Abstract: A combustion chamber is provided within an internal combustion engine, the chamber bounded by a cylinder bore, a primary end, and a secondary end. The secondary end reciprocates between a TDC position nearest the primary end and a BDC position. Induction and exhaust ports are timed to open and close to transfer air into, and gasses from, the chamber. The chamber becomes fuel stratified when the secondary end is positioned within a stratified distance of the primary end. When stratified, the chamber is comprised of a central region, a perimeter region, and a transfer passageway between regions. A fuel injector at the primary end injects fuel only into the central region and only prior to ignition. The perimeter region pumps air into the central region prior to ignition, creating tumble turbulence. Combustion is initiated near TDC in the central region and concluded near TDC in the transfer passageway.

Abstract: A combustion chamber is provided within an internal combustion engine, the chamber bounded by a cylinder bore, a primary end, and a secondary end. The secondary end reciprocates between a TDC position nearest the primary end and a BDC position. Induction and exhaust ports are timed to open and close to transfer air into, and gasses from, the chamber. The chamber becomes fuel stratified when the secondary end is positioned within a stratified distance of the primary end. When stratified, the chamber is comprised of a central region, a perimeter region, and a transfer passageway between regions. A fuel injector at the primary end injects fuel only into the central region and only prior to ignition. The perimeter region pumps air into the central region prior to ignition, creating tumble turbulence. Combustion is initiated near TDC in the central region and concluded near TDC in the transfer passageway.

Abstract: A combustion chamber is provided within an internal combustion engine, the chamber bounded by a cylinder bore, a primary end, and a secondary end. The secondary end reciprocates between a TDC position nearest the primary end and a BDC position. Induction and exhaust ports are timed to open and close to transfer air into, and gasses from, the chamber. The chamber becomes fuel stratified when the secondary end is positioned within a stratified distance of the primary end. When stratified, the chamber is comprised of a central region, a perimeter region, and a transfer passageway between regions. A fuel injector at the primary end injects fuel only into the central region and only prior to ignition. The perimeter region pumps air into the central region prior to ignition, creating tumble turbulence. Combustion is initiated near TDC in the central region and concluded near TDC in the transfer passageway.

Abstract: A combustion chamber is provided within an internal combustion engine, the combustion chamber including a cylinder head having an internal bore with an open end and a closed end, and a piston which reciprocates within the internal bore between a TDC position near the closed end and a BDC position, with a compression end facing the closed end. Poppet valves on the closed end and ports on the internal bore can control the flow of gasses into, and from, the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is stratified when the compression end is positioned within a stratified distance of the closed end. When stratified, the combustion chamber is comprised of a central combustion region, a perimeter squish region, and a transfer passage between the regions. A direct fuel injector injects fuel into the central combustion region, mixing fuel with inducted gasses prior to combustion. The combustion chamber can be thermally insulated.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine cylinder assembly comprises a cylinder bore having a closed cylinder end and interior cylinder side walls. A piston slides in the cylinder between a bottom dead center (BDC) position and a top dead center (TDC) position and has a compression end facing the closed cylinder end. The piston and cylinder bore forming a combustion chamber between the piston, the interior cylinder side walls, and the closed cylinder end. The piston's compression end has a layer of a combustion-resistant thermal insulating material on. First and second valves at the closed cylinder end control flow of gasses into and from the cylinder volume between the piston and the closed end. A layer of a combustion-resistant insulating material forms the closed cylinder end of the cylinder bore, and extends part way toward the BDC piston position.

Abstract: A flat (40) for containing a plurality of nestable pots (20). Flat (40) includes a like plurality of “cells” (42) each sized and configured to frictionally hold one of the pots (20). Each cell (42) includes a frame (44) and a plurality of “struts” (54), each strut including a top portion (58) and a bottom portion (60). The top and bottom strut portions have different angles, so that only the strut bottom portions, which are angled at approximately the same angle as the sides of the pots (20), actually grip the pot(s); whereas the strut top portions (58) angle away from the pots and do not frictionally grip same. Preferably, the strut bottom portions (60) grip the bottom portion of the lower pot (of a stack of nested pots) in register with the “dead space” (32) between the nested pots.