US2361063A - Fuel admission device for internalcombustion engines - Google Patents

Description

06L 1944. A. SANDHOFER FUEL ADMISSION DEVICE FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Aug. 28, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ARTHUR SANDHOF ER .6. ZJATTQRN Oct. 24, 1944. A. SANDHOFER I 2,361,063

FUEL ADMISSION DEVICE FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES s Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 28 1941 INVENTOR ARTHUR SANDHOFER Oct. 24, 1944. A. SANDHOFER 2,361,063

FUEL ADMISSION DEVICE FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Aug. 28, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I 2 m I\* I 7 lWl FIG. 4

INVENTOR ARTHUR SANDHOF ER BY MM, M7 y?"- ATTORN Patents ct. 24, 1944 FUEL ADDIISSION DEVICE FOR INTERNAL- COMBUSTION ENGINES Arthur Sandhoter, Cisco, Tex., assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation oi Delaware Application August 28, 1941, Serial No. 408,672

4 Claims. (01. 137-l53) This invention relates to internal combustion engines and in its more specific aspects to immovements in fluid fuel admissionmeans for internal combustion engines; and is a continuaeliminates the conventional rocker arm, push rod, cam and gear arrangement, and effects a number of advantages which will be readily understood by those skilled in the art on a perusal of the accompanying drawings in conjunction tion-in-part of my prior filed application, Serial 5 w th t e e a d description hereimliftel P No. 353,941, filed August 23, 1940. sented.

Heretofore, it has generally been the practice It S e p y fi ie t 9 s invention to in the Operation of two cycle engines to intro-' DTOVlde afiue1adm15S1n1eV1ce which is adapted duce the fluid fuel under pressure into the head to increase t power dellvered y internal end of the cylinder during the compression stroke 10 bustion engmfm of th piston by means of a fuel injector whi h Another obJect of this inventionis to provide includes a valve a valve temand a, spring device of the character h ldicated which valve is opened through its cooperation with a efiectively and efliciently control the admission rocker arm and a pushrod or valve shaft, the of fuel into an internal combustion engine latter being 'actuated'by a geared connection to that the may be oPerated under Varmus the crank end of the engine. After the fuel has load cqndltwns at econvsncal ,fuel (fonsumptionbeen introduced into the cylinder, the above A thud P of invention 15 to provide mentioned sprin tends to close the valve. The a admlssmn device which is operable in (opening and closing) of the valve is positive and dependable manner by alternate controlled by a cam Which operates one end of pressures and vacua created behind the piston the rocker arm at predetermined intervals to of an internal combustion engine during the exopeh and close the Valve pension and compression strokes of the piston.

The present invention is an improvement over 3 inventml? has a further (meet the r the invention disclosed in the copending patent 9 of t mtemal q i' engine fuel application of Jim Barton, inventor, Serial No. 1111551911 devlce which Is slmple in design 269,777; and contemplates the admission of fuel rugged m construction and relatiyely inexpensive into the head end of an internal combustion to manilfacture' By virtue of the Simplicity of engine cylinder by means of a device which commy.des1gn and the few .moving parts that are prises a fuel valve, a valve stem, a Spring, and subiect to wear, the maintenance andreplace-- a diaphragm or other form of movable partition, i gfi 3, 3 sii is to cooperatively arranged with respect to pluprovide a fuel admission evice whicliisi r la ted rality of control valves so that the fuel valve is t p o be readily substitutedfor other devices that operated by the alternate pressure and vacuum are 1 employed for the same purpose. This concreated behind the piston during the expansion and compression strokes of the iston A small Version may be quickly and mexpensively accom' plished at the place of use, thereby avoiding bore conduit places my device in communicacosh d y elays which would result if the entire tion with the back end of the engine cylinder;

d th to f engine has to be returned to the factory or an as e pis n moves orward in each co transported to a workshop which is especially pression stroke, a partial vacuum is createdbe- 40 equipped to make the conversion hind the Plston and also m my devicewhen These as well as additional objects and advanthe piston moves toward the back end oi h tages will be apparent by reference to the folcynndel' each expansion Stroke, a Pressure 18 lowing specification and annexed drawings which Pmduced m the i Whlchl pressure is respectively describe and illustrate preferred utilized to actuate the diaphragm to open t embodiments of my invention, and wherein Valve and admit fuel into the v qe I am Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross section view abl to accurately control the P m the h through the center of an internal combustion sine Cycle t Whlch the fuel sfdmlsslon valve 15 engine cylinder having my invention operatively alternately opened and closed in order to obtain connected t t optimum fuel economy and operating re ult Figure 2 is an enlarged elevation view or one by emp oy ng a simp e, dependable and troubleembodiment of the invention, partly in cross free device instead of by means of the comti plicated troublesome mechanism that was used Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of in the past. The practice of my invention another embodiment of the invention, partly in cross section; and a Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the casing in enlargement, and illustrates a preferred type of check valve arrangement in detail.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figure l, I have denoted therein an internal combustion engine cylinder H), which is provided with the usual water-jacket ii and is rigidly supported on an engine frame i 2 by means of bolts IS. A piston 14 reciprocates within the cylinder and is connected to a piston rod l whichpasses through a packing gland IS in the back end of the cylinder. A conventional spark plug I! and air starting valve H are indicated at the head end of the cylinder. Air for normally operating the engine is introduced from the outside into an air inlet passageway l9, passes through air inlet valves 20 and chamber 2|, and thence is admitted into the cylinder by way of inlet ports 22 and 23. The products of combustion are emitted from the cylinder by way of exhaust ports 24 and an exhaust outlet 25 communicating therewith.

Figure 2 illustrates a body member, generally indicated by reference numeral 26 and including a-base member 21, a pair of supports 28, a valve actuating chamber 29, and fa fluid chamber 30 having a cover plate 3|, all assembled into a unitary structure by any suitable means known in the art. Base member 21 embraces a fuel chamber 32 that is provided with a, tapped fuel inlet opening 33 for connection to a source of fuel I supply (not shown), and is securely mounted to the head end of the cylinder so that a seat 34 for a fuel valve 35 is substantially flush with the ,the back end of the engine cylinder through chamber 2i and ports 22- and 23 in the order set forth. Compartment 60 communicates with the atmosphere through ports 62. Diaphragm 58 carries a, pair of plates 63, valve stem 51 being connected to the plate in compartment 60. A compression spring 64, concentric with respect to stem 51, is disposed between cover plate 3i and one of the diaphragm plates for normally urging valve 56 into open position.

A passage and a branch conduit 61 place fiuid chamber in communication with conduit 6 i, while a similar passage 68 and a second branch conduit 69 place valve actuating chamber 29 in communication with conduit 6 l. Adjustable flow valves liiand ii are provided in conduits 61 and 69, respectively.- Check valves 12 and 13 in passages 68 and 68, respectively, are shown in enlargement in Figure 4. Each of the check valves consists of a ball check 14 and a compression spring 75 positioned between a valve seat ring 16 through a conventional type of packing unit 38,

consisting of a packing nut 39, a follower ring 40, and packing material 4|. Valve stem 36 is threaded to engage with corresponding internal threads in a boss 42 that is integral with a diaphragm plate 43. A spider 44 supports a compression spring 45 that is concentrically disposed with respect to the'valve stem for urging diaphragm plate 43 and valve stem 36 toward the left to normally maintain fuel valve .35 in closed position. As will be apparent from an inspection of Figure 2, compression spring 45 is also adapted to urge a diaphragm 46, which con- I stitutes the lower wall of valve actuating chamvalve stem 38. While the use of the particular stop member described above is'recommended, it is'to be understood that various other forms of adjustable stops, such as' the type'illustrated in Figure 3, may be advantageously employed in the practice of my invention.

Referring next to fluid chamber 30, it will be observed that a casting 52 forming the main part of this chamber has a wall 53 that also serves as a .wall for valve actuating chamber 23. A conduit 54 is adlustably positioned in wall 53 by virtue of being threadedly supported therein and establishes communication between fluid.

chamber 30 and valve actuating chamber 29. One end 55 of conduit 54 constitutes a valve seat and a perforate plate H which are threadedly mounted in the passages. By varying the relative position of rings 16 and/or perforate plates 1l,-.the,valves may be adjusted to open upon a predetermined fluid pressure to permit fluid flow through the corresponding passages in one direction only. Although I prefer to employ ball check valves in the practice of my invention, it will be obvious that various other types of valves which permit flow only in one direction may be substituted therefor. The pressure at which each check valve will open may be controlled by simply adjusting the corresponding fiow valves or by adjusting each check valve and the corres'pondlng flow valve, as desired. It will be noted that valvel2 controls the admission of fluid into fluid chamber 30 through passage 66, whereas valve l3 controls the discharge of fluid from actuating chamber 29 through passage 68.

For the purpose of outlining the mode of operation of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 4, it is firstassumed that piston i4 ismoving lnthe direction indicated by the arrow on piston rod i5, that is, toward the head end of the cylinder. It will be noted that the piston has completed approximately half of its compression stroke, and that air ports 23 and exhaust ports 24 are all covered by the piston. Starting'valve l8 and fuel valve 35 are both closed, as indicated in the drawings, and the fuel and air mixture previously-admitted into the cylinder is being compressed preparatory to firing. During this step in the operation, a partial vacuum is created in back of the piston, extending from the back end of the cylinder through air ports 22, airchamber 2|, and conduit 6|. While the partial vacuum thus created in compartment 59 is generally sufficient to move diaphragm '58 toward the left and thereby move valve 55 to the position shown in Figure 2, the use of compression spring 64 is recommended in order that this movement of the diaphragm and valve 56 may be accomplished in a positive manner. Since the fluid, in this case, air, that was admitted earlier into fluid chamber 30 and transmitted through conduit 54 into actuating chamber 29 is under a higher pressure than the pressure now in conduit 6|, it will flow through passage 68, opening check valve 13 and thence be discharged through conduit 69 into conduit 6|. Check valve 12 will, of course, remain closed. At the same time, compression spring 45 urges fuel valve 35 into completely closed position and moves diaphragm 46 toward the left until all of the parts of my device have assumed the position illustrated in Figure 2.

As, the piston moves in the opposite direction during its expansion stroke it will uncover exhaustports 24 before air ports 23, allowing the products of combustion to exhaust by way of outlet 25. Air admitted by inlet I9 and valves 20 into chamber 2| is introduced to the headand respectively. Continued travel of the piston on its expansion stroke compresses the air admitted into the back end of the cylinder and transmits this air under pressure through port 22, chamber 2| and conduit 6|. A portion of this air is admitted into compartment 59 of the diaphragm motor, urging diaphragm 58 toward the right against the action of spring 64 and bringing valve 56 into engagement with seat 5| on conduit 5| to thereby form a seal between fluid chamber 30 and actuating chamber 29. Another portion of the fluid flows through branch conduit 61, valve 10, past check valve 12, and thence into fluid chamber 30. Since the fluid pressure in conduit 6| and branch conduit 69 is now superior to that in actuating chamber 29 and passage 68, it will be noted that check valve 13 will remain closed during this step in the procedure.

The various valves will remain in the relative positions indicated in the preceding paragraph until after the engine piston has completed its expansion stroke and has started on its next compression stroke. As the engine piston starts on its next compression stroke, there will be a, pressure drop in the back end of the cylinder and in conduit 6| which will allow diaphragm 58 to move valve 56 to open position and permit the fluid previously admitted into'fluid chamber 30 to rush into actuating chamber 29 and force diaphragm 46 to the right so as to open fuel valve 35. When an engine cylinder and piston arrangement of the character illustrated in Figure 1 is employed, it is of course desirable that the admission of fuel into the cylinder be delayed until after the exhaust ports are closed during the compression stroke of the piston, thereby eliminating fuel waste which would otherwise occur. It is obvious that the fuel valve may be opened at any predetermined instant during the engine cycle and thus introduce fuel into the cylinder at the most opportune time to obtain maximum benefits and economical operation.

Based on the foregoing, it will be observed that fuel valve 35 remains closed during the entire expansion stroke of the piston and is opened for only a sufilcient period during the compression stroke of the piston to admit the required amount of fuel into the head end of the cylinder.

It will be noted that the illustrated embodiments of the invention contemplate the use of a closed system for introducing and withdrawing fluid into and from body member 26. It should be'borne in mind, however, that it is not essential to the successful operation of this invention that fluid discharged from actuating chamber 29 be returned to conduit 6|. If desired, the portion of branch conduit between valve H and conduit 64 may be omitted and the fluid may be numerals have been used to denote parts thatare common to both embodiments of the invention. Only a. portion of body member 26 is illustrated herein, ,as all the other parts are the same as'in Figure 2. A casing 18 forms a cylinder I9 within which is a piston 8|] that is connected to valve stem 36 and is normally maintained in the illustrated position due to the action of compression spring 45. Piston 80 divides the interior of the easing into a valve actuating chamber 29 and a spring chamber 8|, the latter chamber communicating with the atmosphere through an annular space 82 between the casing and valve stem 36. A plurality of threaded members 83 in casing 18 coact with piston 80 to serve as adjustable stops for the piston to thereby restrict the movement of valve in open position. It will be noted that members 83 serve the same function as stop member 41 of Figure 2. A second casing 84 mounted on cover plate 3| forms a cylinder 85 within which is a piston 86 that is connected to valve stem 51 and is normally maintained in the illustrated position due to the action of compression spring 64. Piston 86 divides casing 86 into two compartments, namely, compartment 59 which communicates with the back end of the engine cylinder through conduit BI, and compartment 81 which communicates with the atmosphere through a port 88.

The operation of the second embodiment of the invention is the same as that of the earlier described embodiment. The fluid acts on the pistons to actuate the corresponding valves in the same manner as on the diaphragms illustrated in Figure 2. It will therefore be apparent that equally satisfactory results may be obtained in. the practice of my invention by employing diaphragms alone, pistons alone, or a combination of diaphragms and pistons for the actuation of valves 35 and 56, as it is merely a matter of preference and design to determine the arrangement best suited for a. particular installation.

From the foregoing it is believed that the construction, operation and advantages of my instant invention will be readily comprehended by persons skilled in the art. It is to be clearly understood, however, that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a fuel admission device of the character indicated, the combination comprising a fuel valve, a first conduit for supplying fuel to the valve, a fluid chamber, a second conduit independent of the first conduit for supplying a pressure fluid to the fluid chamber, a valve associated with the second conduit for permitting the flow of pressure fluid from the second conduit into the fluid chamber but preventing the withdrawal of pressure fluid therethrough, a valve actuating chamber including a movable partition for cooperating with the fuel valve to actuate the same, means for placing the fluid chamber in communication with the valve actuating chamber, valve means for controlling the flow of pressure fluid through said means, a third conduit independent of the previously mentioned conduits for establlshing communication between the valve actuating chamber and the exterior of the valve actuating chamber, a valve associated with the third conduit for permitting the withdrawal of pressure fluid from the valve actuating chamber but preventing the admission of fluid thereinto, a second valve actuating chamber including a movable partition for cooperating with the valve means to actuate the same;

' 2. Ina fuel admission device of the character described, the combination comprising a fuel valve, means for normally maintaining the fuel valve in closed position, adjustable means for limiting movement of the fuel valve in the direction of open position, a first conduit for supplying fuel to the'valve, a fluid chamber, a second conduit independent of the first conduit for supplying a pressure fluid to the fluid chamber, a valve associated with the second conduit for permitting the flow. of pressure fluid from the second conduit into the fluid chamber but preventing the withdrawal of pressure fluid therethrough, a valve actuating chamber. including a diaphragm for cooperating with the fuel valve to actuate the same, means for placing the-fluid; chamber in communication with the valve actuating chamber, valve means for controlling the flow of pressure fluid through said means, a third conduit independent of the previously mentioned conduits for establishing communication between the valve actuating chamber and the exterior thereof, a valve associated with the third conduit for permitting the withdrawal of pressure fluid from the valve actuating chamber but preventing the admission of fluid thereinto, a second valve actuating chamber including a diaphragm for cooperating with the valve means to actuate the same, and means within the second valve actuating chamber for normally maintaining the valve means in open position. V

3. In a fuel admission device of the character described, the V combination comprising a fuel valve, means for normally maintaining the fuel valve in closed position, adjustable means for limiting movement of the fuel valve in the direction of open position, a first conduit for supplying fuel to the valve, a fluid chamber, a second conduit independent of the first conduit for supplying a pressure fluid to the fluid ohambena valve associated with the second conduit for permitting the flow of pressure fluid from the second conduit into the fluid chamber but preventing the withdrawal of pressure fluidtherethrough, a valve actuating cluding a piston for cooperating with the valve means to actuate the same, and means within the second valve actuating chamber for normally maintaining the valve means in open position.

. 4. In a fuel admission device of the character described, the combination comprising a fuel valve, means for normally maintaining the fuel valve in closed position, adjustable means for limiting movement of the fuel valve in the direction of open position, a first conduit for supplying fuel to the valve, a fluid chamber, a second conduit independent of the first conduit for supplying a pressure fluid-to the fluid chamber, a valve associated with the second conduit for permitting the flow of pressure fluid from the second conduit into the fluid chamber but preventing the withdrawal of pressure fluid therethrough, a valve actuating chamber including a movable partition for cooperating with the fuel valve to actuate the same, means for placing the fluid chamber in communication with the valve actuating chamber, valve means for controlling the flow of pressure fluid through said means, a third conduit independent of the previously mentioned conduits for establishingcommunication between the valve actuating chamber and the exteriorthereof, a valve as sociated with the third conduit fonpermitting the withdrawal of pressure fluid from the valve actuating chamber but preventing the admission of fluid thereinto, a second valve actuating chamber including a movable partition for cooperating with the valve means to actuate the same, and means within the second valve actuating chamher for normally maintaining the valve means in open position, one of the above mentioned partitions comprising a diaphragm and the other partition comprising a piston.

' ARTHUR SAN'DHOFER.

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