Abstract: A system for controlling emissions of a motor-vehicle spark-ignition internal combustion engine includes first and second exhaust gas treatment devices and a secondary air feeding system for feeding secondary air into an exhaust gas conduit, between the first and second exhaust gas treatment devices. The secondary air feeding system is activated only when engine load is greater than a predetermined load value and/or when engine rotational speed is greater than a predetermined speed value. In this condition, an air/fuel ratio of the engine is kept at a value lower than the stoichiometric value, so as to feed the engine with a rich mixture. In one example, an electronic controller is configured for controlling activation of the secondary air feeding system on the basis of a map, as a function of values of the engine load and rotational speed. The map is predetermined depending upon specific characteristics of the engine.

Abstract: A system for controlling emissions of a motor-vehicle spark-ignition internal combustion engine includes first and second exhaust gas treatment devices and a secondary air feeding system for feeding secondary air into an exhaust gas conduit, between the first and second exhaust gas treatment devices. The secondary air feeding system is activated only when engine load is greater than a predetermined load value and/or when engine rotational speed is greater than a predetermined speed value. In this condition, an air/fuel ratio of the engine is kept at a value lower than the stoichiometric value, so as to feed the engine with a rich mixture. In one example, an electronic controller is configured for controlling activation of the secondary air feeding system on the basis of a map, as a function of values of the engine load and rotational speed. The map is predetermined depending upon specific characteristics of the engine.

Abstract: An engine has, for each cylinder, a combustion chamber and a combustion pre-chamber communicating with the combustion chamber. First and second spark plugs are associated with the pre-chamber and combustion chamber, respectively. Gasoline is injected by an injector device directly into the combustion chamber and/or by an injector device into a cylinder intake duct. There is no device for injecting gasoline, air or an air/gasoline mixture directly into the pre-chamber. The engine operates with an air/gasoline mixture substantially corresponding to stoichiometric, for compatibility with an exhaust system having a trivalent catalyst. The pre-chamber is not used for engine operation with poor dosing, but to increase resistance to engine detonation. The engine can thus be configured with a high compression ratio, with a significant reduction in fuel consumption at the same power level. The second spark plug is only activated at low and medium engine loads to stabilize combustion.

Abstract: An engine has, for each cylinder, a combustion chamber and a combustion pre-chamber communicating with the combustion chamber. First and second spark plugs are associated with the pre-chamber and combustion chamber, respectively. Gasoline is injected by an injector device directly into the combustion chamber and/or by an injector device into a cylinder intake duct. There is no device for injecting gasoline, air or an air/gasoline mixture directly into the pre-chamber. The engine operates with an air/gasoline mixture substantially corresponding to stoichiometric for compatibility with an exhaust system having a trivalent catalyst. The pre-chamber is, not used for engine operation with poor dosing, but to increase resistance to engine detonation. The engine can thus be configured with a high compression ratio, with a significant reduction in fuel consumption at the same power level. The second spark plug is only activated at low and medium engine loads to stabilize combustion.

Abstract: Pneumatic system for controlling the valves of an internal combustion engine; the pneumatic system is provided with: a pneumatic accumulator containing pressurized air; a pneumatic manifold; a control device to connect the pneumatic manifold alternatively to the pneumatic accumulator with the internal combustion engine in the high rpm range and to the atmosphere with the internal combustion engine in the low rpm range; a plurality of pneumatic springs, each of which has a variable volume actuating chamber and a piston mounted slidingly inside the actuating chamber; a plurality of connecting conduits, each of which connects the actuating chamber of a respective pneumatic spring to the pneumatic manifold; and a plurality of calibrated cross-sectional portions, each of which has a reduced cross-sectional area and is arranged along a respective connecting conduit.

Abstract: Pneumatic system for controlling the valves, of an internal combustion engine; the pneumatic system is provided with: a pneumatic accumulator containing pressurized air; a pneumatic manifold; a control device to connect the pneumatic manifold alternatively to the pneumatic accumulator with the internal combustion engine in the high rpm range and to the atmosphere with the internal combustion engine in the low rpm range; a plurality of pneumatic springs, each of which has a variable volume actuating chamber and a piston mounted slidingly inside the actuating chamber; a plurality of connecting conduits, each of which connects the actuating chamber of a respective pneumatic spring to the pneumatic manifold; and a plurality of calibrated cross-sectional portions, each of which has a reduced cross-sectional area and is arranged along a respective connecting conduit.