US4395997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel pre-heater
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-11-17
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Granted: 1983-08-02
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Expires: 2001-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A fuel pre-heater including a compartment for receiving fuel, a hollow metal member passing centrally through the fuel space in the compartment and coupled to the liquid cooling system of an internal combustion engine for transferring heat to the fuel, a length of a hollow pipe of insulation plastic material disposed within the hollow metal member and for regulating and controlling water flow therethrough to a heat transfer surface of the hollow metal member so that the heat transferred therefrom is received by the fuel and the fuel, being thus pre-heated, passes to the engine. The hollow plastic pipe regulates the water flow and controls the rate of heat transfer through and around it by an arrangement of apertures therein. The plastic pipe may be of polyvinyl chloride. The compartment may have a bracket for mounting it securely upon a wall in the engine compartment of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 David C. Lee, Sr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:35
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F19/00; F28F19/02; F28F19/04; F02; F02M; F02M31/00; F02M31/02; F02M31/16; F28D; F28D7/00; F28D7/10; F28D7/106; F28F13/00; F28F13/06; F02B; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
Fuel pre-heater apparatus for exchanging engine heat into heat for preheating fuel for an internal combustion engine and for regulating water flow control along a heat transfer surface thereof comprising a compartment formed by an enveloping wall, a hollow metal member passing centrally through the compartment having an inlet coupling and an outlet coupling, the inlet coupling and the outlet coupling each having an inner and outer tapering surface contour adapted for receiving thereon an end of a flexible hose coupled to the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, a length of a hollow pipe of insulation plastic of a diameter to be disposed within the hollow metal member and having ends thereof frictionally engaging respective inner tapering surface contours of the inlet coupling and the outlet coupling, the compartment at separate peripheral locations thereof having a fuel inlet line for receiving fuel into the compartment and a fuel outlet line for discharging preheated fuel from within the compartment to combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine wherein the hollow plastic pipe acts to control the heat of water flowing along the inner surface of the hollow metal member and helps to keep the fuel system cleaner and the carburetor operating smoothly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
Fuel pre-heater apparatus for exchanging engine heat into heat for preheating fuel for an internal combustion engine and for regulating water flow control along a heat transfer surface thereof comprising a compartment formed by an enveloping wall, a hollow metal member passing centrally through the compartment having an inlet coupling and an outlet coupling, the inlet coupling and the outlet coupling each having an inner and outer tapering surface contour adapted for receiving thereon an end of a flexible hose coupled to the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, a length of a hollow pipe of insulation plastic of a diameter to be disposed within the hollow metal member and having ends thereof frictionally engaging respective inner tapering surface contours of the inlet coupling and the outlet coupling, the compartment at separate peripheral locations thereof having a fuel inlet line for receiving fuel into the compartment and a fuel outlet line for discharging preheated fuel from within the compartment to combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine wherein the hollow plastic pipe acts to control the heat of water flowing along the inner surface of the hollow metal member and helps to keep the fuel system cleaner and the carburetor operating smoothly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the hollow plastic pipe contains a plurality of radially disposed apertures for circulation of water into space formed between an inner surface of the hollow metal member and the outer surface of the hollow plastic pipe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the hollow metal member is constructed of at least one piece joined at an intermediate circumferential surface after insertion of the hollow plastic pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the compartment is generally rectangularly configured.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the plastic pipe is polyvinyl chloride material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the compartment is a generally rectangularly configured box having adequate volume therein for heat exchange energy from the hollow metal member to heat the fuel present within a volume of the compartment prior to the fuel passing therefrom to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the compartment includes bracket means for securing and supporting the compartment from a surface proximate the internal combustion engine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the hollow plastic pipe has a plurality of apertures in which the number and sizes thereof determine the amount of water flow through the plastic pipe for contacting the inner surface of the hollow metal member, the heating of which transfers its heat to fuel within and passing through the compartment, a fewer number of apertures for some gasoline engines and a greater number of apertures for some diesel engines and a proportionate intermediate number of apertures from model to model of each type of engine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the length of the hollow plastic pipe and the thickness thereof together with a number of apertures therein for passing heated water into contact with the inner surface of the hollow metal member controls the temperature of the hollow metal member and its transference of heat to fuel within the compartment.
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) | 1986-08-01 | 1987-01-31 | 1987-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-01 | 1991-01-31 | 1991-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-01 | 1995-01-31 | 1995-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |