Abstract: A compressor valve comprising at least one valve port opening and a flexible valve member located over the at least one valve port for controlling gas flow therethrough, wherein the compressor valve is adapted to cause elements of the valve member to vibrate at least substantially out of phase during operation of the compressor valve.

Abstract: A fuel injector assembly for an internal combustion engine, including: a delivery chamber (5) located within the injector assembly (1); a mass flow rate control means (50) for controlling the mass flow rate of fuel and compressed gas supplied to the delivery chamber (5), the mass flow rate being a function of the differential pressure across the mass flow rate control means (50); and valve means (9) for selectively communicating the delivery chamber (5) to the engine to deliver fuel to the engine; wherein when the valve means (9) is opened, at least compressed gas is caused to flow thereby generating a differential pressure across the mass flow rate control means such that a controlled fuel flow is provided to the engine.

Abstract: A method of determining a purge fuel mass flow rate from a fuel vapor control system to an internal combustion engine having a compressor for delivering purge gas from the fuel vapor control system to the engine. The temperature rise of the purge gas passing through the compressor is determined. Then, a specific heat ratio of the purge gas is determined as the function of the temperature rise. The purge fuel mass flow rate is determined as a function of specific heat ratio of the purge gas.

Abstract: A fuel pump designed to prevent vapor lock. The pump comprises an inlet check valve located between a pumping chamber and a reservoir. The inlet check valve allows the flow of fluid from the reservoir into the pumping chamber. The inlet check valve is constructed such that when a combination of both liquid and vapor is present in the pumping chamber, the liquid and vapor is allowed to flow from the pumping chamber back into the reservoir; but when the pumping chamber is filled only with liquid, the inlet check valve prohibits flow from the pumping chamber into the reservoir.

Abstract: A method of controlling an internal combustion engine during a warm-up period thereof including controlling at least one operational parameter of the engine as a function of at least a certain measure of the energy delivered to the engine since the start of the warm-up period of the engine to thereby provide improved combustion stability during said warm-up period. Preferably, the measure of the energy delivered to the engine is based on the amount of fuel delivered to the engine during the warm-up period.

Abstract: A method of regulating gas pressure in a dual fluid fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine having at least one delivery injector, including; determining when the gas pressure supplied to the fuel injection system is above a desired level; and opening the at least one delivery injector of the dual fluid fuel injection system for a determined duration when the gas pressure is above the desired level to allow gas to be passed through the delivery injector and thereby regulate the gas pressure of the supplied gas.

Abstract: A method and system of treating blow-by gases within an internal combustion engine, the engine (10) including at least one combustion chamber (28), a dual fluid fuel injection system (26) for delivering a metered quantity of fuel entrained in compressed gas to the at least one combustion chamber (28), the injection system (26) having a compressor (38) for supplying the compressed gas, the method including using the intake vacuum of the compressor to draw the blow-by gases from within the engine for subsequent delivery by the injection system to the at least one combustion chamber.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is controlled during a warm-up period as a function of a cumulative measure of energy supplied to the engine. For example, the total amount of fuel delivered to the engine since start-up or an accumulated value of a load level of each combustion event during the warm-up period may be measured. A degree of offset or modification of individual engine operating parameters during the warm-up period may be based upon the cumulative measure of energy supplied to the engine.

Abstract: A fuel vapor handling system for a dual fluid fuel injection system, including: a fuel supply apparatus and a gas supply apparatus for respectively supplying liquid fuel and gas-vapor mixture to at least one delivery injector of the dual fluid fuel injection system, the fuel supply apparatus including a fuel pump; and a fuel vapor control device providing a fluid communication between the fuel supply apparatus downstream of the fuel pump and the gas supply apparatus to allow fuel vapor present within the fuel supply apparatus to pass to the gas supply apparatus for subsequent delivery by the at least one delivery injector. The fuel vapor device preferably allows the pressure of the liquid fuel supplied to the at least one delivery injector to be substantially equalized with the pressure of the gas supplied to the delivery injector.

Abstract: In introducing fuel to a combustion chamber, the end of air (EOA) is established in the crank angle domain. For example, determination of the average or raw speed is utilize to determined an appropriate crank angle for the closing of the delivery injector (EOA). Once the end of air (EOA) is established in the crank angle domain, the start of air (SOA) may be set in the time domain (by a processor) at a time prior end of air (EOA) by duration equal to the time which the delivery is required to remain open. The required pulse width for the fuel metering injector and the desired fuel-air delay time may then be subtracted from the start of air (SOA) to obtain the start of fuel (SOF) and end of fuel (EOF) in the time domain. Other ways may be utilized to calculate SOA, SOF and EOF. For example, SOA may be estabished in the crank angle domain.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of operating an internal combustion engine (20) with a fuel injection system (11;12) including an injector (12) for delivery of a fuel-gas mixture to a combustion chamber (60) of the engine (20). The engine (20) includes a gas supply system (11;13) pressurized at start-up through a pump-up sequence to a desired pressure for injection of fuel to the engine (20). In the pump-up sequence, the injector (12) is opened allowing pressurized gas to flow from the combustion chamber (60) through the injector (12) and into the gas supply system (11;13). This pressurizes the gas supply system (11;13) when pressure in the combustion chamber (60) is higher than the pressure in the gas supply system (11;13).

Abstract: A method of controlling the oil flow rate for an internal combustion engine including: a) defining a break-in period of the engine; b) determining whether the engine is running within the break-in period; and c) varying the oil flow rate for the engine if the engine is running within said break-in period from the oil flow rate for the engine when running under normal conditions outside the break-in period such that the oil flow rate during the break-in period is generally higher than the oil flow rate under normal engine conditions.

Abstract: A method of lubricating and cleaning a fuel injector of a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine during running of the engine including delivering both a lubricant and a cleaning additive to the injector. The injector injects directly into the combustion chamber of the engine. The lubricant and cleaning additive are delivered to the fuel exit area of the injector.

Abstract: A method of controlling the mass of fuel delivered to a direct injected engine subject to a change with time in engine load demand. A rate of change of fuel required per cycle of the engine in response to the change in engine load demand is determined. A filter constant is applied to the determined rate of change of fuel required to maintain a value of the rate of change of fuel required at no greater than a predetermined threshold level. The application of the filter constant is dependent upon at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of engine gear, clutch position, vehicle road speed, engine load and engine speed.

Abstract: A single solenoid coil controls the movement of a first and second armature respectively. Each armature is connected to a valve element for controlling a fuel supply and for controlling the delivery of the charge respectively. During the period of energization of the solenoid coil, both the first and second armatures are actuated, with the above noted valve elements being caused to open and closed in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A method for controlling fuel supply to an engine, having idle and off-idle operating modes, including determining the total fuel per cycle at idle (FPC.sub.TOTAL-IDLE); determining the total fuel per cycle off-idle (FPC.sub.TOTAL OFF-IDLE); comparing (FPC.sub.TOTAL OFF-IDLE) with (FPC.sub.TOTAL OFF-IDLE); wherein if (FPC.sub.TOTAL OFF-IDLE) is less than (FPC.sub.TOTAL-IDLE), a control means determines a fueling level to the engine at least greater than (FPC.sub.TOTAL OFF-IDLE).

Abstract: A gaseous fuel direct injection fuel system for a spark ignited internal combustion engine having an inlet port for admitting combustion air into a combustion chamber of the engine, the direction injection system including at least one fuel injector for directly injecting gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber, and means for supplying gaseous fuel to the fuel injector, a quantity of gaseous fuel being injected into the combustion chamber by the fuel injector, wherein at least at some operating condition thereof, the injection of the gaseous fuel is initiated after the closing of the inlet port, and wherein the injection of the gaseous fuel is completed before the compression stroke of the engine is substantially completed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a four stroke internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber, the or each combustion chamber having at least one exhaust valve, the method including varying the timing of the closure of the or each exhaust valve with respect to the crank angle of the engine by advancing the exhaust valve closure at least under certain engine conditions in response to an increased engine load, and/or delaying the exhaust valve closure at least under certain conditions in response to a decreased engine load.

Abstract: A two stroke cycle engine 10 with an exhaust gas treatment catalyst. Separate reducing and oxidizing catalyst portions 126 and 127 are provided to treat different portions of the exhaust gas exhausted during each exhaust period. The portion of the exhaust gas high in NOx, usually that first exhausted upon initial opening of the exhaust port, is directed to be treated by the reducing catalysts 126 and the remainder of the exhaust gas is directed to be treated by the oxidizing catalyst 127.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, which includes a rigid elongated unitary member incorporating a gas supply duct, a fuel supply duct and a fuel return duct, each of which extends in the direction of elongation of the unitary member. A separate fuel metering device and fuel injecting device is provided for each engine cylinder. The fuel metering device is arranged to deliver metered quantities of fuel to the fuel injection device and is in communication with the fuel supply and fuel return ducts so that fuel can be circulated through each of the fuel metering devices. The fuel injecting devices are each in communication with the gas duct and communicable with one of the engine cylinders. The fuel injection devices are adapted to effect delivery of a metered quantity of fuel entrained in gas supplied from the gas duct when the fuel injecting device is in fluid communication with a cylinder.