Abstract: An engine includes a crankshaft, rotating about a crankshaft axis of the engine. A power piston is received within a first cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through a power stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A compression piston is received within a second cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A gas passage interconnects the first and second cylinders. The gas passage includes an inlet valve and an outlet valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween. The outlet valve permits substantially one-way flow of compressed gas from the pressure chamber to the first cylinder. The power piston descends to a firing position from its top dead center position.

Abstract: An engine includes a crankshaft, rotating about a crankshaft axis of the engine. A power piston is received within a first cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through a power stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A compression piston is received within a second cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A gas passage interconnects the first and second cylinders. The gas passage includes an inlet valve and an outlet valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween. The outlet valve permits substantially one-way flow of compressed gas from the pressure chamber to the first cylinder. The power piston descends to a firing position from its top dead center position.

Abstract: An engine has a crankshaft. A power piston is slidably received within a first cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through a power stroke and an exhaust stroke. A compression piston is slidably received within a second cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke. A gas passage interconnects the first and second cylinders. The gas passage includes an inlet valve and an outlet valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween. Combustion is initiated in the first cylinder between 5 degrees and 40 degrees of rotation of the crankshaft after the power piston has reached its top dead center position.

Abstract: An engine includes a crankshaft, rotating about a crankshaft axis of the engine. A power piston is slidably received within a first cylinder and is operatively connected to the crankshaft via first linkage system. The power piston reciprocates through a power stroke and an exhaust stroke of a four stroke cycle during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A compression piston is slidably received within a second cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft via second linkage system. The first and second linkage systems share no common mechanical link. The compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke of the same four stroke cycle during the same revolution of the crankshaft. The power piston leads the compression piston by a phase shift angle that is substantially equal to or greater than zero degrees and less than 30 degrees.

Abstract: A four stroke engine including a crankshaft. A power piston within a first cylinder connected to the crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through a power stroke and an exhaust stroke. A compression piston within a second cylinder is connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke. A gas passage interconnects the first and second cylinders and includes an inlet valve and an outlet valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween. An inlet manifold is in fluid communication with an inlet valve of the second cylinder. A bypass valve is in fluid communication with the second cylinder and the inlet manifold, wherein during a compression stroke the bypass valve allows a portion of the air to bypass the inlet valve and exhaust into the inlet manifold to provide a variable compression ratio.

Abstract: An engine includes a crankshaft, rotating about a crankshaft axis of the engine. A power piston is slidably received within a first cylinder and is operatively connected to the crankshaft via first linkage system. The power piston reciprocates through a power stroke and an exhaust stroke of a four stroke cycle during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A compression piston is slidably received within a second cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft via second linkage system. The first and second linkage systems share no common mechanical link. The compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke of the same four stroke cycle during the same revolution of the crankshaft. The power piston leads the compression piston by a phase shift angle that is substantially equal to or greater than zero degrees and less than 30 degrees.

Abstract: A four stroke cycle internal combustion engine including a crankshaft, rotating about a crankshaft axis of the engine. A power piston is slidably received within a first cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through a power stroke and an exhaust stroke of a four stroke cycle during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A compression piston is slidably received within a second cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke of the same four stroke cycle during the same rotation of the crankshaft. The power piston reciprocates along a first piston-cylinder axis which is offset from the crankshaft axis. The offset substantially aligns a point of maximum combustion pressure applied to the power piston with a point of maximum torque applied to the crankshaft during the power stroke.

Abstract: A four stroke engine including a crankshaft. A power piston within a first cylinder connected to the crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through a power stroke and an exhaust stroke. A compression piston within a second cylinder is connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke. A gas passage interconnects the first and second cylinders and includes an inlet valve and an outlet valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween. An inlet manifold is in fluid communication with an inlet valve of the second cylinder. A bypass valve is in fluid communication with the second cylinder and the inlet manifold, wherein during a compression stroke the bypass valve allows a portion of the air to bypass the inlet valve and exhaust into the inlet manifold to provide a variable compression ratio.

Abstract: A four stroke cycle internal combustion engine including a crankshaft, rotating about a crankshaft axis of the engine. A power piston is slidably received within a first cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through a power stroke and an exhaust stroke of a four stroke cycle during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A compression piston is slidably received within a second cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke of the same four stroke cycle during the same rotation of the crankshaft. A gas passage interconnects the first and second cylinders. The gas passage includes an inlet valve and an outlet valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween.

Abstract: A four stroke cycle internal combustion engine including a crankshaft, rotating about a crankshaft axis of the engine. A power piston is slidably received within a first cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through a power stroke and an exhaust stroke of a four stroke cycle during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A compression piston is slidably received within a second cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke of the same four stroke cycle during the same rotation of the crankshaft. A power piston-cylinder axis along which the power piston reciprocates within the first cylinder, has an offset from the crankshaft axis such that the power piston-cylinder axis does not intersect the crankshaft axis.

Abstract: A four stroke cycle internal combustion engine including a crankshaft, rotating about a crankshaft axis of the engine. A power piston is slidably received within a first cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through a power stroke and an exhaust stroke of a four stroke cycle during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A compression piston is slidably received within a second cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke of the same four stroke cycle during the same rotation of the crankshaft. A gas passage interconnects the first and second cylinders. The gas passage includes an inlet valve and an outlet valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering refrigerant has an inlet port connected to a refrigeration system from which compressible refrigeration fluid is to be recovered. The inlet port of the apparatus is connected to an inlet port of a first discriminator chamber. An outlet port of the first discriminator chamber is connected to first and second solenoid valves. The first solenoid valve is connected to a compressor. The compressor is connected to a condenser. The condenser is connected to a strainer for removing particulate from the refrigerant, which is connected to a capillary tube. The capillary tube generates a required back pressure in the system and is connected to a discharge port of the apparatus. The compressor, condenser and capillary tube collectively provide for condensing gas phase refrigerant fluid to a low pressure stream of substantially liquid phase refrigerant fluid. A capillary tube bypass is provided when excess pressure is sensed at the compressor.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering a compressible refrigeration fluid from a refrigeration system and delivering the recovered fluid to a receiver includes a discriminator tank for discriminating between influent liquid phase fluid and gas phase fluid. Liquid phase fluid is directed to the receiver. Gas phase fluid is condensed and directed to the receiver. The apparatus further includes a safety tank for preventing overfilling of the receiver and a lightweight compressor particularly adapted to refrigerant recovery. The lightweight compressor includes self lubricating bidirectional seals and renders the recovery apparatus easily transportable to allow convenient field servicing of refrigeration systems.

Abstract: A portable refrigerant recycle unit is disposed adjacent to a recycle (reclamation) unit for receiving excess or waste heat discharged therefrom. Liquid and gas refrigerant (e.g., freon) flow from the unit being evacuated to a heat exchanger. A fan draws discharged heat from the reclamation unit across the fins of the heat exchanger. Liquid freon flowing through the heat exchanger is vaporized as it is heated by the air drawn by the fan containing the heat discharged from unit. Gaseous freon flows from the heat exchanger to an oil seperator. Freon vapor then flows from the oil seperator through a filter to the recycle unit output. The reclamation unit condenses the recycle unit output of vapor freon to a liquid. The liquid freon flows from the output of the reclamation to a refrigerant receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering a compressible refrigeration fluid from a refrigeration system and delivering the recovered fluid to a receiver as disclosed. The apparatus includes a discriminator tank for discriminating between influent liquid phase fluid and gas phase fluid. Liquid phase fluid is directed to the receiver. Gas phase fluid is condensed and directed to the receiver. The apparatus further includes a safety tank for preventing overfilling of the receiver and a compressor particularly adapted to refrigerant recovery.

Abstract: A self-contained refrigerant reclamation and charging unit is connected between the refrigeration system to be charged or evacuated and a standard refrigerant receiver. Rather than using a pump (vacuum or otherwise) or an auxiliary refrigerant system (as in many prior art devices), the present invention utilizes a portion of the refrigerant being evacuated to continuously cool itself as the refrigerant travels between the refrigeration system to be evacuated and a storage receiver. As the refrigerant is cooled, the pressure thereof drops creating a pressure differential from the refrigeration system into the receiver.