Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100) for operating a valve of an internal combustion engine (10), said system comprising a primary fluid circuit (60) configured to define a fluid passageway for circulating a compressible fluid medium there through being operatively connectable to an actuator (92) of an actuated flow control valve (90, 95) of said internal combustion engine, thereby capable of delivering a valve opening force.

Abstract: A fuel injector has a seat and at least one seat passage. The seat includes an outer tip surface through which the seat passage extends. Fin structure is provided in the outer tip surface and is constructed and arranged to increase a surface area of the outer tip surface as compared to a surface area of the outer tip surface absent the fin structure. The outer tip surface, including the fin structure, is constructed and arranged to be heated by combustion gases so that the outer tip surface reaches a temperature greater than a temperature that the outer tip surface would reach absent the fin structure, so as to cause evaporation of fuel that contacts the outer tip surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating steam, the apparatus including a source of liquid water, an injector in flow communication with the source of water for injecting liquid water from the source of water at a pressure of at least about 10,000 psia, and an impact chamber having a contact surface onto which the injected water is contacted. upon impact of the injected water with the contact surface of the impact chamber, the injected water undergoes a virtually instantaneous phase transition from the liquid state to a gaseous state following the contact of the water with the contact surface, thereby generating steam.

Abstract: A full steam-driven internal combustion engine includes a mechanical power system, a combustion system and an air supply system. The mechanical power system includes a turbine and a turbine shaft. The combustion system includes a left main cylinder and a left auxiliary cylinder, and a right main cylinder and a right auxiliary cylinder which are arranged at the left or the right side of the turbine shaft respectively. The air supply system includes a high pressure air bottle connected by a high pressure air pipe and an air compressor. A left high pressure air valve and a right high pressure air valve are arranged on the both sides of the high pressure air bottle respectively and these high pressure air valves are communicated with the left or the right main cylinder by the high pressure air pipe and intake valves respectively.

Abstract: An aircraft having a user region therein within which pressurized air at selected pressures can be maintained using an environmental control system provided in the aircraft, and a utility region outside a utility boundary wall of the user region within which selected equipment for the aircraft is located. An internal combustion engine, provided as an intermittent combustion engine, is provided in the utility region having an air intake coupled to combustion chambers therein and a rotatable output shaft also coupled to those combustion chambers for generating force with an air transfer duct extends between the user region and the air intake so as to be capable of conveying pressurized air to that air intake.

Abstract: A high order of thermal efficiency is achieved in a steam engine or steam expander having a piston clearance that approximates zero together with a negligible amount of compression, such that pressure in the clearance volume approximates ambient pressure, i.e. atmospheric or condenser pressure as the case may be at the end of the piston return stroke when the clearance is essentially zero and constitutes a new engine apparatus and Rankine operating cycle that can be referred to as “zero clearance with zero compression”. The steam admission valve assembly can be operated either automatically responsive to piston contact or by means of a cam shaft or electrically by means of a solenoid. A normally open exhaust valve permits residual steam to be exhausted through the piston return stroke, closed by the piston or cam then held closed by a fresh charge of steam.

Abstract: An 8-stroke internal combustion engine which generates power in a highly efficient manner by injecting water such that the combustion gas is re-circulated, retaken into a cylinder block and recompressed immediately after 4-strokes resulting from the burning of fuel such that 4-strokes resulting from the combustion of fuel and 4-strokes resulting from the evaporation and volume expansion of injected water are alternately repeated.

Abstract: A piston engine (1) that can be driven using a steam power process and is used in particular for utilizing the waste heat from an internal combustion engine comprises a cylinder bore (5), a cylinder piston (6) which is arranged in the cylinder bore (5) and delimits an operating space (8) in the cylinder bore (5), a rod (21) which is connected to the cylinder piston (6), and a bearing point (37) on which the rod (21) and the cylinder piston (6) connected to the rod (21) are mounted. A peripheral gap (28) is predefined between the cylinder piston (6) and the cylinder bore (5), thus preventing frictional wear between the cylinder piston (6) and the cylinder bore (5), which is particularly advantageous when a water-based working fluid is conducted through the operating space (8) since steam has no lubricity.

Abstract: A piston engine (1) that can be driven using a steam power process and is used in particular for utilizing waste heat from an internal combustion engine comprises at least one cylinder bore (4), a cylinder piston (5) which is arranged in the cylinder bore (4), and a rod (20) which is connected to the cylinder piston (5). The rod (20) is guided out of the cylinder bore (4). The cylinder piston (5) delimits a first operating space (9) and a second operating space (10) in the cylinder bore (4). A crankshaft (22) is disposed in a crankshaft space (21). The rod (20) is connected to a slider crank mechanism (23) which is disposed in the crankshaft space (21), the rod (20) being effectively connected to the crankshaft (22) via the slider crank mechanism (23), thus making it possible to obtain a large expansion volume while keeping the design of the piston engine (1) compact.

Abstract: A piston and a reciprocating expansion engine with a piston having a piston head, a piston neck, and a piston shaft are described. The piston head has at least one groove which runs in a circumferential direction suitable for receiving a piston ring, and the piston shaft has a pin boss and, at its outer circumference, a guide surface which is suitable for guiding the piston along a cylinder inner wall. An outer diameter of the piston neck is smaller than an outer diameter of the piston head and/or of the piston shaft, and the length of the piston neck approximately corresponds to the travel of the piston in the installed state.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for storing energy and generating power and/or heat within a subsea environment. The systems and methods utilize stored compressed air within an air storage chamber to drive an engine/generator system in order to generate power. The engine may or may not utilize combustion. Alternatively, the systems and methods utilize stored compressed air to supply air to a combustor to generate heat. The heat generated can be used for variety of purposes, including to generate steam and to heat heavy oil.

Abstract: The invention is characterized in that the expander is integrated into the secondary side of the transmission by means of one or more of the following features: the expander has a housing which substantially completely surrounds the expander; the expander is equipped with a drive shaft which projects out of the housing and has a coupling element that is fixed to the drive shaft and that produces a drive connection.

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 full steam-driven internal combustion engine includes a mechanical power system, a combustion system and an air supply system. The mechanical power system includes a turbine and a turbine shaft. The combustion system includes a left main cylinder and a left auxiliary cylinder, and a right main cylinder and a right auxiliary cylinder which are arranged at the left or the right side of the turbine shaft respectively. The air supply system includes a high pressure air bottle connected by a high pressure air pipe and an air compressor. A left high pressure air valve and a right high pressure air valve are arranged on the both sides of the high pressure air bottle respectively and these high pressure air valves are communicated with the left or the right main cylinder by the high pressure air pipe and intake valves respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid drive system comprising an internal combustion engine (11) which is operated using fuel (21) from a fuel tank (20), and comprising a hydraulic machine (12) which interacts with a hydraulic energy store (38). In order to provide a hybrid drive system which requires less installation space than conventional hybrid drive systems, the hydraulic machine (12) is operated with the same fuel (21) with which the internal combustion engine (11) is also operated.

Abstract: A method and a system for operating an eight-stroke internal combustion engine having higher thermal efficiency than a four-stroke engine is disclosed. The strokes comprise intake (FIG. 1), compression (FIG. 2), combustion for a first power stroke (FIG. 3), exhaust (FIG. 4), vapor or water injection for a second power stroke (FIG. 5), exhaust (FIG. 6), vapor injection for a third power stroke (FIG. 7), and exhaust (FIG. 8). Heat from each exhaust is recovered and recycled to a subsequent stroke. Consequently, an engine with much higher thermal efficiency and thus lower fuel consumption is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention is a High Efficient Integrated Heat Engine, or HEIHE for short. HEIHE is a reciprocal combustion engine integrated with both compound cycle and combined cycle. HEIHE comprises twin compound cylinder structure, with the first cylinder being the primary combustion and/or expansion cylinder; the second cylinder being the secondary combustion and/or expansion cylinder. Power strokes driven by expansions of different working fluids such as air-fuel combustion products, steam and compressed air, are integrated into one engine block. Twin cylinder structure provides compound expansions of three (3) different fluids as to recover the energies that would be lost with the exhaust fluids or during braking. All of these make HEIHE work around six (6) periods with twelve (12) operation strokes. Among six (6) working periods involved, four (4) periods contain four (4) different power strokes but only one of the power strokes consumes the fuel.

Abstract: A six-stroke engine cycle having improved efficiency. Heat is recovered from the engine combustion gases by using a 6-stroke engine cycle in which combustion gases are partially vented proximate the bottom-dead-center position of the fourth stroke cycle, and water is injected proximate the top-dead-center position of the fourth stroke cycle.

Abstract: A magnetic air car uses a magnetic motor to compress input air and save moderately compressed high-pressure air in storage tanks. The compressor and storage tanks deliver the high-pressure working air and operational flows to several stages of compressors that boost the pressures during driving to very high-pressure, then ultra high-pressure, then super high-pressure, and finally to extremely high-pressure. A pneumatic torque converter uses jets of the extremely high-pressure to turn an input shaft of a transmission and differential. These, in turn, drive the powered wheels of a car. The compressors float a connecting shaft with matching vanes and impellers on opposite ends on air bearings to reduce shaft turning friction to near zero. The balance of forces between the two ends of a coupled turbo pair allow a simple air bearing design to operate safely and reliably at high rotational speeds.

Abstract: The invention is characterised in that the expander is integrated into the secondary side of the transmission by means of one or more of the following features: the expander has a housing which substantially completely surrounds the expander; the expander is equipped with a drive shaft which projects out of the housing and has a coupling element that is fixed to the drive shaft and that produces a drive connection.

Abstract: A high efficiency combined cycle internal combustion and steam engine includes a cylinder having a piston mounted for reciprocation therein with an internal combustion chamber outward of the piston, a fixed cylinder cap sealingly and slidably mounted within the piston and a steam expansion and recompression chamber inside the piston adjacent the cylinder cap. The cylinder cap can be unheated or heated externally to reduce condensation of steam entering the steam chamber from a steam generator fired by waste combustion heat. After a steam exhaust valve closes at the top center position, residual steam is recompressed during an inward stroke of the piston up to admission pressure prior to admitting the next charge of steam. A wrist pin that is connected to an inner part of the skirt of the piston and located inwardly of the cylinder cap is coupled to a connecting rod that is secured at its inner end to a crankshaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tractor trailer power system for powering a hydraulic liftgate and other components in the trailer so the tractor engine does not have to run to maintain the battery charge of the trailer batteries.

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 drive train for a motor vehicle includes: a vehicle drive engine for driving the motor vehicle via a vehicle drive shaft driven by a vehicle drive engine; and a compressor which can be driven optionally or permanently for compressing air for a compressed-air system of the motor vehicle. The compressor is associated with at least one drive unit in the form of a steam-driven expansion machine by which the compressor can be driven.

Abstract: A propulsion drive system is provided for a utility vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a hydraulic pump connected, so as to be driven by the internal combustion engine wherein the fluid displacement of the hydraulic pump can be varied by a first actuator. A hydraulic motor is connected by a line conducting hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump wherein the fluid displacement of the hydraulic motor can be varied by a second actuator and is connected so as to drive at least one propulsion device in engagement with the ground. A control arrangement is connected with a speed input arrangement. The control arrangement is operated so as to control the first actuator and the second actuator in such a way that the overall efficiency of the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor is at a maximum.

Abstract: A split-cycle aircraft engine includes a crankshaft rotatable about a crankshaft axis. A power piston is slidably received within a power cylinder and is operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A compression piston is slidably received within a compression cylinder and is 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 crossover passage operatively interconnects the compression cylinder and the power cylinder. An air reservoir is operatively connected to the gas crossover passage by a reservoir passage. The air reservoir is selectively operable to receive and deliver compressed air. The engine is mounted to an aircraft and the air reservoir is disposed within the aircraft.

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 novel piston design for use in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The piston comprises a piston body adapted for reciprocating movement within the cylinder, and a connected vaporizing ring having top and a bottom surfaces. The piston body and vaporizing ring, together with the inner sidewall of the cylinder, define a vapor chamber. The vaporizing ring has a plurality of generally cylindrically-shaped passages providing fuel/air communication paths from the top surface through the vaporizing ring into the vapor chamber. These passages are evenly-distributed throughout said vaporizing ring.

Abstract: A cylinder liner for an internal combustion diesel engine and corresponding method of construction and method of improving engine performance therewith has a cylindrical inner wall providing a bore extending along a central axis for reciprocation of a piston therein. The inner wall has an axial lower portion and an axial upper portion. The lower portion has a first diameter below a top-dead-center plane and the upper portion has a second diameter provided by a material formed as one piece with the inner wall, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine and method is disclosed wherein separate compression and power cylinders are used and a regenerator or pair of regenerators is mounted between them to provide heat for hot-air ignition. The single regenerator embodiment operates as a two-stroke cycle engine and the embodiment with an alternating pair of regenerators operates as a four-stroke cycle engine. The engine varies the amount of air entering the power cylinder to control the engine output during naturally aspirated operation using valve timing and/or volume control of dead space and can optionally include supercharging to control the engine at higher output levels.

Abstract: The Energy Storing Engine is the mechanization of a hot air engine cycle. Constant temperature compression is achieved by using a multi-stage-intercooled compressor. Energy is stored in a compressed air tank. Heat is added at constant pressure by an exhaust gas to compressed air heat exchanger. Heat is added at constant volume by injecting fuel and starting burning immediately above the power piston while the power piston is at the top of its stroke. Adiabatic expansion takes place and produces power output. Energy from storage produces power output. Adiabatic expansion again takes place, and this time produces power output all the way to complete expansion. The displacement of the resulting engine can be varied while the engine is running.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing mechanical energy. Said device contains an internal combustion engine and an expansion engine (20, 21) which is fed with superheated steam from a steam generator. Exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine are injected into the steam generator (24) to use the waste heat thereof. In order to eliminate pollutants and non-burned fuel in the exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine in a simple and effective manner, the steam generator (24) is heated by a non-catalytic burner (16) at a burner temperature of between 1100° and 1300° C. The exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine can be combined with the combustion gases in the burner (16). The after-burning of non-burned fuel and the combustion of pollutants is thus carried out in a burner (16) in a non-catalytic manner.

Abstract: According to a prepared program and the signal from a crank angle sensor, a computer switches two operation modes A and B in which an electric motor operates, and the computer creates a pair or pairs of different operation mode phases during the period from an ignition time to the next ignition time. As a result, the sum of the second period BB of the generating phase B and the first period AA of the succeeding driving phase A is long as compared with a conventional engine. If an initial period in an intake stroke or an exhaust stroke is set within the long period sum, it is possible to reduce intake loss or exhaust loss.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine and method is disclosed wherein separate compression and power cylinders are used and a regenerator or pair of regenerators is mounted between them to provide heat for hot-air ignition. The single regenerator embodiment operates as a two-stroke cycle engine and the embodiment with an alternating pair of regenerators operates as a four-stroke cycle engine. Valving is provided for uniflow design and the system allows variable fuel ratios. The engine uses supercharging to control the engine.

Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine, and an internal combustion engine, having at least one cylinder (1), a reciprocating piston (16) arranged in the cylinder (1), a combustion chamber (15) delimited by the cylinder (1) and the piston (16), and inlet and outlet valves (2, 3) that are controlled by a computer-based control system (5). The combustion engine includes elements (10) for injecting water or water steam into the combustion chamber (15), and the control system (5) is arranged to control the inlet and outlet valves (2, 3) and the elements (10) for injection of water or water steam such that power strokes that are mainly based on expanding combustion gases are alternated with power strokes that are mainly based on expanding water steam.

Abstract: A motor vehicle kinetic energy recovery system uses one or more cylinders of an internal combustion engine as the first or primary stage in a multi-stage high pressure air compression system, a compressed air storage system, compressed air operated drive train boosters and vehicle management electronics to provide cooperation between the air compression, storage and booster systems. The multi-stage, high pressure air compressor system is operable through engine compression braking allowing kinetic energy of a vehicle to be recaptured during retardation of vehicle speed.

Abstract: Providing a control apparatus for a variable-cylinder engine or a vehicle control apparatus, which permits a further improvement in the fuel economy of the vehicle. Decompression-state setting means 102 is arranged to place appropriate ones of non-operating cylinders of the variable-cylinder engine 10 in the decompression state, on the basis of regenerative braking state of vehicle detected by regenerative-braking-state detecting means 100, so that only a required minimum number of the non-operating cylinders of the variable-cylinder engine 10 is/are placed in the decompression state, depending upon the detected regenerative braking state of the vehicle, making it possible to not only improve fuel economy of the vehicle but also assure sufficient engine braking of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manipulating acoustic energy are presented. In some embodiments, a combustion zone provides heat to a regenerator using a mean flow of compressible fluid. In other embodiments, a thermoacoustic driver is concentrically disposed within a shell to permit radial heat transfer from the thermoacoustic driver to compressible fluid within the shell, thereby preheating the compressible fluid within the shell. In other embodiments, burning of a combustible mixture within the combustion zone is pulsed in phase with the acoustic pressure oscillations to increase acoustic power output.

Abstract: A one cycle internal combustion engine (10) configured for powering a vehicle (V) is disclosed. The engine (10) broadly includes an engine block (12) defining three cylinders (14, 16, and 18), three double-acting pistons (20,22, and 24) slidably received in the corresponding cylinders (14,16,18), respectively, a fuel delivery system (26) for delivering fuel to the cylinders (14,16,18) to drive the pistons (20,22,24), a steam delivery system (28) for delivering steam to the cylinders (14,16,18) to additionally drive the pistons (20,22,24), a crankshaft (30) rotatably supported by the block (12) and drivingly rotated by the pistons (20,22,24), and a temperature regulation assembly (32) for regulating the temperature within the engine (10). The double-acting pistons (20,22,24) are powered on every stroke. The fuel delivery system (26) delivers diesel fuel to the cylinders (14,16,18) for combustion therein to drive the pistons (20,22,24).

Abstract: A one cycle internal combustion engine (10) configured for powering a vehicle (V) is disclosed. The engine (10) broadly includes an engine block (12) defining three cylinders (14,16, and 18), three double-acting pistons (20,22, and 24) slidably received in the corresponding cylinders (14,16,18), respectively, a fuel delivery system (26) for delivering fuel to the cylinders (14,16,18) to drive the pistons (20,22,24), a steam delivery system (28) for delivering steam to the cylinders (14,16,18) to additionally drive the pistons (20,22,24), a crankshaft (30) rotatably supported by the block (12) and drivingly rotated by the pistons (20,22,24), and a temperature regulation assembly (32) for regulating the temperature within the engine (10). The double-acting pistons (20,22,24) are powered on every stroke. The fuel delivery system (26) delivers diesel fuel to the cylinders (14,16,18) for combustion therein to drive the pistons (20,22,24).

Abstract: An internal combustion engine and method is disclosed wherein a separate compression cylinder and an adiabatic power cylinder are used and a regenerator or pair of regenerators is mounted between them to provide heat for hot-air ignition. The single regenerator embodiment operates as a two-stroke cycle engine and the embodiment with an alternating pair of regenerators operates as a four-stroke cycle engine. Improvements include a power transfer valve with an anti-backflow design using a recessed valve seat, a rapid leakdown lifter, and ceramic coatings to minimize blow-by, seal the power cylinder during the combustion process, and protect the valve. Additionally, the power cylinder piston, power cylinder head and power transfer valve are all either made from ceramics or have ceramic coatings to insulate the gases and prevent loss of heat from the gases to the cooling system. The lower pressures allows the soft spray of fuel without forming soot.

Abstract: A hybrid engine, having a plurality of coupled expansible chamber devices, preferably a piston in a cylinder, each capable of operating in any one of an internal combustion mode, an air pump/compressor mode and an air motor mode. The modes are controlled by a microcontroller which controls the valves, ignition source and fuel source. The mode for each expansible chamber device is computed and independently selected by the microcontroller and the combination of modes at any instant is switched to optimize engine operation for the operating conditions at that instant.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine and method is disclosed wherein a separate compression cylinder and an adiabatic power cylinder are used and a regenerator or pair of regenerators is mounted between them to provide heat for hot-air ignition. The single regenerator embodiment operates as a two-stroke cycle engine and the embodiment with an alternating pair of regenerators operates as a four-stroke cycle engine. Improvements include a power transfer valve with an anti-backflow design using a recessed valve seat, a rapid leakdown lifter, and ceramic coatings to minimize blow-by, seal the power cylinder during the combustion process, and protect the valve. Additionally, the power cylinder piston, power cylinder head and power transfer valve are all either made from ceramics or have ceramic coatings to insulate the gases and prevent loss of heat from the gases to the cooling system. The lower pressures allows the soft spray of fuel without forming soot.

Abstract: A method and device for reaccelerating a vehicle equipped with a compressor supplying high-pressure compressed air for cleansed or cleansing engine is provided, in which, during decelerating and/or braking phases, the on-board compressor being operated, the high pressure compressed air flow is derived and stored in a reaccelerating reservoir, thermally insulated and maintained at very high pressure and very high temperature, to be used when the vehicle is put back in driving phase by being injected at high temperature and at high pressure in the combustion chamber of the engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine and method is disclosed wherein separate compression and power cylinders are used and a regenerator or pair of regenerators is mounted between them to provide heat for hot-air ignition. The single regenerator embodiment operates as a two-stroke cycle engine and the embodiment with an alternating pair of regenerators operates as a four-stroke cycle engine. Valving is provided for uniflow design and the system allows variable fuel ratios. The resulting engine achieves brake efficiency and thermal efficiency greater than 50%.

Abstract: A six-stroke cycle engine burns an air-fuel charge for a first power stroke, the exhaust gases being directed to a heat regenerator located in a vapor heating chamber. A second power stroke is produced by injecting fluid directly into the heat regenerator, for generating a second power stroke with the expanded vapor, using the same engine reciprocating mechanism.

Abstract: A pollution control method and related devices for cyclical internal combustion engines having a separate combustion chamber (1), wherein the compression chamber, the combustion chamber (1) and the expansion chamber (16) consist of three separate and entirely self-contained portions. During low-power operation, e.g. in urban traffic, the fuel injector (6) is no longer controlled during filling of the combustion chamber, whereby the combustion chamber is filled with high-temperature pure compressed air at each cycle. A small amount of additional air from an outer tank (23) for storing highly pressurized air at room temperature is fed into the combustion chamber substantially after the intake of compressed air from the engine compressor, and heated as it contacts the hot compressed air already present in the combustion chamber (1), whereafter it expands and increases the starting pressure to enable effective work to be produced during expansion.

Abstract: An engine assembly that includes an internal combustion engine and a steam engine both designed to operate at speeds of optimal efficiency at normal engine driving conditions. A heat exchanger recovers heat losses from the internal combustion engine's exhaust gases and coolant to produce steam to operate the steam engine. Excess steam produced by the heat exchanger but not directly used by the steam engine is supplied to a steam buffer which stores the excess steam and energy and delivers steam to drive the steam engine during short periods of high load as required. The engine assembly is particularly advantageous in applications for propulsion of heavy vehicles such as trucks, freight trains or ships.

Abstract: The invention concerns a piston internal-combustion engine with separate compression (K) and expansion (E) chambers and a compressed-gas transfer device (7) which feeds compressed gas from the compression chambers to the expansion chambers at the beginning of ignition. A control unit (7) is provided which, depending on the mode of operation, feeds the compressed gas either to the expansion chambers or to a pressure accumulator (10) from which the expansion chambers can also be operated in a pure compressed-air mode.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine of the gasoline-burning variety has an essentially constant maximum displacement or volume. This requires compromises in design to achieve acceptable power output at full throttle and reasonable thermal efficiency at cruising power. It would be desirable to have an engine with differing displacements for those operating conditions. However, the mechanical constraints of a conventional engine do not easily permit of that possibility. It is also desirable to separate the process of generating expandable fluid for an engine and the expansion of such fluid. This permits each of the two processes to be more closely optimized. Compression of fluid can be more nearly isothermal, and expansion which approaches truly isentropic expansion may be provided. It would also be desirable to capture waste heat from the combustion products within the expandable fluid for enhancing thermal efficiency of an engine.