Abstract An internal combustion engine having characteristics that lie between the Otto cycle and the Diesel cycle, plus the ability to burn any type of liquid hydrocarbon fuel. Air is compressed to the peak of the compression stage, at which point the high-pressure, high-temperature fuel vapor is injected into the combustion chamber where it mixes with the air and ignites to initiate the power stroke. Liquid hydrocarbon fuel is vaporized in a flash boiler and brought up to high pressure, well in excess of the compression pressure in the combustion chamber, and to temperature above the ignition point. At the peak of compression, a regulable valve opens to allow a metered quantity of the high-pressure vaporized fuel to be injected into the combustion chamber. The vaporized fuel, being already heated well above the ignition temperature, ignites as it mixes with the air in the combustion chamber and burns cleanly and efficiently during the power stroke. Heat of vaporization added to the fuel in the boiler is added to the heat generated by combustion, thereby producing an additional increment of power in the power stroke. During the warm-up stage, the engine operates as a conventional gasoline engine, using a carburetor and spark ignition. When the fuel boiler reaches operating temperature and pressure, the carburetor is switched off, and operation is continued, using high pressure fuel vapor injection.
An internal combustion engine comprising, in combination: a stationary housing having a movable power transmitting member cooperating therewith to define a variable displacement combustion chamber; means for admitting fresh air into said combustion chamber, said fresh air being subsequently compressed within the combustion chamber by said movable power transmitting member; means, comprising a boiler, external to said combustion chamber for adding the latent heat of vaporization and a component of superheat to liquid fuel, so as to convert the same into a superheated gaseous state under high pressure exceeding the pressure of said compressed air; said boiler being connected to the exhaust of said engine so that the heat in the exhaust gas is utilized in vaporizing said liquid fuel; said boiler also having a burner for generating additional heat when needed; means for delivering liquid fuel to said boiler at approximately the same rate as the fuel is used by the engine; valve means operable to discharge a metered amount of superheated fuel vapor into said combustion chamber near the peak of the compression stage, said valve means comprising a spool-type transfer pump for supplying liquid fuel to said boiler at approximately the same rate that it is consumed by the engine; a passageway directly connecting said boiler to said combustion chamber; and a valve rotatable and slidable longitudinally within said passageway to vary the orifice size when the valve is open, thereby regulating the amount of fuel vapor that is injected into the combustion chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
An internal combustion engine comprising, in combination: a stationary housing having a movable power transmitting member cooperating therewith to define a variable displacement combustion chamber; means for admitting fresh air into said combustion chamber, said fresh air being subsequently compressed within the combustion chamber by said movable power transmitting member; means, comprising a boiler, external to said combustion chamber for adding the latent heat of vaporization and a component of superheat to liquid fuel, so as to convert the same into a superheated gaseous state under high pressure exceeding the pressure of said compressed air; said boiler being connected to the exhaust of said engine so that the heat in the exhaust gas is utilized in vaporizing said liquid fuel; said boiler also having a burner for generating additional heat when needed; means for delivering liquid fuel to said boiler at approximately the same rate as the fuel is used by the engine; valve means operable to discharge a metered amount of superheated fuel vapor into said combustion chamber near the peak of the compression stage, said valve means comprising a spool-type transfer pump for supplying liquid fuel to said boiler at approximately the same rate that it is consumed by the engine; a passageway directly connecting said boiler to said combustion chamber; and a valve rotatable and slidable longitudinally within said passageway to vary the orifice size when the valve is open, thereby regulating the amount of fuel vapor that is injected into the combustion chamber.