Abstract: An engine combustion chamber includes a cylinder head, a cylinder wall and a piston. The piston has a bowl volume formed therein. A fuel injector is disposed adjacent one edge of the bowl and an ignition source is within a predetermined distance of another, substantially opposite, edge of the bowl. The bowl has a transporting surface which directs a fuel-air charge from the bowl volume toward the ignition source. The piston, bowl and cylinder head cooperate through a plurality of design features to provide an efficient combustion chamber.

Abstract: Intake valve timing information is provided for control and diagnostics in a variable valve timing internal combustion engine application in which check valves are disposed in intake passages connecting engine cylinders to an intake plenum for impeding backflow out of the intake passages and into the intake plenum, by timed sampling of intake passage pressure and a determination of pressure change over an intake valve closing event indicating an amount of backflow out of the cylinder and into the intake passage. The amount of backflow indicates intake valve timing as the crank angle at the time of intake valve closing.

Abstract: An engine charge control system operates by initially reducing power from full load by retarding exhaust valve closing timing to increase exhaust gas charge dilution up to the limit for efficient operation. Further load reductions are made by reducing charge mass without increased dilution via alternative steps such as throttling (in conjunction with intake check valves or using individual cylinder valves) or retarding intake valve opening timing without throttling. Partial substitution of external charge dilution is also contemplated.

Abstract: An active reed valve for a fluid passage comprising a sealing means sealingly fixed to the passage walls, and a primary petal seat having a primary seat port and a downstream primary seat end. A flexible primary petal is sealingly attached to the primary petal seat in a cantilevered manner. The primary petal seat and a primary baffle are sealingly attached to the sealing means. The primary baffle is spaced apart from the primary petal seat so that fluid can flow between the primary baffle and petal seat. A positioning means enables the primary baffle to sealingly engage the primary seat wherein fluid flow between the primary baffle and petal seat is directed by the primary baffle toward the primary seat port. Fluid flow through the primary seat port is allowed by the primary petal flexing away from the primary petal seat and fluid back-flow is obstructed by seating of the primary petal on the primary petal seat.

Abstract: An intake venting system comprising a plurality of intake passages. Each of the intake passages leads to a respective cylinder in an engine. A reed valve is disposed in and attached to each intake passage. Each of the reed valves allows fluid flow toward the respective cylinder and obstructs fluid back-flow in the reverse direction. An intake valve is seated in each of the intake passages between the reed valve therein and the cylinder to which the respective intake passage leads. A bypass port is located on each intake passage so that each bypass port communicates with a trapped volume defined by the portion of the intake passage between the reed valve and intake valve therein.

Abstract: An intake port pressure control system comprises an intake passage leading to a cylinder in an engine, and a check valve in the intake passage to allow fluid flow toward the cylinder and obstruct fluid back-flow in the reverse direction. A bypass port is located on the intake passage so that the bypass port communicates with a trapped volume defined by the portion of the intake passage between the check valve and intake valve. The intake port pressure control system further comprises a control valve having an outlet passage, a secondary passage, and an actuator enabling communication between the outlet passage and secondary passage. The actuator further enables active adjustment of the flow area of the flowpath between the secondary passage and outlet passage throughout a range of engine operating conditions. The outlet passage is connected to the bypass port, and the secondary passage is connected to a secondary air source.

Abstract: An intake reservoir system is for an engine having an intake passage leading to a cylinder, and a check valve in the intake passage to allow fluid flow toward the cylinder and obstruct fluid back-flow in the reverse direction. A bypass port is located on the intake passage so that the bypass port communicates with a trapped volume defined by the portion of the intake passage between the check valve and cylinder. The intake reservoir system comprises an inflower for enabling fluid to flow into the trapped volume when the pressure therein is at least equal to the pressure upstream of the check valve. The intake reservoir system further comprises a reservoir cavity, a port passage connected between the reservoir cavity and bypass port enabling communication between the reservoir cavity and trapped volume, and a volume controller enabling adjustment of the volume of the reservoir cavity.