Spark ignition modifier module and method
AssigneeSmart Plug, Inc.
InventorsHoward Gagliano, Marion M. Satterfield
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-part module including a flame cone and a connector adapted to be interposed between the normal spark plug port in an internal combustion engine block and a spark plug suitable for use with the engine in question. In the method, a quantity of fuel/air mixture is captured in a chamber which also houses the electrode of a spark plug. Upon generation of a spark from the spark plug, this quantity of fuel/air mixture ignites, generating a flame which propagates through one or more channels in a flame cone interposed between the spark plug and the cylinder of the engine and exits into the cylinder through multiple directionally oriented ports, whereupon the flame fronts rapidly ignite substantially all the fuel/air mixture held within the cylinder.
Claims11
A module for interposition between the common spark plug of an engine and the engine block, the module comprising
- a flame cone having a first end and an opposite second end, said first end being adapted for positioning within an engine block in functional operating relationship to internals of the engine,
- said flame cone including a channel extending between said first and second ends and providing for fluid communication between said engine block and along the length of said flame cone,
- a combustion chamber defined in said second end of said flame cone, said channel being in fluid communication with said combustion chamber,
- a hollow tubular connector having first and second ends, said first end of said connector being adapted to threadably engage said second end of said flame cone,
- said second end of said connector being adapted to threadably receive a spark plug having a distal electrode, said connector being of a length such that when said spark plug is seated within said second end of said connector, said electrode of said spark plug is disposed within said chamber of said second end of said flame cone.
A method of igniting a fuel/air mixture within a cylinder of an internal combustion engine including an engine block, a cylinder defined within the block, a piston reciprocatably disposed within the cylinder, and an intake valve, comprising the steps of:
- providing a combustion chamber at a location remote from the cylinder,
- providing a flame cone mounted in the engine block and projecting outwardly therefrom to define a fluid communication path between said combustion chamber and the cylinder,
- disposing a spark plug electrode proximate said combustion chamber,
- interposing a generally hollow cylindrical connector between said flame cone and said spark plug,
- said mounting providing for selectable linear movement of said spark plug relative to said combustion chamber whereby the extent of insertion of said electrode within said combustion chamber is selectable,
- whereby fuel/air mixture present in said cylinder moves from the cylinder through said flame cone and into said chamber in the course of the compression stroke of the piston, and
- when the piston is proximate its top dead center on its compression stroke, firing said spark plug to ignite said fuel/air mixture present in said combustion chamber and develop a flame front within said combustion chamber, whereupon said flame front propagates through said fluid communication path toward said cylinder,
- dividing said flame front into multiple flame fronts immediately prior to entry of said flame front into said cylinder,
- directing at least one of said flame fronts toward a first location within the cylinder, and at least one of said flame fronts toward a second location with the cylinder.
Apparatus useful for the ignition of a fuel/air mixture within a cylinder of an internal combustion engine which includes an engine block, a cylinder defined internally of the block, a piston reciprocatably disposed within the cylinder, and an intake valve, comprising:
- an opening defined in the engine block and leading from internally to externally of the block,
- a flame cone having first and second opposite end portions, said first end portion being disposed within said opening in the block,
- a combustion chamber defined in said second end portion of said flame cone and at a location remote from said block,
- a channel providing for fluid communication between said cylinder and said combustion chamber, said channel being divided into multiple exit ports at said first end of said flame cone and internally of the cylinder,
- a hollow connector having first and second ends,
- said first end of said connector being connected to said second end of said flame cone;
- said second end of said connector being adapted to receive therein the electrode end of a spark plug,
- a spark plug having an electrode end and an electrode exposed on said end, said electrode end of said spark plug being received within said second end of said connection with said electrode being disposed within said combustion chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.