Methods and systems for operating an adjustable pre-chamber
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorDennis Vroman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for an engine having a pre-chamber ignition system. In one example, a method may include adjusting a valve coupled between a pre-chamber of an engine cylinder and a main chamber of the engine cylinder between a fully open position and a fully closed position based on whether pre-chamber ignition is desired or direct spark ignition is desired. In this way, the engine may be operated with direct spark ignition during conditions when pre-chamber combustion has reduced stability without including additional spark plugs and air injectors.
Claims17
A method, comprising:
- adjusting a valve coupled between a pre-chamber of an engine cylinder and a main chamber of the engine cylinder between an open position and a closed position based on at least one engine operating parameters;
- operating with pre-chamber ignition comprising:
- when the valve is in the closed position, igniting an air-fuel mixture in the pre-chamber via a spark from a spark plug coupled to the pre-chamber, the ignited air-fuel mixture in the pre-chamber further igniting an air-fuel mixture in the main chamber;
- and
- operating with spark ignition comprising:
- when the valve is in the open position, igniting an air-fuel mixture in the main chamber via the spark from the spark plug.
A method for an engine, comprising:
- transitioning between operating in a first ignition mode and a second ignition mode by adjusting a cross-sectional flow area between a pre-chamber of a cylinder and a main chamber of the cylinder via a valves;
- operating in the first ignition mode includes igniting a first air-fuel mixture in the pre-chamber via an ignition spark from a spark plug coupled within the pre-chamber to produce a pre-chamber combustion event, the pre-chamber combustion event igniting a second air-fuel mixture in the main chamber;
- and
- operating in the second ignition mode includes:
- igniting a shared air-fuel mixture diffused throughout the pre-chamber and the main chamber via the ignition spark from the spark plug, and
- opening a throttle positioned in an intake of the engine compared with operating in the first ignition mode.
A system, comprising:
- an engine including a cylinder, the cylinder including a pre-chamber and a main chamber;
- a spark plug coupled to the pre-chamber;
- a poppet valve positioned at least partially within the pre-chamber, a valve seat for the poppet valve coupled between the pre-chamber and the main chamber;
- and
- a controller storing executable instructions in non-transitory memory that, when executed, cause the controller to:
- actuate the poppet valve to a fully closed position and operate with pre-chamber ignition, including igniting an air-fuel mixture in the pre-chamber via a spark from the spark plug, the ignited air-fuel mixture in the pre-chamber further igniting an air-fuel mixture in the main chamber, responsive to conditions for operating with pre-chamber ignition;
- and
- actuate the poppet valve to a fully open position and operate with spark ignition, including igniting an air-fuel mixture in the main chamber directly via the spark from the spark plug, responsive to conditions for operating with spark ignition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.