US3776212A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for emission control for spark ignition engines
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-22
•
Granted: 1973-12-04
•
Expires: 1990-10-22
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for operating internal combustion spark ignition engines in a manner to reduce the harmful constituents of the exhaust of the engine. The engine is operated, except during peak power requirement, with very lean air-fuel mixtures. The loss of power generally accompanied by lean air-fuel mixtures due to slow burning is avoided by supplying turbulence of proper intensity to the burning mixture. The turbulence is supplied by constructing a combustion chamber divided into main and auxiliary sections joined by an orifice. By selecting the proper orifice size and the proper ratio of the volumes of the main and auxiliary sections sufficient turbulence can be provided to burn the lean air-fuel mixture within normal crank angles.
Inventors
- 👤 B Karlowitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:13
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B19/00; F02B19/08; F02B19/12; F02P; F02P13/00; F02P15/00; F02P15/02; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; F02B23/00; F02B23/08; F02B2023/085; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of operating an internal combustion spark ignition engine having at least one cylinder and reciprocating piston therein defining a combustion chamber, said combustion chamber divided into main and auxiliary sections, said auxiliary section being in communication only with said main section, there being an orifice between the main and auxiliary section sized to pass a flame and promote turbulence such that the harmful exhaust emissions including CO, NO and unburned hydrocarbons are substantially reduced comprising the steps for, A. introducing only a very lean combustible mixture having an air-fuel ratio of at least 18:1 only to the main section of the combustion chamber; B. compressing the combustible mixture in the main section of the combustion chamber and thereby forcing part of the mixture through the orifice into the auxiliary section creating great turbulence therein; C. igniting the combustible mixture withiN the combustion chamber from a single ignition source: D. causing a very rapid rise in pressure in the auxiliary section due to the rapid burning caused by the turbulence therein; and E. causing the combustion products of the auxiliary section to escape through the orifice into the main section creating sufficient turbulence therein to cause substantially total burning within a 60* crank angle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of operating an internal combustion spark ignition engine having at least one cylinder and reciprocating piston therein defining a combustion chamber, said combustion chamber divided into main and auxiliary sections, said auxiliary section being in communication only with said main section, there being an orifice between the main and auxiliary section sized to pass a flame and promote turbulence such that the harmful exhaust emissions including CO, NO and unburned hydrocarbons are substantially reduced comprising the steps for, A. introducing only a very lean combustible mixture having an air-fuel ratio of at least 18:1 only to the main section of the combustion chamber; B. compressing the combustible mixture in the main section of the combustion chamber and thereby forcing part of the mixture through the orifice into the auxiliary section creating great turbulence therein; C. igniting the combustible mixture withiN the combustion chamber from a single ignition source: D. causing a very rapid rise in pressure in the auxiliary section due to the rapid burning caused by the turbulence therein; and E. causing the combustion products of the auxiliary section to escape through the orifice into the main section creating sufficient turbulence therein to cause substantially total burning within a 60* crank angle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the combustible mixture is ignited in the main section and the flame is carried into the auxiliary section by the combustible mixture being forced therein, the size of the orifice being selected such that the flame will not be quenched by the turbulence generated by the jet passing into the auxiliary section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the combustible mixture is ignited in the auxiliary section and the flame is carried into the main section by the combustion products forced out of the auxiliary section, the size of the orifice being selected such that the flame will not be quenched by the turbulence generated by the jet passing into the main section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the diameter of the orifice between the main and auxiliary sections is equal to or larger than eta o Vo/Su Alpha cm where eta o is the thickness of the combustion wave in cm, Su is the speed of the combustion wave in cm/sec, Vo is the speed cm/sec of the jet carrying the flame into the nonignited section and Alpha is the numerical factor on the order of 1 to 2, the value of which is dependent on the flow conditions around the jet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the volume of the auxiliary section is between 3 and 15 percent of the total compression volume.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the volume of the auxiliary section is between 8 and 12 percent of the total compression volume.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the volume of the auxiliary section is typically 10 percent of the compression volume.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
351 words
A method of operating an internal combustion spark ignition engine having at least one cylinder and reciprocating piston therein defining a combustion chamber, said combustion chamber divided into a main and auxiliary section, said auxiliary section being in communication only with said main section, there being an orifice between the main and auxiliary section sized to pass a flame and promote turbulence such that harmful exhaust emissions including CO, NO and unburned hydrocarbons are substantially reduced during normal operation and such that harmful exhaust emissions comprising anti-knock additives are substantially eliminated comprising the steps during normal operation for A. introducing only a very lean combustible mixture having an air-fuel ration of at least 18:1 only to the main section of the combustion chamber; B. compressing the combustible mixture in the main section of the combustion chamber and thereby forcing part of the mixture through the orifice into the auxiliary section creating great turbulence therein; C. igniting the combustible mixture within the combustion chamber from a single ignition source; D. causing a very rapid rise in pressure in the auxiliary section due to the rapid burning caused by the turbulence therein; and E. causing the combustion products of the auxiliary section to escape through the orifice into the main section creating sufficient turbulence therein to cause substantially total burning within a 60* crank angle, and comprising the steps during peak power operation for A. introducing a combustible mixture having an air-fuel ratio of approximately stoichiometric and very minor, if any, amounts of anti-knock additives to the main section of the combustion chamber; B. compressing the combustible mixture in the combustion chamber and thereby forcing a part of the mixTure through the orifice in the auxiliary section creating great turbulence therein; C. igniting the combustible mixture within the combustion chamber; D. causing a very rapid rise in pressure in the auxiliary section due to rapid burning caused by turbulence therein; and E. causing the combustible products of the auxiliary section to escape through the orifice into the main section creating sufficient turbulence therein to cause substantially total burning within a 30* crank angle.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
351 words
A method of operating an internal combustion spark ignition engine having at least one cylinder and reciprocating piston therein defining a combustion chamber, said combustion chamber divided into a main and auxiliary section, said auxiliary section being in communication only with said main section, there being an orifice between the main and auxiliary section sized to pass a flame and promote turbulence such that harmful exhaust emissions including CO, NO and unburned hydrocarbons are substantially reduced during normal operation and such that harmful exhaust emissions comprising anti-knock additives are substantially eliminated comprising the steps during normal operation for A. introducing only a very lean combustible mixture having an air-fuel ration of at least 18:1 only to the main section of the combustion chamber; B. compressing the combustible mixture in the main section of the combustion chamber and thereby forcing part of the mixture through the orifice into the auxiliary section creating great turbulence therein; C. igniting the combustible mixture within the combustion chamber from a single ignition source; D. causing a very rapid rise in pressure in the auxiliary section due to the rapid burning caused by the turbulence therein; and E. causing the combustion products of the auxiliary section to escape through the orifice into the main section creating sufficient turbulence therein to cause substantially total burning within a 60* crank angle, and comprising the steps during peak power operation for A. introducing a combustible mixture having an air-fuel ratio of approximately stoichiometric and very minor, if any, amounts of anti-knock additives to the main section of the combustion chamber; B. compressing the combustible mixture in the combustion chamber and thereby forcing a part of the mixTure through the orifice in the auxiliary section creating great turbulence therein; C. igniting the combustible mixture within the combustion chamber; D. causing a very rapid rise in pressure in the auxiliary section due to rapid burning caused by turbulence therein; and E. causing the combustible products of the auxiliary section to escape through the orifice into the main section creating sufficient turbulence therein to cause substantially total burning within a 30* crank angle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
202 words
In an internal combustion spark ignition engine that minimizes harmful exhaust emissions including CO, NO and unburned hydrocarbons, at least one cylinder and reciprocating piston therein defining a combustion chamber, there being only one spark plug per cylinder, means for dividing the combustion chamber into the main and auxiliary sections, said auxiliary section being in communication with only said main section; said dividing means defining an orifice between the sections, means for introducing a very lean combustible mixture only to the main section of the combustion chamber, the ratio of the volume of the main and auxiliary sections and the size of the orifice selected such that during the compression cycle part of the combustible mixture of fuel and air rushes into the auxiliary section causing great turbulence therein and after ignition the combustion products rush out of the auxiliary section into the main section causing turbulence therein sufficient to provide combustion of a very lean air-fuel mixture having an air-fuel ratio of at least 18:1 that is substantially total within a 60* crank angle, the size of said orifice further selected sufficiently large such that the burning jet passed therethrough into the nonignited section will not be quenched by excessive turbulence.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
202 words
In an internal combustion spark ignition engine that minimizes harmful exhaust emissions including CO, NO and unburned hydrocarbons, at least one cylinder and reciprocating piston therein defining a combustion chamber, there being only one spark plug per cylinder, means for dividing the combustion chamber into the main and auxiliary sections, said auxiliary section being in communication with only said main section; said dividing means defining an orifice between the sections, means for introducing a very lean combustible mixture only to the main section of the combustion chamber, the ratio of the volume of the main and auxiliary sections and the size of the orifice selected such that during the compression cycle part of the combustible mixture of fuel and air rushes into the auxiliary section causing great turbulence therein and after ignition the combustion products rush out of the auxiliary section into the main section causing turbulence therein sufficient to provide combustion of a very lean air-fuel mixture having an air-fuel ratio of at least 18:1 that is substantially total within a 60* crank angle, the size of said orifice further selected sufficiently large such that the burning jet passed therethrough into the nonignited section will not be quenched by excessive turbulence.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
An internal combustion engine according to claim 9 wherein the ratio of the volumes of the main and auxiliary sections and the size of the orifice are further selected such that during peak power operation of the engine sufficient turbulence is created in the main section to provide combustion of a near stoichiometric air-fuel mixture that is substantially total within a 30* crank angle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
An engine according to claim 9 wherein electrodes of the spark plug are provided in the auxiliary section for causing ignition.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
An engine according to claim 9 wherein electrodes of the spark plug are provided in the main section for causing ignition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
93 words
An engine according to claim 9 wherein the diameter of the orifice between the main and auxiliary sections is equal or larger than ( eta o Vo)/(Su Alpha ) cm where eta o is the thickness of the combustion wave in cm, Su is the speed of the combustion wave in cm/sec, Vo is the speed cm/sec of the jet carrying the flame into the nonignited section and Alpha is a numerical factor on the order of 1 to 2, the value of which is dependent on the flow conditions around the jet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
An engine according to claim 9 wherein the volume of the auxiliary section is between 3 and 15 percent of the total compression volume.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
An engine according to claim 9 wherein the volume of the auxiliary section is between 8 and 12 percent of the total compression chamber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
An engine according to claim 9 wherein the volume of the auxiliary section is typically 10 percent of the compression volume.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |