Fuel equalization system

Abstract

A fuel equalization system includes a filter box for accepting an air stream and a fuel stream, the air stream and the fuel stream mixing to form a mixed air/fuel stream. A blower is provided that has an inlet for accepting the mixed air/fuel stream from the filter box. An air deflection member is positioned in the path of the mixed air/fuel stream, between the filter box and the inlet, so as to reduce the turbulence of the mixed air/fuel stream.

1 . A fuel equalization system, comprising: 
 a filter box for accepting an air stream and a fuel stream, said air stream and said fuel stream mixing to form a mixed air/fuel stream;    a blower having an inlet for accepting said mixed air/fuel stream from said filter box; and    a baffle disposed in the path of said mixed air/fuel stream, wherein said baffle is located between said filter box and said inlet.    
   
   
       2 . The fuel equalization system of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said mixed air/fuel stream is conveyed from said filter box to said inlet via a duct; and    said baffle substantially bisects said duct.    
   
   
       3 . The fuel equalization system of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a static impeller positioned within said duct, and adjacent said inlet.    
   
   
       4 . The fuel equalization system of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said blower is a squirrel cage blower having an integrated squirrel cage impeller; and    an air deflector plate is arranged to extend into a throat of said squirrel cage impeller.    
   
   
       5 . A fuel equalization system, comprising: 
 a filter box for accepting an air stream and a fuel stream, said air stream and said fuel stream mixing to form a mixed air/fuel stream;    a blower having an inlet for accepting said mixed air/fuel stream from said filter box; and    an air deflection means positioned in a path of said mixed air/fuel stream, between said filter box and said inlet so as to reduce any turbulence in said mixed air/fuel stream.    
   
   
       6 . The fuel equalization system of  claim 5 , wherein: 
 said mixed air/fuel stream is conveyed from said filter box to said inlet via a duct; and    said air deflection means is a baffle that substantially bisects said duct.    
   
   
       7 . The fuel equalization system of  claim 5 , wherein: 
 said mixed air/fuel stream is conveyed from said filter box to said inlet via a duct; and    said air deflection means is a static impeller positioned within said duct, and adjacent said inlet.    
   
   
       8 . The fuel equalization system of  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 a static impeller positioned within said duct, and adjacent said inlet.    
   
   
       9 . The fuel equalization system of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a baffle that substantially bisects said duct.    
   
   
       10 . The fuel equalization system of  claim 5 , wherein: 
 said blower is a squirrel cage blower having an integrated squirrel cage impeller; and    an air deflector plate is arranged to extend into a throat of said squirrel cage impeller.    
   
   
       11 . A method of reducing turbulence within a mixed air/fuel stream being provided to a blower, said method comprising the steps of: 
 arranging a filter box to be in fluid communication with said blower;    providing said filter box with said mixed air/fuel stream;    channeling said mixed air/fuel stream along a path from said filter box to said blower;    arranging an inlet opening in said blower to accept said mixed air/fuel stream; and    positioning an air deflection means in said path so as to retard the velocity and swirling nature of said mixed air/fuel stream.    
   
   
       12 . A method of reducing turbulence within a mixed air/fuel stream being provided to a blower according to  claim 11 , said method further comprising the steps of: 
 forming a duct between said filter box and said inlet so as to define said path; and    forming said air deflection means as a baffle that substantially bisects said duct.    
   
   
       13 . A method of reducing turbulence within a mixed air/fuel stream being provided to a blower according to  claim 11 , said method further comprising the steps of: 
 forming a duct between said filter box and said inlet so as to define said path; and    forming said air deflection means as a static impeller positioned within said duct, and adjacent said inlet.    
   
   
       14 . A method of reducing turbulence within a mixed air/fuel stream being provided to a blower according to  claim 12 , said method further comprising the steps of: 
 positioning a static impeller within said duct, and adjacent said inlet.    
   
   
       15 . A method of reducing turbulence within a mixed air/fuel stream being provided to a blower according to  claim 13 , said method further comprising the steps of: 
 positioning a baffle within said duct, said baffle substantially bisecting said duct.    
   
   
       16 . A method of reducing turbulence within a mixed air/fuel stream being provided to a blower according to  claim 11 , said method further comprising the steps of: 
 forming said blower as a squirrel cage blower having an integrated squirrel cage impeller; and    arranging an air deflector plate so as to extend into a throat of said squirrel cage impeller.