Abstract:
A nitrous oxide or fuel control valve ( 26 ) having flow control of nitrous oxide, fuel or other media from a fluid-delivery aperture ( 7 ) into a injection nozzle ( 22 ) of an intake manifold of an engine by actuation of an actuation piston ( 14 ) that is actuated with gas pressure. It can be structured for low-weight, short-term needs for racing and other sports uses or for heavier long-term needs of engines.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to nitrous oxide injection systems, more particularly, to a valve which controls the introduction of nitrous oxide, fuel or any other medium to an injection nozzle prior to injection into a manifold of an internal-combustion engine for enhancing effective pressure of subsequent combustion of the engine for racing and other enhanced-power uses. 
         [0002]    Nitrous-oxide injector systems for enhancing power of internal-combustion engines are well known. None, however, are known to provide the introduction and control of nitrous oxide or fuel with an actuator valve operated by a compressed medium applying force to a piston in a cylinder to open the plunger stem of the nitrous oxide or fuel circuit in a manner taught by this invention. 
         [0003]    Related but different prior art is known to include the following: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Patent Number 
                 Inventor 
                 Issue/Publication Date 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,443 
                 Mills 
                 Dec. 19, 2006 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 7,228,872 
                 Mills 
                 Jun. 12, 2007 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 3,592,357 
                 Welch 
                 Jul. 13, 1971 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,843 
                 Norcia et al. 
                 Aug. 4, 1987 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,340 
                 Elliott 
                 Sep. 11, 1990 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,898 
                 Elliott 
                 Nov. 12, 1991 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,234 
                 White et al. 
                 Aug. 15, 1995 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. Re. 35,101 
                 Kelly 
                 Nov. 28, 1995 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,996 
                 DeLuca 
                 Feb. 16, 1999 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,862 
                 Touchette et al. 
                 Jun. 13, 2000 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,225 
                 Thomas et al. 
                 Sep. 12, 2000 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,709 
                 Evert et al. 
                 Feb. 26, 2002 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,165 B1 
                 Steele 
                 Feb. 18, 2003 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,688 B1 
                 Chestnut 
                 Feb. 17, 2004 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Objects of patentable novelty and utility taught by this invention are to provide a nitrous oxide or fuel control valve which: 
         [0005]    requires less space when installed in a nitrous oxide system; 
         [0006]    has less weight; 
         [0007]    is easy to install; 
         [0008]    can be retrofit in existing nitrous oxide systems; 
         [0009]    reduces assembly time; 
         [0010]    has higher flow rates; 
         [0011]    uses less electricity; 
         [0012]    can control the flow of a liquid or gaseous fluid; 
         [0013]    can be repaired or replaced rapidly, easily and accurately; 
         [0014]    can be powered with low-weight and simple power systems; and 
         [0015]    can be directly interchangeable with electric solenoid valves of conventional nitrous oxide systems. 
         [0016]    This invention accomplishes these and other objectives with a nitrous oxide or fuel control valve having both a flow circuit from a valve with an actuation piston that is actuated with gas pressure from a low-weight actuation-pressure container controlled by a small electrical solenoid valve of low power consumption and low weight and capable of activating one or more nitrous oxide or fuel control valves taught by the present invention. The nitrous oxide is supplied by a low-weight pre-pressured first fluid container while the fuel is supplied by a mechanized pump or an electrical pump. 
         [0017]    A plunger stem for the flow circuit is actuated with gas pressure to a pneumatic piston. The oxidizer or fuel are both under pressure for controlled release into the injection nozzle(s) by opening of valves for the separate circuits at the same time. 
         [0018]    Prior art nitrous oxide injection systems employ a first separate, heavy and high-current consumption solenoid valve controlling the flow of the oxidizer and a second separate, heavy and high-current solenoid valve for injection of fuel into a mixing nozzle for injection into an intake manifold of an engine. Also, prior art nitrous oxide injection systems utilizing electronic fuel injection to introduce fuel into the engine&#39;s induction system and employ a first separate, heavy and high-current consumption solenoid valve to control the flow of the oxidizer to the injection nozzle(s). Accordingly, in proportion to increased engine power achieved by oxidizer injection systems, the combined weight of present systems is approximately two to three times greater and electrical-current consumption can be as much as one-hundred times greater than with this invention. 
         [0019]    This invention eliminates the heavy and high current draw solenoid and lifts the plunger stem with a piston. The piston can provide much more lifting power than an electric solenoid, allowing a larger orifice and larger plunger stem to be employed, providing higher flow rates. The larger the orifice and plunger stem, the more area it displaces. The pressure of the medium being controlled can exceed 1,250 psi. This pressure is applied to the total area of the orifice so that the larger the orifice, and therefore the larger the area, the more force required to lift the plunger stem off of the orifice. A piston can provide very high lift force in a compact, lightweight package and not draw any electrical amperage. 
         [0020]    Additionally, this invention incorporates an inlet circuit arrangement to provide high flow with reduced flow restrictions. Current nitrous oxide or fuel valves connect the inlet port to the orifice and plunger stem chamber that lies above the inlet port with straight or angled passages. As described hereafter in more detail, this invention places inlet port in alignment with chamber and an oval slot, round hole or other shaped-aperture completes the passage. The plunger stem lifts slightly above the top of the slot, providing unimpeded flow and eliminates a 90 degree (or less) turn (bend) and directs the flow directly into the orifice/plunger stem chamber. 
         [0021]    Moreover, this invention may incorporate a built-in distribution block that distributes the nitrous oxide, fuel or other medium to nozzles via tubing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    This invention is described by appended claims in relation to description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the following drawings which are explained briefly as follows: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a partially cutaway side view of the control valve of the present; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is an exterior rear perspective view of the control valve of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the control valve of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is an exterior rear perspective view of the control valve of the present invention having a built-in distribution block; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of another plunger stem to actuator piston attachment means; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of the actuator piston of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0029]    A description of the preferred embodiment of this invention follows a list of numbered terms which designate its features with the same numbers on the drawings and in parentheses throughout the description and throughout the patent claims.
         1 . fluid-supply aperture housing     2 . valve housing     3 . inlet aperture     4 . fluid-supply aperture     5 . valve aperture     6 . outlet aperture     7 . fluid-delivery aperture     8 . valve     9 . plunger stem     10 . injection activator     11 . orifice seat     12 . expansion-pressure spring     13 . cartridge assembly     14 . actuator piston     15 . actuator cylinder     16 . actuation-fluid inlet     17 . vent     18 . distribution block     19 . fluid-supply conveyance     20 . fluid container     21 . fluid-injection conveyance     22 . injection nozzle     23 . actuation-fluid conveyance     24 . actuation-pressure source     25 . actuation on/off valve     26 . control valve     27 . self-adjustment space     28 . distribution port     29 . cylinder housing     30 . cap screws     31 . O-ring     32 . isolator bushing     33 . actuator piston threads     34 . jam nut     35 . plunger stem threads     36 . attachment means     37 . cylinder housing vent slot     38 . isolator bushing vent hole       
 
         [0068]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , varying views of the control valve  26  of the present invention are shown. The control valve  26  has a cylinder housing  29  secured to a valve housing  2 , preferably in a removable manner via counterbores (now shown). Located on the valve housing  2  is a fluid-supply aperture  1 . An inlet aperture  3  is in fluid communication from a fluid-supply aperture  4  in the valve housing  2  to a valve outlet aperture  6  in the valve housing  2 . An outlet aperture  6  is in fluid communication from the valve aperture  5  to a fluid-delivery aperture  7  in the valve housing  2 . 
         [0069]    A valve  8  is positioned on a plunger stem  9 . The valve  8  is structured for opening and closing the outlet aperture  6  with the plunger stem  9  predeterminedly. 
         [0070]    An actuator piston  14  is directly attached to an end of the plunger stem  9  via an attachment means  36 . An injection activator  10  is in communication with the actuator piston  14  with the injection activator  10  being structured for actuating the actuator piston  14  predeterminedly for actuation of the valve  8  with the plunger stem  9 . 
         [0071]    The valve  8  has a circuit capable of controlling the flow of a gas or liquid, at high or low pressure, or a vacuum. This flow of gas or liquid is stopped (i.e., the valve  8  is OFF when the plunger stem  9 , having compliant material on a lower end, such as Viton, Neoprene, Teflon, or similar polymer) is held against a valve outlet aperture  5  by the expansive force of the expansion-pressure spring  12 . The flow of gas or liquid is initiated, i.e., the valve  8  is ON, when the valve  8  is lifted off, or above, the outlet aperture  6 . 
         [0072]    The fluid-supply aperture  4  is structured for receiving a fluid under pressure for directing the fluid to the outlet aperture  6 . 
         [0073]    The valve  8  can be a poppet valve structured on a valve end of the plunger stem  9  for closing and opening the outlet aperture  6  predeterminedly. A poppet valve is intended to include a class of valves which plug openings to aperture predeterminedly. 
         [0074]    A linear axis of the outlet aperture  6  is orthogonal to a linear axis of the fluid-supply aperture  4 . A linear axis of the valve  8 , the linear axis of the outlet aperture  6  and a linear axis of the plunger stem  9  are collinear. 
         [0075]    An expansion-pressure spring  12  is connected to the plunger stem  9  and surrounds the attachment means  36 , which may be a cap screw  30  as shown in  FIG. 1  or a jam nut  34  as shown in  FIG. 5 , that extends through a top of the actuator piston  14  and is positioned with expansion pressure intermediate an activation end of the plunger stem  9  to maintain a predetermined amount of pressure on the plunger stem  9  for allowing a predetermined inlet pressure of air to open the valve  8  for fluid communication intermediate the inlet aperture  3  and the outlet aperture  6  wherein the expansion-pressure spring  12  is compressed when air actuation pressure lifts the actuator piston  14 . When air is released, the expansion-pressure spring  12  allows the valve  8  to close. 
         [0076]    The injection activator  10  can include an actuator piston  14  in sliding-seal contact with an inside periphery of an actuator cylinder  15  in the cylinder housing  29 . The actuator cylinder  15  has a linear axis collinear to and intermediate the valve-stem guide  1 . 
         [0077]    A self-adjustment space  27  beneath the actuator piston  14  allows maintains a predetermined amount of force against an orifice seat  11  located beneath the valve  8 , even when an insert in the plunger stem  9  wears over time. 
         [0078]    The actuation-fluid inlet  16  is in fluid communication with the pressure-actuation floor of the actuator cylinder  15 . The pressure-actuation floor of the actuator cylinder  15  is beneath the actuator piston  14  for actuating travel of the cap screw  30  on the actuator piston  14  in the valve-opening direction. The smaller diameter stem of the actuator piston  14  has a sliding seal to contain the actuation fluid. The actuation fluid acts forcefully on both the small diameter and the large diameter of the actuator piston  14  and moves the actuator piston  14  upward in the direction of the most force developed by the larger area of the larger diameter. 
         [0079]    O-rings  31  are provided to seal the inlet aperture  3 , actuator piston  14  and bottom of the actuator cylinder  15  to isolate the medium being flowed therethrough and control the medium that actuates the actuator piston  14  to open the valve  8 . 
         [0080]    The internal O-rings  31  of the isolator bushing  32  seal off two dissimilar fluids or mediums at differing pressures, i.e., a lower O-rings  31  seal off N 2 O at 1250 psi and upper O-rings  31  seal off CO 2  at 125 psi. In order to eliminate the possibility of the two different mediums (i.e., CO 2  and N 2 O) from coming in contact with each other due to leakage of the O-rings  31 , an isolator bushing vent hole  38  is provided within the isolator bushing  32  wherein the isolator bushing vent hole  38  is in fluid connection with a cylinder housing vent slot  37  located within the cylinder housing  29 , thereby permitting any fluid or medium leakage to be transported to the external surface of the control valve  26 . 
         [0081]    The fluid-supply conveyance  19  is formed and positioned for fluid communication from a fluid container  20  to the fluid-supply aperture  4 . 
         [0082]    A fluid-injection conveyance  21  is formed and positioned for fluid communication from the fluid-delivery aperture  7  to a predetermined injection nozzle  22 . 
         [0083]    An actuation-fluid conveyance  23  is formed and positioned for fluid communication from an actuation-pressure source  24  to the actuator cylinder  15 . 
         [0084]    An actuation on/off valve  25  is positioned predeterminedly in timing communication intermediate the actuation-pressure source  24  and the actuator cylinder  15 . 
         [0085]    The actuation-pressure source  24  can include structure for pre-pressured containment of a gas for light-weight and quick-supply needs for racing and other predetermined engine uses. 
         [0086]    The actuation on/off valve  25  can include a low-power electrical system for timed release of gas pressure from the actuation-pressure source  24 . 
         [0087]    The actuation-pressure source  24  can include structure for onboard pressurization of a gas for heavy-duty needs that include transportation, industrial, working and other predetermined engine uses. 
         [0088]    Cap screws  30  extend through vertical holes secure the components, i.e., the cylinder housing  29  and valve housing  2 , during operation. In addition, at least one vent  17  is preferably located on the cylinder housing  29  to permit excess air to escape. 
         [0089]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , an exterior rear perspective view of the control valve of the present invention having a built-in distribution block is shown. Rather than connecting the fluid-delivery aperture  7  of the control valve  26  to a separate distribution block, a built-in distribution block  18  is provided having at least one distribution port  28  located therein. The distribution ports  28  are in fluid communication with the fluid-delivery aperture  7 . In addition, instead of cap screws  30  being utilized to secure the actuator piston  14  to the plunger stem  9 , a threaded actuator piston  14  and threaded plunger stem  9  locked together by a jam nut  34  may be utilized (as shown in  FIG. 5 ), as well as other types of attachment means  36 . 
         [0090]      FIG. 5  shows a plan view of another plunger stem  9  to actuator piston  14  attachment means  36  wherein a jam nut  34  is threadingly secured to plunger stem threads  35  located on the plunger stem  9 . 
         [0091]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , actuator piston threads  33  are located within the actuator piston  14  to threadingly secure the plunger stem threads  35  therein. 
         [0092]    To reduce assembly time, the O-rings  31  are first assembled around the actuator piston  14  and around and within an isolator bushing  32 . The isolator bushing vent hole  38  is aligned with cylinder housing vent slot  37  of the cylinder housing  29  to provide a vent passageway from the center bore of the isolator bushing  32  adjacent to the sealing O-rings  31  to outside of the control valve  26 . This feature permits each O-ring  31  to function without the influence of the function of the adjacent O-ring  31 . Then, the actuator piston  14 , isolator bushing  32  and plunger stem  9  are assembled into a cartridge assembly  13 . After an orifice seat  11  is locked into place within the valve housing  2 , the cartridge assembly  13  is pushed into the valve housing  2 . The expansion-pressure spring  12  is then placed on top of the actuator piston  14  and the cylinder housing  29  is pushed down over the actuator piston  14 . Finally, the cap screws  30  are used to join the cylinder housing  29  to the valve housing  2 . 
         [0093]    A new and useful nitrous oxide injection valve having been described, all such foreseeable modifications, adaptations, substitutions of equivalents, mathematical possibilities of combinations of parts, pluralities of parts, applications and forms thereof as described by the following claims and not precluded by prior art are included in this invention.