GB2283785A

GB2283785A - Adding liquid to an i.c.engine mixture supply

Info

Publication number: GB2283785A
Application number: GB9323214A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Herbert George Evans
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-11-10
Filing date: 1993-11-10
Publication date: 1995-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 2013-11-10
Also published as: GB2283785B; GB9323214D0

Abstract

A water container 7 is connected via a solenoid valve 8 operated by a vacuum switch 9 to a carburettor 4 or fuel injected intake. A chamber 1 in the connection is connected to the distributor vacuum unit 17, the switch 9 and a line 22 to atmosphere containing a valve 23. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: IMPROVEMENTS IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES This invention relates to improvements in internal combustion engines and is particularly concerned with an arrangement for increasing the performance of an internal combustion engine while at the same time giving a reduction in fuel consumption and noxious exhaust emissions.

It has previously been proposed, in British Patent Specification No. 2176838A, to provide an arrangement in which water is added to the air-fuel mixture of a petrol engine, the water being supplied from a container via flexible tubes connected by a Y or T connector also to a vacuum control unit.

The present invention aims to provide improvements over this known arrangement.

According to the present invention, there is provided an arrangement for improving the performance of an internal combustion engine, which arrangement comprises a manifold having a first, outlet port adapted to be connected to the carburettor or fuel injection means of an internal combustion engine, a second port adapted to be connected to a vacuum control unit of the engine and a third port adapted to be connected to a container for water or like liquid, wherein a valve is provided in the connection between said water container and the manifold and wherein the valve is arranged to be opened or closed by a vacuum switch which is arranged to be operated in response to the vacuum created by the said vacuum control unit.

Preferably, the valve takes the form of a solenoid valve which is normally closed but which can be opened by the vacuum switch which is desirably pre-set to operate within the range of 3 KN/m2 to 90 KN/m2 vacuum pressure.

A further inlet to the manifold from the atmosphere may also be provided, said further inlet being provided with a valve.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the drawing which is a diagrammatic representation of an arrangement according to the invention.

Referring to the drawing, the arrangement according to the invention comprises a manifold 1 having five ports, a first outlet port 2 of which is adapted to be connected by a flexible line 3 to a carburettor 4 of an internal combustion engine (not shown). A second, inlet, port 5 of the manifold is adapted to be connected by a flexible line 6 to a container 7 for water or like liquid, a solenoid valve 8 being provided in the line 6 between the inlet port 5 and the container 7. The solenoid valve 8 is arranged to be controlled by a vacuum switch 9 which is connected by a flexible line 11 to a third port 12 of the manifold 1. The vacuum switch 9 is also electrically connected by a cable 13 to a low voltage connector of the H.T. coil 14 of the engine.A fourth port 15 of the manifold 1 is connected by a flexible line 16 to the vacuum servo unit 17 of the distributor 18 which is connected by an electrical H.T.

cable 19 to the coil 14. Finally, a fifth port 21 of the manifold 1 can be connected to atmosphere by a flexible line 22 in which a valve 23 is located.

The solenoid valve 8 is normally closed but when the engine is started, vacuum is created by the vacuum servo unit 17 which applies a vacuum to the manifold 1. This vacuum in turn acts on the vacuum switch 9 to switch it on and operate the solenoid valve 8. This valve 8 is thus opened and water or like liquid in the container 7 is sucked along the line 6 and into the manifold 1. The liquid is then delivered to the inlet leading from the carburettor 4 to the intake to the engine cylinder(s) (not shown).

If desired, air may be mixed with the water or other liquid by partially opening the valve 23.

In this manner, a vapour and air mixture for the engine is obtained which has high humidity enabling complete combustion to be achieved which not only improves performance of the engine but also results in reduced fuel consumption and air pollution from the exhaust fumes.

While the invention is primarily concerned with the addition of water to petrol-fuelled internal combustion engines, it should be noted that the invention is not necessarily restricted to the use of water, nor to such engines.

Claims

1. An arrangement for supplying a liquid additive to the fuel of an internal combustion engine, the arrangement comprising a vacuum switch, a valve and a manifold, the manifold having a first, outlet port connectible to the carburettor or fuel injection means of an internal combustion engine, a second port connectible to a vacuum control unit of the engine and a third port connectible to a liquid container, wherein the valve is connectible to the manifold and to the liquid container and is arranged to be opened or closed by the vacuum switch which is arranged to be operated in response to the vacuum created by the vacuum control unit of the engine.

2. An arrangement for supplying water as an additive to the fuel of an internal combustion engine, the arrangement comprising a water container, a vacuum switch, a valve and a manifold, the manifold having a first, outlet port connected to the carburettor or fuel injection means of the internal combustion engine, a second port connected to a vacuum control unit of the engine and a third port connected to the water container, wherein the valve is mounted in the connection between the third port and the container and the vacuum switch is operable by the vacuum control unit to open or close the valve.

3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the valve is a solenoid valve.

4. An arrangement as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the vacuum switch is pre-set to operate within the range 3 KN/m2 to 90 KN/m2 vacuum pressure.

5. An arrangement as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein a further inlet to the manifold from atmosphere is provided and is provided with a valve.

6. An arrangement for supplying a liquid additive to the fuel of an internal combustion engine, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawing.