Internal combustion engine with injection of gaseous fuel

US6854438B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Westport Germany GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Ulrich Hilger · Aachen, DE
• Bernd Bartunek · Monheim, DE
• Kevin Oversby · New Westminster, CA
• Ian Lockley · Vancouver, CA
• John G. Crawford · Louisville, US
• Kenneth Robert Mann · Vancouver, CA
• Richard Wing · Vancouver, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 16, 2003
• Grant date: Feb 15, 2005
• Expiry date: Apr 16, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T10/30
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An internal combustion engine comprises a fuel injection nozzle for injecting a gaseous fuel directly into the combustion chamber. shield, is installed in close proximity to the fuel injection nozzle, provides a shielded space around a hot surface igniter and restricts flow between the shielded space and the combustion chamber. The nozzle comprises a fuel injection port oriented to direct a fuel spray against a surface of the sleeve An inlet in the sleeve allows air and fuel to enter the shielded space to form a combustible mixture therein. The sleeve contains a substantial amount of the combustible mixture within the shielded space until it ignites and pressure builds within the shielded space to propel a combustion flame through at least one discharge opening and into contact with the fuel sprays emerging from the fuel injection nozzle.