US3783610A — Anti-pollution internal combustion engine

Claim 1

Independent Claim 224 words

An anti-pollution internal combustion engine for use in a vehicle comprising: a. first cylinder means for compressing air during a firing and braking mode of operation of said engine, said first cylinder means being driven by said compressed air during a motoring mode of operation of said engine; b. second cylinder means utilizing said compressed air for a fuel combustion reaction during said firing mode of operation, said second cylinder means being driven by said compressed air during said motoring mode of operation; c. reservoir means for storing said compressed air from said first cylinder means during said firing and braking modes of operation; d. air manifold means associated with said reservoir means for distributing the compressed air to said second cylinder means during said firing mode of operation and to said first and second cylinder means during said motoring mode of operation; e. selector valve means for controlling the flow of said compressed air from said first cylinder means into said reservoir means during said firing and braking modes of operation and from said manifold means to said first cylinder means during said motoring mode of operation; and f. throttle means for releasing said compressed air from said reservoir means to said manifold means during said firing and motoring modes of operation and for controlling the fuel flow into said second cylinder means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 224 words

An anti-pollution internal combustion engine for use in a vehicle comprising: a. first cylinder means for compressing air during a firing and braking mode of operation of said engine, said first cylinder means being driven by said compressed air during a motoring mode of operation of said engine; b. second cylinder means utilizing said compressed air for a fuel combustion reaction during said firing mode of operation, said second cylinder means being driven by said compressed air during said motoring mode of operation; c. reservoir means for storing said compressed air from said first cylinder means during said firing and braking modes of operation; d. air manifold means associated with said reservoir means for distributing the compressed air to said second cylinder means during said firing mode of operation and to said first and second cylinder means during said motoring mode of operation; e. selector valve means for controlling the flow of said compressed air from said first cylinder means into said reservoir means during said firing and braking modes of operation and from said manifold means to said first cylinder means during said motoring mode of operation; and f. throttle means for releasing said compressed air from said reservoir means to said manifold means during said firing and motoring modes of operation and for controlling the fuel flow into said second cylinder means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 33 words

The engine of claim 1, further including means for operating said selective valve means at predetermined times to register said selective valve means in a proper position for a selected mode of operation.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 73 words

The engine of claim 1, further including a fuel supply means comprising: a. a pressurized fuel tank for carrying the combustible fuel; b. heat exchanger means for evaporating the fuel; c. means for pumping the fuel from said pressurized fuel tank through said heat exchanger means; and d. fuel regulator means for supplying the vaporized fuel to said throttle means, said fuel regulator means being controlled by the pressure in said manifold means.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 80 words

The engine of claim 1, further including an exhaust means comprising: a. an exhaust manifold which communicates with said second cylinder means to receive exhaust gases produced by said second cylinder means during said firing mode of operation; b. afterburner means connected to said exhaust manifold for burning the unburned fuel remaining in said exhaust gases produced during said firing mode of operation; and c. muffler means connected to said afterburner means for eliminating undesired pollutants from said exhaust gases.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 81 words

The engine of claim 3, further including an exhaust gas means comprising: a. an exhaust manifold which communicates with said second cylinder means to receive exhaust gases produced by said second cylinder means during said firing mode of operation; b. afterburner means connected to said exhaust manifold for burning the unburned fuel remaining in the exhaust gases produced during said firing mode of operation; and c. muffler means connected to said afterburner means for eliminating undesired pOllutants from said exhaust gases.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 82 words

The engine of claim 4, wherein said afterburner means includes: a. a casing forming a combustion chamber, said casing having an air inlet to introduce air into the combustion chamber; b. a nozzle having one end connected to said exhaust manifold and the other end extending into said combustion chamber so that the unburned fuel in the exhaust gases is mixed with the air in the combustion chamber; and c. igniter means for igniting the unburned fuel-air mixture within said combustion chamber.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 147 words

The engine of claim 4, wherein said muffler means includes: a. a housing containing a bath of chemical solution that will react with and remove various pollutants in said exhaust gases; b. a cylindrical screen rotatably mounted within said housing, a portion of said cylindrical screen being rotated through said bath, whereby some of the solution will adhere to the screen as it emerges from the bath, said solution being redeposited into said bath as said screen continues to rotate; c. means for rotating said cylindrical screen; and d. inlet conduit having one end connected to said afterburner to receive said exhaust gases and the other end extending within said housing to a position between the surface of said bath and the portion of said screen above said bath so that the exhaust gases from said engine will pass through said solution as it is being redeposited.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 147 words

The engine of claim 6, whrein said muffler means includes: a. a housing containing a bath of chemical solution that will react with and remove various pollutants in said exhaust gases; b. a cylindrical screen rotatably mounted within said housing, a portion of said cylindrical screen being rotated through said bath, whereby some of the solution will adhere to the screen as it emerges from the bath, said solution being redeposited into said bath as said screen continues to rotate; c. means for rotating said cylindrical screen; and d. inlet conduit having one end connected to said afterburner to receive said exhaust gases and the other end extending within said housing to a position between the surface of said bath and the portion of said screen above said bath so that the exhaust gases from said engine will pass through said solution as it is being redeposited.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 72 words

The engine of claim 5, wherein said heat exchanger includes: a. an exhaust bypass conduit located between said afterburner means and said muffler means; b. a fuel conduit connecting said pump means to said fuel regulator means, said fuel conduit being coiled around said exhaust bypass conduit; c. valve means for diverting the exhaust gases through said exhaust bypass conduit; and d. thermal means for controlling the operation of said valve means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 109 words

The engine of claim 3, wherein said fuel regulator means includes: a. a housing comprising an upper pressure chamber, a second vacuum chamber, an intermediate chamber, a lower fuel inlet having a valve seat opening through one wall, and an outlet fuel chamber; b. a diaphragm located between said pressure chamber and said vacuum chamber which is moved by applying pressure to the pressure chamber and producing a partial vacuum in the vacuum chamber ; c. valve means regulated by said diaphragm to control the flow of fuel between said inlet fuel chamber and said outlet fuel chamber; and d. means for adjusting the position of said valve means.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 109 words

The engine of claim 10, wherein said throttle means includes: a. a throttle valve located between said reservoir means and said manifold means for releasing compressed air into said manifold means; b. linkage means for opening and closing said throttle valve; c. inlet control valve associated with said reservoir means to supply pressure to said inlet valve to regulate the opening and closing of said inlet valve; d. fuel control valve for permitting fuel to flow into said second cylinder means, said fuel control valvE being regulated by said inlet control valve; and e. switch means operated by said linkage means to energize and de-energize said inlet control valve.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 186 words

The engine of claim 1, wherein said first cylinder means includes: a. an inlet valve; b. at least one compression cylinder connected to said vehicle drive shaft for turning the drive shaft during the motoring mode of operation, said compression cylinder having an inlet and outlet, said inlet valve means communicating with said compression cylinder by a first inlet conduit, said inlet valve regulating the amount of air drawn into said compression cylinder during the firing and braking mode of operation of said engine, said compression cylinder having an outlet conduit connected to said reservoir means through said selector valve means, and a second inlet conduit connecting said manifold means to said first inlet conduit through said selector valve means for introducing compressed air from said reservoir into said compression cylinder during said motoring mode of operation of said engine; c. compression cylinder valve means for opening and closing the inlet and outlet of said compression cylinder at preselected times; d. first cam means for operating said compression cylinder valve means; and e. means associated with said vehicle drive shaft for operating said first cam means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 163 words

The engine of claim 1, wherein said second cylinder means includes: a. at least one firing cylinder asscoiated with the vehicle drive shaft for turning the drive shaft during the firing and motoring mode of operation; b. firing cylinder inlet valve means connecting said manifold means and said throttle means to said firing cylinder for introducing a compressed air and fuel mixture into said firing cylinder during the firing mode of operation and for introducing compressed air into said firing cylinder during the motoring mode of operation; c. exhaust valve means for permitting said exhaust gases to flow from said firing cylinder after the combustion in said firing cylinder; d. second cam means associated with said vehicle drive shaft for operating said firing cylinder inlet valve means and said exhaust valve means at preselected times; e. means for advancing and retarding the operation of said second cam means; and f. means associated with said vehicle drive shaft for operating said second cam means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 59 words

The engine of claim 13, wherein said firing cylinder inlet valve means includes: a. a first valve operated by said second cam means; b. a second valve operated by the compressed air and fuel mixture being directed into said firing cylinder; and c. a venturi connecting said first and second valves, said venturi being connected to said throttle means.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 76 words

The engine of claim 14, wherein said second valve means further includes: a. a vacuum valve for preventing the firing cylinder from drawing a vacuum during the exhaust phase of the firing cylinder operation and for permitting air to flow into said firing cylinder during said braking mode of operation; and b. means for operating said second valve to eliminate the time lag between the opening and closing of said first valve and said second valve.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 33 words

The engine of claim 13, wherein said second cam means includes a second shaft carrying a plurality of cam lobes for operating said firing cylinder inlet valve means and said exhaust valve means.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 168 words

The engine of claim 16, wherein said means for advancing and retarding the operation of said second cam means includes: a. a bellows assembly contiguous to said second shaft and communicating with said manifold means, said bellows assembly being reciprocable in a linear direction, the linear position of said bellows assembly being controlled by the pressure in said manifold means; b. a sleeve carried on said second shaft; c. means for permitting said sleeve to reciprocate on said second shaft while permitting said sleeve to rotate with Said second shaft; d. bearing means connecting said bellows assembly and said sleeve, said bearing means transmitting the linear movement of said bellows assembly to said sleeve while preventing the rotational movement of said sleeve to be transmitted to said bellows assembly; e. a support member associated with said second shaft and sleeve, said support member being mounted for rotation on said engine; and f. means for transmitting the rotational motion of said second shaft and sleeve to said support member.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 48 words

The engine of claim 17, wherein said means for operating said second cam means includes: a. a first timing sprocket carried on said support member; b. drive shaft sprocket carried on said drive shaft; and c. timing chain encircling said first timing sprocket and said drive shaft sprocket.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 14 words

The engine of claim 1, further including means for operating said selective valve means.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 143 words

The engine of claim 19, wherein said means for operating said selector valve means includes: a. a closed loop fluid brake means for shifting said selector valve means between a first and second position, said selector valve means being in said first position during the firing and braking modes of operation and in said second position during the motoring mode of operation; and b. means for selectively operating the fluid brake means between a first position wherein the selector valve means is in its first position for the firing and braking mode of operation, a second position wherein the selector valve means is moved to its second position and a mechanical braking mechanism for the vehicle is actuated and a third position wherein the mechanical braking system of the vehicle is released and the selector valve means is maintained in its second position.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 93 words

The engine of claim 20, wherein the fluid brake means includes: a. a fluid cylinder means containing a fluid and having a reciprocating piston, said piston being connected to said means for selectively operating the fluid brake means; and b. first and second conduits connecting said fluid cylinder means to said selector valve means so that when said piston is reciprocated in said fluid cylinder said fluid is selectively forced through said first and second conduits to said selector valve means to set the selector valve means in its first and second positions.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 124 words

The engine of claim 12, wherein said compression cylinder valve means includes first and second slide valves associated with said compression cylinder to open and close the inlet and outlet to said compression cylinder, and wherein said first cam means includes: a. a first shaft carrying cam lobe means and mounted for rotation on said engine; b. first and second cam follwers associated with said first shaft for actuating said first and second slide valves to an open position upon engagement of cam follower by said cam lobe means carried on said first shaft; and c. first biasing means for returning said first and second slide valves to a closed position when said cam followers are disengaged from said cam on said first shaft.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 51 words

The engine of claim 22, wherein said means for operating said first cam means includes: a. a second timing sprocket carried on said first cam shaft; b. a drive shaft sprocket carried on said vehicle drive shaft; and c. timing chain encircling said second timing sprocket and said drive shaft sprocket.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 162 words

The engine of claim 12, wherein said second cylinder means includes: a. at least one firing cylinder associated with the vehicle drive shaft for turning the drive shaft during the firing and motoring mode of operation; b. firing cylinder inlet valve means connecting said manifold means and said throttle means to said firing cylinder for introducing a compressed air and fuel mixture into said firing cylinder during the firing mode of operation and for introducing compressed air into the firing cylinder during the motoring mode of operatiOn; c. exhaust valve means for permitting exhaust gases to flow from said firing cylinder after the combustion in said firing cylinder; d. second cam means associated with said vehicle drive shaft for operating said firing cylinder inlet valve means and said exhaust valve means at preselected times; e. means for advancing and retarding the operation of said second cam means; and f. means associated with said vehicle drive shaft for operating said second cam means.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 69 words

The engine of claim 24, wherein said firing cylinder inlet valve means includes: a. a first valve means operated by said second cam means; b. a second valve operated by the compressed air and fuel mixture during the firing mode of operation, said second valve means communicating with said firing cylinder; and c. a venturi connecting said first and second valves, said venturi being connected to said throttle means.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 14 words

The engine of claim 25, further including means for operating said selector valve means.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 136 words

The engine of claim 26, wherein said means for operating said selector valve means includes: a. closed loop fluid brake means for shifting said selector valve means between a first and second position, said selector valve means being in said first position during the firing and braking modes of operation and in the second position during the motoring mode of operation; and b. means for selectively operating said brake means between a first position wherein said selector valve means is in its first position for the firing and braking modes of operation, a second position wherein a mechanical braking system on said vehicle is actuated and said selector valve means is moved to said second position and a third position wherein said selector valve remains in said second position and said mechanical braking system is released.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 33 words

The engine of claim 24, wherein said second cam means includes a second shaft carrying a plurality of cam lobes for operating said firing cylinder inlet valve means and said exhaust valve means.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 166 words

The engine of claim 28, wherein said means advancing and retarding the operation of said cam means includes: a. a bellows assembly contiguous to said second shaft and communicating with said manifold means, said bellows assembly being reciprocal in a linear direction, the linear position of said bellows assembly being controlled by the pressure in said manifold means; b. sleeve carried on said second shaft; c. means for permitting said sleeve to reciprocate on said second shaft while permitting said sleeve to rotate with said second shaft; d. bearing means connecting said bellows assembly and said sleeve, said bearing means transmitting the linear movement of said bellows assembly to said sleeve while preventing the rotational movement of said sleeve to be transmitted to said bellows assembly; e. support member associated with said second shaft and said sleeve, said support member being mounted for rotation on said engine; and f. means for transmitting the rotary movement of said second shaft and said sleeve to said support member.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 123 words

The engine of claim 24, wherein said compression cylinder valve means includes first and second slide valves associated with said compression cylinder to open and close the inlet and outlet to said compression cylinder; and wherein said first cam means includes: a. a first shaft carrying cam lobe means and mounted for rotation on said engine; b. first and second cam followers associated with said first shaft for actuating said first and second slide valves to an open position upon engagement of said cam follower by said cam lobe means on said first shaft; and c. first biasing means for returning said first and second side valves to a closed position wherein said cam follower disengages from said cam on said first shaft.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 50 words

The engine of claim 30, wherein said means for operating said first cam means includes: a. a second timing sprocket carried on said first shaft; b. a drive shaft sprocket carried on the vehicle drive shaft; and c. timing chains encircling said second timing sprocket and said drive shaft sprocket.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 73 words

The engine of claim 24, further including a fuel supply means comprising: a. a pressurized fuel tank for carrying a combustible fuel; b. heat exchanger means for vaporizing said fuel; c. means for pumping said fuel from said pressurized fuel tank through said heat exchanger means; and d. fuel regulator means for supplying the vaporized fuel to said throttle means, said fuel regulator means being controlled by the pressure in said manifold means.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 80 words

The engine of claim 32, further including an exhaust means comprising: a. an exhaust manifold which communicates which said second cylinder means to receive exhaust gases produced by said second cylinder means during the firing mode of operation; b. afterburner means connected to said exhaust manifold for burning the unburned fuel remaining in the exhaust gas produced during the firing mode of operation; and c. muffler means connected to said afterburner means for eliminating undesired pollutatns from said exhaust gases.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1977-01-07	1977-07-09	1978-01-08	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1981-01-07	1981-07-09	1982-01-08	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1985-01-07	1985-07-09	1986-01-08	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Anti-pollution internal combustion engine

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