Mixed cycle stratified charge engine with ignition antechamber

Claim 1

The combination in an internal combustion engine of means defining a variable volume main combustion chamber, a constant volume high turbulence prechamber adjacent to and connected with said main chamber, a fixed volume low turbulence ignition antechamber at one side of said prechamber and connected therewith by an orifice, high pressure fuel injection means in said antechamber and arranged to inject the total combustion chamber fuel charge in a jet aimed from the antechamber through said orifice beginning at a time during contraction of the main chamber near its minimum volume condition, said fuel charge being directed such that a portion thereof is retained in the antechamber by air flow being forced through the orifice from the prechamber while the remainder of the fuel charge jet passes through the orifice for mixing with air in the prechamber, and spark ignition means in the antechamber and operative to ignite the low turbulence air-fuel mixture formed therein during a period of relatively constant air-fuel ratio near the beginning of the fuel injection period whereby combustion in the ignition chamber forces a jet of burning gases through the antechamber orifice to ignite the turbulent fuel-air charge in the prechamber.