Internal combustion powered tool

Abstract

An internal combustion powered tool, such as a nail or fastener driver, and a control system, spark source, and rotary valve for use in an internal combustion powered tool are disclosed. The tool may include, for example, a cylinder and a piston reciprocally moveable within the cylinder. A combustion chamber is defined at one end of the cylinder, with the piston comprising a portion of one end of the combustion chamber. The tool may have a fastener driver associated with the piston, and a magazine for feeding fasteners into registration with the driver. A fuel flow passageway extends between a fuel source and the combustion chamber, and a metering valve controls the flow of fuel to the combustion chamber. A spark source within the combustion chamber is provided for igniting the fuel, and an intake and exhaust valve that includes a pair of diametrically opposed apertures is provided. At least one fan external to the combustion chamber induces an intake of fresh air into the combustion chamber through one of the apertures and an exhaust of combustion products from the combustion chamber through the other aperture. Additional and alternative details and features are described in the disclosure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.