Patent ID: 6755159
Filing Date: 2004-06-29
Classification: B25C

Abstract:
A valve assembly for use in conjunction with a dual combustion chamber system comprising first and second combustion chambers which are fluidically interconnected by means of a fluid port, comprising:a valve mechanism; a fresh air intake port defined within said valve mechanism for providing fresh air into the first and second combustion chambers so as to vent combustion products from the first and second combustion chambers following a FIRING stage of a combustion cycle; an exhaust port defined within said valve mechanism for permitting the combustion products within the first and second combustion chambers to be exhausted from the first and second combustion chambers following said FIRING stage of said combustion cycle; and at least one fluid passageway operatively associated with said valve mechanism for fluidically interconnecting the first and second combustion chambers to each other during each of first, second, and third ones of three different positions of said valve mechanism for respectively achieving VENTING, MIXING, and FIRING stages of said combustion cycle wherein when said valve mechanism is disposed at said first one of said three different positions for achieving said VENTING stage of said combustion cycle, said fresh air intake and said exhaust ports are open so as to permit fresh air to enter into the first and second combustion chambers whereby combustion products within the first and second combustion chambers can be exhausted from the first and second combustion chambers, wherein when said valve mechanism is disposed at said second one of said three different positions for achieving said MIXING stage of said combustion cycle, said fresh air intake and said exhaust ports are closed so as to permit an air-fuel mixture disposed within the first and second combustion chambers to be recirculated within the first and second combustion chambers, and wherein when said valve mechanism is disposed at said third one of said three different positions for achieving said FIRING stage of said combustion cycle, said fresh air intake and said exhaust ports are closed and the first and second combustion chambers are fluidically connected together only by said at least one fluid passageway such that combustion, initiated within the first combustion chamber, can only proceed into the second combustion chamber through said at least one fluid passageway and the fluid port.