Abstract: Premixed engines have ignition issues when engine speed and load are below a predetermined range. An ignition apparatus for igniting a premixed charge in a gaseous-fueled internal combustion engine comprises an ignition device associated with a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. There is at least one of a dilutant injector for introducing a diluting agent that forms a stratified charge around the ignition device and an enrichment injector for introducing gaseous fuel that forms a stratified charge around the ignition device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in situ operating an internal combustion engine comprising determining at least one combustion characteristic for a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, comprising an actual heat release signal for the combustion chamber; and inputting the actual heat release signal into a diagnostic logic tree for diagnosing changes in combustion characteristics due to at least one of: a malfunctioning fuel injector, a start of combustion timing error; and a change in fuel quality; and performing a mitigation technique to compensate for the changes in combustion characteristics.

Abstract: A method for introducing a gaseous fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes forming a non-ignitable mixture of the gaseous fuel and a gas including oxygen in a predefined mixture mass ratio within a predetermined range of tolerance having a pressure suitable for directly introducing the non-ignitable mixture into the combustion chamber during at least the compression stroke; and introducing the non-ignitable mixture directly into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A method for operating a gaseous-fuelled internal combustion engine by directly injecting the gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber is disclosed wherein the gaseous fuel is injected at injection pressures higher than 300 bar and the pressure ratio between the gaseous fuel injection pressure and the peak cylinder pressure is between 1.6:1 and 3:1, and preferably between 2.5:1 to 2.8:1. The injection pressure is selected to be between 300 and 540 bar and preferably between 300 bar and 440 bar. The injection pressure can be selected based on a preferred range for the pressure ratio.

Abstract: Premixed engines have ignition issues when engine speed and load are below a predetermined range. An ignition apparatus for igniting a premixed charge in a gaseous-fuelled internal combustion engine comprises an ignition device associated with a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. There is at least one of a dilutant injector for introducing a diluting agent that forms a stratified charge around the ignition device and an enrichment injector for introducing gaseous fuel that forms a stratified charge around the ignition device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for igniting a gaseous fuel directly introduced into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine comprises steps of heating a space near a fuel injector nozzle; introducing a pilot amount of the gaseous fuel in the combustion chamber during a first stage injection event; controlling residency of the pilot amount in the space such that a temperature of the pilot amount increases to an auto-ignition temperature of the gaseous fuel whereby ignition occurs; introducing a main amount of the gaseous fuel during a second stage injection event after the first stage injection event; and using heat from combustion of the pilot amount to ignite the main amount.

Abstract: A method for operating a gaseous-fuelled internal combustion engine by directly injecting the gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber is disclosed wherein the gaseous fuel is injected at injection pressures higher than 300 bar and the pressure ratio between the gaseous fuel injection pressure and the peak cylinder pressure is between 1.6:1 and 3:1, and preferably between 2.5:1 to 2.8:1. The injection pressure is selected to be between 300 and 540 bar and preferably between 300 bar and 440 bar. The injection pressure can be selected based on a preferred range for the pressure ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for igniting a gaseous fuel directly introduced into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine comprises steps of heating a space near a fuel injector nozzle; introducing a pilot amount of the gaseous fuel in the combustion chamber during a first stage injection event; controlling residency of the pilot amount in the space such that a temperature of the pilot amount increases to an auto-ignition temperature of the gaseous fuel whereby ignition occurs; introducing a main amount of the gaseous fuel during a second stage injection event after the first stage injection event; and using heat from combustion of the pilot amount to ignite the main amount.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve injects a fuel into the combustion chamber or into the injection port of an internal combustion engine, the valve being actuated by an actuator assembly that includes a small displacement actuator and a large displacement actuator. The method includes commanding the small displacement actuator to move the valve member to a first open position corresponding to a first flow area and commanding the large displacement actuator to move the valve member to a second open position corresponding to a second flow area that is larger than the first flow area such that the ratio between the second flow area and the first flow area is at least 15:1. The fuel injection valve can also be operated to alternatively inject two different fuels, one of the fuels being a gaseous fuel and the other one being a liquid fuel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in situ operating an internal combustion engine comprising determining at least one combustion characteristic for a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, comprising an actual heat release signal for the combustion chamber; and inputting the actual heat release signal into a diagnostic logic tree for diagnosing changes in combustion characteristics due to at least one of: a malfunctioning fuel injector, a start of combustion timing error; and a change in fuel quality; and performing a mitigation technique to compensate for the changes in combustion characteristics.

Abstract: A method for introducing a gaseous fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes forming a non-ignitable mixture of the gaseous fuel and a gas including oxygen in a predefined mixture mass ratio within a predetermined range of tolerance having a pressure suitable for directly introducing the non-ignitable mixture into the combustion chamber during at least the compression stroke; and introducing the non-ignitable mixture directly into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve co-injects a liquid and a gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. A solid needle regulates the injection of liquid and gaseous fuels from a cavity in the fuel injection valve into the combustion chamber when the needle is lifted to its open position. In preferred embodiments, liquid fuel is metered and pressurized in an intensifier's cylinder provided within the valve body and the liquid fuel is delivered through a restricted flow passage into the cavity where it mixes with the gaseous fuel. The restricted flow passage can be formed by a small passage formed in the valve body or an annular passage between the needle and the valve body.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve injects a fuel into the combustion chamber or into the injection port of an internal combustion engine, the valve being actuated by an actuator assembly that includes a small displacement actuator and a large displacement actuator. The method includes commanding the small displacement actuator to move the valve member to a first open position corresponding to a first flow area and commanding the large displacement actuator to move the valve member to a second open position corresponding to a second flow area that is larger than the first flow area such that the ratio between the second flow area and the first flow area is at least 15:1. The fuel injection valve can also be operated to alternatively inject two different fuels, one of the fuels being a gaseous fuel and the other one being a liquid fuel.

Abstract: A turbine nozzle vane segment includes one or more nozzle vanes extending between radially inner and outer side walls, each nozzle vane having a peripheral edge wall extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the vane. In one exemplary embodiment, at least one substantially radially-oriented cooling channel is formed in the peripheral edge wall at the leading edge, with openings at opposite ends of the cooling channel. The location and length of the cooling channels may vary about the peripheral edge wall, and the inner cavity of the vane may be provided with ribs extending along and adjacent the one or more cooling channels to reinforce the wall and to also provide additional cooling surface areas in the inner cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for igniting a gaseous fuel directly introduced into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine comprises steps of heating a space near a fuel injector nozzle; introducing a pilot amount of the gaseous fuel in the combustion chamber during a first stage injection event; controlling residency of the pilot amount in the space such that a temperature of the pilot amount increases to an auto-ignition temperature of the gaseous fuel whereby ignition occurs; introducing a main amount of the gaseous fuel during a second stage injection event after the first stage injection event; and using heat from combustion of the pilot amount to ignite the main amount.

Abstract: A dual fuel injection valve with concentric needles comprises an inner needle and an outer needle surrounding the inner needle, both needles being located inside the injection valve body. The valve is provided with a first set and a second set of orifices for separately injecting two different fuels directly into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The outer needle is fixed against rotation with respect to the injection valve body such that an interlace angle between the centerlines of the first series of orifices and second series of orifices is set at different predetermined angles to reduce methane emissions.

Abstract: A dual fuel injection valve with concentric needles comprises an inner needle and an outer needle surrounding the inner needle, both needles being located inside the injection valve body. The valve is provided with a first set and a second set of orifices for separately injecting two different fuels directly into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The outer needle is fixed against rotation with respect to the injection valve body such that an interlace angle between the centerlines of the first series of orifices and second series of orifices is set at different predetermined angles to reduce methane emissions.

Abstract: In a gaseous-fuelled stoichiometric compression ignition internal combustion engine, a pilot fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber to help initiate a multi-point ignition. The engine provides performance improvements approaching those of high pressure direct injection engines but with less complexity because the gaseous fuel is introduced into the intake air subsystem at relatively low pressure and as a result of the stoichiometric combustion, the low oxygen content in the combustion products exiting the combustion chamber allows the use of a three-way catalyst instead of other after treatment arrangements normally associated with conventional compression ignition engines that require the addition of a reductant.

Abstract: A gaseous-fuelled internal combustion engine and a method of engine operation improve combustion stability and reducing emissions of NOx, PM, and unburned hydrocarbons. The method comprises fuelling an internal combustion engine with hydrogen and natural gas, which can be directly injected into the combustion chamber together or introduced separately. Of the total gaseous fuel delivered to the engine, at least 5% by volume at standard temperature and pressure is hydrogen. For at least one engine operating condition, the ratio of fuel rail pressure to peak in-cylinder pressure is at least 1.5:1. A fuel injection valve introduces the gaseous fuel mixture directly into the combustion chamber. Two separate fuel injection valves could also introduce the methane and hydrogen separately. An electronic controller controls timing for operating the fuel injection valve(s). The engine has a preferred compression ratio of at least 14:1.

Abstract: A gaseous-fuelled internal combustion engine and a method of engine operation improve combustion stability and reducing emissions of NOx, PM, and unburned hydrocarbons. The method comprises fuelling an internal combustion engine with hydrogen and natural gas, which can be directly injected into the combustion chamber together or introduced separately. Of the total gaseous fuel delivered to the engine, at least 5% by volume at standard temperature and pressure is hydrogen. For at least one engine operating condition, the ratio of fuel rail pressure to peak in-cylinder pressure is at least 1.5:1. A fuel injection valve introduces the gaseous fuel mixture directly into the combustion chamber. Two separate fuel injection valves could also introduce the methane and hydrogen separately. An electronic controller controls timing for operating the fuel injection valve(s). The engine has a preferred compression ratio of at least 14:1.