Method for controlling ignition in internal combustion engine and pre-chamber assembly thereof

An internal combustion engine comprising:

• an engine block having at least one cylinder;
• a cylinder head engaged with the engine block to cover the at least one cylinder and define a main combustion chamber;
• and
• a pre-chamber assembly associated with the cylinder head, the pre-chamber assembly comprising:
• a pre-chamber in fluid communication with the main combustion chamber;
• a fuel supply unit in fluid communication with the pre-chamber to selectively supply fuel to the pre-chamber;
• an auxiliary unit configured to produce oxygen and hydrogen, the auxiliary unit being in fluid communication with the pre-chamber to supply oxygen to the pre-chamber, and with the main combustion chamber to supply hydrogen to the main combustion chamber;
• and
• an ignition unit associated with the pre-chamber to selectively ignite a mixture of fuel and oxygen in the pre-chamber.

A method of operating an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

• producing oxygen and hydrogen from water;
• supplying oxygen to a pre-chamber of the internal combustion engine;
• supplying hydrogen to a main combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine;
• supplying fuel to the pre-chamber of the internal combustion engine;
• forming a mixture of fuel and oxygen in the pre-chamber;
• and
• igniting the mixture of fuel and oxygen in the pre-chamber.