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AssigneeClearFlame Engines, Inc.
InventorsJulie Blumreiter, Bernard Henry Johnson, IV
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Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods of operating internal combustion (IC) engines by combusting various fuel chemistries therein. Specifically, engines described herein can operate a wide range of fuel chemistries with varying molecular formulas. The chemical compositions of the fuels described herein make them more difficult to ignite than long chain hydrocarbons (i.e., fuels that include 6 or more carbon atoms in a molecule). In some embodiments, engines described herein can combust fuels that have the chemical properties of alcohols. In some embodiments, engines described herein can combust fuels that include hydroxide groups. Examples of such fuels include methanol and/or ethanol. In some embodiments, engines described herein can combust natural gas. These fuel chemistries are difficult to ignite, particularly at low temperatures and during initial engine startup. Systems and methods described herein address these ignition difficulties, particularly in diesel engine architectures.
A method of operating a compression ignition engine during a cold-start time period, the compression ignition engine including an engine cylinder having an inner surface, a head surface, a piston disposed and configured to move in the engine cylinder, an intake valve, and an exhaust valve, the inner surface of the engine cylinder, the piston, the head surface, the intake valve, and the exhaust valve defining a single combustion chamber, the compression ignition engine including an ignition-assist device, the method comprising the steps of:
A method of operating a compression ignition engine during a cold-start time period, the compression ignition engine including an engine cylinder having an inner surface, a head surface, a piston disposed and configured to move in the engine cylinder, an intake valve, and an exhaust valve, the inner surface of the engine cylinder, the piston, the head surface, the intake valve, and the exhaust valve defining a single combustion chamber, the compression ignition engine including an ignition-assist device, the method comprising the steps of:
A method of operating a compression ignition engine during a cold-start time period, the compression ignition engine including an engine cylinder having an inner surface, a head surface, a piston disposed and configured to move in the engine cylinder, an intake valve, and an exhaust valve, the inner surface of the engine cylinder, the piston, the head surface, the intake valve, and the exhaust valve defining a single combustion chamber, the compression ignition engine including an ignition-assist device, the method comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.