Abstract: A reciprocating, internal combustion engine is capable of two modes of operation. The engine comprises three cylinders of substantially equal diameter. Each cylinder is provided with a piston. During operation, all pistons are synchronized and move in phase with one another. Valves are configured to selectively close paths between the second cylinder and two combustion chambers. Further valves are provided to selectively seal intake and exhaust channels leading to the two combustion chambers. A high efficiency combustion mode is achieved by increasing an expansion ratio through intake and compression of the fuel mixture in one cylinder and expansion in two cylinders. A high power combustion mode is achieved by compression and intake of the fuel mixture in two cylinders and expansion in one cylinder.

Abstract: A pumping system is provided. The pumping system includes an output conduit, a first sensor, a second second sensor, a feedforward active controller, and a fluid flow normalizer (FFN). The output conduit is associated with an output of a positive displacement pump. The first sensor is configured to measure a fluid flow characteristic (FFC) within the output conduit. The second sensor is configured to measure a phase of the positive displacement pump. The feedforward active controller is configured to receive information related to the FFC, receive information related to the phase of the positive displacement pump, and determine an FFC variability value. The first fluid flow normalizer (FFN) is configured to at least one of add fluid to the output of the positive displacement pump and remove fluid from the output of the positive displacement pump in response to a signal from the feedforward active controller.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating exhaust valves of an engine to create more even exhaust pulses to a turbine. More specifically, the engine may include one or more dedicated exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cylinders routing exhaust to an engine intake and one or more non-dedicated EGR cylinder routing exhaust to the turbine. In one example, a method may include operating a first set of exhaust valves of a group of non-dedicated EGR cylinders to have no exhaust valve opening overlap and operating an exhaust valve of a dedicated EGR cylinder so that opening of the second exhaust valve overlaps with opening of exhaust valves of two cylinders of the group of non-dedicated EGR cylinders.

Abstract: A four-cycle internal combustion engine has a single or multi-stage pre-cooled compression, which allows the temperature and pressure of intake air to the combustion cylinders to be tightly controlled, so that a much higher compression ratio and pre-ignition compression pressure can be achieved without approaching the air/fuel mixture auto-ignition threshold. The minimal threshold pressure of air intake is determined to be >1.8 Bars at sea level and a minimal temperature drop of at least 50° C. at the heat exchanger air cooling radiator. Because this design can effectively regulate and set the maximum pre-ignition temperature of the fuel-air mixture, it can combust virtually any type of liquid hydrocarbon fuel without knocking. This four-cycle engine, due to its higher compression ratio, generates power equivalent to or greater than a standard four-cycle engine in a smaller and lighter engine and at a higher efficiency.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling engine operation. One method comprises, during a first variable displacement engine (VDE) mode in an engine having four cylinders, deactivating a first cylinder of the four cylinders and firing a second, third, and fourth cylinder of the four cylinders, each firing event separated by 240 degrees of crank angle (CA). The engine may be operated in a non-VDE mode by activating the first of the four cylinders and firing the first cylinder between the third and fourth cylinders.

Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine including a pressurized fluid outlet, the engine comprising a two-ended piston, with one end received in a combustion chamber, and another end received in a hydraulic chamber. The piston further including a portion intermediate the two ends and received within an air chamber, and the air chamber has an air outlet communicating with a combustion air inlet to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a novel self-supercharging internal combustion engine with two pairs of three pistons and cylinders. A self-supercharging internal combustion engine comprising: (a) a first piston and cylinder with intake and exhaust valves, the piston being connected to a crankshaft; (b) a second piston and cylinder with intake and exhaust valves, the piston being connected to the crankshaft; (c) a third piston and cylinder of a size which is at least double the size of the first and second pistons, the third piston having a valve which enables air and fuel to be drawn into the cylinder, the third cylinder being connected to the intake valves of the first and second pistons and cylinders, the third piston being connected to the same crankshaft as the first and second pistons, and a corresponding second set of three pistons and cylinders, the three pistons being connected to a second crankshaft, each crankshaft being interconnected by meshing gears.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operation of an engine coupled to an exhaust treatment catalyst. Under predetermined conditions, the method operates an engine with a first group of cylinders combusting a lean air/fuel mixture and a second group of cylinders pumping air only (i.e., without fuel injection). In addition, the engine control method also provides the following features in combination with the above-described split air/lean mode: idle speed control, sensor diagnostics, air/fuel ratio control, adaptive learning, fuel vapor purging, catalyst temperature estimation, default operation, and exhaust gas and emission control device temperature control. In addition, the engine control method also changes to combusting in all cylinders under preselected operating conditions such as fuel vapor purging, manifold vacuum control, and purging of stored oxidants in an emission control device.

Abstract: A reciprocating internal combustion engine with balancing and pre-compression is provided. The internal combustion engine comprises: at least one active cylinder, at least one auxiliary cylinder positioned at right-angles to the active cylinder, the throw of the pistons of the relative cylinders positioned on the same drive shaft, and fuel supply parts. Further, the internal combustion engine comprises the auxiliary cylinder equipped with cylinder head with a one-way valve for air inlet and a one-way valve for air outlet. Additionally, the cylinder head of the active cylinder has at least one outlet valve and at least one opening for the inlet of the air into the active cylinder. Finally, the phase of the piston of the auxiliary cylinder precedes the phase of the piston of the active cylinder by 90 degrees. The description includes two-cylinder versions, two-and four stroke, for petrol and diesel cycles, as well as multi-cylinder and turbocharged versions.

Abstract: A reciprocating internal combustion engine with balancing and pre-compression is provided. The internal combustion engine comprises: at least one active cylinder, at least one auxiliary cylinder positioned at right-angles to the active cylinder, the throw of the pistons of the relative cylinders positioned on the same drive shaft, and fuel supply parts. Further, the internal combustion engine comprises the auxiliary cylinder equipped with cylinder head with a one-way valve for air inlet and a one-way valve for air outlet. Additionally, the cylinder head of the active cylinder has at least one outlet valve and at least one opening for the inlet of the air into the active cylinder. Finally, the phase of the piston of the auxiliary cylinder precedes the phase of the piston of the active cylinder by 90 degrees. The description includes two-cylinder versions, two-and four stroke, for petrol and diesel cycles, as well as multi-cylinder and turbocharged versions.

Abstract: A variable displacement internal combustion engine having an intake manifold for providing ambient air and a boost manifold is provided. Either designated cylinders or selected cylinders may be operated in a non-firing mode wherein air may be compressed in a non-firing cylinder and ported to the boost manifold to provide boosted air pressure to firing cylinders. Each cylinder has an intake valve, an intake/compressed air valve, and an exhaust valve. The intake valves are controlled by electromagnetic actuators. The exhaust valve may be controlled by an electromagnetic valve actuator or a conventional valve actuator, if desired. Intake/compressed air valves of cylinders operating in the non-firing, compressor mode are ported to the boost manifold and selectively timed to provide compressed air to the boosted manifold when additional torque is desired provided that some of the cylinders are operating in the compressor mode.

Abstract: The disclosed internal combustion engine comprises a single piston compressor (13) associated to each of the combustion chambers (1), said compressor sucking an air/fuel mixture and, due to the action of its discharge strokes, injects said mixture directly inside the combustion chamber (1) at an instant which is appropriately determinated by the synchronization of said compressor (13), the discharge valve (23) of the compressor being arranged inside the combustion chamber (1).

Abstract: An internal combustion engine power unit comprises two power cylinders (3, 4) spaced equidistant about a pumping cylinder (5). All cylinders operate on two-stroke cycles, the power cylinders (3, 4) having a phase difference of 180.degree.. Power piston assemblies (13, 14) in the power cylinders (3, 4) drive crankshaft (1). Pumping piston (16) and separate crankshaft (2) are driven at twice the cyclic speed of the power pistons (13, 14) and crankshaft (1) through gear train (6, 7) between the respective crankshafts (1, 2). Air inducted into pumping cylinder (5) via intake ports (20) is compressed and passed alternately to power cylinders (3, 4) via valve controlled transfer passages (21, 24). All valves, ports and gas passages are found in a cylinder head (19). Timed fuel injection and ignition are provided. An engine may comprise one or more power units. There is also disclosed a turbo-charged diesel engine comprising two power units in "V" configuration.

Abstract: Novel reciprocating engines which feature conversion units each formed of an expansion cylinder, a compression cylinder and a passageway connecting the two. Pistons in the cylinders are preferably connected via a four-bar or other linkage to the crank so that the compression piston remains at substantially top dead center for a substantial portion of the stroke of the expansion piston, and vice versa. Communication between the cylinders via the passageway may thus be continuously open with no substantial pressure drop between cylinders. Fuel may be injected into the air or other gas moving between cylinders giving an internal combustion engine, or the gas may be heated by external means. Devices according to this concept limit peak pressure and temperatures, resulting in the formation of fewer nitrous oxides.

Abstract: A staged two-stroke internal combustion engine with reciprocating pistons wherein the cycle comprises a first compression of fresh air possibly followed by a cooling, a second compression of air or of mixture or the injection of fuel (Diesel version), a first expansion producing a useful work, a second expansion also producing a useful work and the exhaust of the combustible gases followed by the scavenging of the remaining gases by fresh air, the engine preferably including an odd number greater than or equal to three cylinders and allowing to increase the power output efficiency and the power-to-swept volume ratio with respect to the four-stroke internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system for supplying the primary combustion air to a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine including a trochoidal chamber air pump having a pair of pumping chambers interposed between an air intake and each of the cylinders of the engine. Each pumping chamber has an air inlet connected to an air intake, and an air outlet that is connected to the cylinders. In a two-cycle mode of operation, each pumping chamber outlet is connected to one engine cylinder. In a four-cycle mode of operation, each pumping chamber outlet is connected to a pair of cylinders to supply air during the intake stroke. The input shaft of the trochoidal chamber air pump is driven by, and may be connected directly to, the crankshaft of the engine so as to rotate on a 1:1 ratio.

Abstract: During the starting and possibly at partial load, the diesel internal combustion engine operates in the so-called divided operation, whereby some cylinders (7 to 12) operate without fuel supply as compressors and supply compressed air to the cylinders (1 to 6) operating as engine. For example, the compressor cylinder (8) is connected with the engine cylinder (5) by way of a line (13) independent of the customary suction and exhaust lines, which includes at its one end in the proximity of the compressor cylinder (8) a donor valve (22) adapted to be controllably opened in the divided operation and at its other end in the proximity of the engine cylinder (5) a receiver valve (23). Each of the receiver valves (23) is combined with a device for the opening at will of the respectively associated line (13) in the direction of the compressor cylinder (14), whereby the opening control of the lines (13) by the devices takes place during the exhaust stroke of the coordinated engine cylinder (16 ).

Abstract: A method for the introduction of the charging air into the cylinder of an internal combustion engine, in the case of which pre-compressed air from a displacement charger is cooled by exchange of heat and is then expanded till the desired charging pressure has been reached. The expulsion motion of the piston or pistons of the displacement charger is so synchronized with the piston motion of the engine cylinder to be supplied that the air displaced from the charger transfers directly into the respective engine cylinder.

Abstract: A piston-type IC engine is fitted with a mechanically driven displacement supercharger such that the displacement volume of a supercharging chamber for compression of the combustion air is made equal to the maximum requirement of an engine cylinder to be filled. The stroke rate of the supercharger is equal to the ignition rate of the engine and the piston motion of the supercharger bears a given phase relation to the piston motion of the engine in line with the desired supercharging effect, such phase relation preferably being adjustable.

Abstract: A piston-type internal combustion engine is fitted with a mechanically driven displacement supercharger such that the displacement volume of a supercharging chamber for compression of the combustion air is made equal to the maximum requirement of an engine cylinder to be filled. The stroke rate of the supercharger is equal to the ignition rate of the engine and the piston motion of the supercharger bears a given phase relation to the piston motion of the engine in line with the desired supercharging effect, such phase relation preferably being adjustable.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is connected to a supercharger operated by exhaust energy for the compression and transport of an air charge. The supercharger has at least one exhaust chamber and one air chamber which are separated from each other by a partition. The exhaust chamber is equipped with an exhaust inlet and an exhaust outlet, and the air charge chamber with an air charge inlet and an air charge outlet. In the gas circuit connected to the exhaust inlet is a system for the timed introduction of exhaust into the exhaust chamber. The supercharger is also powered by a linkage responsive to rotation of the engine crankshaft. The linkage permits changing the phase relationship between the partition and the engine crankshaft.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method of deriving mechanical work from a combustion gas in an internal combustion engine and reciprocating internal combustion engines for carrying out the method. The method includes the steps of compressing an air charge in a compressor of the engine, transferring the compressed charge to a power chamber of the engine such that no appreciable drop in charge pressure occurs during transfer and admission to the power chamber, causing a predetermined quantity to produce a combustible mixture, causing the mixture to be ignited at substantially maximum pressure within the power chamber and allowing the combustion gas to expand against a piston operable in the power chamber substantially beyond its initial volume.