Fuel conservation system for internal combustion engines
US4207855A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 6, 1978 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 1980 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 6, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF02D17/02
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system is provided for varying the number of active cylinders in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, in response to the operating requirements of the engine. When the engine reaches that part of its operating range where the torque requirement is such that operation of all of the cylinders is not required to provide adequate and efficient power, certain cylinders are rendered inactive, thereby reducing the fuel consumed by the engine. A control system is provided which, upon sensing a reduced torque requirement upon the engine, activates a switch which de-energizes the spark generating electrodes of certain cylinders, and concurrently activates solenoid valve means whereby fuel vapor in the deactivated cylinders may be bypassed through the cylinders and returned to the fuel supply system of the engine for later use. In one embodiment of the system, novel spark producing means is provided which includes the fuel bypass valve means. The spark producing means is so constructed that it may be substituted for a conventional spark plug of an internal combustion engine thereby providing for simple and economical installation of the fuel conservation system upon existing interna…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.