US3800533A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for reducing harmful products of combustion
Assignee: AZAPCO Inc
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Filing: 1972-06-13
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1992-06-13
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for effecting combustion of a volatile liquid fuel in a manner which significantly reduces harmful products of such combustion, such as carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen. The invention is particularly applicable to, and is described in connection with, a conventional internal combustion engine. The fuel is fully vaporized, and the vapors mixed with air, before being burned. The combustion gases are then oxidized without further combustion and divided by a flow-limiting orifice and branch line into two portions, one of which is released to the atmosphere, and the other returned to the system by being released through a nozzle below the surface of the liquid fuel being vaporized. The temperature of the returned gas is below the boiling range of the liquid fuel.
Inventors
- 👤 A Zankowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:30
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01N; F01N3/00; F01N3/08; F02; F02M; F02M26/00; F02M26/13; F02M26/22; F02M26/23; F02M26/36; F02B; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; F02M26/35; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/83
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A volatile liquid fuel combustion system for substantially reducing harmful products of combustion, said system comprising, in combination: a. an enclosed vessel containing a quantity of volatile liquid fuel; b. means for extracting vapors from said fuel and mixing said vapors with combustion supporting gas; c. thermal energy conversion means wherein the fuel vapor-gas mixture is burned; d. a thermal reactor into which products of combustion from said conversion means are discharged for oxidation of carbon monoxide without further combustion; e. flow limiting means interposed in the path of exhaust from said thermal reactor for discharging a first portion of said exhaust to the atmosphere and returning a second portion to said enclosed vessel; and f. means for discharging said second portion at a temperature below the boiling range of the liquid fuel, into said vessel below the surface of the liquid fuel therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A volatile liquid fuel combustion system for substantially reducing harmful products of combustion, said system comprising, in combination: a. an enclosed vessel containing a quantity of volatile liquid fuel; b. means for extracting vapors from said fuel and mixing said vapors with combustion supporting gas; c. thermal energy conversion means wherein the fuel vapor-gas mixture is burned; d. a thermal reactor into which products of combustion from said conversion means are discharged for oxidation of carbon monoxide without further combustion; e. flow limiting means interposed in the path of exhaust from said thermal reactor for discharging a first portion of said exhaust to the atmosphere and returning a second portion to said enclosed vessel; and f. means for discharging said second portion at a temperature below the boiling range of the liquid fuel, into said vessel below the surface of the liquid fuel therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said combustion supporting gas is air and said means for mixing comprises ratio control means for selectively controlling the relative amounts of fuel vapors and air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein said thermal energy conversion means comprises an internal combustion engine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention according to claim 3 wherein said thermal reactor comprises an enclosure for receiving the exhaust gases of said engine and of sufficient capacity relative to the temperature and body velocity of said gases to effect substantially complete oxidation of carbon monoxide therein as the gases pass through said enclosure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein an exhaust line extends from said thermal reactor and said flow limiting means comprises an orifice of smaller area than said exhaust line interposed therein, and a branch line extending from said exhaust line to said discharging means to carry the portion of the exhaust gas which cannot pass through said orifice back to said vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention according to claim 5 and further including heat exchanger means in said branch line for reducing the temperature of the gas passing therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention according to claim 5 and further including a one-way check valve in said branch line allowing flow therethrough only toward said vessel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention according to claim 5 wherein said orifice is positioned directly below the connection of said branch line with said exhaust line, whereby a portion of the water condensed in said branch line drops over said orifice and is flash vaporized.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said discharge means comprises a nozzle having a plurality of small apertures and arranged on the end of a line carrying said second portion of said exhaust back to said vessel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention according to claim 1 and further including a line for carrying said vapors out of said vessel and a one-way check valve interposed therein.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of operating an internal combustion engine fueled with an initially liquid, volatile fuel, said method comprising: a. vaporizing a quantity of said fuel; b. mixing air with the fuel vapors; c. burning the fuel vapor-air mixture in an internal combustion engine cylinder; d. oxidizing the carbon monoxide in the exhaust gas from said engine without further combustion thereof; e. dividing the flow of said exhaust gas into first and second portions; f. releasing said first portion to the atmosphere; g. reducing the temperature of said second portion below the boiling point of said liquid fuel; and h. discharging said second portion below the surface of said liquid fuel.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of operating an internal combustion engine fueled with an initially liquid, volatile fuel, said method comprising: a. vaporizing a quantity of said fuel; b. mixing air with the fuel vapors; c. burning the fuel vapor-air mixture in an internal combustion engine cylinder; d. oxidizing the carbon monoxide in the exhaust gas from said engine without further combustion thereof; e. dividing the flow of said exhaust gas into first and second portions; f. releasing said first portion to the atmosphere; g. reducing the temperature of said second portion below the boiling point of said liquid fuel; and h. discharging said second portion below the surface of said liquid fuel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention according to claim 11 and further including expanding the volume said gas just prior to division thereof into said first and second portions.
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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) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |