Modification to an internal combustion engine to reduce both fuel consumption and air pollutants

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MODIFICATION TO AN INTERNAL

A fourth object of the invention is easy application of

COMBUSTION ENGINE TO REDUCE BOTH FUEL

the invention to the existing automobiles now in use.

CONSUMPTION AND AIR POLLUTANTS

The average life of the modern automobile is such that to be practical, any improvement in air pollution con

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION trol must be economically applicable to the already 1. Field of Invention millions of existing automobiles now in use, that is it must not require extensive modification of any of the

This invention relates to the utilization of oxygen in major engine components.

an internal combustion engine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The majority of internal combustion engines are used FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic presentation of the inven to power the automobile. A review of previous uses of tion as applied to a standard internal combustion engine oxygen in conjunction with engines shows supplemen found on a standard automobile.

tal oxygen has been utilized to try to effect either an FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic presentation of a preferred increase in power or to reduce air pollutants in the 15 embodiment of the invention as used on a standard automobile, e.g., U.S. Pat, Nos. 1,496,951; 3,712,281; bile. internal combusion engine used on a standard automo

The earliest uses of supplemental oxygen in the auto FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic presentation of the inven mobile internal combustion engine were attempts to 20 tion as applied to a standard internal combustion engine gain added power. Improved fuels and engineering found on a standard automobile which utilizes a reserve refinement and engine improvements have resulted in Stream. oxygen supply system which utilizes a split oxygen the modern internal combustion engine's power output being such that it is sufficient to propel the average FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic presenation of the invention automobile much faster than the race cars of yesterday, 25 as applied to a standard internal combustion engine The second use of oxygen in conjunction with the found on a standard automobile which utilizes a gener automobile internal combustion engine has been di oxygen alized reserve oxygen supply system which utilizes an rected to the reduction of air pollutants. During the last reservoir system.

decade many devices have been "tacked on' to the FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic presentation of the inven internal combusion engine in order to reduce the em 30 tion as applied to a standard internal combustion engine missions of air pollutants. Previous oxygen systems found on a standard automobile which utilizes a gener alized reserve oxygen supply system which utilizes a which add extra fuel to compensate for the added oxy bellows type reservoir.

gen, and most of the "tacked on' pollutant control devices result in a loss of fuel economy; however, re tionFIG. 6 is a diagrammatic presentation of the inven as applied to a standard internal combustion engine cent attention has been focused on the need to conserve 35 our limited fuel resources. found on a standard automobile which utilizes a gener Missing from the previous supplemental oxygen sys alized oxygen reserve oxygen supply system which utilizes an reservoir which has a valve at both its inlet and tems are adequate safety devices. Accidents involving outlet. These automobiles happen at an alarming rate. At the time of other closes orvalves are such that one opens and the these accidents these vehicles can carry upwards of 25 40 cycle of said engine. in response to an acceleration

gallons of explosive fuel. The addition of an uncon trolled release of oxygen near such a source of fuel, i.e., DETALED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION the carburetor, presents a fire safety hazzard in case of In FIG. 1 a standard oxygen container 1, charged accident. with oxygen 21, is fitted with a standard pressure regu BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 45 lator 2. Such standard systems can utilize either liquid

The primary object of this invention is a utilization of or gaseous oxygen, both being well known and widely used. Oxygen 21, is fed via line 3 to a low pressure supplemental oxygen in an internal combustion engine regulator 4 which maintains a constant supply of low such that both economy of fuel and reduction of the pressure oxygen expulsion of air pollutants is achieved while maintaining 50 gen 21 into shut inoffconnecting valve 6.

line 5. Line 5 feeds oxy

Shut off valve 6 is, con safe control of the oxygen system by concurrently shut trolled by two or more control switches 7, 8, ting off the oxygen system with either intentional, inad 8a, 8b etc. The main ignition switch 7 is utilized as vertent or accidental engine stoppage. one control. A second switch or optionally additional One object of the invention is utilization of the more than adequate power efficiency of the modern internal 55 switches 8a, 8b etc are activated by physical movement, fluid pressure or electrical impulse, all variable perame combustion engine coupled with a reduction in both ters subject to engine operation. These variable perame fuel supply and atmospheric gases and the addition of ters are chosen from but not necessarily limited to, oil supplemental oxygen. This results in maintainence of pressure, manifold vacuum, camshaft and crankshaft the power status quo with a reduction in fuel used. rotation, pulleys, belts or gears associated with either A second object of the invention is safe control of the 60 the cam shaft or crank shaft rotation, distributor rota supplemental oxygen system. tion or electrical output. Safety valve 6 is only open A third object of the invention is the reduction of air allowing oxygen to flow through it, when both the pollutants achieved by burning the normal hydrocarbon ignition switch 7 is turned on and engine operation fuel in an oxygen enriched atmosphere, thereby reduc switch 8 (or optionally more than one engine operation ing the expulsion of unburned hydrocarbons and lessen 65 switches 8a, 8b etc. ) is activated. To aid in starting, a ing the release of nitrogen oxides derived from the ap starter override switch 22 can optionally be inserted proximately eighty percent nitrogen content of atmo between switch 8 (optionally switches, 8a, 8b etc.) and spheric gas. safety valve 6. When starter motor 23 is activated, both

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starter override switch 22 and ignition switch 7 are age 27 to control means 26 until when accelerator pedal activated, allowing oxygen 21 to flow through safety is depressed to its fullest extent, control valve 10 is open shut off valve 6. Oxygen 21 then flows via line 9 from to allow optional flow of oxygen 21 to engine. Of safety valve 6 to flow control valve 10. Flow control course different settings of both minimum and maxi valve 10 varies the amount of oxygen per unit time mum oxygen flow must be set for different engines passing through it into line 12. Control valve 10 is depending on engine displacement and power require opened or closed via control means 11. Control means ments at the engine.

11 is an extension of one or more of the standard compo In yet another embodiment of the invention, wherein nents of the engine speed regulating system. Such com additional power is required and/or it is considered ponents are chosen from but not necessarily limited to, 10 advantageous not to restrict the volume of fuel deliv the accelerator pedal linkage, the carburetor butterfly ered via the accelerator pump when the accelerator valve, manifold vacuum and distributor advance mech pedal is depressed, an additional supply of oxygen is anism. Oxygen flow is increased or decreased in direct provided to compensate for the additional fuel injected relation to the engine speed by opening or closing con into the carburetor by the accelerator pump. This addi trol valve 10 by control means 11. Oxygen 21 then flows 15 tional via line 12 to a point near the throat of modified carbu oxygensupply supply of oxygen is provided via either a second line connected to the throat of the carbu retor 16. Modified carburetor 16 is fitted with either a standard air cleaner housing 14 fitted with a plug 15 or nected to the throat ofoxygen retor or via a reserve the reservoir which is con carburetor. Either system with a modified air cleaner housing in which plug 15 is an integral part of air cleaner housing 14. Plug 15 re 20 utilizes parameters associated with engine acceleration to activate the delivery of the additional oxygen. Such stricts the flow of atmospheric gases into air cleaner parameters are chosen from but are not necessarily housing 14. Modified carburetor 16 is a standard carbu limited to accelerator pedal depression, carburetor ac retor which has been modified by restrictions means 19.

Restrictions means 19 consists of a multiplicity of com celerator

VaCl.

pump activation or a decrease in manifold ponents, depending on the particular carburetor in 25 In FIG. 3 oxygen is supplied via the general scheme volved, wherein fuel fed via fuel line 18 is restricted in the carburetor via reduction in fuel jet size, physical as as depicted in FIG. 1 or via the more preferred scheme depicted in FIG. 2 up to and including safety valve 6.

restrictions placed in the fuel ports to reduce their size and shortening the fuel accelerator pump stroke. Modi 9Oxygen 21 flows through safety valve 6 into line 9. Line fied carburetor 16 is placed in standard relationship 30 branches attee 29 into lines 30 and 31. Line 30 feeds with engine 20. The fuel gas mixture 24 which is fed standard flow control valve 10. Flow control valve 10 is into engine 20 by carburetor 16 differs from the stan controlled via control means 11 or 26 as per FIG. 1 or dard fuel gas mixture in that it has both a smaller fuel to FIG. 2. From control valve 10 oxgyen 21 feeds into line gas ratio and a greater oxygen to nitrogen ratio. 30-a and then into modified carburetor 16 equipped A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in 35 32 with air cleaner 14 and plug 15. Fuel restrictions means FIG. 2. Oxygen 21 passes from oxygen source 1 via wherein fuel fed via fuel line 18 to modified carbure regulator 2, oxygen line 3, low pressure regulator 4 and tor 16 optionally can or cannot include a restriction of oxygen line 5 to safety valve 6 as described for FIG. 1. the fuel supplied from the standard carburetor accelera Safety valve 6 is controlled independently by both igni tor pump. The second branch of oxygen supply line 31 tion switch 7 and oil pressure sensing switch 25. Only from tee 29 feeds into supplemental control means 33. when the engine oil pressure reaches a pre-set pressure From supplemental control means 33 oxygen 21 passes will sensing switch 25 activate safety valve 6 allowing via line 34 into the throat of modified carburetor 16. oxygen to flow through it. When ignition switch 7 is Supplemental control means 33 consists of a standard shut off safety valve 6 shuts off oxygen supply 21 even regulator valve 35 and an activating means 36. Activat though oil sensing switch 25 is activated. If oil pressure 45 ing means 36 is coupled to an engine parameter respon switch 25 is deactivated because of inadvertent or acci sive to engine acceleration. Such parameters include but dental engine shut down and its accompanying oil pres are not necessarily limited to engine manifold vacuum. sure drop, safety valve 6 shuts off oxygen supply 21 When the engine manifold vacuum drops in response to even though ignition switch 7 is still activated. Oxygen acceleration, activating means 36 which is responsive to 21 then flows via line 9 to control valve 10. Control 50 said drop in manifold vacuum causes regulator valve 35 valve 10 is open or closed or set at any incremental to open and allows supplemental oxygen 21 to enter position in between by control means 26. Control valve carburetor 16 via line 34. As engine manifold vacuum 10 provides a continuously variable flow of oxygen returns to normal, activating means 36 is deactivated from 0 to maximum flow. Control means 26 is a me and causes regulator valve 35 to close, stopping the chanical linkage connected to the linkage 27 interposed 55 flow of supplemental oxygen 21 to carburetor 16 via between the accelerator pedal 28 and the carburetor 16. line 34.

When accelerator pedal 28 is depressed, control means In FIG. 4 oxygen 21 is supplied via the general 26 causes control valve 10 to open allowing oxygen 21 scheme as depicted in FIG. 1 or via the more preferred to pass through control valve 10 at a rate per unit-time scheme as depicted in FIG. 2 up to and including flow depending on the degree of depression of accelerator 60 control valve 10 and its associated control means 11 or pedal 28. Oxygen 21 then flows via line 12 to modified 26. Oxygen 21 then flows via line 37 into reserve oxy carburetor 16 equipped with air cleaner 14 filled with gen reservoir means 38 and is discharged from same via plug 15 and then down into engine 20 as described for line 39 into modified carburetor 16 equipped with air FIG.1. In normal usage control means 26 is adjusted on cleaner 14, air plug 15 and fuel restriction means 32 linkage 27 so that at idle speed a small flow of oxygen is 65 wherein fuel fed via fuel line 18 to modified carburetor allowed to pass through control valve 10 to sustain the 16 optionally can or cannot include a restriction of the requirements of engine 20 at idle and as accelerator fuel supplied from the standard carburetor accelerator pedal 28 is depressed, movement is transferred via link pump.

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In FIG. 5 an embodiment of reserve oxygen reservoir dently responded to both the engine ignition and the means 38 is illustrated wherein line 37 is connected to a engine oil pressure.

bellows 40. Also connected to bellows 40 is discharge I claim:

line 39. As such oxygen 21 is free to flow through bel 1. In combination with a standard internal combus lows 40 from control valve 10 to carburetor 16. tion engine a means for reducing the expulsion of air Connected to bellows 40 is depression arm 41 which pollutants while maintaining fuel economy and safe is attached at pivot point 43. Bellows 40 is compressed usage of a supplemental oxygen supply which com or expanded in response to depression arm 41 which is prises a pressurized oxygen supply; a means for reduc connected to linkage 42. Linkage 42 is connected to ing the oxygen pressure; means for conducting such either the accelerator pedal or to the carburetor accel 10 oxygen to a safety valve; means for opening and closing erator pump and is activated by movement of either of said safety valve independently in response to both the the same. When at rest bellows 40 is expanded and engine ignition system and a parameter responsive to contains a volume of oxygen. When linkage 42 moves in both engine activation and shut down; means for further response to either the accelerator pedal or the carbure conducting said oxygen to a regulator means; said regu tor accelerator pump, depending on which it is con 15 lator means which supplies a variable volume of oxygen nected to, bellows 40 is compressed forcing additional dependent on the needs of the engine; means of con oxygen out via line 39 into carburetor 16. It is noted that ducting said oxygen to the throat of a modified carbure in line 37 oxygen 21 is flowing at a predetermined pres tor; said modified carburetor equipped with a means for sure greater than atmospheric pressure and that line 39 restricting flow of atmospheric gases into said carbure discharges into carburetor 16 which when the engine is 20 tor; said modified carburetor equipped with a means for running is sucking gases from line 39. As such a pressure restricting fuel flow within same said modified carbure gradient is created such that the addition volume of tOr.

oxygen in bellows 40 is discharged via line 39 and when after being compressed, upon decompression bellows 40 is 2.opened The invention of claim 1 wherein said safety valve or closed independently in response to both is charged with oxygen via line 37. 25 the engine ignition and one or more engine parameters In FIG. 6 an embodiment of reserve oxygen reservoir selected from oil pressure; manifold vacuum; crank means 38 is illustrated wherein oxygen line 37 is split by shaft, camshaft or distributor shaft rotation; pulleys, tee 46. Oxygen 21 can flow uninhibited via line 50 into belts or gears associated with crankshaft, camshaft or second tee 47 and discharge into line 39 which leads to distributor shaft rotation; or electrical stimulus associ carburetor 16 equipped with restriction means 32 on 30 ated with distributor operation.

fuel line 18 as per FIG. 3. Attee 46 a second oxygen line 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said safety valve 51 leads to valve 52. Valve 52 is on one side of reserve opens or closes independently in response to both the oxygen reservoir 53 and valve 44 is on the other side of engine ignition and the engine oil pressure. reserve oxygen reservoir 53. When valve 44 is open 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said regulator oxygen flows via line 45 to tee 47 and feeds into carbu 35 means which supplies a variable supply of oxygen is retor 16 via line 39. Valve 44 is operated by control open or closed in response to changes in the accelerator means 48. Control means 48 is only activated when an pedal position, carburetor butterfly valve rotation, man engine acceleration parameter is activated, i.e. manifold ifold vacuum pressure or distributor rotation. vacuum decreases below normal level or carburetor 5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said means for accelerator pump is being depressed forcing extra fuel restricting fuel flow within said modified carburetor is into the carburetor. Control means 48 is deactivated and by reduction in the size of the fuel ports, reduction in closes valve 44 when these parameters reverse or stop. the size of the fuel jets, shortening of the stroke of the Valve 52 is operated by control means 49. Control carburetor accelerator pump linkage or a combination means 49 is activated by the closing of valve 44. This of two or more of the reduction in the size of fuel ports, causes valve 52 to open as valve 44 closes. Control 45 reduction in the size of the fuel jets and a shortening of means 49 is deactivated, closing valve 52, by an engine the stroke of the carburetor accelerator pump. deceleration parameter i.e., manifold vacuum increases 6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said safety valve above normal level or carburetor accelerator pump is opened or closed independently in response to both returns to rest position. As such control valves 52 and the engine ignition and one or more engine parameters 44 in response to control means 48 and 49 alternately 50 selected from oil pressure; manifold vacuum; crank pressurize reservoir 53 to the highest pressure achieved shaft, camshaft or distributor shaft rotation; pulleys, in line 51 just before the start of the previous decelera belts or gears associated with crankshaft, camshaft or tion cycle and discharge reservoir 53 to a pressure level distributor shaft rotation; or electrical stimulus associ equal to the pressure in line 45 at the end of the acceler ated with distributor operation; and said regulator ation cycle. 55 means which supplies a variable supply of oxygen is Using the invention as described in FIG. 2 on a 1970 open or closed in response to changes in either the automobile equipped with a 350 cubic inch engine hav accelerator pedal position, carburetor butterfly valve ing approximately 90,000 miles on both the automobile rotation, manifold vacuum pressure or distributor rota and the engine, an increase in fuel mileage from approx tion; and said means for restricting fuel flow within said imately 9 miles per gallon to approximately 18 miles per 60 modified carburetor is by reduction in the size of the gallon city driving and from approximately 17 miles per fuel ports, reduction in the size of the fuel jets, shorten gallon to approximately 24 miles per gallon highway ing of the stroke of the carburetor accelerator pump driving was achieved. This was coupled with a reduc linkage or a combination of two or more of the reduc tion in air pollutants to a level substantially below that tion in the size of the fuel ports, reduction in the size of required in the state of California for the make, year and 65 the fuel jets and a shortening of the stroke of the carbu model automobile used for the test vehicle. Safe utiliza retor accelerator pump.

tion of the supplemental oxygen system was maintained 7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said safety valve by incorporating a safety shut off valve which indepen opens or closes independently in response to both the

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engine ignition and the engine oil pressure; and said 9. The invention of claim.8 wherein said means for regulator means is connected to the automobile acceler the introduction of additional oxygen comprises; a ator pedal and opens and closes as said acceleratorpedal means for conducting oxygen in series with the primary is depressed and released respectfully; and said modified oxygen conducting means between the safety valve carburetor is equipped with reduced fuel ports and fuel 5 means and the modified carburetor; and said means for jets and said means for restricting the flow of atmo conducting oxygen in series is fitted with a flow control spheric gases into said carburetor is a plug in the intake valve which is opened or closed by a regulatory means; port of an air cleaner attached to said carburetor. and said regulatory means is activated or deactivated in 8. In combination with a standard internal combus response to engine acceleration or deceleration. tion engine a means for reducing the expulsion of air 10 10. The invention of claim 8 wherein said means for pollutants while maintaining fuel economy and safe the introduction of additional oxygen consists of a usage of a supplemental oxygen supply which com bellows which is attached to the conducting means prises a pressurized oxygen supply; a means for reduc between the control means and the modified carburetor ing the oxygen pressure; means for conducting such and is compressed in conjunction to engine acceleration oxygen to a safety valve; means for opening and closing 15 forcing additional oxygen into the conducting means said safety valve independently in response to both the attached to the modified carburetor. engine ignition system and a parameter responsive to 11. The invention of claim 8 wherein said means for both engine activation and shut down; means for further the introduction of additional oxygen consists of a conducting said oxygen to a regulator means; said regu reservoir connected in series with the means for con lator means which supplies a variable volume of oxygen 20 ducting oxygen between the control valve means and dependent on the needs of the engine; means of con the modified carburetor; said reservoir is fitted with a ducting said oxygen to the throat of a modified carbure valve at both its inlet and outlet; said valve of reservoir tor; said modified carburetor equipped with a means for outlet is opened in response to engine acceleration and restricting flow of atmospheric gases into said carbure closed in response to normalization of engine speed; said tor; said modified carburetor equipped with a means for 25 valve at reservoir inlet is opened in response to closing restricting fuel flow within same said modified carbure of reservoir outlet valve; said valve at reservoir inlet is tor; and a means for the introduction of additional oxy closed in response to engine deceleration. gen during engine acceleration. it is k