Abstract: A pressure relieving spark plug for use with an internal combustion engine. The pressure relieving spark plug functions as a conventional spark plug under normal operating conditions; however, upon the development of abnormal conditions, such as excessive combustion chamber pressures or excessive engine temperatures, the spark plug is designed relieve cylinder pressure by one or more venting stages such that damage to the engine is averted. Once actuated to one or more venting stages, the spark plug is resettable to a configuration wherein the spark plug is again capable of functioning as a conventional spark plug.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine spark plug provides an overpressure release mechanism to avert engine component damage as a result of hydrostatic lock caused by liquids (typically water) entering the combustion chamber under operating conditions. This spark plug incorporates predictably and adjustably weakened structural zones such that, upon encountering overpressure situations, the central portion of the plug is ejected, generating sufficient flow area to expel gasses and liquids from the combustion chamber and venting the cylinder to the atmosphere. The invention is also useful in the detection and avoidance of damage under conditions of detonation.

Abstract: A process for operating an internal combustion heat engine which comprises the steps of thermochemically regenerating waste heat rejected by the heat engine by reacting at least one conventional fuel compound containing hydrogen and carbon with an oxygen donor using substantial quantities of the waste heat to produce a mixture of engine-fuel containing substantial quantities of hydrogen and carbon monoxide and utilizing the mixture of engine-fuel to operate an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel ignition plug, for use in an internal combustion engine, that has an insulator comprising a hollow decompression chamber arranged about a central electrode, an air injection inlet and multiple outlets sized to restrain the flow of combustible gases from a combustion cylinder to the chamber when the cylinder is undergoing a compression stroke.

Abstract: In lean operation of internal combustion engines having externally supplied ignition, improvement in terms of fuel consumption and emissions are obtained if the fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber. Because the gas exchange guide cross sections are large, the space available for installing the injection valve and spark plug is very limited, and disruptions in the course of combustion occur when the injection valve and ignition device are too far apart. By developing a fuel injection valve that has wire electrodes on the injection end to serve as an ignition device, the spark gap arcing over in the vicinity of the fuel introduced by the injection valve, optimal ignition conditions are attained even for poorly ignited fuels or when the proportion of fuel in the combustion chamber charge is extremely low (stratified charge operation).

Abstract: An ignition plug for use in an internal combustion engine comprises a plug main body, a central electrode embedded to the inside thereof and having a tubular structure through which atmospheric air is introduced to the inside of cylinder for the complete combustion of unburnt gases and a check valve mechanism disposed within the air introduction channel for preventing the back flow of the gas from the cylinder to the channel, wherein the atmospheric air is introduced by way of a non-linear path to the central electrode so that electric discharge from the central electrode to the outside can be prevented, and a check valve mechanism comprises a gravity actuation type main check valve and a spring-biased type auxiliary check valve so that the backward flow of the cylinder gas can surely be prevented.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved engine ignitor with integral pressure release vent to minimize flooding and/or hydraulic locking of internal combustion engines, particularly, single cylinder engines such as model airplane engines, lawn mower engines, and the like. In one embodied form, the unique engine ignitor comprises a glow plug including a threaded shell capable of being screwed into an engine cylinder block, a generally cylindrical heating head, a peripheral grip member disposed between the heating head and glow plug shell, and an integral vent element disposed on a peripheral portion of the threaded shell. In operation, once a user has discovered that an engine is flooded or hydraulically locked, the inventive glow plug is rotated within the combustion cylinder to allow the flooded chamber to vent. After the chamber has been vented, the operator will again rotate the glow plug in its original located position within the combustion cylinder.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an annular port and valve arranged to direct flow from dual inner and outer portions of the port in cylinder flow patterns having radially oppositely directed flow components. Various embodiments providing cylinder charge stratification or dual inlet and exhaust valve functions are disclosed.

Abstract: A spark plug for igniting air-fuel mixtures, comprising: an elongated annular body with an axial bore; dividing the bore into a valve chamber and a compression chamber; and, a valve disk, slidingly disposed in the valve chamber, the valve disk being subjected to the operating pressure of the cylinder, the valve disk being pressed into a sealing position during compression, ignition and exhaust strokes, and being pulled into an open position during intake strokes, whereby unburned gases enter the combustion chamber during the exhaust strokes and additional air is pulled into the combustion chamber during the intake strokes, the unburned gases and additional air being injected back into the cylinder prior to each ignition to enhance subsequent combustions, the valve disk being substantially immune to damage from the successive shock loading to which it is subjected.

Abstract: A secondary air guide ring for an ignition plug, which is mounted on the outer periphery of a male thread of an ignition plug for mounting the same ignition plug in a cylinder head and provides a hermetical seal between the ignition plug and cylinder head. It is provided with an air guide hole for leading air into the cylinder and also with a check valve mechanism serving to prevent counter flow of gas.

Abstract: A system is provided for varying the number of active cylinders in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, in response to the operating requirements of the engine. When the engine reaches that part of its operating range where the torque requirement is such that operation of all of the cylinders is not required to provide adequate and efficient power, certain cylinders are rendered inactive, thereby reducing the fuel consumed by the engine. A control system is provided which, upon sensing a reduced torque requirement upon the engine, activates a switch which de-energizes the spark generating electrodes of certain cylinders, and concurrently activates solenoid valve means whereby fuel vapor in the deactivated cylinders may be bypassed through the cylinders and returned to the fuel supply system of the engine for later use. In one embodiment of the system, novel spark producing means is provided which includes the fuel bypass valve means.

Abstract: An ignition plug for an internal combustion engine which comprises a hollow cylindrical main body having one externally threaded end portion and the other end portion in the form of a nut, said threaded end portion being provided with jet orifices, air guide grooves and a communication groove; a tubular anode member having an insulation body and extending through said main body; a center electrode extending through said insulation body; and a check valve assembly mounted about the intermediate portion between the two end portions of the main body, said valve assembly comprising a ring-shaped valve housing having a tapered seat face and air intake bores and a ring-shaped valve body reciprocally received in said valve housing and having a matingly tapered outer surface for opening and closing said air intake bores in the valve housing.

Abstract: The method comprises, after the end of the normal combustion of the mixture in the combustion chamber of the engine, establishing a post-combustion by maintaining a series of high-tension sparks during a long period and introducing turbulent additional air in the vicinity of said sparks so as to form a plasma which is propagated in said residual mixture. The plasma is propagated in the cylinder from a plurality of points, that is to say partly from a point near to the spark and partly from at least another point of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing the nitrogen oxide component from the oxygen-poor combustion products of a hydrocarbon fuel combustion device, which product would ordinarily contain an undesirable excess quantity of oxides of nitrogen. The method and apparatus include the means for associating gaseous hydrocarbon compounds in said products of combustion at a sufficiently high temperature in a related selected contained volume such that a degree of acceleration of the reduction of oxides of nitrogen is obtained so that the NO is reduced to an acceptable level within a selected reaction time related to said volume which reaction time, volume and temperature are reasonably associated with or present within said combustion device.

Abstract: A safety cut-off for a two-cycle gasoline engine in which a common actuating arm both causes an interruption of the ignition circuit and operates a valve to release pressure from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The process comprises producing in a combustion chamber of the engine a high-tension electrical discharge, prolonging the duration of the discharge, and supplying additional air in the vicinity of the discharge so as to form a plasma and cause a post-combustion in the cylinder.An internal combustion engine is disclosed which carries out this process. The engine comprises for each cylinder a high-tension ignition spark plug and an air supply conduit in the vicinity of the high-tension electrode of the spark plug. Valve means open the conduit at least during the driving stroke of the piston. An electric supply circuit for the spark plug comprises an ignition distributor having a rotary contact of such dimension that it maintains the supply of current to the spark plug during at least a part of the expansion stroke of the piston.

Abstract: Fuel saving apparatus for controlling the supply of fuel to one or more selected cylinders of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine comprises a remotely and independently controlled fuel saving valve operably positioned to provide selective communication between the cylinder clearance volume and a filtered air portion of the engine carburetor. The valve is closed for normal, full power engine operation, and open for predetermined low engine power demand periods. The opening of said valve so severely reduces cylinder intake vacuum and resultant air-fuel influx as to render temporarily ineffective the cylinder, thereby reducing engine fuel consumption.

Abstract: A primer valve for a 2-cycle model engine attached to an accessible portion of the engine to facilitate starting thereof. The valve is provided with direct access to the engine cylinder and with a check valve responsive to the continuous positive internal pressure of the operating engine. A squeeze container is utilized to send a small charge of fuel through the valve into the cylinder.

Abstract: Fuel saving apparatus for controlling the supply of fuel to one or more selected cylinders of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine comprises a remotely and independently controlled fuel saving valve operably positioned to provide selective communication between the cylinder clearance volume and a filtered air portion of the engine carburetor. The valve is closed for normal, full power engine operation, and open for predetermined low engine power demand periods. The opening of said valve so severely reduces cylinder intake vacuum and resultant air-fuel influx as to render temporarily ineffective the cylinder, thereby reducing engine fuel consumption.