Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
In the fuel system of an internal combustion engine including a fuel pump for supplying fuel to a carburetor through a fuel line, the improvement comprising, heater means for heating said fuel line at a position intermediate said fuel pump and carburetor, said fuel line including an air orifice at a position upstream of said heater means, means for adjusting air flow through said orifice, a bypass fuel line having one end in communication with said fuel line upstream of said air orifice and an opposite end in communication with said carburetor for supplying fuel thereto, and a thermally controlled valve interposed along said bypass fuel line, said thermally controlled valve being in thermal communication with said heater means so as to close when the temperature of said heater means is above a predetermined temperature and to open when the temperature of said heater means is below said predetermined temperature, said valve including an orifice therethrough which is adapted to provide limited fuel flow through said valve in both the closed and open positions therefor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
In the fuel system of an internal combustion engine including a fuel pump for supplying fuel to a carburetor through a fuel line, the improvement comprising, heater means for heating said fuel line at a position intermediate said fuel pump and carburetor, said fuel line including an air orifice at a position upstream of said heater means, means for adjusting air flow through said orifice, a bypass fuel line having one end in communication with said fuel line upstream of said air orifice and an opposite end in communication with said carburetor for supplying fuel thereto, and a thermally controlled valve interposed along said bypass fuel line, said thermally controlled valve being in thermal communication with said heater means so as to close when the temperature of said heater means is above a predetermined temperature and to open when the temperature of said heater means is below said predetermined temperature, said valve including an orifice therethrough which is adapted to provide limited fuel flow through said valve in both the closed and open positions therefor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said thermally controlled valve includes a valve housing in thermal communication with said bypass fuel line, said bypass fuel line being in thermal communication with said heater means whereby said thermally controlled valve is heated by conduction through said bypass fuel line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said thermally controlled valve comprises a needle valve including a spring mounted needle, said spring being movable to close said needle valve in response to an increase in temperature and to open said needle valve in response to a decrease in temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said means for adjusting air flow through said air orifice comprises a needle valve including an adjustable needle having an elongated orifice therethrough which is adapted to provide limited air flow through said needle valve in both the closed and open positions therefor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement of claim 1 further comprising an atomizer interposed along said fuel line intermediate said air orifice and fuel pump.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The improvement of claim 5 wherein said fuel line includes a pair of branch lines in communication with said atomizer at one end for receiving atomized fuel therefrom and in communication with said carburetor at the other end thereof, each branch line being in thermal communication with said heater means and including an air orifice at a position upstream of said heater means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said heater means comprises a container defining a heat chamber therein and means for elevating the temperature within said chamber when the engine is operating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement of claim 7 wherein said means for elevating the temperature within said chamber comprises means for directing engine coolant fluids through said chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement of claim 7 wherein said fuel line passes through said heat chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement of claim 9 wherein said fuel line includes a plurality of bends within said heat chamber.