Patent US4242999A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4242999A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-regulating heater
Assignee: Audi AG
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Filing: 1977-03-07
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Granted: 1981-01-06
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Expires: 1997-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A self-regulating electrically heated positive-temperature-coefficient (hereinafter PTC) carburetor stove for use in the fuel entry system of a gasoline engine is connected through the ignition system directly to the battery for rapidly heating of the stove upon starting of the car. This system comprises a plurality of PTC pills housed in a container with a high thermal conductivity top plate in direct heat transfer relation with the pills. Gasoline droplets are evaporated on this plate during cold start conditions to minimize the need to run a cold engine in the closed choke gasoline rich mode. During heat-up of the engine the PTC pills reach the anomaly temperature and at that point greatly increase their resistance thereby virtually terminating the power requirement of the stove in the heated engine mode.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred Hoser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:59
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M31/00; F02M31/02; F02M31/12; F02M31/135; F02B; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A fuel entry system of an internal combustion engine comprising a carburetor having one barrel through which fuel and air are adapted to pass, an intake manifold connected to said carburetor and having a wall at right angle to said barrel, a stove disposed in said wall and offset with respect to said barrel, said stove comprising a self-regulating heater element having a steeply sloped positive temperature coefficient of resistivity, means to electrically connect the element to power supply so that shortly after energization thereof the element is maintained at an essentially constant preselected temperature whereby fuel droplets coming in contact with the stove will be vaporized to enhance start-up of the internal combustion engine, said stove having a top plate in heat transfer relationship with said element, said top plate being provided with a multiplicity of heat-conducting rods on the side opposite to said element and projecting into said intake manifold, a baffle within said intake manifold for guiding the fuel-air stream passing through the barrel towards said stove, said baffle being mounted for rotation within said intake manifold, and means for rotating said baffle in dependence on engine load such that with increasing load said baffle is swung away from said stove.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
A fuel entry system of an internal combustion engine comprising a carburetor having one barrel through which fuel and air are adapted to pass, an intake manifold connected to said carburetor and having a wall at right angle to said barrel, a stove disposed in said wall and offset with respect to said barrel, said stove comprising a self-regulating heater element having a steeply sloped positive temperature coefficient of resistivity, means to electrically connect the element to power supply so that shortly after energization thereof the element is maintained at an essentially constant preselected temperature whereby fuel droplets coming in contact with the stove will be vaporized to enhance start-up of the internal combustion engine, said stove having a top plate in heat transfer relationship with said element, said top plate being provided with a multiplicity of heat-conducting rods on the side opposite to said element and projecting into said intake manifold, a baffle within said intake manifold for guiding the fuel-air stream passing through the barrel towards said stove, said baffle being mounted for rotation within said intake manifold, and means for rotating said baffle in dependence on engine load such that with increasing load said baffle is swung away from said stove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising an opening in said wall of the intake manifold, said stove being inserted into said opening with the surface of said top plate being flush with the inner surface of said wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stove comprises a cup-shaped container with the bottom thereof forming said plate, the open end of said container lying outside said intake manifold and being closed by a terminal plate comprising terminals for connecting said heater to a power source and being of a heat-resistant, electrically insulating material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cup-shaped container has a lateral flange extending around the open end thereof and abutting the outer surface of said wall of the intake manifold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising passages in said wall, said passages being connectable to a water cooling circuit of the internal combustion engine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising means for switching off said element during starting of the engine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1984-01-06 | 1984-07-07 | 1985-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-06 | 1988-07-07 | 1989-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-06 | 1992-07-07 | 1993-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |