WO1991019895A1

WO1991019895A1 - Improved device promoting the dispersion of fuel when atomized

Info

Publication number: WO1991019895A1
Application number: PCT/CA1991/000024
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rolf Ullrich; Eddy E. Glick
Original assignee: 174169 Canada Limited
Priority date: 1990-06-12
Filing date: 1991-01-25
Publication date: 1991-12-26
Also published as: US5044347A; AU7157691A

Abstract

A device is disclosed for promoting the dispersion of fuel on atomization in order to permit more complete combustion. The device (50) is installed in the fuel line proximate the fuel atomizer and comprises a core (22) surrounded by a non-conductive sheath (52) so as to provide channels through the device. The core is an alloy comprising over 50 % copper, about 25 % zinc, about 10 % manganese, and over 5 % nickel. The core is ridged to generate turbulence in the fuel in order to improve the exposure of the fuel to the core. Further, the configuration of the core may be chosen to provide a large surface area, again to improve the exposure of the fuel to the core.

Description

Improved Device Promoting the Dispersion of Fuel when Atomized

This invention relates to a core for a device promoting the dispersion of atomised fuel and to a device incorporating such a core.

In combustion engines, complete combustion of the fuel is desirable to maintain a high fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Complete combustion depends in part on the degree of dispersion of the fuel in the combustion chamber. Currently, fuel is typically dispersed solely by atomization by means of jets feeding a carburettor or by means of fuel injectors feeding the combustion chamber. Atomization leaves droplets of fuel in the combustion chamber; dispersion of such droplets would be desirable.

A device is known which promotes the dispersion of fuel when atomised. This device comprises a copper tube containing an elongate core having a composition of nickel, copper, zinc, tin, and silver. The core forms a number of end-to-end channels in the copper tube. A piece of rubber hosing is worked over the copper tube to prevent grounding of the device. When this device is inserted in the fuel line of a combustion engine proximate the fuel atomizer, it promotes the dispersion of the fuel droplets on atomization of the fuel. The mechanism by which the device improves dispersion is not fully understood. It may be that the device polarises or charges fuel molecules so that they havfe a net negative charge and therefore repel one another.

The subject invention seeks to avoid drawbacks of the known device.

Accordingly, the present invention comprises a core for a device promoting the dispersion of fuel when atomised comprising an alloy comprising copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel.

In another aspect, the present invention comprises a device promoting the dispersion of fuel when atomised comprising: an elongate core composed of an alloy including copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel; a non-conductive sheath surrounding the sides of said core; a plurality of end-to-end channels within said core or between said core and said sheath; and means to couple the ends of said sheathed core to a. fuel line proximate and upstream of a fuel atomizer.

In the figures which illustrate example embodiments of the invention: figure la is a perspective view of the known prior art device; figure lb is a partially broken away perspective view of the core of the device of figure la; figure 2 is a perspective view of a core made in accordance with the subject invention; figure 3 is a perspective view of another core made in accordance with this invention; figure 3a is an end view of another core made in accordance with this invention; and figure 4 is a side view of a device made in accordance with this invention showing the device inserted in a fuel line.

Turning to figures la and lb, the prior art device for promoting dispersion of fuel on atomization 10 comprises a copp tube 11 containing a core 12. The copper tube has reduc diameter ends 14 and 16 in order to retain the core in pla within the tube and to provide points for connection of th device in a fuel line. The core is elongate and has a generall Y-shaped cross-section. The core and tube assembly provide three end-to-end channels in the tube, one channel between eac side face of the core and the tube wall. The core is an allo of nickel, copper, zinc, tin, and silver.

As aforenoted, when fuel is passed through the device it may be that the fuel is polarised or charged so that the fue molecules repel one another. This repulsion promotes dispersio of the fuel on atomization.

Through experimentation, it has been discovered tha a core comprising the following alloy results in a device whic dramatically improves the fuel efficiency of an interna combustion engine: metal ercent b wei ht

copper zinc manganese nickel aluminum iron lead tin

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magnesium 0.02 chromium 0.01 cobalt less than 0.01 titanium less than 0.005 molybdenum less than 0.005

This alloy is referred to herein as the "full alloy". tt is believed that at least copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel are needed for the core alloy in order that the device effectively promote dispersion of atomised fuel.

It is believed that the effectiveness of the device is improved by exposing as much of the fuel passing through the device as possible to the core of the device. To this end, the core 22 of figure 2 has a plurality of ridges 28 along its length which ridges are on all three sides of the core. These ridges run transversely of the flow of the fuel through a device containing this core and promote turbulence in such fuel. Increasing the exposure of the fuel to the core may also be achieved by increasing the surface area of the core and this is accomplished with the core configuration 32 of figure 3. Core 32 has a cylindrical exterior portion 34 which receives a cruciate inner portion 36. Inner portion 36 slides into the cylindrical outer portion. The inner portion 36 has ridges 38 to promote turbulence in the fuel flowing through a device having this core.

In the modification of figure 3a, the core 42 has a cylindrical outer portion 44 which is integrally formed with the cruciate inner portion 46. Figure 4 illustrates a device 50 made in accordanc with this invention for promoting dispersion of fuel o atomization connected into a fuel line. Device 50 comprises tube 51 which receives the core 22 of figure 2. Tube 51 i coated with a non-conducting plastic material 52 which forms sheath over the tube in order to avoid grounding of the device The plastic sheath is made of a thermoplastic material t withstand the heat encountered proximate the combustion engine one suitable thermoplastic is ABS ^m. Tube 51 has reduce diameter end portions 54 and 56 having middle portions 55 and 57 respectively and ends 59 and 61, respectively. Ends 59 and 6 are of a slightly larger diameter than the mid portions 55 an 57. A fuel line 58 leading from a source of fuel is slid ove end portion 56 of the tube and a hose clamp 60 clamps the end of the fuel line tightly to the mid portion 57 of the tube. Large diameter end 61 blocks the hose clamp from slipping off the device. Similarly, the fuel line 62 leading to the fuel atomizer is clamped to the other end of the device by hose clamp 64. For maximum effect, the device should be installed proximate the atomizer.

Vehicle fuel lines are typically of two sizes and the ends 54 and 56 of the device have an intermediate size. Since fuel lines have some flexibility, the larger size of fuel line may be slipped over an end of the device 50 and compressed into a tight fit on the end by a hose clamp. Further, the fuel line of a smaller size may be worked onto an end of the device and, preferably, subsequently clamped. _ _ .__, CA91/00024

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Core 32 of figure 3 (and 42 of figure 3a) has the additional advantage that a non-conducting sheath may be placed directly on the cylindrical outer core 34 (44 of figure 3a) thereby avoiding the need for a tubular housing. A device similar to device 50 of figure 4 was constructed for field testing. This device had a core similar to the core 22 of figure 2 made of the aforedescribed full alloy. The following details the field tests which were conducted. Test 1

The gasoline tank of a 1984 Oldsmobile Omega ^m was filled to capacity and the milage of the car recorded. The vehicle was then driven without the device on a 252 km course which ended where it began and the gasoline tank again filled to capacity. The vehicle required 33 litres of gasoline to fill the tank. The vehicle was then fitted with the device and driven on the same course the same day with similar weather conditions. At the end of the course, the vehicle required 24 litres of gasoline to fill the tank. Thus, the vehicle averaged 21 mpg without the device and 30 mpg with the device.

Tests 2 to 10 hereinbelow followed the same procedure as with this first test so that only the results of these subsequent tests are presented. Test 2

A 1986 Honda Prelude driven on a 490 km course averaged 23 mpg without the device and 29 mpg with the device. Test 3

A 1985 Volkswagen Jetta^tm on a 360 km city course averaged 24 mpg without the device and 30 mpg with the device. The same vehicle on a 385 km highway course averaged 30 mpg without the device and 39 mpg with the device. Test 4

A 1979 Ford Mark IV driven on a 2000 km course averaged 21 mpg without the device and 26 mpg with the device. Test 5

A 1984 Mercury Topaz five speed driven on a 583 km course averaged 23- mpg without the device and 33 mpg with the device. Test 6

A 1985 Volvo Turbo 760^tm on a 350 km course used 32.5 litres without the device and 28 litres with the device. Test 7

A 1985 Ford Escort diesel driven on a 2480 km course averaged 38 mpg without the device and 46 mpg with the device. Test 8

A 1976 Ford 4X4 pick-up driven on a 610 km course averaged 12 mpg without the device and 18 mpg with the device.

Test 9 A 1988 Buick LaSabre

driven on a 800 km course averaged 23 mpg without the device and 30 mpg with the device.

Test 10

A 1985 GM ^m V8 cube van driven on a 430 mile course managed 200 miles per tankful without the device and the entire course on one tank of gas with the device.

Plastic sheath 52 of figure 4 may be formed so as to - 8 -

have a hexagonal exterior; this facilitates installation of the device as the hexagonal shape may be easily gripped by hand or with a wrench. Other modifications within the spirit of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

We claim:

1. A core for a device promoting the dispersion of fuel whe atomised comprising an alloy comprising copper, zinc, manganese and nickel.

2. The core of claim 1 wherein the alloy further include aluminum and iron.

3. The core of claim 2 wherein the alloy further includes ti and lead.

4. The core of claim 3 wherein the alloy further include chromium, cobalt, titanium, magnesium, and molybdenum.

5. The core of claim 1 wherein the alloy comprises over 50% b weight copper and about 25% by weight zinc.

6. The core of claim 5 wherein the alloy comprises about 10 by weight manganese.

7. The core of claim 2 wherein the alloy comprises over 50% copper, about 25% zinc, about 10% manganese, and over 5% nickel.

8. The core of claim 7 wherein the alloy comprises over 0.1% of each of tin, lead, aluminum, and iron.

9. The core of claim 2 wherein said core is elongate and has _ . _Λ A91/00024

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uneven sides.

10. The core of claim 2 wherein said core comprises a cylindrical exterior enclosing an elongate inner member configured so that said core has a plurality of parallel channels running between the ends of the core.

11. The core of claim 10 wherein said inner member has a cruciate cross-section.

12. A device promoting the dispersion of fuel when atomised comprising:

(a) an elongate core composed of an alloy including copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel;

(b) a non-conductive sheath surrounding the sides of said core;

(c) a plurality of end-to-end channels within said core or between said core and said sheath; and

(d) means to couple the ends of said sheathed core to a fuel line proximate and upstream of a fuel atomizer.

13. The core of claim 12 wherein the alloy further includes aluminum and iron.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the alloy of said core - 11 -

further includes tin and lead.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the alloy further include chromium, cobalt, titanium, magnesium, and molybdenum.

16. The device of claim 12 wherein the alloy comprises over 50 by weight copper and about 25% by weight zinc.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein the alloy comprises about 10 by weight manganese.

18. The core of claim 12 wherein the alloy comprises over 50 copper, about 25% zinc, about 10% manganese, and over 5% nickel

19. The core of claim 14 wherein the alloy comprises over 0.1 of each of tin, lead, aluminum, and iron.

20. The core of claim 12 wherein said core is elongate and ha uneven sides.

21. The core of claim 12 wherein said core comprises cylindrical exterior enclosing an elongate inner membe configured so that said core has a plurality of parallel channel running between the ends of the core.

22. The core of claim 21 wherein said inner member has cruciate cross-section.