Abstract: An engine management system and method may include a control system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine may be a direct-injection engine using a Sonex Controlled Auto-Ignition (“SCAI”) combustion path. The control system and method may utilize fuel injection pressure, timing of start and end of injection, management of turbo airflow, fuel supplied, and other factors to provide reduced emissions and improved performance.

Abstract: A combustion pre-chamber device for a spark ignition internal combustion engine is configured to engage a spark plug and be mounted to a cylinder head in communication with a combustion chamber of a cylinder of the engine. The combustion pre-chamber device includes any one or combination of a number of features to improve operating effectiveness, including extending the combustion operating range by improving cooling and optimizing the flow field inside the combustion pre-chamber device.

Abstract: A Venturi-based purge vapor supply system for a turbulent jet ignition (TJI) engine and its method of operation utilize an air compressor configured to output pressurized air, a vapor canister configured to store purge vapor evaporated from liquid fuel housed in a fuel tank, a purge vapor injector configured to inject a mixture of air and purge vapor into a pre-chamber of the TJI engine and an ejector tee connected between the air compressor, the vapor canister, and the purge vapor injector, the ejector tee having a Venturi-based design such that the pressurized air from the air compressor draws the purge vapor into the ejector tee and combines the air and the purge vapor to form and output the mixture of air and purge vapor to the purge vapor injector.

Abstract: A chambered sparkplug carrier and a natural gas engine management system are provided for reducing NOx emissions of pre-chambered combustion natural gas engines. A method for retro-fitting a pre-chambered combustion natural gas engine with a chambered sparkplug is also described.

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: As one example, a fuel rail assembly for supplying pressurized fuel to a plurality of cylinders of an engine is provided. The fuel rail assembly includes a fuel rail housing defining an internal fuel rail volume having at least a first region and a second region; a fuel separation membrane element disposed within the fuel rail housing that segregates the first region from the second region. The membrane element can be configured to pass a first component of a fuel mixture such as an alcohol through the membrane element from the first region to the second region at a higher rate than a second component of the fuel mixture such as a hydrocarbon. The separated alcohol and hydrocarbon components can be provided to the engine in varying relative amounts based on operating conditions.

Abstract: An engine includes a pre-chamber jet igniter which injects at least one jet combustion flame into the combustion chamber from the outside of the combustion chamber in which the piston reciprocates to generate power so that the injected jet combustion flame is utilized as the source of ignition of the fuel injected into the space in the combustion chamber to drive the explosion stroke such that combustion of the combustion chamber can be maintained reliable by the use of jet combustion flames in the form of large flame kernels, fuel consumption can be remarkably improved and the generation of NOx can be remarkably reduced using rapid cold combustion which is caused by the continuously reliable combustion, and, in particular, it is possible to prevent liquefaction of the air-fuel mixture due to variations in the flow and pressure of the air-fuel mixture flowing in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber where the ignition system includes a housing, an ignition device, an injector, and a pre-chamber having a nozzle disposed spaced from the proximal portion of the pre-chamber. The igniter portion of the ignition device and the nozzle of the injector are operatively supported in the proximal portion of the pre-chamber and disposed flush therewith. The igniter portion ignites the fuel in pre-chamber such that partially combusted pre-chamber products are forced through orifices in the pre-chamber nozzle and extinguish, but dispersed through the combustion chamber so as to ignite the main fuel charge therein.

Abstract: Provided is a check valve structure capable of preventing soot accumulation in a check valve arranged in a pre-combustion chamber (4) due to incomplete combustion of fuel gas and preventing malfunction the check valve (6) for a gas engine having an pre-combustion chamber with a spark plug. An arrangement for supplying fuel gas to the pre-combustion chamber (4) has a multiple bore-cooling holes (11s) disposed around the spark plug (10) for cooling a gasket (10f) formed in a mounting hardware piece (13), the holes having an lateral bore-cooling hole (11a), and a lateral bore-cooling hole (11b) with the gasket (10f) therebetween. Each of the holes further has a multiple bore-cooling holes (11s) parallel to the center axis (10a) of the spark plug.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head having a cylinder head base, a cylinder wall, and a piston which is movable along a cylinder axis and has a piston crown. A main combustion chamber is formed between the cylinder head base, the cylinder wall, and the piston crown. A precombustion chamber is inserted into a bore of the cylinder head and is fixed relative to the bore in the circumferential direction of the bore. The axis of the bore is at least substantially parallel to the cylinder axis, and a precombustion-type combustion chamber is formed in the precombustion chamber. At least one ring of transfer openings connects the precombustion-type combustion chamber to the main combustion chamber, and in each case, the angle which the transfer opening encloses with the cylinder axis differs for at least two transfer openings of the at least one ring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flame glow plug having a combustion chamber which has an outlet opening for the flame, a fuel supply, in particular a blockable fuel supply, for the provision of a fuel flow to the combustion chamber, an air supply for the provision of an air flow to the combustion chamber and an ignition device, in particular an electrically operated heating element, which is arranged in the combustion chamber or which extends into the combustion chamber and which is made to ignite the air/fuel mixture arising from the provided fuel flow and the provided air flow. The air supply is made controllable in quantity to selectively operate the flame glow plug as a torch or as a secondary fuel injection apparatus. The invention furthermore relates to a regeneration apparatus for a particulate filter of an exhaust gas system, to an exhaust gas system for a combustion engine as well as to a method for the operation of a regeneration apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for igniting a fuel/air mixture in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The device includes an electrode which is connected to a voltage source and extends into a precombustion chamber, and the precombustion chamber is separated at least in some regions from the combustion chamber by a wall. A control device or a regulating device is provided which controls the voltage supply to the electrode such that a corona discharge is carried out in the precombustion chamber. The wall has at least one opening for exchanging fluids between the combustion chamber and precombustion chamber, and a fluid inlet opens into the precombustion chamber.

Abstract: A method and system for igniting a lean fuel mixture in a main chamber of an internal combustion engine by igniting a rich air-fuel mixture in a pre-combustion chamber which is fuelled using a controlled valve. For a stable and consistent ignition of the main chamber and simultaneous reduction of emission of the internal combustion engine, a closed loop control adjusts the fuel amount and the fuelling time for the pre-combustion chamber in order to achieve a light off in an optimal time window and by sufficient ignition energy.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a main combustion chamber, an auxiliary combustion chamber, a partition wall that separates the main and auxiliary combustion chambers, a first igniter disposed in the auxiliary combustion chamber, a second igniter disposed in the main combustion chamber, and a controller electrically coupled to the first and second igniters. The auxiliary combustion chamber has a capacity smaller than that of the main combustion chamber. The partition wall includes a communication passage. The controller is adapted to send an auxiliary combustion chamber ignition timing signal to the first igniter and is adapted to send a main combustion chamber ignition timing signal to the second igniter. Further, the controller is adapted to send the auxiliary and main combustion chamber ignition timing signals such that, in response to at least one engine operating condition, ignition in the auxiliary combustion chamber occurs after ignition in the main combustion chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for a prechamber unit (10) of a gas engine, comprising a prechamber unit (10) in the form of an elongated body (12) arranged to be placed in an upper part of the engine's cylinder, and where the elongated body (12) comprises a prechamber gas valve (20) and an ignition means (22) arranged side by side, and one or more channels (24) for supply of fuel gas via the prechamber gas valve (20) to a prechamber (26) in a lower part of the elongated body (12). Said prechamber (26) comprises further in the axial direction, an elongated cavity (28) with nozzles (30) placed at the end for supply of ignited fuel gas to the engine's cylinder with the help of the ignition means (22). The elongated cavity (28) in the prechamber (26) is divided into several connected, and in cross-section, graduated or tapered cavities (28a, 28b, 28c), where an uppermost cavity (28a) is widest in the cross-sectional direction and a bottom cavity (28c) is narrowest in the cross-sectional direction.

Abstract: A spark ignition engine capable of operating even with a leaner air-fuel mixture to achieve stable ignition and combustion performance. An ignition plug is fitted to a cylinder head through a sleeve, and the ignition electrode of the ignition plug is disposed in a cylinder, facing a single chamber type combustion chamber. The sleeve is formed in a blind cylindrical shape, an auxiliary chamber storing the ignition electrodes of the ignition plug is formed at the bottom part of the sleeve, and a nozzle hole allowing the auxiliary chamber to communicate with the combustion chamber is formed in the bottom part of the sleeve. The bottom part of the sleeve is projected from an explosion surface to the inside of the combustion chamber and the position of ignition by the ignition electrode is set near the explosion surface.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, including a main combustion chamber serving as a main combustion chamber, an auxiliary combustion chamber adjacent to the main combustion chamber and smaller in capacity than the main combustion chamber, and a partition wall between the main combustion chamber and the auxiliary combustion chamber, the partition wall including an injection hole by which the main combustion chamber and the auxiliary combustion chamber communicate. A fuel supply device supplies fuel to the main combustion chamber and the auxiliary combustion chamber. A mixture forming device forms a mixture of air and the supplied fuel in the main combustion chamber, away from the partition wall before ignition. An ignition device ignites the fuel in the auxiliary combustion chamber, propelling an ejecting torch flame into the mixture of air and fuel in the main combustion chamber through the injection hole, thereby burning the mixture of air and fuel in the main combustion chamber.

Abstract: An igniter for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The igniter may have a body, and a pre-combustion chamber integral with the body and having at least one orifice. The igniter may further have a focusing device configured to direct at least one beam of light energy into the pre-combustion chamber.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes neighboring main and auxiliary combustion chambers that are separated by a partition wall including a communicating passage. Ignition of an air/fuel mixture in the auxiliary combustion chamber produces a fuel torch that is jetted into an air/fuel mixture in the main combustion chamber. Under a predetermined operation condition, timing for opening an intake valve is retarded relative to both the timing for closing an exhaust valve and the timing for top dead center of a piston on an exhaust stroke. By retarding the timing for opening the intake valve, residual gas in the auxiliary combustion that is left over from a previous cycle can be reduced.

Abstract: Method and apparatus useful in simultaneously enhancing the fuel consumption efficiency of an ICE, with concomitant enhancement of the power delivered by the engine, and reduction of undesirable exhaust emissions. One embodiment of the method of this invention includes the steps of introducing a fuel/air mixture to the main combustion chamber of the ICE, providing a flame front pre-combustion system which enhances the timely delivery of multiple flame fronts to specific locations within the main combustion chamber for substantial spontaneity of ignition and combustion of the fuel/air mixture disposed within the combustion chamber when the crankshaft is within about 5 degrees nearer top dead center (TDC) than the timing established by a standard operation map for the ICE in question and which employs a conventional spark plug disposed within the combustion chamber. Such combustion continues over that time period during which the crankshaft travels at least past TDC and into its power stroke.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a main combustion chamber, an auxiliary combustion chamber, a partition wall that separates the main and auxiliary combustion chambers, a first igniter disposed in the auxiliary combustion chamber, a second igniter disposed in the main combustion chamber, and a controller electrically coupled to the first and second igniters. The auxiliary combustion chamber has a capacity smaller than that of the main combustion chamber. The partition wall includes a communication passage. The controller is adapted to send an auxiliary combustion chamber ignition timing signal to the first igniter and is adapted to send a main combustion chamber ignition timing signal to the second igniter. Further, the controller is adapted to send the auxiliary and main combustion chamber ignition timing signals such that, in response to at least one engine operating condition, ignition in the auxiliary combustion chamber occurs after ignition in the main combustion chamber.

Abstract: The invention concerns an ignition device for internal combustion engine comprising: a main combustion chamber (1) fitted with a compression system; and an igniter (11) comprising a precombustion chamber (2) and an ignition system (13, 14), the precombustion chamber being defined by a precombustion chamber body (12) having a head (12a) including passageways (15), the head (12a) of the precombustion chamber body (12) separating the precombustion chamber (2) from the main chamber (1) and communicating the precombustion chamber (2) and the main chamber (1) through the passageways (15), characterized in that the passageways comprise at least one passageway enabling the propagation of a flame front of the precombustion chamber (2) to the main chamber (1) when the engine operates on low load and at least one passageway not enabling the propagation of a flame front while enabling the passageway of unstable compounds of the precombustion chamber (2) to the main chamber (1).

Abstract: A gasoline engine is provided which is capable of introducing a large amount of EGR gas for performing homogeneous combustion and thus offering a good fuel economy. An external EGR mechanism or an internal EGR mechanism is used to introduce an EGR gas into a combustion chamber (a cylinder). A mixture of fresh air and fuel is thereafter directly injected from a mixture injection valve into the combustion chamber, thereby forming a region of said mixture in an area near an ignition plug. In addition, engine operating parameters are controlled in accordance with the amount of fresh air supplied into the combustion chamber (cylinder) after an intake valve has been closed. This makes possible homogeneous combustion using a large amount of EGR, which eventually increases fuel economy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine, and air/gas mixture being introduced into the working chamber thereof and ignited by means of an ignition system. The above is carried out whereby the air/gas mixture is at least temporarily enriched. A channel (14a, 14b) is let into the cylinder head (1) from a cylinder head external wall into the working chamber (5) or a pre-combustion chamber and a gas or a gas/air mixture may be introduced in a controlled manner into the working chamber (5) or the pre-combustion chamber, by means of said channel (14a, 14b). According to the invention, the above embodiment or method permits the cycle variations in the combustion pressure to be avoided.

Abstract: A fuel injector-spark plug combination comprises a fuel injector for the direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and a spark plug with a spark-plug insulator, a first electrode and a second electrode for igniting the fuel injected into the combustion chamber. The fuel injector includes an actuator cooperating with an actuation device, which is in force-locking, operative connection to a valve needle, the valve needle, or a valve-closure member connected thereto, cooperating with a valve-seat surface to form a sealing seat. The valve needle of the fuel injector and the spark-plug insulator of the spark plug are positioned in a shared housing at a biaxial offset.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating an internal combustion engine comprising a combustion chamber defined by the inner wall of a cylinder, a cylinder head and the upper surface of a piston moveable longitudinally within the cylinder, the engine further comprising a pre-combustion chamber in communication with the combustion chamber. The method comprises supplying to the combustion chamber a first combustible mixture of a first hydrocarbon fuel and oxygen; supplying to the pre-combustion chamber a second combustible mixture of a second hydrocarbon fuel and oxygen, the second combustible mixture being auto-ignitable; and compressing the first and second combustible mixtures by moving the piston within the cylinder; wherein under operating conditions in which the aforementioned steps are insufficient to operate the engine and keep it running, the method further comprises the step of generating a spark to cause ignition of the compressed first combustible mixture in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A pre-combustion chamber assembly for an internal combustion engine is disclosed having an inner housing having a receiver for receiving a spark plug and an inlet for fuel. A connector is provided for securing the pre-combustion chamber in a spark plug well of the internal combustion engine. An outer housing has a first end and a second end and extends around the inner housing, with a chamber being defined between the inner and outer housings. The outer housing is releasably retained around the inner housing so as to allow relative movement between portions of the inner and outer housings while maintaining the integrity of the chamber. A method of modifying an internal combustion engine and an internal combustion engine incorporating the pre-combustion chamber are also provided.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine housing that defines a main combustion chamber separated from a precombustion chamber by a flame communication passage way. A source of gaseous fuel is fluidly connected to one end of a fuel supply passage. A check valve, which includes a valve body with a valve seat, and a valve member, is positioned between the other end of the fuel supply passage and the precombustion chamber. The valve member is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The valve body and the valve member define a fluid passage that fluidly connects the fuel supply passage to the precombustion chamber when the valve member is in its open position. The valve body and the valve member substantially fluidly isolate the valve seat from the precombustion chamber when the valve member is in its closed position.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises an engine housing which defines a main combustion chamber that is separated from a precombustion chamber by a flame communication passageway. The engine housing further defines a fuel supply passage with one end and an opposite end. A source of fuel is fluidly connected to the opposite end of the fuel supply passage. A check valve which includes a valve body with a valve seat and a valve member is positioned between the one end of the fuel supply passage and the precombustion chamber. The valve member is movable between an open position and a closed position. The valve body and the valve member define a relatively wide fluid passage that fluidly connects the fuel supply passage to the precombustion chamber when the valve member is in the open position. The valve body and the valve member define a relatively narrow stagnation region separating the valve seat from the precombustion chamber when the valve member is in the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lean combustion gas engine which receives a drive output by means of supplying and combusting gas fuel in a main combustion chamber. The lean combustion engine of the present invention comprises: a main combustion chamber (1) which is surrounded by a piston (3), a cylinder (2) and a cylinder head (4); a precombustion chamber (30) equipped with a pilot fuel injection valve; and a spark plug (11) which serves as an ignition source for the fuel-air mixture within the main combustion chamber; wherein, the spark plug and pilot fuel injection valve-equipped precombustion chamber are provided in said cylinder head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for integrated injection and ignition of fuel in internal combustion engines, particularly Otto engines with separate fuel ignition. The device includes an integrated injection module (14) and ignition module (6). The ignition module includes a body that can be attached to the top of the engine and that has an internal tubular shape the lower part of which merges with a conically shaped cavity (7) with the base open towards the engine combustion chamber (2), such that the conically shaped cavity (7) forms a supplementary smaller volume of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a precombustion member which has a number of first ignition orifices defined therein. The precombustion member further has a precombustion chamber defined therein. The precombustion member is positioned relative to the head of the engine such that the precombustion chamber is in fluid communication with the engine's main combustion chamber via the first ignition orifices. The internal combustion engine further has a spark plug for igniting a gaseous fuel. The spark plug includes an encapsulating member which has a number of second ignition orifices defined therein. The encapsulating member defines a plug combustion chamber. The spark plug further includes a center electrode and a ground electrode which are both positioned within the plug combustion chamber. The encapsulating member is positioned relative to the precombustion member such that the plug combustion chamber is in fluid communication with the precombustion chamber via the second ignition orifices.

Abstract: A check valve assembly is adapted to be installed in a pre-combustion chamber for an internal combustion engine. The check valve includes a ball closure element which is responsive to normal fuel/air supply pressure to be held in an open position and is responsive to expansion pressure in the chamber to close the supply line and to prevent back flash of ignited fuel into the supply line.

Abstract: A non-return valve for a pre-combustion chamber of a gas-fueled internal combustion engine. The valve includes a body having an inlet passage and an outlet passage in fluid communication with each other via an intermediate passage of reduced diameter. An annular valve seat is provided on the outlet side of the intermediate passage upon which the ball rests when the valve is in a first or closed position. The valve ball is arranged to move to a second position to open the valve to the flow of fluid through the valve. The outlet passage includes a cover member having plural apertures to allow the flow of gas through the outlet passage. The cover member serves to retain the valve ball within the outlet passage and of quenching the back flow of high temperature gases into the outlet passage. The internal diameter of the intermediate passage is selected to result in a predetermined flow rate through the valve to achieve the desired gas-to-air ratio in the pre-combustion chamber.

Abstract: A body, having a substantially closed cell formed therewithin, has a projecting nozzle, externally threaded, for threaded engagement with the sparkplug hole in a gas engine cylinder head. The body has two passageways formed therein, each threaded, for admitting fuel into the cell and for mounting a sparkplug or such ignition device thereinto. The body nestably sets into the sparkplug cavity, in the cylinder head, and mounts fluid seals thereabout. Ports broached in walls of the cylinder head water jacketing admit cooling water to the body to dissipate the heat of the precombustion product.

Abstract: A clean burning pre-combustion chamber system and method for modifying existing "dirty" natural gas engines to meet modem exhaust emissions standards includes a number of small, water-cooled pre-combustion chambers which can be threaded into the existing spark plug holes, of which there are two per cylinder. A specially shaped ignition chamber within each pre-combustion chamber enhances fuel flow and virtually eliminates the "knocking" which is typically found in pre-combustion chamber modified engines. The inventive system allows existing engines to be economically converted with minimal or no structural changes to the cylinders, heads or valve covers.

Abstract: An improved combustion system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed wherein a rich air/fuel mixture is furnished at high pressure to one or more jet plume generator cavities adjacent to a cylinder and then injected through one or more orifices from the cavities into the head space of the cylinder to form one or more turbulent jet plumes in the head space of the cylinder prior to ignition of the rich air/fuel mixture in the cavity of the jet plume generator. The portion of the rich air/fuel mixture remaining in the cavity of the generator is then ignited to provide a secondary jet, comprising incomplete combustion products which are injected into the cylinder to initiate combustion in the already formed turbulent jet plume. Formation of the turbulent jet plume in the head space of the cylinder prior to ignition has been found to yield a higher maximum combustion pressure in the cylinder, as well as shortening the time period to attain such a maximum pressure.

Abstract: A body, having a throughgoing bore formed therein has an intermediate land. A first portion of the bore is threaded to receive a spark plug therein, and an outer portion of the body is threaded to accommodate its insertion into a cylinder head. A channel, opening externally of the body, and onto said land, is provided for admitting fuel therethrough to a body-held spark plug.

Abstract: A toroidal chamber in a piston communicating through an orifice at a top face of the piston located in an internal combustion system, such as a spark ignition engine or a compression ignition engine. The chamber arranged to receive a fuel/air mixture so that a flame front, propagated in a main combustion chamber outside the toroidal chamber reaches the toroidal chamber, the fuel in the toroidal chamber burns. The burning creates pressure in the chamber that exceeds the pressure in the main combustion chamber. The combustion gas of high pressure is jetted out of the toroidal chamber into the main combustion chamber. The high pressure combustion gas jet generates turbulence and mixing in the main combustion chamber, contributing to an improved combustion. Accordingly, the power output and the thermal efficiency of the internal combustion system is improved.

Abstract: An air-assisted fuel injection applied in the two-stroke engine of flame-jet ignition type which a fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator valve establish stable fuel rail pressure. With respect to each cylinder, a pair of fuel injection electromagnetic valve inject fuel under this pressure. The injected fuel is not directly injected into the cylinder, but is blown into main combustion chamber in the cylinder and prechamber cavity in a torch-forming plug by high speed flowing air. The ignition is performed in such a manner that the pre-mixed fuel air mixture in the prechamber cavity is first ignited by a spark discharge to form specifically shaped flame jet which is injected from one or more orifices located on lower portion of the torch-forming plug so as to successively ignite the pre-mixed fuel air mixture in the main combustion chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel injection system driven by compressor. The system is used in two-stroke gasoline engine, wherein high speed air flow is applied to assist in fuel atomization and injection. The system works in such a manner that a fuel pump and fuel pressure regulating valve establish stable fuel injection pressure and fuel is injected under this stable pressure by a main fuel injector and a sub-fuel injector. The fuel is not directly injected into the cylinder, but blown into main combustion chamber of the cylinder and pre-combustion chamber of a torch-forming plug by little amount of high speed air flow supplied from a small compressor synchroinzed with the engine in operation, the high speed air flow being distributed by a distributor to flow into air passages of the main fuel injector and sub-fuel injector for blowing the injected fuel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for timed ignition of a fuel-air mixture in internal combustion engines, incorporated therein or as a replacement unit therefor, providing an ignition chamber open into the combustion chamber, there being a catalytic igniter positioned in the ignition chamber to contact a pressure front of said fuel-air mixture penetrating the ignition chamber during the compression cycle and ignited thereby to effect the power cycle.

Abstract: Within an internal combustion engine (including a rotary engine), an apparatus and method for the pre-combustion of a rich fuel mixture within a spark plug to ignite a leaner fuel mixture within the cylinder. Substantially undiluted gaseous pilot fuel is supplied by a unidirectional valve through an integral passageway within the spark plug to a pre-combustion chamber recessed within the ignition end of the spark plug. The pilot fuel is supplied to the pre-combustion chamber during the downstroke of the piston. During the upstroke of the piston, lean cylinder gases are compressed into the pre-combustion chamber, mixing with the pilot fuel to yield a combustible mixture. Controlled electric ignition of the mixture within the pre-combustion chamber sends a flame jet into the leaner fuel mixture producing timed combustion within the cylinder.

Abstract: A combustion control system for internal combustion engines which includes a novel spark plug having a precombustion chamber in which a butane/air mixture injected through the plug is ignited in order to initiate and manage combustion wave propagation within the engine cylinder. The system also includes a fuel system to provide gasoline at an elevated pressure to the fuel metering system of the engine and a gaseous air/butane mixture under pressure to the spark plugs.

Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus in which a closed fuel circuit is pressurized, and the amount of fuel injected is determined by the pressure in the circuit. Air intake by the engine is controlled in response to the amount of fuel injected. The fuel injection apparatus includes a reservoir with a fixed level of fuel, and a high pressure pump pumps fuel from the reservoir and into the fuel circuit. Fixed orifice injection nozzles communicate with the circuit so fuel is varied only by the pressure. Pressure in the circuit is varied by a valve that releases fuel into the reservoir to lower the pressure in the circuit, the valve being controlled by the conventional accelerator pedal. Air to the engine is modulated in response to fuel flow. This is accomplished by varying an air valve in accordance with pressure in the fuel circuit, or by using a constant velocity valve which would vary with engine demand.

Abstract: A detachable auxiliary precombustion chamber for an internal combustion engine is adapted to fit into the spark plug bore of the cylinder head and to receive a spark plug in an open bore thereof, and includes flame distributing means projecting into the combustion chamber of the engine and including a distributing cap adapted to distribute and direct flame from the precombustion chamber across the axis of the cylinder throughout the engine combustion chamber.

Abstract: Sparkplug means for an internal combustion engine are provided with conduits to introduce pre-combustion gases directly to a mixing area adjacent the sparking electrodes. This may be by connecting the conduits into the plug directly or by connecting them into an adapter to be interposed between the engine and the sparkplug, and providing a pre-combustion chamber therebetween. Preferably there is a mixing area upstream of the electrodes. An electrolyzer can be built into the arrangement to generate the pre-combustion gases immediately adjacent the sparkplug.

Abstract: The diesel engine of this invention is designed to operate on more than one fuel composition. The auto ignition temperature of each fuel composition can be the same, or it can be different. As a typical example, the engine can be operated using diesel fuel oil, as the primary fuel, and a chlorinated hydrocarbon waste liquid, as the secondary fuel. The waste liquid, which has a higher auto ignition temperature than the diesel fuel, is injected into the combustion chamber of the engine an instant before injection of the diesel fuel. Because of its lower auto ignition temperature, the diesel fuel will ignite first and thus provide a "spark" for igniting the secondary fuel.

Abstract: A flaming engine system for an internal combustion engine of the Otto-cycle type comprises primary and secondary pre-ignition chambers serially interposed between an engine cylinder and a spark plug, and self-actuated of means metering high combustible fuel into the primary pre-ignition chamber. The flame commenced in the primary pre-ignition chamber is enhanced and promoted as it is caused to pass into the secondary pre-ignition chamber, then through geometrically designed openings and into the cylinder for ignition of the base-air-fuel mixture contained within the cylinder.