Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression timed ignition in internal combustion engines, the varying mass of the fuel-air mixture having controlling effect to retard timing by cooling a heater element to vary the current therethrough, and characterized by an igniter with a pre-chamber in communication with the engine combustion chamber via at least one and preferably a multiplicity of radiating ports for projecting burning plasma into the engine combustion chamber.

Abstract: A device for improving the thermal efficiency of an internal combustion engine by incorporating a hot gas jet ignition system and a burned gas purge system. The hot, high velocity gas jet generated by the system promotes rapid combustion and helps to insure better combustion of the fuel-air mixture. The invention accomplishes this by providing a spark plug or spark plug/adapter assembly with a mini-combustion chamber having an outlet nozzle. As the engine cycles into and through the combustion phase of operation, a hot, high velocity gaseous jet issues from the mini-combustion chamber and penetrates deep into the combustion chamber of the engine to ignite the main fuel-air mixture. The burned gases in the mini-combustion chamber are than purged by ambient air flow through an air inlet check valve communicating with the mini-combustion chamber during the next intake phase of the associated internal combustion engine cylinder or combustion chamber.

Abstract: The cylinder head has a conventional spark plug, therein, for engine start-up, and has a precombustion chamber unit mounted therein as well, for cleaner, more stable normal running of the engine. The method defines the reaming out of spark plug apertures in the head to accommodate the installation of the precombustion chamber unit.

Abstract: A water-cooled, spark-ignited, natural gas burning engine that includes an improved ignition system having a pair of precombustion chambers located in series connected by an orifice from the first chamber into the combustion chamber of the engine whereby a relatively rich fuel/air mixture, ignited in the second prechamber, propagates a flame through an orifice into the first chamber wherein a leaner fuel/air mixture from the combustion chamber is plasma ignited which in turn creates a larger flame that is projected through an orifice into the main combustion chamber for plasma igniting a lean fuel/air mixture which could not otherwise be ignited by spark ignition. The invention also contemplates a kit providing the above for use in converting water-cooled, diesel burning, compression ignited engines into water-cooled, natural gas burning, spark-ignited engines.

Abstract: A pre-combustion chamber for internal combustion engine according to the present invention includes a cylindrical base portion having threads providing means for threadable engagement with a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, and a plurality of cylindrical inlet ports having threads providing means for threadable engagement with a spark plug, a glow plug, a fuel injector and an air injector.

Abstract: A catalytic prereaction timing ignition method and igniter unit for timed ignition of a fuel-air mixture in internal combustion engines providing an ignition chamber open into the combustion chamber of the engine, there being a catalytic igniter positioned in the ignition chamber to intercept a pressure front of stratified fuel-air mixture penetrating a prechamber timing zone of the ignition chamber and controlled by the spring rate of burnt gasses captured in a buffer zone of the ignition chamber during the compression cycle and ignited by the pressure front touching the igniter to effect the power stroke of the engine.

Abstract: A capsule, the interior volume of which is an ignition chamber, is provided with an engine to improve ignition. The capsule has an orifice so the ignition chamber can communicate with a main combustion chamber of the engine. Often, the capsule is connected to a spark plug and the electrode gap of the spark plug is in the ignition chamber. The capsule causes the combustible mixture in the engine to swirl in a controlled manner as it flows from the orifice towards the electrode gap. The interior surfaces of the capsule are contoured such that momentum of the swirling combustible mixture is conserved, thus maintaining the velocity of the swirling combustible mixture as it proceeds from the orifice of the capsule to the electrode gap and also providing an increased velocity of the ignited mixture as it exits the capsule.

Abstract: A spark plug of an engine ignition/combustion system have the electrode gaps of the spark plug surrounded by a capsule having a controlled orifice system. The orifice system and electrode gap are positioned, sized, and oriented specifically for use with lighter-than-air fuel gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for timed ignition of a fuel-air mixture in internal combustion engines, incorporated therein or as a replacement unit therefor, providing an ignition chamber open into the combustion chamber, there being a catalytic igniter positioned in the ignition chamber to contact a pressure front of said fuel-air mixture penetrating the ignition chamber during the compression cycle and ignited thereby to effect the power cycle.

Abstract: A swirl chamber and spark plug assembly comprises a unitary generally cup-shaped cylindrical member having external threads for removably installing it in the spark plug receiving hole of an internal combustion engine and a reduced diameter lower portion at the opposite end. The interior of the swirl chamber member has a central bore with internal threads at the top end and a stepped cylindrical swirl chamber defined by a lower cylindrical chamber and an upper cylindrical chamber of larger diameter for swirling gas in relation thereto. A spark plug having elongated electrodes is threadedly received in the top end of the swirl chamber with the spark plug gap at the juncture between the upper and lower chambers.

Abstract: A method and device for generating pulsed jets which will form plumes comprising eddie structures, which will entrain a fuel/air mixture from the head space of an internal combustion engine, and mixing this fuel/air mixture with a pre-ignited fuel/air mixture of the plumes thereby causing combustion of the reactants to occur within the interior of the eddie structures.

Abstract: Torch jet ignition is used to assist conventional spark ignition. A small (0.5-1 cc) chamber in a spark plug has an orifice (0.1-0.2 cm diameter) adjacent the spark gap to emit a torch jet into the main combustion chamber to enhance the combustion. The combustion is initiated by the conventional spark in the combustion chamber and the combustion ignites the torch jet. In another embodiment, two spark gaps in series are used, one in the main combustion chamber and one in the torch chamber.

Abstract: A gas engine of a pre-chamber type in which a pre-chamber is arranged in communication to a main combustion chamber, an intake passage is arranged to supply lean mixture to the main chamber, a gas pipe is provided to form rich mixture by fuel gas in the pre-chamber, and a spark plug adapted to ignite the rich mixture in the pre-chamber prior to the combustion of lean mixture in the main combustion chamber, is characterized in that an area of a section of the pre-chamber gradually decreases toward the main combustion chamber.

Abstract: A method and a spark plug construction to ignite very lean fuel air mixtures with the aid of an ignition chamber with separate ignition, which is arranged in the main combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, connected to the main combustion chamber 20 through transfer channels 21. Transfer channels may be provided which proceed tangentially, whereby rich fuel air admixtures or additional fuel is brought, valve timed, to the area of at least one transfer channel 21 outside the ignition chamber through a supply channel 24. During a compression stroke the very lean mixture in the main combustion chamber is pressed into the ignition chamber 16 through the transfer channels, which results in a very good intermixing with the additional fuel or the admixture due to the turbulent movement through the transfer channels 21 and the long path to the spark gap. This guarantees a very safe ignition.

Abstract: An ignition device for an air-compressing internal combustion engine which, in addition to reducing electrode erosion, requires low energy consumption. The ignition device includes a high-voltage spark plug (2) to which a casing (6) is connected, a rod (8) inserted coaxially into the casing (6) and an incandescent helix (11) wound around the rod (8).

Abstract: A flame ignitor for internal combustion engines. This flame ignitor is, in one embodiment, an insert unit to be received in, for example, a conventional spark plug hole of an engine. It is to project into the combustion chamber of the engine a sufficient distance, and at a selected orientation, such that an opening will collect a portion of fuel-rich fuel-air mixture from within the combustion chamber and direct the same toward a spark gap of a spark producing device located in the opposite end of the unit. The device has an elongated secondary chamber proximate the combustion chamber and a primary chamber proximate the spark gap. The opening into the secondary chamber also provides an outlet from the secondary chamber to direct ignited fuel into the engine combustion chamber above the piston head at a high rate of speed to ignite any fuel-air mixture therein prior to the initiation of combustion knock.

Abstract: A flame ignitor for internal combustion engines. This flame ignitor is, in one embodiment, an insert unit to be received in, for example, a conventional spark plug hole of an engine. It is to project into the combustion chamber of the engine a sufficient distance, and at a selected orientation, such that a bell-shaped opening will collect a portion of fuel-rich fuel-air mixture from within the combustion chamber and direct the same toward a spark gap of a spark producing device located in the opposite end of the unit. The device has an elongated secondary chamber proximate the combustion chamber and a primary chamber proximate the spark gap. The bell-shaped opening into the secondary chamber is preferably oriented to give a spiral movement to incoming fuel mixtures.

Abstract: A combustion aid for internal combustion engines featuring a sleeve having a forward end relative to a combustion chamber with a frusto-conical interior surface. A plurality of circumferentially spaced passages in an annular zone so that the passages are angled inwardly and rearwardly to promote gas swirling. The sleeve is adapted to receive a spark plug and distribute the flame from the spark uniformly into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An ignition device including a hollow central electrode that forms an ignition chamber within the ignition device. The end of the hollow electrode can be shaped to improve the gaseous flow to produce a swirl within the central electrode.

Abstract: A spark-plug assembly comprises a fitting mounted on the piston cylinder of an internal-combustion engine and formed with a generally closed firing chamber, at least one firing port extending between the firing chamber and the piston cylinder for fluid communication therebetween, and a storage compartment opening only into the firing chamber. The fitting being provided with a flame-blocking element or formation preventing the entrance of a flame front from the firing chamber into the storage compartment. This firing chamber is open substantially only to the storage compartment and to the piston cylinder. A spark plug has electrodes in the firing chamber. The electrodes form a spark gap lying in the firing chamber between the storage compartment and the port and the storage compartment opens only into the firing chamber.

Abstract: A spark plug adaptor for an internal combustion engine is provided with two chambers, an upper preliminary chamber and a lower secondary chamber. The upper chamber encompasses the spark plug electrodes and communicates with the lower chamber through an acceleration orifice. The lower chamber has a deflector means for imparting turbulence to the combustion products from the upper chamber.

Abstract: An ignition plug for an internal combustion engine, and an internal combustion engine provided therewith, has first and second ignition chamber parts communicating with one another, an electrode supported on an insulator and a mass electrode and at least one overflow passage arranged to communicate with a main combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine with an ignition chamber of the ignition plug, wherein the overflow passage is open directly into the second ignition chamber part from an end wall bounding the first ignition chamber part and is located inside an inner parallel surface of a circumferential wall of the second ignition chamber part.

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: An ignition chamber unit to be arranged on a main combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine has walls forming a separate ignition chamber having a first wall which separates the ignition chamber from the main combustion chamber and has at least one passage arranged in the first wall to connect the ignition chamber with the combustion chamber, a center electrode provided in the ignition chamber and forming together with the first wall a spark gap and also having a free end which extends into the ignition chamber, wherein the electrode is hollow near the free end and is formed as a heat pipe, and an insulator with an insulator shoe which extends into the ignition chamber and supports the center electrode so that the insulator together with the insulator shoe forms an insulating gap.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine with externally supplied ignition is proposed, in which besides a main combustion chamber an ignition chamber is provided, which communicates with the main combustion chamber via a central discharge channel, which is disposed coaxially with the axis of the ignition chamber, and via additional discharge channels distributed about this discharge channel. Protruding into the coaxially disposed overflow channel is an electrode extending through the ignition chamber, this electrode being embodied as a heat pipe and forming a spark gap with the wall of the ignition chamber in the region of the overflow channel. As a result of its embodiment as a heat pipe, the electrode is protected against excessive heating and is simultaneously held to an optimal temperature.

Abstract: An improved ignitor and ignition method for igniting a wide variety of fuels that may be used to power various types of engines, or for use with other applications requiring the efficient combustion of fuel. The fuel to be burned is mixed with air to form a relatively lean first fuel/air mixture. This first fuel/air mixture is then injected into the primary combustion chamber, such as the combustion zone of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, or similar combustion chamber of other types of fuel-burning apparatus. The first fuel/air mixture is ignited with a stream of hot ionized gas that is jetted into the primary combustion chamber from a precombustion or plasma-generating chamber. The plasma-generating chamber is in close proximity to the primary combustion chamber, with a plasma guide or discharge tunnel connecting the two. A fuel line connects a source of pressurized fuel to the plasma-generating chamber.

Abstract: A system for converting a spark ignition Otto cycle engine into a compression ignition or Diesel cycle engine comprises:(a) compression means connected to the engine piston end portion closest the combustion zone to effect an increase in heating and pressurization of intake air in that zone,(b) pre-combination chamber means independent of, and attached to, the engine head to communicate with said zone via the spark plug opening in the head, said chamber means having an inlet to pass pressurized fuel into the interior of said chamber means, for mixing with air from said combustion zone to pre-combust and flow to the combustion zone wherein combustion is completed, and(c) cooling means including a coolant passage adjacent said pre-combustion chamber to circulate fluid coolant in heat receiving relation with said chamber.

Abstract: An ignition system having first and second modes of operation is part of an engine which develops motive power by burning fuel received in a main combustion chamber. An auxiliary combustion chamber that is integral with the main combustion chamber is provided. These chambers have a common passageway through which the auxiliary chamber receives a portion of the fuel. An electrical igniter is integral with the auxiliary chamber, the igniter having an electrically conductive base and an electrode insulated from such base. An ignition transformer is included that has a primary and secondary winding wherein the secondary winding is coupled to the electrode. A capacitorless excitation circuit is provided that is coupled to the primary winding for generating an electrical arc within the auxiliary chamber during the second mode of operation.

Abstract: A torch chamber apparatus and method for providing a more thorough combustion of a fuel/air mixture in a combustion chamber of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The torch chamber is configurated as a hollow, cylindrical body having a jet nozzle and external threads at a first end and an axial, internally threaded, spark plug-receiving opening at the second end. A diametrally enlarged shoulder, wrench engagement nut with an indicia thereon is also included at the second end. The dimensions of the hollow cylindrical body and the shoulder are selectively predetermined to adapt the torch chamber to be inserted into a spark plug access bore with a deformable gasket sealingly engaged between the shoulder and the rim of the access bore. The method includes interposing the torch chamber between the spark plug and the combustion chamber while aligning the jet nozzle inside the combustion chamber by viewing the indicia.