Abstract: Atomic oxygen is provided for the purpose of promoting reliable ignition and smooth combustion in a spark ignition internal combustion engine is to disperse a low concentration of an atomic oxygen precursor, such as nitrous oxide (N2O), into the flammable mixture of air and gasoline vapor prior to the time of ignition. The introduction of N2O may take place in the intake manifold, in the stream of exhaust gas being returned as part of the EGR process, or directly into the combustion chamber (for example through a small orifice in the base of the spark plug or through a small nozzle located elsewhere in the cylinder head). Introduction of N2O directly into the combustion chamber may be continuous, or it may be pulsed so as to occur at the time of, or shortly before, spark ignition.

Abstract: One approach to providing atomic oxygen for the purpose of promoting more rapid and compact combustion is to disperse a low concentration of an atomic oxygen precursor, such as nitrous oxide (N2O), into the compressed air in the cylinder before or close to the time of ignition. The introduction of N2O may take place in the intake manifold, directly into the combustion chamber through a small orifice in the base of the fuel injector or a small nozzle located elsewhere in the cylinder head, or the N2O can be added as a solute to the injected fuel.

Abstract: Atomic oxygen is provided for the purpose of promoting reliable ignition and smooth combustion in a spark ignition internal combustion engine is to disperse a low concentration of an atomic oxygen precursor, such as nitrous oxide (N2O), into the flammable mixture of air and gasoline vapor prior to the time of ignition. The introduction of N2O may take place in the intake manifold, in the stream of exhaust gas being returned as part of the EGR process, or directly into the combustion chamber (for example through a small orifice in the base of the spark plug or through a small nozzle located elsewhere in the cylinder head). Introduction of N2O directly into the combustion chamber may be continuous, or it may be pulsed so as to occur at the time of, or shortly before, spark ignition.

Abstract: Atomic oxygen is provided for the purpose of promoting reliable ignition and smooth combustion in a spark ignition internal combustion engine is to disperse a low concentration of an atomic oxygen precursor, such as nitrous oxide (N2O), into the flammable mixture of air and gasoline vapor prior to the time of ignition. The introduction of N2O may take place in the intake manifold, in the stream of exhaust gas being returned as part of the EGR process, or directly into the combustion chamber (for example through a small orifice in the base of the spark plug or through a small nozzle located elsewhere in the cylinder head). Introduction of N2O directly into the combustion chamber may be continuous, or it may be pulsed so as to occur at the time of, or shortly before, spark ignition.

Abstract: One approach to providing atomic oxygen for the purpose of promoting more rapid and compact combustion is to disperse a low concentration of an atomic oxygen precursor, such as nitrous oxide (N2O), into the compressed air in the cylinder before or close to the time of ignition. The introduction of N2O may take place in the intake manifold, directly into the combustion chamber through a small orifice in the base of the fuel injector or a small nozzle located elsewhere in the cylinder head, or the N2O can be added as a solute to the injected fuel.

Abstract: Atomic oxygen is provided for the purpose of promoting reliable ignition and smooth combustion in a spark ignition internal combustion engine is to disperse a low concentration of an atomic oxygen precursor, such as nitrous oxide (N2O), into the flammable mixture of air and gasoline vapor prior to the time of ignition. The introduction of N2O may take place in the intake manifold, in the stream of exhaust gas being returned as part of the EGR process, or directly into the combustion chamber (for example through a small orifice in the base of the spark plug or through a small nozzle located elsewhere in the cylinder head). Introduction of N2O directly into the combustion chamber may be continuous, or it may be pulsed so as to occur at the time of or shortly before, spark ignition.

Abstract: A diesel engine fuel delivery system is equipped for addition of N2O to the fuel supply of a diesel engine. Fuel from a tank passes through an outlet tube to a low pressure pump which delivers it through a fuel filter. Simultaneously liquid N2O from a pressurized tank passes through a metering valve where it merges with the fuel before passing through a high, constant pressure, on-demand pump. The N2O-loaded fuel then enters a high pressure manifold, called a common rail, where its pressure is monitored by a sensor before it enters individual injectors which spray it, with proper timing into the combustion zone of each cylinder. The desired fuel injection timing can be adjusted and controlled by an electronic engine control unit similar to those commonly installed on modern vehicular diesel engines.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a UV light injector assembly is used to apply intense light that includes short wavelength UV to the interior of an engine cylinder near the desired time of fuel ignition. In an example embodiment, the light is produced by a short-arc xenon flash lamp. This flash lamp includes an integral reflector (e.g., a parabolic reflector) to collimate the majority of its light into parallel rays. The assembly includes a window for passing UV light into the cylinder. To direct the collimated rays of light from the flash lamp through the window a UV-transparent condensing lens is used to focus the light from the flash lamp onto the window.