초록 ▼

A heater is provided for use in conjunction with a cold start fuel injector for an internal combustion engine in which the injector, upon activation, injects fuel into a cold start passageway. The heater includes a metal tube having an interior and an exterior surface. The tube is positioned coaxial

A heater is provided for use in conjunction with a cold start fuel injector for an internal combustion engine in which the injector, upon activation, injects fuel into a cold start passageway. The heater includes a metal tube having an interior and an exterior surface. The tube is positioned coaxially in the cold start passageway so that fuel flow from the cold start injector passes through the interior of the metal tube. A plurality of circumferentially spaced electrical heating elements are disposed around the outer periphery of the metal tube which, upon activation, heat the metal tube thereby increasing atomization of the fuel as it flows through the interior of the tube. Preferably, the heating elements are constructed of PTC. Alternative designs are also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] For use in conjunction with a cold start fuel injector for an internal combustion engine in which the injector, upon activation, injects fuel into a cold start fuel passageway, a heater comprising:a metal tube having an interior and an exterior surface, said tube being positioned in

[ I claim:] [1.] For use in conjunction with a cold start fuel injector for an internal combustion engine in which the injector, upon activation, injects fuel into a cold start fuel passageway, a heater comprising:a metal tube having an interior and an exterior surface, said tube being positioned in the cold start fuel passageway such that fuel flow through the passageway flows through said interior of said metal tube, anda plurality of heating elements circumferentially spaced around said outer surface of said tube,wherein said heating elements are soldered to said tube.