US4068625A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Engine intake air moisturizer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-05-12
•
Granted: 1978-01-17
•
Expires: 1996-05-12
Abstract
Abstract This apparatus for moisturizing the intake air going into an engine carburetor has one or more venturi passageways, each defined by a water permeable, porous body surrounded by water. The intake air is drawn into the venturi passageway where it becomes moisturized or humidified before going into the carburetor.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Lester Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:29
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M25/00; F02M25/022; F02M25/0221; F02M25/0225; F02M25/025; F02M25/028; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A moisturizer for an engine carburetor comprising: an open-ended housing for connection at one open end to the air intake of the carburetor, said housing having an air inlet opening at its opposite end; an open-ended, annular body inside said housing defining a venturi passageway between its ends for conducting air from said air inlet opening of the housing to said air intake of the carburetor, said body having a reduced diameter throat at which air pressure in said body is at a minimum, and having tapered portions at both axial sides of said throat tapering outwardly therefrom, said body for at least a portion of its extent being spaced from said housing to define therewith a water chamber at the outside of said body, said body at said latter portion of its extent being porous to pass moisture from said water chamber for evaporation into the air flowing through said venturi passageway, said venturi passageway providing increased migration of water through said body at said throat due to the reduction of air pressure at said throat; and means on said housing for introducing water into said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A moisturizer for an engine carburetor comprising: an open-ended housing for connection at one open end to the air intake of the carburetor, said housing having an air inlet opening at its opposite end; an open-ended, annular body inside said housing defining a venturi passageway between its ends for conducting air from said air inlet opening of the housing to said air intake of the carburetor, said body having a reduced diameter throat at which air pressure in said body is at a minimum, and having tapered portions at both axial sides of said throat tapering outwardly therefrom, said body for at least a portion of its extent being spaced from said housing to define therewith a water chamber at the outside of said body, said body at said latter portion of its extent being porous to pass moisture from said water chamber for evaporation into the air flowing through said venturi passageway, said venturi passageway providing increased migration of water through said body at said throat due to the reduction of air pressure at said throat; and means on said housing for introducing water into said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A moisturizer according to claim 1, wherein said body is porous at the throat of said venturi passageway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A moisturizer according to claim 1, wherein said body is porous throughout substantially its complete length in said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A moisturizer according to claim 1, wherein said last-mentioned means is a water inlet fitting on the top of said housing at said chamber, and said fitting has a tubular neck at the outside of the said housing for the attachment of a hose.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A moisturizer according to claim 1, and further comprising a vent valve on the top of said housing at said chamber for venting said chamber to the atmosphere while it is being filled with water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A moisturizer according to claim 1, and further comprising a drain valve on the bottom of said housing for emptying the water from said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A moisturizer according to claim 4, and further comprising: a vent valve on the top of said housing at said water chamber for venting said chamber to the atmosphere during the filling of said chamber with water; and a drain valve on the bottom of said housing at said water chamber for draining water therefrom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
108 words
A moisturizer according to claim 1, and further comprising: at least one additional open-ended body inside said housing defining a venturi passageway in parallel with the venturi passageway of said first-mentioned body for conducting air from said air inlet opening of the housing to said air intake of the carburetor, said additional body for at least a portion of its extent being spaced from said housing to define therewith a water chamber at the outside of said additional body, and said additional body at said portion of its extent being porous to pass moisture from said water chamber for evaporation into the air flowing through its venturi passageway.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
A moisturizer according to claim 8, wherein said venturi passageways extend horizontally.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A moisturizer according to claim 8, wherein said venturi passageways extend upward from said air inlet opening of the housing to said air intake of the carburetor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
101 words
A moisturizer according to claim 8, wherein said housing comprises: a respective housing tube enclosing each of said venturi passageway bodies, said tubes extending in adjoining parallel relationship and providing fluid communication between the respective water chambers outside said bodies; an inlet fitting attached to said housing tubes at one end thereof and providing said air inlet opening of the housing leading into each of said venturi passageways; and an outlet fitting attached to said housing tubes at the opposite end thereof and providing an outlet passage leading from each of said venturi passageways to the air intake of the carburetor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A moisturizer according to claim 11, wherein said housing tubes and said venturi passageways extend horizontally.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
98 words
A moisturizer according to claim 8, wherein said housing comprises: a water jacket receiving all of said venturi passageway bodies; an inlet fitting attached to said water jacket and having a single air inlet opening and a plurality of outlet openings which register respectively with said venturi passageways at one end; and an outlet fitting attached to said water jacket and having a plurality of inlet openings which register respectively with said venturi passageways at the opposite end thereof, said outlet fitting having a single outlet opening for passing moisturized air into the air intake of the carburetor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A moisturizer according to claim 13, wherein: said venturi passageways extend vertically; said inlet fitting is attached to the bottom of said water jacket; and said outlet fitting is attached to the top of said water jacket.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR965487A
Cited
FR401497A
Cited
US1430803A
Cited
US1465828A
Cited
US2843216A
Cited
US2811146A
Cited
US3403531A
Cited
US3834360A
Cited
US3991724A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-16 | 1981-07-18 | 1982-01-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-16 | 1985-07-18 | 1986-01-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-16 | 1989-07-18 | 1990-01-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |