Patents by Inventor Benjamin Tour
Benjamin Tour has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11668231Abstract: A split-cycle engine includes: a compression chamber, housing a first piston, that induces and compresses working fluid; an expansion chamber, housing a second piston, that expands and exhausts the working fluid; and a transfer chamber, housing a third piston and a fourth piston, wherein the third piston and the fourth piston move relatively to vary a volume within the transfer chamber and to selectively fluidly couple the volume within the transfer chamber to the compression chamber and the expansion chamber. A method of operating an engine includes: inducing working fluid in a first chamber; compressing the working fluid in the first chamber; moving a first moveable boundary of a second chamber; moving a second moveable boundary of the second chamber; expanding the working fluid in the third chamber; and exhausting the working fluid from the third chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2019Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Tour Engine, Inc.Inventors: Michael H. Wahl, Amit Helfand, Gilad Tour, Yehoram Hofman, Hugo Benjamin Tour, Oded Tour
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Publication number: 20220010724Abstract: A split-cycle engine includes: a compression chamber, housing a first piston, that induces and compresses working fluid; an expansion chamber, housing a second piston, that expands and exhausts the working fluid; and a transfer chamber, housing a third piston and a fourth piston, wherein the third piston and the fourth piston move relatively to vary a volume within the transfer chamber and to selectively fluidly couple the volume within the transfer chamber to the compression chamber and the expansion chamber. A method of operating an engine includes: inducing working fluid in a first chamber; compressing the working fluid in the first chamber; moving a first moveable boundary of a second chamber; moving a second moveable boundary of the second chamber; expanding the working fluid in the third chamber; and exhausting the working fluid from the third chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2019Publication date: January 13, 2022Applicant: Tour Engine, Inc.Inventors: Michael H. WAHL, Amit HELFAND, Gilad TOUR, Yehoram HOFMAN, Hugo Benjamin TOUR, Oded TOUR
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Patent number: 10378431Abstract: A split-cycle internal combustion engine (ICE) is provided, comprising a compression cylinder, an expansion cylinder and a crossover valve having a valve cylinder housing inside a shuttle and a combustion chamber structure defining a combustion chamber. The shuttle is configured to perform reciprocating motion inside the valve cylinder synchronously with a compression piston and an expansion piston, thereby alternatingly fluidly coupling and decoupling the combustion chamber with the compression cylinder and with the expansion cylinder, selectively. Sealing rings positioned between the valve cylinder and the shuttle prevent gas leaks between them during the reciprocating motion. In some embodiments, a phase shift between the pistons may be set or varied by a piston phase transmission gear. A bi-directional fluid flow split-cycle internal combustion engine (ICE) is also provided having a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a combustion chamber and a single crossover valve fluidly communicating them.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Tour Engine, Inc.Inventors: Gilad Tour, Oded Tour, Hugo Benjamin Tour
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Patent number: 10253724Abstract: An engine includes a compression chamber that intakes and compresses working fluid; an expansion chamber that expands and exhausts working fluid; and a transfer chamber that receives working fluid from the compression chamber and transfers working fluid to the expansion chamber, wherein an internal volume of the transfer chamber decreases during the transfer of working fluid.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2015Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Tour Engine, Inc.Inventors: Hugo Benjamin Tour, Oded Tour, Gilad Tour, Ehud Sivan, Michael H. Wahl
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Publication number: 20180266308Abstract: A split-cycle internal combustion engine (ICE) is provided, comprising a compression cylinder, an expansion cylinder and a crossover valve having a valve cylinder housing inside a shuttle and a combustion chamber structure defining a combustion chamber. The shuttle is configured to perform reciprocating motion inside the valve cylinder synchronously with a compression piston and an expansion piston, thereby alternatingly fluidly coupling and decoupling the combustion chamber with the compression cylinder and with the expansion cylinder, selectively. Sealing rings positioned between the valve cylinder and the shuttle prevent gas leaks between them during the reciprocating motion. In some embodiments, a phase shift between the pistons may be set or varied by a piston phase transmission gear. A bi-directional fluid flow split-cycle internal combustion engine (ICE) is also provided having a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a combustion chamber and a single crossover valve fluidly communicating them.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2016Publication date: September 20, 2018Applicant: Tour Engine, Inc.Inventors: Gilad TOUR, Oded TOUR, Hugo Benjamin TOUR
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Patent number: 9689307Abstract: An internal combustion engine, including a combustion chamber with a first aperture; a compression chamber with a second aperture; and a crossover valve comprising an internal chamber, first and second valve seats, a valve head, and first and second valve faces on the valve head, wherein the first aperture allows fluid communication between the combustion chamber and the internal chamber, the second aperture allows fluid communication between the compression chamber and the internal chamber, the first valve face couples to the first valve seat to occlude the first aperture, and the second valve face couples to the second valve seat to occlude the second aperture.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Tour Engine, Inc.Inventors: Hugo Benjamin Tour, Oded Tour, Gilad Tour
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Publication number: 20170009701Abstract: An engine includes a compression chamber that intakes and compresses working fluid; an expansion chamber that expands and exhausts working fluid; and a transfer chamber that receives working fluid from the compression chamber and transfers working fluid to the expansion chamber, wherein an internal volume of the transfer chamber decreases during the transfer of working fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2015Publication date: January 12, 2017Applicant: Tour Engine, Inc.Inventors: Hugo Benjamin TOUR, Oded TOUR, Gilad TOUR, Ehud SIVAN, Michael H. WAHL
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Publication number: 20160305311Abstract: An internal combustion engine, including a combustion chamber with a first aperture; a compression chamber with a second aperture; and a crossover valve comprising an internal chamber, first and second valve seats, a valve head, and first and second valve faces on the valve head, wherein the first aperture allows fluid communication between the combustion chamber and the internal chamber, the second aperture allows fluid communication between the compression chamber and the internal chamber, the first valve face couples to the first valve seat to occlude the first aperture, and the second valve face couples to the second valve seat to occlude the second aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2015Publication date: October 20, 2016Applicant: Tour Engine, Inc.Inventors: Hugo Benjamin TOUR, Oded TOUR, Gilad TOUR
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Patent number: 9097178Abstract: An internal combustion engine, including a combustion chamber with a first aperture; a compression chamber with a second aperture; and a crossover valve comprising an internal chamber, first and second valve seats, a valve head, and first and second valve faces on the valve head, wherein the first aperture allows fluid communication between the combustion chamber and the internal chamber, the second aperture allows fluid communication between the compression chamber and the internal chamber, the first valve face couples to the first valve seat to occlude the first aperture, and the second valve face couples to the second valve seat to occlude the second aperture.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Tour Engine, Inc.Inventors: Hugo Benjamin Tour, Oded Tour, Gilad Tour
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Publication number: 20140338646Abstract: An internal combustion engine, including a combustion chamber with a first aperture; a compression chamber with a second aperture; and a crossover valve comprising an internal chamber, first and second valve seats, a valve head, and first and second valve faces on the valve head, wherein the first aperture allows fluid communication between the combustion chamber and the internal chamber, the second aperture allows fluid communication between the compression chamber and the internal chamber, the first valve face couples to the first valve seat to occlude the first aperture, and the second valve face couples to the second valve seat to occlude the second aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: TOUR ENGINE, INC.Inventors: Hugo Benjamin Tour, Oded Tour, Gilad Tour
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Patent number: 8584629Abstract: An interstage valve for fluidly coupling two chambers of a double-piston engine is disclosed. The interstage valve may include a main valve body, a seal, and an electric coil. When closed, the seal is coupled to the main valve body as a result of electromagnetic forces generated by the electrical coil. The interstage valve is opened when the pressure differential between the engine chambers exceeds the electromagnetic forces. As the interstage valve opens, the electromagnetic forces diminish. The electromagnetic valve moves from the open state to the closed state when the pressure differential reverses. As the seal moves toward the main valve body, the electromagnetic forces increase, coupling the seal to the main valve body.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2010Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Tour Engine, Inc.Inventors: Oded Tour, Hugo Benjamin Tour
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Publication number: 20100186689Abstract: An interstage valve for fluidly coupling two chambers of a double-piston engine is disclosed. The interstage valve may include a main valve body, a seal, and an electric coil. When closed, the seal is coupled to the main valve body as a result of electromagnetic forces generated by the electrical coil. The interstage valve is opened when the pressure differential between the engine chambers exceeds the electromagnetic forces. As the interstage valve opens, the electromagnetic forces diminish. The electromagnetic valve moves from the open state to the closed state when the pressure differential reverses. As the seal moves toward the main valve body, the electromagnetic forces increase, coupling the seal to the main valve body.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Inventors: Oded Tour, Hugo Benjamin Tour
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Publication number: 20080034755Abstract: A steam enhanced dual piston cycle engine utilizes a unique dual piston apparatus that includes: a first cylinder housing a first piston therein, wherein the first piston performs only intake and compression strokes; a second cylinder housing an inner power piston that forms an inner internal chamber of the second cylinder, and either a ring-shaped outer power piston surrounding the inner power piston, wherein the outer power piston forms an outer internal chamber of the second cylinder and is configured to convert engine heat into additional work, and/or an outer boiler which is configured to produce steam to be converted into additional work.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Benjamin TOUR, Oded Tour
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Publication number: 20070039323Abstract: A steam enhanced dual piston cycle engine utilizes a unique dual piston apparatus that includes: a first cylinder housing a first piston therein, wherein the first piston performs only intake and compression strokes; a second cylinder housing an inner power piston that forms an inner internal chamber of the second cylinder, and either a ring-shaped outer power piston surrounding the inner power piston, wherein the outer power piston forms an outer internal chamber of the second cylinder and is configured to convert engine heat into additional work, and/or an outer boiler which is configured to produce steam to be converted into additional work.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2006Publication date: February 22, 2007Inventors: Benjamin Tour, Oded Tour
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Publication number: 20060243228Abstract: A Dual Piston Cycle Engine utilizes a unique dual piston apparatus that includes: a first cylinder housing a first piston therein; a second cylinder thermally isolated from the first cylinder and housing a second piston therein; an intake valve coupled to the first cylinder for allowing a fuel mixture to enter into the first cylinder; an exhaust valve coupled to the second cylinder for allowing an exhaust gas to exit the second cylinder; and an interstage valve that couples an internal chamber of the first cylinder to an internal chamber of the second cylinder and configured to minimize dead space between the first and second cylinders, wherein the first piston performs only intake and compression strokes and the second piston performs only combustion and exhaust strokes and the first and second cylinders are thermally isolated from one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2006Publication date: November 2, 2006Inventor: Benjamin Tour
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Patent number: 6065874Abstract: Prior art linear bearings generally have a roller element which, in such a reciprocating motion application, tend to creep or slide along the surfaces upon which they roll. This is due to unequal frictional forces between the rolling surfaces. The linear bearing of the present invention substantially prevents straying and/or sliding of roller elements, and therefore provides bearing functionality at high speeds and great loads with longer longevity and reliability. The linear bearing can be used in many engineering applications, such as in a rotary engine, for example.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1997Date of Patent: May 23, 2000Inventor: Benjamin Tour
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Patent number: 5579733Abstract: A rotary motor with a pair of abutments that move relative to a rotor through the rotation of gears operatively connected to both the abutments and the rotor. The abutments and rotor are located within a housing such that the inner cavity of the housing is divided into four chambers. The rotor has a pair of blade sections that are in constant contact with the motor housing, so that the chambers are always sealed from each other. Also connected to the housing are a pair of intake ports and a pair of exhaust ports. The rotor rotates within the inner cavity pushing air from the intake ports to the exhaust ports. The abutments are constructed to move in a linear direction, to allow the blade sections to rotate from one chamber to another. The movement of the abutments is synchronous with the rotation of the rotor, so that the abutments are always in contact with the rotor to insure that there is negligible fluid communication between chambers.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1993Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Inventor: Benjamin Tour