Internal-combustion engines – Precombustion and main combustion chambers in series – Precombustion chamber assembly inserted in spark plug hole
Patent
1995-11-14
1997-03-11
Wolfe, Willis R.
Internal-combustion engines
Precombustion and main combustion chambers in series
Precombustion chamber assembly inserted in spark plug hole
1375155, 13753311, F02B 1902, F02M 2102, F16K 1504
Patent
active
056091303
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a non-return valve for controlling the flow of fluid in one direction only and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a non-return valve used in a pre-combustion chamber of a gas fuelled internal combustion engine.
Throughout the specification the term "fluid" is used in the technical sense of any flowable substance, including a liquid or a gas, even though the description of the preferred embodiment is given primarily with reference to gas flow.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
In co-pending International patent application number PCT/AU92/00575 a Gas Delivery System is disclosed for delivering gaseous fuel to a spark-ignited internal combustion engine. Gaseous fuel is delivered to a region adjacent to a source of ignition, the region comprising a pre-combustion zone and a combustion zone in fluid communication with each other. Combustion of the gaseous fuel is initiated in the pre-combustion zone and the resultant effects of gaseous fuel ignition are directed to achieve combustion of the remaining gaseous fuel in the combustion zone. The relative proportions of gaseous fuel delivered to the pre-combustion zone and combustion zone respectively is carefully controlled to achieve a minimum fuel/air ratio or lean burn regime.
The non-return valve of the present invention was developed for controlling the delivery of gas to the pre-combustion zone however, as noted above, it may have application elsewhere for controlling the flow of a fluid in one direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a non-return valve for controlling the flow of a fluid in one direction through the valve and for preventing the flow of the fluid in the opposite direction, the valve comprising: and outlet passage being in fluid communication with each other via an intermediate passage of reduced diameter, a valve seat being provided on the outlet side of said intermediate passage; said valve seat and closes the outlet passage and a second position in which it is spaced from said valve seat and the outlet passage is open to allow the flow of said fluid through the valve, and wherein said valve member is adapted to move to said first position when a back pressure of fluid in the outlet passage exceeds the pressure of said fluid in the inlet passage; and, obtain a predetermined flow rate of fluid through the valve, and wherein a flow area between the valve member and the valve seat when the valve member is in the second position is substantially equal to said cross-sectional area of the intermediate passage.
Preferably said inlet passage and outlet passage are joined by a necked portion forming said intermediate passage of reduced diameter, said valve seat being provided on the outlet side of said necked portion. In the preferred embodiment the valve member is a spherical member manufactured from ceramic material. Typically said valve member is housed within the outlet passage.
Preferably said outlet passage is provided with a removable cover member having one or more apertures provided therein to allow the flow of said fluid through the outlet passage. Advantageously said cover member has a dual function of retaining said valve member in the outlet passage and of quenching the back flow of high temperature fluids back into the outlet passage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order to facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the nature of the invention a preferred embodiment of the non-return valve will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a partial section view of a pre-combustion chamber in which a preferred embodiment of a non-return valve according to the invention is employed;
FIG. 2 is a section view of a body of the non-return valve illustrated in FIG. 1; and,
FIGS. 3(a) and (b) are a side view and an end view respectively of a cover member employed in the non-return valve of FIGS. 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMB
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Transcom Gas Technologies Pty Ltd.
Wolfe Willis R.
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