This invention describes systems and methods for mixing two fluids. A first fluid, usually fuel, can be passed through a primary passage that typically leads to a carburetor or other inlet to a combustion engine. A second fluid, usually air, can be mixed with the first by introducing it to the primary passage through an inlet located upstream in the primary passage. The mixture of fluids can then be further emulsified by passing it over a plurality of obstructions, such as a threaded interior surface of the primary passage, located within the primary passage downstream of the inlet.
This application is continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/400,403 filed Sep. 21, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,281,253, and is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/131,185 filed Aug. 7, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,211,251. Both of the aforementioned applications are herein incorporated by reference. All U.S. patents or patent applications, published or appended articles, and any other written materials incorporated by reference into either of the aforementioned applications are also specifically incorporated herein by reference.
This invention describes systems and methods for mixing two fluids. A first fluid, usually fuel, can be passed through a primary passage that typically leads to a carburetor or other inlet to a combustion engine. A second fluid, usually air, can be mixed with the first by introducing it to the primary passage through an inlet located upstream in the primary passage. The mixture of fluids can then be further emulsified by passing it over a plurality of obstructions, such as a threaded interior surface of the primary passage, located within the primary passage downstream of the inlet.
An electronic fuel injection system is combined with a carburetor in a carbureted internal combustion engine. The resulting air/fuel induction system comprises a carburetor air/fuel induction system in combination with an electronic fuel injection system which uses the carburetor of the carburetor system as the air valve for the electronic fuel injection system. The carburetor system and the electronic fuel injection systems are interconnected, preferably so that the mixture cut-off of the carburetor system is employed to shut off fuel flow in the carburetor to the air stream for the induction manifold and to simultaneously turn on the electronic fuel injector system. Either manual or automatic interconnection can be employed in the present invention.
A fuel processing device (2) is provided that produces fuel aerosol particles (5) that when mixed with combustion air, reduces or eliminates detonation (knock) in internal combustion engines, reducing fuel octane requirements and improving burning characteristics of the fuel. The device includes an adapter (10) between fuel injector (12) and port (14) for the fuel injector, the adapter being of a hollow cylindrical configuration. A plurality of plates (46) are disposed in the adapter, plates (46) provided with a central opening (50), with radially extending slots (52) extending away from the central opening (50). Each slot has one edge configured with a vane (56) that creates turbulence in the air/fuel mix passing through the adapter so that larger droplets are broken up into smaller droplets until an optimum droplet size is reached.
Apparatus sealably incorporating a fuel metering device and fuel processing device [200, 200a, 200b] for producing a stabilized fog of fuel droplets sized 50 microns and less that when mixed with combustion air burn completely, reduce or eliminate detonation (knock) in internal combustion engines and reduce fuel octane requirements. The apparatus [200, 200a, 200b] may include a carrier gas reservoir [216, 216a] closed to external carrier gasses. A heater [205] may be employed to flash into vapor a portion of the liquid fuel to develop a carrier gas. In embodiments for jet or turbine engines, bleed gas from the engine may be used to provide carrier gas through a fuel processor [254], or the fuel may be heated-by-heater [260] to flash some of the fuel into vapor to provide carrier gas through the fuel processor to produce the stabilized fog of fuel droplets.
A fuel processing device is provided that produces properly sized fuel aerosol particles that when mixed with combustion air, reduces or eliminates detonation (knock) in internal combustion engines thus reducing fuel octane requirements for engines of a given compression ratio and increasing efficiency of the engine. The device includes an adapter between a fuel injector and a port for the fuel injector, the adapter being generally of a hollow cylindrical configuration closed to external gasses at an end that sealably receives the fuel injector. A plurality of plates are disposed in the adapter, the plates provided with a central opening, with radially extending slots extending away from the central opening. Each slot may have one edge configured with a vane that creates turbulence in the air/fuel mix passing through the adapter so that larger droplets are broken up into smaller droplets until an optimum droplet size is reached. A first plate may be configured to spread out the spray from the fuel injector so that the spray is processed by following plates.
