Patent ID: 8327821
Filing Date: 2012-12-11
Classification: F01L,F02B,F02D,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A method of initiating combustion in an internal combustion engine having cycles including a compression stage and a expansion stage with a top dead center therebetween, the engine including: a main chamber of variable volume into which an ignitable mixture is introduced; an auxiliary chamber opening out into the main chamber; a controlled valve unit for putting the auxiliary chamber into communication with, or isolated from, the main chamber; and a glow plug mounted so as to project into the auxiliary chamber, the method comprising: controlling the controlled valve unit to put the auxiliary chamber into communication with the main chamber during a period that includes the top dead center between the compression stage and the expansion stage, so that burned gas trapped in the auxiliary chamber during a preceding cycle are stirred within the ignitable mixture and generate multiple compression ignition sites to cause auto-ignition of the ignitable mixture within the main chamber; and when thermal conditions of operation that enable compression ignition of the ignitable mixture to be caused by contact with hot gas released from the auxiliary chamber are not met, using the glow plug to cause ignition of the mixture.