A spark plug with shuttle electrode is provided for an internal combustion engine which includes a combustion chamber in which a main charge diluted with a neutral gas is ignited, the spark plug housing a lamination cavity in which a central electrode opens and in which a lamination injector is able to inject under pressure a pilot charge consisting of an easily flammable combustive-AF fuel mixture, the cavity being connected to the combustion chamber by a lamination duct, while a shuttle electrode is interposed between the central electrode and a ground electrode and can translate in the lamination duct.

A plug connector capable of increasing the sealing between a rubber member and an outer circumferential surface of a spark plug insulator for improvement in current leakage resistance. The plug connector includes a conductive part that electrically connects a spark plug and a power supply member for power supply to the spark plug; and a rubber member that covers the conductive part. The spark plug has an insulator and a terminal electrode protruding toward the rear from a rear end of the insulator. The plug connector further includes a ring member arranged on an outer circumference of the rubber member.

An improved apparatus for injecting and igniting fuel in an internal combustion engine includes a nozzle with a bore and a tip at a distal end. The bore includes a longitudinal axis and an annular valve seat. A needle reciprocates within the bore and in combination with the annular valve seat forms an injection valve where in a closed position the needle abuts the annular valve seat and in an open position the needle is spaced apart from the annular valve seat. A retainer axially protrudes from the tip of the nozzle along the longitudinal axis thereof whereby an annular mixing space extends between the retainer and the tip of the nozzle. There is an igniter secured to the nozzle that includes a positive-ignition source forming an ignition zone within a portion of the annular mixing space. Nozzle arrangements include those with both pilot hole and main holes in the nozzle extending between the plenum and outside the nozzle where the main hole longitudinal axis bypasses the retainer and a pilot fuel jet from the pilot hole(s) is retained and redirected such that an ignitable fuel-air mixture is formed within the annular mixing space. Nozzle arrangements also include nozzles with a plurality of main holes and no separate pilot holes in which the main longitudinal axis bypasses the retainer such that a main fuel jet is scraped by the retainer and scraped fuel is retained and redirected such that an ignitable fuel-air mixture is formed within the annular mixing space. The igniter is actuated to ignite the ignitable fuel-air mixtures.

An improved apparatus for injecting and igniting fuel in an internal combustion engine includes a nozzle with a bore and a tip at a distal end. The bore includes a longitudinal axis and an annular valve seat. A needle reciprocates within the bore and in combination with the annular valve seat forms an injection valve where in a closed position the needle abuts the annular valve seat and in an open position the needle is spaced apart from the annular valve seat. A retainer axially protrudes from the tip of the nozzle along the longitudinal axis thereof whereby an annular mixing space extends between the retainer and the tip of the nozzle. There is an igniter secured to the nozzle that includes a positive-ignition source forming an ignition zone within a portion of the annular mixing space. Nozzle arrangements include those with both pilot hole and main holes in the nozzle extending between the plenum and outside the nozzle where the main hole longitudinal axis bypasses the retainer and a pilot fuel jet from the pilot hole(s) is retained and redirected such that an ignitable fuel-air mixture is formed within the annular mixing space. Nozzle arrangements also include nozzles with a plurality of main holes and no separate pilot holes in which the main longitudinal axis bypasses the retainer such that a main fuel jet is scraped by the retainer and scraped fuel is retained and redirected such that an ignitable fuel-air mixture is formed within the annular mixing space. The igniter is actuated to ignite the ignitable fuel-air mixtures.

The disclosure relates to a fuel injection and combustion system in an internal combustion engine, comprising: a main injector comprising at least one main injector outlet configurable to direct a volume of fuel therethrough; a side injector comprising a side injector outlet configurable to direct a volume of fuel therethrough and in a direction towards the main injector; a glow plug positioned between the main injector and the side injector outlet and configurable to provide an increase in temperature so as to ignite a volume of fuel from the side injector outlet and subsequently a volume of fuel from the at least one main injector outlet. The disclosure further relates to a method for injecting and combusting fuel in an internal combustion engine.

The disclosure relates to a fuel injection and combustion system in an internal combustion engine, comprising: a main injector comprising at least one main injector outlet configurable to direct a volume of fuel therethrough; a side injector comprising a side injector outlet configurable to direct a volume of fuel therethrough and in a direction towards the main injector; a glow plug positioned between the main injector and the side injector outlet and configurable to provide an increase in temperature so as to ignite a volume of fuel from the side injector outlet and subsequently a volume of fuel from the at least one main injector outlet. The disclosure further relates to a method for injecting and combusting fuel in an internal combustion engine.

A spark plug with shuttle electrode is provided for an internal combustion engine which includes a combustion chamber in which a main charge diluted with a neutral gas is ignited, the spark plug housing a lamination cavity in which a central electrode opens and in which a lamination injector is able to inject under pressure a pilot charge consisting of an easily flammable combustive-AF fuel mixture, the cavity being connected to the combustion chamber by a lamination duct, while a shuttle electrode is interposed between the central electrode and a ground electrode and can translate in the lamination duct.

An apparatus and method are disclosed for an injector assembly including an injector tip having a prechamber, such as a permanent, passive prechamber (PPPC), and a nozzle combustion shield (NCS) to mitigate pre-ignition events, such as knocking, caused by overheating of the prechamber. The NCS has a thermal conductivity greater than the injector tip. The NCS optionally includes a barrel forming a slip fit with the cylinder head bore and forming a press fit with the injector tip. The NCS also optionally includes a brim to form a combustion seal with a cylinder head. As the spark plug ignites a fuel charge in the prechamber, heat is absorbed into the injector tip, flows into the NCS barrel, out of the NCS brim, and into the cylinder head for cooling via a cooling jacket.

An apparatus and method are disclosed for an injector assembly including an injector tip having a prechamber, such as a permanent, passive prechamber (PPPC), and a nozzle combustion shield (NCS) to mitigate pre-ignition events, such as knocking, caused by overheating of the prechamber. The NCS has a thermal conductivity greater than the injector tip. The NCS optionally includes a barrel forming a slip fit with the cylinder head bore and forming a press fit with the injector tip. The NCS also optionally includes a brim to form a combustion seal with a cylinder head. As the spark plug ignites a fuel charge in the prechamber, heat is absorbed into the injector tip, flows into the NCS barrel, out of the NCS brim, and into the cylinder head for cooling via a cooling jacket.

A pre-chamber fuel admission valve includes a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, an actuated valve, and a check valve. The fuel inlet receives a supply of a fuel. The fuel outlet delivers the fuel to a pre-chamber. The actuated valve is between and in fluid communication with the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet. The actuated valve controls a flow of the fuel from the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet. The check valve is biased in a closed position and between and in fluid communication with the actuated valve and the fuel outlet. The check valve is configured to open and allow the fuel to exit the fuel outlet in response to a fuel pressure exceeding a pre-chamber pressure plus a bias pressure, and the check valve is configured to close in response to the pre-chamber pressure plus the bias pressure exceeding the fuel pressure.