Patent US4401089A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4401089A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic transducer
Assignee: Midas International Corp
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Filing: 1981-02-09
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Granted: 1983-08-30
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Expires: 2001-02-09
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic transducer is provided substantially at the hot spot in an engine manifold for vaporizing the fuel from the carburetor prior to entry of the fuel-air mixture into the cylinders. The transducer comprises a crystal adapted to be vibrated at a high frequency on the order of at least 1,000,000 Hz and a resonator tuned to the frequency of the crystal and operatively secured to the crystal, said transducer having an active surface adapted to be contacted by the fuel for finely vaporizing same. The fine vaporization or gasification of the fuel (gasoline, for example) prior to entry into the cylinders causes a more complete burning of the fuel. As a result, the engine delivers more power with less fuel, while carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions are reduced. In operation, the ultrasonic transducer enhances cold weather startup and operation, eliminates engine flooding, smooths out engine idle, and improves pick up and acceleration by increasing power at low engine RPM. Engine power is boosted, while saving gasoline. The ultrasonic transducer can be installed into the intake manifold below the carburetor without modifying the structure of the carburetor or the intake manifold.
Inventors
- 👤 Gabor Csaszar
- 👤 Fred M. Goldman
- 👤 Gernot Oehley
- 👤 Edward J. Svoboda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 02:49
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M27/00; F02M27/08; F02B; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
For use in an internal combustion engine having a carburetion means connected to an engine intake manifold, the improvement comprising an ultrasonic transducer for vaporizing the fuel disposed substantially at the hot spot in the engine intake manifold, said transducer comprising a crystal adapted to be vibrated at a high frequency on the order of at least 1,000,000 Hz and a resonator tuned to the frequency of the crystal and operatively connected to the crystal, said resonator having an active surface adapted to be contacted by the fuel for finely vaporizing same for better mixture with the air from the carburetion means, whereby the internal combustion engine will deliver more power, while reducing carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions, and saving fuel, and mounting means for supporting the ultrasonic transducer inside the engine intake manifold between an opening thereto through which the fuel/air mixture passes from the carburetion means and the hot spot of the engine intake manifold without any alteration of the engine intake manifold or engine specifications.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
For use in an internal combustion engine having a carburetion means connected to an engine intake manifold, the improvement comprising an ultrasonic transducer for vaporizing the fuel disposed substantially at the hot spot in the engine intake manifold, said transducer comprising a crystal adapted to be vibrated at a high frequency on the order of at least 1,000,000 Hz and a resonator tuned to the frequency of the crystal and operatively connected to the crystal, said resonator having an active surface adapted to be contacted by the fuel for finely vaporizing same for better mixture with the air from the carburetion means, whereby the internal combustion engine will deliver more power, while reducing carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions, and saving fuel, and mounting means for supporting the ultrasonic transducer inside the engine intake manifold between an opening thereto through which the fuel/air mixture passes from the carburetion means and the hot spot of the engine intake manifold without any alteration of the engine intake manifold or engine specifications.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ultrasonic transducer as in claim 1 wherein the thickness of the resonator is 1/4 wavelength.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ultrasonic transducer as in claim 2 wherein the thickness of the resonator is an odd multiple of 1/4 wavelength.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ultrasonic transducer as in claim 1 wherein the crystal is made from barium titanate and the resonator is made from metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
An ultrasonic transducer as in claim 4 wherein the resonator is made from aluminum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
An ultrasonic transducer as in claim 1 wherein the transducer comprises said resonator, said crystal and an insulator body enclosing the crystal and forming a chamber between the crystal and the insulator body and means venting said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ultrasonic transducer as in claim 1 wherein the crystal and the resonator are bonded to one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ultrasonic transducer as in claim 6 wherein said venting means comprise passages in said insulator body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ultrasonic transducer as in claim 1 wherein said supporting means includes leg means extending from the transducer and adapted to engage a surface of the engine intake manifold.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An ultrasonic transducer as in claim 9 wherein the leg means engages the engine intake manifold to ground the ultrasonic transducer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ultrasonic transducer as in claim 9 wherein the leg means are comprised of U-shaped members, which extend through openings in the ultrasonic transducer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 including means for energizing the crystal to a high frequency of at least 1,000,000 Hz.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said energizing means includes, an oscillator, a power amplifier for amplifying the signal from the oscillator and a modulator cooperating with the power amplifier to apply power to the ultrasonic transducer in a discontinuous manner.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as in claim 13 wherein the modulator cooperates with the power amplifier to apply power to the crystal in bursts of approximately fifty percent (50%) duty cycle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said energizing means includes an oscillator and a power amplifier for amplifying the signal from the oscillator.
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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) | 1986-08-29 | 1987-02-28 | 1987-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-29 | 1991-02-28 | 1991-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-29 | 1995-02-28 | 1995-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |