Systems and methods for improving fuel efficiency

Abstract

Devices and methods for improving fuel efficiency are disclosed herein. According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a device for improving fuel efficiency of a combustion engine. The device may include a housing for attachment to an exhaust pipe of a combustion engine and having a pathway extending therethrough. The device may further include a wound body disposed at a distal portion of the housing and designed to permit fluid from the exhaust pipe flowing along the housing to flow through the wound body. In addition, the device may include a barrier positioned within the pathway downstream from the wound body so as to generate a sufficient back pressure along the exhaust pipe to enhance piston stroke efficiency in the combustion system, resulting in an increase in fuel efficiency of the combustion engine.

1 . A device for increasing fuel efficiency comprising:
 a housing for attachment to an exhaust pipe of a combustion engine and having a pathway extending therethrough;   a wound body disposed at a distal portion of the housing and designed to permit fluid from the exhaust pipe flowing along the housing to flow through the wound body; and   a barrier positioned within the pathway downstream from the wound body so as to generate a sufficient back pressure along the exhaust pipe to enhance piston stroke efficiency in the combustion system, resulting in an increase in fuel efficiency of the combustion engine.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is a perforated screen. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wound body has a substantially similar cross-section as the cross-section of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wound body is formed from a plurality of metal fabrics wound together around a central point. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wound body includes a series of overlapping layers wounded around a central axis of the wound body. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the wound body includes a wired mesh between the overlapping layer to permit fluid to flow through the wound body. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the wound body is moveable from a first position where the overlapping layers are flash with one another to restrict flow through the wound body to a second position where the overlapping layers are axially staggered to permit flow through the wound body. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing has a first diameter along a proximal portion of the housing and a second diameter along the distal portion of the housing wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter to accommodate the wound body and to restrict the movement of the wound body. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a perforated screen is positioned distally of the barrier inside the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein as the permeability of the barrier increases, the ratio between the area of the barrier to the area of the perforated screen increases. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein as the permeability of the barrier increases, the ratio between the area of the barrier to the area of a passage of fluid flow increases. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further includes a relief valve for maintaining a sufficient back pressure along the exhaust pipe to enhance piston stroke efficiency, resulting in an increase in fuel efficiency of the combustion engine. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a side opening in a proximal region of the housing for permitting exhaust gasses to exit the housing radially and one or more radial filters disposed within the housing to cover the side opening. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more radial filters are selected to cooperate with the barrier to maintain the sufficient back pressure along the exhaust pipe to enhance piston stroke efficiency in the combustion system, resulting in an increase in fuel efficiency of the combustion engine. 
     
     
         15 . A method for enhancing fuel efficiency comprising:
 directing a flow of exhaust gases from an exhaust pipe of a combustion system along a flowpath;   disposing a barrier in the flowpath of the exhaust gases; and   allowing a sufficient back pressure to be generated back along the flowpath and exhaust pipe to enhance piston stroke efficiency in the combustion system, resulting in an increase in fuel efficiency of the combustion engine.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein, in the step of disposing, a device for increasing fuel efficiency is attached to the exhaust pipe, the device comprising:
 a housing for attachment to the exhaust pipe and having a pathway extending therethrough;   a wound body disposed at a distal portion of the housing and designed to permit fluid from the exhaust pipe flowing along the housing to flow through the wound body; and   the barrier positioned within the pathway downstream from the wound body.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the wound body is moveable from a first position where the overlapping layers are flash with one another to restrict flow through the wound body to a second position where the overlapping layers are axially staggered to permit flow through the wound body. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a perforated screen is positioned distally of the barrier inside the housing. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein as the permeability of the barrier increases, the ratio between the area of the barrier to the area of the perforated screen increases. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein as the permeability of the barrier increases, the ratio between the area of the barrier to the area of a passage of fluid flow increases.