Abstract:
A method and device for delivering a substance stored in a liquid phase and to be used in a gaseous phase is presented. The device includes an inlet configured attachable to a container with the liquid substance. A nozzle is in communication with the inlet and is thermally insulated from the liquid substance by an insulator which insulating the manifold from the cooling effect of the transition of the substance from a liquid phase to a gaseous phase thereby preventing icing in the nozzle and manifold.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/909,863 filed on Aug. 2, 2004 which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/492,068, filed Aug. 1, 2003. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to methods and devices for enhancing the power of an internal combustion engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and devices that enhance the power of an internal combustion engine through the injection of nitrous oxide into the engine.  
         [0004]     2. Technical Background  
         [0005]     Addition of an oxygen enhancer into internal combustion engines provides large amounts of horsepower by allowing an engine to burn more fuel. One widely used oxygen enhancer is nitrous oxide, which is sometimes referred to as nitrous. Burning more fuel creates more cylinder pressure pushing down on the pistons, which results in more engine power.  
         [0006]     Nitrous oxide (N 2 O) is a colorless, nonflammable gas. When the nitrous oxide is injected into an engine cylinder, the initial combustion within the cylinder creates enough heat to separate the nitrous oxide into its two components, nitrogen and oxygen. Once this separation occurs, the oxygen can then be used to burn more fuel.  
         [0007]     However, the extra oxygen the nitrous oxide provides must have fuel to burn or severe engine damage may occur. As a result, supplemental fuel (also know as enrichment fuel) must be added when nitrous oxide is injected into the engine. When the amount of nitrous oxide and the amount of supplemental fuel is controlled, large amounts of power can be made while minimizing the potential of harm to the engine.  
         [0008]     Because of this property, nitrous oxide has been used for many years to improve the power output of various engines by increasing the amount of oxygen available for combustion with the fuel. In the 1930s and 1940s, British and German engineers used nitrous oxide to boost the power output of airplane engines. This was especially important when flying at high altitudes with inherently low levels of oxygen available to the airplane engines.  
         [0009]     Later, auto enthusiasts adapted the use of nitrous oxide to cars and other vehicles. This provided the vehicle with large boosts in horse power and torque. These boosts in power and torque are particularly important to those seeking quick acceleration. More recently, nitrous oxide has been adapted for use in motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and snowmobiles.  
         [0010]     While nitrous oxide does increase the power of an engine, some limitations exist with the currently available nitrous oxide systems. Because nitrous oxide increases the amount of oxygen available for combustion, additional fuel is required to combust with the increased oxygen. When nitrous oxide is used it must be in a proper proportion with the fuel. If too much nitrous oxide is fed to the engine without adequate fuel, a lean mixture may result. The lean mixture can cause the engine to run too hot or detonate damaging the engine. The excess heat can cause broken gasket seals, premature failure of rings or pistons, or other types of engine damage. Conversely, if too little nitrous oxide is mixed with the fuel, the excess fuel creates a rich condition that can cause the engine to run poorly.  
         [0011]     Other problems with current nitrous oxide injection systems comes from the inherent properties of expanding gases. Systems for injecting nitrous oxide into an engine employ a vessel of compressed nitrous oxide such as a bottle or tank. In its compressed state, nitrous oxide is a liquid. As when other compressed liquids are allowed to expand into a gaseous state, the expansion of nitrous oxide absorbs heat, creating a cooling effect as it expands and transitions from a liquid to a gas. The expanding nitrous oxide can thus create crystals of nitrous oxide ice. This ice can disrupt the flow of the nitrous oxide into the combustion chamber and result in a lean or fuel rich mixture causing the previously mentioned problems with the proper ratio of fuel to nitrous oxide. Moreover, the frozen nitrous oxide does not readily mix with fuel and air.  
         [0012]     Another problem with the available nitrous oxide injection systems is that the systems can only be used at full throttle and high RPMs. At low RPMs, the engine can easily become overcharged with nitrous oxide. An overcharged engine may result in broken pistons or other engine damage. In certain nitrous oxide injection systems, the nitrous oxide is forced through the intake without obstruction into the engine cylinder, potentially overfilling the cylinder with nitrous oxide. If the cylinder is overfilled with nitrous oxide, the engine may have extreme combustion forces, detonate, or overheat. Each of these scenarios can cause severe engine damage.  
         [0013]     Environmental temperatures also cause problems with many present nitrous oxide injection systems. This is especially true with snowmobiles that are run in extremely cold temperatures. Motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles also may have problems when using nitrous oxide systems in cold or extremely hot temperatures. For example, a snow machine may be run at temperatures exceeding minus 30° F. At these extreme low temperatures, the pressure of the nitrous oxide in the vessel is low. This low pressure may result in a reduced quantity of nitrous oxide being injected.  
         [0014]     In other uses such as motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, the nitrous oxide system may be used in hot summer temperatures exceeding 100° F. At these temperatures, the pressure in the vessel may be high, causing an increased injection of nitrous oxide. In these hot and cold extremes, the flow of the nitrous oxide and/or fuel must be frequently adjusted to compensate for the change in pressure. Additional problems with pressure may result when the vessel is full and has a high pressure and when the vessel is near empty and has a low pressure.  
         [0015]     To compensate for these temperature extremes, various devices and methods have been tried. For example, some devices employ a heating or cooling blanket for the nitrous oxide vessel in an attempt to keep the vessel at a constant temperature. Other devices employ expensive computerized systems that attempt to precisely regulate the amount of nitrous oxide flowing from the vessel in a correct ratio with the fuel and RPMs of the engine. Other devices have attempted to vary the fuel to compensate for the change in nitrous oxide pressure. These solutions have proved to be unreliable, overly complex, and costly.  
         [0016]     Accordingly, it would be an advancement in the art to provide a system and method for the injection of nitrous oxide into an internal combustion engine that could compensate fuel delivery for the varying pressures in the vessel of nitrous oxide. It would be a further advancement to provide a device and method that would compensate fuel delivery for the varying nitrous oxide pressures created by extreme environmental temperatures. It would be a further advancement if the system and method were simple and cost efficient. It would be a further advancement if the system did not rely on heating or cooling blankets or computerized injection for fuel or nitrous oxide systems.  
         [0017]     It would be an advancement in the art to provide a device and method that allow for the proper regulation and mixing of nitrous oxide and fuel, thereby preventing and avoiding engine damage. It would be a further advancement to provide a device and method that optimally mixed quantities of nitrous oxide and fuel in each combustion. An additional advancement would be obtained if the device could limit or prevent the buildup of ice crystals of nitrous oxide.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     The present invention relates to methods and devices for increasing the power output of internal combustion engines. Internal combustion engines that may benefit from the increased power created by certain embodiments of the invention include engines installed in motor vehicles including passenger vehicles, recreational vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, jet-skis, airplanes, and the like.  
         [0019]     In one embodiment, a method of increasing the power output of an engine is presented. The method includes the step of injecting a quantity of pressurized nitrous oxide or other oxygen enhancing substance into an air intake of the internal combustion engine. The air intake can be an unfiltered air box or may have a filter. The air intake may also be the an intake for air on intake side of the carburetor or throttle body. In general the air intake is the area from which the engine draws air for combustion with the fuel.  
         [0020]     Prior to the injection, the nitrous oxide is pressurized and in a liquid phase. As the nitrous oxide is injected, it rapidly expands and transitions from the liquid phase to a gaseous phase. The expanding pressurized gas increases the pressure in a localized area adjacent the injection site within the air intake.  
         [0021]     The method may also include sensing the increased amount of nitrous oxide in the air intake. This sensing is followed by increasing the flow of fuel to the internal combustion engine in a proportionate response to the amount of nitrous oxide in the air intake.  
         [0022]     The sensing may occur by capturing a portion of the localized pressure created by the injection. The captured pressure can be delivered to a fuel control device. The pressurized nitrous oxide may exert a pressure on the fuel control device. An increased pressure on the fuel control device can result in an increase in the flow of fuel entering the combustion chamber of the engine.  
         [0023]     Additionally, an electronic sensor may be placed within the air intake adjacent the injection site. Such an electronic sensor can be configured to sense an increase in pressure adjacent to the injection site and signal a fuel control device to provide a corresponding increase in fuel to the engine. Such electronic sensors may directly signal a fuel injection system to inject additional fuel. Other electronic sensors may control the pressure on a carburetor float bowl or exerted by an altitude compensation device.  
         [0024]     In another configuration, the present invention relates to a method for delivering a proportioned quantity of nitrous oxide and fuel to an internal combustion engine. The method may include injecting a quantity of nitrous oxide into an air intake of the internal combustion engine. A portion of the pressurized nitrous oxide that is injected into the air intake may be captured by a pressure port positioned within the air intake. The captured pressurized nitrous oxide exerts a pressure that can be delivered to a fuel control device of the engine. The pressurized nitrous oxide exerts a pressure on the fuel control device causing an increased quantity of fuel, proportionate to the pressure of the nitrous oxide, to enter the internal combustion engine when a throttle is opened.  
         [0025]     The increased amount of fuel is proportionate to the nitrous oxide entering the air intake. As the pressure in the vessel of nitrous oxide drops or increases because of the temperature or volume of the compressed nitrous oxide in the bottle, a corresponding increase or decrease in pressure can be sensed by the fuel control device and an increased or decreased volume of fuel can be released. This method allows for the fuel to be optimally proportionate to the amount of nitrous oxide entering the air-intake and being transferred to the combustion chamber.  
         [0026]     The pressure sensor can be a fuel control device that is configured to increase or decrease the flow of fuel in response to a corresponding increase or decrease of pressure exerted upon it. For example, the fuel control device can be a float bowl of a carburetor. As the pressure exerted by the captured nitrous oxide is applied to the float bowl, an increased flow of fuel to the combustion chamber results. Additionally, the fuel control device can be an altitude compensating device configured to exert a positive or negative pressure on the fuel float bowl and thereby increase or decrease the flow of fuel through the carburetor to the engine. The pressure from the injected nitrous oxide can be applied to the pressure from the altitude compensating device and create an increase to the flow of fuel. In other embodiments, the fuel control device can be a fuel pressure regulator or a electronic pressure sensor or other sensor configured to sense the localized pressure increase from the injected nitrous oxide.  
         [0027]     In certain embodiments, the nitrous oxide can be injected into the air intake portion of the engine through apertures in a nozzle constructed from a thermally insulating material. The method of the present invention may also be practiced with a device with a plurality of apertures in a nozzle constructed from a thermally insulating material. The thermally insulating material insulates the device and the liquid nitrous oxide from the cooling effects of the expansion and phase change of the injected nitrous oxide that limits the formation and buildup of ice crystals, including nitrous oxide ice or ice due to condensation.  
         [0028]     In another aspect of the invention, a manifold for delivering nitrous oxide to an air intake of an internal combustion engine is presented. The manifold can have a nitrous oxide inlet configured to be attached to a vessel of nitrous oxide. The inlet allows the flow of nitrous oxide from the vessel into the manifold. A first nozzle is positioned within the manifold so that it is connected to a nitrous oxide inlet. The nozzle may have one or more aperture. These apertures are configured to receive the pressurized nitrous oxide from the nitrous oxide inlet and spray the pressurized nitrous oxide into the air intake of the engine.  
         [0029]     The pressurized nitrous oxide is stored in a liquid phase in the bottle. The liquid form of the nitrous oxide is maintained as the nitrous oxide flows to the manifold and into the nitrous oxide inlets. However, as the nitrous oxide is sprayed though apertures in the nozzle, its rapid expansion causes a phase change from liquid nitrous oxide to gaseous nitrous oxide. The injection and expansion of the nitrous oxide within the air intake of the engine exerts a positive pressure on the nitrous oxide vapor and the air in the air intake creating a localized area of high pressure adjacent to the injection site.  
         [0030]     A pressure port can be positioned at a distance from the nozzle and be configured to receive and capture pressure exerted by the pressurized nitrous oxide vapor. This pressure can be transmitted through the pressure port to a pressure conduit and to a fuel control device. This transmission exerts a pressure or force on the fuel control device. The fuel control device may, thus, allow for a greater flow of fuel to the combustion chambers of the engine. The increased fuel may be proportionate to the pressure of the nitrous oxide captured by the pressure ports which is ultimately derived and proportionate to the pressure in the vessel. In certain embodiments, two or more pressure ports may be used to capture a portion of the pressure. These two or more pressure ports may use a single or two or more pressure conduits to transfer the pressure from the ports to the fuel control device. In certain embodiments, the device and method may be adapted to be used with multiple fuel control devices.  
         [0031]     The fuel control device can be any device that can sense a change in pressure or that can regulate the flow of fuel in response to a signal from a sensor. However, in general, the fuel control device is a device that regulates and allows for the flow of fuel to the engine. In certain embodiments, the fuel control device can be a fuel float bowl of a carburetor, a fuel pressure regulator, and an altitude compensating device.  
         [0032]     It will be appreciated that the manifold may have one or more nozzles configured to spray the pressurized nitrous oxide into the air intake of the engine. Accordingly in certain embodiments, the manifold has a second nozzle in fluid communication with a nitrous oxide inlet. This second nozzle is also configured to spray pressurized nitrous oxide into the air intake through one or more apertures. In other embodiments, the manifold may have three or more nozzles, each in fluid communication with a nitrous oxide inlet and configured to spray pressurized nitrous oxide into the air intake.  
         [0033]     The nozzles may have one or more outlets or apertures through which the nitrous oxide is injected. The number of the apertures directly correspond to the power boost provided by a nitrous oxide system. Thus, the number and combination of apertures may be varied depending on the desired power increase. In general, more apertures create a larger increase in power of the engine. Thus, in order to obtain the desired power increase, a first nozzle may have a number of nitrous oxide outlet apertures that is greater than or less than the number of nitrous oxide outlet apertures of another nozzle in the same manifold. In other embodiments, the number of nitrous oxide outlet apertures in each nozzle are equal within a given manifold.  
         [0034]     A target plate may be provided, distally positioned from the one or more nitrous oxide outlet apertures of the nozzles. The target plate is configured to intercept the spray of nitrous oxide and to direct and/or concentrate a portion of the nitrous oxide spray into the pressure ports.  
         [0035]     The manifold may also have a bleeder valve or other means for reducing the pressure exerted on the fuel control device. A bleeder valve may be provided in fluid communication with the pressure conduit. If it is desired that the pressure on the fuel control device be reduced, the valve may be opened releasing a portion of flow of the captured pressurized nitrous oxide. Otherwise the valve may be closed and the full amount of pressure transferred to the fuel control device.  
         [0036]     The nozzle and other elements of the manifold may be constructed from a thermally insulating material. Such materials may be selected for the ability to reduce ice buildup on the manifold caused by the rapidly expanding pressurized nitrous oxide. Such thermally insulating materials include plastic, fiberglass, wood, cellulose, rubber, ceramic, carbon fiber, and a combination thereof.  
         [0037]     In certain configurations, the apertures in the nozzles can be formed with a larger opening proximate to the nitrous oxide inlet and with a reduced or tapered opening proximate to the air intake. In this manner, the nitrous oxide remains in its compressed, liquid phase until it exits the reduced portion of the aperture and is injected into the air intake.  
         [0038]     In yet another embodiment, the present invention can relate to devices and methods for transiting a substance stored as a liquid to a gas. Thus a manifold may be configured to deliver a quantity of material stored in a liquid phase and to be used in an area. Such areas may be the air intake of a engine as described above or another area where the substance is to be used as a gas. The manifold may have an inlet configured to be attached to a source of the compressed substance. A nozzle can be connected to the inlet and be in fluid communication with the inlet. The nozzle can be configured to spray the compressed substance into the area of use. The area of use may have a temperature and pressure sufficient to transition the compressed substance from a liquid phase to a gaseous phase. A thermal insulator can be provided to insulate the manifold from the cooling effect of the transition of the substance from a liquid phase to a gaseous phase. Such thermal insulators can be plastics, fiberglass, wood, cellulose, carbon fiber, ceramic, rubber, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the nozzle may be constructed of a thermally insulating material thereby insulating the manifold from the cooling effect of the transitioning, expanding substance. The invention may also relate to methods of injecting a substance stored in a liquid phase and to be used in a gaseous phase through a manifold configured to be insulated from the cooling of the transition of the substance. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0039]     A more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. These drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not, therefore, to be considered to be limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.  
         [0040]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a nitrous oxide injection system according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0041]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a manifold for injecting nitrous oxide into an internal combustion engine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0042]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a manifold for injecting nitrous oxide into an internal combustion engine.  
         [0043]      FIG. 4  is a cutaway view of a base of a manifold of the present invention showing various channels and conduits inside the base of the manifold.  
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is an additional cutaway view of the base of  FIG. 4  illustrating other channels and conduits within the base.  
         [0045]      FIG. 6  is top plan view of a manifold of the present invention.  
         [0046]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a manifold in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0047]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a manifold in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0048]     The presently preferred embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method of the present invention, as represented in  FIGS. 1 through 8 , is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of presently preferred embodiments of the invention.  
         [0049]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a schematic diagram is presented illustrating a nitrous oxide injection system  10  in conjunction with a method of the present invention. A further understanding of the system and method of the present invention may be made by additional reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3  for context of the described invention. The system  10  can be used to enhance the power output of an internal combustion engine  16 . The system  10  employs a manifold  20  for injecting a compressed oxygen enhancer such as nitrous oxide  34  into the air intake  12  of an engine  10 . The nitrous oxide  34  can be stored prior to injection in a compressed, liquid state in vessel  18  such as a bottle or tank.  
         [0050]     The methods of the present invention can include the step of transmitting a quantity of a compressed nitrous oxide from a vessel  18  to the nitrous oxide manifold  20 . The transmitting may occur by opening a valve  26  and releasing the stored nitrous oxide  34  into transmission lines  24 . The valve  26  may be a manually operated mechanical valve or a valve that is operated by electric means such as a solenoid.  
         [0051]     In certain embodiments the device may also include a remotely operable valve  82 . The remotely operable valve  82  can employ a switch or button  80  that is attached near the throttle, ignition, or other controls of a vehicle in which the nitrous oxide injection system  10  is installed. The remotely operable valve  82  can thus be used to activate the nitrous oxide injection system  10 . The remotely operable valve  82  can be opened for short periods of time such as when a power burst is required for rapid acceleration. In certain embodiments, the remotely operable valve  82  is a solenoid or other electronic device. Additionally, the remotely operable valve  82  can be a mechanical valve.  
         [0052]     When the nitrous oxide is stored in the vessel and transmitted to the manifold  20  through a transmission line  24 , the nitrous oxide is in a compressed, liquid phase. After the valve  82  is opened and the liquid nitrous oxide flows and transmitted from the vessel  18  to the manifold  20 . Next, the method includes injecting a quantity of the compressed, liquid nitrous oxide  34  into the air intake  12  of an internal combustion engine  16 .  
         [0053]     As the liquid nitrous oxide is injected through nozzles  22  of the manifold, it expands rapidly in the lower pressure of the air intake and rapidly transitions from its liquid form to a vapor  34 . Within the air intake  12 , the vaporous nitrous oxide  34  can mix with the air drawn into the air intake  12 . This mixture of air and vaporous nitrous oxide  34  and air can be transferred to the carburetor  14  or combustion chamber of the engine  16  where it is mixed with fuel from the fuel tank  13 . The injection takes place as the compressed nitrous oxide is forced through apertures  21  in nozzles  22  or other injection devices of the manifold  20 .  
         [0054]     A portion  46  of the nitrous oxide vapor  34  and air can be captured within ports  30  distally positioned from the apertures or nozzles  22 . Because of the positive pressure in the vessel  18 , the nitrous oxide vapor  34  adjacent to the injection site is also pressurized above the normal pressure of the intake. This increased pressure can be captured in pressure ports  30  and transferred through conduits  37 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62  in the manifold  20 . These conduits deliver the pressurized, captured nitrous oxide and air mixture  46  and associated pressure through pressure conduit lines  38  to a fuel control device  15  of the engine  16 . The captured pressurized gas mixture  38  exerts pressure on the fuel control device  15  causing an increased quantity of fuel to be released from the fuel tank  13  and to enter the engine  16  through a fuel line  17 .  
         [0055]     The fuel control device  15  may be any device configured to release a quantity of fuel from the tank to the engine  16 , or that is configured to regulate the entry of fuel into the combustion chambers of the engine  16 . Such devices can be a carburetor  14 , a float bowl of a carburetor  15 , an altitude compensating device, a fuel pressure regulator, or the like. When the fuel control device includes the float bowl  15  of a carburetor  14 , the pressure can be applied directly to the float bowl  15  though lines  38 .  
         [0056]     In an engine without the nitrous oxide injection system  10  of the present invention, the float bowl is vented to the atmosphere, to the air intake, or to an altitude compensating device. This venting creates a pressure differential between the float bowl and the venturi as air flows through the carburetor  15  to the combustion chamber of the engine. The pressure differential causes the fuel to be drawn through the carburetor to the engine.  
         [0057]     In one configuration of the invention, the carburetor is vented to the pressure conduits  38 . In this manner, the increased pressure caused by the injection of the nitrous oxide into the air intake  12  is captured by the ports  30  in the manifold and delivered to the float bowl  15 . The increase of pressure on the float bowl  15  increases the pressure differential between the float bowl and the venturi causing an increased flow of fuel proportionate to the pressure resulting from the nitrous oxide injection.  
         [0058]     Because the pressurized gas  46  captured in the ports  30  is derived from the pressure in the vessel  18  of nitrous oxide, the pressure exerted on the fuel control device  15  is directly proportionate to the pressure in the vessel  18 . When the pressure in the vessel  18  is high, a relatively high flow of nitrous oxide is delivered into the air intake  12 . When the pressure in the vessel  18  is low, a relatively low flow of nitrous oxide is delivered into the air intake  12 .  
         [0059]     When the pressure of the captured gas  46  is comparatively higher because of a high pressure in the vessel  18 , the pressure exerted on the fuel control device  15  is also relatively high causing an increased flow of fuel into the carburetor  14  and ultimately to the engine  16 . When the pressure of the captured gas  46  is lower because of low pressure in the vessel  18 , the pressure exerted on the fuel control device  15  is also relatively low causing a decreased flow of fuel into the carburetor  14  and ultimately to the engine  16 . This changing pressure exerted on the float bowl  15  allows the system to accommodate fuel flow for the changing pressure and volume of nitrous oxide  34  being injected into the air intake  12  and keeps the nitrous oxide and fuel mixed at optimal ratios.  
         [0060]     In certain embodiments, the vessel of nitrous oxide  18  includes a series of interchangeable bottles of pressurized nitrous oxide. The vessel  18  can be coupled to one or more delivery lines  24  that transport the compressed nitrous oxide from the vessel  18  to the manifold  20 . The vessel  18  or lines  24  may have a valve  26  that can be closed when the vessel  18  requires replacement or refilling. When this valve  26  is opened, nitrous oxide is released from the vessel  18  and flows into the delivery lines. A second valve  82  can also be placed inline with the vessel  18  or lines  24 . This valve  82  can be remotely operable and configured to release the flow of liquid nitrous oxide to the manifold  20 .  
         [0061]     The pressurized liquid nitrous oxide travels through the delivery lines  24  to the inlets  27  of the manifold  20 . The pressurized nitrous oxide is then sprayed into the air intake  12  of the engine through one or more nozzles  22 . As the pressurized nitrous oxide expands in the air intake  12 , it rapidly changes from a liquid to a vapor and disperses throughout the air intake  12 . The nitrous oxide vapor  34  mixes with air within the air intake  12 . This mixture of air and nitrous oxide can then flow to the carburetor  14  where it mixes with fuel. The fuel, air, and nitrous oxide mixture is in turn supplied to the engine  16  where the nitrous oxide breaks down into its component elements, nitrogen and oxygen, and combusts with the fuel and air adding additional power to the engine  16 .  
         [0062]     A portion of the nitrous oxide  34  may strike the target plate  32  and be captured, along with some air, in pressure ports  30 . The captured mixture  46  of nitrous oxide and air exerts a pressure that can be transferred through a series of conduits  37 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62  in the manifold  20  to pressure conduit lines  38  and ultimately to a fuel control device  15  such as the float bowl of the carburetor  14 . Exerting this pressure on the float bowl causes additional fuel to flow through the carburetor jets.  
         [0063]     While the target plate  32  may be placed at any distance from the nozzle  22 , optimal performance of the manifold may be accomplished when the target plate  32  is sufficiently distant to limit the formation of nitrous oxide ice on the plate  32 . Thus, in certain configurations where apertures  21  are relatively large, the target plate  32  should be positioned further away from the nozzles  22  than in configurations where the apertures  22  are relatively small. Additionally, the further the target plate  32  is positioned from the nozzle  22 , the lower the pressure sensed or captured by pressure ports  30 . Thus it is anticipated that the pressure captured by the ports  30  may be adjusted in certain configurations by providing a target plate  32  that can be positioned at various distances from the nozzle  22 .  
         [0064]     When the pressure within the nitrous oxide vessel  18  is high, the pressure captured in the pressure ports  30  and exerted on the float bowl  15  is relatively high causing a correspondingly higher flow of fuel through the carburetor jets. Conversely, when the pressure within the nitrous oxide vessel  18  is low, the pressure captured in the pressure ports  30  and exerted on the float bowl  15  is relatively lower causing a corresponding reduced flow of fuel from the fuel tank  13  into the engine as compared when the pressure in the vessel  18  is high.  
         [0065]     This system  10  ensures that the incoming airflow into the carburetor is properly coordinated with the quantity of fuel so as to prevent improper fuel, air and nitrous oxide mixing. In the case of an electronic fuel injection system (EFI), the nitrous oxide may be injected into the air intake device  12 . In a system that uses an air box without an air filter, such as a snowmobile, the manifold  10  can be mounted directly to the air box  12 . If an air filter is used, the nitrous oxide manifold can be mounted directly to the filter so that nothing obstructs the flow of nitrous oxide to the carburetor  14 .  
         [0066]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3  with continued reference to  FIG. 1 , a manifold for injecting nitrous oxide into the air intake is presented.  FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of a manifold  20  in conjunction with the system and method of the invention as presented.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the assembled manifold of  FIG. 2  showing the flow of nitrous oxide within the manifold  20  and air intake  12 . It will be appreciated that the various manifolds described herein can be constructed in other manners and with other components without departing from the scope of the present invention. The manifolds described herein are only illustrative of the various manifolds that can be used with the system and method of the present invention.  
         [0067]     In general, the manifold  20  of  FIG. 2  has a base  48  that is configured to house and be connected to various channels and conduits. In the illustrated embodiment, the base  48  is constructed from a piece of machined metal. Various metals can be used with the present invention and can be selected for cost, ease of machining, weight, resistance to corrosion, and other properties that will be apparent to those of skill in the art. For example, in certain embodiments the base  48  may be constructed from aluminum, tin, steel, stainless steel, zinc, copper, brass, and other metals and alloys. In certain embodiments, aluminum is used because of its low cost, resistance to corrosion, and ease of machining. In other embodiments, the base  48  may be constructed of plastic, wood, fiberglass or other material in which channels can be machined or molded.  
         [0068]     The base  48  includes means for transmitting the nitrous oxide from the vessel  18  to the air intake  12 . Inlet fittings  28  connect the delivery lines  24  to the manifold  48 . The inlet fittings  28  can be the screw type fittings shown in the illustrated embodiment or fittings  28  that are glued, welded, soldered, or otherwise attached to the base  48  or may be integral parts of a molded or machined base  48 .  
         [0069]     The inlet fittings  28  transmit the nitrous oxide into inlet channels  27  in the base. The inlet channels  27  can have apertures  71  that run from a surface  76  of the base  48  to the channels  27 . These apertures  71  release the nitrous oxide into the wells  70  extending distally away from the surface  76 .  
         [0070]     Nozzles  22  can be fitted within the wells  70  and configured to direct a spray of the compressed nitrous oxide into the air intake. In the illustrated embodiment, the nozzles  22  are threaded and configured to be screwed onto corresponding threads in the wells  70 . However it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the nozzles  22  could be secured to the wells  70  by other means such as a friction fitting, mechanical fasteners, and adhesives. Additionally, the nozzles  22  could be made as integral parts of the base  48  or extension arm  50 .  
         [0071]     To ensure a tight seal of the nozzles  22  within the wells  70 , gaskets  23  can be inserted into the wells  70  prior to the installation of the nozzles  22 .  
         [0072]     The nozzles  22  can be configured to minimize the potential for nitrous oxide ice buildup. To minimize frosting, icing, or the formation of ice crystal on the manifold  20  or within the air intake  12 , the nozzles  22  may be constructed of a thermally insulating material. Thus in many embodiments, the nozzles  22  are made from molded or machined plastic. Other materials that may be used for the nozzles  22  include rubber, wood, fiberglass, and other manmade and naturally occurring materials that do not readily conduct heat and provide thermal insulation.  
         [0073]     Small apertures  21  in the nozzles serve as nitrous oxide outlets though which the nitrous oxide is sprayed into the air intake  12 . The apertures  21  in the nozzles can also be configured to minimize the formation of ice within the air intake  12  or on the manifold  20 . A number of small apertures  21  in the nozzles can reduce the formation of ice as compared to a single large aperture of equal volume. Additionally, the apertures  21  can be constructed with a larger opening  84  on the side of the nozzle  22  inserted into the well  70  and a smaller opening  82  on the side of the nozzle  22  adjacent the air intake  12 . This restriction of the aperture  21  from a larger opening  82  to a smaller opening  84  at a point just before the nitrous oxide is injected into the air intake  12  ensures that the nitrous oxide does not change phases from a liquid to a gas until the nitrous oxide is injected into the air intake  12 .  
         [0074]     In an embodiment such as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  where there are two or more nozzles, the nozzles  22  may each have an equal or unequal number of apertures  21 . Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, a first nozzle  22  has three apertures  21  while a second nozzle  22  has four apertures  22 . In other embodiments the number of the apertures  21  in each nozzle  22  is equal.  
         [0075]     The number and size of the apertures  21  can be varied to change the power increase provided by the nitrous oxide injection system  10 . In one present embodiment, the system  10  is configured such that each aperture in a nozzle  22  corresponds to approximately 5 horse power increase in the engines output. Thus, if a 40 horse power increase is desired, two nozzles  22  may each be provided with four apertures  21 . If however, a lesser or greater increase in power is desired, the nozzles may be exchanged for other nozzles that in combination present the desired number of apertures.  
         [0076]     The manifold also includes an arm  50  that extends distally away from the base  48 . The arm  50  includes one or more pressure ports  30  positioned at a distance from the nozzles  22 . The pressure ports  30  can be positioned adjacent to a target plate  32  that deflects and scatters the nitrous oxide  34  as it strikes the underside  33  of the plate  32 . The arm  50  can also have a foot  51  and stem made up of a wide body portion  54 , narrow neck  52 , and a target plate  32 . In certain embodiments the entire arm  50  is constructed from a solid piece of plastic or other thermally insulating material. In the illustrated embodiment, the foot  51  and the stem  36  are constructed from separate pieces and joined by a bolt  49  inserted through the foot  51  and fastened in the body  54 . In yet other embodiments, the foot  51  can be joined to the rest of the arm  50  by any number of mechanical means known in the art.  
         [0077]     As the nitrous oxide  34  strikes the plate  32 , a portion of the nitrous oxide is deflected into and captured by pressure ports  30  formed in the neck  52 . The pressure ports  30  are effectively conduits that direct a portion of the pressurized nitrous oxide to the hollow core  37  of the stem  36 . The hollow core  37  may be formed in the stem  36  by machining or molding techniques known in the art.  
         [0078]     The bolt  56 , as shown in the illustrated embodiment, serves multiple purposes: fastening the base  48  to the arm  50 , transmitting the captured, pressurized gas from the stem  36  to the base, and securing the manifold to the air intake  12  of the engine  16 . The hollow core  37  of the stem  36  transmits the pressurized gas  34  down the stem and to the hollow core  58  of the bolt  56  inserted into body  54  of the stem. Outlets  60  near the head  61  of the bolt  56  allow the gas to pass from the bolt to pressure outlets  62 . Fittings  64  inserted in the outlets  62  can be attached to pressure conduit lines  38  and transmit the captured gas and pressure to the float bowl  15 .  
         [0079]     The bolt  56  can also be configured to secure the manifold to the wall  68  of the air intake  12 . This system allows for the ready installation and ease of adapting the present system to any engine with an air intake such as an air box or filter. For the installation of the illustrated embodiment, three holes are cut or drilled into the wall  68  of the air intake  12 . These holes are cut and spaced to accommodate the outer diameter of the wells  70  and the bolt  56 . Thus, the wells  70  of the base  48  can be inserted into the corresponding holes cut into the wall  68 . The base  48  is generally positioned on the exterior of the wall  68  with the wells  70  spanning the wall and the nozzles  22  and arm  50  positioned in the interior of the air intake. The arm  50  is positioned on the interior of the air intake with the holes  53  in the foot  51  positioned over the wells  70 . The bolt  56  is inserted into the hole  72  in the base  48 , through the third hole in the wall  68 , and tightened in the body  54  of the arm  50 . Gaskets  73 ,  74  are placed onto the bolt  56  or into a groove (not shown) within the hole  72  to create a tight seal.  
         [0080]     In certain uses and embodiments of the system  10 , it may be found that too much pressure is being exerted on the fuel control device  15 , and thus the fuel and nitrous oxide are mixing in undesired proportions. The manifold thus may include bleeder valves  40  that are configured to release a portion of the captured pressure exerting gas into the environment or air intake. In certain configurations bleeder fittings (not shown) can be inserted into the bleeder passageways  41  and enable the nitrous oxide to be recycled back into the air intake though bleeder lines (not shown) or released into the environment. The bleeder valves  40  can be regulated by bleeder screws  42  inserted into a bifurcated passageway  41 ,  43  in the base  48 . As the screws  42  are tightened into a portion of the bifurcated passageway  43 , the valves  40  are closed directing all of the captured gas into outlets  62 . However, when the screws  42  are released, the valve is opened releasing a portion of the captured gas out passage way  41  and reducing the pressure exerted on the fuel control device.  
         [0081]     Referring now to  FIG. 4  with continued reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , a cutaway view of a manifold of the present invention is presented. In the view of  FIG. 4 , the interaction of the bleeder valves  40  and pressure outlets  62  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 3  are shown. A bleeder valve  40  has a first channel  41  formed in the base  40  parallel to pressure outlet channel  66 . A second bleeder channel  43  is formed at an angle to and intersects the first channel  41  and the outlet channel  66 . A bleeder screw  42  can be inserted into the second channel  43 . As the screw  42  is tightened and inserted deeper into the channel  43 , the screw  42  closes the bleeder channel  41  and closes the hole made in the wall of the outlet channel  66  by the screw channel  43 . With the valve  40  in this closed configuration, all pressure captured and transmitted to the bolt  56  flows from its hollow core  58  out the holes  60  and into the outlet channels  66 . From there the pressure flows though the fittings  60  and ultimately to the fuel control device  15 . When the screw  42  is loosened, the bleeder channel  41  is opened allowing for a portion of the pressure to be released and lessening the pressure exerted on the fuel control device  15 .  
         [0082]     In certain configurations two types of bleeder screws  42  may be used to provide for either coarse or fine adjustment of the pressure. One example of a screw  42  configured for fine adjustment is shown as  42   a . This screw has a less taper that that allows for greater range of adjustment by allowing a very small volume of gas to flow with each rotation of the screw  42   a . A coarse adjustment screw  42   b  can have a pointed, tip with a greater taper allowing for a larger flow from the passageway  60  into the bleeder valve  40  with the same adjustment of the screw  42   b . Fittings  62  can be inserted into the passageways  60  and configured to transmit the captured air and nitrous oxide  46  to the fuel control device  15 .  
         [0083]     Referring now to  FIG. 5  with continued reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , an additional cutaway view of the base  48  of the manifold  20  is shown. In this embodiment, inlet fitting  28  is shown inserted into an inlet channel  27  formed in the base  48 . The fittings  28  are configured to connect the base  48  of the manifold  20  to the vessel  18  of nitrous oxide through lines  24 . The fitting  28  is inserted into the channel  27  where it releases nitrous oxide. Apertures or conduits  71  are formed within the base and run from the wells  70  to the inlet channels  27 . These conduits  71  are generally perpendicular to the plane of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0084]     A plug  29  is inserted into one of the two inlet channels  27 . When a manifold  20  is installed, inlet lines  24  may interfere with or be blocked by other parts of the vehicle or engine. Thus, the manifold  20  is configured with two inlet channels  27  on opposite ends of the manifold  20 . If one channel  27  is obstructed, then a plug  29  can be inserted into the blocked channel  27  and an inlet fitting inserted into the accessible channel  27 . Communication channels  86  can be configured to extend beyond the inlet channels  27  and allow for the flow of the liquid nitrous oxide into both conduits  71  and to the nozzles  22 .  
         [0085]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a top plan view of a manifold  20  in conjunction with the present invention is shown. The target plate  32  is shown elevated above the base  48  and its nozzles  22 . Each nozzle is shown with a plurality of apertures  21  for spraying nitrous oxide into the air intake  12 . The conduits  71  are show in phantom and deliver the nitrous oxide from the inlets  28  to the nozzles  22 . The conduits  71  can be machined or otherwise formed to run from the base of the wells  70  to the inlet channels  27 .  
         [0086]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an alternative embodiment of a manifold  120  in conjunction with the method and apparatus of the invention is presented. The manifold  120  has a base  148  and an arm  150 . The base is illustrated with an inlet line  124  attached to an inlet fitting  128  and configured to deliver liquid nitrous oxide to the manifold  120 .  
         [0087]     Like the embodiment illustrated above, the arm  150  has a body  154  and a neck  152 . The arm  150  further has a target plate  132  and a foot  151 . However, in this embodiment, the foot  151  and the stem  136  are constructed from a single piece of thermally insulating material. This configuration requires fewer pieces and may increase the ease of assembly. Moreover, the nozzles  122  and nitrous oxide outlet apertures  121  are integrated parts of the arm  150  further reducing the pieces required for assembly. As with the previously described embodiments, the manifold  120  receives compressed nitrous oxide through transmission lines  124  which is sprayed through the integrated nozzles  122  and apertures  121 . A plug  129  may be inserted into one of the inlets  127  allowing the manifold  120  to be installed in many orientations in a vehicle. The sprayed nitrous oxide  134  hits the underside  133  of the target plate and is disbursed into the air intake. A portion of that pressurized gas is captured by the pressure ports  130  positioned in the neck  152  of the stem  136 . The stem  136  has a hollow core  137  that transmits the pressure through to the hollow bolt  156 , and into the pressure outlets  162 . Additionally, bleeder valves  140  can operate to release any portion of the captured pressure and reduce the pressure exerted on the fuel control device.  
         [0088]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an additional embodiment of a manifold in conjunction with the present method and system is designated as  220 . The manifold  220  has a base  248  wherein a single well  270  is presented. The single well  270  is configured to accommodate a nozzle  22  with a plurality of outlet apertures  221 .  
         [0089]     The base  248  also has an nitrous oxide inlet  228  which can receive nitrous oxide from a vessel or other source of pressurized oxygen enhancer. The nitrous oxide is then sprayed through the outlet apertures  221  and into the air box. The target plate  232  positioned on the neck  252  of the arm  250  deflects a portion of the gas into the port  230  and the remainder of the gas into the air intake to mix with air. The captured pressurized gas exerts a pressure that can be transferred through the hollow stem  236  of the arm  250  to the base where it is delivered to the fuel control device via pressure outlets  262 , fittings  264 , and transmission lines.  
         [0090]     In the illustrated embodiment a single port  230  is provided in the arm  250 . The arm  250  has a foot  251  and a stem  236  constructed from separate parts. However, it is anticipated that the entire arm  250  can be constructed from a single piece. The foot  251  can be constructed from aluminum or other materials selected for cost, strength, and weight. However, it will be appreciated that the arm  250 , including the foot  251  and the stem  236 , could be constructed from a single piece of a polymeric or thermally insulating material. Likewise, the nozzle  222  is constructed from a polymeric or other thermally insulating material and secured within the well  270 . However it is anticipated that the nozzle  222  and outlet apertures  221  could be an integrated part of the arm as in the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . A hollow bolt  256  can be used to join the base  248  to the arm  250  and to deliver the captured gas from the stem  236  to the outlet  262 .