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Secondary air supply system for internal combustion engineRelated Patent Categories: Power Plants, Internal Combustion Engine With Treatment Or Handling Of Exhaust Gas, By Means Producing A Chemical Reaction Of A Component Of The Exhaust Gas, Condition Responsive Control Of Reactor Feed, Pressure, Or By-pass, Air Feed To Reactor Modulated Or Diverted By ControlSecondary air supply system for internal combustion engine description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070079604, Secondary air supply system for internal combustion engine. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to emission control systems for internal combustion engines and, more specifically, to a secondary air supply system for an engine. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Systems have been developed to supply additional air to the hot exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine in order to reduce carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions. Systems, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,197 to Matsumoto, employ a secondary air valve apparatus that pulls air from the air cleaner. The air is fed to the exhaust port--drawn by negative pressure created at the port when the combustion-chamber exhaust valves are closed. The additional air combined with the high temperatures present at the exhaust port helps complete combustion of unburned hydrocarbons and reacts with the carbon monoxide present to produce carbon dioxide. [0003] The exhaust gases are emitted in pulses, controlled by the exhaust valves as spent fuel from a combustion cycle is allowed to exit the combustion chamber. The resultant pressure waves are formed as the valves open and close. During the high-pressure portion of the wave, one-way valves, such as reed valves have been used to stop reverse flow of gases in the secondary air supply system. Further, air cut-off valves are employed to prevent excessive air from entering into the exhaust gas passage. [0004] An air supply system is also described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,522. An exhaust gas silencer includes suction plates to pull additional air into the exhaust gases running through the silencer. The plates are arranged against the exhaust gas flow so additional air is pulled through ports into the exhaust gas flow. [0005] The systems employed rely on complex arrangements of valves, springs, chambers, and pipes to properly send air to the exhaust port at the right time without backfire problems. Such systems are bulky and costly and may not adequately provide a pressure differential to supply adequate air for most efficient emissions cleaning without a separate air pump or loss of power. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention provides a secondary air supply to the hot exhaust of an internal combustion engine without expensive, complex control devices and bulky components. Installation on vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), is simplified, effective, and inexpensive. [0007] The present invention provides a secondary air supply system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The system includes a one-way valve in fluid communication with an exhaust port of the engine. A fluid channel extends from a region of relatively high air pressure to the exhaust port of the engine. The one-way valve is coupled to the fluid channel. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the fluid channel extends from an area of air intake at the front of the vehicle. In another preferred embodiment, the fluid channel extends from a clutch compartment of the engine. [0008] In the first embodiment, the fluid channel comprises a hose extending from a front part of the ATV chassis, for example, forward of the engine radiator. The hose extends back to a reed valve coupled to the exhaust port of the engine. The rearward end of the hose is coupled to the reed valve. A short passage is disposed in the exhaust port running from the reed valve into a region of the exhaust gas exit from the combustion chamber. Preferably, the region of the short passage is cooled with a cooling means, such as air fins or an engine coolant fluid. [0009] In the second preferred embodiment, the air inlet is disposed in a region of relatively high air pressure created by the clutch fan. In this embodiment, preferably, the fluid channel is created with a hose extending from the clutch compartment to the exhaust port. [0010] A method of supplying a secondary air supply to the hot exhaust of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is also provided. The method includes channeling air in the high-pressure region through a one-way valve to the hot exhaust gases exiting the combustion chamber of the engine. In a first preferred embodiment, the air is channeled from a forward end of the vehicle, preferably in front of an engine coolant system. [0011] In a second preferred embodiment, the air is channeled from a clutch compartment with a clutch fan. Air is fed to the channel from the region of the clutch compartment where the clutch fan blows air creating a region of higher air pressure. [0012] The present invention provides the advantages of simplicity and cost effectiveness. An auxiliary pump is not necessary to increase the pressure of the air that is fed to the exhaust port. The system is also small and easy to arrange in position since it is mainly comprised of a hose; the reed valve preferably being the only moving part. The secondary air supply assists the engine by creating lower emissions of noxious gases including hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide without adding significant weight or complication. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. [0014] FIG. 1 is a side-elevational view of an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) with the system of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 2 is a view of the air intake system in a semi-schematic side-elevational view; [0016] FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate the connections and detail of the reed valve assembly; [0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an engine with the clutch compartment air source; and [0018] FIG. 5 is a semi-schematic view of a secondary air supply channeled into an exhaust pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0019] The present invention is ideally suited for motor vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) as illustrated in FIG. 1 with ATV 10. The invention, however, may be used with any internal combustion engine where cleaner emissions are desired. Continue reading about Secondary air supply system for internal combustion engine... Full patent description for Secondary air supply system for internal combustion engine Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Secondary air supply system for internal combustion engine patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Secondary air supply system for internal combustion engine or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Exhaust aftertreatment system with transmission control Next Patent Application: Exhaust aftertreatment system with transmission control Industry Class: Power plants ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Secondary air supply system for internal combustion engine patent info. 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