Kinetic energy utilization system for use with vehicles with internal combustion engine

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control means is operable to admit air under pressure tank to each of the cylinders of the associated engine to effect reciprocation of the pistons with or without combustion of fuel and thereby provide motive power.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first valve is operable by said control means between a first position in which it admits air from the atmosphere and a second position in which it admits compressed air from said pressure tank.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fuel terminating means is adapted to be coupled to an associated carburetor to terminate the flow of fuel therethrough while permitting flow of air therethrough.

Claim 6

In combination: a. an automobile having: i. an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders with a feed system for feeding fuel mixture to the cylinders of the engine for compression therein; ii. a friction braking system; iii. a source of fuel connected to said fuel/air feeding means; iv. an exhaust system; and b. a kinetic energy conservation system comprising: i. a first electrically operated valve adapted for connection in the air supply to all of the cylinders of said engine; ii. a second electrically operated valve adapted for connection in said exhaust system for all of the cylinders of said engine; iii. a pressure tank for storing compressed air; iv. conduits between said pressure tank and said first and second valves; v. a sensor for sensing the actuation of the said friction braking system; vi. a sensor for determining the pressure of air stored in said pressure tank; vii. means for acting upon the fuel feed system to terminate flow of fuel therethrough; and viii. control means including (a) electrical switch means actuable by the operator, and (b) connections from said control means to each of said first and second valves for effecting electrical operation thereof, to said brake actuation sensor, to said tank pressure sensor and to said fuel terminating means in said fuel/air feeding means for control of the flow of fuel mixture to said engine, said control means being operable to terminate the flow of fuel and to admit air to each of the cylinders for compression therein, the compressed air thus produced in each of the cylinders being diverted by said second valve to said pressure tank, the resistance to compression of said air in the cylinders slowing said engine and thereby the vehicle.

Claim 7

In combination: a. an automobile having: i. an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders with a feed system for feeding fuel mixture to the cylinders of the engine for compression therein; ii. a friction braking system; iii. a source of fuel connected to said fuel/air feeding means; iv. an exhaust system; and b. a kinetic energy conservation system comprising: i. a first electrically operated valve adapted for connection in the air supply to all of the cylinders of said engine; ii. a second electrically operated valve adapted for connection in said exhaust system for all of the cylinders of said engine; iii. a pressure tank for storing compressed air; iv. conduits between said pressure tank and said first and second valves; v. a sensor for sensing the actuation of the said friction braking system; vi. a sensor for determining the pressure of air stored in said pressure tank; vii. means for acting upon the fuel feed system to terminate flow of fuel therethrough; and viii. control means including (a) electrical switch means actuable by the operator, and (b) connections from said control means to each of said first and second valves for effecting electrical operation thereof, to said brake actuation sensor, to said tank pressure sensor and to said fuel terminating means in said fuel/air feeding means for control of the flow of fuel mixture to said engine, said control means being operable to terminate the flow of fuel and to admit air to each of the cylinders for compression therein, the compressed air thus produced in each of the cylinders being diverted by said second valve to said pressure tank, the resistance to compression of said air in the cylinders slowing said engine and thereby the vehicle.

Claim 8

The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein said control means is operable to admit air under pressure from said pressure tank to each of the cylinders of said engine to effect reciprocation of the pistons with or without combustion of fuel and thereby provide motive power.

Claim 9

The combination in accordance with claim 6 wherein said first valve is operable by said control means between a first position in which it admits air from the atmosphere and a second position in which it admits compressed air from said pressure tank.

Claim 10

The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein said fuel flow terminating means is coupled to said fuel feeding means to terminate the flow of fuel therethrough while permitting flow of air therethrough.