Automotive Engine Associates

M Robert Showalter

Charles L Siewert

J Wray Fogwell

Kenneth W Kriesel

John M Clark, Jr

A fuel-air metering system functioning according to precise flow and geometrical equations. An air throttle valve and fuel valve are positively linked with the flow crossectional area of each valve proportional to that of the other. Fuel pressure drop across the fuel valve is regulated in precise proportion to the pressure drop across the upstream orifice of a two orifice in series air flow system which bypasses the air throttle. Careful shaping of the air throttle, the bypass system orifices, the fuel valve, passage geometry, and the servo valve fuel regulation system results in an accurate porportioning of fuel flow to air flow.

Analog carburetor

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

M Robert Showalter