US1693083A - Humidifier for internal-combustion engines - Google Patents

Description

W. C. KlTT HUMIDIFIER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Flled Sept 22 192 Nov. 27, 1928.

Patented Nov. 27, 1928.

I 1,693,083 PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM C. KITT, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

HUMIDIFIER F OR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Application filed September 22, 1926. Serial No. 137,080.

The object of my'invention is to provide means for adding to the gas mixture supplied to the combustion chamber or cylinders of the engine, moisture or water vapor laden air in varying volumes, such air being conveyed directly to the intake manifold of the engine,

In order to provide the moist air, a. water retaining or absorbing means is used within a cylinder, from which, the moist air is drawn. Heretofore fabric has been used to maintain a sufficient amount of water or moisture to provide the moisture laden air, but this fabric is not a high class water retainer and soon becomes dry and hard and deteriorates quickly, preventing the desired operation of the device.

One of the salient features of my invention resides in providing a sponge in the cylinder or container, the sponge being a natural water holder or retainer, holds ample and suflicient water and moisture, so that the moist air can always be obtained, the sponge retains its natural qualities; will not readily deteriorate and will always keep the device in first class working order by furnishing suflicient dampness and moisture.

Y The sponge is so placed in the tank or water holding cylinder that its greatest number of pores are at the bottom, enabling capillary attraction to work perfectly and thus bring the water to the top of the sponge. A sponge is a natural water holder and when in a confined tank or cylinder, the moisture from the sponge will riseand distribute itself all over the walls of the tank; even when the device is not in use, so that it will be ready for instant use when needed. The sponge or its equivalent, makes this device one of great utility.

Another f eature consists in providing screens on tli' in side of the cylinder to exclude grit and dirt and the like thus preventing any extraneous matter from entering the engine cylinders. 1 In the accompanying drawing forming part of the specificatlon; Fig. 1, is aplan view of the device,

Fi 2, is a section taken on line 22 of Fig. 1, an

"Fig. 3, is a plan view of the device and connections installed on a motor, the motor shown in light dotted lines, in outline only.

In the drawing, 1 illustrates a water container or reservoir which may be of any approved form. My reservoir is generally formed of two halves welded at middle to form an integral tank or cylinder. In the upper portion or head 2, I provide an inlet 3,

for filling as well as intake for air when valve is open.

The inlet having a downwardly depending nipple or tube 5, which passes through a gauge or screen, placed at the top on the inside of the tank, and at the bottom 7, I place a similar gauge or screen 8, which supports or carries the sponge 9, which sponge extends upwardly to a point somewhat above the height of water gauge 12, shown by character .10.

This water gauge is of a usual type and is fastened to a fitting 13, having the opening 14 for admitting water into the gauge 12. The fitting 13 also has an opening l5 which is used as a drain, when it is desired to empty the water from the tank 1. At the outer end of water gauge 12, I place a cap 39 and form a vent or passage 40 therethrough.

' In the upper part of the head 2, I provide a valve body 16, having a downwardly extending nipple 17 which forms the air outlet opening 18 a valve 19 engages in the body 16 and has an opening 20. When the stem 21 is turned to allow air to pass out through opening 22 saidair being drawn into cylinder 1 by suction through opening 30 of inlet 3, passes through screen 6, and passes out through the, opening 22 into the tube 23, and

then into the intake 45 through pipe 23. A

handle 26 supported on the instrument board 27 of the vehicle is to operate the valve by the rod 28. p

The device is supported by a bracket 29 against the dash board 30 of the vehicle. The device is designed to take off moist air and carry it tothe intake manifoldwhere it is mixed with air and gasoline yapor from the carbureter 25, thus giving a more perfect combustion and lower consumption of gasoline.

The air being forced thru screen 6 there is a tendency to finely divide the same and mingle with the moisture from the sponge and the water, before it passes out through pipe 23 into intake manifold 45 and then to the engine.

In Fig. 3, I show pipe 23 leading to the in take manifold 45 of the engine and I convey the moist air directly to the said intake manifold, in fact, this is a preferred way, as the ture which will pass into the engine and its cylinders through the intake manifold as heretofore stated and set forth, and when the valve is closed the intake of moist air will stop until the valve is again opened.

At the outer end of the gauge 12, as heretofore set forth, I place the cap 39 and form a vent for openin 40 therethrough. When the suction takes p ace the air in-this gauge will be drawn down through the same and then up through sponge 9 into container 1 and into space 11, and, passing through said sponge and into said space 11, will always keep the top of the sponge moist and also distribute moisture in said space,and thus always keep the topof the "sponge and space above it filled with moisture, in a highly desired manner, thus.

providing a highly moist laden air for the purposes above set forth.

When the gas charges are passing into the intake manifold to the engine cylinders, and the engine is operating moisture laden air is sucked into the intake manifold and combined with the charges of gas.

The filler 3 and the air intake 30 are formed as one, and the air intake 30 is always open,

the construction being such that this result can be attained.

While I consider a sponge the best distributer of moisture for the purpose of my invention, and while it is a preferred element in my device, I may use any other element for holding and diffusing the water which may be found practical for the purpose.

What I claim as new and my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A humidifier for internal combustion .engines, comprising a closed tank having upwater, a constantly open overflow device for the tank, adapted to prevent the tank from being filled beyond a'predetermined elevation, said overflow device having its outlet arranged below the top of the tank, an absorbent mass arranged in the tank and projecting upwardly to a level beyond said overfiow device to feed moisture into a space in the tank above said absorbent mass, said overflow device being adapted to admit air into said tank, and valve controlled means forfeeding moisture laden air from said space,'at an elevation above the overflow device outlet, to the intake manifold of an engine.

3. A humidifier for internal combustion engines, comprising a tank, adapted to be filled with water up to a certain elevation, a gauge on the tank to indicate to the operator when the water has reached this elevation, said gauge having a constantly open port at its upper end, positioned at a lower elevation than the top of the tank, an absorbent mass in the tank projecting above the upper end of the gauge for feeding moisture into a space at the upper end of the tank above said absorbent mass, a screen extending across the space at an elevation above the top of the gauge and dividing the interior of the tank into upper and lower chambers, the absorbent mass being in the lower chamber, said port adapted to admit air into the lower chamber through said gauge, and valve controlled means for glischargmg moist air from the upper cham- In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature at the city of Cincinnati, county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, this 20 day of Septenr ber, 1926.

WILLIAM G. KIT'I.

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