US1382518A - Electric heater for liquid fuel - Google Patents

Description

K AfW. LE PAGE.` ELEQTRlC HEATER `FOR LIQUID FUEL. APPLicATloN man $53.12, 1920.

1,382,518. Mmmm 21,192.1,

.UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELECTRIC HEATER )FOR LIQUID FUEL.

Specication of Letters Patent. Pttllted, J 1111 21, 1921.

Application filed February l2, 1920. Serial No. 358,245.

To c/,ZZ whom t may concern:

Ee it known that I, ALFRED W. Ln PAGE, citizen of the Dominion of Canada, residing at Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Heaters for Liquid Fuel, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a means for electrically heating the liquid fuel for an internal combustion engine prior to its delivery into the air duct of the carbureter for transmission to the cylinders.

The object of the invention is to effect the heating of the fuel in a moderate but sulficient manner without naked exposure of the heating element to the liquid, and with a construction that allows the heating element to be readily removed for repair or renewal.

The invention is particularly described in' the following specification, reference being made to the drawings by which it 1s accompanied, 1n which- Figure l is a vertical section through the carbureter in the plane of the axis of the needle valve. 1

Fig. 2 is a vertical section in a plane through the axis of the heating element, and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail showing the manner of connecting and supporting the heating element within its inclosing tube.

In these drawings 2 represents the bowl of the cai-bureter, 3 being the air duct to the intake manifold at 1l, into which ductV the fuel oil is delivered at 5, under control of the needle valve 6, the stem of which is threaded in a gland-packed nut in the wall of the carbureter bowl.

The heating means, which is the particular subject of this application, comprises a high resistance coil 8 of nichroine or similar wire supported axially within `a metal tube 7 which is relatively permanently secured across the bowl of the carbureter beneath the normal level of the` liquid fuel therein, and

adjacent the stem of the needle valve 6. This tubular chamber 7 may be cast integral with the bowl of the carbureter. y

The terminal wires 10 of the coil 8 which constitutes the heating element, pass through. plugs l1 of insulating cement or the like, so as to support the coil axially within the tube, and their ends are connected to terminal plates l2 secured on suitable insulation 13 on each side of the carbureter, to which terirnl plates the circuit wires are connected alu u The inner surface of the tube 7 is insulated froin the wire of the tube 9 of mica or the like.

lVith this arrangement the liquid fuel is not in contact with the heatingr element 8 but the heat fromthe element is moderately and evenly imparted to the surface of the tube 7 and therefrom to the liquid fuel, beneath the level of which the tube is immersed.

The heating element can thus be maintained with safety at such a relatively high temperature as to be economical in the amount of current used, which cannot be done when the heating coil is immersed in theliquid fuel. V

A further distinct advantage `of this construction is that the heating element can be readily removed from the tube for repair or renewal without'disturbing the other parts of the carbureter.

I am aware that priorl to my invention liquid fuel has been lheated electrically be* fore delivery from the carbureter, and that coils of high resistance wire have been used to effect this purpose.v In all such with which I ain acquainted, the liquid fuel has either been in direct Contact with the heating element, or that element has been covered with a non-conducting material which has itself been in direct contact with the liquid, and have not been applied in a manner as to be readily removable. y

In no case with which I am acquainted has the heating element been inclosed within an airtight chamber below the level of the liquid fuel in the carbureter, whereby danger of overheating is avoided and an effective distribution ofthe heat attained.

Having now particularly described my invention, I hereby declare that what I claim as new and desire to be protected in by Letters Patent, is:

l. A means for heating liquid fuel for an internal combustion engine, said means comprising in combination with a carbureter, a fuel reservoir, a tube secured in the walls of the carbureter to extend through the fuel reservoir across the same below the level of the liquid therein, a naked heating element within the tube, insulating plugs 1n the ends of the tube through which connection with a source of electric energy is made to the sustained by said terminal wires within the heating element, substantially as shown and tube and spaced from the walls of the same, described. insulating blocks secured to the Wall of the 2. In combination with a Heat chamber carbureter, terminal plates mounted on said 5 of a carbureter, a tube secured in the Walls blocks to Which said terminals are secured 15 of the carbureter to extend across the and to which the Wires from a source of float chamber beneath the level of the liquid electric energy may be secured. therein, insulating plugs in the ends of the In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. tube, terminal Wires passing through'said 10 plugs into the tube and a naked heating coil ALFRED W. LE PAGE.

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