Abstract: A method and a system for converting kinetic energy of a vehicle and part of energy supplied by its engine into energy of compressed air and using it to assist in vehicle propulsion later. A novel system of valves employing variable valve timing and valve deactivation is used to implement and control a two-way flow of compressed air between the engine and an air-reservoir where air-temperature control is maintained. During operation with compressed-air assist the engine operates both as an air-motor and as an internal combustion engine during each cycle in each cylinder. The engine can selectively and interchangeably operate either as a four-stroke or as a two-stroke internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method and a system for converting kinetic energy of a vehicle and part of energy supplied by its engine into energy of compressed air and using it to assist in vehicle propulsion later. A novel system of valves employing variable valve timing and valve deactivation is used to implement and control a two-way flow of compressed air between the engine and an air-reservoir where air-temperature control is maintained. During operation with compressed-air assist the engine operates both as an air-motor and as an internal combustion engine during each cycle in each cylinder. The engine can selectively and interchangeably operate either as a four-stroke or as a two-stroke internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A electrohydraulic engine valve control system in a multi-valve engine wherein multiple intake (or exhaust) valves (10) in each cylinder are hydraulically controlled by a set of hydraulic valves (64, 68). Each engine valve (10) includes a valve piston (26) subjected to fluid pressure acting on surfaces at both ends with the volume (27) at one end connected to a source of high pressure fluid (40) while a volume (25) at the other end is selectively connected to a source of high pressure fluid (40) and a source of low pressure fluid (42), and disconnected from each through action of the hydraulic valves (64, 68). Each group of corresponding engine valves (10) is linked hydraulically together and can be moved in unison. Balancing springs (80) operatively engaging each valve piston (26), to account for manufacturing tolerances and other factors, by balancing the motion of the engine valves (10) while opening and closing.

Abstract: An engine valve assembly (10) within an electrohydraulic camless valvetrain cooperates with a hydraulic system (8) having a low pressure branch (70) and a high pressure branch (68) to selectively open and close engine valve (12). Engine valve (12) is affixed to a valve piston (16) within a piston chamber (18). A volume (42) below piston (16) is connected to high pressure branch (68) and a volume (20) above piston (16) is selectively connected to the high pressure branch (68) or the low pressure branch (70) via a rotary valve (34), to effect engine valve opening and closing. A motor (60) effects the rotation of the rotary valve (34). The rotary valve (34) includes an internal hollow (92) operatively and selectively connected to windows (86 and 90) in a valve sleeve (66) to allow high pressure and low pressure fluid flow through the valve (34).

Abstract: A variable compression height piston for reciprocating internal combustion engine includes a lower piston coupled to a connecting rod and an upper piston slidably carried upon the lower piston. A hydraulically actuated mechanical latching system interposed between the lower and upper pistons allows a system controller to selectably maintain the upper piston in a plurality of predetermined compression heights.

Abstract: An engine valve assembly (10) within an electrohydraulic camless valvetrain cooperates with a hydraulic system (8) having a low pressure branch (70) and a high pressure branch (68) to selectively open and close engine valve (12). Engine valve (12) is affixed to a valve piston (16) within a piston chamber (18). A volume (42) below piston (16) is connected to high pressure branch (68) and a volume (20) above piston (16) is selectively connected to the high pressure branch (68) or the low pressure branch (70) via a spool valve (34), to effect engine valve opening and closing. A motor (60) effects the movement of the spool valve (34).

Abstract: An engine valve assembly (10) within an electrohydraulic camless valvetrain cooperates with a hydraulic system (8) having a low pressure branch (70) and a high pressure branch (68) to selectively open and close engine valve (12). Engine valve (12) is affixed to a valve piston (16) within a piston chamber (18). A volume (42) below piston (16) is connected to high pressure branch (68) and a volume (20) above piston (16) is selectively connected to the high pressure branch (68) or the low pressure branch (70) via a rotary valve (34), to effect engine valve opening and closing. A motor (60) effects the rotation of the rotary valve (34).

Abstract: A variable camless engine valve control system and method of control wherein each of the reciprocating intake and/or exhaust valves (10) is hydraulically controlled and includes a piston (26) subjected to fluid pressure acting on surfaces at both ends of the piston (26), is connected to a source of high pressure fluid (40) in one volume (27) while the volume (25) at the other end is connected to a source of high pressure fluid (40) and a source of low pressure fluid (42), and disconnected from each through action of controlling means such as a computer (74) controlling solenoid valves (64, 68). Optimum intake air and residual gas quantities in each engine cylinder having the aforementioned variable valve control system is assured by controlling electric pulses of variable duration and timing.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for controlling an engine valvetrain wherein each of the reciprocating intake and/or exhaust valves is hydraulically controlled and selectively connected to a source of high pressure fluid and a source of low pressure fluid. The hydraulic system maintains fluid pressure both when the engine is running, by employing a pump and an auxiliary pump, and when engine is off, by employing an accumulator and by selectively employing an auxiliary pump controlled by an engine control system. By maintaining pressure in the hydraulic system, the engine valves begin operating immediately upon start-up of the engine even after it has been left idle for an extended period of time.

Abstract: A variable engine valve control system and method of operation thereof wherein each of the reciprocating engine valves is hydraulically or electrically controlled and can vary its lift schedule for various engine operating conditions. During part load operation of the engine, the intake valve is opened and the exhaust valve is closed during the exhaust stroke, prior to a piston's top dead center position, so that the intake port receives exhaust gas, which is then returned to the cylinder during the intake stroke to eliminate the need for an external exhaust gas recirculation system and to improve fuel evaporation into the intake air. Further, during part load, the intake valve is closed before the end of the intake stroke and the intake air is heated by a heat exchanger prior to entry into the cylinder to eliminate the need for air throttling without compromising the compression ratio and ignition characteristics.

Abstract: A air charging valve for use with a air forced fuel injection system. The charging valve admitting and storing compressed air from the engine cylinder and releasing it into the fuel injector to force out the air/fuel mixture into the engine cylinder. The charging valve will accept the pressurized air from the engine cylinder without allowing any air to escape back into the combustion chamber once it is in the air charging valve. The fuel injection system includes an injector having a fuel and air mixing chamber that includes a normally closed injector valve; the chamber being for premixing air and fuel before introduction of the compressed air which causes the fuel injection event.

Abstract: Strategies for operating a four cycle engine in skip-cycle manner include providing the engine with a valve control so that each intake and exhaust valve for each cylinder can be individually activated or deactivated essentially instantaneously to provide a skip-cycle pattern that varies as a function of the load. Individual of the valves permits changing the purpose of the stroke off each piston of each deactivated cylinder from compression to exhaust or intake to expansion, as the case may be, to assure firing of all of the engine cylinders within as short a period as one skip cycle to prevent cylinder cooldown, which promotes emissions. Unthrottled operation also is provided by closing the intake and exhaust valves in a particular sequence during skip cycle operation, and controlling the intake valve closure timing during load periods between skip cycle periods to continue unthrottled operation for all load levels.

Abstract: An integrated hydraulic system for controlling an engine valve control system wherein each of the reciprocating intake and/or exhaust valves is hydraulically controlled and selectively connected to a source of high pressure fluid and a source of low pressure fluid, and a hydraulically assisted turbocharger selectively connected to a high pressure source of fluid by a solenoid valve, with the turbocharger including a nozzle jet and an impulse type turbine.

Abstract: A electrohydraulic engine valve control system in a four valve per cylinder engine wherein each of pair of intake and/or exhaust valves in each cylinder is hydraulically controlled by a separate set of solenoid valves. Each engine valve includes a piston subjected to fluid pressure acting on surfaces at both ends with the volume at one end connected to a source of high pressure fluid while a volume at the other end is selectively connected to a source of high pressure fluid and a source of low pressure fluid, and disconnected from each through action of the solenoid valves. Each pair of corresponding valves is linked hydraulically together and my be moved in unison or one may have reduced travel relative to the other via a valve deactivator, including one valve being completely deactivated. This difference in travel between the pair of valves accounts for various engine operating conditions and manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: A variable engine valve control system and method of operation thereof wherein each of the reciprocating engine valves is hydraulically or electrically controlled and can vary its lift schedule for various engine operating conditions. During part load operation of the engine, the intake valve is opened and the exhaust valve is closed during the exhaust stroke, prior to a piston's top dead center position, so that the intake port receives exhaust gas, which is then returned to the cylinder during the intake stroke to eliminate the need for an external exhaust gas recirculation system and to improve fuel evaporation into the intake air. Further, during part load, the intake valve is closed before the end of the intake stroke and the intake air is heated by a heat exchanger prior to entry into the cylinder to eliminate the need for air throttling without compromising the compression ratio and ignition characteristics.

Abstract: A variable valve assembly, engine valve control system, and method of operation wherein the valve is hydraulically controlled and includes a valve piston subjected to fluid pressure acting on surfaces at both ends of the valve piston. The cavity at one end of the valve piston is connected to a source of high pressure fluid while the cavity at the other end is connected to a source of high pressure fluid and a source of low pressure fluid, and disconnected from each through action of controlling means such as solenoid valves. The valve assembly includes a damper to limit the velocity of the valve during a portion of the travel of the piston, particularly as the valve head lands on the valve seat.

Abstract: A valve timing phaseshifter between two members, such as a crankshaft driven housing and a driven camshaft member, that are hydraulically interconnected by fluid trapped in hydraulic cylinders containing plungers connected to the camshaft, relative movement between the cylinders and plungers providing the phaseshifting and being controlled by a valve that is axially movably mounted within the camshaft and hydraulically connected thereto by sets of helical grooves that are aligned or misaligned as a function of axial movement of the valve in response to the call for phase adjustment, the valve being movable from a neutral position to other positions in opposite directions to control the flow of fluid under pressure to the cylinders to cause the drive and driven members to rotate unitarily or for the camshaft to be advanced or retarded as the case may be, with respect to a conventional timing schedule.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a consistently high compression ratio in an internal combustion engine utilizing a variable compression piston assembly. The piston having an outer piston mounted on an inner piston with an upper oil chamber therebetween. The piston assembly further having a lower oil chamber below the inner piston and a hydraulic system of valves for feeding oil into and maintaining oil within the oil chambers in response to the pressure within the cylinder.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having variable intake valve timing to control the compression work performed by the piston, so as to avoid knocking operation while allowing maximum use of exhaust energy in the event that the engine is equipped with a turbocharger.

Abstract: A variable engine valve control system wherein each of the reciprocating intake and/or exhaust valves is hydraulically controlled and includes a piston subjected to fluid pressure acting on surfaces at both ends of the piston. The space at one end of the piston is connected to a source of high pressure fluid while the space at the other end is connected to a source of high pressure fluid and a source of low pressure fluid, and disconnected from each through action of controlling means such as solenoid valves. The controlling means may include a rotary hydraulic distributor coupled with each solenoid valve, thereby permitting each solenoid valve to control operation of a plurality of engine valves in succession.