Abstract: A system and method to control spark timing of an engine wherein the injection timing of the engine is varied relative to a crankshaft position depending on engine operating conditions. According to the method, spark timing is varied as fuel injection timing varies for at least a portion of the engine operating range. The method can reduce fuel consumption, reduce transient fuel requirements, improve engine performance, and reduce CO emissions, at least under some conditions.

Abstract: A system and method to control an engine wherein at least intake valve timing is retarded relative to a crankshaft position depending on engine operating conditions. According to the method, at least a portion of the fuel is injected during the intake valve open period with retarded valve timing. The method can reduce fuel consumption, reduce transient fuel requirements, improve engine performance, and reduce CO emissions, at least under some conditions.

Abstract: A method of using an amorphous carbon-based coating to extend the operating life of a fuel injector having a needle operating within a valve body, the valve body, the valve and body having steel surfaces subject to repeated impact and sliding friction contact over the operating life of the injector. The method comprises (a) providing the steel surfaces of at least one of the needle and body with an ion implanted stabilized amorphous carbon-based coating in a thickness of 1-10 micrometers, the coating having low internal stresses and low coefficient of friction independent of humidity and being stabilized by the presence of up to 30% by weight of carbide forming material selected from the group of silicon, titanium and tungsten, and (b) repeatedly and rapidly actuating the fuel injector in time periods of 0.5-1.

Abstract: A fuel injector for improving the atomization quality of fuel flowing into an internal combustion engine, includes a body having first and second turbulence cavities defined therein. First and second supply orifices in the body are coupled into their corresponding turbulence cavities for guiding the flow of fuel thereinto. First and second metering orifices in the body are coupled from corresponding first and second turbulence cavities for exhausting the atomized fuel therefrom in first and second fuel flows. One rim of each supply orifice is paired with a second rim of an adjacent metering orifice in order to produce a turbulence within the turbulence cavity. The metering orifice rim is spaced downstream by a distance y and laterally offset by a distance x from the supply orifice rim such that x/y is greater than 0.1. The fuel flowing from the first and second metering orifices includes lateral momentum components that cooperate to control the resultant cone angle of the fuel flowing from the injector.