Abstract: A two-piece spark plug includes an electrically conductive outer housing including a cylindrical member having an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall defining a passage through the outer housing, and a plug member releasably coupled within the outer housing and including an axial electrode and an electrically insulating insulator element encircling the axial electrode, the axial electrode having a first end for connection to an electrical source and a second end for connection within a combustion chamber, and the insulator element having a circumferential first groove and adapted to be positioned within the passage of the outer housing such that a gas-tight seal is formed between the insulator element and the inner wall of the outer housing.

Abstract: A gas-filled discharge tube includes a cylindrical casing (11, 31), a terminal member (12, 13; 32, 33) for closing an open end of the casing, an inert gas sealed within the casing, a gas sealing tube (16, 38) connected to an outside of the terminal member, and gas introduction paths (17, 40) formed in the terminal member so as to communicate between an inner space of the gas sealing tube and an inner space of the casing.

Abstract: The present invention is a catalytic ignition engine (10) having a catalytic hot plug (14) mounted therein for 24 alcohol fuel. The hot plug (28) comprises a base material (32) coated at least partially with a catalyst (34), preferably platinum, and mounted on the top of the piston (18). The hot plug (11) is heated by combustion and is mounted on a support member (30) designed to reduce heat transfer from the hot plug (11) to piston (18). Consequently, the hot plug (11) remains at a temperature sufficiently high to cause ignition of alcohol fuel when the fuel is sprayed into the cylinder bore (14).

Abstract: An ignition system for internal combustion engines which minimizes or eliminates problems associated with conventional spark ignition arrangements, the ignition system comprises a laser energy generator (9) which is arranged to supply laser energy continuously at an energy level less than that needed to initiate combustion with the energy level being spiked in timed sequence and delivered to the combustion chambers (35) of the engine, the system further including optic means (39) for focussing the pulsed laser energy at predetermined points within the combustion chambers whereby the focussed laser energy is sufficient to ignite any combustible charge within the combustion chambers, the pulsed laser energy being deliverd through a purging chamber (12) to the respective combustion chambers with a purging gas being continuously supplied to the purging chamber (12) to prevent combustion gases flowing towards the laser optic means (39).

Abstract: An ignition device for use with internal combustion engines is adapted for conducting a light beam into the combustion chamber of the engine to ignite a fuel-air mixture. The ignition device includes a light emission apparatus opened to the combustion chamber to emit a light beam into the chamber, and a particle supply apparatus disposed in opposed relation with the light emission apparatus for supplying into the combustion chamber particles of a high light absorption index separately from the fuel-air mixture. The particles from the particle supply apparatus are emitted along the optical axis of the light beam into the combustion chamber and are heated at a position suitable for ignition of the fuel-air mixture within the combustion chamber to serve as an ignition source.

Abstract: A plasma jet ignitor apparatus for generating plasma from a plasma medium such as hydrogen and for discharging the plasma as a jet into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion chamber. The apparatus has a plug which has an electrode from which a high energy spark is generated. The spark causes hydrogen which is introduced into the plasma generation cavity by a fuel line to become plasma. The plasma generation cavity is defined by magnetic field generation means. The cavity has an inlet opening adjacent the plasma generation location and an outlet orifice. The plasma is ejected as a plasma jet from the cavity from the orifice. The magnetic field generation means is disposed as a magnetic field coil wound about the cavity. The magnetic field is charged by the discharge of a capacitor at the time of the formation of the plasma in the cavity. The magnetic field accelerates the plasma out of the cavity through the orifice so that the plasma exits as a high velocity jet and achieves effective penetration.

Abstract: A separately ignited internal combustion engine and/or an ignition chamber insert for insertion into the combustion wall of an internal combustion engine is proposed with an ignition chamber which is connected to the main combustion chamber via several overflow channels. The ignition chamber is composed of a forward section with a small, and a rear section with a large diameter into which a straight center electrode protrudes which is surrounded with an insulator in the manner of a common spark plug. The ignition takes place at the transition between the forward section and the rear section between ignition chamber wall and center electrode. The forward section of the ignition chamber is connectable to the main combustion chamber via first overflow channels which discharge tangentially into said forward section and via a second overflow channel discharging coaxially to the ignition chamber insert.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine comprises an intake path supplying a mixture of air and fuel into the combustion chamber of the engine, a particle supplying unit having an ejection port opening into the combustion chamber for supplying minute particles of a material which is not the fuel and has a high light absorption factor, and a light source radiating a laser beam through a light focusing unit toward a suitably selected position in the internal space of the combustion chamber, so that the laser beam can strike the minute particles of high light absorption factor supplied from the particle supplying unit thereby producing a torch for igniting the air-fuel mixture.

Abstract: A laser ignition apparatus includes a laser oscillator which generates at least two successive pulse-shaped laser beams during each compression stroke of the engine. A first pulse-shaped laser beam is generated by a Q switching action of the laser oscillator and thus has a high peak output and a second pulse-shaped laser beam is generated without the Q switching action and has a low peak output but a larger pulse duration than the first laser beam. The first and second pulse-shaped laser beams are guided and directed into the combustion chamber of the engine and the first laser beam of a high energy density causes the breakdown of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber to develop a plasma and the second laser beam further increases the energy of the plasma thereby to ensure the setting fire of the air-fuel mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed are several devices for supplementing conventional fuels (liquid or gas) in internal combustion engines with gaseous fuel supplements. The first device contains means for introducing a stream of hydrogen and/or oxygen gas into the spark gap. The second device contains means for introducing a gaseous fuel supplement into the combustion chamber through the piston. The third and fourth devices both contain means for introducing a gaseous fuel supplement into the venturi.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hot spark that is more-or-less uniform over the combustion chamber volume in a liquid oxidant/liquid fuel combustion engine. In addition, heat losses are reduced and low wear/low friction surfaces are provided. Flame sprayed ceramic coatings are utilized to provide all embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for operating a two-cycle internal combustion engine wherein in the scavenging stroke the air-fuel mixture charged into the cylinder forms a stratum adjacent to a piston and the stratum of the air-fuel mixture is made into contact with the stratum of the residual gases remote from the piston. Alternately, in the scavenging stroke the rich mixture is first charged into the cylinder immediately above the piston and then the lean mixture is charged into the cylinder immediately above the piston so that the strata of the lean and rich mixtures and the residual gases may be formed in the order named from a portion close to the piston within the cylinder. The decomposition of part of the air-fuel mixture or the rich air-fuel mixture is caused by the heat contained in the residual gases so that the chemically activated radicals are produced.

Abstract: An amplified radiation igniter system initiates the ignition of a fuel/air mixture retained within a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The amplified radiation, usually supplied in beam form according to appropriate timed intervals, is directed from a source for such radiation through a delivering conduit to a connecting member which directs the radiation beam into the combustion chamber. When the radiation provided has sufficient intensity, it will ignite the fuel/air mixture in accordance with the method of this invention. The radiation beam penetrates deep into the mixture traversing the width of the combustion chamber. The mixture absorbs radiant energy from the radiation beam and ignites at many points along the travel path of the radiation.

Abstract: A break ignition plug for piston engines wherein an electromagnet acts upon an armature which actuates a movable electrode and an ignition pulse flows through a magnet coil of the electromagnet and a short-circuit path between the movable electrode and a counterelectrode (ground electrode). The magnetic field which builds-up in the electromagnet causes breaking of the short-circuit path while forming a spark. A pressure equalization chamber communicates with an internal cylinder chamber of the piston engine for relieving the forces which are to be generated by the armature for the movement of the movable electrode. The armature which is to be attracted, against the force of a spring, by the electromagnet is located at least partially at the side of the electromagnet confronting the inner cylinder chamber and carries the movable electrode directed towards the inner cylinder compartment.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine an ignition enhancement and regulating chamber in fluid-flow communication with a principal combustion chamber of the engine through a restricted passage serving as a thermal isolater. The ignition enhancement chamber is characterized by a high surface area-to-volume ratio augmented by providing a heat retentive packing in the chamber, whereby the general operating efficiency of the engine is improved, and effective utilization of lean fuel mixtures is rendered feasible.

Abstract: A spark plug generally similar to standard design including a body member supporting a pair of electrodes to provide a spark gap in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the side electrode carrying a projecting extension outside the spark gap but still within the flame ignition and combustion zone of the engine so as to provide a reaction member which enhances the action of catalytic agents in the fuel or alternatively incorporated in the reaction member, itself.

Abstract: Disclosed are cell-type ignition devices for Otto cycle internal combustion engines, said devices having cylindrical cells with end orifices communicating with the engine combustion chamber. The devices include housing and mounting means for thermally isolating the cell from the cooled engine wall and the ambient atmosphere. Critical ratios for cell dimensions are disclosed. Some embodiments are equipped with supplementary glow or spark ignition means for starting and warm-up. In some embodiments, sleeves or external protubances on the cell wall are employed to regulate ignition timing by controlling heat transfer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the initiation and completion of self-sustaining combustion in fuel/oxidizer mixtures through the use of ultraviolet radiation absorbed throughout the mixture.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the initiation and completion of self-sustaining combustion in fuel/oxidizer mixtures through the use of ultraviolet radiation absorbed throughout the mixture.

Abstract: An internal combustion piston engine utilizing a catalyst to promote combustion and not requiring spark ignition. A catalyst member is provided within the engine cylinder. Air is supplied to the cylinder and is compressed by a piston. At or near the point of maximum compression, fuel is contacted with the catalyst, preferably from the side of the catalyst opposite the piston. The fuel and air mix to initiate combustion and the air-fuel mixture passes through the catalyst member, completing the combustion. The operation can result in relatively complete combustion of the fuel at a relatively low temperature of about 1800.degree. to 3300.degree. or 3500.degree. F. so that little or no undesirable components are present in the engine exhaust, especially the exhaust may have a low content of nitrogen oxides.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising a gaseous ignition system which employs a high temperature and high pressure gaseous mixture obtained by decomposing hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Disclosed are cell-type ignition devices for Otto cycle internal combustion engines, said devices having cylindrical cells with end orifices communicating with the engine combustion chamber. The devices include housing and mounting means for thermally isolating the cell from the cooled engine wall and the ambient atmosphere. Critical ratios for cell dimensions are disclosed. Some embodiments are equipped with supplementary glow or spark ignition means for starting and warm-up. In some embodiments, sleeves or external protubances on the cell wall are employed to regulate ignition timing by controlling heat transfer.