Fuel saving apparatus and spark plug therefor

Abstract

A fuel saving apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders each having a spark plug therein. The apparatus comprises a valve means for stopping fuel flow to predetermined cylinders and means for venting each of these cylinders to atmosphere through the spark plugs therein. The venting means comprises a spark plug having a hollow shell releasably engaged in the cylinder and including a casing therein which is slidably movable relative to the shell. An air discharge passageway is provided between the casing and the shell, and a valve on the casing closes the inner end of the shell. Suitable actuating means are provided for moving the casing to an operative position where the valve opens the inner end of the shell thus venting the cylinder through the air discharge passageway and an outlet port in the shell communicating with atmosphere. Control means are provided for cutting the predetermined cylinders out of firing operation when less than full load conditions are imposed on the engine by operating the venting and valve means.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.