5,044,
1
DEVICE PROMOTING THE DISPERSION OF
FUEL WHEN ATOMIZED
This invention relates to a core for a device promot- 5 ing the dispersion of atomized 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 10 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 carburetor or by means of fuel injectors feeding the combustion chamber. Atomization leaves droplets of fuel in the combus- 15 tion chamber; dispersion of such droplets would be desirable.
A device is known which promotes the dispersion of fuel when atomized. This device comprises a copper tube containing an elongate core having a composition 20 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 ever the copper tube to prevent grounding of the device. When this device is inserted in the fuel line of a combustion engine proxi- 25 mate 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 polarizes or charges fuel molecules so that they have a net negative 30 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 35 atomized comprising an alloy comprising copper, zinc, manganese, nickel, aluminum, iron, tin, lead, chromium, cobalt, titanium, magnesium, and molybdenum.
In another aspect, the present invention comprises a device promoting the dispersion of fuel when atomized 40 comprising: an elongate core composed of an alloy including copper, zinc, manganese, nickel, aluminum, iron, tin, lead, chromium, cobalt, titanium, magnesium, and molybdenum; a non-conductive sheath surrounding the sides of said core; a plurality of end-to-end channels 45 within said core or between said core and 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: 50
FIG. la is a perspective view of the known prior art device;
FIG. lb is a partially broken away perspective view of the core of the device of FIG. la;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a core made in accor- 55 dance with the subject invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another core made in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 3a is an end view of another core made in accordance with this invention; and 60
FIG. 4 is a side view of a device made in accordance with this invention showing the device inserted in a fuel line.
Turning to FIGS, la and lb, the prior art device for promoting dispersion of fuel on atomization 10 com- 65 prises a copper tube 11 containing a core 12. The copper tube has reduced diameter ends 14 and 16 in order to retain the core in place within the tube and to provide
347
2
points for connection of the device in a fuel line. The core is elongate and has a generally Y-shaped cross-section. The core and tube assembly provides three end-toend channels in the tube, one channel between each side face of the core and the tube wall. The core is an alloy of nickel, copper, zinc, tin, and silver.
As aforenoted, when fuel is passed through the device, it may be that the fuel is polarized or charged so that the fuel molecules repel one another. This repulsion promotes dispersion of the fuel on atomization.
Through experimentation, it has been discovered that a core comprising the following alloy results in a device which dramatically improves the fuel efficiency of an internal combustion engine:
This alloy is referred to herein as the "full alloy*'. It 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 atomized 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 FIG. 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 FIG. 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 FIG. 3a, the core 42 has a cylindrical outer portion 44 which is integrally formed with the cruciate inner portion 46.
FIG. 4 illustrates a device 50 made in accordance with this invention for promoting dispersion of fuel on atomization connected into a fuel line. Device 50 comprises a tube 51 which receives the core 22 of FIG. 2. Tube 51 is coated with a non-conducting plastic material 52 which forms a sheath over the tube in order to avoid grounding of the device. The plastic sheath is made of a thermoplastic material to withstand the heat encountered proximate the combustion engine; one suitable thermoplastic is ABS Tm . Tube 51 has reduced diameter end portions 54 and 56 having middle portions 55.and 57, respectively and ends 59 and 61, respectively. Ends 59 and 61 are of a slightly larger diameter than the mid portions 55 and 57. A fuel line'58 leading from a source of fuel is slid over end portion 56 of the tube and a hose clamp 60 clamps the end of the fuel line tightly to
