Engine with pre-chamber

• US 5,454,356 A
• Filed: 09/14/1993
• Issued: 10/03/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Isuzu Ceramics Research Institute Co., Ltd. (Isuzu Motors Limited)
• Original Assignee: Isuzu Ceramics Research Institute Co., Ltd. (Isuzu Motors Limited)
• Inventors: Kawamura, Hideo
• Primary Examiner(s): ARGENBRIGHT, TONY MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/120,348
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 123/254, 123/255, 123/292
• US Class Current: 123/254
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 3/20 Shapes or constructions of valve members, not provided for in preceding subgroups of this group
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 9/20 by electric means
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 1/04 with fuel-air mixture admission into cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 19/02 the chamber being periodically isolated from its cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 19/165 The shape or construction of the pre-combustion chambers is specially adapted to be formed, at least in part, of ceramic material surface coverings of combustion-gas-swept parts F02B77/02; shaped ceramic products characterised by their composition or ceramic compositions C04B35/00; ceramic material for engine casings F02F7/0087
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 3/06 with compression ignition compression ignition engines using air or gas for blowing fuel into compressed air in cylinder F02B13/02
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/024 by controlling fuel injectors
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/389 for injecting directly into the cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0612 determined by estimation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0027 the fuel being gaseous non-electrical control F02D19/02
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/401 Controlling injection timing F02D41/402 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0215 Mixtures of gaseous fuels; Natural gas; Biogas; Mine gas; Landfill gas
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0269 Outwardly opening valves, e.g. poppet valves
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0275 for in-cylinder direct injection, e.g. injector combined with spark plug
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

This combustion engine has a pre-chamber and main chamber connected by a connection passage opened and shut by a control valve, the control valve operates separately for two steps. The operation of this control valve uniformly mixes the air of the pre-chamber and the main chamber. Therefore, various fuels which contain the gas fuel are efficiently burnt.

Claims

1. An engine with a pre-chamber comprising:

a main chamber;

a pre-chamber abutting said main chamber with a portion tapering towards a passage hole, said pre-chamber having a generally cylindrical shape;

a barrier between said pre-chamber and said main chamber defining the passage hole;

a control valve for opening and closing said passage hole;

a driver for opening and closing said control valve;

an injection nozzle for injecting fuel into said pre-chamber;

control means for controlling said control valve such that the control valve is in a closed position during the exhaust stroke and intake stroke and open during the last stage of the compression stroke; and

means for controlling said injection nozzle for injecting a fuel into the pre-chamber during the exhaust stroke wherein, the passage hole is opened by the increased pressure in the cylinder during the compression stroke.

2. An engine with pre-chamber according to claim 1, wherein said engine'"'"'s fuel is natural gas.

3. An engine with pre-chamber according to claim 1, wherein said pre-chamber is formed from ceramic materials having at least thermal stability.

4. An engine with a pre-chamber of claim 1, wherein:

the engine is a diesel cycle engine, and

the surface of the pre-chamber is heat insulating.

5. An engine with a pre-chamber of claim 1, wherein:

the control valve is closed, to seal the pre-chamber, during the intake stroke and fuel is injected into the sealed pre-chamber, and

the control valve is opened by the increased pressure in the cylinder during the compression stroke, whereby the fuel is mixed with the incoming gases and the combustion.

6. An engine with a pre-chamber of claim 1, wherein:

the valve seat is heat insulating.

7. An engine with a pre-chamber of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one secondary passage for allowing low pressure gas into the combustion chamber.

8. An engine with a pre-chamber of claim 1, wherein:

the passage hole is located at the center of the cylinder.

9. An engine with a pre-chamber of claim 8, wherein:

the passage hole is surrounded by at least one secondary passage hole, and

said control valve having a first position, wherein the secondary passage holes only are open, and a second position, wherein both the primary and secondary passage holes are open.

10. An engine with a pre-chamber of claim 9, wherein:

the fuel is injected during the compression stroke of the engine and while the control valve is in the first position.

11. An engine with a pre-chamber of claim 9, wherein:

the control means is an electromagnetic drive unit.

12. An engine with a pre-chamber of claim 9, wherein:

the control means is a solenoid.

13. An engine with a pre-chamber of claim 1, wherein:

the engine is heat insulating.

20. An engine with pre-chamber according to claim 1 or 14 or 17, wherein said engine'"'"'s fuel is methanol.

14. An engine with a pre-chamber comprising:

a main chamber;

a pre-chamber;

a barrier installed between said pre-chamber and said main chamber defining a passage hole;

a control valve located in said passage hole;

a driver for opening and closing said control valve;

an injection nozzle for injecting fuel into said pre-chamber;

control means for operating said driver such that said control valve is in a closed position during the exhaust stroke and intake stroke and open during the last stage of the compression stroke;

means for controlling said injection nozzle for injecting a fuel into the pre-chamber during the exhaust stroke; and

at least one connection passage connecting the lower portion of the pre-chamber and the main chamber wherein said control means opens said connection passage during a first opening step and opens said passage hole and said connection hole during a second opening step.

15. An engine with pre-chamber according to claim 14, further comprising:

an ignition plug installed in said pre-chamber.

16. An engine with a pre-chamber of claim 14, wherein said pre-chamber is generally cylindrical with a portion which tapers toward said passage hole.

17. An engine with a pre-chamber comprising:

a main chamber;

a pre-chamber;

a barrier installed between said pre-chamber and said main chamber defining a passage hole;

a control valve located in said passage hole;

a driver for opening and closing said control valve;

an injection nozzle for injecting fuel into said pre-chamber;

control means for operating said driver such that said control valve is in a closed position during the exhaust stroke and intake stroke and open during the last stage of the compression stroke;

means for controlling said injection nozzle for injecting a fuel into the pre-chamber during the exhaust stroke;

wherein the force of said control means is overcome by the force of compressed air in the main chamber during the compression stroke of the engine.

18. The engine with pre-chamber of claim 17 further comprising:

a connection passage connecting the lower portion of the pre-chamber and the main chamber wherein said control means opens said connection passage during the first opening step and opens said passage hole and said connection passage during a second opening step.

19. An engine with a pre-chamber of claim 17, wherein said pre-chamber is generally cylindrical with a portion which tapers toward said passage hole.