Patents by Inventor William McCowan

William McCowan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Piston and process for achieving controlled ignition and combustion of hydrocarbon fuels in internal combustion engines by generation and management of fuel radical species
    Patent number: 4898135
    Abstract: A piston for a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine is provided with a reaction chamber (44, 144) communicating with a recessed area (42, 142) of the piston through a restricted continuous slot orifice (46, 146) that is configured to create a choked fluid flow condition between the combustion chamber (30, 130) and the reaction chamber at all engine operating speeds. Fuel is supplied to the reaction chamber and undergoes a controlled, cold frame reaction process while in intimate contact with the crown portion (54) of the piston (14). The reaction produces fuel radicals in sufficient quantity to seed subsequent fuel charges to properly condition the charge for predetermined desired ignition and combustion characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Sonex Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Failla, Andrew A. Pouring, Bruce Rankin, Carlo L. di Priolo, William McCowan, Dennis Gosewisch