Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for supplying fluid to an internal combustion engine

US4364370A · kind A · utility

17Cited by
11References
46Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 27, 1980
Grant dateDec 21, 1982
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 27, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T10/12
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and method of introducing a fluid, as water, alcohol, or a mixture of water and alcohol, into intake air of an internal combustion engine. An electric motor drives a pump that delivers fluid under pressure to a nozzle mounted on the cover of an air cleaner above the air inlet of the carburetor. The electric energy supplied to the electric motor is modulated in a manner to operate the motor so that the pump discharges fluid at a rate that maintains the fluid to air/fuel mixture ratio substantially constant over the operating rpm of the engine. An electric control circuit is operably associated with a diaphragm assembly connected to the intake manifold and a light emitting and reflective light sensing component operable to produce an electric signal response to movement of the diaphragm that is proportional to vacuum pressure in the intake manifold. The electric signal is used to vary the width of electric energy pulses originating from the ignition system of the engine to provide output electric energy to operate the electric motor.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.