Variable venturi nozzle-matrix carburetor add methods for intermixing

Abstract

Apparatus for homogeneously intermixing flows of fuel and air to an internal combustion engine comprises a mixing chamber having a venturi portion across which is disposed an arcuate nozzle-matrix of converging nozzle cells which focus subflows toward pre-selected downstream crossflow mixing zones. A mainstream flow of air is introduced into the chamber upstream of the nozzle-matrix and one or more mainstream flows of fuel are introduced into the chamber upstream of the nozzle-matrix and/or into the crossflow mixing zones. The nozzle-matrix is adapted to accept at least portions of the main upstream flows to generate several optimum velocity subflows therefrom to enhance fuel and dispersion, atomization, and vaporization into the air. A transversely movable cylindrical gate, installed through a wall of the chamber, is provided for selectively restricting subflows through at least some of the nozzle cells to thereby vary the effective combined cross-sectional area of the nozzle-matrix and maintain pre-selected velocity subflows through the unrestricted nozzle cells over wide ranges of engine fuel-air mixture demands. The substantially homogeneous fuel-air mixture is discharged from a lower region of the chamber, downstream of the nozzle-matrix, into an engine intake manifold. Several variations are illustrated and described. Corresponding methods of homogeneously intermixing fuel and air are provided.