US4248197A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for reducing hydrocarbon emissions improving efficiency of vehicle internal combustion engines
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1979-03-30
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Granted: 1981-02-03
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Expires: 1999-03-30
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is disclosed for use in a vehicle with a carbureted internal combustion engine having a vacuum inlet port and a fuel inlet port connected to a source of fuel. A heat exchanger is provided having a tank means with an inlet and an outlet, the outlet being connected to the carburetor vacuum inlet and tube means extending through the tank connected intermediate the fuel inlet port and the source of fuel. A source of hot and cold air is connected to the inlet of the heat exchanger and a control means for regulating the amount of hot and cold air entering the inlet of the heat exchanger is also provided in accordance with the temperature of the fuel in the carburetor.
Inventors
- 👤 O. Thurston Davis
- 👤 B. Thurman Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 03:55
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M31/00; F02M31/02; F02M31/04; F02M31/06; F02M31/07; F02M23/00; F02M23/14; F02M31/16; F02D; F02D2200/00; F02D2200/02; F02D2200/06; F02D2200/0606; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
In combination with a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a carburetor with a vacuum inlet port and a fuel inlet port and a fuel system including a fuel tank and a fuel pump for delivering fuel from said fuel tank to said carburetor, including in combination: (a) a heat exchanger having a tank means with an inlet and an outlet, said outlet being connected to said vacuum inlet port of said carburetor and tube means extending through said tank means and connected intermediate said fuel inlet port of said carburetor and said fuel pump, (b) a source of hot and cold air connected to said inlet of said heat exchanger, and (c) control means for regulating the amount of said hot and cold air entering said inlet of said heat exchanger in accordance with the temperature of said fuel in said carburetor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
In combination with a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a carburetor with a vacuum inlet port and a fuel inlet port and a fuel system including a fuel tank and a fuel pump for delivering fuel from said fuel tank to said carburetor, including in combination: (a) a heat exchanger having a tank means with an inlet and an outlet, said outlet being connected to said vacuum inlet port of said carburetor and tube means extending through said tank means and connected intermediate said fuel inlet port of said carburetor and said fuel pump, (b) a source of hot and cold air connected to said inlet of said heat exchanger, and (c) control means for regulating the amount of said hot and cold air entering said inlet of said heat exchanger in accordance with the temperature of said fuel in said carburetor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control means further comprises temperature-responsive valve means interposed between said source of hot and cold air and said heat exchanger for varying the amount of said hot and cold air entering said inlet of said heat exchanger in accordance with the temperature of said fuel in said carburetor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said carburetor has a fuel bowl and said control means further comprises a temperature detecting device connected to said valve means and extending into said fuel bowl of said carburetor to actually sense the temperature of the fuel in said carburetor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said valve means has a first inlet connected to said source of hot air, a second inlet connected to said source of cold air, an outlet connected to said inlet of said heat exchanger and a valve head for controlling the amount of hot and cold air exiting said outlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said valve means comprises first and second oppositely disposed valve seats adjacent said outlet, one of said valve seats controlling air from said source of hot air and the other of said valve seats controlling air from said source of cold air, and said valve head being movable from said first valve seat to said second valve seat by means of said temperature detecting device to control thereby the respective amounts of hot and cold air entering said outlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vehicle also has an air conditioning system comprising a compressor driven by said internal combustion engine for circulating refrigerant to a condenser coil and an evaporator coil and for withdrawing said refrigerant from said evaporator coil through a suction line back to said compressor, and said source of cold air is drawn from around said suction line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said internal combustion engine has an exhaust manifold and said source of hot air is air drawn from around said exhaust manifold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said source of cold air is air drawn through a liquid in a container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control means maintains said fuel entering said internal combustion engine from said carburetor at between 110-115 degrees Fahrenheit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising pressure control valve means interposed between said fuel inlet port of said carburetor and said outlet of said heat exchanger.
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) | 1984-02-03 | 1984-08-04 | 1985-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-03 | 1988-08-04 | 1989-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-03 | 1992-08-04 | 1993-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |