Thermal choke, autostart generator system, and method of use thereof
A thermal choke, includes (1) a body, comprising a heat conductive material, (2) an electric heater, on or in the body, (3) a temperature sensor, on or in the body, and (4) a fin, in a channel surrounded by the body. The thermal choke is configured to fit between a throttle assembly and a cylinder of a spark ignition engine.
1. An engine, comprising:
(A) a throttle assembly,
(B) a cylinder, fluidly connected to the throttle assembly,
(C) a spark plug, in the cylinder, and
(D) a thermal choke, between the throttle assembly and the cylinder,
(E) a gasket spacer comprising a heat insulating material, between the throttle assembly and the thermal choke, and
(F) a gasket spacer comprising a heat insulating material, between the cylinder and the thermal choke,
wherein the throttle assembly comprises:
(I) a fuel bowl,
(II) a temperature sensor, on the fuel bowl, and
(III) a carburetor,
the thermal choke comprises
(i) a thermal choke body, comprising a heat conductive material,
(ii) a plurality of electric heaters on or in the thermal choke body,
(iii) a temperature sensor, on or in the thermal choke body, and
(iv) a plurality of fins, in a channel surrounded by the thermal choke body, and the heat conductive material comprises metal.
2. The engine of claim 1 , wherein the heat conductive material comprises brass.
3. A method of generating electricity, wherein the electricity is generated using the engine of claim 2 .
4. The engine of claim 1 , further comprising:
(G) a primary fuel tank, fluidly connected to the cylinder,
(H) an air intake path, fluidly connecting atmosphere to the cylinder, and
(I) a coolant path, which provides a flow path for coolant to cool the cylinder.
5. A method of reducing start-up emissions from an engine, comprising:
providing the engine of claim 1 ;
supplying electricity to the thermal choke to heat the thermal choke; and
starting the engine.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the engine is started with a heavy fuel.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the engine is started with JP-8.
8. A method of generating electricity, wherein the electricity is generated using the engine of claim 1 .
9. A method of generating electricity, wherein the electricity is generated using the engine of claim 1 and the engine is started with a heavy fuel.
10. A method of generating electricity, wherein the electricity is generated using the engine of claim 1 and the engine is started with JP-8.