US4160433A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modulating air control valve
Assignee: Olson Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1978-02-17
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Granted: 1979-07-10
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Expires: 1998-02-17
Abstract
Abstract An improved modulating air control valve which intermittently introduces air into the intake manifold of internal combustion engines as a function of the vacuum differential between the intake manifold and the ported vacuum at the carburetor. The valve includes a unidirectional flow valve which prevents hydrocarbon gases contained in the intake manifold from deteriorating the internal diaphragm of the valve.
Inventors
- 👤 Donel R. Olson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:30
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M23/00; F02M23/04; F02M23/08; F02M23/09; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7748; Y10T137/7749
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
In an internal combustion engine comprising an intake manifold maintained at partial vacuum and having an air injection port formed thereon, a carburetor having a throttle valve pivotally mounted therein, a vacuum advance port located adjacent said throttle valve to produce a variable vacuum source, a first conduit connected to said vacuum advance port, and a second conduit connected to said air injection port, a modulating air control valve connected to be controlled by said first conduit, said valve, under such control, supplying regulated amounts of ambient air to said second conduit to selectively introduce ambient air into said intake manifold in an amount regulated by engine vacuum, said valve comprising: a valve body having an aperture therethrough with an annular seat; orifice means for admitting ambient air into said valve; diaphragm means for cooperating with said annular seat, said diaphragm being movable from said annular seat in response to a pressure differential to permit ambient air to flow into said intake manifold; and a unidirectional flow valve responsive, when said diaphragm admits ambient air into said valve, to the pressure differential between ambient and said intake manifold to allow air to flow into said intake manifold, but preventing hydrocarbon gases contained in said intake manifold from flowing toward said diaphragm or said orifice means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
In an internal combustion engine comprising an intake manifold maintained at partial vacuum and having an air injection port formed thereon, a carburetor having a throttle valve pivotally mounted therein, a vacuum advance port located adjacent said throttle valve to produce a variable vacuum source, a first conduit connected to said vacuum advance port, and a second conduit connected to said air injection port, a modulating air control valve connected to be controlled by said first conduit, said valve, under such control, supplying regulated amounts of ambient air to said second conduit to selectively introduce ambient air into said intake manifold in an amount regulated by engine vacuum, said valve comprising: a valve body having an aperture therethrough with an annular seat; orifice means for admitting ambient air into said valve; diaphragm means for cooperating with said annular seat, said diaphragm being movable from said annular seat in response to a pressure differential to permit ambient air to flow into said intake manifold; and a unidirectional flow valve responsive, when said diaphragm admits ambient air into said valve, to the pressure differential between ambient and said intake manifold to allow air to flow into said intake manifold, but preventing hydrocarbon gases contained in said intake manifold from flowing toward said diaphragm or said orifice means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The exhaust emission control system of claim 1 wherein said orifice means comprises a plurality of small flow orifices positioned radially outward from said annular seat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The exhaust emission control system of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm means comprises a resilient diaphragm which is subject to deterioration if contacted by said hydrocarbon gases.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The exhaust emission control system of claim 1 wherein said unidirectional flow valve comprises a ball and spring assembly located in said aperture, said spring biasing said ball against an annular shoulder formed in said aperture in a direction toward said diaphragm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
An emission control system as defined in claim 4 wherein said ball is movable away from said annular shoulder in response to a pressure differential between ambient pressure and said intake manifold when said diaphragm admits ambient air to said valve, said ball being seated against said shoulder whenever said diaphragm is closed against said annular seat.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
105 words
The exhaust emission control system of claim 1 wherein said valve body comprises: a first and second housing segment; said first housing segment having an aperture therethrough with an enlarged cavity adjacent one end thereof and a plurality of flange clip means extending radially outward; said second housing segment having an aperture therethrough with an enlarged cavity adjacent one end thereof and a plurality of flange clip means extending radially outward; said second housing segment having an aperture therethrough with said annular seat formed adjacent one end thereof; and said plurality of flange clip means positively locking said first and said second housing segments together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An exhaust emission control system as defined in claim 6 wherein said diaphragm means is disposed between said first and second housing segments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The exhaust emission control system of claim 7 wherein an annular ring is formed adjacent one end of both said first and said second housing segments, said annular ring cooperating with said diaphragm means to resiliently seal said first and second housing segments together.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
130 words
A modulating air control valve for use in controlling exhaust pollutants in internal combustion engines, comprising: a valve body comprising first and second body segments providing a central aperture including a valve seat; orifice means extending through said second body segment for admitting ambient air into said valve; separation means for cooperating with said valve seat to separate said second body segment from said orifice means, said separation means being movable from said valve seat in response to a pressure differential; and a unidirectional flow valve disposed in said central aperture in said second housing segment to permit air flow through the valve in one direction only, said modulating air control valve periodically introducing air into an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine in response to varying engine vacuum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
130 words
A modulating air control valve for use in controlling exhaust pollutants in internal combustion engines, comprising: a valve body comprising first and second body segments providing a central aperture including a valve seat; orifice means extending through said second body segment for admitting ambient air into said valve; separation means for cooperating with said valve seat to separate said second body segment from said orifice means, said separation means being movable from said valve seat in response to a pressure differential; and a unidirectional flow valve disposed in said central aperture in said second housing segment to permit air flow through the valve in one direction only, said modulating air control valve periodically introducing air into an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine in response to varying engine vacuum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The modulating air control valve of claim 9 wherein said orifice means comprises a plurality of flow orifices positioned radially outward from said valve seat.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The modulating air control valve of claim 9 wherein said separation means comprises a resilient diaphragm which seals said first and second housing segments together and which is subject to deterioration if contacted by gases from said intake manifold.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The modulating air control unit of claim 9 wherein said first and second housing segments each include an annular ring adjacent one end thereof, said annular ring sealing said separation means to said valve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The modulating air control valve of claim 9 wherein said first housing segment includes a plurality of radially extending flexible flange clips positioned around its outside diameter, said flange clips engaging the outside diameter of said second housing segments, thereby securely locking said first and second housing segments together.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The modulating air control valve of claim 9 wherein said unidirectional flow valve comprises a spring and ball assembly disposed within said central aperture.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-07-09 | 1983-01-08 | 1983-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-07-09 | 1987-01-08 | 1987-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-07-09 | 1991-01-08 | 1991-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |