US2112538A - Colloidal carbon injector for internal combustion engines - Google Patents

Description

March 29, 1938. N. D. LOUGHLIN COLLOIDAL CARBON INJECTOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Original Filed March 5, 1956 j/v v/v TOR NORMAN 0. LOUGHL/N Patented Mar. 29, 1938 I I COLLOIDAL CARBON INJECTOR FOR IN- TERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Norman D. Loughlln, Los Angela's, Calif., assignor to Bulo Corporation, Los Angelcs, Calif., a corporation of California Substitute for application Serial No. 66,856, March 3, 1936. Serial No. 161,642

8 Claiml.

The invention herein set forth is identical with that presented in my applicationSerial No. 66,856,

.filed March 3, 1936, of which this application is cylinders in which the pistons of the engine reciprocate. The metal from which the cylinder block is formed is slightly porous so that very small cavities occurin the cylinder walls as initially produced or are formed therein by continued use. It is' common practice to grind or lap the walls of the cylinders toproduce a smooth finish and reduce the size of these cavities, and thusreduce the friction on the piston rings carried by the pistons which tends to reduce the wear on the pistons and cylinders which are, of course, lubricated by the crank case oil. I have found that if colloidal graphite is fed into the combustion space in the cylinders above the pistons, it not only helps to lubricate the cylinder walls and thus reduce wear, but it also produces a. very high polish on the cylinder walls, thus further reducing wear.

Colloidal graphite is graphite in particles of microscopic dimensions and the principal problem is to introduce the particles in highly discrete condition so that the particles will be distributed uniformly on the cylinder-walls. This I do by the means shown in the drawing .filed herewith, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view showing one way in which my invention may be applied to an internal combustion engine;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section through the center of the injector which I prefer to use; and

Fig. 3 is a similar cross-section on a plane represented by the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. l, H is the cylinder block of an internal combustion engine which has an intake manifold l2, which is supplied with a combustible mixture of air and fuel by a carburetor I3. A throttle valve l4 controls the flow of air to the carburetor. The position ofthe throttle valve I4 is controlled by the operator of the en- 'gine by means not shown. Parts similar to parts I l to l4 will be found on nearlyevery automobile and form no part of my invention.

For the purpose of feeding colloidal, graphite into the mixture of air and fuel passing into the combustion spaces of the engine H, I prefer to This application August 30, 1937,

use an injector 2i which may be connected to the intake manifold l2 by a pipe 22. The injector 2| consists of two main parts, namely, a container 23 and a cap 24. The container 23 is normally held in fluid-tight relationshipwith the cap 24 againsta gasket 25 by a spring wire ball 26 and a cam link 21. The container 23 may therefore be readily removed for refilling and is normally partlyfilled, for example to the level 2'l-21 with a suspension 28 of colloidal graphite in a suitable liquid such as a light lubricating oil.

Secured in the cap 24 and projecting downwardly to a point near the bottom of the con tainer 23 is an air injection tube ill. The upper end of this tube communicates through a small hole 32 with the atmosphere and the lower end is open but constricted in size as shown at 33 so that air drawn in through the tube ii is injected into the suspension 28 in the form of fine globules of ail-.34. These globules rising through the body of the suspension 28 form a foam consisting of air bubbles each surrounded by a thin film of the liquid forming the suspension 26. The colloidal graphite is uniformly and finely distributed in this film and the space 35 inside the container '23 below the cap 24 is filled with a foam made up of these air bubbles. This foam may be drawn up into a cavity 4| formed in the cap 24 through a foam opening 36. Air may also be drawn into the cavity 4| through 'ain air opening 31.

A nipple 42 is threaded, as shown at 43, into,

one end of this cavity, the pipe 22 being threaded into an orifice 44 extending completely through.

the nipple 42. A valve member 45 is secured on a valve stem 46 which can slide freely along its axis in a hole 41 passing through the cap 24. A reaction compression spring 48 surrounds the valve step 46 and acts against the valve member 45 and the wall of the cavity. tending to press the valve member 45 to the left. When the valve member 45 is at its extreme left position it closes the end of the orifice 44. A regulating compression spring 49 surrounds the valve stem 46 outside the cap 24, pressing at one end against the cap 24 and at the other end against a nut 50 threaded on the valve stem 46, and by means of which the effective tension of the spring 49 may be adjusted. The spring 49 tends to force. the valve member 45 away from the inner end of the orifice 44. Spiral grooves 55 are cut in the periphery of the valve member 45.

In the normal operation of an automobile the engine is started and allowed to run at slow speed with the valve l4 partially closed. This produces a sub-atmospheric pressure or partial vacuum in the manifold l2 and air is drawn into the manifold through the pipe 22 and the orifice 44 from the cavity 4!. The greater proportion of this air enters the cavity ll through the air inlet opening 31. In its passage through the cavity the air w; through the spiral grooves 58 of the valve and due to their inclination drags the valve member 4! to the left, thus causing the valve member Al to entirely close the inner or right-hand end of the orifice N. The vacuum in the manifold I2, pipe 22, and orifice M then tends to hold the valve 48 in its seated position, closing the end of the orifice M. This prevents any material amount of colloidal graphite being drawn into the cylinders of the engine while the engine is idling. When, however, the valve is is opened to increase the amount of fuel fed to the engine, the absolute pressure in the manifold l2 rises or, as usually stated, the vacuum therein is decreased. The pull of this vacuum on the end of the valve member 45 decreases. By turning the nut II the pressure of the spring I! tending to unseat the valve 45 from the end of the orifice 44 is increased, and by a suitable manipulation of the nut III the valve can be caused to leave its seat at any desired degree of vacuum in the manifold l2. If the nut 50 is set so that the valve 45 leaves its seat when the valve I4 is half open, the valve 45 will be closed at all times that the valve i4 is more than half closed, will open when the valve I4 is half open, and will remain open whenever the valve i4 is more than half open.

When the valve 45 is in the open position, as

shown in Fig. 2, and the engine II is running, there will always be a partial vacuum in the cavity ll, the degree of this vacuum depending on the degree of vacuum in the manifold l2 and the size of the air inlet opening 31. Under these conditions air is drawn into the cavity ll through the air inlet opening 31, passes through the grooves 55 where it is given a rotary motion, and is drawn manifold l2. The. partial vacuum in the cavity ll pulls air out of the space 35 until it is at the same absolute pressure as the cavity ll. Due to reduced pressure in the space 35 air is drawn downwardly through the injection pipe 3| and small globules of air 34 rise through the suspension 28 forming small bubbles at the surface 21-21 of the suspension 28. The small bubbles form a foam which collects in and fills the space 35. This foam is made up of films of the suspension 2| which enclose air bubbles and the foam is gradually drawn through the foam opening 36 into the cavity ll where it is caught in the current of air passing from the opening 21 into the orifice N and through the pipe 22 into the intake manifold 12. In the intake manifold i2 the microscopic particles of colloidal graphite are distributed in the air and fuel mixture and are carried through the valves into the cylinder. Since the colloidal graphite suspension is an excellentlubricant it lubricatesthe valves, valve stems, and valve seats.

During combustion the liquid portion of the suspension is probably entirely vaporized, leaving the colloidal graphite in the form of microscopic particles deposited on the cylinder walls, thus lubricating these walls.

The amount of graphite fed into the engine in through the pipe 22 into the inlet valve 45 remains seated until the vacuum in the manifold I2 is further reduced and it is possible to so set the nut 5| that the injector only operates when the valve I4 is near its wide open position. when the injector is first applied to an old engine, it is recommended that the nut be set so that injection of graphite starts as soon as the valve ll is about one-fourth open. This results in a high rate of injection of graphite. After the engine has operated long enough for .the cylinder walls to become thoroughly polished and impregnated with graphite, the tension on the spring 49 maybe greatly reduced so that graphite is injected only when the valve I2 is at the engine with a corresponding increase in efficiency.

While I have stated that a suspension formed of colloidal graphite and light lubricating oil may be placed, in the container 23, it is obvious that the liquid acts only as a carrier for the graphite and other liquids especially those tending to form foam may be used.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device for distributing colloidal graphite in finely divided form to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, the combination of: a' container suited to contain a suspension of colloidal graphite in oil; a cap for said container; means for securing said container to said cap; an air injection tube extending down into said container and connecting at its upper end with the atmosphere; a nipple closing one end of a cavity formed in said cap, said nipple having an orifice extending therethrough; means for connecting the outer end of said orifice with the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine; a valve member in said cavity so formed as to be capable of closing the inner end of said orifice, said valve member being provided with inclined passages on its periphery so formed as to cause a rotation of air passing from said cavity into said orifice; a valve stem on which said valve is carried, said valve stem extending through the wall of said cavity; a reaction compression spring surrounding said valve stem inside said cavity and tending to force said valve into seating engagement with the inner end of said orifice; a regulating compression spring surrounding said-valve stem outside said cavity, said spring tending to force said valve member away from said orifice in said nipple; and an adjustment nut on said valve stem for adjusting the tension of said regulat ing spring; and walls forming a foam opening in said cap through which foam produced by the bubbling of air from said injection pipe through said suspension is drawn into said cavityand an air inlet opening through which air may be drawn into said cavity.

2. In a device for distributing colloidal graphite in finely divided form to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, the combination of: a container suited to contain a suspension of colloidal graphite in oil; a cap for said ,container;.

means for securing said container to said cap; an air injection tube extending down into said container and connecting at its upper end with the atmosphere; a nipple closing one end of a cavity formed in said cap, said nipple having an orifice extending therethrough; means for connecting the outer end of said orifice with the intake manifold of; the intemalcombustion engine;

a valve member in said cavity so formed as to be capable of closing the inner end of said orifice;

a valve stemon which said valve is carried, said outside said cavity, said spring tending to force said valve member away from said orifice in said stem outside said cavity, said spring tending to nipple; an adjustment nut on said valve stem for adjusting the tension of said regulating spring; and walls forming a foam opening in said cap through which foam produced by the bubbling of air from said injection pipe through said suspension is drawn into said cavity and an air inlet opening through which air may be drawn into said cavity.

3. In a device for distributing colloidal graphite in finely divided form to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, the combination of: a container suited-to contain a suspension of colloidal'graphite in oil; a cap for said container; means for securing said container to said cap; an air injection tube extending down into said container and connecting at its upper end with the atmosphere; walls forming an orifice extending through said cap and opening at its inner end into a cavity formed in said cap; means for connecting said orifice to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine in such a man,- ner that the pressure in said orifice varies with the pressure subsisting in said manifold; a valve member in said cavity so formed as to be capable of closing the inner end of said orifice, said valve member being provided with inclined passages on its periphery so formed as to cause a rotation of air. passing from said cavity into said orifice; a valve stem on which said valve is carried, said valve stem extending through the wall of said cavity; a reaction compression spring surrounding said valve stem inside said cavity and tending to force said valve into seating engagement with the inner end of said orifice; a regulating compression spring surrounding said valve force said valve member away from said orifice; an adjustment nut on said valve stem for adjusting the tension of said regulating spring;

and walls forming a foam opening in said cap through which foam produced by the bubbling of air from said injection pipe through said suspension is drawn into said. cavity and an air inlet opening through which air may be drawn into said cavity.

4. In a. device for distributing colloidal graphite in finely divided form to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, the combination of a container suited to contain a suspension of colloidal graphite in oil; a cap for said container; means for securing said container to said cap; an air injection tube extending down into said container and connecting at its upper end with the atmosphere; walls forming an orifice extending through said cap and opening at its inner end into a-cavity formed in said cap; means for connecting said orifice to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine in such a manner that the pressure in said orifice varies with the pressure subsisting in said manifold; a valve member in said cavity so formed as to be capable of closing the inner end of said orifice; a valve stem'on which said valve is carried, said valve, stem extending through the wall of said cavity; a reaction compression spring surrounding said valve stem inside said cavity and tending to force said valve into seating engagement with the inner end of said orifice; a regulating compression spring surrounding said valve stem outside said cavity, said spring tending to force said valve member away from said orifice; an adjustment nut on said valve stem for adjusting the tension of said regulating spring; and walls forming a foam opening in said cap through which foam produced by the bubbling of air,

from said injection pipe through said suspension is drawn into said cavity and an air inlet-opening through which air may be drawn into said cavity.

5. In a device for distributing colloidal graphite in finely divided form to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, the combination of: a container suitedto contain a suspension of colloidal graphite in oil; a cap forsaid container; means for securing said containerto said cap; an air injection tube extending down into said container and connecting at its upper end with the atmosphere; a nipple closing one end of a cavity formed in said cap, said nipple having an orifice extending therethrough; means for connecting the outer end of said orifice with the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine; a valve member in said cavity so formed as to be capable of closing the inner end of said orifice, said valve member being provided with inclined passages on its periphery so formed as to cause a rotation of air passing from said cavity into said orifice; a'valve stem on which said valve is carried, said valve stem extending through the wall of said cavity; spring means acting on said valve stem tending to force said valve member out of engagement with said orifice; means by which the force of said spring means may be regulated by an operator; and walls forming a foam opening in said cap through which foam produced by the bubbling of air from said injection pipe through said suspension is drawn into said cavity. and an air inlet opening through which air may be drawn into said cavity.

6. In a device for distributing colloidal graphite in finely divided form to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, the combination of: a container suited to contain a suspension of colloidal graphite in oil; a cap for said container; means for securing said container to said cap; an air injection tube extending down into said container and connecting at its upper end with the atmosphere; a nipple closing'one end of a cavity formed in said cap, said nipple having an orifice extending therethrough; means for connecting the outer end of said orifice with the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine; a valve member in said cavity so formed as to be capable of closing the inner end of said orifice; a valve stem on which said valve is carried, said valve stem extending through the wall of said cavity; spring means acting on said valve stem tending to force said valve member out of engagement with said orifice; means by which the force of said spring means may be regulated by an operator; and walls forming afoam opening in said cap through which foamproduced by' the bubbling of air from said injection. pipe through said suspension is drawn into said cavity and an air inlet opening through which air may be drawn. into said'cavity.

7. In a device for distributing colloidal graphinternal combustion engine, the combination of: a container suited to contain a suspension of colloidal graphite in oil: a cap for said container; means for securing said container to said cap; an air injection tube extending down into said container and connecting at its upper end with the atmosphere: walls forming an orifice extendingthroughsaidcapandopening atitsinnerend into a cavity formed in said cap; means for connecting said orifice to the intake manifold 01 an internal combustion engine in such a manner that the pressure in said orifice varies with the pressure subsisting in said manifold; a vaive member in said cavity so formed as to be capable of closing the inner end or said orifice, said valve member being provided with inclined passages on its periphery so formed as to cause a rotation of air passing from said cavity into said orifice; a valve stem on which saidvalve is carried. said valve stem extending through the wall 0! said cavity; spring means acting on said valve stem tending to force said valve member out or engagement with said orifice; means by which the air inlet opening through which air may be drawn into said cavity.

a,11a,sss

8. In a device for distributing colloidal'graphite in finely divided form to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, the combination of: a container suited to contain a suspension of colloidal graphite in oil; a cap for said container:

means for securing said container to said cap; an air injection tube extending down into said container and connecting at its upper end with the atmosphere; walls forming an orifice extending through said cap and opening at its inner end into a cavity formed in said cap; means for connecting said orifice to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine in such a manner that the pressure in said orifice varies with the pressure subsisting in said manifold; a valve v member in said cavity so formed as'to be capable of closing the inner end of said orifice; a valve stem on which said valve is carried. said valve-

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