US3547416A - Fuel converter - Google Patents

Description

A l 177 EX United States Patent BEST AVAILABLE copy [72] lnventor Harold Edward Thomas 144 Liberty St., Long Branch, NJ. 07740 [21] App]. No. 607,529 [22] Filed Jan. 5,1967 [45] Patented Dec. 15,1970

[54] FUEL CONVERTER 2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 261/90, 48/ 180 51 1nt.C1 8011'3/04, B01f5/02, B01f7/04 [50] Field ofSearch 48/180R, 180M, 180; 261/84, 88, 89, 90

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,228,517 6/1917 Batchelor 48/180 1,430,299 9/1922 Flatter et a1. 48/180 1,546,663 7/1925 Laing 48/180 1,565,181 12/1925 Manning 48/180 1,594,711 8/1926 Chapman 48/180 2,576,602 11/1951 Herzfeld 48/180 2,669,508 2/1954 Christensen... 48/180 2,216,722 10/1940 Denson 261/84X 2,397,230 3/1946 Armathes 261/84 2,922,631 1/1960 Koktan 261/84 FOREIGN PATENTS 205,363 10/1923 Great Britain 261/90 Primary Examiner-Morris O. Wolk Assistant Examiner-R. E. Serwin Attorney-Cecil L. Wood ABSTRACT: A fuel converter for internal combustion engines by which liquid fuel from a reservoir is injected as a vapor into a rapidly rotating baffle element and further atomized and converted into a dry gas which is drawn into the combustion chambers through the usual intake manifold, ob-.

viating the use of a carburetor, whereby to substantially eliminate the discharge of noncombustible gases into the atmosphere.

BEST AVAILABLE copy PATENTEDIJEBISIBYB 3,547,416

- SHEET10F3 9; I Q Q Q I I 1 II II 2 mm {:5

m N "3 :3 O R F 3 ch on N m L1 66% KJZWZ ATTORNEY BEST AVAILABLE COPY PATENTEU DEE] 5|97U 3, 547l416 SHEEI20F3 J: WWW M j- Harold E. Thomas Fig.4 142mm ATTORNEY BEST AVAILABLE copy PATENTEU DEC] 5 I978 SHEET 3 OF 3 INVENTOR Harold E. Thomas BY Monk ATTORNEY FUEL CONVERTER CONVENTIONAL FUELS It is an established fact that conventional automotive fuels, while being highly combustible and generally satisfactory in the operation of automotive engines, are not wholly efficient in that much energy is wasted and is discharged into the atmosphere as noncombusted hydrocarbon which not only represent the loss of valuable energy but contribute to the already deplorable atmospheric contamination generally referred to as smog. Much effort has been engaged upon to eliminate this contamination but no known means has been provided to abate it.

One practical means of at least reducing the accumulation of air pollution due to automotive exhaust fumes would be to provide means whereby the fuel can be wholly consumed so that no combustible residue as carbon monoxide remains to be exhausted into the atmosphere. This can be accomplished by reducing the liquid fuel to a dry gas instead of a combustible vapor such as that produced by conventional carburetion. Greater efficiency in the operation of the automotive engine could also be gained and thus substantial economic benefits.

SUMMARY This invention relates to fuel converters for internal combustion engines, and it has particular reference to apparatus for converting liquid fuels to a dry combustible gas and is especially adaptable to automotive engines.

A prime object of the invention is that of providing a simple and inexpensive device which is capable of installation on an existing automotive engine, or embodied in a factory model, and by which gasoline of any standard grade can be reduced to a state beyond the ordinary vaporous condition and rendered more highly combustible so that maximum efficiency may be afforded and the volume of noncombusted hydrocarbons can be greatly minimized or completely eliminated.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of apparatus by which liquid fuels other than gasoline, such as kerosene, diesel fuel, and the like, can also be reduced to a gaseous state having far greater combustibility than vaporized fuels.

Broadly, the invention contemplates the provision of apparatus which, while primarily designed for use in automotive engines, has the capability of use in other fields such as in stationary engines and furnaces, or wherever such fuels as gasoline, kerosene or diesel fuel may be used.

While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects will become apparent as the description proceeds, when considered in connection with the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of apparatus embodying the invention as applied to an automotive engine, the converter element and the solenoid valve being shown partially in section.

FIG. 2 is another schematic illustration of a modified structure showing the converter, the air mixer and fuel intake chamber in partial section.

FIG. 3 is another schematic view of still another modified assembly, the converter being shown partially in section.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the invention as applied to a stationary engine, such as a prime mover for an electric generator.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the invention as applied to a furnace burner, and

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a typical electric fuel heater as used to preheat diesel fuel prior to processing through the invention.

The primary element of the invention is the converter device which is shown in the drawings in housings of different conformations, depending upon the particular application. In FIG. 1 the converter 10 is shown mounted above an automotive engine 11 in the usual position of a conventional downdraft carburetor (not shown), and comprises a turbulent BEST AVAILABLE cop fan 12 rotatably mounted on a shaft 13 within a rectangular housing 14 which has an air intake opening 15 in its top 16 covered by an air cleaner 17. The housing 14 is shown in section, or with one wall removed.

Liquid fuel is inducted from a tank or reservoir 18, through a conduit 19 by a mechanical fuel pump' 20 connected in the latter, and is controlled by a valve 21 which is connected by a linkage 22 to the accelerator pedal of the vehicle (not shown) through rods 23 and 24 which are pivotally connected at their adjacent ends to a lever 25 which actuates a butterfly valve within the cylindrical chamber 26 fixed to the bottom of the housing 14 and which has an opening 27 therein through which the converted fuel is admitted to the fuel intake chamber 28, or manifold, of the motor 11.

For quick starting of the motor 11 the liquid fuel is injected into the converter housing 14, and into the presence of the turbulent fan 12, and directed transversely of the axis thereof, by compressed air from a compressor 29 through an air conduit 30 into the fuel conduit 19 between the accelerator valve 21 and the converter housing 14. A solenoid valve 31 is provided to admit the air to the fuel line 19 and through the jet 32 which atomizes the fuel as it enters the housing 14. Normally the solenoid valve 31 remains closed and the liquid fuel is jetted into the presence of the turbulent fan 12 by the pump 20 through the tube 33 which communicates with the housing 14. Both of the elements 29 and 31 are connected to the vehicle electric system through conductors 34 and 35, respectively.

In FIG. 2 is schematically shown a modified arrangement of the apparatus embodying the invention. Liquid fuel is conducted from a reservoir 36 through a line 37 by an electric pump 38 to the bottom of a pressure container 39 and thence through a line 40 to the turbulent fan 12in a housing 41. Compressed air is supplied to the container 39 through a line 42 connected to the upper end thereof by a compressor 43. The converted fuel, having been reduced to a dry gas by the turbulent fan 12, is expelled from the housing 41 through a tubular conduit 44 into an air mixing chamber 45 where it is admitted to the fuel intake chamber or manifold 46 on the automotive engine 47, show fragmentarily. A butterfly valve 48 is ar ranged in the mixing chamber 45 to control the flow of fuel to the engine 47. The electric valve 38 and the compressor 43 are actuated through electrical conductors 49 and 50, respectively, connected into the automotive electrical system (not shown). The arrangement shown in FIG. 3 is similar to that shown in FIG. 2 and differs only in respect to the omission of the elements 38, 39 and 43. A mechanical fuel pump 51 is connected in the fuel line 37 which conducts the liquid fuel directly to the housing 41 and into the presence of the fan 12 and the associated baffles 52 and 53 in the housing 41. The butterfly valve 48, shown in FIG. 2, is actuated by the accelerator pedal (not shown) through a rod 54 connected to a lever 55 on the valve shaft 56.

In FIG. 4 is shown an arrangement adapted for installation in the operation of a stationary engine 57 which, in this instance, is the motive power for an electric generator 58. Liquid fuel is conducted to the engine 57 from a reservoir 59 through a line 60 to the housing 61 of of the fan 12. A valve 62 is provided in the line 60.

In this assembly the fan 12 can be operated by the electric generator by employing a transformer 63 connected in an electrical conductor 64 for charging a l2-volt battery 65. A switch 66 is connected in the conductor 64 which is connected to one of the posts of the battery 65, the opposite post of the latter being connected by a line 67 to the generator 58.

The arrangement shown schematically in FIG. 5 is adapted for installation for the diffusion of liquid fuel for firing a furnace or boiler, and embodying the converter principles of the invention whereby the fuel is reduce to a gaseous state for more thorough combustibility.

The heavier types of liquid fuels used in heating apparatus, such as fuel oil, is not as readily reduced to a gas as gasoline or other lighter fuels but may be atomized to a substantial degree BEST AVAILABLE COPY V a turbulent fan 74 similar to the fan 12 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3

and 4 rotatably mounted on a shaft 75 concentrically of the housing 71.

When drawn into the presence of the fan 74 the diffused fuel is further reduced to a gaseous state, or at least a fine vaporous condition, and discharge through a connecting duct 76 to a burner 77 arranged in a suitable housing 78, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 5.

The fans 12 and 74 are of the squirrel-cage type and are rapidly rotated by motors 79 and 80, respectively. The housing 14, 41, 61 and 71 are relatively narrow and the fans operate in relatively close tolerances therein so that the atomized fuel can be thoroughly reduced to a relatively dry gas which has high combustibility.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the housing 71 has a screened air intake opening8lin the top thereof. The. fan 74 has the multiple function of drawing the fuel through perforated plates 73 by which it is diffused, atomizing the fuel to a gaseous state, and conveying the gaseous fuel to the burner 77. The fuel supply to the burner 77 may be controlled by a thermostat 82 connected in the motor circuit 83. it is also desireable to provide an electric means 84 for initially igniting the fuel at the burner 77.

HO. 6 illustrates, in elevation, a typical preheating tank 85 by which such fuels are furnace oil, diesel oil, and the like, can be preheated to insure ready ignition at the burner 77. The tank 85 has an inlet line 86, and outlet line 87, and burner 88 shown in broken lines in FIG. 6. A thermometer 89 and a thermostat 90 are also provided.

The invention, although described in substantial detail, is capable of certain changes and modifications by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and intent thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

1 claim: 1. Apparatus for converting liquid fuels to combustible gases for operating internal combustion engines having a fuel induction manifold, a fuel-reservoir, a fuel line connecting a reservoir with said manifold,.a solenoid valve and a jet in said line, and a fuel pump in said fuel line, in combina tion, a housing defining a closed chamber having inlet and outlet ports connected in said fuel line between said pump and said manifold, a turbulent fan rotatably mounted on a shaft in said. housing between said inlet and outlet ports and having its blades spaced radially from and parallel to the axis of said shaft and. in planes transversely of the path of liquid fuel passing throughsaidhousing under the influence of said pump and capable of acting onsaid liquid fuel to atomize the same to a vaporous state, a plurality of baffles in said housing cooperating with said fan blades to further vaporize the gases, the said. baffles being arranged in angular planes parallel to the axis of rotation of said fan, a mixing chamber connected in said fuel line between said housing and said manifold, a solenoid for operating said solenoid valve, and means for driving said fan shaft.

2. A device for converting liquid fuels into a substantially dry gas for operating an internal combustion engine having a fuel induction manifold, a fuel reservoir, a fuel line connecting said reservoir with said manifold, a solenoid valve and a jet in said fuel line, and a fuel pump and an air mixing chamber in said line having a butterfly valve therein, the improvements comprising: a fuel converter housing connected in said fuel line between'said pumpand said mixing chamber and defining a closed chamber having inlet and outlet ports connected in said fuel line, a fan mounted on a shaft arranged through said housing between said ports, thesaid fan having its blades 5 aced radially from and parallel to said shaft transversely of t e path of liqu|d fuel flowing through said fuel line into said housing, baffles in said housing arranged in angular planes parallel to the axis of rotation of said fan, a solenoid for operating. said solenoid valve, and means exteriorly of said housing for rotating said fan shaft.

Images