Abstract: Conventional direct injection internal combustion engines will not completely ignite and burn relatively lower-cetane-number fuels such as 100 percent methanol or ethanol because the fuel spray injection pattern usually cannot carry or propagate a flame to all the injected fuel which is typically made up of individual fuel streams which are separated by pockets of fuel-deficient intake air. The present fuel combustion system (10) includes a fuel ignition-initiating device (26) such as a glow plug (70) and apparatus (98,102) for interconnectedly contacting and continuously bridging all of the individual fuel streams (66) with an auxiliary cloud (94) of well-atomized fuel. In this manner, a flame initiated by the fuel ignition-initiating device (26) is rapidly and completely propagated via the auxiliary cloud (94) of fuel to all the individual fuel streams (66).

Abstract: A diesel engine is started by plural ignition plugs, each installed in a swirl chamber of a corresponding cylinder. Each ignition plug includes (a) an elongated center electrode, (b) a fuel-absorbent electrical insulator that encapsulates the center electrode so as to allow only one end of the center electrode to protrude, and (c) a plurality of elongated grounding electrodes arranged symmetrically around said insulating member to define a discharge path in conjunction with the protruding end of the center electrode. The discharge path includes part of the surface of the insulating member and an air gap between free ends of the grounding electrodes and opposing surfaces of the insulating member.

Abstract: A late injection direct injection stratified charge spark ignition engine is provided with a catalytic grid disposed in the path of injected fuel spray and downstream of the point of spark ignition to assist the completion of combustion of previously ignited fuel spray as well as to ignite and cause the combustion of previously unignited fuel elements passing therethrough. Improved combustion and reduced hydrocarbons emissions are anticipated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combusting diesel, gasoline, kerosene, alcohol and other compression ignition fuels in either direct or indirect injection compression auto ignition internal combustion engines which enables such engines to operate at low compressions. The apparatus includes an ignition chamber which functions to receive a portion of the incoming fuel charge thereby concentrating such portion in an area separate from the auxiliary or primary combustion chambers.

Abstract: A direct injection type internal combustion engine with a low pressure fuel injector includes a cylinder block having a predetermined number of cylinders, a cylinder head mounted on the cylinder block, a piston which has a large surface area at its head wall and a high heat transfer ability and is reciprocally movable within the cylinder for affording rotational motion to a crankshaft, a combustion chamber formed among the piston, the cylinder and the cylinder head, an intake valve mechanism for opening and closing an intake passage to be communicated with the combustion chamber, igniting means having its igniting portion facing the combustion chamber, a low pressure fuel injector as fuel supply means having an injection port of a wide injection angle and directed toward the head wall of the piston, and an exhaust valve mechanism for opening and closing an exhaust passage to be communicated with the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a fuel injector in a side wall of each cylinder to direct a fuel jet onto a flat or concave impingement surface of a shield projecting into the cylinder from the cylinder head, to atomize the fuel in the vicinity of the sparking plug electrodes with minimal wetting of the cylinder walls and of the plug electrodes. The piston head is formed with an asymmetrically located combustion chamber surrounded by extensive "squish" areas arranged to promote the formation of a fuel vortex in which charge stratification occurs centrifugally.

Abstract: A stratified charge spark ignition internal combustion engine is arranged to provide a preferably centered target recess on the end of the piston to redirect fuel spray injected against the recess back into the central portion of the combustion chamber to form a centralized relatively rich core or mixture cloud surrounded by an annular body of air. The size of the centered mixture cloud is load variable as determined by the volume and timing of injection as well as other factors. A preferred embodiment includes a target shape which compensates for limited eccentricity and angularity of the nominally axial injection spray to maintain a relatively even distribution of fuel within the mixture cloud. An alternative arrangement also includes a small ignition antechamber surrounding the end of the injection nozzle.

Abstract: An exothermic injector adapter that allows a light weight gasoline engine to operate with the efficiency of a diesel engine. The adapter includes a body, a ceramic sleeve, a retainer, ground wires, power supply wires and a catalytic deflector. The adapter is used with any type of diesel fuel injector to replace the spark plug. It utilizes a heated catalytic deflector in close proximity to the outlet of a fuel injector to ignite the fuel charge efficiently. The catalyst used is exothermic or heat producing under certain conditions and has the ability to fracture the heavy and complex hydrocarbon molecules found in most automotive and diesel fuels. The catalyst is plated to the deflector in a porous configuration so that it has colloidal sized crystals. The catalytic deflector is electrically preheated to its level of exothermic activity.