Abstract: An ignition device which performs a spark ignition of a fuel mixture in a combustion chamber (13) of an internal combustion engine (100), comprising, a first electrode (51), a second electrode (52) which is opposed to the first electrode (51) and extends in a length allowing generation of a plurality of non-equilibrium plasma discharges, and a voltage impressing device (60, 70) which impresses voltage between the first electrode (51) and the second electrode (52) to generate the non-equilibrium plasma discharge between the first electrode (51) and the second electrode (52). With this construction, volumetric ignition is effected on the fuel mixture, and hence ignition performance for the fuel mixture is improved, making it possible to substantially expand a lean burn limit.

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: This invention relates to a fuel combustion system for a lean burn internal combustion engine. Because of the lean fuel/air ratio, it is difficult to consistently achieve complete and thorough combustion within the main combustion chamber because of the relatively slow rate of flame propagation. The subject fuel combustion system includes a precombustion chamber assembly defining a prechamber having a preselected shape and volume and includes a plurality of ejection passages. The passages are of a preselected geometric cross-section for directing and controllably expanding burning gases from the prechamber into the main combustion chamber at a velocity greater than the speed of sound in order to penetrate and cause igniting and burning in the main combustion chamber for faster and more complete combustion.

Abstract: A catalytic internal combustion engine has an air cylinder (12) and a fuel management cylinder (14) interconnected at their head ends by a combustion chamber (5) and having respective pistons (16, 18) reciprocating in phase. Petrol is injected into the fuel management cylinder where is vaporizes in air during the compression stroke to form a very high air/fuel vapor mixture which cannot be spontaneously ignited by the high compression pressures used in the engine. Low octane petrol is a suitable fuel even when compression ratios of 12-16:1 are used. Air from cylinder (12) is forced into the combustion chamber (5) during the compression stroke through a port (44) which imparts a vortex motion in the air in the chamber (5). This mixes with the fuel/air mixture entering the combustion chamber from cylinder (14). A thin platinum layer catalyst on the wall of the combustion chamber triggers compression ignition of the fuel/air mixture as it mixes with the air in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sub-combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, which includes a ceramic hot plug in a hot plug installation hole in a cylinder head, wherein a small clearance is provided between the hot plug and the installation hole to ensure better heat insulation and thus to greatly improve starting performance, combustion efficiency and reliability of the engine. This invention also relates to a sub-combustion chamber, wherein the hot plug can be easily inserted and secured in the hot plug installation hole.

Abstract: A spark-ignition type internal combustion engine having a precombustion chamber auxiliary to the variable volume space in the engine cylinder between the piston and cylinder head. Fuel injected into air in the chamber and fuel-laden air initially entering this chamber from the variable volume space, pursuant to the compression stroke of the piston, form a mixture compressed into a discrete reliably spark-ignitable air-fuel mass within a portion of the chamber where such mass envelops igniter electrodes. A vestibule portion of the chamber causes air, or air mixed with fuel in quantity determinative of engine power output, forced from said space to enter the chamber in a manner compressing and retaining the air-fuel mass in its enveloping relation with the electrodes until ignition occurs.

Abstract: An externally auto-ignited four-stroke internal combustion engine which includes a combustion chamber disposed in an upper surface of a piston such that, in an upper dead-center position of the piston, the combustion chamber receives almost all of the fuel-air mixture. The combustion chamber includes a planar bottom portion and has a cross-sectional shape of a truncated cone expanding in a direction of the cylinder head. The internal combustion engine also includes a recess or depression provided in the cylinder head and disposed eccentrically with respect to a longitudinal center axis of the cylinder. The depression or recess in the cylinder head has the shape of a truncated cone expanding in a direction of the piston, with a spark plug projecting or penetrating into the recess or depression in the cylinder head.

Abstract: A precombustion chamber for a compression-ignition internal combustion engine is formed in a cylindrical metal insert seated in the cylinder head. The internal cavity of the insert has a central cylindrical part which at its end adjacent the combustion chamber is connected through a frusto-conical part to a cylindrical second part of reduced diameter, the axis of which is displaced relative to the axis of the central cylindrical part in the opposite direction to an end part which communicates with the combustion chamber. A fuel injector is inserted into an upper end part of the insert, coaxial with the central cylindrical part of the cavity. The configuration leads to a reduction in exhaust smoke.

Abstract: In an air compressing, internal combustion engine with direct fuel injection, a rotation-symmetrical combustion chamber is positioned in a piston. Combustion air circulates around the longitudinal axis of the combustion chamber at the moment of fuel injection. An injection nozzle is provided from which the fuel is injected in at least two fuel jets into the combustion chamber. The engagement points of the fuel jets on the circumferential wall of the combustion chamber are evenly distributed over said wall. In addition, the engagement points are in different planes disposed normal to the longitudinal axis of the combustion chamber while being spaced from each end thereof. In one embodiment, the injection nozzle is coaxially disposed and emits three fuel jets, the engagement points of which are located in different planes evenly spaced from one another. In another embodiment the injection nozzle is offset with respect to the axis of the combustion chamber with the fuel jets being of substantially equal length.

Abstract: Stratified charge four-stroke-cycle internal combustion engine with fuel injection and spark-ignition of the type wherein stratification and initial combustion occurs in a combustion chamber auxiliary to the variable volume space in the engine cylinder between the piston and the cylinder head. Unique aspirating passage means communicating between the auxiliary chamber and the variable volume space conducts and causes air entering the chamber at one end, pursuant to the piston's compression stroke, to form a substantially non-turbulent air column rotating about the chamber axis and acretively compressed, by continued entry of air, toward and against the opposite end of the chamber. Fuel is injected into air initially in the chamber and that initially entering through the aspirating passage to mix with such air to form a spark-ignitable air-fuel mixture compressed against said other chamber end.

Abstract: Stratified charge four-stroke-cycle internal combustion engine with fuel injection and spark-ignition of the type wherein stratification and initial combustion occurs in a combustion chamber auxiliary to the variable volume space in the engine cylinder between the piston and the cylinder head. Unique aspirating passage means communicating between the auxiliary chamber and the variable volume space conducts and causes air entering the chamber at one end, pursuant to the piston's compression stroke, to form a substantially non-turbulent air column rotating about the chamber axis and acretively compressed, by continued entry of air, toward and against the opposite end of the chamber. Fuel is injected into air initially in the chamber and that initially entering through the aspirating passage to mix with such air to form a spark-ignitable air-fuel mixture compressed against said other chamber end.

Abstract: An improved diesel engine wherein fuel is preheated and vaporized within the precombustion chamber during a substantial portion of the engine cycle in which the precombustion chamber is isolated from the cylinder by an isolation valve. Compressed air from the engine cylinder is admitted to the precombustion chamber near the end of the compression stroke by the timed opening of the isolation valve. The precombustion chamber is shaped to enhance mixing of the compressed air with the preheated and vaporized fuel.