US4112892A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combustion control system for adding fluid above the butterfly valve
Assignee: OWEN WICKERSHAM AND ERICKSON PC
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Filing: 1977-05-04
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Granted: 1978-09-12
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Expires: 1997-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A combustion control system adds fluid to the air fuel mixture of the induction system of an internal combustion engine in response to the engine's need for the added fluid to improve combustion, to increase power, to improve efficiency, and to reduce emissions. The combustion control system includes a variable impedance, fluidic control mechanism which produces an impedance to flow through the mechanism which varies in relationship to the pressure differential applied across and to an acceleration of flow through the control mechanism. In one embodiment, the variable impedance flow control mechanism is a vortex chamber, and in another embodiment it is a Venturi. Both embodiments have an outlet which is connected to the induction system above the butterfly valve of the engine. A second variable impedance fluidic control mechanism controls the mixing of air with PCV gases in response to suction in the induction system of the engine; this second control has an outlet which is connected below the butterfly valve. Both variable impedance flow control mechanisms can incorporate shaped inlets for providing a swirl and a controlled choking in the inlets to the flow control mechanisms. The outlet of each variable impedance flow control mechanism also preferably has an inner surface which is configured to produce high turbulence and ultrasonic wave fronts in the fluid flow from the outlet.
Inventors
- 👤 John E. Lindberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:22
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M27/00; F02M27/08; F02M25/00; F02M25/06; F02M26/00; F02M26/13; F02M26/36; F02M26/17; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A combustion control system for adding a fluid to the air-fuel mixture of the induction system of an internal combustion engine in response to engine need for the added fluid to improve the combustion of the fuel, said system comprising variable impedance flow control means for producing an impedance to flow through the control means which varies in relationship to the pressure differential across the flow control means and which also varies in relationship to an acceleration of flow through the variable impedance flow control means, outlet means connecting the outlet of the variable impedance flow control means to the induction system of the engine, input means for supplying a liquid and engine exhaust gases to the inlet of the variable impedance flow control means, and wherein the outlet means include an outlet positioned above the butterfly valve of the engine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A combustion control system for adding a fluid to the air-fuel mixture of the induction system of an internal combustion engine in response to engine need for the added fluid to improve the combustion of the fuel, said system comprising variable impedance flow control means for producing an impedance to flow through the control means which varies in relationship to the pressure differential across the flow control means and which also varies in relationship to an acceleration of flow through the variable impedance flow control means, outlet means connecting the outlet of the variable impedance flow control means to the induction system of the engine, input means for supplying a liquid and engine exhaust gases to the inlet of the variable impedance flow control means, and wherein the outlet means include an outlet positioned above the butterfly valve of the engine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the variable impedance flow control means include a vortex chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the variable impedance flow control means include a Venturi.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the input means include a source of liquid and a conduit for conducting liquid from the source to the control means, and wherein the conduit includes a tube end located within the control means at a point of high suction produced by the flow of exhaust gases through the control means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the outlet means comprises a conduit having an inner surface formed with a plurality of small grooves which provide increased turbulent mixing and an ultrasonic shock wave effect in the fluid flowing through said outlet and into the induction system of the engine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
The invention defined in claim 1, including a second variable impedance flow control means for producing an impedance to flow through the second means which vary in relationship to the pressure differential across and to an acceleration of flow through the second flow control means, second outlet means connecting the outlet of the second variable impedance flow control means to the induction system of the engine, and second input means for supplying both air and PCV gases inlet of the second variable impedance flow control means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention defined in claim 6 wherein the second variable impedance flow control means comprise a vortex chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention defined in claim 7 wherein the second input means comprise a first inlet for admitting air and a second inlet for admitting PCV gases.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention defined in claim 8 wherein the second inlet includes a control orifice for controlling the flow of PCV gases.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention defined in claim 9 wherein the air inlet includes a shaped opening having a throat of reduced cross sectional area and including adjustment means for varying the cross sectional area of the throat.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention defined in claim 10 wherein the air inlet comprises a shaped opening having slots extending through the side wall of the opening, and disposed with respect to the inner surface of the shaped opening for causing a swirl and controlled choking of the flow of air through the shaped opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention defined in claim 11 wherein the outlet means include an outlet having an inner surface formed with a plurality of grooves for providing turbulent mixing and an ultrasonic effect in the mixed air and PCV gases flowing through said outlet and transmitted into the induction system of the engine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention defined in claim 6 wherein the second variable impedance flow control means includes an outlet wherein the second outlet means of the second variable impedance flow control means is connected to the ported vent of the induction system below the butterfly valve.
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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) | 1981-09-11 | 1982-03-13 | 1982-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-11 | 1986-03-13 | 1986-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-11 | 1990-03-13 | 1990-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |