Abstract: An internal combustion engine having variable intake valve timing to control the compression work performed by the piston, so as to avoid knocking operation while allowing maximum use of exhaust energy in the event that the engine is equipped with a turbocharger.

Abstract: A method of phaseshifting a variable cycle engine utilizing the Otto cycle engine timing schedule for full-load and the Atkinson cycle engine timing schedule for part-load operation, the engine having multiple intake valves and an exhaust valve, phaseshifting of the intake and exhaust events coupled with adjustment of the clearance volume and the use of residual gas in the cylinder as a determinant of the intake charge volume and the compression end temperature level, to provide a high engine operating efficiency while concurrently lowering nitrogen oxide emissions and eliminating the need for an external exhaust gas recirculating system.

Abstract: A combination hydraulic and mechanical mechanism for varying the stoke/clearance volume of an engine in response to the alternating torsional impulses of the engine that are applied through the piston and connecting rod mechanism. An eccentric on which the connecting rod is journaled is rotated relative to the crankshaft to vary the crank radius, which will vary the compression ratio and make other changes in the thermodynamic cycle. A fluid pressure control system includes a pressure movable shaft controlling the flow of fluid past one-way check valves to oil filled hydraulic cylinders that contain pistons/plungers operably connected to the eccentric and crankshaft, to control the movement of the eccentric in response to the torsional impulses.

Abstract: An automotive-type engine has each of the piston connecting rods connected to the engine crankshaft by means of a swing link that is pivoted at one end to the arm of a normally stationary crank; however, the crank can be rotated to change the clearance volume between the piston and the cylinder head or the stroke of the engine for best engine operation at each operating condition. A piston/plunger hydraulically interconnects the crank arm to a control means for permitting rotation of the crank arm by means of a number of cam-controlled pushrods operating on one-way check valves controlling flow of fluid from opposite ends of the chamber containing the piston/plunger.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a mechanically simply constructed mechanism located internally of a piston engine for adjustably changing the stroke of a piston over a predetermined range in response to a variety of operating control parameters. The adjustable stroke changing mechanism provides an optimum compression ratio at each change in piston stroke and over the entire range of piston stroke provided which may be varied from one piston engine to another of different performance characteristics without requiring a major change in design of the stroke changing mechanism. The stroke changing mechanism includes a swing plate pivotally fixed to the engine block at one end and placed intermediate the piston connection rod and respective crankshaft pin at its other end, each of which are affixed to and translate within the swing plate as the piston is driven to reciprocate within a piston cylinder.

Abstract: A modular control mechanism for shifting the phase of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft in an internal combustion engine, accomplished by shifting the angular position of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft. The mechanism comprising two hydraulic cylindrical housings attached to either the camshaft flange or the camshaft driving sprocket, and plungers within the cylindrical housings attached to the other flange to form a rotational hydraulic coupling. The hydraulic cylinders providing a pair of cavities which vary in displacement as the two flanges are rotated relative to one another. A control apparatus regulating the flow of fluid between the hydraulic cylindrical housings, thus controlling the phase shift between the crankshaft and camshaft. The control device using the energy produced by the reaction torque pulses on the camshaft, and resultant pressure pulses in the cavities, thus creating a self-actuating system.

Abstract: A modular control mechanism for shifting the phase or angular position of a camshaft or camshafts relative to a crankshaft in an internal combustion engine, and utilizing the energy produced by the reaction torque pulses on the camshaft, and resultant pressure pulses in the cavities, to provide a self-actuating system. In one embodiment, e.g. for controlling a single camshaft, the mechanism comprises two hydraulic cylindrical housings attached to either the camshaft flange or the camshaft driving sprocket, and a respective piston within each cylindrical housing and attached to the other flange to form a rotational hydraulic coupling. The hydraulic cylinders provide a pair of fluid chambers varying in displacement as the two flanges are rotated relative to one another. A hydraulic control apparatus regulates the flow of fluid between the hydraulic cylinders, thus controlling the phase shift between the crankshaft and camshaft.

Abstract: An electronic fuel injector for an internal combustion engine includes an electromagnetic coil assembly and a valve assembly responsive to the coil with the valve assembly including a valve stop having a sealing surface for contacting a valve pintle and a semi-floating pintle reciprocably mounted above the valve stop and having a first axial portion extending within an armature and a second axial portion which is not piloted and which has a sealing surface for contacting the sealing surface of the valve stop.

Abstract: A solenoid valve for highly efficient control of high flow capacities comprises an armature formed as a sleeve having one end closing against the valve seat. A ring-shaped protrusion on the sleeve forms a conical surface facing a corresponding conical surface on a stationary part of the solenoid valve body separated by a predetermined gap to form magnetic poles within the magnetic flux path generated by the solenoid coil. The application of electrical current to the coil generates the magnetic force across the gap which displaces the sleeve in an axial direction toward a stop ring carried by the valve body. The end of the sleeve engaging the stop ring includes recesses for adjusting the net force when fluid pressure is exerted against the sleeve as it rests against the stop ring.

Abstract: A fuel injector assembly has an outer body that is fixed to the cylinder head and an inner valve that moves to a fixed open position to discharge a fuel/compressed air or gas mixture into the combustion chamber. A control sleeve surrounds the injector body and is axially movable with respect to it to various positions to interact with the spray pattern of the fuel mixture being discharged from the nozzle to vary the shape or pattern of the fuel spray as a function of different engine operating conditions.

Abstract: A fuel injection system includes an injector having a fuel and air/gas mixing chamber that includes a normally closed injector valve, the chamber being for premixing fuel and air, complete with controls to provide a time interval between introduction of the fuel into the air chamber and the introduction of compressed air/gas to cause the injection event by opening of the valve to permit evaporation of the fuel whereby a premixed rich air/fuel mixture charge is discharged into the engine combustion chamber.

Abstract: A self-adjusting fuel injection system includes a solenoid controlled fuel injection pump. A memory stores fuel injection information relating to the particular fuel delivery characteristics of the pump. A controller coupled to the memory and pump actuates the pump to provide a desired amount of fuel by correcting for the individual characteristics of the pump.

Abstract: A positive displacement fuel injection pump having a single plunger moving fuel into and out of a fuel chamber by way of plunger internal passages being connected one at a time with a fuel supply passage and disconnected from a fuel injection line, and vice-versa upon rotation of the plunger, a solenoid valve controlling pressurization of the fuel chamber and effecting the injection of fuel through individual nozzles connected to the engine air stream adjacent an individual cylinder, the plunger internal passages including an outlet check valve controlling the fuel flow to the nozzles.

Abstract: A fuel injection pump includes a number of plungers of the fill/spill port control type, the plungers being hydraulically connected in pairs and through a single shuttle valve to a single fuel spill port controlled by a single solenoid controlled spill valve, the plungers being operable in sequence and in succession to condition one plunger at a time for fuel pressurization while the remaining plungers are in various other phases of operation refilling their fuel chambers with fuel or preparing the air fuel chamber for pressurization.

Abstract: An electromagnetically controlled fuel injection pump of the spill port, continuously rotating, multiplunger type in which fuel flow to and from a pair of plunger barrels is controlled by a single solenoid valve controlling a spill port, each of the plungers in turn controlling the injection of fuel to two or three engine cylinders.

Abstract: A fuel injection pump of the radial plunger, spill port type includes electromagnetic means for opening and closing the spill port to control the pressurization of fuel for injection of fuel to the individual engine cylinders; a single solenoid assembly controlling the flow of fuel to and from a pair of pumping plungers in response to the movement of a shuttle valve mechanism; in one embodiment, a single retraction type delivery valve is used in connection with each pumping plunger and, in a separate embodiment, a single retraction type delivery valve is integrated with the shuttle valve mechanism which controls the individual delivery of fuel to a pair of engine cylinders.

Abstract: A unit fuel injector combines an injection nozzle, a fuel pumping unit, and a solenoid valve with a mechanism for precise adjustment of the air gap size in the solenoid. Activation of the solenoid and closing of the spill port in the solenoid valve results in fuel injection from the injection nozzle. Controlling the duration and timing of the solenoid voltage pulse controls the quantity of fuel injected and injection timing, while an adjustment of the size of the solenoid air gap permits fine adjustment of the quantity of fuel injected at a given voltage pulse duration. Adjustment of the air gap size in the solenoid for the unit fuel injector uses a differential thread arrangement. Relative rotation takes place between two pairs of threads so that the accuracy of adjustment is determined by the difference between the pitches of the two pairs of threads.

Abstract: A multi-plunger fuel injection pump consisting of a number of reciprocable fuel pumping plungers to which is distributed fuel by a fuel distributor plunger, all of the plungers being actuated by a common camshaft, the number of distributor plungers being less than that of the pumping plungers and determined as a function of the operating range of the pump, the fuel flow to and from the individual pumping plungers being controlled by a solenoid operated spill control valve that is selectively operable to determine both the timing and duration of fuel injection.

Abstract: This specification discloses a solenoid actuator which combines a fast response with a high force capability. A multitude of magnetic poles act in parallel to create a traction force which is a function of the number of magnetic poles and with fast dynamic response which is independent of the magnitude of the force and the size of the solenoid.

Abstract: An automotive type fuel ignitor having an ignitor chamber continuously exposed to the engine combustion chamber temperatures and pressures for a first stage of compression of an air/fuel mixture thereon during the compression stage movement of the engine piston, a piston in the ignitor chamber being moved by a high pressure hydraulic force selectively applied thereto through a second stage of compression to raise the mixture charge pressure and temperature to the auto-ignition level, forcing the flame jet into the main combustion chamber, suitable inlet and outlet check valves controlling the supply of mixture charge to the ignitor chamber.