Auxiliary air regulator for internal combustion engine

Claim 1

An auxiliary air regulator for use in an internal combustion engine having an air intake passage containing a throttle valve and provided with passages to the outside from points upstream and downstream of the throttle valve, comprising: a mounting block within which is formed a bypass passage, one end of which is matingly connected with a passage in said air intake passage upstream of the throttle valve, and the other end of which is matingly connected with a passage in said air intake passage downstream of the throttle valve, said mounting block being directly attached to said air intake passage; a shutter movably disposed within said bypass passage so as to control the effective cross-sectional area of said bypass passage, said shutter comprising a substantially flat plate having an aperture formed therein, said flat plate being pivotally connected to said mounting block; a seat surrounding said bypass passage and formed by projections on said mounting block, in such a manner that said flat plate slides airtightly on said seat; wall members defining a chamber airtightly separated from said bypass passage; a bimetallic coil enclosed within said chamber and having its central end fixedly attached within said chamber; means for engaging the outer end of said bimetallic coil with said shutter whereby movement of the bimetallic coil in response to a temperature change is transmitted mechanically to said shutter, said engaging means comprising a connecting rod member protruding from said shutter, a slot formed in said mounting block through which said connecting rod member passes, and a seat surrounding said slot and formed by projections on said mounting block in such a manner that said flat plate airtightly slides thereon; and a heater disposed within the chamber for selectively heating said bimetallic coil.