Vehicle fuel conditioning apparatus

Vehicle fuel conditioning apparatus is provided for improved combustion of hydrocarbon fuel tending to acquire an electrostatic charge during vehicle tank storage which charge inhibits full atomization of the fuel when mixed with air for combustion, the apparatus comprising magnetic flux means, such as magnet means on the fuel supply line of the vehicle between the fuel storage tank and an air and fuel mixer and atomizer: a plurality of axially extended and preferably annular magnet means; and a bracket maintaining said magnet means paraxial and preferably coaxial with said fuel line, the magnet means defining an axially extended flux condition in hydrocarbon fuel within the fuel line, the flux condition being adapted to strip electrostatic charge from fuel passing therethrough in subsequent fuel atomization facilitating relation, whereby fuel combustion is improved.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
This invention has to do with apparatus for improving the efficiency of 
combustion, and thus the efficiency of fuel utilization in vehicles having 
air and fuel mixers and atomizers, such as carburetors and fuel injectors. 
More particularly, the invention is concerned with improvements in devices 
for conditioning fuel to be combusted to make the fuel more readily 
atomized and combustible thereby, toward the ends of reduced pollution 
from unburned hydrocarbons, excessive carbon and nitrogen oxides, and the 
like, and more mileage from a given quantity of fuel in a particular 
vehicle. 
The relentless advance in the cost of fuel has given added impetus to the 
search for expedients to get more useful work out of the fuel. In uses as 
diverse as the family car, the business airplane and the home heating 
system, increased thermal output from combustion is avidly sought. No less 
eagerly sought is a reduced contribution to air pollution from these 
hydrocarbon burning sources. In each case, more efficient combustion is 
the key, and the present invention enables such improvements in combustion 
simply and inexpensively. 
BACKGROUND ART 
There have been diverse patents issued concerning concepts for enhancing 
the operation of internal combustion engines by application of magnetic 
and electrical principles. Such patents include U.S. Pat. No. 4,074,670 to 
Roberts which teaches use of conductive wire coils around the fuel line to 
the engine which are alleged to be responsive to induction fields 
generated by various components of the engine, U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,426 to 
Sanderson in which an annulus surrounding a magnet is used to subject fuel 
to magnetic energy; U.S. Pat. No. 3,989,017 to Reece in which fuel is 
subjected to a magnetic field with a view to attracting droplets to warm 
cylinder walls to enhance vaporization and thus combustion efficiency; 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,726 to Johnson in which fuels are subjected to energy 
pulses at the resonant frequency of the fuel constituents; U.S. Pat. No. 
3,349,354 to Miyata in which a plurality of like elongated magnets are 
arranged around the fuel passage; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,116,726 to Kwartz in 
which a magnetic field derived from an induction coil is used to treat the 
fuel before combustion. 
While the value of magnetic energy use in hydrocarbon fuel conditioning has 
been recognized, prior workers have taught complex devices and extensive 
electrical wiring in some instances, and failed to arrange their magnetism 
sources for optimum benefit in fuel conditioning. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
It is a major objective of the present invention to provide apparatus which 
will increase the efficiency of combustion of hydrocarbon fuels, 
particularly in vehicle usages, where increased combustion efficiency 
translates into increased power for passing and hill climbing, and 
increased mileage, and reduced pollution from incompletely combusted fuel 
products, and in a low cost, simple, and effective manner. It is another 
objective to provide apparatus of improved design for most effective 
utilization of magnetic flux fields in fuel precombustion conditioning. It 
is a highly particular objective to provide an apparatus readily connected 
to the fuel line of any vehicle to maintain a desired level of magnetic 
flux within the fuel passing to the carburetor, for the purpose of 
stripping off electrostatic charge which inhibits breakup of the fuel for 
atomization and thus costs efficiency. 
These and other objectives of the invention to become apparent hereinafter, 
are realized in vehicle fuel conditioning apparatus for improved 
combustion of hydrocarbon fuel tending to acquire electrostatic charge 
during vehicle tank storage which charge inhibits full atomization of the 
fuel when mixed with air for combustion, the apparatus comprising an axial 
assembly of discrete magnetic bodies individually spaced by non magnetic 
spacers and arranged to define magnetic flux means providing an axially 
extended flux condition in the hydrocarbon fuel immediately in advance of 
fuel atomization, and means maintaining the bodies in assembed relation, 
the flux condition being adapted to strip electrostatic charge from fuel 
passing therethrough in subsequent fuel atomization facilitating relation, 
whereby fuel combustion is improved. 
In typical embodiments, the magnetic flux means has a strength in excess of 
6000 gauss; the axial assembly is positioned on the fuel line just before 
the fuel atomizer, and the apparatus further includes a bracket 
maintaining the body and spacer assembly paraxial with the vehicle fuel 
line in charge-stripping-effective proximity to the fuel atomizer; the 
assembly is tubular and the bodies and spacers define a continuation of 
the fuel line; the magnet bodies and non magnetic spacers are generally 
toroidal and coaxially aligned to define the tubular assembly; successive 
magnet bodies are of opposite polarity in the assembly, and in which the 
maintaining means comprises cooperating elements acting endwise on the 
magnetic bodies and spacers to maintain the same in coaxial, abutting, 
relation; and the magnetic flux means is defined within six inches of the 
atomizer. 
In one embodiment of the invention, the bracket comprises for each magnetic 
flux means a bed having a shallow recess therein adapted to partially 
receive plural ones of the assemblies in fuel line adjacent relation, the 
embedded assemblies lying opposed across the fuel line in cooperating flux 
condition defining relation. In such and other embodiments of the 
invention, the magnetic flux means comprises a coaxial series of annular 
magnetic bodies of alternatively opposite polarity, and there is further 
included non magnetic annular spacers between adjacent magnet bodies, and 
the the magnet flux means defines a field of magnetic flux in excess of 
450 Maxwell's per cm.sup.2. 
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bracket comprises a sleeve 
adapted to receive and maintain in assembled relation the magnet bodies 
and the non magnetic spacers, the sleeve being further adapted to 
communicate the fuel line with the fuel atomizer through a tubular passage 
defined by the assembled magnetic bodies and non magnetic spacers. There 
is further provided in these embodiments, tapped end plugs closing the 
sleeve at opposite ends thereof, the plugs abuttingly confining the magnet 
bodies and non magnetic spacers within the sleeve and defining fittings 
for connection to the fuel line and to the fuel atomizer respectively. 
In particular use situations there may further be provided a shroud 
surrounding the sleeve in closed volume defining relation with the bracket 
sleeve, and shroud-defined means for filling the volume with a controlled 
atmosphere, such as an inert gas, e.g. helium. 
In other embodiments, the air and fuel mixer and atomizer is a carburetor 
and the flux condition is located within four inches of the carburetor; 
the magnet bodies are of uniform size, generally toroidal and alternate in 
series with generally toroidal, like sized and shaped magnetic spacers, 
the bodies and spacers having coaxially assembled in tubular passage 
defining relation, and a passage liner, the apparatus being adapted to 
form a continued extent of the fuel line. 
Preferably in this and other embodiments, the non magnetic spacers are 
nonmetallic and conductive, and are formed, e.g. of carbon; there are not 
less than three spacers alternating with not less than five magnet bodies, 
the polarity of adjacent magnetic bodies are opposite, the magnetic bodies 
and non magnetic spacers respectively divide the axial extent of the 
assembly substantially equally, and the assembly abuts the end plugs in 
snugly fitted relation. 
The invention further contemplates the method of precombustion conditioning 
hydrocarbon vehicle fuel, which includes establishing a flux condition of 
not less than 450 Maxwell's per cm.sup.2 next to the vehicle fuel atomizer 
by maintaining plural, discrete, generally toroidal magnets of 
successively opposite polarity coaxial with non magnetic spacers 
interposed therebetween, and passing the fuel through a tube defined by 
the bodies and spacers and progressively from a first polarity body to an 
opposite polarity body, and to another first polarity body repeatedly in 
sequence and toward the atomizer in electrostatic charge stripping 
relation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
With reference now to the drawings in detail, in FIG. 1 a fuel storage and 
delivery system is depicted, representative of systems in autos, ships, 
planes and trucks, which comprises the fuel storage tank 10, for gasoline 
or #2 kerosine (diesel) fuel storage which is refillable through filler 
neck 12, normally closed by cap 14. Fuel delivery line 16 leads from the 
storage tank 10 to a fuel pump 18 of conventional design, and beyond to 
carburetor 20 atop the engine. While a carburetor is shown as the fuel and 
air mixing and atomization device, systems having fuel injectors 
performing a comparable function are adantageously treated in accordance 
with the invention. The device of the invention is indicated at 22 in FIG. 
1, positioned immediately adjacent the carburetor 20, e.g. 4 to 6 inches 
away, or closer or more distant providing the purposes of the invention 
are met. 
With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the device 22 is seen to comprise as 
illustrated, first and second magnetic flux means in the form of 
cylindrical assemblies 24 comprising an axially distributed series of 
ferrous metal magnet body discs 26 centrally apertured at 28 and 
alternated with non magnetic material, suitably carbon discs 30, also 
centrally apertured, at 32, both magnetic body discs and non magnetic 
material discs being axially mounted on through bolt 34. Vitreous, e.g. 
porcelein end caps 36 surmount the discs 26, 30, held there by bolts 34 
having nuts 38. The magnetic and non magnetic discs 26, 20 substatially 
equally divide the axial extent of the assemblies 24. The overall length 
of the device 22 is not critical as will be apparent from later portions 
of the description, the device shown being about 2.5 inches in length. 
The device 22 further includes a bracket 40 and a straps 42 which cooperate 
to mount the assemblies 24 in proper positional relation with the fuel 
line 16. The bracket 40 is formed of moderately heat resistant plastic or 
metal and comprises a rectangular block 44 with a pair of outboard, 
relatively deeper semicylindrical recesses 46 formed therein to receive 
partially, in embedding relation, the cylindrical assemblies 24, as shown. 
A shallower, central recess 48 similarly receives the fuel line 16, the 
fuel line adjacent portions 50 of the assemblies 24 being longitudinally 
dished to better nest against the fuel line and facilitate securely 
fastening of the device 22 to the fuel line. The device 22, or like 
assemblies of magnet bodies, with or without non magnetic spacers can be 
placed within the carburetor, just before the fuel atomization stage, 
preferably, or secured in like manner to the feed to a fuel injector 
apparatus. Similarly, the magnetic flux means may be electromagnetic if 
desired. 
In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the device 60 is in 
line with the fuel line 16a, located between the gasoline filter 62 and 
the atomizer, shown in the Figures as carbuetor 64. Threaded fittings 66, 
68, secure the device 60 in its in-line position, as shown. The device 60 
comprises an axially arranged series of magnetic bodies 70, each an 
annulus having smooth face walls, and non magnetic spacers 72, also each 
an annulus having smooth axial face walls. The magnetic bodies 70 and non 
magnetic spacers 72, are arranged coaxially, with their faces juxtaposed 
and no air gap between axial faces, to the extent practicable. To insure 
this assembly, a sleeve 74 is provided into which the magnetic bodies 70 
and non magnetic spacers 72 are inserted serially. End caps 76, suitably 
tapped to thread connect to the fittings 66, 68, abut the magnetic bodies 
70 and non magnetic spacers 72 assembly within the sleeve 74, and the 
sleeve ends are closed as by welding end plates 78 into place. A passage 
liner 80 is used between the end caps 76 to prevent fuel contact with the 
magnetic bodies 70 and non magnetic spacers 72. 
In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, wherein like parts to the 
FIGS. 4 and 5 embodiment parts have like numerals thereto, a shroud 82 is 
provided surrounding the device 60, having an insulating gas port 84 
normally closed by cap 86. The shroud 82 comprises a cylindrical wall 88 
and end walls 90 assembled to be gas tight. A suitable inert gas such as 
helium is introduced into the shroud to surround the magnetic bodies 70, 
insulating them from engine compartment heat and by maintaining relatively 
lower operating temperature, improving the effectiveness of the device 60. 
Materials of construction are not narrowly critical. Preferred materials 
include ceramic magnets, such as Grade V ceramic magnets, Alnico 
magnetics, and electromagnets coupled to 24 volt power supplies as are 
found on trucks and buses. The successive magnetic bodies are arranged to 
have their like poles opposed, thus the south pole of body 70a opposes the 
south pole of body 70b, while the north pole of body 70b is opposite, 
across non magnetic spacer 72b, the north pole of body 70c, and so on over 
the length of the device 60. 
While not wishing to be bound to any particular theory of operation, it is 
believed that the magnetic field, e.g. comprising flux lines at 52 
extended axially, see FIGS. 2 and 3, imposed by the device 22 acts to 
strip from the body of fuel being passed from the storage tank 10 to the 
carburetor 20, the electrostatic charge which normally accumulates on the 
fuel. This charge is believed to adversely affect the ability of the fuel 
to break up into atomized droplets of high fineness, whereby air mixing 
and atomization is less efficient owing merely to the presence of the 
unwanted charge. A magnetic flux field of sufficient intensity, e.g. 450 
Maxwell's per cm.sup.2, such as may be derived from the device 22 where 
the magnetic discs exhibit a strength of e.g. 6000 gauss, strips the 
unwanted charge, freeing the fuel to more readily break up and into finer 
portions, which burn more completely, and thus cleaner and with more 
output of energy. Thus the objectives of more efficient combustion for 
better mileage and cleaner air are met.