Adjustable non-throttling control apparatus for spark ignition internal combustion engines

Claim 1

In a spark ignition, single or multi-cylinder internal combustion engine of the four stroke cycle or two stroke cycle type having cylinder intake means of the intake poppet valve type or sliding ports or reed type, respectively, and a fuel mixture feed of the carburetor or fuel injection type, an assembly for matching engine power output to engine load conditions, in the absence of throttling the fuel mixture or air feed of such engine, wherein the improvement comprises a phase shift assembly comprising first, second, third, and fourth pulleys, a drive element interconnecting said pulleys, and disposed in surrounding relation thereto, said first pulley mounted for conjoint rotation with a driving shaft of said engine that rotates in a fixed ratio with the crankshaft of said engine, said second pulley mounted for conjoint rotation with a shaft that is rotatably driven by said drive element attendant rotation of said first pulley, a rotary valve means disposed in axial alignment with said shaft of said second pulley and secured to said shaft for conjoint rotation therewith, said rotary valve means comprising a hollow, elongate, rotor means having in inlet and an outlet portion, a non-rotatable connector means disposed in unrestricted fluid communication between the outlet of said carburetor or fuel injection means and the inlet of said rotor means, a non-rotatable passage means having an inlet and an outlet portion, the outlet of said rotor means disposed in fluid communication with the inlet of said passage means, the outlet of said passage means disposed in fluid communication with said intake poppet valves, or in communication with port or reed valves, said third and fourth pulleys being independently mounted relative to one another and providing control and tension pulleys, respectively, such that displacement of said control pulley effects a change in the phase relation between said first and second pulleys by changing the tension side pitch length of said drive element, said serial connection of said connector means, said rotor means, and said passage means providing a means for commencing and terminating flow of a fuel mixture, or air, into the combustion chambers of said engine, independent of poppet valve action, on a timed basis so that the effective compression ratio of the engine is thereby varied to meet the varying load demand on the engine, said matching of engine power output and engine load obviating the need to throttle said engine and therefore substantially reducing the amount of negative work done by said engine and hence substantially reducing the amount of fuel consumed by said engine, and whereby such controlling of the effective compression ratio of such engine permits reduction of cylinder clearance volumes and hence permits increased expansion ratios and increased thermal efficiency.