US4072138A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel system
Assignee: HAWKINS ENTERPRISES Inc
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Filing: 1976-07-22
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Granted: 1978-02-07
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Expires: 1996-07-22
Abstract
Abstract The fuel system services the internal combustion engine of an automobile or similar vehicle and includes a fuel heater disposed intermediate the carburator and fuel pump of the system. Fuel passing through the heater is heated to a desired temperature, by heat derived from a counter-flow circulation through the heater of hot water from the engine's cooling system, effective to increase the efficiency of the engine and to reduce exhaust-pollution. Operation of the heater is automatically and continuously regulated by control means which detects and is responsive to the temperature of the fuel passing downstream from the heater to the carburator. Cooling means are provided within that part of the fuel system intermediate the heater and the fuel pump to minimize heat-transfer in an upstream direction through the system, and to thus minimize the possibility of "vapor-lock" of the fuel pump. The fuel heater is of a compact, sealed construction facilitating economy of manufacture and installation, as well as safety of operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Clyde C. Hawkins
- 👤 Jesse R. Hawkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:21
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D7/00; F28D7/02; F28D7/024; F02; F02M; F02M31/00; F02M31/02; F02M31/16; F02M31/20; F02D; F02D2200/00; F02D2200/02; F02D2200/06; F02D2200/0606; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
In combination with a vehicle having an internal combustion engine; and a fuel system for supplying liquid fuel to said engine; said fuel system including a fuel tank, a carburator, and a fuel pump for directing fuel from said tank to said carburator; the improvement comprising: fuel heating means interposed within said fuel system intermediate said fuel pump and said carburator for heating fuel conducted therethrough during its passage from said fuel pump to said carburator; control means for regulating the operation of said fuel heating means in accordance with the temperature of the fuel passing downstream from said fuel heating means to said carburator; and cooling means within that part of said fuel system intermediate said fuel heating means and said fuel pump for minimizing heat-transfer in an upstream direction through said system from said fuel heating means to said fuel pump.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
In combination with a vehicle having an internal combustion engine; and a fuel system for supplying liquid fuel to said engine; said fuel system including a fuel tank, a carburator, and a fuel pump for directing fuel from said tank to said carburator; the improvement comprising: fuel heating means interposed within said fuel system intermediate said fuel pump and said carburator for heating fuel conducted therethrough during its passage from said fuel pump to said carburator; control means for regulating the operation of said fuel heating means in accordance with the temperature of the fuel passing downstream from said fuel heating means to said carburator; and cooling means within that part of said fuel system intermediate said fuel heating means and said fuel pump for minimizing heat-transfer in an upstream direction through said system from said fuel heating means to said fuel pump.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said vehicle includes an engine-cooling system for circulating water through said engine; and further including conduit means for conducting heated water from said engine-cooling system through said fuel heating means in heat-exchanging counterflow relationship to the fuel conducted through said fuel heating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said control means includes adjustable and temperature-responsive valve means interposed in said conduit means for varying the flow of heated water conducted to said fuel-heating means in accordance with the temperature of the fuel passing from said fuel heating means to said carburator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said control means further includes a temperature-detecting device connected to said valve means; and wherein said fuel system includes a conduit interconnecting said fuel heating means and said carburator for conducting heated fuel from said heating means to said carburator, said conduit being formed of metallic heat-conductive material; a sheath of insulating material encircling said conduit along substantially its entire length; and said temperature-detecting device being disposed between said sheath of insulating material and said conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said engine-cooling system includes a water-radiator; a fan driven by said engine for causing air currents to pass to and through said radiator; and said cooling means including a conduit, formed of heat-conductive metal and forming part of said fuel system between said fuel pump and said heating means, disposed forwardly of said radiator in exposed relationship to the air currents passing to said radiator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said cooling means further includes a plurality of heat-conductive fin-like elements carried by said conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said fuel heating means includes a generally cylindrical casing; end members fixedly secured to opposite ends of said casing and having tubular projections extending outwardly therefrom in substantial alignment with the central axis of said casing; a fuel-conducting conduit extending through said casing and through said end members, the opposite end portions of said conduit extending generally co-axially of and through said tubular projections of respective ones of said end members in radially spaced relationship thereto, and the medial portion of said conduit defining a plurality of helical coils extending in radially spaced and generally co-axial relationship to said casing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as in claim 7, and further including mounting blocks secured to respective ones of said tubular projections of said end members and having water passages extending therethrough and communicating with the associated ones of said tubular projections of said end members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as in claim 8, wherein said vehicle includes an engine-cooling system for circulating water through said engine; and further including conduit means innerconnecting said passages of said mounting blocks and said engine-cooling system for circulating heated water from said engine-cooling system through said passages and through said fuel heating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said control means includes adjustable and temperature-responsive valve means associated with said conduit means for varying the flow of the water circulated through said fuel heating means in response to detected variations in the temperature of the fuel passing to and immediately upstream from said carburator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said cooling means is disposed distal from said fuel heating means, and is exposed to currents of ambient air passing thereto during operation of said vehicle.
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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) | 1981-02-06 | 1981-08-08 | 1982-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-06 | 1985-08-08 | 1986-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-06 | 1989-08-08 | 1990-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |