US4121543A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Precombustion ionization device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-01-12
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Granted: 1978-10-24
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Expires: 1996-01-12
Abstract
Abstract Precombustion ionization devices are disclosed for treating the vaporizable liquid fuel in internal combustion engines, including at least one foraminous member prepared from a catalytic metal having an oxide coating on the surface thereof. The foraminous member, or screen, is spaced from the carburetor and the engine intake of the internal combustion engine by means of a supporting gasket. The disclosed precombustion ionization devices may also be attached to a source of relatively high voltage, resulting in increased ionization of the vaporizable liquid fuel thereby, and preventing electropolishing of the metal oxide coating.
Inventors
- 👤 Jarvis Byron Hicks, Jr.
- 👤 Damon John Hicks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:57
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M27/00; F02M27/04; F02M27/02; F02B; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A precombustion ionization device for interposition between the carburetor and the engine intake of an internal combustion engine employing a vaporizable liquid fuel, said device comprising at least one foraminous member including a catalytic metal thereon, and an oxide coating of said catalytic metal on its surface so as to promote reduction of said liquid fuel, and thereby improve the octane rating of said engine, and a gasket supporting said foraminous member so that said foraminous member is in spaced relationship from said carburetor and said engine intake.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A precombustion ionization device for interposition between the carburetor and the engine intake of an internal combustion engine employing a vaporizable liquid fuel, said device comprising at least one foraminous member including a catalytic metal thereon, and an oxide coating of said catalytic metal on its surface so as to promote reduction of said liquid fuel, and thereby improve the octane rating of said engine, and a gasket supporting said foraminous member so that said foraminous member is in spaced relationship from said carburetor and said engine intake.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ionization device of claim 1 including a source of voltage applied to said foraminous member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ionization device of claim 2 wherein said source of voltage applies at least 4 volts to said foraminous member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ionization device of claim 1 wherein said catalytic metal comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, zinc, aluminum, cadmium and platinum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The ionization device of claim 1 including at least two foraminous members, each such foraminous member including a catalytic metal and an oxide coating of said catalytic metal on the surface thereof, and wherein said gasket separates each of said foraminous members from each other as well as separating said foraminous members from said carburetor and said engine intake.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ionization device of claim 1 wherein said oxide coating is at least about 0.0001 inches thick.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ionization device of claim 5 wherein said foraminous members are each prepared from a different catalytic metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ionization device of claim 5 wherein said foraminous members are each prepared from the same catalytic metal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ionization device of claim 5 wherein a source of voltage is applied to one of said foraminous members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ionization device of claim 9 wherein said foraminous member to which said source of voltage is applied is in proximity to said carburetor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The ionization device of claim 1 wherein heat is applied to said foraminous member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ionization device of claim 2 wherein said source of voltage comprises an automobile battery.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ionization device of claim 1 wherein said gasket comprises of a plurality of gasket layers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ionization device of claim 2 wherein said source of voltage comprises an automobile alternator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
90 words
A precombustion ionization device for interposition between the carburetor and the engine intake of an internal combustion engine employing a vaporizable liquid fuel, said device comprising at least two foraminous members, each foraminous member including a catalytic metal thereon, and an oxide coating of said catalytic metal on the surface thereof so as to promote reduction of said liquid fuel, and thereby improve the octane rating of said engine, and a gasket supporting said foraminous members spaced from one another and spaced from the carburetor and from the engine intake.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
90 words
A precombustion ionization device for interposition between the carburetor and the engine intake of an internal combustion engine employing a vaporizable liquid fuel, said device comprising at least two foraminous members, each foraminous member including a catalytic metal thereon, and an oxide coating of said catalytic metal on the surface thereof so as to promote reduction of said liquid fuel, and thereby improve the octane rating of said engine, and a gasket supporting said foraminous members spaced from one another and spaced from the carburetor and from the engine intake.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ionization device of claim 15 wherein at least one of said foraminous members is attached to a source of voltage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ionization device of claim 16 wherein said source of voltage applies a voltage of at least 4 volts thereto.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ionization device of claim 17 wherein both of said foraminous members are attached to a source of voltage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ionization device of claim 15 wherein said foraminous members are each prepared from a different catalytic metal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ionization device of claim 15 wherein said foraminous members are prepared from the same catalytic metal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ionization device of claim 19 wherein said catalytic metals comprise a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, zinc, aluminum, cadmium, and platinum.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ionization device of claim 16 wherein said source of voltage comprises a power-pack providing at least 12 volts to said foraminous member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ionization device of claim 15 wherein said gasket comprises a plurality of gasket layers.
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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) | 1981-10-23 | 1982-04-24 | 1982-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-23 | 1986-04-24 | 1986-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-23 | 1990-04-24 | 1990-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |