Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a pair of adjacent cylinders, each one of the pair of adjacent cylinders includes a piston, a first intake valve, a second intake valve, a primary port associated with the first intake valve, and a secondary port associated with the second intake valve. Each of the ports is configured to provide a predominant direction of airflow therethrough during engine operation when viewed from above the cylinders and effectively oriented to provide respective in-cylinder air-swirl of opposite direction in each one of the pair of adjacent cylinders during an intake stroke of a respective piston.

Abstract: A crankcase ventilation system is provided. The crankcase ventilation system is fluidly coupled between an engine block assembly and an axially extending air inlet adapter. A crankcase vent nozzle is provided as one aspect of the system and extends into the air inlet adapter. The crankcase vent nozzle has a leading edge portion and a trailing edge portion extending radially into an axially extending flow path in the air inlet adapter. The trailing edge portion extending further into the flow path than the leading edge portion.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a pair of adjacent cylinders, each one of the pair of adjacent cylinders includes a piston, a first intake valve, a second intake valve, a primary port associated with the first intake valve, and a secondary port associated with the second intake valve. Each of the ports is configured to provide a predominant direction of airflow therethrough during engine operation when viewed from above the cylinders and effectively oriented to provide respective in-cylinder air-swirl of opposite direction in each one of the pair of adjacent cylinders during an intake stroke of a respective piston.

Abstract: A crankcase ventilation system is provided. The crankcase ventilation system is fluidly coupled between an engine block assembly and an axially extending air inlet adapter. A crankcase vent nozzle is provided as one aspect of the system and extends into the air inlet adapter. The crankcase vent nozzle has a leading edge portion and a trailing edge portion extending radially into an axially extending flow path in the air inlet adapter. The trailing edge portion extending further into the flow path than the leading edge portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to operate a spray-guided spark-ignition direct fuel injection internal combustion engine are provided. The invention comprises injecting a first quantity of fuel during a combustion cycle. Spark ignition is initiated, and, injection of a second quantity of fuel is controlled effective to propagate a flame kernel generated by the spark ignition, after the initiation of the spark ignition during the combustion cycle.

Abstract: A cylinder head assembly for a direct-injection engine is provided. The cylinder head assembly includes a cylinder head at least partially defining a combustion chamber. The cylinder head is sufficiently configured to receive a fuel injector operable to inject fuel directly into the combustion chamber in a spray pattern. An ignition source, such as a spark plug, is spaced from the fuel injector and operable to initiate ignition of the fuel. A fuel mixture diffuser tab is mounted with respect to the cylinder head and extends into the combustion chamber. The fuel mixture diffuser tab is positioned between the fuel injector and the ignition source and is operable to direct a portion of the fuel toward the ignition source. An internal combustion incorporating the disclosed cylinder head assembly is also provided.