Abstract: A fuel for a homogeneous charge compression ignition engine having a 95 V % distilled temperature by boiling point measurement in the range of about 35.degree. C. to about 350.degree. C., a cetane number in the range of about 2 to about 120, and an octane number in the range of 10 to about 110. The invention also relates to a method of operating a homogeneous charge compression ignition engine of mixing a fuel with air and feeding the fuel into a combustion chamber.

Abstract: An engine having improved combustion characteristics is provided. The engine includes a fuel injection system that is variable between two operational states. In the first operating state, the fuel injectors provide a fuel spray having first spray pattern characteristics. When the system detects that an operation characteristic exceeds a threshold, the fuel injectors are displaced into a second operating state. In the second operating state, the fuel injectors provide a spray pattern having first spray pattern characteristics. The combustion cycle may be characterized by timing the fuel injection so that the fuel is sprayed into the cylinder early in the compression stroke. Further still, the combustion cycle may be characterized by controlling the fuel pressure so that the fuel pressure is inversely related to the load on the engine.

Abstract: The present Invention relates to a fuel injection method for a direct-injection internal-combustion engine, notably of diesel type, comprising a cylinder (10) closed by a cylinder head (16). a piston (12) comprising a bowl (18). and a fuel injector (48). According to the invention, the method consists in feeding the fuel into the bowl coated with a thermal insulation coating in at least two successive injections in quick succession so as to achieve low-temperature combustion of the fuel mixture.

Abstract: A control device is provided that controls the injection quantity and injection timing of fuel injected into the cylinder of a diesel engine, in which are provided two control modes of: a normal injection mode in which the injection quantity and injection timing are controlled so that the injected fuel ignites near compression top dead center during an injection period; and a premixed injection mode in which the injection quantity and injection timing are controlled so that fuel injection is completed before compression top dead center and the injected fuel ignites near compression top dead center after a premixing period, and target values of control parameters (pilot injection timing, and the like) are set in advance separately for each control mode, the control device comprising change means for gradually changing target values V1 of one control mode into the target values V2 of the other control mode when switching from one control mode to the other control mode.

Abstract: A diesel engine in which a lubrication oil on the wall surface of the cylinder liner is prevented from being burned and diluted, and a smoke resulting from the local lack of air in the combustion chamber is also prevented from being generated. The diesel engine comprises a group injection hole nozzle 20 and a piston 110. A step 115 having a height gradually increased toward the radial outer circumference of the piston is formed over the entire circumference of the top surface 111 of the piston. Furthermore, a tilted part 115b is formed as the step surface of the step 115.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for determining the timing of an injection cycle relative to an operating cycle of a four-stroke engine (ECH, ADM, COMP, DET), the timing being possibly correct or wrong, the method including the step of operating the engine while modifying a first operating parameter of the engine adapted to bring about on the engine operating effects which are different depending on whether the timing is correct or wrong; it consists in simultaneously modifying a second operating parameter of the engine adapted to bring about on the engine operating mode effects which compensate the effects modifying the first operating parameter of the engine when the timing is correct, and which do not compensate the efforts modifying the first operating parameter of the engine when the timing is wrong.

Abstract: Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency of the engine.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an engine includes a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) operating zone boundary module determining a first HCCI operating boundary and a fuel rate module determining a first fuel rate from an operator input. The system also includes a switch module modifying the first HCCI operating boundary to a modified boundary in response to a measured mass airflow, cam positions and the first HCCI operating boundary. The system also includes a combustion control module operating the engine in a spark ignited mode when a second fuel rate request is outside the modified boundary.

Abstract: The invention concerns an internal combustion engine, in particular with direct injection comprising at least one cylinder (10), one piston (30) sliding in said cylinder, a combustion chamber (26) delimited on one side by the upper side of the piston including a concave trough (32) wherein is arranged a dog point (34) with apex angle (a2) and a fuel injector (22) for injecting fuel at a spray angle (a1) not greater than 2 Arctg CD/2f where CD is the diameter of the cylinder (10) and F the distance between the point of origin of the fuel jets derived from the injector and the position of the piston (30) corresponding to a crankshaft angle of 50° relative to the upper dead center. The invention is characterized in that the apex angle (a2) of the dog point is greater than the spray angle (a1) by an angle ranging between 30° and 60°.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high pressure injection arrangement for an internal combustion engine with direct injection, with an injection valve and a support element, which supports the injection valve in the installed state on a seat of an internal combustion engine. It is provided that a spring element is arranged between the injection valve and the support element.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an engine operating method and high power density internal combustion engine, including an engine housing with a plurality of cylinders. Fuel injectors are provided and disposed at least partially within each cylinder, and configured to inject fuel such as diesel, JP8 or another fuel therein for compression ignition. The engine is configured to burn a quantity of injected fuel to yield at least about 150 horsepower per liter of engine displacement at a smoke output of less than about 0.4 grams, and in some cases less than about 0.75 grams, smoke per horsepower-hour, at a fuel consumption of less than about 250 grams fuel per kilowatt-hour output of the engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion cylinder assembly includes a cylinder having a cylinder head at an end thereof, a combustion chamber disposed in the cylinder head, a piston disposed slidably within the cylinder, the piston having a bottom dead center position distal from the combustion chamber and a top dead center position proximate to the combustion chamber, a pilot quantity of fuel disposed substantially dispersably within the cylinder, a working fluid disposed compressably within the cylinder, the piston compressing the working fluid and the pilot quantity of fuel as it slides from the bottom dead center position to the top dead center position, and wherein the pilot quantity of fuel is substantially a maximum quantity that will not support auto-ignition when the working fluid and the pilot quantity of fuel have been compressed.

Abstract: A controller sets a negative valve overlap period, during which both of an intake valve and an exhaust valve are closed, such that not all the burned gas is discharged from the combustion chamber. When switching the combustion mode from the spark ignition combustion to the HCCI combustion, the controller executes following operations a), b), and c): a): switching the intake lift amount from a first intake lift amount to a second intake lift amount, such that intake opening timing is delayed relative to an exhaust top dead center; b): switching the exhaust lift amount from a first exhaust lift amount to a second exhaust lift amount after the operation a); and c) delaying the exhaust closing timing relative to a reference exhaust closing timing, such that the internal EGR amount is generated.

Abstract: Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency of the engine.

Abstract: For gaseous fuels that are injected directly into a combustion chamber the mass flow rate through an injection valve can be influenced by changes in the in-cylinder pressure. A method and apparatus are provided for accurately metering a gaseous into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The method comprises inputting a fueling command; determining from said fueling command a baseline pulse width of an injection event, based upon a baseline pressure differential across a fuel injection valve; estimating the difference between said baseline pressure differential and an actual pressure differential; calculating a corrected pulse width by applying at least one correction factor to said baseline pulse width, wherein said correction factor is a function of the estimated difference between said baseline pressure differential and said actual pressure differential.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of at least one fuel injector in a four stroke internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes the steps of initiating fuel injection into a combustion chamber during an expansion stroke of the engine, injecting fuel into the combustion chamber during an exhaust stroke of the engine, injecting fuel into the combustion chamber during an intake stroke of the engine, and terminating fuel injection into the combustion chamber during a compression stroke of the engine.

Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine block defining a cylinder bore, a piston disposed within the cylinder bore, and a spark ignited direct injection fuel system. The piston may be disposed within the cylinder bore and may be reciprocally displaceable from a first position to a second position during an intake stroke. The cylinder bore and the piston may partially define a combustion chamber. The spark ignited direct injection fuel system may include a fuel injector that provides a fuel flow to the combustion chamber during the intake stroke. The fuel flow may be directed toward an upper surface of the piston when the piston is in the first and the second positions.

Abstract: In a multi-mode, 2-stroke/4-stroke internal combustion engine operation, by switching the engine stroke from 4-stroke operation to 2-stroke operation so that the combustion frequency is doubled, doubling of the engine power is achieved even at the same work output per cycle. In order to meet the demand of extremely high power, the engine operates in 4-stroke boosted SI operation transitioned from 2-stroke HCCI operation at pre-set level of power and crank speed requirements. By combining the multi-stroke (2-stroke HCCI and 4-stroke HCCI) and multi-mode operation (2-stroke HCCI and 4-stroke boosted SI operation), full load range and overall high efficiency with minimal NOx emission are achieved.

Abstract: A method for operating a multi-stroke homogeneous charge compression ignition engine having a plurality of cylinders using electronic valve actuation is described. The method includes actuating at least one intake valve of a cylinder with a late intake valve opening (LIVO); receiving an air and fuel charge in the cylinder; opening the at least one intake valve during a compression stroke of a piston in the cylinder to cycle the air and fuel charge into an intake manifold to mix the air and fuel charge; opening the at least one intake valve to receive at least some of the mixed air and fuel charge from the intake manifold during an intake stroke; and compressing the mixed air and fuel charge to auto-ignition to generate HCCI combustion without applying spark ignition to the mixed air and fuel charge.

Abstract: A method to operate a multi-cylinder direct-injection engine in one of a controlled auto-ignition and a spark-ignition combustion mode is described. Engine operation and an operator torque request are monitored. Fuel delivery to a portion of the cylinders is selectively deactivated and torque output from non-deactivated cylinders is selectively increased to achieve the operator torque request when the monitored engine operation is above a predetermined threshold. An engine operating point at which an engine load demand exceeds an operating capability of the engine in a stoichiometric HCCI mode is identified. The engine is selectively operated in an unthrottled spark-ignition mode with at least one cylinder unfueled and torque output from the remaining cylinders is selectively increased.

Abstract: A pulsed detonation engine may include a flame tube with a lateral wall and a transverse base defining a combustion chamber and a supply device cyclically feeding said combustion chamber with a combustible charge. The transverse base of the flame tube may be movable for reciprocating in translation inside said flame tube in order to be able to occupy two boundary positions, a first position corresponding to the detonation phase of the combustible charge in the combustion chamber of said flame tube and a second position corresponding to the phase wherein the combustible charge is supplied to said combustion chamber.

Abstract: A blowby gas returning device is arranged to allow blowby gas leaking from a combustion chamber of an engine to flow in an intake passage through a returning passage and return to the combustion chamber, and arranged to regulate a flow rate of the blowby gas by a PCV valve provided in the returning passage. This blowby gas returning device comprises an outside-air passage for mixing outside air into the blowby gas before being introduced into the PCV valve; and an open-close valve for opening and closing the outside-air passage. An electronic control unit controls the open-close valve to open when the operating state detected by sensors is an idle state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles. The engine can be operated in homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion mode and in conventional spark ignited (SI) combustion mode. For increasing volumetric efficiency and charge temperature during homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion operation timing, duration and lift of the intake valve and the exhaust valve respectively, being controlled such that an amount of residual exhaust gases is trapped in the cylinder of the engine. An intake valve is opened at a timed moment after top dead center during an induction stroke of the piston such that a pressure wave is generated from an intake manifold into the cylinder. The intake valve is closed at a timed moment before the pressure wave is reflected within the cylinder such that a charge mass of said pressure wave is retained within the cylinder.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine in controlled self-ignition, a fuel-air mixture being introduced into a combustion chamber at least partially in a gas-exchange cycle, and being compressed in a compression stroke, the load range usable for the Otto engine self-ignition is broadened in that, in the fuel-air mixture, during the gas-exchange cycle, a flame front is generated at one or a plurality of places by spark ignition, which compresses and/or heats up the remaining fuel-air mixture, and converts the latter thereby at least partially to intermediate combustion products.

Abstract: An injector for a diesel engine that controls an injecting angle of a fuel in accordance with a driving type of the diesel engine. A nozzle body defines first and second injection holes for injecting a fuel into a combustion chamber and first and second needles selectively open and close the first and second injection holes by moving upwardly and downwardly along a guide portion. An ECU controls ignition timing and the opening and closing timings of the first and second ignition holes via the needles.

Abstract: A system and method to control engine valve timing to during the start of an internal combustion engine. Electromechanical valves are controlled in a manner to reduce hydrocarbon emissions during the start of an internal combustion engine. The method controls intake valves so that smaller adjustments are made to cylinder spark advance and air-fuel over a range of operating conditions.

Abstract: A dual injection type internal combustion engine including an injector for in-cylinder injection and an injector for intake manifold injection includes a learning device for learning a background noise level based on an output signal of a knock sensor, and a knocking suppression control device for performing, while learning the background noise level, knocking suppression control by controlling fuel injection of the injector for in-cylinder injection or the injector for intake manifold injection. Alternatively, the engine includes a fixing device for fixing, while learning the background noise level, a start timing or end timing of fuel injection by the injector for in-cylinder injection at a basic timing determined by an operating state of the engine.

Abstract: A combustion mode switching control system for diesel engines is provided. The system includes: a switch determination module that initiates a switch request to switch between at least one of a premixed compression ignition (PCI) mode and a diesel combustion mode based on engine speed and at least one of fuel quantity and torque; a transition module that commands the at least one of the PCI mode and the diesel combustion mode based on the switch request; and a control module that controls at least one of target airflow, desired fuel quantity, and desired fuel injection timing based on the command.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for operating a multi-cylinder, spark-ignition, direct-injection, four-stroke internal-combustion engine adapted to operate in a controlled auto-ignition mode selectively operative at stoichiometry and lean of stoichiometry. The method comprises adapting an engine valve actuation system to control engine valve opening and closing, and monitoring engine operating conditions and ambient barometric pressure. The engine is operated unthrottled and the engine valve actuation system is controlled to effect a negative valve overlap period when the engine operating conditions are within predetermined ranges. A mass of fuel is injected during the negative valve overlap period. The magnitude of the negative valve overlap period is decreased with decreasing ambient pressure and increased with increasing ambient pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine provided with at least one cylinder and comprising a fuel injection system, an intake air charging system for supplying air under pressure to an air intake manifold, a controller for controlling the fuel injection system, a spark ignition system and the intake air charger. The control unit is adapted to switch the engine from a first combustion mode using a higher manifold pressure to a second combustion mode using a lower manifold pressure, and further adapted to control the intake air charging system to cause a surge in the intake air, in order to evacuate the higher manifold pressure. The invention further relates to a method for controlling the internal combustion engine and a vehicle provided with such an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A system and method to provide a desired torque increase from an engine in which some cylinder operate in spark ignition (SI) combustion mode only and some cylinders operate in homogeneous-charge, compression-ignition (HCCI) combustion mode only are disclosed. Such method includes: operating a first portion of engine cylinders in homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion mode while a second portion of engine cylinders are deactivated. The second portion of engine cylinders in spark ignition combustion mode is activated when a torque demand is greater than the first portion of engine cylinders is capable of supplying. Also, the second portion of engine cylinders is activated when a rate of torque demand is greater than the first portion of engine cylinders is capable of supplying.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine having a fuel injection valve. A fuel injection timing is determined according to the detected engine operating condition. A target ignition timing of the fuel is calculated using a plurality of maps that store the target ignition timings according to the engine operating condition and an actual ignition timing of the fuel is detected. An ignition delay of the actual ignition timing with respect to the target ignition timing is calculated. The cetane number of the fuel is estimated according to the calculated ignition delay. The map to be used in calculating the target ignition timing is switched according to the estimated cetane number.

Abstract: A fuel injector for an engine is disclosed. The fuel injector has a plunger disposed within a bore, a nozzle member, a valve needle, a check valve, a spill valve, and a controller. The check valve is movable between a first position at which the valve needle is communicated with the bore, and a second position at which the valve needle is fluidly communicated with a drain. The spill valve is movable between a first position at which fuel flows from the bore to the drain, and a second position at which the fuel from the bore is blocked. The controller moves the spill valve toward its second position and the check valve toward its second position during a downward displacing movement of the plunger. The controller detects an unsuccessful movement of the check valve to the second position, and prematurely halts the current injection event in response to the detection.

Abstract: The invention provides an injection nozzle for an internal combustion engine, the injection nozzle (2) including an outer valve member (8) received within a bore (6) provided in a nozzle body (4) and being engageable with a first seating region (20) to control fuel flow from a first delivery chamber (32) to a first nozzle outlet (22), an inner valve member (44) slidable within an outer valve bore (34) provided in the outer valve member (8) and being engageable with a second seating region (46) to control fuel flow from a second delivery chamber (62) to a second nozzle outlet (48), a lifting arrangement (80) associated with the outer valve member (8) such that movement of the outer valve member (8) is transmitted to the inner valve member (44) when the outer valve member (8) is moved through a distance greater than a predetermined distance (L), and a control chamber (7) arranged to receive pressurised fuel, in use.

Abstract: An injector for a diesel engine that controls an injecting angle of a fuel in accordance with a driving type of the diesel engine. A nozzle body defines first and second injection holes for injecting a fuel into a combustion chamber and first and second needles selectively open and close the first and second injection holes by moving upwardly and downwardly along a guide portion. An ECU controls ignition timing and the opening and closing timings of the first and second ignition holes via the needles.

Abstract: A fuel injection device is provided with a fuel injection valve for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber and an air injection valve for the injection of air into the combustion chamber. One fuel injection orifice which opens into the combustion chamber is provided correspondingly to the fuel injection valve and plural air injection orifices which open into the combustion chamber are provided correspondingly to the air injection valve. A design is made so that fuel and air injected from the fuel injection orifice and the air injection orifices come into collision with each other at a collision point. The shape, size and direction of the fuel injection orifice are specified. Likewise, the number, shape, size and direction of the air injection orifice, as well as its arrangement relative to the fuel injection orifice, are specified. A design is made so that the size of a fuel spray and that of air jets at the collision point become equal to each other.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine having at least one fuel injection valve for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of the engine, and an exhaust gas recirculation mechanism for recirculating a portion of exhaust gases from the engine to the combustion chamber. The exhaust gas recirculating mechanism includes an exhaust cooler for cooling the recirculated exhaust gases. A target ignition timing of the fuel injected by the fuel injection valve is calculated. An actual compression ignition timing of the fuel injected by the fuel injection valve is detected. Operation of the exhaust cooler is controlled based on the target ignition timing and the actual compression ignition timing.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a diesel engine having a plurality of cylinders, the engine including a first group of cylinders and a second group of cylinders, the method comprising of operating the first group of cylinders with a first intake and exhaust valve timing, the first group of cylinders inducting air and performing diesel compression ignition combustion of injected fuel; and operating the second group of cylinders with a second intake and exhaust valve timing, the second group of cylinders inducting air and performing diesel compression ignition combustion of injected fuel, wherein said second intake valve timing is retarded compared to said first intake valve timing or said second exhaust valve timing is advanced compared to said first exhaust valve timing.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber with a piston and a spark plug, when transitioning between spark ignition combustion and autoignition combustion, creating a first mixture of air and fuel, adjusting an operating condition of the engine so that said first mixture of air and fuel in the combustion chamber approaches, but does not achieve, the autoignition temperature, and performing a spark from the spark plug so that at least a portion of said first mixture combusts to raise a remaining portion of said first mixture to said autoignition temperature.

Abstract: A four-stroke internal combustion engine is operated in controlled auto-ignition mode by any of a variety of valve control strategies conducive to controlled auto-ignition conditions in conjunction with in-cylinder fuel charges that are at either stoichiometric or lean of stoichiometric air-fuel ratios. A measure of engine NOx emission is provided and when it crosses a predetermined threshold, the in-cylinder fuel charge is transitioned from the operative one of the stoichiometric or lean of stoichiometric air-fuel ratios to the inoperative one of the stoichiometric or lean of stoichiometric air-fuel ratios.

Abstract: A valve device and a method directly inject gaseous fuel into a combustion chamber. A rapid response in a simple and compact design is achieved by a piezoelectric, magnetostrictive, or electromagnetic actuator that acts on a transmission device that comprises at least two levers, which are connected in series to increase the lift of the actuator to actuate a valve. An associated sensor device detects the position of a valve element, such that the actuator can be controlled to reduce the free play between the actuator and the valve.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an internal combustion engine having an engine housing with at least one cylinder that has diameter less than about 3 inches. A fuel injector is provided and disposed at least partially within the at least one cylinder, and includes a plurality of outlet orifices having a diameter between about 50 microns and about 110 microns. The disclosure further provides a method of operating an internal combustion engine. The method includes the steps of rotating an engine crank shaft of the engine at a speed greater than about 5000 revolutions per minute, injecting a quantity of fuel into each of the cylinders, and burning at least every fourth piston stroke a sufficient quantity of the injected fuel to yield a brake mean effective pressure of at least about 200 lbs. per square inch.

Abstract: A combustion chamber (20) opening toward a cylinder head (5) is provided on a top surface (11) of a piston (10), and this combustion chamber (20) comprises a first volume (22) having an inclined surface (20) and a second volume (23) further recessed from the first volume (22) toward a pin boss (13). Fuel spray F from a fuel injection nozzle (9) is injected toward an inner peripheral wall section (24) of the second volume (23) in a former stage of fuel injection and toward the inclined surface (21) of the first volume (22) in a later stage of fuel injection, and the percentage of the fuel injection period in the former stage against the total fuel injection period is set to the range from 40% to 70%.

Abstract: A dual mode fuel injector having first (15) and second (30) valve members. The valve members are actuatable independently of one another and are arranged to open in opposite directions. The valve members control the flow through first (18) and second (29) orifices, one of which injects the fuel at a narrow angle with respect to the injector axis, and the other of which injects the fuel at a wider angle with respect to this axis.

Abstract: A fuel injection equipment to control the instability of combustion when the airflow is weak, and improve the fuel cost. A fuel injection equipment for an cylinder injection type and spark ignition type internal combustion engine that injects gasoline directly to a combustion chamber, wherein the top angle at the point of fuel spray in the pressurized atmosphere of absolute pressure 0.5 MPa is from ?10° to 10°. Further, the fuel is injected at the compression stroke of the internal combustion engine which installs the fuel injection equipment, and said internal combustion engine is started.

Abstract: A homogeneous charge compression ignition engine that prevents knocking and misfires when changing output and when the load or air-fuel ratio changes due to one reason or another when operating under a predetermined condition. A controller determines whether or not the air-fuel ratio is changing in such a manner that there is a possibility of knocking or misfires occurring by using a map defining a range, in which stable homogeneous charge compression ignition operation is enabled, in relation with the air-fuel ratio and the intake air temperature. When the air-fuel ratio indicates that there is a possibility of knocking or misfires occurring, the controller controls an intake air temperature adjustor to adjust the intake air temperature based on the map.

Abstract: A homogeneous charge compression ignition engine includes a combustion chamber and a piston for compressing and igniting an air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. A variable valve actuation mechanism opens and closes an exhaust valve to perform internal exhaust gas recirculation. A heater heats the mixture before the mixture is supplied to the combustion chamber. A storage device stores correspondence information of the amount of internal exhaust gas recirculation and heated state of the mixture heated by the heater that are necessary to perform homogeneous charge compression ignition in relation with the load of the engine and the rotation speed of the output shaft. A controller controls the variable valve actuation mechanism and the heater to achieve the amount of internal exhaust gas recirculation and heated state of the mixture in correspondence with the load and speed required for the engine.

Abstract: A system for assisting in the atomisation of liquid particles conveyed in a gas stream flowing along a flow path having a rigid boundary, said system involving the creation of one or more shock waves in the gas stream. In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises a fuel injection nozzle (10) comprising a fluid flow passage (43) terminating at a discharge orifice (15) and incorporating a delivery port (33) defined between a valve seat (31) and a valve member (23) movable with respect to the valve seat for opening and closing the delivery port. Fuel is delivered along the fluid flow passage (43) into a combustion chamber through the discharge orifice (15) upon opening of the delivery port (33). The valve member (23) devines an inner boundary surface (47) of the flow passage (43) and the valve seat (31) defines at least part of an outer boundary surface (45) of the flow passage (43).

Abstract: A homogeneous charge compression ignition engine for preventing knocking or misfires even if the air-fuel ratio deviates from a target value. The controller determines the possibility of misfires occurring due to changes in the air-fuel ratio based on a map showing the relationship of the air-fuel ratio and the timing at which the exhaust valve closes (EVC) when stable homogeneous charge compression ignition is enabled. When there is a possibility of misfires occurring, the controller retards the EVC. When there is a possibility of knocking occurring due to changes in the air-fuel ratio, the controller uses a map to advance the EVC.

Abstract: Apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes an estimating or controlling unit to determine an oil-diluting fuel quantity of an engine oil-diluting fuel which is fuel leaking out through a clearance between a piston and a cylinder of the engine and diluting an engine oil. The unit calculates a variation of the engine oil-diluting fuel quantity, and determines the oil-diluting fuel quantity in accordance with the variation.