Internal combustion engine

Abstract

In an engine, blow-by is substantially eliminated and friction is significantly reduced using one or more combinations of non-metallic rings. By substantially eliminating blow-by and by reducing friction, certain engine parameters may be changed. In addition, by substantially eliminating blow-by and by reducing friction, pollution may be reduced, fuel economy may be increased and power may be increased.

1 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber, the internal combustion engine including a piston with a ring groove that receives a non-metallic ring;    introducing a reduced amount of nitrogen relative to oxygen, as compared to ambient air, into the combustion chamber.    
   
   
       2 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an internal combustion engine having a first metallic compression ring in a first ring groove and a second metallic compression ring in a second ring groove;    replacing the first metallic compression ring with at least a first non-metallic ring in the first ring groove;    replacing the second metallic compression ring with at least a second non-metallic ring in the second ring groove.    
   
   
       3 . A method of manufacturing an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of: 
 providing a piston having a ring groove;    stretching a first non-metallic ring over the piston, wherein the first non-metallic ring is gapless and is received in the ring groove;    placing a second non-metallic ring in the ring groove and adjacent to the first non-metallic ring, wherein the second non-metallic ring is split.    
   
   
       4 . An engine comprising: 
 a titanium piston having a ring groove;    a non-metallic ring received by the ring groove.    
   
   
       5 . The engine of  claim 4  further including a titanium cylinder wall with which the piston cooperates.  
   
   
       6 . An engine comprising: 
 a piston having a ring groove;    a non-metallic ring received by the ring groove, the non-metallic ring having a split.    
   
   
       7 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an engine having a cylinder wall;    baking a non-metallic coating onto the cylinder wall.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the non-metallic coating is made of plastic.  
   
   
       9 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an internal combustion engine having a piston with a recessed piston head, the recessed piston head having a center;    injecting a first amount of fuel to start a flame front for a power stroke;    injecting oxygen towards the center of the recessed piston head during the power stroke;    injecting a second amount of fuel during the power stroke.    
   
   
       10 . A method of retrofitting an internal combustion engine comprising the steps of: 
 boring out a cylinder in the internal combustion engine;    inserting a titanium sleeve into the cylinder.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the titanium sleeve has a smooth finish.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9  further including the step of: 
 providing a titanium piston that moves within the titanium sleeve.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the titanium sleeve includes a ring groove and a non-metallic ring is received by the ring groove.  
   
   
       14 . An internal combustion engine comprising: 
 a titanium flywheel;    a bearing that cooperates with the titanium flywheel to facilitate rotation thereof, wherein the bearing is coated with plastic.    
   
   
       15 . An engine comprising: 
 a two-headed piston that is arranged within a cylinder for movement therein, the piston including a ring groove;    a non-metallic ring received by said ring groove.    
   
   
       16 . The engine of  claim 15 , wherein each head of the two-headed piston is recessed.  
   
   
       17 . The engine of  claim 16 , wherein each head of the two-headed piston has an oval-shaped top.  
   
   
       18 . The engine of  claim 16 , wherein a first head of the two-headed piston is recessed more than a second head of the two-headed piston.  
   
   
       19 . The engine of  claim 15 , wherein the piston reciprocates within the cylinder along an axis that is substantially parallel to the ground.  
   
   
       20 . The engine of  claim 15  further including a first flat head assembly that cooperates with a first head of the two-headed piston and a second flat head assembly that cooperates with a second head of the two-headed piston.