Abstract: A spherical linear two stroke engine (SLE) is shown and described. SLE is an opposed piston two stroke (OP2S), free piston engine with controlled power shaft. SLE is scalable, light in weight, small in packaging volume, has few parts and high power density. The SLE is also efficient, environmentally friendly and has many different applications.

Abstract: An engine with an output shaft extending through the engine block and generally parallel to the piston, the engine includes a boost piston cylinder integral to the cylinder, and a boost piston for producing compressed air so as to supercharge the engine. The engine further includes an energy translation mechanism translating linear movement into rotary movement, an energy translation mechanism for reducing the side force that the piston exerts against the inner wall of the combustion chamber, an energy transforming member working in concert with an engine torque absorbing/motion control torque reaction device to eliminate the lemniscate motion from being translated to the piston and to absorb all engine torque to case ground through a rolling element bearing, and a port time control system having a shaft phaser to adjust the phase of the pistons or the position of the air control valve.

Abstract: An engine with an output shaft extending through the engine block and generally parallel to the piston, the engine includes a boost piston cylinder integral to the cylinder, and a boost piston for producing compressed air so as to supercharge the engine. The engine further includes an energy translation mechanism translating linear movement into rotary movement, an energy translation mechanism for reducing the side force that the piston exerts against the inner wall of the combustion chamber, an energy transforming member working in concert with an engine torque absorbing/motion control torque reaction device to eliminate the lemniscate motion from being translated to the piston and to absorb all engine torque to case ground through a rolling element bearing, and a port time control system having a shaft phaser to adjust the phase of the pistons or the position of the air control valve.

Abstract: An engine with an output shaft extending through the engine block and generally parallel to the piston, the engine includes a boost piston cylinder integral to the cylinder, and a boost piston for producing compressed air so as to supercharge the engine. The engine further includes an energy translation mechanism translating linear movement into rotary movement, an energy translation mechanism for reducing the side force that the piston exerts against the inner wall of the combustion chamber, an energy transforming member working in concert with an engine torque absorbing/motion control torque reaction device to eliminate the lemniscate motion from being translated to the piston and to absorb all engine torque to case ground through a rolling element bearing, and a port time control system having a shaft phaser to adjust the phase of the pistons or the position of the air control valve.

Abstract: An engine with an output shaft extending through the engine block and generally parallel to the piston, the engine includes a boost piston cylinder integral to the cylinder, and a boost piston for producing compressed air so as to supercharge the engine. The engine further includes an energy translation mechanism translating linear movement into rotary movement, an energy translation mechanism for reducing the side force that the piston exerts against the inner wall of the combustion chamber, an energy transforming member working in concert with an engine torque absorbing/motion control torque reaction device to eliminate the lemniscate motion from being translated to the piston and to absorb all engine torque to case ground through a rolling element bearing, and a port time control system having a shaft phaser to adjust the phase of the pistons or the position of the air control valve.

Abstract: A system for braking the wheels of a hydraulic hybrid vehicle includes a brake pedal having a range of pedal displacement including a deadband displacement range, an accumulator containing fluid at relatively high pressure, a reservoir containing fluid at lower pressure, a pump/motor having variable volumetric displacement connected to the accumulator and reservoir, and driveably connected to the wheels; a system responsive to brake pedal displacement in the deadband range for placing the pump/motor in a pump state wherein the pump/motor is driven by the wheels and pumps fluid from the reservoir to the accumulator; and a control valve for changing the volumetric displacement of the pump/motor in response to displacement of the brake pedal.

Abstract: A system according to this invention opposes creep in a hydraulic hybrid motor vehicle. An accumulator contains fluid at high pressure, and a reservoir contains fluid at lower pressure. An engine produces positive torque at the wheels during an engine idle condition, and a pump/motor, driveably connected to the wheels and the engine, has a variable volumetric displacement pumps fluid to the accumulator from the reservoir. A control system determines a magnitude of negative torque transmitted from the wheels to the pump/motor that would exceed the magnitude of positive torque, determines the volumetric displacement of the pump/motor corresponding to the magnitude of negative torque, changes the displacement of the pump/motor to the required displacement, and operates the pump/motor as a pump driven by negative torque from the wheels to pump fluid from the reservoir to the accumulator.

Abstract: A system for replenishing a source of pressurized fluid for use in driving the wheels of a motor vehicle includes an accumulator containing fluid at relatively high pressure; a reservoir containing fluid at lower pressure; an engine driveably connected to the wheels and having a variable torque output; a pump/motor driveably connected to the wheels, including an inlet and an outlet, and having a variable volumetric displacement for pumping fluid between the accumulator and the reservoir; and a controller for determining a current cruise charge pressure limit for the accumulator, determining a desired magnitude of pump/motor torque with which to pump fluid to the accumulator, determining a desired magnitude of engine torque with which to drive the pump/motor at the desired magnitude of pump/motor torque, and controlling the engine to produce the desired magnitude of engine torque, to drive the pump/motor in a pumping mode at the desired magnitude of pump/motor torque, and to pump fluid to the accumulator from

Abstract: A system for transmitting power hydraulically to and from the wheels of a motor vehicle includes an accumulator containing fluid at relatively high pressure, a reservoir containing fluid at lower pressure, and a pump/motor driveably connected to the wheels and having a variable volumetric displacement for pumping fluid between the accumulator and the reservoir. A first circuit connects the inlet to the reservoir and the outlet to the accumulator. A second circuit includes a first path having a low flow rate capacity, a second path having a higher flow rate capacity. A controller switches between pumping operation and motoring operation, opens and closes the first path during motoring operation, and reduces the displacement before switching between pumping operation and motoring operation.

Abstract: A powertrain for transmitting power in a vehicle includes a prime mover having a relatively slow transient response, and a storage device for storing energy in a predetermined form. A transmission includes an input driveably connected to the prime mover and an output driveably connected to vehicle drive wheels, producing a range of ratios of a speed of the output to a speed of the input that varies from negative to positive and includes zero. An energy conversion device, driveably connected to the prime mover and drive wheels, converts rotational power transmitted to the energy conversion device from the wheels and the prime mover to a form of energy that can be stored in the storage device, and drives the wheels using energy supplied to the energy conversion device from the storage device. A control device alternately transmits energy from the storage device to the energy conversion device, and transmits energy from the energy conversion device to the storage device.

Abstract: A method for starting a free piston, internal combustion engine includes supplying an air charge to a space in a combustion cylinder, and reciprocating the piston in the cylinder so that the maximum pressure of the air charge in the space cyclically increases. Air and fuel are cyclically admitting to the cylinder to produce an air-fuel mixture, and spark ignition is used to produce cyclic combustion of the air-fuel mixture. The air-fuel ratio of the mixture is increasing when a maximum pressure in the cylinder occurs within a predetermined period following a TDC position of the piston. Spark ignition is discontinued, and cyclic compression ignition (HCCI) of the air-fuel mixture occurs.

Abstract: A system for braking the wheels of a hydraulic hybrid vehicle includes a brake pedal having a range of pedal displacement including a deadband displacement range, an accumulator containing fluid at relatively high pressure, a reservoir containing fluid at lower pressure, a pump/motor having variable volumetric displacement connected to the accumulator and reservoir, and driveably connected to the wheels; a system responsive to brake pedal displacement in the deadband range for placing the pump/motor in a pump state wherein the pump/motor is driven by the wheels and pumps fluid from the reservoir to the accumulator; and a control valve for changing the volumetric displacement of the pump/motor in response to displacement of the brake pedal.

Abstract: A system according to this invention for transmitting power hydraulically to and from the wheels of a motor vehicle includes an accumulator containing fluid at relatively high pressure, a reservoir containing fluid at lower pressure, and a pump/motor driveably connected to the wheels and having an inlet, an outlet, and a variable volumetric displacement for pumping fluid between the accumulator and the reservoir. A first circuit connects the inlet to the reservoir and the outlet to the accumulator. A second circuit, which connects the inlet to the accumulator and the outlet to the reservoir, includes a first path having a low flow rate capacity, a second path having a higher flow rate capacity. A controller switches between pumping operation and motoring operation, opens and closes the first path during motoring operation, and reduces the displacement before switching between pumping operation and motoring operation.

Abstract: A system according to this invention opposes creep in a hydraulic hybrid motor vehicle. An accumulator contains fluid at high pressure, and a reservoir contains fluid at lower pressure. An engine produces positive torque at the wheels during an engine idle condition, and a pump/motor, driveably connected to the wheels and the engine, has a variable volumetric displacement pumps fluid to the accumulator from the reservoir. A control system determines a magnitude of negative torque transmitted from the wheels to the pump/motor that would exceed the magnitude of positive torque, determines the volumetric displacement of the pump/motor corresponding to the magnitude of negative torque, changes the displacement of the pump/motor to the required displacement, and operates the pump/motor as a pump driven by negative torque from the wheels to pump fluid from the reservoir to the accumulator.

Abstract: A system for replenishing a source of pressurized fluid for use in driving the wheels of a motor vehicle includes an accumulator containing fluid at relatively high pressure; a reservoir containing fluid at lower pressure; an engine driveably connected to the wheels and having a variable torque output; a pump/motor driveably connected to the wheels, including an inlet and an outlet, and having a variable volumetric displacement for pumping fluid between the accumulator and the reservoir; and a controller for determining a current cruise charge pressure limit for the accumulator, determining a desired magnitude of pump/motor torque with which to pump fluid to the accumulator, determining a desired magnitude of engine torque with which to drive the pump/motor at the desired magnitude of pump/motor torque, and controlling the engine to produce the desired magnitude of engine torque, to drive the pump/motor in a pumping mode at the desired magnitude of pump/motor torque, and to pump fluid to the accumulator from

Abstract: A method for starting a free piston internal combustion engine that includes a first pair of mutually connected pistons, a second pair of mutually connected pistons, a first piston of each pair located in a first cylinder, a second piston of each pair located in a second cylinder. An air charge is supplied to a closed space in the cylinders, and the pistons are reciprocated to increase pressure of an air charge cyclically during successive cycles and to produce a predetermined pressure magnitude. Air and fuel are cyclically admitted to the first cylinder to produce repetitively a fuel-air mixture in the first cylinder. Cyclic combustion of the mixture in the first cylinder is produced, but a delay in applying to the engine at least a portion of an external load occurs until cyclic combustion of an air-fuel the mixture in the second cylinder occurs.

Abstract: A method according to this invention for starting a free piston internal combustion engine having no crankshaft for controlling movement of the piston, includes providing a combustion cylinder, a piston moveable in the cylinder, and an inlet port opened and closed by the piston as the piston moves in the cylinder, through which inlet port air enters the cylinder. The piston is displaced linearly in the cylinder sufficiently to open the inlet port before admitting fuel to the cylinder to start the engine.

Abstract: A method for starting a free piston internal combustion engine that includes a first pair of mutually connected pistons, a second pair of mutually connected pistons, a first piston of each pair located in a first cylinder, a second piston of each pair located in a second cylinder. An air charge is supplied to a closed space in the cylinders, and the pistons are reciprocated to increase pressure of an air charge cyclically during successive cycles and to produce a predetermined pressure magnitude. Air and fuel are cyclically admitted to the first cylinder to produce repetitively a fuel-air mixture in the first cylinder. Cyclic combustion of the mixture in the first cylinder is produced, but a delay in applying to the engine at least a portion of an external load occurs until cyclic combustion of an air-fuel the mixture in the second cylinder occurs.

Abstract: A method for starting a free piston, internal combustion engine includes supplying an air charge to a space in a combustion cylinder, and reciprocating the piston in the cylinder so that the maximum pressure of the air charge in the space cyclically increases. Air and fuel are cyclically admitting to the cylinder to produce an air-fuel mixture, and spark ignition is used to produce cyclic combustion of the air-fuel mixture. The air-fuel ratio of the mixture is increasing when a maximum pressure in the cylinder occurs within a predetermined period following a TDC position of the piston. Spark ignition is discontinued, and cyclic compression ignition (HCCI) of the air-fuel mixture occurs.

Abstract: A free piston engine is configured with a pair of opposed engine cylinders located on opposite sides of a fluid pumping assembly. An inner piston assembly includes a pair of inner pistons, one each operatively located in a respective one of the engine cylinders, with a push rod connected between the inner pistons. The push rod extends through an inner pumping chamber in the fluid pumping assembly and forms a fluid plunger within this chamber. An outer piston assembly includes a pair of pistons, one each operatively located in a respective one of the engine cylinders, with at least one pull rod connected between the outer pistons. The pull rod extends through an outer pumping chamber in the fluid pumping assembly and forms a fluid plunger within this chamber. Each outer piston cooperates with an integrated scavenge pump in order to compress the charge air, thus significantly increasing the air charge density into the engine cylinders for each stroke of the engine.