Rapid compression prechamber for internal combustion engine
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsJorge R. Agama, Joel D. Hiltner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rapid compression device for use in initiating combustion within an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The rapid compression device employs a prechamber adapted to be in fluid communication with a main combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. A piston is provided within a cylinder of the prechamber and compresses natural gas therein to a degree sufficient to auto-ignite the gas when mixed with air. The auto-ignition of the gas and air mixture results in combustion gases which are communicated to the main combustion chamber for ignition of the air and gas mixture provided therein as well.
Claims20
An engine, comprising:
- a main combustion chamber;
- a prechamber adapted to be in fluid communication with the main combustion chamber, the prechamber including a piston adapted to compress a mixture of air and fuel to a point of ignition;
- and
- a channel connecting the prechamber to the main combustion chamber and adapted to communicate combustion gases from the prechamber to the main combustion chamber.
A combustion prechamber assembly, comprising:
- a cylinder defining a prechamber;
- and
- a piston mounted within the cylinder and adapted to reciprocate in first and second directions within the cylinder, movement of the piston in the first direction drawing an air and fuel mixture into the prechamber, movement of the piston in the second direction compressing the air and fuel mixture sufficiently to auto-ignite.
A method of igniting an engine having a prechamber in fluid communication with a main combustion chamber, comprising the steps of:
- drawing a mixture of gas and air into the prechamber;
- compressing the mixture of gas and air sufficiently to cause ignition;
- and
- communicating the combustion gases resulting from the ignition from the prechamber to the main chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.