FUEL HEATING APPARATUS

• US 20100242926A1
• Filed: 10/24/2008
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: UAV Engines LTD (Elbit Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: UAV Engines LTD (Elbit Systems Limited)
• Inventors: Biddulph, Christopher John
• Application Number:
  US12/734,343
• Publication Number:
  US 20100242926A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/549
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 31/125 Fuel
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 31/13 Combustion air
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 53/02 with fuel-heating means, e.g. for vaporising
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 53/06 with fuel-heating means, e.g. for vaporising
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

A fuel heating apparatus for an internal combustion engine or other type of spark ignition engine having an associated pressurised fuel delivery system, the apparatus comprising a chamber for receiving a volume of a pressurised liquid fuel; and means for heating the fuel within the chamber to provide heated liquid fuel to the fuel delivery system of the engine, to thereby minimise condensation of the fuel and facilitate ignition of the engine within relatively low ambient temperature environments. The apparatus has particular application with ‘heavy fuels’, such as diesel or kerosene, and improves the reliability and performance of the engine especially during ‘cold starts’ and while transitioning to fast-idling.

Claims

3-5. -5. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

14-1. The fuel-heating apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the air heating means is electrical.

18. A fuel manifold for a spark-ignition engine having a pressurised fuel delivery system, the manifold comprising:

at least one fuel inlet;

one or more fuel distribution channels connected to the at least one fuel inlet;

at least one fuel heating apparatus coupled to one or more of the fuel distribution channels, the fuel heating apparatus comprising a chamber for receiving a volume of a pressurised liquid fuel and a plurality of electrically resistive heating elements disposed within the chamber to provide heated liquid fuel to the fuel delivery system of the engine, to thereby minimise condensation of the fuel and facilitate ignition of the engine within relatively low ambient temperature environments, each heating element being in the form of a substantially flat disc comprising an embedded wire, wherein the discs are held in spaced relation to facilitate the heating of the fuel therebetween; and

at least one outlet for providing the heated fuel to the fuel delivery system of the engine.

19. A spark-ignition engine of a type having a pressurised fuel delivery system, the engine comprising:

at least one fuel heating apparatus comprising a chamber for receiving a volume of a pressurised liquid fuel and a plurality of electrically resistive heating elements disposed within the chamber to provide heated liquid fuel to the fuel delivery system of the engine, to thereby minimise condensation of the fuel and facilitate ignition of the engine within relatively low ambient temperature environments, each heating element being in the form of a substantially flat disc comprising an embedded wire, wherein the discs are held in spaced relation to facilitate the heating of the fuel therebetween.

20. (canceled)