A control device for a compression-ignition engine in which partial compression-ignition combustion including spark ignition (SI) combustion performed by combusting a portion of a mixture gas inside a cylinder by spark-ignition followed by compression ignition (CI) combustion performed by causing the remaining mixture gas to self-ignite is executed at least within a part of an engine operating range is provided, which includes a detector configured to detect a given parameter that changes as combustion progresses inside the cylinder, an A/F (air-fuel ratio) controller configured to change an air-fuel ratio of air to fuel introduced into the cylinder, and a combustion controller configured to determine combustion stability based on the detected parameter of the detector and control the A/F controller to reduce the air-fuel ratio when it is confirmed that during the partial compression-ignition combustion the combustion stability is low.

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a zeolite-like metal-organic framework composition comprising a metal-organic framework composition with ana topology characterized by the formula [M.sup.III(4, 5-imidazole dicarboxylic acid).sub.2X(solvent).sub.a].sub.n wherein M.sup.III comprises a trivalent cation of a rare earth element, X comprises an alkali metal element or alkaline earth metal element, and solvent comprises a guest molecule occupying pores. Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a method of separating paraffins comprising contacting a zeolite-like metal-organic framework with ana topology with a flow of paraffins, and separating the paraffins by size.

Variable compression ratio engines and methods for homogeneous charge, compression ignition operation. The engines effectively premix the fuel and air well before compression ignition. Various embodiments are disclosed including embodiments that include two stages of compression to obtain compression ratios well above the mechanical compression ratio of the engine cylinders for compression ignition of difficult to ignite fuels, and a controllable combustion chamber volume for limiting the maximum temperature during combustion. Energy storage with energy management are also disclosed.

Variable compression ratio engines and methods for homogeneous charge, compression ignition operation. The engines effectively premix the fuel and air well before compression ignition. Various embodiments are disclosed including embodiments that include two stages of compression to obtain compression ratios well above the mechanical compression ratio of the engine cylinders for compression ignition of difficult to ignite fuels, and a controllable combustion chamber volume for limiting the maximum temperature during combustion. Energy storage with energy management are also disclosed.

A control device for an on-board compression-ignition engine in which partial compression-ignition combustion including spark ignition (SI) combustion performed by combusting a portion of mixture gas inside a cylinder by spark ignition followed by compression ignition (CI) combustion performed by causing the rest of the mixture gas inside the cylinder to self-ignite is executed within at least a part of an operating range of the engine, is provided. The device includes a detector configured to detect a parameter related to noise caused by the combustion inside the cylinder, and a combustion controller configured to control the combustion inside the cylinder during the partial compression-ignition combustion based on a combustion noise index value identified by the detected parameter of the detector and a given reference value defined as an upper limit of the combustion noise index value, the reference value increasing as a vehicle speed increases.

A control device for an on-board compression-ignition engine in which partial compression-ignition combustion including spark ignition (SI) combustion performed by combusting a portion of mixture gas inside a cylinder by spark ignition followed by compression ignition (CI) combustion performed by causing the rest of the mixture gas inside the cylinder to self-ignite is executed within at least a part of an operating range of the engine, is provided. The device includes a detector configured to detect a parameter related to noise caused by the combustion inside the cylinder, and a combustion controller configured to control the combustion inside the cylinder during the partial compression-ignition combustion based on a combustion noise index value identified by the detected parameter of the detector and a given reference value defined as an upper limit of the combustion noise index value, the reference value increasing as a vehicle speed increases.

A cavity includes a lower-side cavity, an upper-side cavity, a first lip and a second lip. The upper-side cavity has a guide curved surface which extends along a circumference of a first imaginary circle in a section along a cylinder-axis direction, and the first lip has a curved surface which extends along a circumference of a second imaginary circle in a section along the cylinder-axis direction. An angle X which a cylinder axis makes with a common tangential line of the first imaginary circle and the second imaginary circle is set as 75<X<80. The guide curved surface is configured such that an angle Y of this guide curved surface which occupies at the circumference of the first imaginary circle is set as 80<Y<(180X).

A cavity includes a lower-side cavity, an upper-side cavity, a first lip and a second lip. The upper-side cavity has a guide curved surface which extends along a circumference of a first imaginary circle in a section along a cylinder-axis direction, and the first lip has a curved surface which extends along a circumference of a second imaginary circle in a section along the cylinder-axis direction. An angle X which a cylinder axis makes with a common tangential line of the first imaginary circle and the second imaginary circle is set as 75<X<80. The guide curved surface is configured such that an angle Y of this guide curved surface which occupies at the circumference of the first imaginary circle is set as 80<Y<(180X).

A method of controlling a reciprocating internal combustion engine comprising: a cylinder defining a cavity having a first end and a second end; and a piston moveable within the cavity of the cylinder between the first end and the second end, the method comprising: controlling injection of a quantity of liquid air, without fuel, into the first end of the cavity at a first time when the piston is closer to the first end than the second end to cause the piston to perform a first power stroke; and controlling injection of fuel into the first end of the cavity at a second time when the piston is closer to the first end than the second end to cause the piston to perform a second power stroke.

A method of controlling a reciprocating internal combustion engine comprising: a cylinder defining a cavity having a first end and a second end; and a piston moveable within the cavity of the cylinder between the first end and the second end, the method comprising: controlling injection of a quantity of liquid air, without fuel, into the first end of the cavity at a first time when the piston is closer to the first end than the second end to cause the piston to perform a first power stroke; and controlling injection of fuel into the first end of the cavity at a second time when the piston is closer to the first end than the second end to cause the piston to perform a second power stroke.