Vented pre-chamber assembly for an engine

A combustion engine including a cylinder, the cylinder having a corresponding combustion prechamber assembly associated therewith, the engine comprising:

• the combustion prechamber assembly including:
• a body defining a combustion prechamber volume;
• a plurality of ports formed in the body, said ports placing the prechamber volume in fluid communication with the cylinder;
• and
• a non-actuated, fixed orifice formed in the body, and extending between the prechamber volume and a non-actuated passageway formed in the body that permits combustion gases in the prechamber volume to enter the passageway, wherein the passageway vents combustion gases therein out of the body,
• wherein, in a side sectional view of the body on a radial plane with respect to the cylinder/prechamber volume, each of the passageway and the orifice is arranged in a non-overlapping relationship with the prechamber volume,
• wherein the orifice is exposed at an opening thereof into the prechamber volume and is provided at a first end portion of the body opposite a second end portion of the body at which the plurality of ports are provided, and
• wherein the orifice is sized to allow passage of the combustion gasses and disallow passage of uncombusted fuel from the prechamber volume to the passageway.

A method for reducing emissions from an engine, the engine including a cylinder, the method comprising:

• providing a prechamber volume in fluid communication with the cylinder via a plurality of ports;
• and
• providing a non-actuated, fixed orifice extending between the prechamber volume and a non-actuated passageway that permits combustion gases in the prechamber volume to enter the passageway, wherein the passageway vents combustion gases therein out to one of an exhaust manifold or stack, an intake manifold, or an emission reduction system,
• wherein, in a side sectional view of the body on a radial plane with respect to the prechamber volume, each of the passageway and the orifice is arranged in a non-overlapping relationship with the prechamber volume,
• wherein the orifice is exposed at an opening thereof into the prechamber volume and is provided at a first end portion of the body opposite a second end portion of the body at which the plurality of ports are provided, and
• wherein the orifice is sized to allow passage of the combustion gasses and disallow passage of uncombusted fuel from the prechamber volume to the passageway.