Patent ID: 8050848
Filing Date: 2011-11-01
Classification: F02B,F02D,F02P,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a cylinder therein which includes a combustion chamber and a pre-combustion chamber connected thereto, said method comprising the steps of: supplying a lean air-fuel mixture to said combustion chamber, supplying a rich air-fuel mixture to said pre-combustion chamber through a controlled valve, said rich air-fuel mixture having a higher air-to-fuel ratio than said lean air-fuel mixture, spark igniting said rich air-fuel mixture in said pre-combustion chamber, said ignited rich air-fuel mixture then igniting said lean air-fuel mixture in said combustion chamber, measuring a measurement signal in the pre-combustion, determining a value characteristic for the pre-combustion chamber performance from said measurement signal, determining a deviation of the characteristic value from a given set point, determining a fuel amount and fuelling timing for the pre-combustion chamber from said deviation, and using said determined fuel amount and fuelling timing to control the controlled valve for fuelling the pre-combustion chamber and thereby achieve a stable and consistent ignition in the combustion chamber.