Automotive Engine Associates

Charles L Siewert

M Robert Showalter

Kenneth W Kriesel

A vortex fuel air mixer is positioned between the air throttle and the intake manifold of an engine. Part of the expansion flow velocity past the air throttle flows tangentially into the vortex chamber of the mixer, providing angular momentum which drives the flow into a vortical pattern. The flow streamlines within the vortical flow form into a generally irrotational flow pattern which swirls from the outside wall of the vortex chamber inwardly to a central vortex chamber outlet. This outlet feeds the engine intake manifold. Centrifugal forces in the swirling flow fling fuel droplets to the outside wall of the vortex chamber (in the manner of a cyclone scrubber). This liquid fuel must evaporate in order to leave the vortex chamber. The interaction of the evaporation, flow structure and turbulence relations inside the vortex chamber produces an essentially homogeneous mixture at the vortex chamber outlet. Fuel evaporation time in the vortex chamber is quite short, so that the device exhibits excellent transient response.

Growing community of inventors

Madison, WI, United States of America

Charles L Siewert