Abstract: A valve device and a method directly inject gaseous fuel into a combustion chamber. A rapid response in a simple and compact design is achieved by a piezoelectric, magnetostrictive, or electromagnetic actuator that acts on a transmission device that comprises at least two levers, which are connected in series to increase the lift of the actuator to actuate a valve. An associated sensor device detects the position of a valve element, such that the actuator can be controlled to reduce the free play between the actuator and the valve.

Abstract: An obstruction is employed in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The obstruction is located within the chamber to generate turbulence and break-up or disrupt the soot rich zone within a directly injected quantity of fuel that is burning. More specifically, a ring disrupts fuel jets directly injected into the combustion chamber that impact on or are influence by the ring. The ring can be suspended from the piston or from the fire deck. Post-type obstructions help generate turbulence and are also targeted at disrupting the soot rich zone of the burning fuel jets. A method involves disrupting the soot rich zone or reducing soot generated within the combustion chamber and increasing burn rate by impacting the fuel jets on an obstruction within the chamber.

Abstract: A method for processing an accelerometer signal associated with the combustion process in an operating internal combustion engine, the method comprising the steps of measuring an accelerometer signal across a window of selected crank angle degrees during a cycle of the engine, the measured accelerometer signal including a combustion acceleration component and a motored acceleration components; and applying a shape function to the measured accelerometer signal to reduce the motored acceleration component.

Abstract: A method directly injects gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The compressibility of the gaseous fuel is used to provide a fuel to the combustion chamber that is injected over all engine operating conditions at pressures that result in fuel jet speeds beyond the injector nozzle in excess of sonic speeds as determined in reference to the combustion chamber environment. The resulting fuel injection speed results in the fuel passing through shock waves within the combustion chamber, which, in turn, promotes combustion of the fuel by promoting turbulence and mixing of the fuel and intake charge within the combustion chamber where fuel burns in a non-premixed combustion mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus create an environment within a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine suitable for auto-ignition and combustion of a fuel that will not otherwise auto-ignite. Under high-load conditions, a pilot quantity of the fuel is injected in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine during the compression stroke of the piston. The quantity and timing of the fuel are chosen to heat an intake charge within the combustion chamber to a temperature at or above the auto-ignition temperature of the fuel by the time required for a main injection of the fuel to drive the piston during the power stroke. Generally, auto-ignition temperatures should be reached at or near top dead center of the piston. An injector design delivers fuel in manner carried out by the method.

Abstract: A dual fuel injection valve separately and independently injects two different fuels and comprises a dual needle assembly with a hollow open-ended outer needle and an inner needle disposed within the hollow interior. A cap cooperates with the outer needle to cover the open end, and the outer needle and the cap together comprise the inner valve body. The outer and inner needles are each movable independently from each other between respective open and closed positions. A spring disposed between the cap and the inner needle contributes to biasing the inner needle in the closed position. The cap can be joined to the outer needle, whereby the cap can provide a limit to the movement of the inner needle. In another embodiment the cap can be detached from the outer body, allowing the spring to space the cap away from the outer needle, assisting with biasing the outer needle closed.

Abstract: A reciprocable piston comprises a cylindrical body reciprocable within a hollow cylinder and at least two spaced ring seals disposed around the circumference of the cylindrical body. Within the cylindrical body there is a scavenging system that comprises: an internal chamber that is in fluid communication with a space between the spaced ring seals; and a one-way fluid passage that allows one-way fluid flow from the internal chamber to the cylinder chamber when fluid pressure within the internal chamber is greater than fluid pressure within the cylinder chamber. A method of scavenging fluid comprises collecting fluid that leaks by a piston seal and returning the collected fluid to the cylinder chamber from which it originated, through a scavenging system disposed within the piston.