US2407478A - Antiknock or detonation dampening device - Google Patents

Description

Sept 10, 1946. HE. CROZER Em 2,407,478

ANTIKNOCK OR DETONATIO DAMPENING DEVICE Filed Marcnzo, 1944 also permitting the use of Patented Sept. 10, 1946 ANTIKNocx on nE'roNATIoN DAMPENING DEVICE Harold E. Crozier and .Albert G. H. Vanderpoel,

Hawthorne, Calfr Application March 20, 1944, Serial No. 527,252

2 claims. (c1. '12s-25) Our invention relates generally to internal combustion engines and more particularly to simple and efficient means for counteracting and dampening detonation or engine knockf and the principal object of our invention is to provide simple and efcient automatic means for introducing steam vapor to the carburetor to mix with the combustible gaseous mixture drawn into the cylinders.

The steam vapor when entering the combustion chamber acts as a coolant during the explosion cycle and its expansion throughthe differential in temperature will act as a cushion or dampener respectively producing a gas of its own to further assist combustion, so that detonation, more familiarly known as an engine knock is thus eliminated.

It may readily be seen that with a device of this kind, higher compression ratios can be utilized materializing more power and fuel economy and lower grade fuels.

Further objects of our invention are, to provide a device of the character referred to, having a simple and effective steam generator, constructed so as to` be conveniently mounted on the exhaust manifold of the engine and thus be heated by the exhaust gases passing through said manifold and further, to provide means for utilizing the velocity of the air entering the carburetor for regulating theamount of steam to correct proportions for all engine speeds and throttle positions.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, our invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation view partly in section and showing the device associated with the air lter, carburetor and exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine.

Fig'. 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectionl taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through the center of the steam generator.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail section of a oat actuated valve for controlling the flow of water to the steam generator.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of our invention, I6 designates the upper portion of a conventional carburetor, I I the'air filter associated therewith, I2 the exhaust manifold and I3 with `a spiralv duct in its upper portion, said Lduct being closed Aby a cover screws 22 pass through cars on the cover plate into ceptacle 23 a source of water supply which may be the water jacket of the engine or the radiator.

Connecting the carburetor with the air filter is a collar I4 in the center of which is a short vertically disposed tube I5 having a Venturi passageway I6, said tube being connected to the wall of collar by a narrow web I1 through which is formed a duct I8 the inner end of which communicates with the center of the Venturi I6.

vThe steam generator includes a metal disc I9 plate 2I. Bolts or the manifold, thereby securing the generator thereto.

Thus with the cover secured on the disc, the duct 20 provides an elongated steam generating chamber.

Secured to cover plate 2I and leading from the inner end of duct 20 to the cuter end of duct I8 is a conduit 22. As a result of this arrangement the steam or moist vapor from the generator enters the carburetor at a point in advance of its main nozzle. A small tank. or container 23 is located below the source of water supply I3, and located in the bottom of said tank is a valve housing 24 provided in its upper end with an inlet 25 which is normally c.osed by a downwardly opening check valve 26. A stem 21 connects valve 26 to a float 28 within tank 23.

Leading from the source of water supply I3 to the lower portion of valve housing 24 is a conduit 29 in which is located a valve 30.

Leading from the lower portion of tank 23 to the outer end of duct 20 in the steam generator is a conduit 3|, the flow of water through which is controlled by a valve 32 actuated by a conventional thermostat 33 located on exhaust manifold I2 adjacent the steam generator.

Through the action of oat actuated valve 26, a constant supply of water is maintained in reand under a predetermined degree of heat from the exhaust products of combustion passing through manifold I2, thermostat 33 will open valve 32, thereby permitting water to flow through conduit 3I into duct 20 in disc I9, which latter isA also heated by the products of combustion passing through the exhaust manifold. Thus, the Water owing through the elongated duct in the disc I9 will be heated and nally converted into steam which is drawn through conduit 22, and thence through duct I8 to unite and mix with the air drawn through the venturi and such air enters the carburetor to unite with the liquid hydrocarbon to form an exceptionally efx) fective and powerful gaseous fuel for the engine.

The addition of moisture in vapor form, to the gaseous fuel drawn into the combustion chambers of the engine, materially increases the power output counteracts the formation of carbon in the combustion chambers and assures smooth running of said engine- The steam generator comprising disc I9 and cover 20 is directly attached to the exhaust manifold and has a relatively large heating area with a small water space thus insuring the rapid and effective generation of steam while the device is in operation. Y

vl'loat actuated valve insures a constant supply of water in receptacle 23, valve 32 regulates the flow of generator and passageway I6 regulates the amount of steam to correct proportions in relation to engine speeds and throttle position.

Thus it will be seen that We have provided an anti-knock or detonation dampening device which is simple in structure, inexpensive of manufacture, exceptionally economical in point of fuel consumption, capable of being readily used in connection with practically all internal combustion engines, and said device being very effective in performing the function for which it is intended.

It Will be understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of our anti-knock or detonation dampening device may be made and substituted for those while thermostatic water to the steam Y duct.

herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. The combination with an internal combustion engine, its exhaust manifold, carburetor, and an air filter, of a collar connecting said lter and carburetor, a venturi axially located in said collar, the wall of said collar being provided with a duct, the inner end of which communicates with the center of said Venturi, a receptacle, iioat actuated valvular means associated with said receptacle for maintaining a constant supply of Water therein, a heater mounted on the exhaust manifold and provided with a tortuous passageway, duct leading from said receptacle to one end of said passageway and a duct leading from the other end of said passageway to the outer end of the duct that leads to said venturi.

2. In an anti-knock or detonating dampening device, the combination with an air lter and a carburetor, of a collar connecting said filter and carburetor, a member disposed concentrically within said collar and provided with a venturi, a narrow radial web connecting the wall of said collar with said member, said member provided With a duct, the inner end of which communicates with the center of said venturi and means for supplying steam to the end of said HAROLD E. CROZIER. ALBERT G. H. VANDERPOEL.

Images