Patent GB-691993-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for assisting starting of internal combustion engines
IPC: F02N19/04
Filed: 1951-01-26
Abstract: 691,993. Vaporizers; auxiliary air admission. RICARDO & CO. ENGINEERS (1927), Ltd., and ALCOCK, J. F. Oct. 24, 1951 [Jan. 26, 1951], No. 2071/51. Classes 7 (ii) and 7 (iii). In apparatus for heating the gaseous charge supplied to an internal-combustion engine during starting comprising an inlet passage A, Fig. 1, through which the charge passes to the engine and a regenerative heat transfer D' arranged to extend across the passage A so that the charge will flow therethrough, . there is provided a fuel burner, such as a wick C<SP>2</SP> and fuel container C, for heating the device D'. The induction system B of a four-stroke compression-ignition engine opens at the outer end into the passage A through an inlet port A', the lower end of the passage A incorporating the burner C', C<SP>2</SP> whilst combustion air for the burner is supplied through inlet ports A<SP>2</SP>. The device D' consists of a frame carrying, for example, six layers of metal gauze each of 20 mesh of 28 I.W.G. wire. When the engine is to be started the device D' is moved across the inlet passage A and the wick C<SP>2</SP> is lit; after a period of from 30-60 seconds the heated device D<SP>1</SP> is moved to cover the part A' and the engine is cranked in any suitable manner so that the air drawn into the induction system B is heated during passage through the device. The fuel container C may contain sufficient fuel, such as methylated spirits, for one or more starts and in the latter case the burner may either be extinguished artificially or automatically blown but by the induction of air through the passage A when the engine runs. In a modification, a flap valve controlling an auxiliary air inlet in the induction system may be provided, the valve being loaded so as to remain closed during the initial starting period and to automatically open under the increased suction produced when the engine accelerates above a predetermined speed to admit a proportion of unheated air to the induction system B. Under normal running conditions the device D<SP>1</SP> would be positioned either across the inlet passage A or in an intermediate position so as to admit air to the induction system from parts A<SP>2</SP> or the upper end of the passage A without passing through the device; under such conditions the flap valve may be open or closed. In a further modification, the engine is of the two-stroke type and comprises working cylinders E, Fig. 2 having scavenging and charging parts E<SP>3</SP> fed from a duct F supplied with air through a passage F' from pump F<SP>2</SP>, the heat transfer device G being located in the passage F<SP>1</SP>. In operation, the device G is moved into the dotted line position and a burner consisting of air and fuel nozzles H<SP>2</SP>, H<SP>3</SP>, respectively, is lit so that the hot gases are directed through the combustion chamber H' on to the device, which, after a period of 15-30 seconds, is moved into the passage F' and the burner extinguished. The device may comprise refractory material, metal wool or expanded or perforated metal. The metal must be of the heat resisting steel or non- ferrous alloy such as nickel chromium.