Abstract: Split-cycle internal combustion engine comprising at least one compressor cylinder and at least one combustion cylinder each associated with a relating piston and a relating head, equipped with at least one admission valve and one exhaust valve of the combustor piston, first controller of the at least one admission valve and second controller of the at least one exhaust valve, the piston of the combustion cylinder is associated with a crankshaft by a crank mechanism and when the engine is in a firing condition the second controller is arranged to cause a first opening event of the at least one exhaust valve in a first predetermined angular position of the crankshaft and when the engine is in the engine braking condition the second controller is arranged to reposition the first event in a second predetermined angular position out of phase by 180 degrees with respect to the first angular position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that include operating an isothermal compression based combustion (IsoC) engine by injecting isothermally compressed air into a combustion engine immediately prior to a combustion event in order to increase the efficiency of the engine, improve emissions, and substantially eliminate autoignition and associated design constraints. The IsoC engine utilizes an intercooled compressor to isothermally compress air that is stored in a plurality of capacitance tanks prior to delivery of the compressed air to the combustion engine. The IsoC engine allows combustion to be selectively terminated to increase fuel efficiency, thereby resulting in a hybrid compressed air-motor and internal combustion operated IsoC engine.

Abstract: In some embodiments, split-cycle engines are disclosed that are capable of operating in a normal firing mode in which a firing stroke is performed in the expansion cylinder only on every other rotation of the crankshaft. Fuel can be injected directly into the expansion cylinder during the non-firing rotation of the crankshaft over a period of time greater than what is possible with traditional split-cycle engines. A number of other advantages are associated with such engines. In some embodiments, two expansion cylinders can be provided such that a firing stroke is performed on every rotation of the crankshaft, even though each individual expansion cylinder only performs a firing stroke on every other rotation of the crankshaft. Air hybridized and/or Millerized variations of these engines, as well as various cylinder arrangements, are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A flexible connecting rod arrangement for engines, hermetic compressors, and any application that requires a connection between a piston and a crankcase or any application that requires a connection between a linear slider and a crankcase.

Abstract: A split-cycle air hybrid engine includes a rotatable crankshaft. A compression piston is slidably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft. An expansion piston is slidably received within an expansion cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft. A crossover passage interconnects the compression and expansion cylinders. The crossover passage includes a crossover compression (XovrC) valve and a crossover expansion (XovrE) valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween. An air reservoir is operatively connected to the crossover passage. An air reservoir valve selectively controls air flow into and out of the air reservoir. In an Air Expander and Firing (AEF) mode of the engine, the engine has a residual expansion ratio at XovrE valve closing of 15.7 to 1 or greater, and more preferably in the range of 15.7 to 1 and 40.8 to 1.

Abstract: A two-cycle engine that includes a high pressure fuel pump that pressurizes fuel to produce pressurized fuel and pumps the pressurized fuel from a fuel controller to a fuel injector. The fuel injector injects the pressurized fuel into a cylinder. A high pressure air pump pressurizes air to produce pressurized air and pumps the pressurized air from an air controller to an air injector. The air injector injects the pressurized air into the cylinder.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a first cylinder having an intake valve in fluid communication with an intake manifold, and a second cylinder having an exhaust valve in fluid communication with an exhaust manifold. A transfer passage fluidly connects the first cylinder with the second cylinder. A first fuel injector is configured to provide a first fuel to the first cylinder, and a second fuel injector is configured to provide a second fuel to the second cylinder. The first cylinder operates, at times, to push a first air/fuel mixture through the transfer passage into the second cylinder. The second fuel injector is configured to provide at least one fuel injection plume into the first air/fuel mixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pumping an intake charge into an engine is disclosed herein. The fuel-powered engine utilizes a barrier between an intake manifold and a crankcase of the engine to substantially protect the intake charge from contamination by engine crankcase oil, while using the natural pumping action of a reciprocating engine piston to pump the intake charge into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A porting system for a turbo-charged loop scavenged two-stroke engine includes a cylinder including a cylinder wall and a cylinder head. At least one inlet port is provided in the cylinder wall. The at least one inlet port is arranged a first distance from the cylinder head and fluidically connected to a compressor portion of a turbo-charger. A first exhaust port is provided in the cylinder wall. The first exhaust port is arranged a second distance from the cylinder head and is fluidically connected to a turbine portion of the turbo-charger through first exhaust passage. A second exhaust port is provided in the cylinder wall. The second exhaust port is arranged a third distance from the cylinder head that is greater than the second distance and the second exhaust passage is fluidically connected to a second exhaust passage bypassing the turbine portion.

Abstract: In split-cycle engines and air hybrid split-cycle engines, the sizing of the crossover passage is critical to engine efficiency. Efficiency can be improved by sizing the crossover passage volume to be small relative to the volume of the cylinders, and in particular relative to the volume of the compression cylinder. This allows for a higher pressure in the crossover passage, which extends the duration of sonic flow from the crossover passage into the expansion cylinder and increases combustion pressure. The methods, systems, and devices disclosed herein generally involve sizing the crossover passages, cylinders, or other components of a split-cycle engine or air hybrid split-cycle engine to improve efficiency.

Abstract: A two-stroke engine includes a crankshaft that is rotatable about an axis, and an engine block that includes a combustion cylinder and a compression cylinder. A first piston is slidably disposed within the combustion cylinder and is operatively coupled to the crankshaft for reciprocating movement within the combustion cylinder through a power stroke during each rotation of the crankshaft about the axis. A second piston is slidably disposed within the compression cylinder and is operatively coupled to the crankshaft for reciprocating movement within the compression cylinder such that fresh air is received and compressed in the compression cylinder during each rotation of the crankshaft about the axis. A conduit provides fluid communication between the combustion cylinder and the compression cylinder, and a fuel injector is in communication with the combustion cylinder for admitting fuel into the combustion cylinder.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed that generally involve split-cycle engines in which a combustion event is initiated in a crossover passage that interconnects a compression cylinder and an expansion cylinder of the split-cycle engine. In one embodiment, the compression piston leads the expansion piston by a phase shift angle so that, for example, a substantial amount of the combustion event can occur in the crossover passage at a constant volume.

Abstract: A split-cycle engine includes an expander, the expander including an expansion piston received within an expansion cylinder. A compressor includes a compression piston received within a compression cylinder. A crossover passage interconnects the compression and expansion cylinders. An intake manifold is connected to the compression cylinder. A boosting device providing a 1.7 bar absolute or greater boost pressure level is connected to the intake manifold. An intake valve is disposed between the intake manifold and the compression cylinder. The intake valve closing is timed to provide a compressor volumetric efficiency of 0.75 or greater. A compressor displacement volume is sized relative to an expander displacement volume such that the combination of compressor displacement volume and boost pressure level provides an expander volumetric efficiency relative to ambient conditions that is 0.90 or greater.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to providing an air supply for components associated with an engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for using compressed air generated by a split-cycle engine to power components such as valves or air springs associated with the split-cycle engine.

Abstract: A split-cycle air hybrid engine with improved efficiency is disclosed in which the centerline of a compression cylinder is positioned at a non-zero angle with respect to the centerline of an expansion cylinder such that the engine has a V-shaped configuration. In one embodiment, the centerlines of the respective cylinders intersect an axis parallel to, but offset from, the axis of rotation of the crankshaft. Modular crossover passages, crossover passage manifolds, and associated air reservoir valve assemblies and thermal regulation systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A split-cycle air-hybrid engine includes a rotatable crankshaft. A compression piston is slidably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft. An expansion piston is slidably received within an expansion cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft. A crossover passage interconnects the compression and expansion cylinders. The crossover passage includes a crossover compression (XovrC) valve and a crossover expansion (XovrE) valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween. An air reservoir is operatively connected to the crossover passage. An air reservoir valve selectively controls air flow into and out of the air reservoir. The engine is operable in an Air Expander and Firing (AEF) mode. In the AEF mode, the pressure in the air reservoir is greater than or equal to approximately 5 bar absolute, preferably greater than or equal to approximately 7 bar absolute, and more preferably greater than or equal to approximately 10 bar absolute.

Abstract: A thermocompression motor includes a piston dividing a cylinder into a first and a second chamber and includes a heat exchanger having at least one air channel and at least one exhaust gas channel. In a first cycle, the first and second chamber are connected via the air channel, whereby air from the first chamber is pushed into the heat exchanger and heated air is conveyed from the heat exchanger into the second chamber. In a second cycle, fuel is burned in the second chamber. In a third cycle, only the connection of the second chamber to the exhaust gas channel is open during a subsequent volume increase of the first chamber. In a fourth cycle, fresh air is sucked into the first chamber during a further volume increase of the first chamber, while the connection between the first and second chamber via the air channel is interrupted.

Abstract: A split-cycle air hybrid engine includes a rotatable crankshaft. A compression piston is slidably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft. An expansion piston is slidably received within an expansion cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft. A crossover passage interconnects the compression and expansion cylinders. The crossover passage includes a crossover compression (XovrC) valve and a crossover expansion (XovrE) valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween. An air reservoir is operatively connected to the crossover passage. An air reservoir valve selectively controls air flow into and out of the air reservoir. In an Air Expander and Firing (AEF) mode of the engine, the engine has a residual expansion ratio at XovrE valve closing of 15.7 to 1 or greater, and more preferably in the range of 15.7 to 1 and 40.8 to 1.

Abstract: A two-stroke, uniflow, full expansion internal combustion (IC) engine including a plurality of cylinders, including a cylinder wall and a cylinder head having an exhaust port, an exhaust valve disposed in the exhaust port, a fuel injector and a spark means disposed through the cylinder head, a piston mounted in the cylinder for reciprocal movement between a top dead center (TDC) position and a bottom dead center (BDC) position, and through a compression stroke and a power stroke, and a swirl inlet port passing through the cylinder wall at the bottom of the cylinder, wherein the swirl inlet port is covered and uncovered in response to the reciprocal movement of the piston. The exhaust port is held in an open position for a portion of the compression stroke movement of the piston, to provide a delay in the onset of the compression phase of the cylinder cycle.

Abstract: A two-stroke engine includes a crankshaft that is rotatable about an axis, and an engine block that includes a combustion cylinder and a compression cylinder. A first piston is slidably disposed within the combustion cylinder and is operatively coupled to the crankshaft for reciprocating movement within the combustion cylinder through a power stroke during each rotation of the crankshaft about the axis. A second piston is slidably disposed within the compression cylinder and is operatively coupled to the crankshaft for reciprocating movement within the compression cylinder such that fresh air is received and compressed in the compression cylinder during each rotation of the crankshaft about the axis. A conduit provides fluid communication between the combustion cylinder and the compression cylinder, and a fuel injector is in communication with the combustion cylinder for admitting fuel into the combustion cylinder.

Abstract: A two-stroke engine includes a crankshaft that is rotatable about an axis, and an engine block that includes a combustion cylinder and a compression cylinder. A first piston is slidably disposed within the combustion cylinder and is operatively coupled to the crankshaft for reciprocating movement within the combustion cylinder through a power stroke during each rotation of the crankshaft about the axis. A second piston is slidably disposed within the compression cylinder and is operatively coupled to the crankshaft for reciprocating movement within the compression cylinder such that fresh air is received and compressed in the compression cylinder during each rotation of the crankshaft about the axis. A conduit provides fluid communication between the combustion cylinder and the compression cylinder, and a fuel injector is in communication with the combustion cylinder for admitting fuel into the combustion cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing compressed air and for injecting the same in an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel motor, comprising an exhaust turbocharger. The method has the following steps: determination of operating parameters of the internal combustion engine to identify operating states of the internal combustion engine; production of compressed air by the internal combustion engine using the determined operating parameter in an operating state without combustion and storage of the produced compressed air; and injection of the stored compressed air into the combustion engine using the determined operating parameter in an operating state with combustion of the internal combustion engine in order to increase the pressure in an induction cycle. The invention also relates to a corresponding device.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is charged by a compressor such that for example only a fraction of the charge is supercharged for an operating cycle of the internal combustion engine and is supplied via a separate charging channel with the help of a short-stroke valve which is controlled by the camshaft after closure of the inlet of the internal combustion engine such that the suction/charging stroke of the four-stroke process is maintained entirely or partially.

Abstract: An engine includes a crankshaft rotatable about a crankshaft axis. A compression piston is slidably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston is operable to reciprocate through an intake stroke and a compression stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. An expansion (power) piston is slidably received within an expansion cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the expansion piston is operable to reciprocate through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. At least two crossover passages interconnect the compression and expansion cylinders. Each of the at least two crossover passages includes a crossover compression (XovrC) valve and a crossover expansion (XovrE) valve operable to define a pressure chamber therebetween. The engine controls and maximizes engine efficiency at part-load by utilizing only selected crossover passages.

Abstract: A split-cycle internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine includes a cylinder block, and a plurality of cooperating power pistons and cylinders mounted in the cylinder block. The power pistons are configured to be energized by forces of combustion. The engine also includes a compressor piston and cylinder configured to compress a volume of air and transfer the compressed air to the power pistons, and an expander piston and cylinder configured to receive exhaust gases from the power pistons. The engine additionally includes a first crankshaft operatively connected to and rotatably driven by the power pistons, a second crankshaft operatively connected to the compressor piston and configured to rotatably drive the compressor piston, and a third crankshaft operatively connected to the expander piston and configured to be rotatably driven by the expander piston. The first, second, and third crankshafts are operatively connected to each other for coordinated rotation.

Abstract: An engine comprises a combustion chamber, an expansion cylinder with a piston adapted for reciprocating motion in the expansion cylinder via combustion products combusted in the combustion chamber, and a transmission associated with the expansion cylinder. The transmission has a guide frame with a first drive wheel rotatably mounted at one end of the guide frame and a second drive wheel rotatably mounted at an opposite longitudinal end of the guide frame. Each of the drive wheels is driven by an inextensible continuous loop. The guide frame has a crank head adapted to reciprocatingly translate along the guide frame. The crank head has a drive connection pivotally connecting the crank head to the loop. The crank head is operatively connected to the piston such that reciprocating motion of the piston results in corresponding reciprocating motion of the crank head, movement of the loop, and corresponding rotation of the drive wheels.

Abstract: A two-stroke, uniflow, full expansion internal combustion (IC) engine having cylinders that include a cylinder wall and a cylinder head having an exhaust port with exhaust valve, a fuel injector, and a spark means in the cylinder head, and a piston mounted in the cylinder for reciprocal stroke movements of compression and power between a top dead center (TDC) position and a bottom dead center (BDC) position. The cylinder has a swirl inlet port passing through the cylinder wall at the bottom of the cylinder that is covered and uncovered in response to the reciprocal movement of the piston. The cylinder is operated through a cycle where the exhaust port is held in an open position for a portion of the compression stroke movement of the piston, to provide a delay in the onset of the compression phase of the cylinder cycle.

Abstract: Method of operating an internal combustion engine, including, at least, compressing and cooling air outside an engine chamber, supplying cooled, pressurized air to an intake port associated with the chamber, and, during each engine cycle: opening the intake port, allowing cooled, pressurized air to flow through the intake port and into the chamber during at least a portion of the intake stroke; maintaining open the intake port during the portion of the intake stroke and beyond the end of the intake stroke and into the compression stroke and during a majority portion of the compression stroke; closing the intake port at a point during travel of the piston to capture in the chamber a cooled compressed charge of the cooled, pressurized air; controllably delivering fuel into the chamber after the cooled compressed charge is captured within the chamber; and igniting a fuel and air mixture within the chamber.

Abstract: A split-cycle engine includes a rotatable crankshaft. A compression piston is slidably received within a compression 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. An expansion piston is slidably received within an expansion cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the expansion piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A crossover passage interconnects the expansion and compression cylinders. The crossover passage includes a crossover compression valve and a crossover expansion valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween. A pilot crossover valve is disposed between the crossover passage and the expansion cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a recess in the top of a piston. More particularly, the present invention relates to a crescent-shaped recess in the top of an expansion piston of a split-cycle engine.

Abstract: The fuel efficiency of an internal combustion reciprocating piston engine may be increased through selective secondary expansion of exhaust gas in the engine cylinders in order to recover exhaust gas energy which is otherwise wasted by cylinder blow-down at the end of the power stroke. Exhaust valve cam switching, intake valve deactivation, multiple exhaust valves, a specialized exhaust manifold arrangement and an exhaust gas diverter valve can be configured to enable a reciprocating engine to selectively operate in efficient eight stroke cycle compound mode when moderate engine power is demanded, then revert to conventional four stroke cycle non-compound mode operation when high engine power is demanded, without stopping the engine.

Abstract: An engine has a crankshaft, rotating about a crankshaft axis of the engine. An expansion piston is slidably received within an expansion cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the expansion piston reciprocates through an expansion 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 compression 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 ratio of cylinder volumes from BDC to TDC for either one of the expansion cylinder and compression cylinder is fixed at substantially 26 to 1 or greater.

Abstract: A drive shaft and pistons assembly of a split-cycle four-stroke engine that contains a drive rotary shaft that supports at least two circular eccentrics pivotally connected to the first ends of connecting rods, the other ends of which are pivotally connected to the respective pistons. The circular eccentrics are angularly shifted with respect to each other by an angle optimal from the viewpoint of efficiency of the engine.

Abstract: An engine has a crankshaft, rotating about a crankshaft axis of the engine. An expansion piston is slidably received within an expansion cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the expansion piston reciprocates through an expansion 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 compression 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 ratio of cylinder volumes from BDC to TDC for either one of the expansion cylinder and compression cylinder is fixed at substantially 26 to 1 or greater.

Abstract: A split-cycle air hybrid engine operatively connects an air reservoir to a split cycle engine. A power piston is received within a power cylinder and operatively connected to a crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single revolution of the crankshaft. A compression piston is received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke in a single rotation of the crankshaft. The compression cylinder is selectively controllable to place the compression piston in a compression mode or an idle mode. An air reservoir is operatively connected between the compression cylinder and the power cylinder and selectively operable to receive compressed air from the compression cylinder and to deliver compressed air to the power cylinder for use in transmitting power to the crankshaft during engine operation.

Abstract: An engine has a crankshaft, rotating about a crankshaft axis of the engine. An expansion piston is slidably received within an expansion cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the expansion piston reciprocates through an expansion 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 compression 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 ratio of cylinder volumes from BDC to TDC for either one of the expansion cylinder and compression cylinder is fixed at substantially 26 to 1 or greater.

Abstract: An engine comprises a power cylinder having a power chamber, a compression cylinder having a compression chamber and a flow-through chamber connected with the compression chamber when a flow-through valve is open and connected with the power chamber when an intake valve is open. The engine is operated by flowing-in fresh charge into the compression chamber while increasing the volume of the compression chamber, compressing the fresh charge while decreasing the volume of the compression chamber, pushing-over the compressed fresh charge into the flow-through chamber, pushing-out the fresh charge into the power chamber, combusting the fresh charge while increasing the volume of the power chamber and discharging the combusted charge while decreasing the volume of the power chamber. The flow-through chamber volume increases during at least a part of the pushing-over step and, at the end thereof, the volume is less than 15% of its maximum volume.

Abstract: An engine includes two or more serially connected air compressors coupled via a crankshaft to an expander piston and cylinder combination. An intercooler device is placed between the air compressors. Compressed air from the compressors flows through a heat exchanger where it is heated by the expander exhaust gas prior to its introduction into the expander cylinder by way of an inlet valve. Fuel is mixed with the compressed air near the inlet valve in an amount suitable to allow for combustion.

Abstract: Constant pressure internal combustion engine having compression and expansion chambers of variable volume, an elongated combustion chamber of substantially constant volume between the compression and expansion chambers, and a fuel inlet for introducing fuel into the combustion chamber where it mixes with compressed air from the compression chamber to form a mixture of fuel and air that burns as it travels through the combustion chamber. In some embodiments, the combustion chamber is folded back upon itself and has a rough, twisting interior side wall, with long, sharp protrusions extending inwardly therefrom and forming hot spots which help to provide complete combustion of the fuel mixture throughout the combustion chamber. These protrusions, together with flow turbulators within the chamber, promote complete mixing and, hence, combustion of the fuel and air in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Constant pressure internal combustion engine having compression and expansion chambers of variable volume, an elongated combustion chamber of substantially constant volume between the compression and expansion chambers, and a fuel inlet for introducing fuel into the combustion chamber where it mixes with compressed air from the compression chamber to form a mixture of fuel and air that burns as it travels through the combustion chamber. In some embodiments, the combustion chamber is folded back upon itself and has a rough, twisting interior side wall, with long, sharp protrusions extending inwardly therefrom and forming hot spots which help to provide complete combustion of the fuel mixture throughout the combustion chamber. These protrusions, together with flow turbulators within the chamber, promote complete mixing and, hence, combustion of the fuel and air in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Constant pressure internal combustion engine having compression and expansion chambers of variable volume, an elongated combustion chamber of substantially constant volume between the compression and expansion chambers, and a fuel inlet for introducing fuel into the combustion chamber where it mixes with compressed air from the compression chamber to form a mixture of fuel and air that burns as it travels through the combustion chamber. In some embodiments, the combustion chamber is folded back upon itself and has a rough, twisting interior side wall, with long, sharp protrusions extending inwardly therefrom and forming hot spots which help to provide complete combustion of the fuel mixture throughout the combustion chamber. These protrusions, together with flow turbulators within the chamber, promote complete mixing and, hence, combustion of the fuel and air in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Constant pressure internal combustion engine having compression and expansion chambers of variable volume, an elongated combustion chamber of substantially constant volume between the compression and expansion chambers, and a fuel inlet for introducing fuel into the combustion chamber where it mixes with compressed air from the compression chamber to form a mixture of fuel and air that burns as it travels through the combustion chamber. The pressure remains substantially constant within the combustion chamber over a wide range of operating and load conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pumping an intake charge into an engine is disclosed herein. The fuel-powered engine utilizes a barrier between an intake manifold and a crankcase of the engine to substantially protect the intake charge from contamination by engine crankcase oil, while using the natural pumping action of a reciprocating engine piston to pump the intake charge into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A system and method is described for an internal combustion engine system. The system comprises a compressor configured to produce compressed, heated gas for the internal combustion engine and a burner manifold. The burner manifold also receives fuel for mixing with the compressed, heated gas. A resultant combustion gas may be used to provide energy for driving the compressor. In some embodiments, combustion gas from the burner manifold may drive a turbine which in turn may drive the compressor. The internal combustion engine also receives compressed, heated gas from the compressor for combustion in a two cycle mode. The internal combustion engine may receive compressed gas via the burner manifold.

Abstract: A system and method is described for an internal combustion engine. The system comprises a compressor configured increase a pressure and temperature of a gas to produce a compressed gas and to maintain a continuous pressure and temperature of the compressed gas at more than four times ambient pressure and greater than a combustion temperature of a fuel and an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine includes a cylinder configured to receive the compressed gas from the compressor at the increased pressure and temperature, a piston disposed in the cylinder, and an intake valve disposed between the compressor and the cylinder, the intake valve configured to open based on a position of the piston for admitting the compressed gas into the cylinder. The system further includes a fuel source configured to provide the fuel to the cylinder.

Abstract: A split-cycle engine includes separate compression and expansion cylinders connected by a crossover passage. Crossover compression and expansion valves define a pressure chamber between them in the crossover passage for storing pressurized gas prior to timed delivery into the expansion cylinder. A fuel-air mixture is delivered into the expansion cylinder for ignition and expansion, developing power. One or more ignition sources, such as spark plugs, are positioned to encourage rapid combustion after ignition in the expansion cylinder but far enough from the crossover expansion valve(s) to prevent burning gases from reaching the crossover expansion valves before they are substantially closed to avoid entry of burning gas therein. A “safe distance” (“S”) between the ignition source and an opening of the crossover expansion valve is expressed by the function: S (mm)=combustion speed (mm/crank angle degree)×crank angle degrees from ignition to crossover expansion valve closing.

Abstract: Constant pressure internal combustion engine having compression and expansion chambers of variable volume, an elongated combustion chamber of substantially constant volume between the compression and expansion chambers, and a fuel inlet for introducing fuel into the combustion chamber where it mixes with compressed air from the compression chamber to form a mixture of fuel and air that burns as it travels through the combustion chamber. In some embodiments, the combustion chamber is folded back upon itself and has a rough, twisting interior side wall, with long, sharp protrusions extending inwardly therefrom and forming hot spots which help to provide complete combustion of the fuel mixture throughout the combustion chamber. These protrusions, together with flow turbulators within the chamber, promote complete mixing and, hence, combustion of the fuel and air in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A split-cycle air hybrid engine operatively connects an air reservoir to a split cycle engine. A power piston is received within a power cylinder and operatively connected to a crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single revolution of the crankshaft. A compression piston is received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke in a single rotation of the crankshaft. The compression cylinder is selectively controllable to place the compression piston in a compression mode or an idle mode. An air reservoir is operatively connected between the compression cylinder and the power cylinder and selectively operable to receive compressed air from the compression cylinder and to deliver compressed air to the power cylinder for use in transmitting power to the crankshaft during engine operation.

Abstract: A waste heat recovery system for a split-cycle engine includes a heat exchange unit. An air compressor device is in communication with the heat exchange unit. A waste heat input receives waste heat from the engine and is in fluid communication with the heat exchange unit. An ambient air intake connected to the air compressor device draws air into the air compressor device. A compressed air outlet member on the air compressor device in fluid communication with a compression cylinder of the split-cycle engine delivers compressed air from the air compressor device to the engine. Engine waste heat is communicated to the heat exchange unit and energy from the waste heat is used to drive the air compressor device, causing the air compressor device to draw in ambient air through the ambient air intake, compress the ambient air, and deliver compressed air to the engine through the compressed air outlet.

Abstract: A two-stroke engine to be cooled by air includes a cap and base forming a cylinder chamber, at least two cylinders having a wet liner, wherein said cylinders are housed in the cylinder chamber, wherein in said wet liner at least an admission port and at least an exhaust port and at least one vacuum valve and injector are found, a pair of found pistons within each cylinder, the pistons being adapted to move between a first position where the pistons are spaced and a second position where the pistons are proximate, at least one admission mean per cylinder connected to said cap, which admits gas to the cylinder interior by means of the admission port, at least one exhaust mean per cylinder connected to said base, which allows gas exhaust from the cylinder interior by means of the exhaust port. The admission port may be alternated in position with said exhaust port in each one of the cylinders and said admission means may be alternated in position with said exhaust means in each one of the cylinders.