Abstract: A fuel injection system is described for injecting slurry fuels into the combustion chamber of a diesel engine, equipped with a fuel common rail, and fitted with a gas to fuel contactor chamber for dissolving supplementary atomizing gas into the continuous phase of the slurry fuel, at high pressure. Each fuel injector comprises a combined double valve for starting and stopping fuel injection, so that slurry fuel containing atomizing gas is only depressurized when injected into the engine combustion chamber, when such depressurization greatly improves fuel atomization and combustion efficiency. In this way small bore, high speed, diesel engines can be efficiently operated on high viscosity, low cost fuels such as tars from tar sands, tars from coal and biomass, and residual petroleum fuels.

Abstract: A combustion process is described, suitable for use in piston internal combustion engines, wherein two separate mixtures are used, one fuel leaner and one fuel richer than the minimum ignition delay mixture ratio. When the richer mixture is injected into the leaner mixture, interdiffusion creates zones readily compression ignitable. Burning is thusly initiated, which subsequently completes the combustion of the combined air fuel mixture. Very fuel lean overall mixture ratios can be utilized in this way to reduce undesirable exhaust emissions and to increase engine efficiency.

Abstract: A compensator is described for use on those manifold fuel injectors for gasoline engines which utilize a gas pressure cycler to vary the instantaneous rate of liquid fuel injection in proportion to the instantaneous rate of engine intake air flow into each engine cylinder during each intake stroke. The compensator adjusts liquid fuel injection pressure by bleeding adjustable air quantities out of the gas pressure cycler during pressure rise, and then subsequently returning these bleed masses into the gas pressure cycler during pressure decrease. A compensator of this invention is of relatively simple mechanical design, and uses a moderately complex electronic controller.

Abstract: Fuel injector apparatus is described, for use on internal combustion engines using slurry fuels, wherein a portion of the engine air mass is passed through an aspirator passage shortly prior to combustion and the slurry fuel is aspirated into this air portion. The thusly mixed air and fuel slurry is distributed throughout the engine combustion chamber via several exit channels from the aspirator. The fuel portion of the slurry is reduced to a very small size when the slurry is prepared, and fine atomization of the slurry during injection into the engine is not needed. Hence relatively low velocity slurry injection can be used and injector wear problems greatly reduced.

Abstract: An air fuel vapor stratifier apparatus is described, for use with piston internal combustion engines, to create stratified air fuel vapor mixtures within the engine combustion chamber. A fuel rich air fuel vapor mixture is created within a separate chamber, and then displaced into the engine combustion chamber, where it mixes with air contained therein. The consequently leaner air fuel vapor mixture is spark ignited following mixing, and burning takes place. Very lean overall air fuel ratios can be used since a stratified mixture is created. Hence intake air throttling is unnecessary and thus engine efficiency is improved. The absence of liquid fuel during burning in the engine combustion chamber, largely prevents the formation of soot, and thus reduces undesirable exhaust smoke.

Abstract: Engine stratifier apparatus is described, for use with piston internal combustion engines, to create stratified air fuel vapor mixtures within the engine combustion chamber. A fuel rich air fuel vapor mixture is created within a separate chamber, and then displaced into the engine combustion chamber, where it mixes with air and contained therein. The consequently leaner air fuel vapor mixture is spark ignited following mixing, and burning takes place. Very lean overall air fuel ratios can be used since a stratified mixture is created. Hence intake air throttling is unnecessary and thus engine efficiency is improved. The essential absence of liquid fuel during burning in the engine combustion chamber, largely prevents the formation of soot, and thus reduces undesirable exhaust smoke.

Abstract: A solids transfer mechanism is described for transferring solid chunks from a sealed chamber to a receiver. The solid chunks are transferred from a sealed cavity into a larger volume dump cavity from which they are dumped into a receiver. By use of a larger volume for the dump cavity, contact between the seals and the solid chunks is minimized, since the chunks are loose inside the larger volume dump cavity.

Abstract: A compensator scheme is described to compensate variable pressure gasoline injection systems, used on four stroke cycle gasoline engines, for variations of engine speed and intake manifold pressure. The intake manifold pressure compensator adjusts the compression ratio of the gas pressure cycling means of the variable pressure injection system. The engine speed compensator adjusts the ratio of liquid injection pressure to gas pressure in the gas pressure cycling means. Both compensators can be corrected by use of feedback from an engine exhaust gas composition sensor.

Abstract: A refuel mechanism for refueling solids into a reaction chamber, operating at pressure, is described which is capable of premixing several different solid materials before inserting these premixed materials into the reaction chamber. A number of hoppers, containing the differing solid materials, feed these solids together, via proportioning and transfer apparatus, into premixers. The final premix of the several differing solids is then inserted into the pressurized reactor by a refuel mechanism.

Abstract: The actuator described herein can be used with those gasoline engine fuel injection systems which maintain a constant value of instantaneous fuel to air ratio throughout each intake stoke of the engine. When used with these fuel injection systems the actuators described herein act to maintain a constant overall fuel to air ratio from one engine cycle to the next over a wide range of engine operating conditions.

Abstract: A modified primary reactor for cyclic char burning engines is described wherein the reaction chamber cross sectional area increases in the direction of char fuel motion. Additionally air inlet ports are distributed along the length of the chamber in the direction of char fuel motion in order to supply oxygen to the char fuel reaction throughout the reaction chamber. Porous ceramic chips are mixed with the char fuel and function as air storage reservoirs during compression, and as air supply sources during expansion.

Abstract: A gasoline engine fuel injection system is described wherein, during each air intake stroke, the ratio of instantaneous fuel flow rate to instantaneous air flow rate can be essentially constant. By use of this injector system optimum low emission air to fuel ratio can be created within all portions of the intake mixture. Stratified intake mixtures can be created by use of a modified form of the injector system. Such stratified mixtures can be utilized, when needed, to suppress violent compression ignition and knock.

Abstract: By suitable use of product gas reservoirs together with expansion air reservoirs, a throughflow of reactant air through the rapid reaction zone of a cyclic char burning piston engine or gasifier is created. This throughflow direction of air motion during expansion is the same as that during compression. An increased extent of reaction per engine cycle can be achieved by use of such dual throughflow not only during compression but also during expansion.

Abstract: By suitable use of product gas reservoirs together with expansion air reservoirs, a throughflow of reactant air through the rapid reaction zone of the primary reactor of a cyclic char burning piston engine is created, not only during compression but also during expansion. This throughflow direction of air during expansion is opposite to that during compression. A larger and more stable primary reaction zone is created by this reversed dual throughflow.

Abstract: Reacted gas manifolds and reactant gas manifolds are added to the char fuel reaction chamber of a char fuel gas producer in order to create a flow of gas across the direction of motion of the solid char fuel. The char fuel volatile matter can then be mixed with air and this mixture separated from the producer gas created in the high temperature rapid reaction zone. Improved utilization of char fuel volatile matter can be achieved together with a reduction of tar formation.

Abstract: Reacted gas reservoirs are added to each primary reactor of a cyclic char fuel oxidation reactor within which product gas, created by reaction in the primary reactor, is stored during compression. The extent of primary reaction per cycle can be increased by use of these product reacted gas reservoirs.

Abstract: Reacted gas reservoirs and reactant gas manifolds are added to the primary reactors of cyclic char fuel oxidation reactor plants in order to create a flow of gas across the direction of motion of the solid char fuel. A larger and more stable rapid char fuel primary reaction zone can be created by use of cross flow, and separation and improved utilization of char fuel volatile matter can be achieved.

Abstract: Reacted gas reservoirs are added to primary reactors of cyclic char burning engines and gasifiers within which product gas, created by reaction in the primary reactor, is stored during compression. An increased quantity of reactant gas can thus be passed through the reaction zone, and react therein to reacted gas, during each cycle of compression and expansion. The extent of primary reaction per cycle can be increased by this use of these product reacted gas reservoirs.

Abstract: Reacted gas reservoirs and reactant gas manifolds are added to primary reactors of cyclic char burning engines and gasifiers in order to create a flow of gas across the direction of motion of the solid char fuel. Preferably this cross flow direction through the rapid reaction zone is opposite to that through the volatile matter distillation zone. A larger and more stable rapid char fuel primary reaction zone can be created with this cross flow, and improved utilization of char fuel volatile matter can be achieved.

Abstract: Reacted gas reservoirs and reactant gas manifolds are added to the primary reactors of cyclic char fuel oxidation reactor plants in order to create a flow of gas across the direction of motion of the solid char fuel. Preferably this cross flow direction through the rapid reaction zone is opposite to that through the volatile matter distillation zone. A larger and more stable rapid char fuel primary reaction zone can be created with this cross flow, and separation and improved utilization of char fuel volatile matter can be achieved.