Abstract: A water-cooled, spark-ignited, natural gas burning engine that includes an improved ignition system having a pair of precombustion chambers located in series connected by an orifice from the first chamber into the combustion chamber of the engine whereby a relatively rich fuel/air mixture, ignited in the second prechamber, propagates a flame through an orifice into the first chamber wherein a leaner fuel/air mixture from the combustion chamber is plasma ignited which in turn creates a larger flame that is projected through an orifice into the main combustion chamber for plasma igniting a lean fuel/air mixture which could not otherwise be ignited by spark ignition. The invention also contemplates a kit providing the above for use in converting water-cooled, diesel burning, compression ignited engines into water-cooled, natural gas burning, spark-ignited engines.

Abstract: To simplify the structure of a double (two and four) cycle internal combustion engine, the engine comprises a cylinder formed with a scavenging port and an exhaust port, a piston, a fuel injection valve, a fuel ignition plug, an air flowmeter, a crank angle sensor, and a controller for switching the engine operation from 2 cycle mode to 4 cycle mode or vice versa according to engine operating condition (engine speed and load) and for activating the fuel injection valve and the fuel ignition plug every engine revolution in two cycle mode and every two engine revolutions in four cycle mode. Since the engine operation mode can be switched by only changing the fuel injection and ignition timings through the controller, the intake and exhaust valves will not be complicated without need of any additional valve actuating mechanisms.

Abstract: A variable-cycle engine operates in a two-cycle mode when the rotational speed of the engine is lower than a predetermined speed and in a four-cycle mode when the rotational speed of the engine is higher than the predetermined speed. The engine has a first intake port and an exhaust port which are defined in an upper portion of a cylinder, and a second intake port defined in a lower side portion of the cylinder. When the rotational speed of the engine is lower than the predetermined speed, the engine operates as a two-cycle engine with the second intake valve and the exhaust valve in operation. When the rotational speed of the engine is higher than the predetermined speed, the engine operates as a four-cycle engine with the first intake port and the exhaust port in operation.

Abstract: This cycle changeable engine includes first intake valves for a four-cycle operation which are disposed in intake ports formed in a cylinder head, exhaust valves disposed in exhaust ports, second intake valves for a two-cycle operation, disposed in intake ports formed at the lower part of a cylinder, and an electromagnetic valve driving device for opening and closing each of the valves by electromagnetic force. The engine includes also a controller which actuates either the first or second intake valves for opening and closing with the others being kept closed in response to a detection signal from detection means for detecting the number of revolutions or load of the engine, and changes the operational condition of the engine to the two-cycle or four-cycle operation.

Abstract: An engine cycle control system controls an engine so that it operates in a two-cycle mode when the rotational speed of the engine is lower than a predetermined speed and in a four-cycle mode when the rotational speed of the engine is higher than the predetermined speed. The engine controlled by the engine cycle control system has intake ports defined in a lower circumferential surface of a cylinder, an exhaust port defined in an upper portion of the cylinder and openable and closable at variable timing, and a fuel injection valve for injecting fuel into the cylinder at variable timing and in a variable quantity. Depending on the rotational speed of the engine, the timing of operation of an exhaust valve is varied to select the two-cycle mode or the four-cycle mode. The engine is associated with a turbocharger combined with an electric motor.

Abstract: A two-stroke cycle internal combustion engine without crankcase scavenging is disclosed which is able to operate in a four-stroke mode at cranking and idle speeds. The engine utilizes a turbocharger driven by exhaust gases to recharge the cylinder with fresh air or an air/fuel mixture. An auxiliary inlet valve responsive to pressure within the cylinder enables the engine to operate in a four-stroke mode, thus eliminating the need for an externally driven air pump when the engine is either idling, being started, or under light loads where turbocharger boost is too low to supply sufficient flow of air or an air/fuel mixture.

Abstract: A low compression reciprocating internal combustion piston engine with a prechamber in the head connected to a main combustion chamber in the piston, the prechamber having an igniter, a pilot fuel injector and connecting lineal passage; the main chamber including a fuel injector for mixing the prechamber gases with the gases being compressed in the cylinder. The engine is a hybrid having transitional combustion modes from spark-ignited stratified charge mode at low power, to a spark-assisted compression ignition at higher power loads, and a strictly compression ignition mode at maximum power loads.

Abstract: A device carrying air reservoir means and a compressor is adapted to be mounted on a conventional four cycle internal combustion engine to convert it to operation by air pressure. The device has air pressure reservoirs, valves and conduits for delivering air pressure to the cylinders of an engine in timed sequence. After each power stroke air is exhausted to the inlet of a compressor carried by the device which delivers the compressed exhaust air back to the reservoirs and in doing so adds to the exhaust air energy substantially equal to the useful work output of the engine.

Abstract: A novel air compressor utilizing a simple modification of an opposing 4 cylinder air cooled Volkswagen internal combustion engine.

Abstract: This V-type engine has first and second banks of cylinders, each odd in number, with first intake and exhaust cam shafts provided along the first cylinder head and second intake and exhaust cam shafts provided along the second cylinder head. One of the first intake and exhaust cam shafts, and one of the second intake and exhaust cam shafts, is rotationally driven from the crank shaft. A first intake cam shaft gear wheel is provided on the first intake cam shaft at a longitudinal position between the middle cylinder of the first bank of cylinders and the next cylinder to the rear from the middle cylinder, and a first exhaust cam shaft gear wheel, meshed with this first intake cam shaft gear wheel, is provided on the first exhaust cam shaft at a similar longitudinal position between the middle cylinder of the first bank of cylinders and the next cylinder to the rear therefrom.

Abstract: This invention is an improved modular engine having replaceable power modules wherein the improvement consists of automatically coupling and decoupling the power modules and the engine's power output shaft in response to immediate operating requirements resulting in fuel savings. When a unit is decoupled, it is shut down and does not use fuel or add load to the engine. This feature saves fuel whenever operating requirements permit a reduction in power. The power units may be of several types known to the art. The power units are shown to have a gear which meshes with a gear part of the engine's power output shaft to drive the shaft. A microprocessor is shown to control the dynamic coupling and decoupling between the unit's gear and the power output shaft to keep the invention properly timed and fuel efficient. A flywheel is shown, in combination with the other parts, to store regenerated energy and release the energy to the power shaft upon demand.

Abstract: A configuration for a V type double overhead cam shaft engine which has left and right cylinder banks and cylinder heads. Left and right intake cam shafts are fitted to the left and right cylinder heads. The left intake cam shaft is substantially identically formed to the right intake cam shaft and is fitted in reversed alignment thereto. Similarly, left and right exhaust cam shafts are fitted to the left and right cylinder heads, and the left exhaust cam shaft is substantially identically formed to the right exhaust cam shaft and is fitted in reversed alignment thereto. One pair of the same type of the cam shafts are driven in a determinate phase relationship with the engine crank shaft. A pair of gears, with the same number of teeth, are provided on the left intake and exhaust cam shafts, and mesh together so as to rotationally couple together them in a determinate phase relationship.

Abstract: A machine cover comprising a main body 1 having two or more apertures 6 closed by interchangeable inserts 8,9, at least one of which incorporates an inlet duct 12 so that this inlet duct can be located in one of two or more different positions in the cover. A pair of interchangeable inserts for an adjacent pair of apertures may be formed in a single component 8 that is reversible end-to-end and which cooperates with both apertures 6 so that the filler duct 11 is aligned with either one while the other aperture is closed. One or more blanking inserts are provided to close each of the other apertures, one blanking component 9 being provided for each pair of adjacent apertures if desired. Alternatively, the insert 18 incorporating the filler duct 11 may be insertable in each aperture 16 in each of two or more different orientations in each of which the filler duct is located in a different position.

Abstract: A general-purpose internal combustion engine has a vertically extending crank shaft. The engine includes intake and exhaust valves disposed in overhead relationship to a cylinder head having an intake passage connected to the intake valve and an exhaust passage connected to the exhaust valve, the intake and exhaust passages being defined in opposite sides of the cylinder head. A carburetor and an air cleaner are coupled to the intake passage and located on the same side as the intake passage, and a muffler is connected to the exhaust passage and located on the same side as the exhaust passage. With this arangement, the engine has as small a height as possible.

Abstract: A V-type overhead-camshaft engine comprises first and second banks arranged in V-shape, each bank having a row of a plurality of cylinders extending axially between front and rear ends thereof. The row of the cylinders in the first bank starts from a location spaced apart from the front end of the engine, and terminates at a location near the rear end of the same. The row of the cylinders in the second bank starts from a location near the front end of the engine and terminates at a location spaced apart from the rear end of the same. Each bank is provided with a cylinder head assembly which generally comprises a cylinder head and a head cover, and supports a camshaft.

Abstract: A method for driving a vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine having a plurality of compression chambers divided into a first set and a second set, each of said sets being able to be separately operated and to be convertible in operation so as to take on compression action.

Abstract: A diesel piston engine having at least one modified cylinder adapted for use as an engine cylinder or as a compressor cylinder. The modified cylinder has an extra valve, a biasing member biasing the extra valve closed, and hydraulic means for controlling the sequential opening of the extra valve. The modified cylinder further includes a switching device for alternately disconnecting the hydraulic means and permitting normal fuel injection or connecting the hydraulic means and preventing normal fuel injection.

Abstract: A mileage improvement system for internal combustion engines that is formed by having four minimum cylinders equipped with a separate manifold and able to handle the minimum power requirements of the vehicle plus 10%. Coupled to them are four unloading cylinders larger in size and each containing an unloading valve emptying into an unvented unloading manifold.An unloading valve located in the separate unloading cylinders manifold and sensitive to the vacuum in the minimum cylinder manifold. The control valve, like a solenoid or other mechanical device, located in the unloading cylinders manifold controls a blade that shuts off the manifold's contents to the large unloading cylinders.

Abstract: A method of reducing the number of operative cylinders in an internal combustion engine, and an engine produced according to the method. The cylinder head is removed. A hole is formed in at least one initially operative piston associated with at least one cylinder. The head is replaced. The intake manifold is removed. The valve push rods and valve lifters associated with the cylinder are removed. The exit ports of oil opening into the bores for the valve lifters associated with the cylinder are sealed. The intake manifold is replaced.

Abstract: A system for deactivating cylinders in an interval combustion engine by replacing the spark plugs in every other cylinder of the firing order of the engine with a check valve grounding the unused spark plug wire to the engine, disconnecting the valve activating means in the deactivated cylinders so that the engine capacity is reduced thus reducing fuel consumption.

Abstract: An adapter plate readily converts a 4-barrel carburetor to a 2-barrel configuration without disconnecting throttle linkages or requiring major adjustment of the combustion system of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A combination internal combustion and electric engine has a predetermined plurality of cylinders. A number of cylinders less than the predetermined plurality of cylinders are configured in conventional fashion and each has a conventional fuel powered piston located within it. A solenoid powered piston is positioned in each one of the remaining cylinders which does not have a conventional fuel powered piston therein. Additionally, a method of converting a conventional internal combustion engine having a predetermined plurality of cylinders in fluidic communication with a carburetor and an equal number of pistons into a combination internal combustion and electric engine includes blocking off less than all of the cylinders to prevent fluidic communication between the blocked cylinders and the carburetor and replacing a number of the fuel powered pistons within the blocked cylinders with electrically powered pistons. The invention is equally applicable to four, six, and eight cylinder engines.

Abstract: A gas compressor drivably connected to an engine operates to supply compressed gas to a tank. The compressor has a housing including a commercial air cooled internal combustion engine block and cooling air system having a single cylinder chamber accommodating a reciprocating piston. The piston moves gas through a head and valve assembly connected to an air-to-air after cooler operable to cool and carry cooled compressed gas to a tank. The head holds the valve assembly on the cylinder. The valve assembly has a first valving ring allowing one-way flow of gas into the cylinder chamber and a second valving ring allowing one-way gas flow out of the cylinder chamber. A heat exchange unit is cooled with air moved by the commercial engine air cooling system of the compressor. The driving engine is of the same make and general type as used for the components of the compressor.

Abstract: An improved ignitor and ignition method for igniting a wide variety of fuels that may be used to power various types of engines, or for use with other applications requiring the efficient combustion of fuel. The fuel to be burned is mixed with air to form a relatively lean first fuel/air mixture. This first fuel/air mixture is then injected into the primary combustion chamber, such as the combustion zone of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, or similar combustion chamber of other types of fuel-burning apparatus. The first fuel/air mixture is ignited with a stream of hot ionized gas that is jetted into the primary combustion chamber from a precombustion or plasma-generating chamber. The plasma-generating chamber is in close proximity to the primary combustion chamber, with a plasma guide or discharge tunnel connecting the two. A fuel line connects a source of pressurized fuel to the plasma-generating chamber.

Abstract: A device for effecting selective combustion in a multicylinder automobile engine including at least first and second engine cylinders comprises a shutter valve for interrupting the supply of a combustible air-fuel mixture to the first engine cylinder during a particular engine operating condition, for example, idling and deceleration. A single control valve assembly in the form of a diaphragm valve assembly is utilized to control the operation of the shutter valve and the supply of a fresh air into the first engine cylinder during the closure of the shutter valve.

Abstract: A modified internal combustion engine of the carburetor type and method of modification enables low and medium BTU fuels in gaseous form to be utilized either as the sole fuel or in conjunction with other relatively high BTU fuels in liquid or gaseous form.

Abstract: Combustion induced motion of a piston in an internal combustion engine is augmented by the application of an intermittent or variable magnetic field reacting between the engine block and moving piston in a manner such that the piston is magnetically impelled along its path of movement. A permanent magnet is mounted on the piston with its axis of magnetic polarity aligned with the path of travel of the piston. An electromagnet mounted in the engine block is cyclically supplied with electric current to generate a magnetic field reacting with the magnet on the piston to cyclically magnetically attract or repel the piston in synchronism with the motion of the piston induced by fuel ignition. In the case of a reciprocatory piston, switching means are employed to reverse the polarity of the magnetic field in synchronism with the reversal of piston movement. Application of the magnetic field by the electromagnetic may be varied to occur over a selectively varied portion only of each piston stroke.

Abstract: A valved conversion element for connection to a source of compressed fluid such as air or vapor and to a cylinder in an internal combustion engine. A sensor is provided which communicates with the pressure conditions in the cylinder served so that repetitive power impulses drive the piston in the cylinder as in normal operation of the internal combustion engine. The disclosure contemplates one valved element per cylinder in the engine and that the conversion be achieved by the manifolding of gas, vapor or fluid power to all cylinders through the conversion elements. Each of the conversion units is connected to the cylinders by means replacing the spark plugs of existing engines. Cyclic rate and power are adjustable by valve means controlling the quality and quantity of input fluid, such as air.

Abstract: A modular internal combustion engine is provided in which a single crankcase can be adapted to a plurality of different types of engine configurations. The crankcase is open at its top so that each upper side edge of the crankcase forms a mounting flange while a crankshaft is rotatably carried by the crankcase. Block members and adapter members are provided and each includes a mounting flange formed along each longitudinal side. All of the mounting flanges are substantially identical to each other so that any one mounting flange can be detachably secured to another mounting flange. Thus to construct the engine, one mounting flange of either the block or adapter member is attached to one crankcase mounting flange while one mounting flange on the other member is attached to the other crankcase mounting flange. In addition, the remaining mounting flanges on the block and adapter members register with each other and are secured together.

Abstract: In a non-load operation of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, both suction flow of newly supplied air-fuel mixture to be introduced in a first combustion chamber and exhaust flow of combustion gas to be exhausted from the first combustion chamber or only the exhaust flow is throttled to carry out compression ignition combustion in the first combustion chamber, while suction flow of newly supplied air-fuel mixture to be introduced into a second combustion chamber is blocked to stop combustion in the second combustion chamber to increase a gas feed rate in the first chamber, to thereby cause a kind of run-on phenomenon in the engine in non-load condition.

Abstract: A modular internal combustion engine is provided in which a single crankcase can be adapted to a plurality of different types of engine configurations. The crankcase is open at its top so that each upper side edge of the crankcase forms a mounting flange while a crankshaft is rotatably carried by the crankcase. Block members and adapter members are provided and each includes a mounting flange formed along each longitudinal side. All of the mounting flanges are substantially identical to each other so that any one mounting flange can be detachably secured to another mounting flange. Thus to construct the engine, one mounting flange of either the block or adapter member is attached to one crankcase mounting flange while one mounting flange on the other member is attached to the other crankcase mounting flange. In addition, the remaining mounting flanges on the block and adapter members register with each other and are secured together.

Abstract: Universal cast cylinder block module for forming Single and Multi-Cylinder Internal Combustion Engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine which operates under Otto cycle during starting, idle and low load operations and which operates on a diesel cycle during high load operations. A first combustion chamber is formed in the head of an internal combustion engine and is smaller in diameter than the second combustion chamber formed by the containing surfaces of the piston and cylinder below the head. An air swirl is created in the second chamber through the intake valve, and as the piston reaches top dead center, the swirl is transferred to the first combustion chamber. Ignition means is provided in the first combustion chamber. A fuel injector is provided in the first combustion chamber and directs fuel against the direction of the swirling air for forming a stratified fuel charge around the ignition means for operating the engine on the Ott cycle during start, idle and low load operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for converting a standard multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having a "split" intake manifold and "N" number of cylinders into a N/2 engine (as in converting a V-8 to V-4) to increase engine efficency and conserve fuel. One half of the split intake manifold is blocked off to prevent the fuel/air mixture from reaching one half of the engines' cylinders thereby preventing combustion within those cylinders. Horsepower losses due to compression of air within the deactivated cylinders are avoided by opening the intake valve passages and closing the exhaust valve passages. This forms a closed chamber between the deactivated cylinders and the intake manifold and allows the air to be pushed out of a cylinder during its normal compression stroke, through the intake manifold passages and into cylinders undergoing expansion strokes.

Abstract: An 8-cylinder engine is converted to a 4-cylinder engine by disconnecting and removing four alternate firing order pistons and connecting rods, by attaching a counterweight to each crank shaft throw journal from which a connecting rod has been removed, by blocking intake ports with replacement gaskets having obstructions at the ports of the selected cylinders and by adding weights to the flywheel.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with an engine which is adapted to serve as an air compressor. Air supply apparatus is provided for interrupting the supply of fuel to the engine and for supplying air to the engine. Compressed air from the engine is delivered to an air tank.

Abstract: A combination engine and air compressor apparatus in which an engine action and an air compression action are changed over to each other by changing valve timing of inlet and exhaust valves.

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive method for converting an N-cylinder automobile engine to an (N/2)-cylinder engine which requires only minor modifications to the basic engine structure. Every other cylinder in the firing order is deactivated by removing adjacent spark plugs. A conduit is connected between the spark plug hole for each such cylinder and the carburetor air cleaner to prevent power stroke vacuum, exhaust stroke compression, and passage of debris. The rocker arm assemblies for each deactivated cylinder are removed to maintain the intake and exhaust valves in a closed position, and thereby discontinue fuel flow and limit the air flow to that through the conduits.