Vacuum-operated choke system and method

A choke system for use with an internal combustion engine, the choke system comprising:

• (a) a vacuum actuator for moving an actuating arm from a first position to a second position, the actuating arm adapted for connection to a choke valve of an internal combustion engine;
• (b) an air valve in communication with the vacuum actuator, wherein the air valve comprises an adjustable check valve;
• (c) a compressible vacuum mechanism in communication with the vacuum actuator and the air valve, the compressible vacuum mechanism being operable for compression to cause air to discharge through the air valve to create a vacuum in the vacuum actuator to move the actuating arm from the first position to the second position;
• and
• (d) whereby the adjustable check valve is operable to allow air to enter the vacuum actuator through the air valve to gradually release the vacuum to cause the vacuum actuator to move the actuating arm from the second position to the first position over a predetermined amount of time.

A choke system for use with an internal combustion engine, the choke system comprising:

• (a) a vacuum actuator for moving an actuating arm from a first position to a second position, the actuating arm adapted for connection to a choke valve of an internal combustion engine;
• (b) a manifold in communication with the vacuum actuator, the manifold defining at least one air inlet and one air outlet communicating with the vacuum actuator for passage of air into and out of, respectively, the vacuum actuator;
• (c) a compressible vacuum mechanism in communication with the vacuum actuator, the compressible vacuum mechanism being operable for compression to cause air to discharge through the air outlet to create a vacuum within the vacuum actuator to move the actuating arm from the first position to the second position;
• and
• (d) whereby air can enter the vacuum actuator through the at least one air inlet to gradually release the vacuum to cause the vacuum actuator to move the actuating arm from the second position to the first position.

A method for operating a choke system of an internal combustion engine comprising:

• (a) providing a vacuum-operated choke system comprising:
• (i) a vacuum actuator for moving an actuating arm from a first position to a second position, the actuating arm adapted for connection to a choke valve of an internal combustion engine;
• (ii) an air valve in communication with the vacuum actuator;
• and
• (iii) a compressible vacuum mechanism in communication with the vacuum actuator and the air valve;
• (b) operating the compressible vacuum mechanism to cause air to discharge through the air valve to create a vacuum in the vacuum actuator to move the actuating arm from the first position to the second position;
• and
• (c) controllably allowing air to enter the vacuum actuator through the air valve to gradually release the vacuum such that the vacuum actuator moves the actuating arm from the second position to the first position.

A method for operating a choke system of an internal combustion engine comprising:

• (a) operating a compressible vacuum mechanism to force air out of an air valve communicating with a vacuum actuator to at least substantially create a vacuum within the vacuum actuator;
• (b) moving an actuating arm connected to the vacuum actuator from a first position to a second position due to the vacuum in the vacuum actuator;
• and
• (c) controllably allowing air to enter the vacuum actuator through the air valve to gradually release the vacuum such that the vacuum actuator moves the actuating arm from the second position to the first position.

A method for operating a choke system of an internal combustion engine comprising:

• (a) providing a vacuum-operated choke system comprising:
• (i) a vacuum actuator for moving an actuating from a first position to a second position, the actuating arm being adapted for connection to a choke valve of an internal combustion engine;
• (ii) a manifold in communication with the vacuum actuator, the manifold defining at least one air inlet and one air outlet communicating with the vacuum actuator for passage of air into and out of, respectively, the vacuum actuator;
• and
• (iii) a compressible vacuum mechanism in communication with the vacuum actuator;
• (b) operating the compressible vacuum mechanism to cause air to discharge through the air outlet to create a vacuum in the vacuum actuator to move the actuating arm from the first position to the second position;
• and
• (c) controllably allowing air to enter the vacuum actuator through the at least one air inlet to gradually release the vacuum such that the vacuum actuator moves the actuating arm from the second position to the first position.

A choke system for use with an internal combustion engine, the choke system comprising:

• (a) a vacuum actuator for moving an actuating arm from a first position to a second position, the actuating arm connected to a choke valve of an internal combustion engine;
• (b) a manifold in communication with the vacuum actuator, the manifold defining a plurality of air inlets and one air outlet communicating with the vacuum actuator for passage of air into and out of, respectively, the vacuum actuator and further comprising an orifice selector plate attached to the manifold, wherein the orifice selector plate can be positioned to cover all of the air inlets but one to control airflow through the manifold:
• (c) a vacuum mechanism in communication with the vacuum actuator for forcing air out of the air outlet to at least substantially create a vacuum within the vacuum actuator;
• and
• (d) whereby creation of the vacuum within the vacuum actuator can move the actuating arm from the first position to the second position and whereby air can enter the air inlet whereby the vacuum actuator can move the actuating arm from the second position to the first position.