A method for operating an internal combustion engine including feeding a pilot quantity of gas fuel, into a prechamber before a piston reaches a top dead center position. The method comprises autoignition of the pilot quantity of gas fuel in the prechamber, feeding a main quantity of gas fuel into the prechamber after the autoignition, and ignition of the main quantity of gas fuel by the conditions in the prechamber that are brought about by the autoignited pilot quantity. The method makes it possible to operate an internal combustion engine purely with methane or some other gaseous fuel, by means of compression autoignition of the pilot quantity.

A vehicle and a method of reducing sound produced by a liquid fluid pump are disclosed. A pump is activated when a predetermined event is detected. A control valve of the pump is operated in one of an initial and a standard mode when the pump is activated. The control valve is operable to allow a gaseous fluid to vent out of the pump when in the initial mode corresponding to the pump being in a first phase. The control valve is operable to allow a liquid fluid to move through the pump when in the standard mode corresponding to the pump being in a second phase. A solenoid of the control valve is energized and de-energized, at a calibrated frequency, in a sequence when in the initial mode to reduce the sound in the pump during the initial mode.

The invention relates to an electromagnetically actuatable metering valve for liquids and/or gases, comprising: a valve housing (1); a valve seat element (2) which is connected to the valve housing (1) and in which at least one outlet opening (3) is formed; and a magnetic armature (4) which can move in a stroke-like manner relative to the valve seat element (2) and which is securely connected to a plate- or disc-shaped valve closing element (5) for opening and closing the at least one outlet opening (3) or which forms same; as well as a magnetic core (6) opposite the magnetic armature (4) at a working air gap (14) and at least one spring (7) pretensioning the magnetic armature (4) and the valve closing element (5) in the closing direction. According to the invention, the magnetic armature (4) and the valve closing element (5) are loaded in a targeted asymmetrical manner and/or are shaped in a targeted asymmetrical manner The invention also relates to a method for operating a metering valve for liquids and/or gases.

A gaseous fuel mixer assembly for an engine includes a mixer housing forming gas delivery openings, and positioned to extend across a flow path formed by an intake conduit for the engine. A spool valve is within a central bore in the mixer housing and includes gas distribution openings selectively connectable to the gas delivery openings by moving the spool valve within the mixer housing using a piezoelectric actuator coupled with the spool valve by way of a pivot arm. Sealing lands of the spool valve are in an alternating arrangement with the gas distribution openings, such that at the closed position the sealing lands block the gas distribution openings from the gas delivery openings, and at the open position the respective openings are fluidly connected.

In order to reduce the friction of a dry-running solenoid valve (1) with a valve housing (2), in which an electric coil (3) and a magnet armature (5) are arranged, and with a valve element (8) which can be actuated by the magnet armature (5) in an axial actuating direction for opening and closing the solenoid valve (1), in which the coil (3) generates a magnetic flux which, when the solenoid valve (1) is actuated, flows via a magnetically conductive valve housing outer wall (2c) of the valve housing (2) to the magnet armature (5), it is provided according to the invention that a magnetically conductive flux element (12) be provided in the valve housing (2) and introduce at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, and particularly preferably 100%, of the magnetic flux flowing over the valve housing outer wall (2c) into an armature end face (5B), facing the coil (3), of the magnet armature (5).

In order to provide a solenoid valve (1) with a valve housing (2), in which an electric coil (3) and a magnet armature (5) are arranged, and with a valve element (8) which can be actuated by the magnet armature (5) in an axial actuation direction for opening and closing the solenoid valve (1), wherein a valve lift of the valve element (8) can be limited in a simple manner, it is provided according to the invention that the coil (3) be arranged on a coil carrier (4), wherein an end section (4a), axially facing the magnet armature (5), of the coil carrier (4) is designed as an end stop for the magnet armature (5) in order to limit an axial movement of the magnet armature (5), and that the coil carrier (4) be formed from a plastic, wherein the coil (3) is at least partially integrated into the coil carrier (4).

In certain embodiments, Lube Oil Controlled Ignition (LOCI) Engine Combustion overcomes the drawbacks of known combustion technologies. First, lubricating oil is already part of any combustion engine; hence, there is no need to carry a secondary fuel and to have to depend on an additional fuel system as in the case of dual-fuel technologies. Second, the ignition and the start of combustion rely on the controlled autoignition of the lubricating oil preventing the occurrence of abnormal combustion as experienced with the Spark Ignition technology. Third, LOCI combustion is characterized by the traveling of a premixed flame; hence, it has a controllable duration resulting in a wide engine load-speed window unlike the Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition technology where the engine load-speed window is narrow. Adaptive Intake Valve Closure may be used to control in-cylinder compression temperature to be high enough to realize the consistent auto ignition of the lubricating oil mist.

A gas injector has an injector lance, a drive unit, a push rod and a valve. The injector lance has a free end for injecting gas into an external unit. The drive unit generates a linear movement of the push rod, as a result of which the push rod actuates the valve and exposes a valve through-passage opening, in order for the gas to be injected. The valve through-passage opening is arranged in the region of the free end of the injector lance ). The gas injector can be designed to be relatively small and narrow. It minimizes switching delays, avoids dead spaces and prevents contamination of the valve.

A fuel injector for a combustion engine. The fuel injector includes a check valve with a return element that is a magnet, by means of which a magnetic field can be provided or is provided, such that, as a result of the decrease in pressure, a second valve element of the check valve can be moved from an open position back into a closed position and held in the closed position.

A solenoid valve having an explosion-proof structure, a fuel feeding system, and a method of manufacturing the solenoid valve having an explosion-proof structure are provided. The solenoid valve having an explosion-proof structure includes: a body including a channel through which a fluid flows; a housing connected to the body and having one surface opened; a solenoid assembly arranged inside the housing and electrically connected to a controller; an armature, at least a portion of which is arranged in the channel and which opens or closes the channel by moving relative to the solenoid assembly by a magnetic field generated by the solenoid assembly; and a cover plate arranged on the one surface of the housing to face the armature.