Patent US3928971A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3928971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Internal combustion engine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-03-11
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1994-03-11
Abstract
Abstract An internal combustion engine of the usual piston type in combination with a gas turbine operable to assist in powering the output drive shaft of said engine, the exhaust gases and the crankcase vapors of the piston engine, which contain combustible unburned hydrocarbons, being collected, compressed and supplied to the turbine to provide fuel therefor, whereby both to increase the proportion of the available energy extracted from the basic fuel, for greater economy of fuel usage, and also to reduce the amount of atmosphere polluting emissions contained in the ultimate exhaust gases.
Inventors
- 👤 Tommy W Spath
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:30
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02G; F02G3/00; F02G3/02; F05; F05B; F05B2220/00; F05B2220/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
In combination with an internal combustion engine emitting exhaust gases including combustible constituents and operable to turn a power output shaft: a. a turbine drivable by gas under pressure and also operable to turn said power output shaft, b. means operable to collect said exhaust gases, deliver them to said turbine, and burn them to supply expanded quantities of gas for driving said turbine, said means comprising a gas compressor driven by said internal combustion engine, a conduit connecting the exhaust manifold of said internal combustion engine to the intake of said compressor, means for admitting fresh air to the intake of said compressor, a conduit connecting the outlet of said compressor to the gas inlet of said turbine, and ignition means operable to ignite said airexhaust gas mixture at the inlet of said turbine, and c. a throttling valve operable to regulate the amount of fresh air delivered to said compressor intake, and means responsive to the speed of operation of said engine to adjust said throttling valve, to render the quantity of air admitted directly proportional to the speed of operation of said engine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
In combination with an internal combustion engine emitting exhaust gases including combustible constituents and operable to turn a power output shaft: a. a turbine drivable by gas under pressure and also operable to turn said power output shaft, b. means operable to collect said exhaust gases, deliver them to said turbine, and burn them to supply expanded quantities of gas for driving said turbine, said means comprising a gas compressor driven by said internal combustion engine, a conduit connecting the exhaust manifold of said internal combustion engine to the intake of said compressor, means for admitting fresh air to the intake of said compressor, a conduit connecting the outlet of said compressor to the gas inlet of said turbine, and ignition means operable to ignite said airexhaust gas mixture at the inlet of said turbine, and c. a throttling valve operable to regulate the amount of fresh air delivered to said compressor intake, and means responsive to the speed of operation of said engine to adjust said throttling valve, to render the quantity of air admitted directly proportional to the speed of operation of said engine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein said compressor is driven by said engine at a speed directly proportional to the speed of operation of said engine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination as recited in claim 2 wherein said internal combustion engine is of the piston type including a crankcase in which combustible vapors also collect, and with the addition of means whereby said crankcase vapors are delivered to the intake of said compressor together with said exhaust gases and said fresh air.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |