Abstract: Internal combustion engines have been developed having regeneration mechanisms for increasing efficiency and reducing emissions. Previous regeneration mechanisms have been complicated and costly. The present invention provides a simple regeneration member which is attached within a piston assembly. Thus the apparatus for attaching the regeneration member within the internal combustion engine greatly reduces the cost of the engine.

Abstract: A hydraulic transformer for controlling hydraulic fluid pressure and flow to a hydraulic device includes first and second variable flow rate gear pumps supplied with high-pressure hydraulic fluid and low-pressure hydraulic fluid such that the delivery pressure and flow can be controlled, as needed. First gears of the first and second gear pumps are disposed on a common first shaft, and second gears of the first and second gear pumps are disposed on a common second shaft. Relative axial movement between the first and second shafts causes increased or decreased engagement length between the first and second gears of both the first gear pump and the second gear pump.

Abstract: A variable displacement hydraulic gear pump has a housing having fluid inlet and fluid outlet ports; and first and second gears rotatable in the housing. The first gear and the second gear are positioned in gear tooth engagement for at least a portion of the axial length of each. At least one of the first gear and the second gear is axially moveable, to vary the axial length of gear tooth engagement.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system for use with an internal combustion engine comprising a heat exchanger, a first turbocharger, and a generator. The first turbocharger provides compressed fresh air to an intake manifold. The heat exchanger cools the exhaust gas for recirculation into the intake manifold. The generator provides turbocharger control by imparting stored energy back into the turbocharger. Turbocharger control allows the exhaust gas recirculation system to operate more efficiently and over a wide range of operating conditions.

Abstract: Most internal combustion engines may be optimized for either power or efficiency. A dual mode internal combustion engine may operate in either a power mode or an efficient mode. The dual mode internal combustion engine has two four-cycle combustion chambers and a two-cycle compression/expansion chamber. The valve system is set up to introduce a fluid charge into the compression/expansion cylinder during the power mode. The fluid charge is compressed in the compression/expansion chamber and one of the combustion chambers. During the efficiency mode, the fluid charge is expanded first in one of the combustion chambers and further expanded in the compression/expansion chamber.

Abstract: Method for operating a free-piston engine to produce relatively low amounts of undesirable NOx by initiating injection of the atomized fuel mixture into the combustion chamber after closure of exhaust apertures by the combustion chamber piston during the compression stroke thereof to attain a homogeneous fuel-air mixture and relatively lower and more uniform local combustion flame temperature in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Hydraulic apparatus including hydraulic supply means and an accumulator with an accumulator piston and a means for sensing the accumulator piston position to indicate a load requirement to a control means to selectively actuate the hydraulic supply means to satisfy the hydraulic load requirement and to provide a relatively pressure pulse-free operation by actuating the hydraulic supply means in response to the position and motion of the accumulator piston.

Abstract: A method for operating a reciprocating piston-type internal combustion engine selectively in two-stroke, four-stroke, and six-stroke mode includes: providing transfer valves, transfer passage means between piston cylinders, selectively controlling the actuation and timing of the intake, exhaust and transfer valves, and alternatively operating the intake and exhaust valves for each piston cylinder in overlapping sequence during each crankshaft revolution to provide two-stroke operation, operating the intake and exhaust valves in sequence during each second crankshaft revolution to provide four-stroke operation, operating the intake, exhaust, and transfer valves sequentially to cause a secondary expansion stroke in an adjacent piston cylinder to provide six-stroke operation of the engine.

Abstract: An improved valving configuration for dual compression/expansion engines having multiple, relatively small diameter intake transfer valve assemblies disposed about a fuel injection apparatus in the internal housing, a relatively large diameter exhaust transfer valve assembly including a valve, spring apparatus, valve seat and cage for assembly into the internal housing, and a method of assembling the transfer valves to the internal housing including assembling the intake transfer valves to the internal housing through the exhaust transfer valve assembly aperture in the internal housing prior to securing the exhaust transfer valve assembly to the internal housing.

Abstract: An improved dual compression and dual expansion internal combustion engine defined by an external housing with a first piston sleeve and a second piston sleeve, a reciprocating internal housing disposed within the external housing, the internal housing having a conical first piston member operatively disposed in the first piston sleeve to define a first compression chamber and a conical second piston member operably disposed in the second piston sleeve to define a second expansion chamber, and the internal housing further defining an operating chamber assembly with two reciprocating, opposed pistons disposed in a rotationally oscillating cylinder sleeve valve therein to form a combustion chamber, the cylinder sleeve valve providing selective flow connection from the first compression chamber to the combustion chamber and to the second expansion chamber from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method control the passage of gases into and from a combustion cylinder of an engine. Each combustion cylinder of the engine is associated with a respective induction-compression and an exhaust-expansion cylinder and the compressed gases of these cylinders are controllably passed at preselected intervals from one cylinder to the next.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for a dual compression and dual expansion internal combustion engine (8) that is compact, efficient, and has low combustion noise and emissions. The subject engine (8) includes a low pressure piston assembly (56) reciprocally disposed in an operating chamber (22) defined in a housing (10). A pair of opposed high pressure piston assemblies (58) and (60) are directly mounted on a pair of geared together, counter rotating, crankshafts (52) and (54) and reciprocally disposed in bores (178) and (186) of the low pressure piston assembly (56). The disposition of the second and third piston assemblies (58) and (60) within their respective bores (178) and (186) defines a combustion chamber (254). An intake chamber (144) for compression of inducted air and an an exhaust chamber (146) for expansion of exhaust gas are defined in the operating chamber (22) between the low pressure piston assembly (56) and the housing (10).

Abstract: A thermal regenerator used on an internal combustion engine normally absorbs heat from expanded hot combustion gases when moved in one direction and transfers the absorbed heat to the compressed intake air when moved through the air in an opposite direction. In order to improve efficiency of the thermal regenerator, finely dispersed cooling liquid is added into the intake air to cool the intake air to a lower temperature before the thermal regenerator transfers the absorbed heat. When compressing a mixture of finely dispersed cooling liquid in the intake air, the vaporization of the cooling liquid reduces compression work and the resultant temperature. The reduced compression temperature allows more heat to be extracted from the exhaust, raises the effectiveness of the regenerator and the efficiency of the engine.

Abstract: A fluid system of an engine which has an outwardly opening engine valve controls fluid delivery and removal from first and second cylinders for controlling the position of the engine valve and injection of fuel responsive to the position of the engine piston.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector housing having an inlet and a plurality of discharge orifices. The inlet permits fuel to flow into the injector housing, and the plurality of discharge orifices permit fuel to flow out of the injector housing and into the combustion cylinder. A first variable restriction in the injector housing variably controls the flow of fuel to the plurality of discharge orifices. A second variable restriction in the injector housing variably controls the flow of fuel to the first variable restriction. The first and second variable restrictions independently control momentum and flow rate of the fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for a dual compression and dual expansion internal combustion engine (8) that is compact, efficient, and has low combustion noise and emissions. The subject engine (8) includes a low pressure piston assembly (56) reciprocally disposed in an operating chamber (22) defined in a housing (10). A pair of opposed high pressure piston assemblies (58) and (60) are directly mounted on a pair of geared together, counter rotating, crankshafts (52) and (54) and reciprocally disposed in bores (178) and (186) of the low pressure piston assembly (56). The disposition of the second and third piston assemblies (58) and (60) within their respective bores (178) and (186) defines a combustion chamber (254). An intake chamber (144) for compression of inducted air and an exhaust chamber (146) for expansion of exhaust gas are defined in the operating chamber (22) between the low pressure piston assembly (56) and the housing (10).

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for a dual compression and dual expansion internal combustion engine (8) that is compact, efficient, and has low combustion noise and emissions. The subject engine (8) includes a low pressure piston assembly (56) reciprocally disposed in an operating chamber (22) defined in a housing (10). A pair of opposed high pressure piston assemblies (58) and (60) are directly mounted on a pair of geared together, counter rotating, crankshafts (52) and (54) and reciprocally disposed in bores (178) and (186) of the low pressure piston assembly (56). The disposition of the second and third piston assemblies (58) and (60) within their respective bores (178) and (186) defines a combustion chamber (254). An intake chamber (144) for compression of inducted air and an exhaust chamber (146) for expansion of exhaust gas are defined in the operating chamber (22) between the low pressure piston assembly (56) and the housing (10).

Abstract: Conventional cooling arrangements for the piston assemblies mounted within an engine block include the use of coolant that is circulated through the engine block. Generally, a plurality of cavities or water jackets are positioned in areas of high heat production within the engine block and the coolant is circulated between them and a radiator dissipate the heat created through engine operation. This method of cooling however requires the engine block to be stationary with respect to the pistons that reciprocated within to facilitate the circulation of the coolant within the block. The present invention provides a cooling arrangement for a first piston member that reciprocates within an engine block and in turn mounts at least one second piston member therewithin. The first piston member includes a sealed cavity that is positioned about a bore in which the second piston member is mounted for reciprocation.

Abstract: A bistable pneumatic valve assembly has a valve containing a flange and is adapted to be associated with a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. A control outlet opening of the valve assembly housing is opened for responsively causing the valve to both open and close for controlled passing of fluid from the valve assembly.

Abstract: During low speed operation of a turbocharged engine the transient response time of the engine from low speed and low loads to high speed and high loads is slow because of the slow response time to raise the boost pressure level from the turbocharger. The present invention provides an apparatus to improve the transient response time of the engine by causing at least a selected subset of the combustion chambers to be operated in a two-stroke pumping mode of operation while maintaining the others in a four-stroke mode, thus, increasing the airflow through the turbine of the turbocharger during low speed and/or low loads operation of the engine maintaining a high boost pressure level.