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Ignition delay in a diesel engine is reduced or eliminated by a fuel injector or igniter nozzle which includes energy supplying fuel conditioning means at the point of fuel injection into a cylinder. A preferred embodiment includes an electrically-conductive injection valve reciprocable in a conduct

Ignition delay in a diesel engine is reduced or eliminated by a fuel injector or igniter nozzle which includes energy supplying fuel conditioning means at the point of fuel injection into a cylinder. A preferred embodiment includes an electrically-conductive injection valve reciprocable in a conductive nozzle body and seatable on a valve seat to stop fuel flow through nozzle orifices. The injection valve is electrically insulated from the body except at its contact with the valve seat and is connected to an electrical charge, at least during opening of the valve. An electrical spark discharge is thus generated between the injection valve and the valve seat upon opening of the valve. Initially injected fuel passes through the arc and is conditioned by the spark energy to ignite almost immediately by compression ignition upon entering the engine cylinder and thus essentially eliminate diesel ignition delay.

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1. A fuel injector for a diesel engine, said injector comprising: a nozzle body including an orificed tip with an internal valve seat and a fuel passage leading to the valve seat; an injection valve reciprocable in the nozzle body and seatable on the valve seat to stop fuel flow through the orif

1. A fuel injector for a diesel engine, said injector comprising: a nozzle body including an orificed tip with an internal valve seat and a fuel passage leading to the valve seat; an injection valve reciprocable in the nozzle body and seatable on the valve seat to stop fuel flow through the orificed tip, the injection valve being openable for injecting fuel through the orificed tip into an associated cylinder; and conditioning means adapted for supplying substantial energy to the fuel immediately prior to injection through the tip; whereby the fuel is conditioned for ignition without substantial ignition lag upon injection into air compressed to ignition temperature in a cylinder. 2. A fuel injector for a diesel engine, said injector comprising: an electrically-conductive nozzle body including an orificed tip with an internal valve seat and a fuel passage leading to the valve seat, the body being connectible to one side of an igniter system; an electrically-conductive injection valve reciprocable in the nozzle body and seatable on the valve seat to stop fuel flow through the orificed tip, the injection valve being electrically insulated from the body except at its contact with the valve seat; and conductor means for conducting an electrical charge to the injection valve during opening of the valve; whereby an electrical spark discharge is generated between the injection valve and the valve seat upon opening of the valve. 3. A fuel injector as in claim 2 wherein said injector comprises an igniter nozzle. 4. A fuel injector as in claim 2 wherein said injection valve is a needle valve that is biased toward closing by a spring, the spring being electrically conductive, insulated from the body and electrically connecting the needle valve with the electrical charge applying means. 5. An igniter system for a diesel engine, said system comprising: a fuel injector as in claim 1; and an electrical charging source connected to said conductor means for applying a voltage across the injection valve and the valve seat. 6. A system as in claim 5 wherein said charging source is an igniter circuit. 7. A method for reducing ignition lag in diesel engines comprising: providing the engine with a fuel injection nozzle including a fuel supply and having a valve seat and an injection valve seatable on the valve seat to close the nozzle to fuel flow, the valve being openable to permit fuel flow between the valve and seat; providing fuel conditioning energy supply means adjacent the valve seat to supply conditioning energy to fuel injected when the valve is opened; and operating the injection nozzle in the engine to supply energy to the injected fuel upon opening of the valve, thereby conditioning the fuel for essentially immediate compression ignition upon entry into a compressed air charge of an associated engine cylinder, thus reducing ignition lag of the diesel fuel combustion process. 8. A method for reducing ignition lag in diesel engines comprising: providing the engine with a fuel injection nozzle including a fuel supply and having an electrically-conductive valve seat and an electrically-conductive injection valve seatable on the valve seat to close the nozzle to fuel flow, the valve being openable to permit fuel flow between the valve and seat; electrically connecting the valve and seat in an electrical circuit having means to cause an electrical discharge between the valve and seat when the valve is opened; and operating the injection nozzle in the engine to cause an electrical discharge through the fuel passing between the valve and seat upon opening of the valve, thereby conditioning the fuel for essentially immediate compression ignition upon entry into a compressed air charge of an associated engine cylinder, thus reducing ignition lag of the diesel fuel combustion process.