US5048499A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel treatment device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-03-29
•
Granted: 1991-09-17
•
Expires: 2010-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A fuel treatment device is an elongated element having an outer surface and a central axis extending between first and second ends in the direction of elongation. The element is made of an alloy containing the following metals: copper, zinc, nickel, lead and tin. A central bore exists within the element and extends along the central axis from an inlet opening at the first end of the element to within a short distance of the second end of the element. A plurality of axial bores communicate between the outer surface of the element and the central bore. Each said axial bore has a cross-sectional area that is at least approximately an order of magnitude smaller than the cross-sectional area of the central bore, and all axial bores together have a cross-sectional area that is at least twice as large as the cross-sectional area of the central bore.
Inventors
- 👤 Clark L. Daywalt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:38
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M27/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A fuel treatment device comprising: an elongated element having an outer surface and a central axis extending between first and second ends in the direction of elongation, said element being made of an alloy containing the following metals: copper, zinc, nickel, lead and tin; a central bore within said element and extending along the central axis from an inlet opening at the first end of said element to within a short distance of the second end of said element; and a plurality of passages each extending through said element between the outer surface of the element and the central bore and providing flow communication between the central bore and said outer surface, each said passage having a cross-sectional area that is at least approximately an order of magnitude smaller than the cross-sectional area of the central bore and all the passages together having a cross-sectional area that is at least twice as large as the cross-sectional area of the central bore.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A fuel treatment device comprising: an elongated element having an outer surface and a central axis extending between first and second ends in the direction of elongation, said element being made of an alloy containing the following metals: copper, zinc, nickel, lead and tin; a central bore within said element and extending along the central axis from an inlet opening at the first end of said element to within a short distance of the second end of said element; and a plurality of passages each extending through said element between the outer surface of the element and the central bore and providing flow communication between the central bore and said outer surface, each said passage having a cross-sectional area that is at least approximately an order of magnitude smaller than the cross-sectional area of the central bore and all the passages together having a cross-sectional area that is at least twice as large as the cross-sectional area of the central bore.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel treatment device as recited in claim 1 wherein the elongated element is generally cylindrical in shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fuel treatment device as recited in claim 2 wherein the central bore within the elongated element is generally cylindrical in shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fuel treatment device as recited in claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the fuel element has longitudinal ribs extending substantially from the first end to the second end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fuel treatment device as recited in claim 4 wherein the passages are located in rows extending along valleys between the longitudinal ribs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fuel treatment device as recited in claim 5 wherein the device has six longitudinal ribs with six valleys between them and there is a row of the passage located in each valley.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel treatment device as recited in claim 6 wherein the passages are located in aligned circumferential rings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fuel treatment device as recited in claim 1 wherein the diameter of the central bore is at least approximately one-half the diameter of the element at its outer suface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fuel treatment device as recited in claim 1, wherein the central bore terminates at said short distance of the second end of said element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
218 words
A fuel treatment device comprising: an elongated hollow enclosure having a first, inflow, and a second outflow end; at least one fuel treatment element contained within said enclosure in sequential, substantially axial alignment, each said fuel treatment element comprising: an elongated element having an outer surface and a central axis extending between first and second ends in the direction of elongation, said element being made of an alloy containing the following metals: copper, zinc, nickel, lead and tin; a central bore within said element and extending along the central axis from an inlet opening at the first end of said element to within a short distance of the second end of said element; and a plurality of passages each extending through said element between the outer surface of the element and the central bore and providing flow communication between the central bore and the outer surface, each said passage having a cross-sectional area that is at least approximately an order of magnitude smaller than the cross-sectional area of the central bore and all the passages together having a cross-sectional area that is at least twice as large as the cross-sectional area of the central bore, each said element being oriented within said enclosure with its inlet end open in the direction of the inflow end of the enclosure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
218 words
A fuel treatment device comprising: an elongated hollow enclosure having a first, inflow, and a second outflow end; at least one fuel treatment element contained within said enclosure in sequential, substantially axial alignment, each said fuel treatment element comprising: an elongated element having an outer surface and a central axis extending between first and second ends in the direction of elongation, said element being made of an alloy containing the following metals: copper, zinc, nickel, lead and tin; a central bore within said element and extending along the central axis from an inlet opening at the first end of said element to within a short distance of the second end of said element; and a plurality of passages each extending through said element between the outer surface of the element and the central bore and providing flow communication between the central bore and the outer surface, each said passage having a cross-sectional area that is at least approximately an order of magnitude smaller than the cross-sectional area of the central bore and all the passages together having a cross-sectional area that is at least twice as large as the cross-sectional area of the central bore, each said element being oriented within said enclosure with its inlet end open in the direction of the inflow end of the enclosure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel treatment device as recited in claim 10 wherein each elongated element is generally cylindrical in shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fuel treatment device as recited in claim 11 wherein the central bore within each elongated element is generally cylindrical in shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fuel treatment device as recited in claim 10 wherein the outer surface of each fuel element has longitudinal ribs extending substantially from the first end to the second end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fuel treatment device as recited in claim 13 wherein the passages are located in rows extending along valleys between the longitudinal ribs.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fuel treatment device as recited in claim 14 wherein the device has six longitudinal ribs with six valleys between them and there is a row of the passages located in each valley.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel treatment device as recited in claim 15 wherein the passages are located in aligned circumferential rings.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fuel treatment device as recited in claim 10 wherein the diameter of the central bore of each element is at least approximately one-half the diameter of that element at its outer surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The fuel treatment device as recited in claim 10 wherein the cross-sectioned area available for flow between the enclosure and each element does not exceed the smallest cross-sectional area of the central bore of that element.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
239 words
A method for treating fuel treatment to improve combustion comprising: providing an elongated hollow enclosure having a first, inflow, and a second, outflow, end; providing within said enclosure at least one fuel treatment element in sequential, axial alignment, each said fuel treatment element comprising: an elongated element having an outer surface and a central axis extending between first and second ends in the direction of elongation, said element being made of an alloy containing the following metals: copper, zinc, nickel, lead and tin; a central bore within said element and extending along the central axis from an inlet opening at the first end of said element to within a short distance of the second end of said element; and a plurality of passages each extending through said element between the outer surface of the element and the central bore and providing flow communication between the central and the outer surface, each said passage having a cross-sectional area that is at least approximately an order of magnitude smaller than the cross-sectional area of the central bore and all the passages together having a cross-sectional area that is at least twice as large as the cross-sectional area of the central bore orienting each said element within said enclosure with its inlet end open in the direction of the inflow end of the enclosure; and introducing fuel to be treated at the inflow end and removing treated fuel from the outflow end.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
239 words
A method for treating fuel treatment to improve combustion comprising: providing an elongated hollow enclosure having a first, inflow, and a second, outflow, end; providing within said enclosure at least one fuel treatment element in sequential, axial alignment, each said fuel treatment element comprising: an elongated element having an outer surface and a central axis extending between first and second ends in the direction of elongation, said element being made of an alloy containing the following metals: copper, zinc, nickel, lead and tin; a central bore within said element and extending along the central axis from an inlet opening at the first end of said element to within a short distance of the second end of said element; and a plurality of passages each extending through said element between the outer surface of the element and the central bore and providing flow communication between the central and the outer surface, each said passage having a cross-sectional area that is at least approximately an order of magnitude smaller than the cross-sectional area of the central bore and all the passages together having a cross-sectional area that is at least twice as large as the cross-sectional area of the central bore orienting each said element within said enclosure with its inlet end open in the direction of the inflow end of the enclosure; and introducing fuel to be treated at the inflow end and removing treated fuel from the outflow end.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method as recited in claim 19 wherein the step of providing an enclosure comprises providing an enclosure that snugly surrounds each enclosed fuel treatment element such that a majority of the fuel introduced flows into the central core rather than along the outer surface of the fuel treatment element.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as recited in claim 19 wherein the fuel introduced is diesel fuel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as recited in claim 19 wherein the fuel introduced is gasoline.
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) | 1994-09-16 | 1995-03-18 | 1995-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-16 | 1999-03-18 | 1999-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-16 | 2003-03-18 | 2003-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |