An internal combustion engine comprising: a main combustion chamber comprising at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve, wherein at least one intake port fluidically connected to an intake manifold is configured to supply an air and/or an air-fuel-mixture to the main combustion chamber via the at least one intake valve, and a pre-chamber which is in fluid connection with the main combustion chamber, wherein the pre-chamber is in fluid connection with the intake port and/or the intake manifold through a supply line, wherein at least one fuel injector is configured to enrich the air and/or air-fuel-mixture supplied to the main combustion chamber to have a lower ignition delay than an air-fuel-mixture supplied to the pre-chamber and/or air or air-fuel-mixture can be supplied to the pre-chamber to have a higher ignition delay than an air-fuel-mixture supplied to the main combustion chamber.

Presented herein is an energy conversion module containing an internal combustion engine, air compressor, fuel delivery system, waste energy collection system and emission control system. Energy input is controlled via a feedback loop containing an air compressor, carburetor and post-combustion oxygen sensor. Emissions are controlled via the use of a high-efficiency catalytic converter and exhaust gas recirculation system via a feedback from post-catalytic oxygen sensors. Waste heat energy is also collected from both the combustion and catalytic processes via a series of heat exchangers and a high-heat capacity medium.

Methods and systems are provided for operating a cylinder of an engine including a pre-chamber system. In one example, a method includes flowing gases from a pre-chamber to a cylinder of an engine prior to fueling the cylinder during a combustion cycle, adjusting a composition of the gases by adjusting at least one of an air injection amount to the pre-chamber and a fuel injection amount to the pre-chamber, and igniting an air-fuel mixture in the cylinder via a pre-chamber ignition event, the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder including the gas from the pre-chamber. In this way, combustion qualities in the cylinder may be adjusted in order to increase a performance and/or an efficiency of the cylinder.

Methods and systems are provided for a pre-chamber. In one example, the pre-chamber includes a moveable element configured to adjust an orifice opening area of the pre-chamber in response to conditions.

Methods and systems are provided for a pre-chamber. In one example, the pre-chamber includes a moveable element configured to adjust an orifice opening area of the pre-chamber in response to conditions.

Methods and systems are provided for operating a cylinder of an engine including a pre-chamber system. In one example, a method includes flowing gases from a pre-chamber to a cylinder of an engine prior to fueling the cylinder during a combustion cycle, adjusting a composition of the gases by adjusting at least one of an air injection amount to the pre-chamber and a fuel injection amount to the pre-chamber, and igniting an air-fuel mixture in the cylinder via a pre-chamber ignition event, the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder including the gas from the pre-chamber. In this way, combustion qualities in the cylinder may be adjusted in order to increase a performance and/or an efficiency of the cylinder.

Methods and systems are provided for combusting an air-fuel mixture in a pre-chamber of a cylinder during an exhaust stroke of the cylinder responsive to fouling of the pre-chamber. In one example, a method may include injecting air into the pre-chamber during the exhaust stroke, injecting fuel into the pre-chamber during the exhaust stroke, and actuating a pre-chamber spark plug in order to combust the air-fuel mixture during the exhaust stroke. In this way, a temperature of the pre-chamber may be increased, which may decrease a soot load of one of a pre-chamber air-injector, a pre-chamber fuel injector, and the pre-chamber spark plug.

Methods and systems are provided for operating a cylinder of an engine including a pre-chamber system. In one example, a method includes flowing gases from a pre-chamber to a cylinder of an engine prior to fueling the cylinder during a combustion cycle, adjusting a composition of the gases by adjusting at least one of an air injection amount to the pre-chamber and a fuel injection amount to the pre-chamber, and igniting an air-fuel mixture in the cylinder via a pre-chamber ignition event, the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder including the gas from the pre-chamber. In this way, combustion qualities in the cylinder may be adjusted in order to increase a performance and/or an efficiency of the cylinder.

Methods and systems are provided for combusting an air-fuel mixture in a pre-chamber of a cylinder during an exhaust stroke of the cylinder responsive to fouling of the pre-chamber. In one example, a method may include injecting air into the pre-chamber during the exhaust stroke, injecting fuel into the pre-chamber during the exhaust stroke, and actuating a pre-chamber spark plug in order to combust the air-fuel mixture during the exhaust stroke. In this way, a temperature of the pre-chamber may be increased, which may decrease a soot load of one of a pre-chamber air-injector, a pre-chamber fuel injector, and the pre-chamber spark plug.

A method for controlling an internal combustion engine whereby, in a piston-cylinder unit provided with a prechamber, the quantity of propellant gas supplied to the prechamber is adjusted to regulate the operating characteristics of an inlet and/or outlet valve of the piston-cylinder unit.