US 6,725,846 B2 · Heated fuel vaporizer block, kit and method

Abstract

A heated fuel vaporizer block includes a substantially solid, heated surface onto which liquid gasoline from a carburetor is directed, thereby turning the liquid gasoline into vapor. The fuel vaporizer block includes an opening that does not reduce or constrict the flow of fuel and air between the carburetor and intake manifold. The fuel vaporizer block may have a heated surface with a variety of geometrical configurations, including an inclined surface, a concave surface, and a concave surface that includes a plurality of orifices and a plurality of channels for directing fuel into the plurality of orifices. In addition, the heated surface that the fuel strikes may include a platinum coating to reduce emissions and increase the efficiency of the engine. The fuel vaporizer block can be heated using any suitable form of heat, including electrical heating element, engine coolant, exhaust, and automatic transmission fluid. In addition, the heated surface that the fuel strikes may include a platinum coating to reduce emissions and increase the efficiency of the engine. The preferred embodiments include a retrofit kit that allows the fuel vaporizer block to be easily installed on an existing carbureted engine.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A fuel vaporizer block comprising:

a housing having first and second sides;
a first member between the first and second sides, the first member including a fuel-striking surface that comprises a substantially solid and substantially concave surface;
a substantially unobstructed opening between the first and second sides and adjacent to the first member;
and
at least one passageway that is isolated in a gas tight manner from the opening and that extends through at least a portion of the first member.

2 more elements

A method for enhancing the fuel efficiency of an internal combustion engine that has a carburetor and an intake manifold, the method comprising the steps of:

(1) removing the carburetor from the intake manifold;
(2) attaching a fuel vaporizer block between the carburetor and the intake manifold, the fuel vaporizer block comprising:
a housing having first and second opposing sides, and having third and fourth opposing sides coupled to the first and second opposing sides;
a first member disposed between the first and second sides, the first member including a substantially solid fuel-striking surface;
an opening adjacent to the fuel-striking surface that is substantially unobstructed;
a first passageway extending through the first side, through the first member, and through the second side;
a second passageway extending through the first side, through the first member, and through the second side;
an end conduit that connects the first passageway on the second side to the second passageway on the second side;
a first fitting coupled to the first passageway on the first side for receiving a first mating fitting;
and
a second fitting coupled to the second passageway on the first side for receiving a second mating fitting;
(3) attaching a first mating fitting of a first heat conductor to the first fitting;
(4) attaching a second mating fitting of a second heat conductor to the second fitting;
(5) attaching the first heat conductor and the second heat conductor to a source of heat.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Heated fuel vaporizer block, kit and method

Life of this patent

Heated fuel vaporizer block, kit and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23