Embodiments disclosed herein relate to internal combustion engines, combustion systems that include such internal combustion engines, and controls for controlling operation of the combustion engine. The internal combustion engine may include one or more mechanisms for injecting fuel, air, fuel-air mixture, or combinations thereof directly into one or more cylinders, and controls may operate or direct operation of such mechanisms.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to internal combustion engines, combustion systems that include such internal combustion engines, and controls for controlling operation of the combustion engine. The internal combustion engine may include one or more mechanisms for injecting fuel, air, fuel-air mixture, or combinations thereof directly into one or more cylinders, and controls may operate or direct operation of such mechanisms.

The invention is provided with an ignition control section and an injection control section. When partial compression ignition combustion is carried out, the ignition control section causes an ignition plug to carry out: main ignition in which a spark is generated in a late period of a compression stroke or an initial period of an expansion stroke to initiate SI combustion; and preceding ignition in which the spark is generated at earlier timing than the main ignition. Also, when the partial compression ignition combustion is carried out, the injection control section causes an injector to inject fuel at such timing that the fuel exists in a cylinder at an earlier time point than the preceding ignition. Ignition timing of the preceding ignition is set to be more retarded when fuel concentration specified by a fuel concentration specification section is low than when the fuel concentration is high.

The invention is provided with an ignition control section and an injection control section. When partial compression ignition combustion is carried out, the ignition control section causes an ignition plug to carry out: main ignition in which a spark is generated in a late period of a compression stroke or an initial period of an expansion stroke to initiate SI combustion; and preceding ignition in which the spark is generated at earlier timing than the main ignition. Also, when the partial compression ignition combustion is carried out, the injection control section causes an injector to inject fuel at such timing that the fuel exists in a cylinder at an earlier time point than the preceding ignition. Ignition timing of the preceding ignition is set to be more retarded when fuel concentration specified by a fuel concentration specification section is low than when the fuel concentration is high.

A fuel injection control device for an engine is provided. A fuel injector with multiple nozzle holes forms a lean mixture gas inside a combustion chamber, a spark plug ignites to cause the mixture gas to start combustion accompanied by flame propagation, then combust by self-ignition. A first atomized fuel spray injected from a first nozzle hole and a second atomized fuel spray injected from a second nozzle hole separate from each other by a swirl flow, and a third atomized fuel spray injected from a third nozzle hole and a fourth atomized fuel spray from a fourth nozzle hole approach each other by the swirl flow so that a first area and a second area where mixture gas is richer are formed inside the combustion chamber. The fuel injector sequentially performs first, second, and third injections with an injection interval therebetween in an intake stroke.

A fuel injection control device for an engine is provided. A fuel injector with multiple nozzle holes forms a lean mixture gas inside a combustion chamber, a spark plug ignites to cause the mixture gas to start combustion accompanied by flame propagation, then combust by self-ignition. A first atomized fuel spray injected from a first nozzle hole and a second atomized fuel spray injected from a second nozzle hole separate from each other by a swirl flow, and a third atomized fuel spray injected from a third nozzle hole and a fourth atomized fuel spray from a fourth nozzle hole approach each other by the swirl flow so that a first area and a second area where mixture gas is richer are formed inside the combustion chamber. The fuel injector sequentially performs first, second, and third injections with an injection interval therebetween in an intake stroke.

Methods and systems are provided for a pre-chamber. In one example, a pre-chamber comprises a plurality of slots fluidly coupling it to a primary combustion chamber. The plurality of slots comprising a plurality of corresponding flaps configured to direct gases through the plurality of slots.

In an internal combustion engine provided with an electro-hydraulic system for variable actuation of the intake valves of the engine, each cylinder has two intake valves, which are associated with two intake conduits and are controlled by a single cam of a camshaft through a single hydraulic circuit. The communication of the hydraulic actuators of the two intake valves with a discharge channel is controlled by two electrically-actuated control valves, both of an on/off two-position type, arranged in series with each other along a hydraulic line for communication between the a pressure volume and the discharge channel.

In an internal combustion engine provided with an electro-hydraulic system for variable actuation of the intake valves of the engine, each cylinder has two intake valves, which are associated with two intake conduits and are controlled by a single cam of a camshaft through a single hydraulic circuit. The communication of the hydraulic actuators of the two intake valves with a discharge channel is controlled by two electrically-actuated control valves, both of an on/off two-position type, arranged in series with each other along a hydraulic line for communication between the a pressure volume and the discharge channel.

Methods and systems are provided for a cylinder head. In one example, a system comprises cylinder head having a bore arranged therein. The bore comprises a coupling element therein configured to selectively receive an ignition plug.