US1889619A - Apparatus for generating fuel fumes - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 29, 1932. c, Q, 52 1,889,619

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING FUEL FUMES Filed July 15. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l 50 f4 IZ 4f W i 4? I 49 fl 4 45 /I 2? 7/ E f 71 f I H a f 39 7 [a 9/ 4/4 6 72 mvzufoa. 9 Charles [1 EIIDE 45 I r ATTORNEYS.

i 4/ (0 u mi Nov. 29, 1932. c, o, osz 1,889,619

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING FUEL FUME'S Filed July 15, 1930 2 Sheets-Shee 2 FIG. 4.

. ll '-IIIIIIllllIflllllllllllllllllllln INVENTOR.

Charles D. Em: 52

ATTORN EYS.

Patented Nov. 29, 1932 PATENT OFFICE CH'A'LRLES' o. GROSZ, or WILKES-BARBIE, PENNSYLVANIA APPARATUS FOR GENERATING FUEL FUMES Application filed m 15, 1930. Serial No. 468,177.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for making and utilizing gasoline fumes. p D

The primary object of this invention is the 5 provision of improved apparatus for the efficient utilization of gasoline fumes and vapors for the purpose of operating an internal combustion engine, such as installed 1n autovbiles; the improved device embodying means 0 for the economical andefiicient generatlon of the fumes or vapors and the efiicientfeedlng thereof to an internal combustion engine. 7

A further object of this invention is the provision of improved means for supplying 5 fuel to an automobile engine embodying .a cooperative arrangement bymeans Of'WlllOh the engine may be initially started by means of fuel fed through a conventional carburetor in conventional manner; the fumes thereafter 0 being shunted direct from the main gasoline tank of the automobile wherein they are generated, for an efficient engine operation and the securement of maximum mileage per gallon of gasoline consumption.

A further object of this invention is the provision of improved apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combust on engine in such manner that the engine Wlll be substantially free of carbon; operate for the production of maximum mileage on min mum consumption of gasoline, and eliminate the liability of leakage of fuel liquids into the crank case oils.

35 Other objects and advantagesof this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein simi- 0 lar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a fragmentary view, partly diagrammatic, showing the cooperative relation in which the improved fume generating $5 and feeding apparatus is operatively associated with conventional features of automobile power'plantequipment.

Figure 2 is an enlargedflsectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure :50 1, through the fume generating tank, which Figure 9 is a view, partly in section, of the carburetor adjacent the engine.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown only a preferred embodiment of the invention, the letter A may generally designate character, whereon the engine B is operatively mounted as a part thereof, being connected with the usual vacuum fuel feed system C. The improved fume generating apparatus D an automobile of any is operatively connected with a carburetor E of the engine, and includes a gasoline main tank. F, with which the vacuum tank 10 of the system C is operatively connected and a backfire check and venting valve H interof the apparatus D. v

In the cooperative arrangement of the fuel feed system with the fume feed system, the carburetor E has connection with both of said systems. Thus, as shown in Figures 1 and 9 of the drawings the carburetor E has an intake connection 15, leading, of course, to the cylinders of the engine. It is provided with a conventional needle valve 16 which may be operatively controlled from the in strument board of the automobile A, by means ofa suitable shaft 18 having a control handle 19 thereon; it being connected by the usual universal connection 21 with the outer end of the needle valve. Rotation of the shaft 18 permits the adjustment of the needle valve with respect to the inlet opening 20 through which the fuel is sprayed. The carburetor has its air inlet connection 23 operatively connected with the apparatus D for receivposed between the carburetor E and the end i ing fumes from the tank F. The carburetor E has operative connection at 27 with the vacuum fuel feed tank 10, which has its usual suction connection 28, and the line 29 connected with the tank F for the withdrawal of gasoline liquid therefrom. The connection 27 leads to the float chamber 30 in the lower part of the carburetor, wherein the gasoline or liquid fuel is received in a conventional relation.

It is the purpose of the invention to initially operate the engine B in the usual manner, by opening the needle valve 16, for the withdrawal of gasoline from the chamber 30. After the engine B has been operating a suf ficient length of time, to prevent stalling, and the heated exhaust gases are discharging through the exhaust manifold 35, and are heating the gasoline vapors and liquid in the tank F, the needle valve 16 is closed through manipulation of the shaft 18, and thereafter the fumes are supplied to the engine B through the carburetor chamber, but the engine is not receiving the fuel supply from the chamber 30 of the carburetor, as is quite apparent.

Referring more particularly to the details of construction of the apparatus D, the tank F is of unusual construction, consisting of a top wall side walls 41 and 42 and a bottom wall 43 which slopes from the end walls 45 and 46 and the side walls 41 and 42 towards the center the slope being downwardly towards a drain opening 47, shown in the drawings the lower end of which has a drain exit cap 48 thereon for draining the tank chamber 49 of gasoline and any sediment which may collect therein. The tankF is'provided with a false bottom 50, which is connected by upwardly extending convergent side and end walls with the side and end walls of the tank F, as shown in the draw ings; and defining a heating compartment 62 in the lower portion of the tank F between the bottoms 43 and 50, through which the exhaust gases pass for the purpose of heating the gasoline in the chamber 49. It is to be noted that the bottom 43 is extended along the sides and ends thereof, as at 66; being connected with the side and end sloping walls and defining above the extension 66 dead air spaces 67 between the portions of the walls 60 with the side and end walls of the tank F, which tends to insulate the liquid fuel in the chamber 49. It must be borne in mind that the system is particularly well adapted for the generation of gasoline fumes in extremely cold climates, although its utility is not limited thereto. The exhaust manifold 35 has an exhaust conduit 70 extending therefrom rearwardly along the vehicle, and enters a muflier 71. The discharge end of a muffler 71 is connected by means of a conduit 72 with one end of the compartment 62, as shown at 74 in Figure 4 of the drawings.

The opposite end of the tank has an exhaust gas conduit 7 5 connected therewith and turned rearwardly, as shown in Figure 1, thru which the exhaust gases pass into the atmosphere after passing through the broad but shallow compartment 62.

The top Wall 40 of the tank F has a fume conduit 7 6 connected therewith and leading forwardly for connection with the check and venting valve H; the latter being connected with the intake 23 of the carburetor E. The

conduit 76 is thoroughly insulated, as by asbestos wrapping the same through the entire length thereof, and it must be remembered that the fumes should be maintained warm or heated from the time that they leave the tank F until they pass through the carburetor E and into the intake 15. his asbestos wrapping is generally designated at 77 in Figure 4 of the drawings. The con neotion 76 in the top Wall 40 is at the center of the top wall 40.-

The baffle arrangement is provided in the tank compartment 49 between the top and bottom walls 40-and 43 thereof, to sub-divide the compartment 49 into an upper fume receiving compartment 49 and a lower gasoline liquid storage compartment 49 the baffle arrangement being so related that the liquid will not splash into the fume receiving compartment 49 and so that during filling of the tank F the liquid may enter through the filler connection 80 in the top wall of the tank, and pass through the compartment 49* quickly into the storage compartment 49".

The baflle arrangement comprises an intermediate baflie 82, which is preferably flat. Its shape is best shown in Figure 6 of the drawings; the corners 83 being cut away to provide corner openings in the tank F communicating the upper compartment 49 with the lower compartment 49, in a manner which is perfectly apparent. In closely spaced relation above and below the intermediate baffle 82 there are disposed similarly shaped centrally sloping upper and lower baffles 86 and 87, which are of the construction shown in Figure 5. That is, each of the same slopes downwardly from the end and side edges thereof towards a relatively large central opening 88 which centrally faces an imperforate central part of the intermediate ballie 82. The baflies 86, 82 and 87 are closely spaced, and the course of the fumes are first through the opening 88 of the lower bailie 87 and then into the space between the baffles 82 and 87, spreading laterally and longitudinally along the tank F, and passing upwardly through the corner openings 83 at the corners of the intermediate baffle 82, and thence into the space between the upper baffle 86 and thebaflie 82; centrally converging through the opening 88 in the upper baflie 86, and then entering the fume compartment 49, and

of course passing therefrom into the conduit It should be noted that the exhaust gas outlet 75 has a passageway that is larger than the passageway of the exhaust gas inlet fuel 839,242 filed February 11, 1929. In the' present apparatus'I provide a horizontally inclined substantially U-shaped pipe, comprising upper and lower preferably straight conduits 90 and 91; the former being disposed near the upper part of the compart ment 49 just spaced below the to'pwall 40 of the tank F, and the latter conduit 91 being disposed in the heating co1npartment 62. They are relatively connected by means of a vertical conduit 92 extending through the floor 43 of the gas tank and upwardly through the baffle plates in the compartment 49, as shown in Figure 2. The horizontal conduits 90 and 91 may be straight or curved, as desired, and in the preferred instance they are located close to one of the walls 41 or 42; preferably the former, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The ends of the conduits 90 and 91 extend externally of the tank through an end wall thereof opposite their relative connection 92, and they are externally screw threaded for the selective reception of a closure cap 95,

which may be placed on either, for a purpose which will be subsequently mentioned. The conduits 90, 91 and 92 have apassageway therein which is of uniform diameter throughout the length of said conduits. The upper conduit 90 is provided with downwardly extending fume suction pipes 97 and 98, preferably but two in number, which communicate with the conduit 90 and extend downwardly through the bafile plates and at their lower ends being open and spaced just above the floor 43 of the tank F, and of course opening in the compartment 49 for the discharge of air into the gasoline to enable the genera tion of gasoline fumes. The conduits 97 and 98 are materially smaller in diameter than the conduits 90 and 92 with which they are connected.

In cold weather the cap 95 is disposed on the outer end of the upper conduit 90, and the operation after the engine B has been operating for a time is to shut off the needle valve 16 in the carburetor. The heated exhaust gases passing through the chamber 62 will heat the gasoline in the lower portion of the tank F, above the bottom wall 43, to a not dangerous temperature, which may readily'be controlled, as can be understood by varying the size of the discharge opening por-laden with gasoline; being baflied between the baflleplates above described; the fumes entering the compartment 49*, from which they are withdrawn along the line 76 intothe upper part of the carburetor and into the intake in a manner which is quite apparent.

In event the atmospheric temperature war rants, the cap 95 may be placed on the externalend of the lower conduit 91, and in this case the air enters the conduit 90 directly and passes into the gasoline liquid through Ell e conduits 97 and 98 without any great The back-fire check and venting valve comprises a frusto-conical casing 100, connected at 101 with the air intake 23 0f the carburetor. At its larger end it is connected al- 102 with the conduit 76 above described.

A spider 104 is mounted in the smaller end of the casing 100, and reciprocably supports a horizontal valve stem 106 whereon a valve disc 107 is provided; being spring urged at 108 against the opening to the check valve chamber 109; and normally closing off communication of the fume intake conduit 76 with the'chamber 109, as can be understood from'Figure 8. The valve casing is provided with a vent opening 110, having a closure 112 which acts thereon as a valve, preventing the escape of fumes during normal engine operation. Should a back-fire occur the valve 107 will be sharply closed, preventing back-firing into the fume compartments of the tank F, and the pressures will exhaust through the vent opening 110, in a manner which is quite apparent.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim: I 1. In combination an internal combustion engine having an intake and a conventional needle valve control carburetor connected therewith provided with an air intake, means for closing the needle valve to shut off nortion of fuel fumes,'means connectin the gasolme tank with the normal air mtalre of the carburetor for feed of gasoline fumes from the gasoline tank to said air intake and means connected with said engine for transmittal of hot exhaust gases from the said engine, through said gasoline tank.

2. In combination an internal combustion engine having an intake and a conventional needle valve control carburetor connected therewith provided with an air intake, means for closing the needle valve to shut off normal fuel feed to the engine intake through the carburetor, a gasoline tank, means for feeding air through the gasoline tank for the production of fuel fumes, means connecting the gasoline tank with the normal air intake of the carburetor for feed of gasoline fumes from the gasoline tank to said air intake, said engine having means connected therewith for transmittal of exhaust gases into heat exchange relation with the fuel supply in the gasoline tank.

3. In combination with an internal combustion engine and a conventional vacuum fuel feed system therefor including a main fuel tank, a carburetor having a needle control Valve and a vacuum tank for withdrawing fuel from the main fuel tank and discharging it into the carburetor, means to shut off normal fuel supply from the vacuum tank through the carburetor to the engine, means asociated with the fuel tank for generating fuel fumes therein and passing them into the air intake of the carburetor, and means for directing the hot exhaust gases fromsaid engine thru and out of said fuel tank.

4. I11 combination with an internal combustion engine and a conventional vacuum fuel feed system therefor including a main fuel tank, a carburetor having a needle control valve and a vacuum tank for withdrawing fuel from the main fuel tank and discharging it into the carburetor, means to shut off normal fuel supply through the carburetor -to the engine, means associated with the fuel tank for generating fuel fumes therein and passing them into the air intake of the carburetor, and means for directing the heated exhaust gases from the engine into heat ex change relation with the fuel tank and its contents.

5. In an automobile powerplant equipment the combination of an internal combustion liquid within said tank to enable the generation of fumes including a conduit passing compartment therein with bafiie means sub-- dividing the same into an :upper fume compartment and-a lower liquid fuel storage compartment, means below the normal bottom of the tank providing a heating chamber, means for heating said chamber to heat the contents" of the lower compartment wherein the volatile liquid is stored,-an air intake and exhaust conduit in the heating compartment having an external atmospheric opening, an air intake and exhaust conduit in the upper fume compartment having an external air intake opening, means connecting said conduit at ends thereof remote from their external air intakes, closure means for selectively scaling the air intake opening of either of said conduits, and conduit means connected with the upper conduit in the fume compartment ex tending downwardly into the normal body of liquid fuel in. the lower compartment of said tank and opening therein for discharge of air into the liquid and means for withdrawal of fumes from the top of the fume compartment.

CHARLES O. GROSZ.

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