US1882388A - Liquid fuel vaporizer - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 11, 1932. R. F. LCNABERGER ET AL 1,882,388

LIQUID FUEL VAPORIZER Original Filed Oct. 27, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 29 67 thwart/ 5w Palm/"f FLo/ vabecger Char/as ESQ/1015".

Oct. 11,.1932. R. F. LONABERGER ET AL 1,882,388

LIQUID FUEL VAPORIZER Original Filed Oct. 27. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 (jTWKlh EIZO E0607 Flonoz erger:

Char/a; 50/145;

Oct. 11, 1932. RF. LONABERGER ET AL 1,882,333

LIQUID FUEL VAPORIZER Original Filed Oct. 27. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 2062/? E .Lbrlabefqen C/mr/c J F50/70S1 MW a/FEnwwv p Oct. 11, 1932. R. F. LONABERGER ET AL 1,382,388

LIQUID FUEL VAPORI ZER Original Filed Oct. 27. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 J. 4 W a L Patented Oct. 11, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT F. LONAIBERGER AND CHARLES F. SANDS, F READING, PENNSYLVANIA,

ASSIGNORSTO LLOYD A. UNGER, TRUSTEE 1 LIQUID FUEL VAZPORIZER Original application filed October 27, 1922, SerialNo. 597,426. Divided and this application filed April 12,

1929. Serial This application is a division of our application Ser. No. 597,426, filed October 27, 1922, for improvements in Vaporizers for internal combustion engines.

This invention relates to devices for producing a gaseous fuel from heavy liquid hydrocarbons, and specifically aimstoimprove the operation of internal combustion engines using kerosene and other non-volatile liquid fuels; also to improve the burning properties of gaseous fuel mixtures produced from heavy liquid fuels, so as to eliminate uncombined carbon and smoke from the products of combustion; andto provide a vaporizer for heavy liquid fuels, such as petroleum distillate and fuel oil, to enable such fuels to be used in internal combustion engines designed for running on gasoline.

Further aims and advantages of the invention appear hereinafter in connection with the description of the illustrative embodimentthereof shown in the drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a vaporizer intended for a multi-cylinder vertical explosion engine;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontalcross-section on the line 44 in Fig. 3; V

Fig. 5 is a transverse cross-section on the line 55 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross-section on the line 66 in Fig. 3, showing the main fuel nozzle and starting valve in open position; and

Fig. 7 is a cross-section through the main mixing chamber on the line 7-7 in Fig. 6.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings is particularly intended for automobile engines, and comprises a body 11 provided with a flanged outlet pipe 12 which is adapted to be attached to the inlet pipe or manifold 10 of an engine, to which it supplies vaporized fuel mixed with air ready for combustion in the usual manner. A throttle valve 13 is arranged in this outlet pipe, and there are other features of resemblance to the ordinary carburetor for vaporizing gasoline.

Liquid fuel is supplied to the device from a suitable gravity or pressure tank (not shown) through two feed chambers, 14, 15, arranged for convenience one over the other. The upper or auxiliary feed chamber 14-supplies the fuel for starting purposes, and for heating and vaporizing the fuel from the main feed chamber 15. Floats 16 (see Fig. 3), and valves 17 controlled thereby through suitable adjustable connections, maintain the liquid fuel at the proper level in the feed chambers to feed by gravity to the auxiliary or heating feed nozzle 18 and the main feed nozzle 19. A flooding device 20 is provided for depressing the float 16 in the auxiliary fuel chamber upon starting the engine cold. Air under pressure is supplied through the pipes 21 to the air. passages 22, surrounding the feed nozzles 18, 19, anddischarges past the nozzle openings for the purpose of atomizing the fuel and insuring a continuous flow varyingin quantity with the velocity of the air. Preferably the air is supplied from a pump (not shown) driven at a speed proportional to the speed of the engine, and

thereby the flow of fuel isincreased with an increase inthe engine speed; but any suitable means for supplying air at theproper rate for efficient operation may be utilized.

The auxiliary fuel nozzle 18 discharges into a duct 23 leading to a mixing and partial combustion or burning chamber 24 where the atomized fuel is mixed with air from an inlet pipe 25. The atomized fuel and air are conducted past a suitable heating element 26 arranged within the duct 23, preferably of the type of electrical resistance heating device shown and described in our Patent No.

therein.

The gaseous products pass from the burn-*-- pass directly from the pipe 31 into the lower end 32 of the main mixing chamber, and by the main feed nozzle 19, and mingle with the atomized fuel issuing from the feed nozzle. A suitable .valve .34is-arranged in the passage between the pipe 31 and the lower end 32 of the main mixing chamber to cut off the flow of hot gases from the burning chamber as the device gets warmed up and deflect them into the annular chamber 35 surrounding the end of the pipe 31, and thence they pass up through the outer series of small tubes 36 and down through the inner return tubes to reach the lower end 32 of the main mixing chamber. The tortuous and restricted passage through these tubes effectually prevents any flame from reaching the main mixing chamber. r

Additional air for mixing with the vapor ized fuel from the main nozzle 19 is taken in through theinlet pipe37 and warmed in the annular chamber 38 surrounding the burning chamber 24, and thence is led through the valved pipe 39 to the annular chamber 40 surrounding the main mixing chamber 33, and is conducted around and past the series of tubes 36 into the annular chamber .35, where the air from intake pipe 37 and the hot gases from the burning chamber 24 mingle and pass together through the tubes 36 and into the lower end 32 of the main mixing chamber, and through the narrow passage or throat surrounding the main feed nozzle 19 into the main mixing chamber 33. The amount of additional air admitted from the intake 37 may be controlled by the valve 41 in the pipe 39. This valve also serves as a choke valve to assist in starting theengine as'hereinafter described. 1 V l The cooler additional air from the intake 37 keeps the burning chamber 24 from getting overheated, and cools the heated gases from the burning chamber suthciently to prevent ignition of the fuel in the main mixing chamher, as the flame will not propagate itself through the tubes 36. This air also furnishes the necessary amount of oxygen to make an explosive. vaporized .mixture when mingled with the vaporized fuel issuing from the nozzle 19. p I

For the purpose of controlling the relative proportions of the air supplied to the burning chamber and main mixing chamber, a valve 42 is arranged inthe air inlet pipe 25 leading to theburning chamber 24 to operate at the same time as the valve 41, but in the opposite direction, that is, when one closes the other opens (see Fig. 4). Any suitable device, such, for example, as the link 43, may be used for operatively connecting these valves. A second link 44 may be provided to connect the air control valves 41, 42, with the throttle valve 13 so all three valves may be operated conjoint-1y, the throttle valve and additional air valve opening together while the heating air valve closes. A set screw 45 may be used to ad u'st the minimum opening of the preheatingair valve 42, further movement of the link 43 causing it to slide through the end of the arm 46 that operates that valve.

. In order that the additional air valve 41 may be closed to choke the air intake pipe and make a richer mixture for starting the engine, the arm 47 operating it (see Fig. 2) is provided with a spring pin 48 normally engaging in a notch in the operating lever 49 to cause the lever and arm to move together.

tions of the operating lever 49 and throttle .1 valve 13. The choker rod is also connected to the valve 34 in the passage 31 to the mixing chamber, so as to open this valve on starting and close itwhen thevalve 41 is released.

Any suitable'means for operating the throttie and air valves may be provided. In the device shown in the drawings (see Figs. 1 and 2) the additional air valve lever 49 has a pivoted follower 52 which engages in a p a fork 53 on a control lever 54 the other end of which may be connected to the accelerator rodor other suitable control device. A hook lever 55 also engages the control lever 54 to move it toward open position, while also leaving it free to be moved toward open pos1- tion by the accelerator rod. The rod 56 for moving the hook lever 55 may be connected to the quadrant lever on the steering wheel, if the device is applied to an automobile engine, or to any convenient control handle. I 3

Thus either means of controlling the throttle and air valves may be used as in the case of the usual carburetor for automobile engines.

In order to vary the amount of vaporized. fuel admitted to the main mixing chamber the main feed nozzle 19 is provided with an adjustable needle valve 57 operated in conjunction with the throttle valve 13 by any suitable means. As shown in Fig. 3, the needle valve 57 is threaded through a nut 58 at its upper end, the nut being normally held in stationary position in a housing' 59 by a spring 60. The upper end of the needle valve projects above the housing and has an arm 61 pinned to it which projects into the path of a projection 62 on the arm that operates the throttle valve 13; A spring 63 attached to the arm 61 returns the needle valve when the throttle is closed. V

A bell crank lever 64 is mounted on the housing 59 with one branch engaging the end of the needle valve to depress it and close the valve when desired, the spring 63 permitting the needle valve and nut to -move down together when depressed'by the-"bell crank lever. Similar bell cranks 65' are pro vided for the float controlled valves 17 in the fuel feed chambers 14, 15, to enable them to be closed to prevent passage of liquid fuel when desired. The bell cranks 64 and 65 are con nected by a suitable cable 66 or other connection. to a control button or other device 0on veniently located to permit all three fuel valves to be closed simultaneously, as is desirable when the engine is' not running to prevent leakage of fuel. Fuel drip and drain pipes 67 are also provided at low points in the body of the device for catching condensed fuel and returning it to the fuel supply.

The igniter 27 for starting combustion of the auxiliary fuel heater comprises a resist ance element 68 (see Fig. 5) preferably a carbon rod, that may be raised to incandescence instantaneously by a suitable current from a small storage battery (not shown). This resistance element is mounted at one end in an insulated support 69 havinga terminal connection 70, and at the other end in a shield 71 inserted in the side wall of the burning chamber 24. The shield may be made of nickel or other suitable metal or alloy, and preferably is provided with a number of small orifices to permit a portion of the fuel mixture to come in contact with the incandescent carbon rod. The shield prevents rapid deterioration of the rod by oxidation. The igniter is only necessary for a brief moment at starting to light the fuel mixture in the burning chamber, which continues to burn thereafter until the engine is stopped.

v The device may be operated with any internal combustion engine of the usual single or multi-cylinder types, having suitable pis ton and valve mechanism for sucking in successive charges, compressing the charges, and igniting them by an electric spark or other suitable means. First the igniter 27 is started to heat the burning chamber 24, and when the motor starts the heating element 26 operates to warm up the fuel and air mixing pasages leading to the burning chamber. The

choker rod is actuated to close the air valve 41 and open the gas valve 34 and flood the fuel chamber 14. Upon admitting air from the pressure pipe 21 to the heating fuel feed As the time for burning is insufhcient to oxidize all of the fuel completely the products of combustionleaving-the combustion chamburning chamber the. ignition device 27 may be turned 0a butthe heating element 26 is preferably kept inaction during the whole period of operation of the vaporizer.

The VflPOIlZELiZlOll'Of tie liquid fuel in the coil 28 createssuifici-ent pressure in the main fuel feed pipe 29 and nozzle 19 to cause the vaporized fuel to mingle with the air issuing (also under pressure) from the air passages 22 in a stream whichpasses at high velocity into the mixing chamber and hence into the cylinders, thereby supplementing the suction and assisting in filling the cylinders with full charges of fuel.

As the devicewarms up, the choker rod is moved to close the valve 34, open the air Q5 valve 41 and raise the flooding device 20, whereupon the hot mixture of gas, vapor anl .air, from the burning chamber is diverted through the pipes 36 to warm the "mixing chamber and additional air supply from the auxiliary air intake 37. As the throttle valve 13 is opened to increase the amount of mixture supplied to the engine the auxiliary air valve 41 is opened and the air valve 42 1s closed correspondingly, thereby maintaining the proper balance between the proportions and the com-.

of preheating air and additional air for the best results. Also 0 enin thethrottle valve 13 increases the opening of the valve metering pin 57 that controls theamount of vaporized fuel issuing from the nozzle'l) in the embodiment of the device illustrated in the drawings. I

It is evident that the various features of the invention, such as the preliminary heating device for starting the operation of the vaporizer, the combustion burner for developing theheat necessary for vaporization of the heavy fuel, the auxiliary air heating and controlling means for modifying the gaseous fuel to suit operating conditions, and the additional fuel supply means and controlling devices therefor, each may be utilized separately and in other combinations for otherpurposes than the internal combustionengine vaporizer herein described. 7

Having described an illustratlve embodlmeut of our invention, without limiting ourselvesthereto, we claim the following:

1. A- vaporizer comprising a liquid fuel feed nozzle, means for vaporizing the fuel discharging therefrom, an inner air passage surrounding said nozzle, a system of small air pipes surrounding said inner air passage and leading thereto, in combination with 'cool them and then mingling it with said preheated gaseous mixture supply and passing the mixture through said inner passage.

2. A vaporizer Comprising a liquid fuel feed nozzle, means for vaporizing the fuel discharging therefrom, an inner air passage surrounding said nozzle, a system of small air pipes surrounding said inner air passage and leading thereto, in combination with means for preheating a portion of the gaseous mixture supply to a high temperature for conducting it throughsaid small air pipes to cool it, means for conducting additional air around said small air pipes to cool them and then mingling it with said preheated gaseous mixture supply and passing the mixture through said inner passage, and means for controlling the relative proportions of preheated air and additional air. I

i 3. A vaporizer comprising a liquid fuel feed nozzle, means for vaporizing the fuel discharging therefrom, an inner air passage surrounding said nozzle, a system of small air pipes surrounding said inner air passage and leading thereto, and a throttle valve for controlling the outflow from said vaporizer, in combination with means for preheating a portion of the gaseous mixture supply to a high temperature and conducting it through said small air pipes to cool it, means for conducting additional air around said small air pipes to cool them and then mingling it with said preheated gaseous mixture supply and passing the mixture through said inner passage, and means for controlling the relative proportions of preheated air. and additional air, said controlling means operating in conjunction with said throttle valve.

4. In a vaporizer for heavy liquid fuels having a fuel feed nozzle, means for supplying fuel thereto, a fluid preheater operated by fuel from a second supply means having a flooding device, a normal air supply for said fuel feed nozzle, and synchronized means for flooding said fuel supply means, choking said normal air supply and diverting gaseous products from said preheater to said normal supply when desired.

5. In a vaporizer for heavy liquid fuels, a mixing chamber having a fuel feed nozzle and an air passage surrounding it, a gas pipe leading to said air passage, a heater for preheating the fluid supplied to said gas pipe, said heater operating by burning fuel therei in, a by-pass leading from said pipe to said passage and having ducts for conducting'said fluid, and a valve for closing said pipe and causing said fluid to pass through said bypass and ducts on its way to said passage.

6. In a vaporizer for heavy liquid fuels, a mixing chamber having a fuel feed nozzle and an air passage surrounding it, a gas pipe leading to said air passage, a heater for preheating the fluid supplied to said gas pipe, a by-pass leading from said pipe to said passage and comprising means for cooling said fluid, a valve for closing said pipe and causing said fluid to pass through said by-pass to said passage, an additional air supply to said passage and choker valve therein, and means for closing said choker valve and opening said first mentioned valve upon starting.

7. In a vaporizer for heavy liquid fuels having two sources of fuel, one heavy and one light, a fuel feed nozzle and means for supplying heavy fuel thereto, a fluid preheater operated by lighter fuel from said second supply means, an atmospheric air supply for said fuel feed nozzle, means for choking said atmospheric air supply, and a valve con trolled passage for diverting gaseous products from said preheater to said atmospheric air supply when desired.

8. In a vaporizer for liquid fuels, a fluid mixer comprising a mixing chamber having a fuel feed nozzle and a gas passage surrounding it, an air pipe leading to said gas passage, a heater for preheating fuel supplied to said nozzle and the air supplied to saidair pipe, said heater operating by burning fuel therein an outlet pipe leading from said heater to said passage and a bypass having ducts communicating with said air pipe, and a valve for closing said outlet pipe and causing said gaseous product to pass through said by-pass and ducts on its way to said passage.

, 9. In a vaporizer for liquid fuels having a fuel feed nozzle discharging into a fluid mixture passage leading to a discharge pipe, an air pipe leading to said mixture passage, electric means for heating the air and fuel mixture in said mixture passage, an auxiliary air inlet leading to said passage andhavingmeans for controlling the flow of airtherein, and

a second fuel feed nozzle in said mixture'passage, a valve for controlling the flow of fuel through said second nozzle, said mixture passage comprising an extensive system of narrow passages for utilizing the heat of products of combustion for preheating the fluid mixture prior to leaving the vaporizer,

and means for discontinuing the electric air and fuel heating means after the operation of said vaporizer has started.

10. A vaporizer for heavy liquid fuels having a fuel feed nozzle, means for supplying fuel thereto, a fluid preheater operated by fuel from a second supply means, an air supp y r Said fuel feed nozzle, means for chok 3 passage, a heater for preheating fuel sup plied to said nozzle and the fluid supplied to said gas pipe, a by-pass leading from said pipe to said passage and comprising means for cooling said fluid, a valve for closing said pipe and causing said fluid to pass through said by-pass to said passage, an additional air supply to said passage and a choker valve therein, and means for closing said choker valve and opening-said first mentioned valve upon starting.

12. A starting means for liquid fuel vaporizers comprising a fuel supply, an intake duct, and a closed receptacle containing air and means for connecting it with said fuel supply, a heating electrode in said receptacle and means for supplying electric current thereto, a contact ignition point exposed to the fuel in said receptacle cooperating with said electrode and a duct from said receptacle to said intake duct.

13. A starting means for liquid fuel vaporizers comprising a fuel supply, an intake duct and means for admitting air thereto, a closed receptacle containing air and means for connecting it with said fuel supply, a heating electrode in said receptacle and means for supplying electric current thereto, a contact ignition point in said receptacle cooperating with said electrode and a duct from said receptacle to said intake duct, in combination with a fuel supply nozzle in said duct and control means for regulating the supply of fuel and air thereto independently of the supply to said receptacle.

14. A starting means for liquid fuel vaporizers for internal combustion engines comprising a fuel supply, an intake passage and means for admitting air thereto, a closed receptacle and means for connecting it with said fuel supply, a heating electrode in said receptacle and means for supplying electric current thereto, a contact ignition point in said receptacle cooperating with said electrode and a duct from said receptacle to said intake passage, in combination with a fuel supply nozzle in said passage and control means for regulating the supply of fuel and air thereto independently of the supply to said receptacle, said control means including a choke valve, and means for actuating said choke valve independently of or in connection with said control means, said actuating means including a detachable connection.

15. A starting means for liquid fuel vaporizers for internal combustion engines comprising a fuel supply, an intake passage and means for admittingair thereto, a closed receptacle and means for connectin it with said fuel supply, an electrode in said receptacle and means for supplying electric current thereto, a contact point in said receptacle cooperating with said electrode and a duct from said receptacle to said intake passage, in combination with a fuel supply nozzle in said passage and control means for regulating the supply of fuel and air thereto independently of the supply to said receptacle, said control means including a throttle valve and a choke valve, and means for ac; tuating said choke valve independently of or in connection with said control means, said actuating means including a detachable connection between said throttle and choke valves.

16. A starting means for liquid fuel vaporizers for internal combustion engines comprising a. fuel supply, an intake passage and means for admitting air thereto, a closed receptacle and means for connecting it with said fuel supply, an electrode in said receptacle and means for supplying electric cur rent thereto, a contact point in said receptacle cooperating with said electrode and a duct from said receptacle to said intake passage, in combination with a fuel supply nozzle in said passage and control means for regulating the supply of fuel and air thereto independently of the supply to said receptacle, said control means including a throttle valve and a choke valve, and means for actuating said choke valve independently of or in connection with said control means, said actuating means including a detachable connection between said throttle and choke valves comprising a spring retained latch bar.

17. A starting means for liquid fuel vaporizers for internal combustion engines comprising a fuel supply, an intake passage and means for admitting air thereto, a closed receptacle and means .for connecting it with said fuel supply, an air supply passage to said closed receptacle, an electrode in said receptacle and means for supplying electric current thereto, and a duct from said receptacle to said intake passage, and control means for regulating the supply of fuel and air independently of the supply to said closed receptacle, said control means including a throttle valve and a choke valve, and means for actuating said choke valve independently of or in connection with said control means, including a detachable connection between said throttle and choke valves.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our U names to this specification.

ROBERT F. LONABERGER. CHARLES F. SANDS.

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