Fluid vapor injector

Claim 1

A fluid vapor injector for injecting a fluid vapor into the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, the injector comprising: a reservoir for retaining a quantity of the fluid, the reservoir having an upper end, a lower end, and a vapor chamber defined therein generally between the upper level of the fluid and the upper end of the reservoir; a fluid vapor conduit having one portion connected to the vapor chamber and another portion connected to the intake manifold, the fluid vapor conduit providing fluid communication between the vapor chamber and the intake manifold; an aerator having an upper end extending through the upper end of the reservoir and a foraminous portion disposed in the fluid, the aerator providing fluid communication between the upper end thereof and the foraminous portion thereof; and a valve assembly comprising: a valve seat formed in the upper end of the aerator; a bellows disposed generally above, and connected to, the upper end of the reservoir, the bellows comprising: a base member connected to the upper end of the reservoir; a hinged member pivotally connected to the base member, the hinged member being movable in one direction generally away from the base member and in one other direction generally toward the base member; and a resilient diaphragm sealingly connected between the base member and the hinged member, the resilient diaphragm cooperating with the base member and the hinged member to define the interior of the bellows; A biasing spring disposed in the interior of the bellows between the base member and the hinged member, the biasing spring biasing the hinged member in the one direction generally away from the base member; means providing fluid communication between the interior of the bellows and the vapor chamber; an actuator rod having a first end connected to the hinged member and a second end extending over the valve seat, the actuator rod moving with the hinged member; and a valve stem pivotally connected to the second end of the actuator rod and depending generally downwardly toward the valve seat; and a valve threaded onto the valve stem adjacent to and vertically above the valve seat, the valve moving with the actuator rod toward seating engagement with the valve seat as the hinged member moves toward the base member and away from seating engagement with the valve seat as the hinged member moves away from the base member, the position of the valve with respect to the valve seat determining the rate of flow of air through the aerator.