Apparatus to convert Otto cycle engine to diesel engine

Claim 1

In a system for converting a spark ignition Otto cycle engine into a compression ignition or Diesel cycle engine, the engine including a combustion zone adjacent the end of the piston and wherein intake air is heated and compressed, the combination comprising (a) pre-combustion chamber means independent of and attached to the engine head to communicate with said zone via the spark plug opening in the head, said chamber means having an inlet to pass pressurized fuel into the interior of said chamber means, for mixing with air from said combustion zone to pre-combust and flow to the combustion zone wherein combustion is completed, and (b) said pre-combustion chamber means comprising a tubular barrel having a threaded portion with screw threaded telescopic attachment to the head, said barrel having a tip portion penetrating through said spark plug opening and provided with orifice means sized to control the flow of air to said chamber and to control the flow of pre-combusted products from said chamber, and (c) means forming a thermal barrier between the barrel and the chamber interior, (d) injection means fitting the barrel to provide a cover and a tubular projection aligned with the chamber interior to pass pressurized fuel into that interior, and (e) flow diffusing surfaces in the chamber to diffuse air throughout the chamber and guide the flow of pre-combusted products from the chamber toward said tip portion, (f) said tip portion being at one end of the barrel, and said inlet being at the opposite end of the barrel, there being a glow plug projecting sidewardly into the barrel between said tip portion and said inlet, (g) compression means connected with the piston end portion closest to the combustion zone to effect an increase in heating and pressurization of intake air in that zone, said compression means comprising a cap extending over and connected to said piston end, the cap containing recesses to receive the engine valves and a gas flow guide recess in alignment with said spark plug opening to guide air flow from said zone to said chamber and to guide the pre-combusted products from said chamber to said zone, and (h) cooling means including a coolant passage adjacent said pre-combustion chamber to circulate fluid coolant in heat receiving relation with said injection means, said cooling means including a tubular jacket about the injection means in the form of a barrel, but everywhere spaced from that portion of the barrel attached to the engine head.