Process and engine using compression ignition of a homogeneous fuel-air mixture

Patent · Tue Sep 06 04:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:6666273

Wood, C D

An internal combustion engine is described using compression ignition of an homogeneous gaseous fuel-air mixture comprising, a cylinder having a piston movable therein, air inlet and outlet means connected to the cylinder for admitting fresh air and for exhausting exhaust products therefrom, a combustion chamber connected to the cylinder, a check valve connected between the combustion chamber and a source of gaseous fuel, restriction means connected between the combustion chamber and the cylinder for retaining the gaseous fuel in the combustion chamber, and limiting fresh air entering the cylinder from sweeping the fuel gas and the exhaust products from the last firing cycle out of the combustion chamber, and heating means positioned between the combustion chamber and the cylinder and extending substantially across the combustion chamber for heating the fresh air entering the combustion chamber from the cylinder as the piston nears the end of the compression stroke whereby the compression in the combustion chamber of the mixture of exhaust products, fuel and heated air produces spontaneous ignition of the mixture.

• Assignee: Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX
• Patent Number(s): US 4768481
• OSTI ID: 6666273
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330100* -- Internal Combustion Engines
AIR FLOW
COMBUSTION CHAMBERS
COMPRESSION
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
DESIGN
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUID FLOW
FUEL-AIR RATIO
GAS FLOW
HEAT ENGINES
HEATERS
IGNITION
IGNITION SYSTEMS
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
VALVES