Patent US3841283A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3841283A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for reducing smog producing emission from internal combustion engines
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-10-12
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1992-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A smog control provided with a heat sensor that is exposed to the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine. Means is also provided for recirculating a portion of the exhaust gases back through the engine. The carburetor is provided with a needle valve that is operated by an electric motor. The heat sensor resistor forms one leg of a Wheatstone bridge which is normally balanced. Electronic controls are connected to the bridge to control the energization of the electric motor so that the motor either opens or restricts the needle valve to increase or decrease the fuel air ratio to the engine in response to the unbalancing of the Wheatstone bridge by the heat sensor resistor.
Inventors
- 👤 H Wood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:01
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/02; F02D41/14; F02D41/1438; F02D41/1444; F02D41/1454; F02D41/1455; F02D41/1446; F02M; F02M7/00; F02M7/12; F02M7/18; F02M7/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
In apparatus for reducing the smog producing emission from an internal combustion engine, the combination comprising an electrical resistor supported in exhaust pipe means of the internal combustion engine, the electrical resistance of said resistor varying with the thermal conductivity of the exhaust gas passing through said exhaust pipe means, an electric motor, a carburetor having a valve through which fuel is fed from the carburetor to the intake manifold of said engine, mechanical means coupling said valve to said motor, and electrical bridge circuit, said resistor being connected to form one leg of said bridge circuit, a source of current supply connected across said bridge circuit, the current from said source heating said resistor to a predetermined temperature at which the resistance of said resistor is such that said bridge circuit is balanced, amplifying means comprising a pair of amplifiers, means connecting the individual ones of said pair of amplifiers to opposite sides of the output of said bridge circuit, said amplifying means being responsive to the unbalancing of said bridge circuit so that one of said amplifiers is activated when the resistance of said resistor is increased by said exhaust gas and the other of said amplifiers is activated when the resistance of said resistor is decreased, means controlling the energization of said motor connected to said amplifying means, said motor controlling said valve and varying the feeding of fuel to said carburetor in accordance with the thermal conductivity of the engine exhaust gas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
In apparatus for reducing the smog producing emission from an internal combustion engine, the combination comprising an electrical resistor supported in exhaust pipe means of the internal combustion engine, the electrical resistance of said resistor varying with the thermal conductivity of the exhaust gas passing through said exhaust pipe means, an electric motor, a carburetor having a valve through which fuel is fed from the carburetor to the intake manifold of said engine, mechanical means coupling said valve to said motor, and electrical bridge circuit, said resistor being connected to form one leg of said bridge circuit, a source of current supply connected across said bridge circuit, the current from said source heating said resistor to a predetermined temperature at which the resistance of said resistor is such that said bridge circuit is balanced, amplifying means comprising a pair of amplifiers, means connecting the individual ones of said pair of amplifiers to opposite sides of the output of said bridge circuit, said amplifying means being responsive to the unbalancing of said bridge circuit so that one of said amplifiers is activated when the resistance of said resistor is increased by said exhaust gas and the other of said amplifiers is activated when the resistance of said resistor is decreased, means controlling the energization of said motor connected to said amplifying means, said motor controlling said valve and varying the feeding of fuel to said carburetor in accordance with the thermal conductivity of the engine exhaust gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
In apparatus for reducing the smog producing emission from an internal combustion engine, the combination as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said mechanical means comprises speed reducing means driven by said motor, a shaft driven by said speed reducing means, said valve comprising a threaded member engaging threaded means supporting said threaded member on said carburetor, said threaded member having a pointed end opposing a valve seat, said shaft being axially slidable in said threaded member to move said pointed end with respect to said valve seat when said motor is energized.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
In apparatus for reducing the smog producing emission from an internal combustion engine, the combination as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said means controlling the energization of said motor comprises means controlling the direction of rotation of said motor including relay means connecting said motor to said source of current supply to achieve said direction of rotation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
In apparatus for reducing the smog producing emission from an internal combustion engine, the combination as set forth in claim 3, further characterized in that said relay means includes a pair of relays and said amplifying means includes separate outputs connected to said relays separately and diodes connected to said relays to limit energization of said relays by current flowing only in a predetermined direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus for reducing the smog producing emissions from an internal combustion engine, the combination comprising an electrical exhaust sensor, sensitive to some elements and thermal conductivity of the exhaust gas, which comprises two legs of a Wheatstone bridge and an electronic means amplifying the bridge error, a valve controlling the fuel to the engine, an electric motor operating said valve, said electronic means comprising two amplifiers, one of said amplifiers supplying a signal for activating said motor to rotate in one direction and the other of said amplifiers supplying a signal for activating said motor to rotate in the opposite direction, said motor operating said valve for controlling the fuel-air ratio to the engine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus for reducing the smog producing emissions from an internal combustion engine, the combination comprising an electrical exhaust sensor, sensitive to some elements and thermal conductivity of the exhaust gas, which comprises two legs of a Wheatstone bridge and an electronic means amplifying the bridge error, a valve controlling the fuel to the engine, an electric motor operating said valve, said electronic means comprising two amplifiers, one of said amplifiers supplying a signal for activating said motor to rotate in one direction and the other of said amplifiers supplying a signal for activating said motor to rotate in the opposite direction, said motor operating said valve for controlling the fuel-air ratio to the engine.
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) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |