A method includes operating a spark ignition engine and flowing low pressure exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) from an exhaust to an inlet of the spark ignition engine. The method includes interpreting a parameter affecting an operation of the spark ignition engine, and determining a knock index value in response to the parameter. The method further includes reducing a likelihood of engine knock in response to the knock index value exceeding a knock threshold value.

A method includes operating a spark ignition engine and flowing low pressure exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) from an exhaust to an inlet of the spark ignition engine. The method includes interpreting a parameter affecting an operation of the spark ignition engine, and determining a knock index value in response to the parameter. The method further includes reducing a likelihood of engine knock in response to the knock index value exceeding a knock threshold value.

An internal combustion engine comprises a fuel injection valve which has a needle, wherein a valve opening speed of the needle during post injection is raised as compared with a valve opening speed of the needle during main injection if a pressure of the fuel is not more than a first predetermined pressure, while the valve opening speed of the needle during the post injection is lowered as compared with the valve opening speed of the needle during the main injection if the pressure of the fuel is not less than a second predetermined pressure that is a pressure larger than the first predetermined pressure, when a requested post injection fuel amount is larger than an injection amount threshold value.

This liquid injection nozzle atomizes and sprays liquid, while reducing loss of kinetic energy, thereby promoting mixing between the liquid and a gas and thus promoting the reaction between the liquid and the gas. In the liquid injection nozzle, a plurality of distal end tips each having an injection hole are provided on a distal end portion of a nozzle body. Each distal end tip has a conical swirling flow chamber. A communication thin hole is formed in the distal end portion. The communication thin hole extends from a hollow chamber to the conical swirling flow chamber of the distal end tip. When the valve needle is lifted, liquid flows through the communication thin hole into the swirling flow chamber in a tangential direction and generates a vortex flow, and the vortex flow is sprayed from the injection hole.

This liquid injection nozzle atomizes and sprays liquid, while reducing loss of kinetic energy, thereby promoting mixing between the liquid and a gas and thus promoting the reaction between the liquid and the gas. In the liquid injection nozzle, a plurality of distal end tips each having an injection hole are provided on a distal end portion of a nozzle body. Each distal end tip has a conical swirling flow chamber. A communication thin hole is formed in the distal end portion. The communication thin hole extends from a hollow chamber to the conical swirling flow chamber of the distal end tip. When the valve needle is lifted, liquid flows through the communication thin hole into the swirling flow chamber in a tangential direction and generates a vortex flow, and the vortex flow is sprayed from the injection hole.

This liquid injection nozzle atomizes and sprays liquid, while reducing loss of kinetic energy, thereby promoting mixing between the liquid and a gas and thus promoting the reaction between the liquid and the gas. In the liquid injection nozzle, a plurality of distal end tips each having an injection hole are provided on a distal end portion of a nozzle body. Each distal end tip has a conical swirling flow chamber. A communication thin hole is formed in the distal end portion. The communication thin hole extends from a hollow chamber to the conical swirling flow chamber of the distal end tip. When the valve needle is lifted, liquid flows through the communication thin hole into the swirling flow chamber in a tangential direction and generates a vortex flow, and the vortex flow is sprayed from the injection hole.

This liquid injection nozzle atomizes and sprays liquid, while reducing loss of kinetic energy, thereby promoting mixing between the liquid and a gas and thus promoting the reaction between the liquid and the gas. In the liquid injection nozzle, a plurality of distal end tips each having an injection hole are provided on a distal end portion of a nozzle body. Each distal end tip has a conical swirling flow chamber. A communication thin hole is formed in the distal end portion. The communication thin hole extends from a hollow chamber to the conical swirling flow chamber of the distal end tip. When the valve needle is lifted, liquid flows through the communication thin hole into the swirling flow chamber in a tangential direction and generates a vortex flow, and the vortex flow is sprayed from the injection hole.

A method includes operating a spark ignition engine and flowing low pressure exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) from an exhaust to an inlet of the spark ignition engine. The method includes interpreting a parameter affecting an operation of the spark ignition engine, and determining a knock index value in response to the parameter. The method further includes reducing a likelihood of engine knock in response to the knock index value exceeding a knock threshold value.

A method includes operating a spark ignition engine and flowing low pressure exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) from an exhaust to an inlet of the spark ignition engine. The method includes interpreting a parameter affecting an operation of the spark ignition engine, and determining a knock index value in response to the parameter. The method further includes reducing a likelihood of engine knock in response to the knock index value exceeding a knock threshold value.

A method includes operating a spark ignition engine and flowing low pressure exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) from an exhaust to an inlet of the spark ignition engine. The method includes interpreting a parameter affecting an operation of the spark ignition engine, and determining a knock index value in response to the parameter. The method further includes reducing a likelihood of engine knock in response to the knock index value exceeding a knock threshold value.