fuel nozzle and electrode means disposed adjacent to but spaced from the outlet of said nozzle to charge the fuel droplets leaving said nozzle; directing the path of the charged fuel droplets leaving the nozzle and entering a combustion chamber to mix with an air stream by dispersing said droplets with electrodes disposed in a predetermined location along the desired path of the droplets and the air stream; applying an opposing charge relative to the charge applied to said fuel droplets to the walls of the ducting along the path communicating with the combustion chamber to repel the droplets away from said walls and move them toward the central zone of the ducting; and firing the fuel-air mixture in said chamber at a downstream position relative to the position of said electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method defined in claim 1 including the step of collecting the free electrostatic charge remaining after the fuel droplets have vaporized.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a combustion system employing liquid fuel the combination of a fuel injection nozzle communicating with a source of liquid fuel and with a combustion chamber; means for applying a high voltage to said nozzle; field-shaping electrode means disposed adjacent to but spaced from the outlet of said nozzle carrying a voltage of opposite polarity to and of a lower value than the voltage applied to said nozzle; means for introducing an air stream to mix with the charged fuel droplets leaving said nozzle; path influencing electrodes disposed downstream of said nozzle to influence the trajectory of the fuel droplets carried in said air stream; means for charging the walls of asid combustion chamber with a charge of like polarity to the charge carried by said fuel droplets; and means for firing said fuel-air mixture disposed downstream of said path influencing electrodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a combustion system employing liquid fuel the combination of a fuel injection nozzle communicating with a source of liquid fuel and with a combustion chamber; means for applying a high voltage to said nozzle; field-shaping electrode means disposed adjacent to but spaced from the outlet of said nozzle carrying a voltage of opposite polarity to and of a lower value than the voltage applied to said nozzle; means for introducing an air stream to mix with the charged fuel droplets leaving said nozzle; path influencing electrodes disposed downstream of said nozzle to influence the trajectory of the fuel droplets carried in said air stream; means for charging the walls of asid combustion chamber with a charge of like polarity to the charge carried by said fuel droplets; and means for firing said fuel-air mixture disposed downstream of said path influencing electrodes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system defined in claim 3 including electrode means disposed downstream of said nozzle to collect the free electrostatic charge remaining after vaporization of the charged lIquid fuel droplets has occurred.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system defined in claim 4 including collecting electrode means disposed downstream of said path influencing electrodes to collect the free electrostatic charge remaining after vaporization of the charged fuel droplets has occurred.
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) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |