US1359592A - Fuel-supply apparatus - Google Patents

Description

W. S. GUTHFHE.

FUEL SUPPLY APPARATUS. APVPLICATLON FILED JULY 5,1919.

Paiented No 23, 1920.

gvwmvtoz I William S. Guibrie 32W} 74/ v c How 3 FATE \IVILiLIAM S. GUTHRIE, OF TERRELL, TEXAS.

FUEL-SUPPLY APFABATUS.

Application filed July 5,

Improved Fuel-Supply Apparatus, of which.

the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a fuel supply apparatus for causing liquid fuel to flow to the carbureter of an internal combustion engine from a supply tank positioned below the level of the carbureter.

The object of the invention is to provide an eflicient liquid fuel supply apparatus for causing: liquid fuel to flowto the carburetor as fast as demanded by the engine when running under the most trying, conditions. Another object is to eliminate annoyances formerly had with fuel supply apparatus. A further objectis to eliminate the intermediate storage reservoir between the carbureter reservoir and the vacuum chamber, as used in connection with other fuel supply devices.

Various as used in the past have had more or less objectionable features which the present inventionis intended to eliminate; such for instance as the danger of bursting the tank of the pressure feed type where compressedair inthe supply tank forces the fuel to the carbureter; and the failure of the vacuum feed type to supply the fuel when as (ending long hillsin an automobile; and the breaking of the diaphragms of other types.

'lhe'invention comprises a storage reservoir, a supply tank, an intermediate chamber forming a passagebetween the supply tank and the reservoir, preferably air pressure varying means for varying the air pressurein the intermediate chamber, so that su -atmospheric pressure and superatmospheric pressure is created in said chamber intermittently when the engine is in operation, and thereby causing the liquid to be sucked into said chamber from the supply tank, and forced therefrom into the storage reservoir.

Onefeature of the invention resides in having a float arranged in the storage reservoir so that the float controls the pumping of the ,fuel from the source of supply by causi'ngrthe flow to decrease with the rising of thefioat and having an inlet and an outlet checkwalve for the intermediateor sucforms of fuel supply apparatus Specification of Letters Patent. Patented N Q3 1926 1919. Serial N0. 308,309.

tion chamber, the said check valves being so positioned and arranged that the fuel flows in one direction only through the same throughout the operation of the fuel supply apparatus.

The invention also consists in matters hereinafter set forth and more particularly pointed out in the claims. i

The nature of the invention is such that the usual carbureter float chamber may be employed as the storage reservoir since a uniform level of the liquid may be main tained in the latter; but when desired the storage reservoir of the'fuel supply apparatus may be employed as an auxiliary supply reservoir to feed the float chamber, or other reservoir of the carbureter.

Figure 1 illustrates the fuel supply system and shows a sectional. view of one form of storage reservoir and intermediate chamber. and the arrangement of the check valves. Fin. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the section adjacent the check valve 22. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the valve 15. Fig. a shows a sectional view of a modified form of intermediate chamber. and the fuel passages shown diagrammatically. Fig. 5,

is a View on line of Fig. 4, showing the arrangement of the check valves and pasin practical form.

The air pressure varying means as shown may be the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, or it may be a pump which consists of a sliding piston positioned in a cylinder so that when the piston is moved downward it causes the air pressure in the cylinder to fall below that of atmospheric pressure, and the upward movement of the piston causes the air pressure in the cylinder to rise above atmospheric pressure.

It is preferred that the piston be operated in some manner by the engine which is to be fed with fuel by the fuel supply system; and when desired it is intended that the usual combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine may be employed as the air pressure varying means for varying he air pressure in the intermediate chamber; in fact it is intended that any known air pressure varying; means may be employed to accomplish this purpose. The air pressure varies widely in the crank case of some engines, and in some instances the i crank case maybe employed as the air pressure varying means. It is prererred that the engine which is to be supplied with fuel be employed. to operate the air pressure varying means.

In Fig. 1, the pipe 1 connects the cylinder 2 with the intermediate chamber 3. The

downward movement, or suction stroke of the piston 4E causes the exhaust of air from the chamber 3. The air thus flowing from the chamber 3 passes up through the passages 5, (3, 7, 8 and to the pipe 1 through which it flows to the cylinder 2. The ball check valve 10 opens the passage 8 when the piston moving downward to provide free access of the suction to the chamber 3, and when the piston is moving upward, compressed air from the "cylinder 2 is forced into the intermediate chamber 3 through the bypass passage 7, which latter passage is small enough to prevent excessive compres' sion forming in the chamber 3, and yet suffires for the purpose of forcing the liquid therefrom, as hereinafter described.

The pipe 11 connects the supply tank 12 with the intermediate chamber 3. The suction stroke of the piston 4- creates a partial vacuum in the chamber 3 and causes liquid from the tank 12 to pass up the pipe 1.1 and flow through the passage 13 and down the passages 14 around the valve 15 and throu h the passage .16, then up past the ball clock valve 17 and through the ports 18 to the chamber 3. When the chamher 3 is filled to a predetermined level the float 19 rises up and presses against the collar 20 on the valve 21 and causes the lat ter to raise and close of the passage 8, and thus prevents the suction from sucking the liquid up into the cylinder 2. The chamber 3 as shown is of cylindrical shape, and the float 19 is of a piston like nature. The valve 10 may be eliminated when the float, 19 is made to fit closely to the wall of the vacuum chamber 3 so that the fire from the exhaust is prevented from reaching the liquid fuel below the float 19.

The compression stroke of'the piston causes air to flow back into the chamber 3 through the pipe 1, the bypass 7 and passages 6 and 5, and this back pressure forces the liquid out of the chamber 3 through the passage 22 and past the ball check valve 23 to the chamber 24; through the port 25, and down the tubular passage around the coiled spring 26 to the tube 27, down through which it flows and passes out into the reservoir 28 through. the ports 29. The coiled spring26 holds the check valve 23 up against its seat to prevent leakage of air to the chamber 3 when the piston is moving downward, and the check valve 17 prevents the back pressure orcompression reaching the passages leading from the chamber 3 to the supply tank 12.

The float 30 controls the level oi. the liquid in. the reservoir 28 rising'up closing the valve'15 so that theamount of liquid flowing from the supply tank" 12 is re stricted to the amount flowing from the reservoir 28 to the engine. It will thus be apparent that the fuel. maintains a uniform level inthe reservoir 28 when the engine is in operation. After the reservoir 28 is once filled to its normal level the valve 15 may be almost entirely closed and the, amount of liquid thereafter flowing into the intermediate chamber 3 may not be enough to cause the float 19 to rise suiiiciently to close the valve 21., t

The storage reservoir that forms a passage between the vacuum chamber and the constant level reservoir of the carbureter, as used in connection with other fuel supply devices, may be eliminated, when the reservoir 28 is positioned in respect to the carburetor fuel jets (not shown), so that when the engine is at rest the reservoir 28 is not emptied by the fuel overflowing said ets.

The reservoir 28 may bev made integral with the carburetor body as shown in Fig. 1, the said body being partly broken off to the right side of the reservoir 28.

The fuel passage 29 conveys the fuel from the reservoir 28 to vthe carburetor jets in the usual manner, and the fuel supply may be restricted at the" discharge jets (not shown) or at any point between the discharge jets and the reservoir 28 by a cali "brated jet, or as by having a needle valve 29 to control the flow of the fuel.

The valve 21 as shown is guided at both ends and it is loosely extended entirely through the float 19 and guides the latter to prevent it touching the walls of the chamher 3. The float 19 has considerable vertical movement without imparting movement to the valve 21 which obviously minimizes the wear to the valve and its guiding means.

In Fig. 4, a ball float 19 controls the communication between the intermediate chamher 3' and the air pressure varying cylinder 2, a valve 21 being adapted to close the suction passage 8 when the float rises to a predetermined. level. Excessive compression in the chamber 3' may be prevented by a check valve 31 which is held seated by a coiled spring 32 to prevent leakage of air when the piston a is moving downward.

The tension of the spring 32 may be adjusted by means of an adjusting screw 33 and loch nut 34. When the compression in the chamber 3' is suilicient to overcome the spring tension against the ball valve 31, air wil'i flow out to the atmosphere through the passages 35 and 36. The by-pass passage 37 around the needle valve 21' and the pipe 1', aliords means of communication between the air pressure varying means and the chamber 3 I When the liquid is sucked into the chann her 3 its flow is controlled by the valve 15 and float 30'. The liquid enters at 38 and passes down around the valve 15' to the passage 16 then up past the check valve 17' and into the chamber 3' through the port 89. W hen the liquid fills the chamber 3 to a predetermined level the float 19" rises andthe coiled spring all then lifts the valve also that the compression stroke of the piston 1 Will force the liquid out under the head of the valve ll and through the passage i2 past the check valve 43 and down into the storage reservoir 28', through the passage 451-. The latter passage is positioned to one side of the float 30 so that the in flowing liquid is prevented from disturbing the float. hen the liquid is thus discharged from the chamber 3, the float 15) is lowered and its weight overcomes the tension of the spring and causes the valve 41 to close to prevent leakage of compression. The valve -11. may be especially desirable when employing the combustion chamber oF an internal combustion engine. for the air pressure varying means. Sometimes the float 19' may act in place of the valve 4:1.

in Fig. 5 the liquid passages leading to and from the chamber 3' are shown in a more compact form, and this figure clearly shows the same to be in a form which is easily manufactured, the passages 18, ll). 42, and 4% being; drilled from. the exterior of the body and screw plugs being employed to close the external ends of the several passages. I

The construction of this fuel. supply apparatus may be Widely varied from that shown Without departing from the scope of the invention and the various valves l() 31 and 411 such as shown, may not always be needed to cause the proper functioning ot the fuel supply apparatus: and the absence:

of either or all (it said valves does not ex clude the structures from being within the scope of the invention. The various valves may al-o be shifted from one structure to the other in. order to obtain the proper functioning of the device.

This invention may he applied to any other device where a liquid supply system.

may be used, as well as for the purpose above described.

The iassagrcs 35 and 3F and the parls li, 33 and 34- should be eliminated when the valve 31 is eliminated.

A lever a5 as shown in Fig. 4 may be employed to increase the pressure of the tloaton the valve 17) shown in Fin. 1. when desired.

l. A fuel supply apparatus for an internal combustion engine comprising a source of supply, a storage reservoir, a float in said storage reservoir to control the fuel level therein, an intermediate chamber forming a passage between the source of supply and the storage reservoir, air pressure varying means for varying the air pressure in the intermediate chamber from subatmospheric pressure to siiper-atmospheric pressure, so that the sub-atmospheric pressure suclrsfuel into said intermediate chamber and the super-atmospheric pressure forces the fuel into said Forage reservoir, andmeans to control the comnmnication between the air pressure varvinpmeans and said intermediate chamber.

2. A "fuel supply apparatus comprising a source oi supply, a storage reservoir, a float in said storage reservoir to control the fuel level therein, an intermediate chamber forming a passage between the source of supply and the storage reservoir. air pressure varying means for varying the air pressure in the intermediate chamber from sub-atmospheric to superatmospheric pressure, so that the sub-atmospheric pressure suclrs fuel into said intermediate chamber and the super-atmospheric pressure torces the fuel into said storage reservoir, and means-to autoniatically control the comnninication between the air pressure varying: means and said intermediate chamber.

A fuel supply apparatus for an internal combustion engine comprising a source of supply, a storage reservoir, :1 lioat in Said storage reservoir to control the Fuel level therein, an intermediate chamber forming a passage between the source of supply and the storage reservoir. air pressure varying means for varying: the air pressure in the intermediate chamber from SlliktltIUtWPllQllC pressure to supcr-atinosphcric pre re.

so that the sub-atoms;)horic pressure sucks fuel. into said intermediate chamber and the? super-atinosphcric pressure forces the fuel into said storage reservoir. and a float in nal combustion cng coitnp oi supply. a storage -voir, stoi rcscrvoir to 4; therein. an intermediaw chain passage bei'wccn the sourc o'if the storage rt crvoir. air i means for varying the air intermediate rhainhcr from s prcssurc to sn; cr-aiznosplu-ric pi inp the opcraliou oi said on PM so that the sub-atniospiu-ric prr sure s fuel into said intermediate chamber and -the superatmospheric pressure forces the? fuel into said storage reservoir. and a tioat in the in termediate chamber to control the communication between the air pressure varying means and said i nmediate chamber.

. 5. A fuel. supply apparatus for an int-ernal combustion engine comprising a source of supply, a storage reservoir, a float in said storage reservoir to control the fuel level therein, an intermediate chamber forming a passage between the source of supply and the storage reservoir, air pressure varying means for varying the air pressure in the intermediate chamber from sub-atmospheric pressure to super-atmospheric pressure, so that the sub-atmospheric pressure sucks fuel into said. intermediate chamber and the super-atmosphericpressure forces the fuel into said storage reservoir, said air pressure varying means being operated by said engine, and a float in the intermediate chain ber to control the communication between the air pressure varying means and said in termediate chamber.

6. A fuel supply apparatus comprising a source of supply, a storage reservoir, an intermediate chamber forming a passage between the source of supply and the storage reservoir, a non-return valve to prevent fluid flowing to the source of supply from the intermediate chamber, air pressure varyingmeans for varying the air pressure in the intermediate chamber from sub-atmospheric to super-atmospheric pressure, means to control the-communication between the air pres-- sure varying means and said. intermediate chamber, and means to control the communication between thesource of supply and the said intermediate chamber.

7. A. fuel supply apparatus comprising a source of supply, a storage reservoir, an intermediate chamber forming a passage between the source of supply and the storage reservoir, a non-return valve to prevent fluid flowing to the source of supply from the intermediate chamber, air pressure varying means for varying the air pressure in the intermediate chamber from Stlb-fttlllOSPllBllC to super-atmospheric pressure, a float in the intermediate chamber to control the communication between the air pressure varying means and said intermediate chamber,v

and means to control the communication between the source of supply and the said intermediate chamber. 4

8. A fuel supply apparatus comprislng a source of supply, a storagereservoir, an intermediate chamber forming a passage between the source of supply and the storage reservoir, air pressure varying means for varying the air pressure in the intermediate chamber from sub-atmospheric to superstmospheric pressure, means to control the communication between the air pressure varying means and said intermediate chamber, and a float in the storage reservoir to control the communication between the source of supply and the said intermediate chamber.

9. A fuel supply apparatus comprising a source of supply, a storage reservoir, an

intense the storagereservoir to control the communication between the source of supply and the said intermediate chamber.

10. A fuel supply apparatus con'lprising' a source of supply, a storage reservoir, an intermediate chamber forming a passage between, the source of supply and the storage reservoir, air pressure varying means for varying the air pressure in the intermediate chamber from sub-atmospheric to super-at mospheric pressure, a float in said storage reservoir toi control the level of the fuel therein, and means to prevent excessive compression forming in aiddntermediate chamber.

11. A fuel supply apparatus comprising a source of supply, a storage reservoir, an intermediate chamber forming a passage between the source of supply and the storage reservoir, air pressure varying means for varying the air pressure in the intermediate chamber from sub-atmospheric to super-atmospheric pressure, andmeans to prevent air flowing from the intermediate chamber to said storage reservoir.

12. A fuel pumping apparatus having communication with an internal combustion engine, a combustion chamber for said engine, a fuel reservoir, a vacuum chamber for receiving fuel, a connection between said vacuum chamber and said combustion chamher, said connection being closed to prevent admission of air from the atmosphere and so arranged that the pressure created in said combustion chamber causes fuel to be forced into said reservoir from said vacuum chamber, a float in said reservoir, and a valve having communication-with said float so as to control the pumping of the fuel, the flow .of fuel between, said vacuum chamber and said reservoir being unresisted by said valve.

13. A fuel pumping apparatus having communication with an internal combustion engine including a compression chamber,

means for creating super-atmospheric pressure in said compression chamber, a fuel reservoir, a vacuum chamber for receiving fuel, a connection between said vacuum chamber and said compression chamber, said connection being closed to prevent admission of air from the atmosphere and so arranged that the pressure created in said compression chamber causes fuel to be forced into said reservoir from said vacuum chamber, a float in'said reservoir, and a valve communicating with said float so as to con' trol the pumping of the fuel, the flow of fuel between said vacuum chamber and said reservoir being unresisted by said valve.

14. A fuel supply apparatus for an internal combustion engine including a storage reservoir and a vacuum chamber forming a passage between a source of supply and the storage reservoir, said vacuum chamber communicating with a combustion chamber of said engine so that the pressiu'e created in said engine combustion chamber causes liquid fuel to be forced from said vacuum chamber and into said storage reservoir, said vacuum chamber being of cylindrical shape and having a reciprocating device therein preventing the liquid fuel rising above the top of said vacuum chamber, and a float in said storage reservoir controlling the fuel level therein.

15. A fuel pumping apparatus having a storage reservoir and a vacuum chamber forming a passage between a source of, liquid fuel supply and said storage reservoir, means for pumping liquid fuel from said source of supply to the storage reservoir by way of said vacuum chamber, means to prevent the return of the fuel to the vacuum chamber from said storage reservoir in the operation of the pumping apparatus, said vacuum chamber being substantially sealed to prevent an appreciable amount of air entering the same in the operation of the pumping apparatus, the flow of the fuel to the storage reservoir being under the influence of pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, and a float in the storage reservoir to control the pumping of the fuel.

16. A fuel pumping apparatus having a storage reservoir and a vacuum chamber forming a passage between a source of liquid fuel supply and said storage reservoir, means for pumping liquid fuel from said "source of supply to the storage reservoir by way of said vacuum chamber, means to prevent the return of the fuel to the vacuum chamber from said storage reservoir in the operation of the pumping apparatus, the flow of fuel to the storage reservoir being under) the influence of pressure greater than that of the atmosphere, a float in the storage reservoir, a valve con trolled by said float so as to control the pumping of the fuel, said valve being so POSitlOIlOtl and arranged that its opening movement is unassisted by super-atmosphericpressure.

17. A fuel supply apparatus for internal combustion engines including a suction chamber or passageway provided with inlet and outlet valves, a storage reservoir, a suction device communicatingwith said passageway which exerts suction on said inlet valve to cause fuel to enter said passageway,

said suc iondevice being so arranged that it exerts pressure on said outlet valve intermittently when the engine is in operation so as to force the fuel out of said passageway and into a storage reservoir, said valves being so arranged and controlled that the fuel flows in one direction onlythrough each of said valves in the operation of the engine,

, a float in said reservoir to control the level inlet valve to cause fuel to enter said pasvsageway, said suction device being so arranged that it exerts pressure on said outlet valve intermittently when the engine is in operation so as to force the fuel out of said passageway and into said carbureter reservoir, said valves being so arranged and controlled that the fuel flows in one direction only through each of said valves in the operation of the engine, a float in said reservoir to control the level of the fuel therein, said passageway being substantially sealed to prevent the admission of an appreciable amount of air in the operation of theengine, and a needle valve to control the flow from the carbureter reservoir. r

19. A fuel supply apparatus-including a storage reservoir, a source of supply, an intermediate chamber communicating with said storage reservoir and the source of supply, means for' reducing the air pressure in said intermediate chamber for lifting fuel thereto from said source of supply, a float in the intermediate chamber to control the communication between the latter chamber and the air pressure reducing means, and a float in the storage reservoir to control the communication between the source of supply and the intermediate chamber.

20'. A fuel supply apparatus comprising a source of supply, a sto'age reservoir, an intermediate chamber forming a passage between the source of supply and the storage reservoir, means for reducing the air pressure in the intermediate chamber for lifting fuel thereto from the supply tank,

means to control-the communication between the air pressure reducing means and said iritermediate chamber, and a float in the stora e reservoir tocontrol the communication etween the source of supply and the said intermediate chamber.

WILLIAM s. GUTHRIE.

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