Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Ronald M Otto

Arun S Solomon

Scott E Parrish

Patrick G Szymkowicz

Alexander Millerman

Mark Steven Huebler

Gerald Andrew Szekely, Jr

Andreas M Lippert

Yangbing Zeng

Ping-Ho Tsai

Arun Sushilkumar Paulraj Solomon

Ansis Upatnieks

A fuel injection strategy and ignition timing for a spark-ignition direct fuel injection engine are selected in response to monitored engine load in relation to a plurality of load regions. This includes selecting a preferred ignition timing based upon the engine load, and selecting a first fuel injection event that is executed post-ignition, wherein the first fuel injection event delivers a set fuel mass at a preset timing relative to the preferred timing for the spark ignition event regardless of the engine load. A first pre-ignition fuel injection event is selected, and includes a second fuel mass being injected at a second fuel injection timing, wherein an end-of-injection timing of the first pre-ignition fuel injection event is at a preset timing relative to the preferred ignition timing regardless of the engine load, and wherein the second fuel mass is determined in relation to the engine load.

Method for controlling an internal combustion engine

A spark plug includes a center electrode substantially aligned with a longitudinal first axis and a surface-gap ground electrode radially aligned with the center electrode along a surface-gap electrode second axis substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal first axis and passing therethrough. The center electrode and the surface-gap ground electrode define a radial spark gap therebetween. The spark plug further includes a J-gap ground electrode radially aligned with the center electrode. The center electrode and the J-gap ground electrode define an axial spark gap therebetween. The J-gap ground electrode radial alignment has an angular separation from the surface-gap electrode second axis of no greater than about 30 degrees.

Direct-injection spark-ignition system

A method and article of manufacture are provided to operate a spray-guided, spark-ignition, direct fuel injection engine, including injecting a first fuel pulse during a combustion cycle, and initiating spark ignition by energizing a spark igniter. A second fuel pulse is injected during the combustion cycle effective to form an ignitable fuel-air mixture proximal to the spark igniter during a period in time whereat the spark igniter is energized. A preferred elapsed time between an end of the first fuel pulse and start of the spark ignition is determined based upon engine load.

Method and apparatus for operating a spark-ignited direct fuel injection engine

Superior piston bowl and combustion chamber configurations are designed for a reverse tumble spark ignition direct injection engine. The piston includes a shallow bowl extending from adjacent an edge of the piston head to an inner side slightly beyond a peak. The bowl features a bowl lip re-entrant angle at the spark plug location having an open or positive re-entrant angle. On lateral edges of the bowl between the inner and outer edges, wing like extensions include negative re-entrant angles. These help contain the injected fuel within the bowl during combustion. Other features of the combustion chamber include vertical intake ports that produce a weak reverse tumbling air flow motion with a tumble ratio of about 0.6, which allows increased flow efficiency of the port. An injector spray cone angle of 90 degrees is preferred with a bowl sized to capture the spray. Various additional features are disclosed.

Combustion chamber for reverse tumble spark ignition direct injection engine

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Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

Ronald M Otto