Atomic oxygen is provided for the purpose of promoting reliable ignition and smooth combustion in a spark ignition internal combustion engine is to disperse a low concentration of an atomic oxygen precursor, such as nitrous oxide (N.sub.2O), into the flammable mixture of air and gasoline vapor prior to the time of ignition. The introduction of N.sub.2O may take place in the intake manifold, in the stream of exhaust gas being returned as part of the EGR process, or directly into the combustion chamber (for example through a small orifice in the base of the spark plug or through a small nozzle located elsewhere in the cylinder head). Introduction of N.sub.2O directly into the combustion chamber may be continuous, or it may be pulsed so as to occur at the time of, or shortly before, spark ignition.

Atomic oxygen is provided for the purpose of promoting reliable ignition and smooth combustion in a spark ignition internal combustion engine is to disperse a low concentration of an atomic oxygen precursor, such as nitrous oxide (N.sub.2O), into the flammable mixture of air and gasoline vapor prior to the time of ignition. The introduction of N.sub.2O may take place in the intake manifold, in the stream of exhaust gas being returned as part of the EGR process, or directly into the combustion chamber (for example through a small orifice in the base of the spark plug or through a small nozzle located elsewhere in the cylinder head). Introduction of N.sub.2O directly into the combustion chamber may be continuous, or it may be pulsed so as to occur at the time of, or shortly before, spark ignition.

Atomic oxygen is provided for the purpose of promoting reliable ignition and smooth combustion in a spark ignition internal combustion engine is to disperse a low concentration of an atomic oxygen precursor, such as nitrous oxide (N.sub.2O), into the flammable mixture of air and gasoline vapor prior to the time of ignition. The introduction of N.sub.2O may take place in the intake manifold, in the stream of exhaust gas being returned as part of the EGR process, or directly into the combustion chamber (for example through a small orifice in the base of the spark plug or through a small nozzle located elsewhere in the cylinder head). Introduction of N.sub.2O directly into the combustion chamber may be continuous, or it may be pulsed so as to occur at the time of, or shortly before, spark ignition.

Atomic oxygen is provided for the purpose of promoting reliable ignition and smooth combustion in a spark ignition internal combustion engine is to disperse a low concentration of an atomic oxygen precursor, such as nitrous oxide (N.sub.2O), into the flammable mixture of air and gasoline vapor prior to the time of ignition. The introduction of N.sub.2O may take place in the intake manifold, in the stream of exhaust gas being returned as part of the EGR process, or directly into the combustion chamber (for example through a small orifice in the base of the spark plug or through a small nozzle located elsewhere in the cylinder head). Introduction of N.sub.2O directly into the combustion chamber may be continuous, or it may be pulsed so as to occur at the time of, or shortly before, spark ignition.

A valve assembly and a method of assembling a valve assembly. The valve assembly may be an exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly and may include a sealing assembly to inhibit flow of gas from a flow passage into an electronics housing. The sealing assembly includes a first seal along a shaft and disposed between the flow passage and a shaft bearing, a second seal along the shaft and disposed between the shaft bearing and the electronics housing, a plate engaged between a valve housing and the electronics housing, and a sealed bearing supported by the plate and pivotably supporting a pinion. A coolant jacket may be formed in the valve housing around the shaft bore proximate the shaft bearing and the first seal. A butterfly member may be connected to the shaft by a pin rammed into a hole extending through the butterfly member and the driven shaft.

Atomic oxygen is provided for the purpose of promoting reliable ignition and smooth combustion in a spark ignition internal combustion engine is to disperse a low concentration of an atomic oxygen precursor, such as nitrous oxide (N.sub.2O), into the flammable mixture of air and gasoline vapor prior to the time of ignition. The introduction of N.sub.2O may take place in the intake manifold, in the stream of exhaust gas being returned as part of the EGR process, or directly into the combustion chamber (for example through a small orifice in the base of the spark plug or through a small nozzle located elsewhere in the cylinder head). Introduction of N.sub.2O directly into the combustion chamber may be continuous, or it may be pulsed so as to occur at the time of, or shortly before, spark ignition.