Abstract:
Fuel bowl ( 10 ) is to be mounted to a metering block and to a carburetor of a high performance internal combustion engine. The fuel bowl housing ( 12 ) includes an inner fuel cavity or chamber ( 14 ) and a supplemental fuel storage chamber ( 44 ) (FIG.  1 ). A stuffer block ( 50 ) (FIGS.  2-6 ) is optionally placed in the supplemental fuel storage area so as to reduce the amount of fuel carried in the fuel bowl. As an alternative, a fuel dam ( 52 ) (FIGS.  6-10 ) can be placed between the inner fuel chamber ( 14 ) and the supplemental fuel chamber ( 44 ) to prevent sloshing of the fuel between the chambers and to supply a steady feed of supplemental fuel from the supplemental fuel storage chamber through the openings ( 82 ) to the inner fuel chamber ( 14 ) during high capacity use of fuel by the engine.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     Applicant claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/116,299 filed Jan. 19, 1999. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a carburetor fuel bowl. More particularly, the invention relates to a carburetor fuel bowl which has increased fuel carrying capacity such that additional fuel can be contained therein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Modern carburetors normally include fuel bowls that serve as local reservoirs for fuel that is supplied into the barrels of the carburetor and ultimately into the cylinders of a combustion engine. Before passing into the barrels of the carburetor, the fuel usually passes through fuel metering blocks which pre-emulsify the fuel for later atomization within the carburetor barrels. Typically, fuel is passed from the fuel bowl to the metering block through inlet jets which normally are located adjacent the bottom edge of the metering block. 
     In high performance applications, it normally is advantageous to increase the capacity of the fuel bowl for several reasons. First, during hard acceleration the vehicle fuel pump temporarily may be unable to supply fuel to the fuel bowl. Second, racing rules and regulations sometimes place limitations on the delivery capacity of fuel pumps that can be used by participants in particular races. Third, alternative fuels such as alcohol are consumed at increased rates that require increased holding capacity from the fuel bowls. 
     Currently, high capacity fuel bowls come in one of two forms. In the first known form, the fuel bowl has an oversized construction in which the length of the fuel bowl is increased so as to increase an inner volume of the fuel bowl. In the second known form, fuel bowl extensions are used in conjunction with standard sized fuel bowls to likewise increase the inner volume available for fuel storage. Although satisfying the need for increased fuel carrying capacity, known large volume fuel bowls can create problems for the user. As a first matter, the increased size of these fuel bowls causes the carburetor to extend beyond the standard accepted envelope normally provided for carburetors in engine compartments. Because of this fact, carburetors having oversized fuel bowls or fuel bowl extensions often interfere with other engine components such as air cleaners and distributors. 
     In addition to these component crowding difficulties, conventional high capacity fuel bowls further present problems associated with fuel uptake. As is known in the art, linear and/or lateral acceleration of a vehicle can cause the fuel within the carburetor fuel bowls to shift opposite to the direction of the acceleration. In the case of linear acceleration, this shifting of the fuel volume can have detrimental effects on the supply of fuel on both the front and rear fuel bowls. This form of acceleration forces the fuel in each fuel bowl rearwardly. Inside the rear fuel bowl, this rearward migration of the fuel can uncover the inlet jets of the fuel bowl&#39;s adjacent metering block, causing a temporary loss of fuel supply from the rear side of the carburetor. In the front fuel bowl, the rearward migration of the fuel can cause the fuel to uncontrollably flow into the front carburetor barrels, choking the engine with an unduly rich supply of fuel. In the case of lateral acceleration, large capacity fuel bowls can cause the supply of fuel from both of the fuel bowls to be temporarily lost. In oval track racing, for example, the acceleration forces exerted on the vehicle during the left-hand turns can cause the fuel in each fuel bowl to migrate to the right side of the bowl, to uncover the inlet jets. 
     From the above, it can be understood that it would be desirable to have a high. capacity fuel bowl that does not extend beyond the standard accepted envelope and which further prevents the above described difficulties associated with fuel migration in response to vehicle acceleration. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carburetor fuel bowl constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the fuel bowl shown in FIG. 1 provided with a stuffer block. 
     FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the fuel bowl shown in FIG. 2 taken along lines  3 — 3 . 
     FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the stuffer block shown in FIGS. 2-3. 
     FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the stuffer block of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the stuffer block of FIGS. 4-5. 
     FIG. 7 is a front view of the fuel bowl shown in FIG. 1 provided with a fuel dam. 
     FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the fuel bowl shown in FIG. 7 taken along lines  8 — 8 . 
     FIG. 9 is a front view of the fuel dam shown in FIGS. 7-8. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the fuel dam shown in FIG.  9 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a fuel bowl  10  constructed with accordance with the present invention. As shown in this figure, the fuel bowl  10  comprises a substantially rectilinear fuel bowl housing  12  that forms an inner fuel cavity or chamber  14  in which fuel to be supplied to the carburetor via a metering block (not shown) is held. As indicated in FIG. 2, this fuel cavity  14  is defined by lateral sides  16  and  18 , a rear side  20 , and top and bottom sides  22  and  24  such that the fuel bowl housing  12  has an open-faced configuration. When installed on a carburetor, this open face is closed with a similarly dimensioned metering block. Formed around the periphery of the open face of the fuel bowl housing  12  is a mating surface  26  at which point the fuel bowl housing  12  contacts the metering block when the fuel bowl  10  is secured to the carburetor. Extending forwardly from the mating surface  26  is an aesthetically pleasing cowling  28 . 
     Integrally formed with the fuel bowl housing  12  is a fuel valve housing  30  in which a fuel valve (not shown) is contained. Also integrally formed with the housing  12  is a pair of fuel inlet ports  32  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. During operation, fuel flows through these inlet ports  32  and into the inner fuel cavity  14  via the fuel valve. Although the valve housing  30  and the fuel inlet ports  32  are described as being integrally formed with the fuel bowl housing  12 , it will be appreciated that these features could, alternatively, be formed as separate parts that are individually secured to the housing. As shown most clearly in FIG. 1, the base of each fuel inlet port  32  is integrally formed with a corner structure  34 . Each corner structure  34  is defined by a front surface  36 , a lateral surface  38 , and a top surface  40 . Normally, the top surfaces  40  of the corner structure  34  are arranged in oblique orientations such as those shown in FIG.  1 . 
     Between the two comer structures  34  is supplemental fuel storage chamber  44 . This supplemental fuel storage area  44  represents a distinct advance in the art in that the space in this vicinity of conventional fuel bowls typically is occupied by the fuel bowl housing  12  and therefore is not available for additional fuel carrying. Therefore, with the present fuel bowl, high capacity fuel carrying can be obtained without the need to extend the fuel bowl beyond the standard accepted carburetor envelope. Accordingly, the problems associated with component crowding within the engine compartment is avoided with the present invention. 
     Formed between the comer structures  34  is a boss  46 . Typically, the boss  46  is provided with a threaded opening  48  which is adapted to receive a conventional fastener (not shown) such as a screw or bolt. This boss  46  is configured and positioned for the separate and independent securement of a stuffer block  50  and a fuel dam  52 . FIGS. 2 and 3 show the fuel bowl  10  of the present invention fitted with a stuffer block  50 . As shown in these figures, the stuffer block  50  can be positioned within the supplemental fuel storage area  44  between the comer structures  34  for purposes which are explained below. Once placed in this position, the stuffer block  50  can be removably secured in place with a conventional fastener (not shown) such as a screw or bolt. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, the stuffer block  50  typically comprises a solid body  54  defined by top and bottom sides  56  and  58 , front and rear sides  60  and  62 , and by opposed lateral sides  64 . The top side  56  normally is angled relative to the bottom side  58  so as to provide for full range of motion of a float (not shown) that typically is mounted inside the fuel bowl housing  12  to gauge the level of fuel contained therein. Formed in the front side  60  of the stuffer block  50  is a fastener hole  66  through which a conventional fastener can be extended to thread into the threaded opening  48  of the boss  46 . Formed in the bottom and rear sides  58  and  62  is a channel  68  that is shaped and configured so as to receive the boss  46  when the stuffer block  50  is secured within the fuel bowl housing  12 . Typically, lateral recesses  70  are provided along both sides of the channel  68  to further provide clearance for the inner contours of the fuel bowl housing  12 . 
     When positioned within the fuel bowl housing  12  in the manner described above, the stuffer block  50  recaptures the volume of space gained by the user with the inclusion of the supplemental fuel storage area  44 . Accordingly, stuffer blocks  50  constructed in accordance with the present invention allow the user to reduce the capacity of one or more of the fuel bowls  10  in situations when the additional capacity would not increase performance and could instead create one or more of the performance problems associated with high capacity fuel bowls discussed above. Moreover, the stuffer blocks  44  are removable such that the user can use them for one particular application and then can remove them for another application. Therefore, the fuel bowl  10  and stuffer block  50  together give the user increased flexibility of use. 
     As an alternative to the stuffer block  50  described above, the fuel bowl  10  of the present invention can be provided with a fuel dam  52 . FIGS. 7 and 8 show the fuel bowl  10  fitted with the fuel dam  52 . As indicated in these figures, the fuel dam  52  can be positioned inside the inner fuel cavity  14  of the fuel bowl housing  12  such that it extends from one comer structure  34  to the other. As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the fuel dam  52  comprises a substantially planar body  72  defined by front and rear sides  74  and  76  and an outer periphery  78 . As indicated in FIG. 7, the lateral edges of the outer periphery  78  are shaped and configured to trace the contours of the comer sstructures  34 . Formed along the top edge of the outer periphery  78  is a central notch  80  that provides clearance for the operation of a float (not shown). Formed centrally in the bottom edges of the outer periphery  78  are fuel distribution slots  82 , the purpose for which is explained below. Between these slots  82  is a fastener hole  84  which serves a purpose similar to that of the stuffer block  50 . 
     When positioned within the fuel bowl housing  12  in the manner described above, the fuel dam  52  divides the inner fuel cavity  14  into a primary cavity  86  and a secondary cavity  88  as indicated in FIG.  8 . During carburetor operation, the primary cavity  86  functions as a standard fuel bowl, supplying the needed fuel to its associated metering block. However, in high demand situations in which the fuel contained in the primary cavity  86  is unavailable or already has been used, the fuel stored behind the fuel dam  52  is supplied to the primary cavity  86  and, thereby to the metering block, via the fuel distribution slots  82 . This supplemental supply of fuel is particularly useful in situations involving lateral acceleration in that fuel can be supplied to the centrally located inlet jets of the metering block by the secondary cavity  88  via the fuel distribution slots  82  when the fuel in the primary cavity  86  has migrated to the side of the fuel bowl housing  12 . 
     While preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail in the foregoing description and drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications thereof can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.