Patent GB-190613840-A (GB)
Title: A Method of, and Automatic Electron Ionizer for, Treating Cold Crude Petroleum or any of its Distillates to Obtain an Explosive Mixture for use in Internal Combustion Engines.
Inventor: MARTINI DAN
Filed: 1906-06-16
Granted: 1907-07-16
Abstract: 13,840. Martini, D. June 16. Gas or explosive-vapour engines, carburetting in. Crude petroleum or any of its distillates is transformed by admixture with oxygen or air mixed or not with ozone coupled with treatment by,an electric discharge into an explosive mixture for use in internalcombustion engines. The process consists in ionizing air or oxygen, mixing this with hydrocarbon in the form of spray, and afterwards ionizing the mixture by subjecting it to a silent electric discharge in an apparatus in which it is also expanded. A radioactive force or substance is thus generated in the petroleum, and a decomposition of the molecules of high molecular weight takes place. In the preferred form of apparatus, the air passes through a sparking-chamber a, and is mixed with petroleum which is sprayed into the chamber j. The mixture passes through a spring-controlled valve q, which opens on the suction stroke of the engine, into a second ionizing or cone chamber t, and thence through a passage 10 to the engine. The sparking-chamber a consists of a glass tube containing electrode plates b mounted in insulating frames c, d. The electrodes may be made of aluminium and are provided with sparking-points. Hollow electrodes, either cylindrical or star-shaped in section, may likewise be employed. An additional frictional ionization of the air may also be obtained by providing a chamber filled with copper turnings through which the air is drawn on its way to the sparking - chamber. The petroleum enters the apparatus through a pipe 11 flared at its lower end and fitted with a feed-pin 12 mounted on the valve q. Part of the ionized air is diverted by flanges 14 through openings 13 into the interior of the tube l, and, mixing with the petroleum, issues from perforations in the upper part of the enlargement 16, carrying the oil in the form of mist. The uniform admixture of the spray and the remainder of the ionized air is effected by the spiral flanges s in the chamber j. The passage through the oil pipe 11 may be closed when the engine is not working by means of a mercury valve consisting of a hollow sphere with its upper portion cut away, and actuated by means of wires passing through the tube l. The second or cone chamber t contains two plain or stepped cones u, v so arranged as to result in an eight-fold expansion of the mixture. The position of the lower cone v may be adjusted by rotating the screw-threaded pillar 5. The cone chamber is preferably placed in an outer case, through which a portion of the exhaust gases from the engine cylinder may be diverted. The voltage in both the sparking and cone chambers is not less than 4000 volts. An alternating current is preferably employed, a small dynamo with a transformer being used. The magneto may be arranged for such purpose by putting an interrupter in the primary coil of the transformer used for raising the potential of the current produced by the dynamo.