US3937202A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Economy driving aid
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1974-01-21
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Granted: 1976-02-10
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Expires: 1994-01-21
Abstract
Abstract An internal combustion engine operating aid which produces a signal to the engine operator when the engine throttle is depressed or released so rapidly as to reduce engine operating economy. Such a signal is produced responsive to the actuation of a diaphram or piston contained within a chamber. Each side of the diaphram or piston is connected to the engine inlet manifold, however the connecting path to one side contains a restriction orifice. Thus the pressure on the side of the diaphram or piston having no restriction orfice changes immediately upon a change of pressure in the inlet manifold, such an inlet manifold pressure change being characteristic of uneconomical rapid acceleration or deceleration, while the pressure on that side having a restriction orifice in the connective path between it and the inlet manifold changes more slowly due to the restriction, this pressure differential producing movement of the diaphram or piston and a signal to the engine operator responsive to such movement.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald P. Heath
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:47
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B77/00; F02B77/08; F02B77/084
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
In an internal combustion engine system comprising means for mixing air and a hydrocarbon fuel in combustible proportions, an internal combustion engine wherein said air-fuel mixture is burned thereby producing power, and an inlet manifold means connecting said air-fuel mixing means and said internal combutsion engine, said manifold thus allowing for the passage of said air-fuel mixture into said engine, the improvement which comprises: inlet manifold pressure sensing means comprising a chamber divided into two sections by a moveable partition, means connecting each section to said inlet manifold in pressure responsive relation, and restrictive orifice means in one of said connecting means delaying the pressure responsiveness of one of said sections thereby causing said partition to move responsive to a sudden inlet manifold pressure change of at least about 2 to 10 inches of mercury within not more than about 1 second.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
In an internal combustion engine system comprising means for mixing air and a hydrocarbon fuel in combustible proportions, an internal combustion engine wherein said air-fuel mixture is burned thereby producing power, and an inlet manifold means connecting said air-fuel mixing means and said internal combutsion engine, said manifold thus allowing for the passage of said air-fuel mixture into said engine, the improvement which comprises: inlet manifold pressure sensing means comprising a chamber divided into two sections by a moveable partition, means connecting each section to said inlet manifold in pressure responsive relation, and restrictive orifice means in one of said connecting means delaying the pressure responsiveness of one of said sections thereby causing said partition to move responsive to a sudden inlet manifold pressure change of at least about 2 to 10 inches of mercury within not more than about 1 second.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improved internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inlet manifold pressure change is further defined as at least about 2.0 to 5.0 inches of mercury occurring within not more than 1.0 seconds.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improved internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said moveable chamber partition is a piston.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improved internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said moveable chamber partiion is a diaphram.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improved internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said system further comprises a further engine operation indicative means responsive to an inlet manifold pressure of about 20.0 to 25.0 inches of mercury.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improved internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said system further comprises a further engine operative indicative means responsive to an inlet manifold pressure of about 8.0 to 12.0 inches of mercury.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
The improved internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said engine operation indicators are further defined as comprising three signal lights having different and distinct colors such as green, yellow and red, and means for activating said green light under normal engine operation conditions, activating said yellow light and deactivating said green and yellow lights responsive to an inlet manifold pressure of about 8.0 to 12.0 inches of mercury, and deactivating said green light responsive to an inlet manifold pressure of about 20.0 to 25.0 inches of mercury.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improved internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said restriction orfice is an orfice in said diaphram partitioning said first and second sections.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a method of operating an internal combustion engine system comprising mixing air and a hydrocarbon fuel in combustible proportions; conveying said air-fuel mixture through an inlet manifold and thence into an internal combustion engine; and burning said air-fuel mixture in said engine, thereby producing power, the improvement which comprises: sensing said inlet manifold pressure, transmitting said inlet manifold pressure to a first section of a pressure sensing means chamber; transmitting said inlet manifold pressure through a restrictive orifice to a second section of said pressure sensing means chamber; coupling said sections by means of a pressure responsive moveable partition; moving said partition responsive to the different instantaneous pressure in each of said section caused by a sudden inlet manifiold pressure change of about 2 to 10 inches of mercury in not more than about 1 second; and activating a signal upon sensing said sudden inlet manifold pressure change.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a method of operating an internal combustion engine system comprising mixing air and a hydrocarbon fuel in combustible proportions; conveying said air-fuel mixture through an inlet manifold and thence into an internal combustion engine; and burning said air-fuel mixture in said engine, thereby producing power, the improvement which comprises: sensing said inlet manifold pressure, transmitting said inlet manifold pressure to a first section of a pressure sensing means chamber; transmitting said inlet manifold pressure through a restrictive orifice to a second section of said pressure sensing means chamber; coupling said sections by means of a pressure responsive moveable partition; moving said partition responsive to the different instantaneous pressure in each of said section caused by a sudden inlet manifiold pressure change of about 2 to 10 inches of mercury in not more than about 1 second; and activating a signal upon sensing said sudden inlet manifold pressure change.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
the improved method of operating an internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said inlet manifold pressure change is further defined as at least about 2.0 to 5.0 inches of mercury occurring within not more than 1.0 seconds.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improved method of operating an internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said moveable chamber partition is a piston.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improved method of operating an internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said moveable chamber partition is a diaphram.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improved method of operating an internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said method further comprises activating a signal upon sensing an inlet manifold pressure of about 20.0 to 25.0 inches of mercury.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improved method of operating an internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said method further comprises activating a signal upon sensing an inlet manifold pressure of about 8.0 to 12.0 inches of mercury.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
107 words
The improved method of operating an internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said signals are further defined as comprising three signal lights of different and distinctive colors such as green, yellow and red; activating said green light under normal engine operating conditions, activating said yellow light and deactivating said green light responsive to said sudden inlet manifold pressure change, activating said red light and deactivating said green and yellow light responsive to an inlet manifold pressure of about 8.0 to 12.0 inches of mercury, and deactivating said green light responsive to an inlet manifold pressure of about 20.0 to 25.0 inches of mercury.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improved method of operating an internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said restriction orfice is an orfice in said diaphram partitioning said first and second sections.
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) | 1979-02-09 | 1979-08-11 | 1980-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-09 | 1983-08-11 | 1984-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-09 | 1987-08-11 | 1988-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |