Method to operate an internal combustion engine - engine management system using adaptive ignition and fuel quantity optimization with minimal sensor requirements for standard and bio-fuels

A method to operate an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of:

• directly or indirectly measuring in a cylinder or combustion chamber the time or position which marks the beginning of the combustion phase as a combustion point being the point in time at which the combustion process in the cylinder commences;
• and
• using one or several sensors to directly or indirectly measure one or several of the following:
• torque;
• direct or indirect force on the pistons;
• crank shaft speed;
• crank shaft acceleration;
• optical parameters like combustion intensity or similar or acoustical parameters like combustion intensity;
• gas composition or concentration in the cylinder and its derivatives like resistance or ionisation,
• wherein such sensors are inserted directly into the combustion chamber or into the engine or engine parts, or otherwise directly or indirectly connected with the engine.

Combustion engine with means to measure, directly or indirectly, the point which marks the beginning of the combustion phase, and one or several sensors to directly or indirectly measure one or several of the following:

• torque;
• direct or indirect force on the pistons;
• crank shaft speed;
• crank shaft acceleration;
• optical parameters like combustion intensity or similar or acoustical parameters like combustion intensity;
• gas composition or concentration in the cylinder and its derivatives like resistance or ionisation;
• wherein such sensors are inserted directly into the combustion chamber or into the engine or engine parts, or otherwise directly or indirectly connected with the engine.