Abstract: An internal combustion engine that includes a block, a cylinder head having an intake valve port and exhaust valve port formed therein, a piston, and a combustion chamber defined by the block, the piston, and the head. At least one thermoelectric device is positioned within either or both the intake valve port and the exhaust valve port. Each of the valves is configured to move within a respective intake and exhaust valve port thereby causing said valves to engage the thermoelectric devices resulting in heat transfer from the valves to the thermoelectric devices. The intake valve port and exhaust valve port are configured to fluidly direct intake air and exhaust gas, respectively, into the combustion chamber and the thermoelectric device is positioned within the intake valve port, and exhaust valve port, such that the thermoelectric device is in contact with the intake air and exhaust gas.

Abstract: A piston assembly, particularly suitable for use in a free piston internal combustion engine, is provided with a piston including at least one oil coolant passage therein. The plunger shaft is substantially rigidly attached to the piston and axially extends from the piston. The plunger shaft includes at least one oil supply passage fluidly connected with at least one oil coolant passage.

Abstract: A piston assembly, particularly suitable for use in a free piston internal combustion engine, is provided with a piston including at least one oil coolant passage therein. The plunger shaft is substantially rigidly attached to the piston and axially extends from the piston. The plunger shaft includes at least one oil supply passage fluidly connected with at least one oil coolant passage.

Abstract: A free piston internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for use in a vehicle, is provided with a combustion cylinder and a piston assembly. The piston assembly includes a piston and a plunger shaft. The piston is reciprocally movable within the combustion cylinder. The piston includes a crown, a skirt extending from the crown and having a piston ring groove therein, a hub attached to the plunger shaft, and at least one support block. Each support block is positioned adjacent to the crown and extends from the hub toward the skirt. Each support block, skirt and piston ring groove defines a cut-out there between. The cut-out provides mechanical support to the piston during acceleration, and also provides effective heat transfer for cooling the piston ring groove.

Abstract: A jumper tube assembly connects a fluid supplying port of a fluid passing member to an inlet port of a fuel injector and passes fluid flow between the fluid supplying port and the inlet port. A tubular conduit of the jumper tube assembly is connected at a first end portion by brazing to a sealing member has a configuration sufficient to absorb a fluid applied load and provide a leak resistant joint at the inlet port to the fuel injector. The jumper tube assembly is particularly suited for use in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine.