METHOD OF TREATING FUEL FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE TO IMPROVE MILEAGE

Abstract: A method of treating fuel for an internal combustion engine (10). Fuel (13), such as gasolene or diesel fuel is heated to a temperature of about 115<o>F in a heat exchanger (14) which utilizes waste heat from the engine (15) or a separate electric heater. The heated fuel is then introduced (11) into the engine (10) in the normal fashion.

Description: METHOD OF TREATING FUEL FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE TO IMPROVE MILEAGE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a method of treating gasoline or similar fuel such as gasohol, as well as diesel fuel, commonly used in an internal combustion engine such as in a motor vehicle. The fuel is heated, utilizing waste heat from the engine, to a temperature of about 115°F. The fuel is then introduced into the engine in the normal fashion. If the engine is provided with a carburetor, the fuel is introduced into the carburetor, mixed with air, and introduced into the engine cylinders. Otherwise, the fuel may be injected directly into the cylinders. There is considerable prior art concerned with heating fuel for an internal combustion engine prior to introducing fuel into the engine. An example of some of the earlier art in this area is U.S. Patent No. 2,028,527, Simmen, where the preheating step is utilized to make heavy oils less viscous so that they can be used in conjunction with the particular type of internal combustion engine contemplated in that disclosure. More recently, dis¬ closures have been made of prevolatilizing gasoline for internal combustion engines such as U.S. Patent No. 4,116,177, Watley. U.S. Patent No. 3,986,486, Rabbiosi, discloses a heater to be used with a carburetor automobile engine and recommends heating the fuel to a temperature of between 110°F. and 120°F. in winter in Northern California, and about 125°F. to 145° in the summer there. The temperature is kept within a range of 5°F. to 6°F. However, neither Rabbiosi nor Watley nor Simmen disclose that there is an unexpected improvement in the mileage at a temperature of approximately 115°F. An object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a method of treating fuel, such as gasoline or diesel fuel prior to its introduction into an internal com¬ bustion engine so as to result in greater engine efficiency, thus resulting in better mileage for the motor vehicle. Another object of this invention is to reduce objectionable pollutants found in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine. This, together with other objects and advantages of the invention, should become apparent in the details of construction and operation as more fully described herein¬ after and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of the components utilized in practicing the process of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is shown schematically an internal com- bustion engine 10 which is supplied with a mixture of air and gasoline in the usual fashion through an intake manifold 11 from a carburetor 12. The fuel from the fuel tank 13, instead of being directly supplied to the carburetor 12, goes through a heat exchanger 14 which is supplied with heat from a radiator 15. If the internal combustion engine is not equipped with a carburetor, such as a diesel engine or a fuel injection-type engine, the heated fuel would go directly from the heat exchanger into the internal combustion engine. A thermostat is incorporated into the heat exchanger 14 so that the fuel is heated to a temperature of about 115°F. The heated fuel than leaves the heat exchanger 14 and is introduced into the carburetor 12 in the normal fashion. In practicing the process of this invention utilizing an existing internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle, it is merely necessary to attach a very simple heat exchanger in the fuel line and to the radiator. Thus, all existing motor vehicles can be readily retrofitted to practic this process. Exhaust heat from the exhaust manifold or exhaust system, as well as separate electric heating units or a combination of these various heat sources may also be employed. For example, excellent control of temperature can be achieved by using a combination of heat from the radiator and an electric heating unit. The following example will show the improvement in mileage and reduction in emission of objectionable pro¬ ducts of combustion in practicing the process constituting this invention. EXAMPLE A 1972 GMA one-half ton pickup truck had a heat exchanger attached to it utilizing the hot water from the radiator and an electric heater to heat the fuel to a temperature between 75°F. and 120°F. The truck was operated utilizing regular gasoline. In all cases ambient tempera¬ ture was about 45°F. and a continuous computer readout of fuel consumption in miles per gallon was obtained. The continuous computer read-out was obtained from a Sun 2001 unit and a C0 2 and hydrocarbon infrared gas analyzer was also utilized. The carbon monoxide and CO, readings were consistently below the EPA maximums. The truck had a 350 cubic inch engine and an automatic transmission. In each instance the measured and weighed amount of gasoline totaling 1.5 gallons was placed in a container and connected to the fuel line and the car was driven until the fuel was completely used up. The speed varied from 40 mph to 43 pg. The following results were obtained: Gasoline Consumption—Miles Per Gallon Temperature of Fuel Miles Per Gallon 75 11.6 89 11.9 91 11.4 97 12.0 110 13.6 115 16.3 115 15.9 115 16.0 115 16.1 120 14.6 It will be noted that the average miles per gallon at 115°F. was 16.1 miles per gallon, representing an 18.4 percent increase over 110°F., and a 10.3 percent increase over 120°F., and a 38 percent increase over 75 e F., which temperature represents virtually no preheating. Thus it will be seen that by practicing the process of this invention, considerable improvements in fuel economy may be achieved, as well as significant re¬ duction in objectionable constituents in the exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. While this invention has been described in its preferred embodiment, it is appreciated that variations thereon may be made without departing from the proper scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims: C L A I M S 1. A method of improving fuel economy in and reducing objectionable emissions from an internal com¬ bustion engine which comprises the steps of heating said fuel to a temperature of about 115°F. and then introducing said fuel into said internal combustion engine. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fuel is heated utilizing the waste heat from the internal combustion engine 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the waste heat is obtained from the radiator of the internal combustion engine 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the fuel is heated by an electric heating unit. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the fuel is heated in a heat exchanger where the heat is supplied by water from the radiator of the internal combustion engine and an electric heater. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the temperature of the fuel is controlled at about 115°F. by means of a thermostat on said heat exchanger. 7. A method of improving gasoline economy in and reducing objectionable emissions from an internal combustion engine which comprises the steps of heating said gasoline to a temperature of 115°F. and then introducing said gasolin into said internal combustion engine. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said internal combustion engine is provided with a carburetor and said heated gasoline is introduced into said carburetor.

Inventors: DODRILL JACK R, DODRILL, JACK, R.
Applicants: DODRILL JACK R, DODRILL, JACK, R.
Application year: 1984
Main classification: F02M31
IPC codes: F02B3, F02M31