Abstract: A control system for an engine having a cylinder is disclosed having an engine valve configured to affect a fluid flow of the cylinder, an actuator configured to move the engine valve, and an in-cylinder sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a characteristic of fuel entering the cylinder. The control system also has a controller in communication with the actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to determine the characteristic of the fuel based on the signal and selectively regulate the actuator to adjust a timing of the engine valve based on the characteristic of the fuel.

Abstract: A control system for an engine having a first cylinder and a second cylinder is disclosed having a first engine valve movable to regulate a fluid flow of the first cylinder and a first actuator associated with the first engine valve. The control system also has a second engine valve movable to regulate a fluid flow of the second cylinder and a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a pressure within the first cylinder. The control system also has a controller that is in communication with the first actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to compare the pressure within the first cylinder with a desired pressure and selectively regulate the first actuator to adjust a timing of the first engine valve independently of the timing of the second engine valve based on the comparison.

Abstract: A control system for an engine having a cylinder is disclosed having an engine valve movable to regulate a fluid flow of the cylinder and an actuator associated with the engine valve. The control system also has a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of an air/fuel mixture remaining within the cylinder after completion of a first combustion event and a controller in communication with the actuator and the sensor. The controller may be configured to compare the amount with a desired amount, and to selectively regulate the actuator to adjust a timing of the engine valve associated with a subsequent combustion event based on the comparison.

Abstract: A control system for an engine having a cylinder is disclosed having an engine valve movable to regulate a fluid flow of the cylinder and an actuator associated with the engine valve. The control system also has a controller in communication with the actuator. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of engine speed and compare the engine speed signal with a desired engine speed. The controller is also configured to selectively regulate the actuator to adjust a timing of the engine valve to control an amount of air/fuel mixture delivered to the cylinder based on the comparison.

Abstract: An air induction system for an engine is disclosed. The air induction system has a compressor operable to compress air directed into the engine, a bypass valve, and a throttle valve. The bypass valve may be disposed between the compressor and the engine and may have a valve element movable to selectively divert a portion of the compressed air away from the engine in response to a desired air-to-fuel ratio of the engine. The throttle valve may be disposed between the bypass valve and the engine and may have a valve element movable to selectively restrict the flow of compressed air into the engine in response to a desired air-to-fuel ratio of the engine. The movements of the valve elements of the bypass and throttle valves may be substantially sequential.

Abstract: An ignition system for use with an engine is disclosed. The ignition system may have an igniter connected to selectively ignite a fuel mixture within the engine, an injector located to inject a non-combustible gas into the engine, and a controller in communication with the igniter and the injector. The controller may be configured to energize the igniter during a first mode of engine operation to ignite the fuel mixture, and cease energizing the igniter during a second mode of engine operation. The controller may also be configured to actuate the injector during the second mode of engine operation to promote auto-ignition of the fuel mixture.

Abstract: A method of operating an engine is provided. The engine may have a housing with one or more combustion chambers, including a first combustion chamber. The engine may also have a piston in fluid communication with the first combustion chamber. The method may include combusting fuel in the first combustion chamber, thereby producing combustion gas that expands and drives the piston during a first combustion-gas-expansion stroke of the piston. The method may also include compressing at least part of the combustion gas in the first combustion chamber during a compression stroke of the piston. Additionally, the method may include, between commencement of the first combustion-gas-expansion stroke and completion of the compression stroke, releasing part of the combustion gas from the first combustion chamber.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a compression ignition initiation device is provided. The compression ignition initiation device includes a body defining a chamber and an outlet from the chamber. The device further includes means, within the chamber, for generating a combustion initiating shock front from the outlet. A method is provided, including compressing a mixture of fuel and air in an internal combustion engine cylinder to a point less than a compression ignition threshold, and initiating ignition of the mixture by subjecting it to a shock front.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one combustion chamber and a piston configured to reciprocate within the at least one combustion chamber between a top-dead-center position and a bottom-dead-center position. The internal combustion engine also has a pre-combustion chamber, an air induction system, a fuel system, a spark plug at least partially disposed within the pre-combustion chamber. The air induction system is configured to direct air into the at least one combustion chamber. The fuel system is configured to direct gasoline into the at least one combustion chamber. The spark plug is configured to selectively ignite a mixture of the air and gasoline. The internal combustion engine also has an exhaust system configured to direct exhaust from the at least one combustion chamber and an exhaust gas recirculation system configured to selectively redirect at least a portion of the exhaust from the exhaust system back to the air induction system.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one combustion chamber and a piston slidably disposed within the at least one combustion chamber. The piston is configured to reciprocate between a top-dead-center position and a bottom-dead-center position. The internal combustion engine also has an air supply in selective fluid communication with the at least one combustion chamber and a fuel supply in selective fluid communication with the at least one combustion chamber. The internal combustion engine further has a supply of non-combustible gas and at least one injector in fluid communication with the at least one combustion chamber and the supply of non-combustible gas. The at least one injector is configured to inject non-combustible gas from the supply into the at least one combustion chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an internal combustion engine is provided. The method comprises the steps of introducing a primary fuel into a main combustion chamber of the engine, introducing a pilot fuel into the main combustion chamber of the engine, determining an operating load of the engine, determining a desired spark plug ignition timing based on the engine operating load, and igniting the primary fuel and pilot fuel with a spark plug at the desired spark plug ignition timing. The method is characterized in that the octane number of the pilot fuel is lower than the octane number of the primary fuel.

Abstract: An engine particularly suited to powering work machines operated under varying loads. The engine includes a plurality of combustion cylinders operable in a homogenous charge compression ignition mode, each adapted to operate in both two-stroke and four-stroke cycles. Variable compression ratios and boost are available to improve performance.

Abstract: An engine particularly suited to single speed operation environments, such as stationary power generators. The engine includes a plurality of combustion cylinders operable under homogenous charge compression ignition, and at least one combustion cylinder operable on spark ignition concepts. The cylinder operable on spark ignition concepts can be convertible to operate under homogenous charge compression ignition. The engine is started using the cylinders operable under spark ignition concepts.

Abstract: A reciprocating internal combustion engine used a crankshaft to develop rotating motion. A rotary pulse detonation engine can be adapted to rotate a shaft. A combustor portion of the rotary pulse detonation engine is spaced from an axis of the shaft a preestablished distance therebetween in a mass member. An intake portion and an exhaust portion of the combustor portion is positioned in a parameter of the mass member. A combustion portion of the combustor portion is interposed the intake portion and the exhaust portion. The combustion portion has a frustoconical first position which converges to form a deflagration wave and progresses into a detonation. The deflagration to detonation transition occurs in the transition region. A combustible fuel and air mixture is combusted in the combustor portion creating a high speed jet exiting the exhaust portion and rotating the shaft.

Abstract: A system and method for injecting fuel is provided. The pressure of a flow of fuel is increased to a predetermined pressure. The temperature of the flow of fuel is increased to a predetermined temperature. A flow of intake air is directed into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The flow of intake air has a pressure lower than the pressure of the flow of fuel. An amount of the pressurized and heated fuel is injected into the flow of intake air to thereby decrease the pressure of the amount of fuel. The decrease in the pressure of the amount of fuel causes the amount of fuel to vaporize.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of homogeneous charge compression engines. In these engines, fuel is injected upstream or directly into the cylinder when the power piston is relatively close to its bottom dead center position. The fuel mixes with air in the cylinder as the power piston advances to create a relatively lean homogeneous mixture that preferably ignites when the power piston is relatively close to the top dead center position. However, if the ignition event occurs either earlier or later than desired, lowered performance, engine misfire, or even engine damage, can result. Thus, the present invention divides the homogeneous charge between a controlled volume higher compression space and a lower compression space to better control the start of ignition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting pilot fuel in a combustion engine. The method and apparatus includes determining a load of the engine, determining a desired injection timing of the pilot fuel and a desired quantity of pilot fuel to be injected as a function of a desired homogeneous distribution of the pilot fuel based on the engine load, and adjusting the injection timing and quantity of the pilot fuel to the desired values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting pilot fuel in a combustion engine. The method and apparatus includes determining a load of the engine, determining a desired injection timing of the pilot fuel and a desired quantity of pilot fuel to be injected as a function of a desired homogeneous distribution of the pilot fuel based on the engine load, and adjusting the injection timing and quantity of the pilot fuel to the desired values.

Abstract: A reciprocating internal combustion engine used a crankshaft to develop rotating motion. A rotary pulse detonation engine can be adapted to rotate a shaft. A combustor portion of the rotary pulse detonation engine is spaced from an axis of the shaft a preestablished distance therebetween in a mass member. An intake portion and an exhaust portion of the combustor portion is positioned in a parameter of the mass member. A combustion portion of the combustor portion is interposed the intake portion and the exhaust portion. The combustion portion has a frustoconical first position which converges to form a deflagration wave and progresses into a detonation. The deflagration to detonation transition occurs in the transition region. A combustible fuel and air mixture is combusted in the combustor portion creating a high speed jet exiting the exhaust portion and rotating the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of homogeneous charge compression engines. In these engines, fuel is injected upstream or directly into the cylinder when the power piston is relatively close to its bottom dead center position. The fuel mixes with air in the cylinder as the power piston advances to create a relatively lean homogeneous mixture that preferably ignites when the power piston is relatively close to the top dead center position. However, if the ignition event occurs either earlier or later than desired, lowered performance, engine misfire, or even engine damage, can result. Thus, the present invention divides the homogeneous charge between a controlled volume higher compression space and a lower compression space to better control the start of ignition.