Abstract: An ignition quality tester includes an unit for repeatedly injecting a precise quantity of fuel under controlled conditions into a combustion chamber where monitored combustion can be carried out. The tester can be used in an in-line feedback arrangement to permit the continual adjustment of a refining process to maintain the cetane number at a desired value.

Abstract: A compression ignited, spark ignited, or surface ignited engine single or multi-cylinder low temperature starting system is positioned permanently or temporarily in the intake system during the engine starting and warming-up period for an extremely cold temperature engine condition. The low temperature starting system for these engine types is capable of starting on a wide variety of liquid fuels, E.G., high or low fuel volatility, high or low fuel boiling range and gaseous fuels. A pre-heat device which is fuel fired, electrically heated, chemically heated, heated by thermal storage or other means is used to pre-heat the air or air-fuel mixture.

Abstract: A lightweight back-pack generator set having a spark-ignited engine operating on middle distillate fuels (e.g., JP-5, JP-8 and F-34) has been provided. The generator set includes a back-pack frame; an alternator; and a spark-ignited combustion engine adapted to operate on a middle distillate fuel. The engine uses a preheater for heating the intake manifold to facilitate start-up operation of the engine. The present invention also provides a simple and inexpensive method for converting a spark-ignited gasoline engine to operate on a middle distillate fuel for providing a lightweight engine suitable for driving an alternator, a portable generator, or other portable equipment.

Abstract: A method of measuring the instantaneous shaft velocity of a rotary machine having a shaft with a plurality of circumferentially spaced markers thereon, comprises the steps of sensing the passage of the markers with at least two circumferentially spaced sensors mounted adjacent the shaft to generate pulses in response to the passage of the markers; for each of the sensors continually deriving from the pulses and estimated spacing signals representing an estimated spacing of the markers, a set of angular velocity signals representing the instantaneous shaft angular velocity at a given point in time t.sub.i ; and varying the estimated spacing signals on an iterative basis to attempt to match the sets of angular velocity signals derived from the respective sensors. The described method allows a more accurate ICAV (Instantaneous Crankshaft Angular Velocity) waveform to be produced than was possible using prior art techniques.

Abstract: A piston and cylinder arrangment for an internal combustion engine designed to run on diesel and similar fuels, comprises a cylinder defining a main combustion chamber, a piston reciprocatable within said cylinder and having a thermally insulating plate on its upper surface, a cylinder head including a precombustion chamber, a fuel injector for injecting fuel into said precombustion chamber, and a thermally insulated block of material with high heat retention ability surrounding the precombustion chamber to maintain a high temperature a high temperature of at least about 500.degree. C. in the precombustion chamber and thereby facilitate fuel ignition at moderate compression ratios. A mass of material with high heat retention ability is mounted on the insulated surface of the piston so as to remain at a high temperature during running of the engine and facilitate the combustion process during the downward stroke of the piston.