Abstract: In a spark ignition internal combustion engine with power output controlled by a throttle, a throttle switch provides a wide open throttle signal and a knock sensor provides a knock level signal. A normal spark pulse train, corrected for intake manifold vacuum, engine speed and dwell angle, is fed through a shift register which delays each spark pulse by a fixed number of counts. A pulse train generator responsive to crankshaft rotation produces a crankshaft reference angle pulse each fixed number of degrees of crankshaft rotation; and these pulses are counted by the shift register to provide a normal spark timing.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provide with heat pipe capsules integrated into portions of the combustion chamber wall-forming components of the engine such as the pistons and cylinder head and arranged to transmit heat from the portions of the combustion chamber walls formed by the capsules to adjacent cooling fluid systems at rates controlled by the heat pipe capsules to maintain a predetermined wall temperature range adequate to promote combustion while avoiding detonation or coking of fuel on the wall surfaces.

Abstract: Spark knock in an internal combustion engine is detected by an accelerometer attached to the intake manifold which generates electrical signals representing inaudible background engine noise combined with knock. A signal proportional to engine speed is provided and a circuit responsive to the speed signal generates a background noise reference signal which is subtracted from the electrical signal therefore producing a knock intensity signal. That signal is in turn compared with another speed variable reference signal representing borderline knock level so that the resultant output is a signal representing the amount by which the knock intensity exceeds the borderline value. Each reference signal is generated by a diode function generator in response to the speed signal.

Abstract: In a spark ignition internal combustion engine, an accelerometer is mounted on an engine component, preferably the intake manifold, and senses vibration including individual ringing vibrations due to engine knock or detonation. A reference signal is derived from the accelerometer signal during the portion of the engine cycle prior to possible knock-induced vibrations, which signal indicates the background accelerations due to noise. The number of individual ringing vibrations exceeding the reference signal during a predetermined amount of engine crankshaft rotation is counted. When the number of such counts exceeds a predetermined number during the predetermined crankshaft rotation, engine spark timing is retarded. If the number of such counts is less than a predetermined number during the predetermined crankshaft rotation, engine spark is advanced.

Abstract: A jet ignition engine, of the type in which lean mixtures in the main combustion chambers are ignited by flame jets formed by combustion of rich mixtures in adjacent small auxiliary precombustion or ignition chambers connected with the main chambers by restricted orifices, wherein the engine is provided with a main fuel system for supplying lean mixtures to the main chambers and a supplemental fuel injection system for adding fuel to the auxiliary prechambers to augment lean mixtures delivered from the main chambers and form the rich prechamber ignition charges. The simplified injection system injects fuel at low pressure during the piston exhaust strokes through timed injection valves and nozzles. Each fuel stream is directed to engage an extended spark plug electrode that forms an atomizing projection in the prechamber to break up the fuel stream, directing droplets to prechamber walls, formed by an insulated cup, for vaporization.

Abstract: A pair of spaced sound pulse transducers in a passage carrying an air flow are used with a driving and time measuring circuit for measuring the upstream and downstream sound pulse propagation times. One of the transducers is mounted on density responsive bellows for movement therewith so that the transducer spacing depends on the air density. A temperature transducer senses the air temperature. Air mass flow is electrically calculated from the temperature and the upstream and downstream pulse propagation times.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with a vapor heat capsule that utilizes a vaporizable heat transfer fluid to conduct heat from the engine exhaust gases to a hot plate for heating the intake air-fuel mixture. The rate of heat transfer and temperature of the heated surface are controlled by selection of a heat transfer fluid, the volume of fluid used and design parameters of the heat capsule to obtain, upon vaporization of all the fluid within the capsule, a fluid boiling and condensing temperature of a predetermined value below the coking temperature of the fuel. The rate of heat flow through the capsule is varied automatically in response to the cooling effect on the hot plate of heating air-fuel mixture and vaporizing varying amounts of liquid fuel droplets.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with a turbosupercharger including a vaned rotatable compressor wheel arranged in an inlet passage to compress inlet mixture for delivery to the engine combustion chamber, a vaned turbine wheel arranged in an exhaust passage to be driven by the flow of engine exhaust gases, a shaft interconnecting the turbine and compressor wheels for rotation together on a common axis, and vaporizable fluid heat transfer means in the form of a heat pipe extending through the shaft between the turbine and compressor wheels for transferring exhaust heat from the turbine wheel to the compressor wheel to heat the engine inlet mixture.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine induction system is provided with a heat pipe arrangement having fast warm up and automatic temperature control characteristics to quickly apply exhaust heat to the inlet mixture during warm up while controlling the maximum heat applied at a predetermined level.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with a vapor heat transfer capsule mounted between the inlet and exhaust manifolds, below the carburetor, to transfer exhaust heat to the intake manifold air-fuel mixture. The heat transfer capsule includes boiler and condenser sections separated by a regulator plate that includes a vapor flow directing nozzle and a plurality of capillary passages for the return of liquid condensate. The regulator plate is insulated from the exhaust manifold, but is in heat exchange relation with the intake manifold to provide a path for the transfer of excess heat out of the condenser section.