Abstract: An insert device includes a first coupling body inserted into an engine cylinder head. The first coupling body extends around a center axis to define a first interior volume of the first coupling body that is shaped to receive a distal tip of a fuel injector. The insert device includes a second mixing body coupled with the first coupling body and extending around the center axis. The second mixing body includes conduits that receive fuel from the fuel injector and air from a combustion chamber, combine the fuel with the air, and direct the fuel-air mixture into the combustion chamber. The first coupling body has a first end surface positioned to face the cylinder head and the first coupling body is tapered such that an outer diameter of the first coupling body is larger toward the first end surface than toward the second mixing body.

Abstract: A fuel and gas mixing structure for an engine is provided. This mixing structure includes a body configured to be positioned between a fuel injector and a cylinder of an engine. The body defines an interior volume that is configured to receive gas (e.g., air) from outside the body and to receive one or more streams of fuel from the fuel injector in the interior volume. The body also includes one or more upper channels and one or more lower channels that are configured to provide a substantially similar amount of flow relative to each other to the interior volume The body also defines one or more mixture conduits configured to conduct plumes of the fuel and gas, while mixing, from the interior volume to one or more exit ports and therethrough to the cylinder.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a pre-chamber. In one example, the pre-chamber includes a moveable element configured to adjust an orifice opening area of the pre-chamber in response to conditions.

Abstract: Systems are provided for a pre-chamber. In one example, a pre-chamber comprises a passage outside of a primary combustion chamber for flowing fuel directly from a fuel injector to an interior volume of the pre-chamber.

Abstract: A chambered sparkplug carrier and a natural gas engine management system are provided for reducing NOx emissions of pre-chambered combustion natural gas engines. A method for retro-fitting a pre-chambered combustion natural gas engine with a chambered sparkplug is also described.

Abstract: A method of controlling a reciprocating internal combustion engine comprising: a cylinder defining a cavity having a first end and a second end; and a piston moveable within the cavity of the cylinder between the first end and the second end, the method comprising: receiving at least a first signal; determining a quantity of liquid air to be injected using at least the received first signal; controlling injection of the determined quantity of liquid air into the first end of the cavity at a first time when the piston is closer to the first end than the second end.

Abstract: According to one implementation, an explosive spark estimation system includes an explosive spark estimation system includes a measuring system and a processing system. The measuring system is adapted to measure intensity of light, included in a spark occurred from an object to be tested. The light is within at least one specific wavelength band. The processing system is adapted to determine whether the spark is explosiveness based on the intensity of the light. Further, according to one implementation, an explosive spark estimation method includes: measuring intensity of light, included in a spark occurred from an object to be tested, within at least one specific wavelength band; and determining whether the spark is explosive, based on the intensity of the light.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine control system includes at least one cylinder having a combustion chamber configured to combust an air/fuel mixture stored therein. The air/fuel mixture is configured to combust in response to reaching an autoignition temperature. At least one electronic control module is configured to determine a chamber temperature within the combustion chamber. The electronic control module controls combustion of the air/fuel mixture based on a comparison between the chamber temperature and an autoignition temperature threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a variable compression ratio engine. In one example, an engine system may comprise: varying a compression ratio of a cylinder by selectively releasing combustion charge from the cylinder through a bleed valve on a cylinder head; and transforming the released combustion charge into usable electrical power at a turbine generator coupled downstream of the bleed valve. In this way, the compression ratio may be varied based on engine operating conditions to promote better engine performance and efficiency while producing electrical power from the charge gas bled from one or more cylinders in the engine.

Abstract: An electrical source control apparatus controls a vehicle traveling by using a source system including a first source performing input/output of first power and a second source performing input/output of second power, capacity of the second source is smaller than that of the first source and output of the second source is larger than that of the first source. The apparatus has a controller programmed to select a first driving mode which prioritizes a fuel efficiency over a driving performance and a second driving mode which prioritizes the driving performance over the fuel efficiency based on a characteristic required for the vehicle from driving modes having different ratios of the first power with respect to a required power required for the source system, and control the first and second sources such that the input/output of the first power is performed in accordance with the ratio of the selected driving mode.

Abstract: Apparatus constituting part of an induction and fuel delivery system for a cylinder of a piston internal combustion engine comprising a small cyclone into which is tangentially discharged a flow of heated air to generate a sustained vortex of high rotational speed; a modulatable fuel injector delivering a flow of atomized fuel into said small cyclone wherein it underdoes flash evaporation and energetic mixing; a delivery duct connecting said small cyclone to the inlet tract of said cylinder wherein said vortex fuel-air mixture is mixed with heated induction air; and means to prevent overheating of said modulatable fuel injector.

Abstract: In some aspects, a spark plug includes a spark gap in an enclosure of the spark plug. The spark plug includes a passage in the interior of the enclosure. During operation of the engine, the passage directs flow through the spark gap, primarily away from a combustion chamber end of the enclosure. The passage can direct flow at a velocity of 5 meters/second or greater.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fuel nozzle, a pre-combustion fuel mixing device, and methods related to fuel processing. In an embodiment, a fuel nozzle includes at least one port for receiving fuel, a sidewall forming ports for introducing fuel into a pre-combustion chamber, and a plurality of conduits formed between the first end and the sidewall. In one embodiment, a method includes creating a gaseous, homogenous premixture of fuel and oxidizer in a first pre-combustion vortex chamber, which includes introducing fuel at an axis of the oxidizer vortex both axially and radially through an injector having a plurality of ports through a sidewall arranged in a plurality of rows substantially parallel to one another. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a pre-combustion fuel mixing device having a housing with a first pre-combustion vortex chamber having a first compartment, a second compartment, and a third compartment.

Abstract: High vehicle fuel efficiency is achieved by reducing fuel consumption during driving both in the city and on the highway. During driving in the city, the system accumulates the energy derived from vehicle motion during braking, and uses it to assist in vehicle propulsion at a later time. The energy can be stored either in a compressed-air reservoir or in an electric battery. During cruising on the highway, the engine operates in a two-stage gas-expansion cycle. The engine has primary and secondary cylinders. Only primary cylinders operate in internal-combustion mode. After expansion in primary cylinders, combustion gas is subjected to a second stage of expansion in secondary cylinders. This substantially improves the engine efficiency. Whenever heavy engine load is needed, all cylinders operate in internal-combustion mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diesel engine and methods and apparatus for premixing diesel fuel and oxidant for combustion. The methods and apparatus may include a two stage vortex, each stage accommodating different flow rate ranges. The vortex pulverizes diesel fuel and optimally mixes the diesel fuel with an oxidant prior to introduction into a combustion chamber. The premixing results in more complete combustion and, consequently, fuel efficiency is increased and pollution is decreased.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fuel nozzle, a pre-combustion fuel mixing device, and methods related to fuel processing. In an embodiment, a fuel nozzle includes at least one port for receiving fuel, a sidewall forming ports for introducing fuel into a pre-combustion chamber, and a plurality of conduits formed between the first end and the sidewall. In one embodiment, a method includes creating a gaseous, homogenous premixture of fuel and oxidizer in a first pre-combustion vortex chamber, which includes introducing fuel at an axis of the oxidizer vortex both axially and radially through an injector having a plurality of ports through a sidewall arranged in a plurality of rows substantially parallel to one another. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a pre-combustion fuel mixing device having a housing with a first pre-combustion vortex chamber having a first compartment, a second compartment, and a third compartment.

Abstract: The invention concerns an ignition device for internal combustion engine, containing: a main chamber (1) designed for including a main combustible mixture, and fitted with a compression system of said mixture, and an igniter (11) containing a precombustion chamber (2) designed for receiving reactants and an ignition system (13,14) of the reactants contained in the precombustion chamber (2), said precombustion chamber (2) being defined by a precombustion chamber body (12) having a head (12a) including at least one passageway (15), said head (12a) of the precombustion chamber body separating the precombustion chamber (2) from the main chamber (1) and communicating the precombustion chamber (2) and the main chamber (1) by dint of the passageway(s) (15), characterised in that the head (12a) is coated at least partially externally with a coating layer (R) of at least one refractory material.

Abstract: A self-igniting, mixture-compressing internal combustion engine for fuel gas includes a cylinder including a cylinder head (5); an insert (1) operably engaged with the cylinder head (5); a main combustion space (7) in the cylinder; and a prechamber (4) in the insert (1). A low-pressure fuel line is connected to the main combustion space (7). A nozzle (10) is at least partially disposed in the insert (1). The nozzle (10) is operably connected to a high-pressure fuel line. The nozzle (10) is used to inject fuel gas into the prechamber (4). At least one injection opening (6) for connects the prechamber (4) to the main combustion space (7) and passes the fuel gas from the prechamber (4) to the main combustion space (7).

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a compression chamber that is delimited by fixed housing walls and a movable piston mounted therein, and a porous component that fills the combustion chamber, which is separate from the compression chamber. The combustion of fuel and air takes place exclusively within the porous component. The compression chamber is connected to the combustion chamber only via an overflow cross-section designed to allow the transfer of combustion gases created during combustion from the combustion chamber into the compression chamber.

Abstract: A method of hydrating the intake air of an internal combustion engine with cool purified water, deriving benefits of preventing the formation of excessive oxides of nitrogen and carbon, effecting a more complete combustion of hydrocarbon fuels, reducing the latent heat of combustion and increasing the power of combustion. The invention utilizes one or more ultrasonic devices to supply an aqueous vapor with droplets of less than 10 microns in size, varying in quantity according to engine size and load, having electronic sensors and controls for precision switching, metering and delivery. Thus equipped, an engine can be run as a lean burn, low emissions prime mover.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine comprising a compression chamber (3) that is delimited by fixed housing walls (1, 2) and a movable piston (5) mounted therein, and a porous component (4) that fills the combustion chamber (6), which is separate from the compression chamber (3). The combustion of fuel and air takes place exclusively within the porous component (4). The compression chamber (3) is connected to the combustion chamber (6) only via an overflow cross-section (8) designed to allow the transfer of combustion gases created during combustion from the combustion chamber (6) into the compression chamber (3).

Abstract: A recuperating four-stroke internal combustion engine obtains improves Carnot efficiency by use of a new and novel cylinder head which captures thermal energy normally thrown away in the exhaust and re-introduces it to the working cycle. This result, long sought by others, has been achieved by incorporating within the head a compact internal recuperative heat exchanger in series with a combustion chamber or pre-chamber. A recuperator-protecting valve segregates the recuperator from hot combustion gases until the gases reach maximum expansion in the cylinder. Recuperators of both common-duct and seperated-duct design are described, the separated duct recuperator permitting higher recuperator temperature and increased efficiency and a reduction in the number of valves necessary to control gas flow. A preferred embodiment employs four valves per cylinder unit, a separated duct recuperator, and an insulating liner that surrounds both the combustion chamber and the recuperator.

Abstract: A fuel injection internal combustion engine is provided with a sub-combustion chamber in communication with a main combustion chamber. A volumetric ratio of the sub-combustion chamber to the main combustion chamber is set within a range of 2:8 to 6:4. A mixture switching valve is provided for injecting the mixture of the fuel and compressed air into the sub-combustion chamber, and a spark plug is arranged in the sub-combustion chamber. The sub-combustion chamber is formed of a material having a thermal conductivity which is lower than that of the material forming the main combustion chamber.

Abstract: The invention concerns a drive arrangement (1) for the combustion of fuel, with an internal combustion engine (2), an intake air compressor (4) and an exhaust gas turbine (5) which drives the latter. An intake-air distributor (7) is provided between the compressor (4) and the internal combustion engine (2) and an exhaust gas chamber (8) is disposed between the internal combustion engine (2) and the exhaust gas turbine (5). Further provided are a container (12) and a nozzle (18) which is connected thereto via a first water-conveying pressure line (13), the nozzle injecting water into the scavenging air in front of the compressor (4). The internal combustion engine takes the form of a diesel engine (2), and the first pressure line (13) and the nozzle (18) are connected to the intake line (9) in front of a compressor (4) such that the atomizing water is injected into the compressor (4).

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises one or more pairs of first and second cylinders, the first cylinder having a larger swept volume than the second cylinder and respective first and second pistons reciprocable in the cylinders. The second piston has a drive stem and divides the second cylinder into a first volume containing the drive stem of the second piston and a second volume between the two pistons. An air inlet and an exhaust outlet are provided for the first cylinder. A common combustion space is formed between the pistons when the pistons are substantially at their inner dead center positions, the combustion space comprising the second volume. A transfer means enables gas flow between the first volume and the combustion space whilst an inhibiting means inhibits the movement of a substantial amount of fuel/air mixture from the first volume into the second volume until toward the end of the compression stroke of the second piston.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having multiple constant volume combustion chambers associated with each piston of the engine. The combustion within each of the combustion chambers is controlled to obtain fully developed combustion with high pressure resulting in improved efficiencies. Water injectors are used during combustion to increase pressures and lower the temperature of gases within the combustion chambers for controlled release of gases into a cylinder. Ultrasonic energy elements are used to assist in the combustion process. With the use of multiple constant volume combustion chambers for each cylinder, the combustion and release of gas pressure is controlled resulting in greater efficiencies and longevity of the engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an air cell combustion system includes a cylinder block having at least one bore with a piston reciprocably housed therein, and a cylinder head attached to a cylinder block, with the cylinder block, piston and cylinder head defining a combustion chamber. A reservoir for air compressed by the piston is delimited by a counterbore in the deck surface of the cylinder block and by an annular space formed in the cylinder head. A number of passages extend tangentially from the reservoir into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a fuel activation chamber disposed near a main combustion chamber and a valve disposed between the fuel activation chamber and the main combustion chamber to open and close therebetween. The valve is opened by movement of a valve body thereof to the fuel activation chamber. Further, there is provided a valve control device which controls to open and close the valve at the ignition timing in a low speed operation and controls to maintain the valve open in a medium and high speed operation.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a fuel activation chamber disposed near a main combustion chamber and a valve disposed between the fuel activation chamber and the main combustion chamber to open and close therebetween. The valve is opened by movement of a valve body thereof to the fuel activation chamber side.

Abstract: A stream of water or a water-methanol mixture is injected into the induction passage of a spark ignition internal combustion engine, and a probe disposed in the induction passage is contacted by the stream to sense when the density of the engine charge can be increased, the air-fuel ratio of the engine charge can be leaned and the timing of ignition of the engine charge can be advanced beyond normal operating ranges.

Abstract: An apparatus for the injection of fuel into combustion chambers, in particular of self-igniting internal combustion engines, having an injection nozzle (10) and a subsequent glow body (20), which has a conduit (30) surrounded by heatable walls (26) and serving for the passage therethrough of the injected streams. At least one lateral opening (32) discharges into this conduit (30), the opening preferably communicating with a region (46) of the combustion chamber (36) remote from the core region of the ignition. The air aspirated through the lateral opening (32) warms up and enters into the peripheral zone of the injected streams, where the result is an air-fuel ratio and temperature conditions which are very favorable for ignition. Less heat energy is required to initiate the ignition than in the known apparatus of this general type.

Abstract: A fuel injection and precombustion chamber arrangement for internal combustion engines comprising a pair of concentric poppet valves. The outermost valve is arranged to open and close the precombustion chamber to the internal combustion engine cylinder. The innermost valve is arranged to open and close a chamber, formed in the outermost valve body, to the cylinder and to place a fuel-filled annular groove on the spool of the innermost valve in communication with the precombustion chamber and the chamber in the outermost valve such as to mix air flowing through the chamber of the outermost valve from the cylinder fuel and inject into the precombustion chamber the fuel contained in the annular groove in an atomized state.

Abstract: The operating efficiency of a Diesel engine is improved by method and means which prevaporize the injected fuel, and which establish initial combustion in a thermally-isolated, high-temperature chamber, and also which rely on various sources of heat in the operating engine to preheat the fuel to gaseous state prior to injection into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A starting aid for an internal combustion engine comprises a tubular extension in the end of which is wound an electric heating element. Surrounding the extension is a tubular member which ever at least a substantial portion of its length is mounted on spaced relationship to the extension. The member is formed from heat resistant material and acts to minimize the temperature attained by the extension when the aid is in use.

Abstract: A device for supplying flash evaporated fuels directly to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes a housing that is secured to the engine adjacent the combustion chamber and a liquid fuel holding chamber within the housing that is in direct heat exchange relationship with the combustion chamber so that the liquid fuel in the chamber is superheated while the engine is operating. Liquid fuel supplied to the device is drawn into the holding chamber during each intake event of the combustion chamber and is also withdrawn from the holding chamber during the intake event. The holding chamber retains a larger volume than is normally admitted during each intake event and the fuel is further heated by passing same through a restricted passageway that is also in direct heat exchange relationship with the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A fuel vaporizer chamber that is interconnected with a conventional combustion chamber through a valve. The valve remains open during the combustion phase allowing hot combustion products to fill the chamber. The valve is closed during the expansion stroke to trap the products therein. Fuel is then injected into the chamber and vaporized. The valve is opened to release the vaporized fuel mixture into the conventional combustion chamber during the subsequent compression stroke. The charge is then ignited and the cycle is repeated.

Abstract: A diesel type prechamber has a centrally located heated tubular member supplied internally with hot air through a secondary throat or transfer passage, the air vaporizing the fuel sprayed against the outer surface of the hot member and also mixing with the vaporized fuel upon passage of the air through transpiration holes in the member.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine according to the present invention includes a piston reciprocally movable within a cylinder for affording rotational motions to a crankshaft, a combustion chamber formed among the piston, the cylinder and a cylinder head, an intake valve mechanism for opening and closing an intake passage to be communicated with the combustion chamber, igniting means having its igniting portion facing the combustion chamber, fuel supply means for supplying a predetermined quantity of fuel toward a predetermined wall of the combustion chamber, which is heated to a predetermined high temperature by the combustion in the combustion chamber, and an exhaust valve mechanism for opening and closing an exhaust passage to be communicated with the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A fuel vaporizer chamber that is interconnected with a conventional combustion chamber through a valve. The valve allows hot combustion products to enter the chamber during the expansion stroke and is closed to trap the products therein. Fuel is then injected into the chamber and vaporized. The valve is opened to release the vaporized fuel mixture into the combustion chamber during the subsequent compression stroke. The charge is then ignited and the cycle is repeated.