Patent ID: 7367307

Claim:
A split phase fuel conditioner for an internal combustion engine having a main combustion chamber, said split phase fuel conditioner comprising: a main body defining an ignition chamber; a transfer passage having a throat at one end for controlled fluid communication with said ignition chamber, said transfer passage in fluid communication with said main combustion chamber; a first valve for selectively opening and closing said throat to control fluid communication between said ignition chamber and said main combustion chamber; a first injector for injecting a first fuel volume into said ignition chamber; a second injector for injecting a second fuel volume into said transfer passage through the first valve, said second fuel injector coupled to said first valve and operable independently of said first valve, the transfer passage being upstream of the main combustion chamber relative to a direction of flow of the second volume of fuel when injected by the second injector; and an igniter to ignite said first fuel volume while in said ignition chamber to form an ignition plasma; wherein after formation of said ignition plasma, said first valve is opened.