Abstract: An aluminum alloy slide support member which is disclosed herein as a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine includes a slide portion, such as the cylinder for slideably supporting the piston, made of a fiber-reinforced aluminum alloy containing at least an alumina fiber as a reinforcing material, wherein the alpha rate of the alumina fiber is set in a range of 10.0 to 50.0% and the volume content of the alumina fiber is set in a range of 8.0 to 20.0%. Another embodiment employs carbon fibers in addition to the alumina fibers. Further, the walls of the cylinder barrel are of a varying thickness to equalize the cooling and cause uniform thermal expansion of the cylinder barrel.

Abstract: Light alloy components for internal combustion engines consist of castings in which reinforcing layers consisting of non-woven ceramic fibers are embedded in the stressed surface portions. In order to provide a prolonged protection against damage to the light alloy disposed under the reinforcing layer, the open interstices of the fibrous layer are impregnated with a layer of a ceramic material in the portion which is close to the stressed surface and with the light alloy of the component in the portion which is remote from the stressed surface.

Abstract: The thermal ignition combustion system comprises means for providing walls defining an ignition chamber, the walls being made of a material having a thermal conductivity greater than 20 W/m.degree. C. and a specific heat greater than 480 J/kg.degree. C. with the ignition chamber being in constant communication with the main combustion chamber, means for maintaining the temperature of the walls above a threshold temperature capable of causing ignition of a fuel, and means for conducting fuel to the ignition chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for finishing engine cylinder walls and reconditioning used engine cylinders. The invention also provides engine cylinders having a multilayer coating of a base layer, a steel layer and a layer of a tetrafluoroethylene fluorocarbon polymer, i.e., a "Teflon" wear surface.

Abstract: Present reciprocating engines have limitations on their thermal efficiency and horsepower to weight performance imposed by the crankshaft. Elimination of the crankshaft, use of a full time turbocharger and ceramic lining of cylinder walls, cylinder and piston heads and exhaust conduits permit the construction of an engine which has a thermal efficiency and horsepower to weight performance exceeding that of present engines. Use of ceramic linings is not essential to the operation of the engine. Thermal efficiency without ceramic linings is still better than that of crankshaft engines. Power produced by said crankless engine is oscillatory however this is readily rectified into rotary power.

Abstract: A cylinder liner mounted within an internal combustion engine cylinder block has a coating of a wear and seizure resistant material such as a ceramic applied to the inside surface of its upper portion. The inside surface of the cylinder liner lower portion, which is subject to lower temperatures than is the upper portion, has a coating of a commercially available surface treatment composition composed principally of manganous phosphote. The use of this surface treatment composition makes the inside surface treatment of the cylinder liners significantly less expensive without adversely affecting the engine performance than if the complete inside surface is coated with the wear and seizure resistant material.

Abstract: In a piston for internal combustion engines, a cover layer comprising a material having a relatively low thermal conductivity has been applied to the piston head by plasma or flame spraying. To increase the life of the cover layer until it separates from the body of the piston, the surface of the cover layer has a peak-to-valley height of 5 to 30 .mu.m.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for pretreatment of fuel prior to injection into the combustion chamber of a combustion device such as an internal combustion engine comprising heating of the fuel to a sufficiently high temperature to activate the fuel molecules to a critical degree enabling "hypergolic" combustion, i.e., combustion without significant ignition or combustion delay. The fuel is circulated through a vessel passing through the combustion chamber which is insulated to reduce heat loss such as to regeneratively preheat the fuel to a temperature on the order of 1000.degree. F. Regenerative heating of the fuel is alternatively combined with a catalytic treatment of the heated fuel to partially activate the fuel molecules to reduce the heating necessary to achieve hypergolic combustion.

Abstract: In a plunger piston of aluminum for internal combustion engines the margin of the combustion chamber trough arranged in the piston crown is fiber-reinforced. The proportion of fibers in the basic material to be reinforced varies over the circumference of the combustion chamber trough margin. The marginal zone in the vicinity of the bolt axis (B) here possesses a higher fiber proportion than the trough margin zone adjoining the connecting rod oscillation plane (A). In this way a good temperature change stability of the marginal material is achieved in the zone adjoining the connecting rod oscillation plane (A) and a good fatigue strength is achieved in the zone adjoining the bolt axis (B).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of operating a catalytic ignition internal combustion engine wherein the fuel is injected into a combustion chamber at a time near maximum compression such that at least a part of the fuel impinges upon an oxidation catalyst surface comprising a portion of the wall of said combustion chamber, said catalytic surface being insulated from the surroundings external to the combustion chamber by a low thermal conductivity material, said catalytic surface preferably comprising platinum. Also disclosed are combustion chambers constructed specially for the use of this method and the methods of constructing them.

Abstract: An arrangement for limiting radial thermal expansions of cylinders in a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine by way of control elements, each of which includes a ring-shaped clamping member, which are provided within the areas of maximum alternating abutment pulses of the piston at the cylinder and consist of a material with a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the cylinder.

Abstract: A method for constructing and breaking in piston engines includes applying an integral phosphate layer to the interior cylinder wall prior to the insertion of the piston into a cylinder. The invention includes the improved engine so constructed. The phosphate layer decreases oil consumption and improves piston ring seating in such an engine. The phosphatizing solution includes a zinc or manganese salt in phosphoric acid at a pH between about 2.5 and 4.

Abstract: The control of the octane requirement increase phenomenon in an internal combustion engine is achieved by introducing into an internal combustion engine, having manifold and/or combustion surfaces which inhibit the formation of engine deposits, along with the combustion charge, a fuel composition containing an octane requirement increase-inhibiting amount of (a) an oil-soluble iron compound and (b) carboxylic acids and/or ester derivatives thereof. In particular the esters of a tertiary alcohol and an unsubstituted, mono-carboxylic acid having at least two carbon atoms, e.g., t-butylacetate, in combination with dicyclopentadienyl iron provides an effective octane requirement increase-inhibiting additive for said internal combustion engine. Preferably the manifold and combustion surfaces of said internal combustion engine are coated with a low density alumina or zirconia coating. More preferably said alumina or zirconia coating further comprises a carbon gasification catalyst, e.g.

Abstract: A cylinder head for internal combustion engines with compression ignition, is of the type having precombustion chambers, intake and exhaust ports, and valve guides and seats respectively associated with the cylinders of the engine. According to the invention, the precombustion chambers the exhaust ports and the valve seats of this cylinder head are entirely cast and inserted into this cylinder head during casting and without machining. Application is particularly to the manufacture of diesel engines with precombustion chambers.

Abstract: A replaceable monolithic, hollow, generally cylindrical cylinder liner formed of hot pressed silicon nitride adapted for operating at the high engine temperatures caused by fuel combustion and friction within the liner without need for liquid cooling thereof. The liner includes a surface adjacent its outer end for forming a radial press fit with the inside surface of the cylinder cavity and a stop-engaging surface formed on the cylindrical liner surface spaced axially inwardly of the press fit surface or along the innermost face of the liner for engaging an engine block liner stop within the cylinder cavity.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises an engine block having mounted thereon a cylinder head and a cylinder head gasket interposed between the engine block and the cylinder head, this gasket having cylinder holes of a diameter substantially greater than the cylinder bore, these cylinder holes of the gasket having inserted thereinto continuous or split annular shaping rims. Each shaping rim is fashioned as a deformable body with an element for attachment thereof to the cylinder head gasket. The size of the deformable body of the shaping rim is commensurable with the volume of a gas space enclosed by the cylinder head, cylinder head gasket, engine block and the continuation of the wall of the cylinder bore, the deformable body of the shaping rim engaging with the surfaces of the cylinder head and engine block confined between the cylinder hole of the gasket and the continuation of the wall of the cylinder bore of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: This invention relates to inserts for pistons of diesel engines of aluminum-silicon alloys obtained by powder metallurgy.These inserts are characterized in that they contain elements such as iron and zirconium.They find their application in the manufacture of pistons intended to work at high temperatures for long periods and exhibit a good friction capacity.

Abstract: An improved two-cycle engine in which the inner wall of the head of the combustion cylinder facing the combustion chamber is formed of a heat-insulating ceramic element which surrounds the tip of a mounting portion of the spark plug of the cylinder. The tip of the spark plug should be threadless in the area surrounded by the ceramic element. The ceramic element is preferably a sintered product made of silicon nitride, zirconia, sialon, alumina or silicon carbide.

Abstract: A thermally insulated piston for an internal combustion engine comprises a cast piston with a top wall having an annular recess, a cast iron annular cap in the recess, and a low thermal conductivity honeycomb structure between the cap and the bottom of the recess. The honeycomb structure has a plurality of cells, each formed of (stainless steel) foil filled with insulating material and brazed to the cap and to the bottom of the recess. This structure is a thermal barrier to the flow of heat from the cap to the main body of the piston, has high strength in compression and facilitates the adibatic expansion of gasses in the cylinder of the engine, particularly a diesel engine.

Abstract: A cylindrical metal and ceramic assembly comprising a metal base and a ceramic member fitted tightly within the metal base. A plurality of grooves extending substantially along the entire length of the assembly are provided in at least one of the inner surface of the metal base and the outer surface of the ceramic member which contact each other. Each of the inner and outer surfaces of the ceramic member has an impregnated layer having a very fine structure composed of chromium oxide, or a mixture of silica, chromium oxide and alumina. A typical example of the assembly is a liner for a piston in an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: In a cylinder head of a piston engine, the surface of the cylinder head facing the combustion chamber is covered by a plate having openings for valves, spark plugs or injection nozzles. The plate consists of mullite containing 2 to 30% by volume of zirconium oxide and/or hafnium oxide embedded therein, plus 0 to 3 mole-percent of oxides of magnesium, calcium or yttrium, with respect to the zirconium and/or hafnium oxide, and of no more than 0.5%, by weight, of other oxidic impurities.

Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine comprises a piston body of aluminium or aluminium alloy and an insert of a ferrous material having a combustion bowl formed therein. The insert is surrounded by the piston body and the outer surface of the insert and the adjacent surface of the piston body are spaced apart at the crown ends thereof to form an annular gap therebetween which opens onto the crown. This insulates the piston body from the insert.

Abstract: A piston includes an insert, such as a piston ring insert or crown insert. In order to prevent the insert springing off the piston body in an axial direction, the insert is so formed with a recess or recesses which interlock with projections on the piston body so that the mechanical interlock between them holds the insert securely on the piston body. Further interlocking recesses and projections may be provided which are arranged to prevent relative rotation between the insert and the piston body.

Abstract: For a piston consisting of an Al-Si alloy having a mean linear grain diameter of the Silicon eutectic of more than 3 .mu.m for combustion engines and provided with a hard-oxidized top, the structure of the base material to be oxidized is subjected to a grain refinement in the depth to be oxidized so that the silicon eutectic has a mean linear grain diameter of less than 3 .mu.m, preferably less than 2.5 .mu.m. By this means, the resistance to erosion of the hard-oxide layer is improved. The grain refinement may be effected in the respective zones during the casting of the piston or thereafter by re-melting those zones prior to oxidizing. If the risk of erosion exists only in specific locally limited zones of a relatively large hard-oxide surface, then a grain refinement confined to these zones is sufficient.

Abstract: A free-piston engine formed by one or more units, each comprising a pair of opposed pistons connected to a common piston rod and movable within two opposed cylinders, with a load, such as the inductor of a linear alternator, connected to an intermediate point of the piston rod, and in which there is provided at least a cam controlled by an operatively independent motor and engaging at least a tappet connected to the piston rod of a unit of pistons. This cam is profiled and controlled in such a way as to substantially follow the movement of the tappets which is produced by the free-piston engine during normal operation, but to limit the travel of the piston units and provide the energy for the compression stroke, in case of anomalous operation. The cam serves also to start the engine, as well as to mutually synchronize the various units of pairs of pistons in engines having a plurality of units. The engine may also be in the form of an adiabatic engine fed by coal dust or other solid fuel.

Abstract: A ring having an L-shaped cross section is provided for performing the functions of a fire ring, a carbon-scraping cylinder insert and for simplifying engine assembly. The ring ensures an effective seal between a cylinder head and an engine block or cylinder sleeve.

Abstract: To avoid the necessity of piston rings in a piston-cylinder set, it is prsed that the cylinder liner be surrounded by a band consisting of a fiber composite whose thermal expansion in a radial direction is less than that of the cylinder liner, the impediment to expansion presented by the band varying over the length of the cylinder housing; that the piston be constructed with a cap consisting of a piston head facing the combustion chamber and an essentially cylindrical piston skirt adjacent to the cylinder bearing surface, and a force-transmitting core that contains the bearing for the piston pin and the spherical pressure pad; that a force-transmitting connection rotationally symmetrical to the piston's longitudinal axis be provided above the spherical pressure pad; that the cap be connected at the lower edge of the piston skirt to the force-transmitting core, but otherwise no contact be provided between cap and force-transmitting core except in the area of the force-transmitting connection; and that both cy

Abstract: A light metal cylinder head for a valve-controlled internal combustion engine. The cylinder head is provided with at least one insert introduced into that bottom portion of the cylinder head located between the valves, and also has a bore, in that portion of the cylinder head bottom which faces the combustion chamber, for an injection nozzle or a straight channel and/or for an ignition aid, whereby at least the bottom region located between the valves, including the bore region, is coated with a crack-precluding oxide layer. In addition, that portion of the insert which comes into contact with the oxide layer is coated with a material which is resistant to the method of producing the oxide layer.

Abstract: A cylinder liner for use in an internal combustion engine which is formed of ceramic material having a density higher than 95% of theoretical value and a randomly directed and homogeneous structure. The ceramic liner is composed of silicon nitride, silicon carbide, an oxynitride such as silicon oxynitride and silicon aluminum oxynitride, silicon nitride-silicon carbide or aluminum nitride.

Abstract: For the more efficient operation of both spark- and compression-ignited internal combustion engines, and/or control of octane requirement increase in spark-ignited internal combustion engines, at least a portion of the surfaces of the intake manifold exposed to the fuel-air mixture, and/or the combustion chamber exposed to combustion, are fabricated from coated with a material having the combination of thermal conductance and thermal penetration which permits the temperature of said surface during the combustion process to be in excess of the temperature at which deposits form and said surface storing insufficient heat to substantially raise the temperature of the incoming air-fuel charge during the engine intake and compression stroke.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine including a piston and cylinder liner in which the cylinder liner is provided with plural annular hardened layers formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof in the vicinity of the top dead center of the piston. The distance between adjacent ones of the annular hardened layers is smaller than the axial length of a piston ring employed with the piston. The width of each of the hardened layers is in a range of from one-half to twice the axial length of the piston ring. The hardened layers may be formed by hardening with a laser beam. The piston ring can be provided with a hardened layer on its outer surface. The piston ring preferably has a barrel shape.

Abstract: The composite of the present invention comprises a layer of ceramic having completely imbedded therein a metal grid, such composite having been made by coating a metal grid with a viscous ceramic slurry and thereafter firing to form the ceramic to a unitary structure. At the temperature to which the composite is fired to form the unitary structure the metal grid is in an expanded condition because of its high coefficient of thermal expansion, and upon cooling the metal grid is put into tension thereby putting the ceramic in compression. The composite is used as a liner for a metal wall which is cast with the liner in situ and is disclosed as having a hollow shape about which the cast wall extends in a manner having particular utility for insulated components of internal combustion engines.

Abstract: A cylinder head produced having partially reinforced cylinder heads, particularly of internal combustion engines, providing a preformed workpiece of a predetermined material composition, and casting on said workpiece a material capable of producing a bond with said predetermined material composition for forming a positive connection between said workpiece and said casting material, including a cast portion; and a preformed workpiece positively connected to said cast portion for reinforcing those parts of said cast portion which are highly stressed during use.

Abstract: A light metal cylinder head, for a valve controlled internal combustion engine, which has at least one metal insert in that bottom region located between the valves, and has a bore in the combustion chamber bottom region for an injection nozzle or a shot or filling passage and/or an ignition aid. A crack or fissure hindering or precluding oxide layer is coated, covered, or applied at least to the bottom region located between the valves, including the bore region, and the metal insert is made of a material resistant with respect to the method of producing the oxide layer. The oxide layer comprises aluminum oxide and is applied by anodic oxidation. The metal insert may comprise titanium. The oxide layer may have a thickness of at least 50 .mu.m.

Abstract: Reduced fuel consumption of spark ignition reciprocating internal combustion engines is achieved by coating the intake port area of the engine with a thermally insulating material.

Abstract: A piston for internal combustion engines has piston ring grooves at least one of which is totally or partly defined by an embedded body of a Fe based sintered material containing Ni and Cu. The sintered material is of a density of 5.5 to 6.8 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: A method of producing partially reinforced cylinder heads, including casting a material on a preformed workpiece with special material properties, whereby the casting material produces a mechanical and/or metallic bond with the preformed workpiece in the transition phase of the two materials, and cylinder head made according to this process.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine in which each cylinder or combustion volume includes a separate ignition chamber which communicates with the main combustion chamber through a relatively narrow channel or channels. The combustible mixture is delivered to the separate chamber exclusively through these channels by the compressive action of the piston and is ignited there by a suitable electrical spark, for example. There is no additional admission of fuel or fuel mixture to the separate ignition chamber. The channel or channels terminate in the ignition chamber in such a manner, for example, tangentially, that one or more vortices are generated in the chamber prior to ignition. The channels are so oriented that the emerging igniter flames are directed to potential hot cells in the main combustion chamber where auto-ignition could occur.

Abstract: A gasoline internal combustion engine is operated at all times with a full charge of air and is thus unthrottled. At low power levels for such an engine, the ratio of gasoline to air is too lean for normal combustion; therefore, special arrangements are provided by this invention for ensuring combustion.

Abstract: A piston for internal combustion engines, especially Diesel engines, with a combustion chamber arranged in the piston head which latter is preferably designed as a ring carrier and is supported by a mantle connecting the ring carrier with the foot portion of the piston. The mantle partially surrounds the combustion chamber, and thermal insulation material or the like is provided between the mantle and the combustion chamber at least within the region of the combustion chamber opening. In addition to the just mentioned thermal insulation material, there are additional thermal insulation provisions made on the mantle between the latter and the ring carrier and/or the foot portion of the piston. The piston and the cylinder therefor are so designed with regard to each other that the piston engages the cylinder over a section located between the plane of the combustion chamber opening and an adjacent piston ring carried by the ring carrier.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine of reciprocating-piston type with injection of liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, provided with catalytic means for initiating the combustion of the air/fuel charge in the combustion chamber of the or each cylinder. The major part of the combustion chamber of each cylinder is afforded by a recess formed in the piston crown, and a catalytic element of mesh, grid, perforated or sintered or other construction, is carried by the piston in a position at least partly overlying the said recess, the fuel being injected into the said recess to contact and pass through the catalytic element, being ignited by its contact with the catalytic element.