Abstract: In some embodiments the disclosure is directed to a closed-loop piston engine system using a recirculating carbon dioxide (CO2) system with supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) as a working fluid. The closed-loop piston engine system may include a scCO2 injector; a superheating nozzle region; a first valve; a second valve; a piston moving in the cylinder and coupled with a crankshaft, the piston being driven toward a centerline of the crankshaft during a power stroke using a connecting rod and causing the crankshaft to rotate thereby causing one power stroke per crankshaft rotation and thereby producing two power strokes for every single power stroke that a similar engine would produce if run as a hydrocarbon fuel powered internal combustion engine. The recirculating CO2 system recirculates the used carbon dioxide and there are no carbon dioxide emissions from the system.

Abstract: An intake pipe includes a cylindrical pipe main body, a flange, which is provided on an end of the pipe main body in an axial direction and protrudes radially outward about an axis of the pipe main body from an outer surface of the pipe main body, and a chamber forming portion, which is located outside of the pipe main body and defines a chamber. The chamber forming portion is provided to connect the outer surface of the pipe main body and the flange to each other and is integrated with the pipe main body and the flange.

Abstract: A flexible, thermal-isolating tube includes a first fluid flow channel portion having a dual-walled configuration, a second fluid flow channel portion having a dual-walled configuration, and a bellows disposed between and coupled to each of the first and second fluid flow channel portions. The flexible, thermal-isolating tube, including each of the first and second fluid flow channel portions, and the bellows, is configured as a unitary structure. The flexible, thermal-isolating tube is manufactured using an additive manufacturing process. The flexible, thermal-isolating tube is disposed within a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A combined-cycle combustion control type three-cylinder engine includes: a cylinder block; and cylinders arranged in a row in the cylinder block and consisting of first, second, and third cylinders so that four-cycle combustion is performed in two of the first, second, and third cylinders and two-cycle combustion is performed in the remaining cylinder. A crankshaft is provided in first, second, and third pistons and converting reciprocating motions of the respective first, second, and third cylinders into rotational motions. A camshaft receives a rotational force from the crankshaft to control intake and exhaust timings for each of the first, second, and third cylinders.

Abstract: Crankshaft assemblies for vehicle assemblies, such as engine assemblies, and methods of manufacturing crankshaft assemblies are provided. The crankshaft assembly includes a first crankpin disposed between a first pair of webs and at least a first main bearing journal connected to the first pair of webs, wherein at least one of the first crankpin, the first pair of webs or the first main bearing journal is a polymeric composite including a polymer and a plurality of reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: A piston compound internal combustion engine is disclosed with an expander piston deactivation feature. A piston internal combustion engine is compounded with a secondary expander piston, where the expander piston extracts energy from the exhaust gases being expelled from the primary power pistons. The secondary expander piston can be deactivated and immobilized, or its stroke can be reduced, under low load conditions in order to reduce parasitic losses and over-expansion. Two mechanizations are disclosed for the secondary expander piston's coupling with the power pistons and crankshaft. Control strategies for activation and deactivation of the secondary expander piston are also disclosed. In addition, six-cylinder engine configurations are defined by replicating groups of two power pistons and one expander piston.

Abstract: A valve actuator system is capable of operating a number of valves with a single cam. The system includes a power shaft, a cam mounted around the power shaft and a gear train to drive the cam when the shaft rotates. Hydraulic actuator assemblies corresponding to the number of valves are radially positioned around the shaft axis for operation by the cam. Hydraulic tubes connect each actuator to a valve follower disposed adjacent to the respective valves. The cam profile pressing each actuator plunger in sequence as the cam rotates causes the hydraulic fluid to flow out of the actuator assembly, through the like-numbered pipe, and into the like-numbered follower assembly, which in turn causes the follower plunger to move the like-numbered valve from an open position or a closed position. This occurs sequentially for each valve.

Abstract: Downstream expansion cylinders are associated with a combustion cylinder such that an overall surface area and displacement volume of the expansion cylinder is sufficient to lower the temperature of fluids associated with the combined engine to such an extent that a radiator can be eliminated in an associated vehicle, or other system. In a separate feature, a catalytic material is placed on surfaces which will “see” the hot exhaust gases such that catalytic conversion of impurities in the gases can be achieved within the engine itself. In yet another feature, water is recovered from a system having both a water injection expansion cylinder, and a combustion cylinder, and the recovered water is re-used for the expansion. In yet another feature, gearing is provided between the expansion cylinder and a combustion cylinder such that the output of the combined engine is optimized, and the two cylinders do not drive the crankshafts in a one-to-one fashion.

Abstract: One non-limiting object of the present invention is to provide modifications to conventional in line 6 cylinder engines capable of increasing their efficiency in operation. This includes modifying the central two adjacent piston and cylinder assemblies of the engines. The modifications involve (1) changing the camshaft so that the central two adjacent piston and cylinder assemblies have their four stroke cycles in phase rather than 180° out of phase, (2) providing a communicating passage between the combustion chambers of the central two piston and cylinder assemblies and (3) modifying either the hardware or programming for the control of the fuel injectors of the central two piston and cylinder assemblies so that they can be selectively controlled not to inject fuel during the operation cycle thereof.

Abstract: An engine of a straddle-type vehicle includes first, second, and third cylinders arranged, in this order, from right to left in a front view of the vehicle; first, second, and third intake pipes in communication with the first, second, and third cylinders, respectively; and first, second, and third exhaust pipes in communication with the first, second, and third cylinders, respectively. The first, second, and third exhaust pipes have different lengths and the first, second, and third intake pipes have different lengths.

Abstract: A balancing system configured to be applied to an inline-four internal combustion engine is disclosed. The balancing system comprises counter rotating eccentric masses (22, 23, 24, 25) projecting from the opposite side of a support (21). The support (21) is placed centrally under the driving shaft, being fixed by screws to the wall of the engine.

Abstract: The engine includes a cylinder; a first piston and a second piston that reciprocate in the cylinder wherein the first piston has a first end piston head; a first piston rod attached to the first piston at a second end of the first piston opposite the first end; wherein the second piston has a first end forming a second piston head; a second piston rod attached to the second piston at a second end opposite the first end of the second piston; a first connecting rod connected to the first piston rod and coupled to a power output shaft; and a second connecting rod connected to the second piston rod and coupled to the power output shaft. The first and second piston head move away from each other on a first power stroke of the first piston and a second power stroke of the second piston.

Abstract: A toroidal combustion chamber shape with a side injector is disclosed for an opposed-piston engine. Fuel is injected into the toroidal volume from a fuel injector in the cylinder wall. In one embodiment, fuel is injected from each injector a plurality of times with the timing between the injections such that fuel clouds from each injection remain substantially isolated from each other.

Abstract: An opposed-piston, opposed-cylinder OPOC engine is disclosed in which the central axis of the two cylinders is collinear. In four-stroke engines, this is possible with a built up crankshaft. Disclosed are connecting rod configurations that are suitable for a two-stroke engine that can be assembled to a unitary crankshaft, including both pullrods in tension and pushrods in compression. The configuration includes pistons arranged symmetrically, but with offset timing of the intake and exhaust pistons. The offset timing leads to a slight imbalance which can be partially overcome by having the center of gravity of the crankshaft offset from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine block defining a first cylinder bore, a second cylinder bore directly adjacent to the first cylinder bore and a third cylinder bore directly adjacent to the second cylinder bore. The engine block defines a first distance from a diametrical center of the first cylinder bore to a diametrical center of the second cylinder bore and defines a second distance from the diametrical center of the second cylinder bore to a diametrical center of the third cylinder bore. The first distance is different than the second distance.

Abstract: An opposed-piston, opposed-cylinder engine in which the intake and exhaust pistons are symmetrically arranged has a small inertial force imbalance in the direction of reciprocation of the pistons. A center of gravity of the crankshaft can be displaced from the axis of rotation to at least partially overcome this imbalance. Such counterweighting of the crankshaft cancels a portion of the inertial balance due to the pistons but introduces an inertial imbalance in an orthogonal direction with respect to the piston-induced imbalance. By providing additional counterweights on pulleys rotating at the same speed, but the opposite direction, as the crankshaft, the imbalance can be substantially eliminated to yield substantially a perfectly-balanced engine.

Abstract: The horizontally opposed center fired engine improves on the traditional design of the horizontally opposed engines and center fired engines with a better engine geometry. The present invention utilizes four pairs of opposing pistons to compress a larger volume of air-fuel mixture within four different cylinders. The four different cylinders are radially positioned around a center axle in order to achieve a perfectly symmetric engine geometry. The center axle consists of two different shafts spinning in two different directions, which could drastically reduce engine vibrations in the present invention. Engine vibrations are caused by a change in engine speed and result in a loss of energy. Due to the design, the present invention will only experience energy loss in the form of entropy and friction. Thus, the present invention can convert a higher percentage of chemical energy into mechanical energy than any other internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine block defining a first cylinder bore, a second cylinder bore directly adjacent to the first cylinder bore and a third cylinder bore directly adjacent to the second cylinder bore. The engine block defines a first distance from a diametrical center of the first cylinder bore to a diametrical center of the second cylinder bore and defines a second distance from the diametrical center of the second cylinder bore to a diametrical center of the third cylinder bore. The first distance is different than the second distance.

Abstract: A method for partial cylinder cutoff is provided. The method comprises operating a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine with applied ignition, in which an odd number n of cylinders is arranged in line, and during partial-load operation when engine load is below threshold, enabling a partial cutoff of the cylinders, the partial cutoff comprising operating each cylinder only intermittently such that each cylinder is fired and cut off in turn at an interval of (2*720° CA)/n.

Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine block, a cylinder head coupled to the engine block, and first and second intake valves supported by the cylinder head. The engine block may define a first set of cylinder bores arranged longitudinally in series and including a first cylinder bore and a second cylinder bore adjacent the first cylinder bore. The cylinder head may define a cavity forming an intake manifold region, a first intake runner extending laterally inward from the intake manifold region toward the first cylinder bore and a second intake runner extending laterally inward from the intake manifold region toward the second cylinder bore. The first intake valve may selectively provide communication between the first intake runner and the first cylinder bore. The second intake valve may selectively provide communication between the second intake runner and the second cylinder bore.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylinder block for a multi-cylinder engine is disclosed herein. The cylinder block includes a crankcase and cylinder bores disposed therein separated by cylinder walls. The crankcase is adapted to receive a crankshaft and includes crank chambers disposed therein separated by partition walls. Each of the crank chambers of the crankcase corresponds to one of the cylinder bores of the cylinder block. The cylinder bore side of each partition wall has a honing runoff portion thinner in section than the crankshaft side thereof such that a step face results in the partition walls. Further, a runoff groove is formed in the partition walls of the crank chambers, and also a communication hole is formed at least partially within the runoff groove in at least one of the partition walls to enable communication between crank chambers.

Abstract: A multicylinder engine for a motorcycle includes a valve actuation mechanism having a hydraulically-operated valve pausing mechanism for holding at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of selected cylinders in a suspended state. The valve actuation mechanism operates the intake valve and the exhaust valve, and controls flow of oil through an oil passage which introduces working oil to the valve pausing mechanism from a hydraulic-pressure control device. Air-bleeding holes are formed in the cylinder head. The air-bleeding holes are fluidly connected with portions of the oil passages that are located at a highest level in the oil passages while the motorcycle is parked in an inclined state with its side stand down.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated engine system; said integrated engine system includes an air-compression means, an air-buffer-system, a power-management-unit, and at least two cold-expansion-chambers; wherein each of said at least two cold-expansion-chamber includes a spark-ignition means, a fuel-supplying means, a cold-air-injection means, and a reenergize-air-injection means; each cold-expansion-chamber operates in a Mackay Cold-Expansion Cycle, which includes a first-intake-process, a hot-combustion-process, a fuel-cooling-process, a second-intake-process, a cold-expansion-process, and an active-exhaust-process; wherein the fuel-cooling-process may be disabled according to the operation condition.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has four cylinders, each having a respective piston positioned therein and connected with a crankshaft for movement in the respective cylinder. Each cylinder has a plurality of ports with a plurality of valves openable and closable to control fluid flow into and out of the cylinder through the ports. Combustion occurs in a first two of the four cylinders (power cylinders) that are each interconnected between a second two of the four cylinders (inductor cylinders) via passages connecting ports of the respective cylinders. Opening and closing of the valves is timed to accomplish internal exhaust gas recirculation, i.e., such that fluid directed from the power cylinders to the inductor cylinders via the passages after combustion is redirected via the passages from the inductor cylinders to the power cylinders. A method of internal exhaust gas recirculation for an engine as described above is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cross-cycle internal combustion engine that can conduct a combustion cycle called as the cross-cycle with diesel ignition means. The diesel type cross-cycle operation consists of seven processes, which are the intake-process, the cold-compression process, the injection process, the cold-expansion process, the exhaust process, the hot-compression process, and the diesel-ignition process.

Abstract: The present invention provides an overhead-exhaust type cross-cycle internal combustion engine that can conduct a combustion cycle called as the cross-cycle with overhead-exhaust means. The overhead-exhaust type cross-cycle operation consists of seven processes, which are the intake-process, the cold-compression process, the injection process, the cold-expansion process, the overhead-exhaust process, the hot-compression process, and the hot-expansion process.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes first and second cylinder assemblies each to repeatedly carry out combustion cycle including intake, compression, combustion with expansion, and exhaust processes. In a surcharging system of the invention, the first cylinder assembly is coupled to the second cylinder assembly in gaseous communication to apply a charge of exhaust gas produced from a first combustion cycle of the first cylinder assembly to a compression process of a second combustion cycle of the second cylinder assembly. In a supraignition system of the invention, the first cylinder assembly is coupled to the second cylinder assembly in gaseous communication to apply a charge of ignition gas produced from a first combustion cycle of the first cylinder assembly to a compression process of a second combustion cycle of the second cylinder assembly. Buffer vessels coupled in gaseous communication with corresponding cylinder assemblies are also used in surcharging and supraignition processes.

Abstract: Downstream expansion cylinders are associated with a combustion cylinder such that an overall surface area and displacement volume of the expansion cylinder is sufficient to lower the temperature of fluids associated with the combined engine to such an extent that a radiator can be eliminated in an associated vehicle, or other system. In a separate feature, a catalytic material is placed on surfaces which will “see” the hot exhaust gases such that catalytic conversion of impurities in the gases can be achieved within the engine itself. In yet another feature, water is recovered from a system having both a water injection expansion cylinder, and a combustion cylinder, and the recovered water is re-used for the expansion. In yet another feature, gearing is provided between the expansion cylinder and a combustion cylinder such that the output of the combined engine is optimized, and the two cylinders do not drive the crankshafts in a one-to-one fashion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coordination pressure management system for raising the maximum operational range of the eight-stroke engine; said coordination pressure management system includes a real-time control system for adjusting the phase-difference between the master piston and the slave piston according to the combustion condition of the master cylinder and the compression condition of the slave cylinder, so that the maximum compression pressure of the slave-compression-process is regulated within the range of 75% to 25% of the concurrent maximum combustion pressure of the master cylinder, thereby maintaining a high coordination-efficiency in any operational load and rpm condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a two-stage-coordination type eight-stroke engine for controlling the air-flows of the eight-stroke-operation and preventing the backfiring in the coordinate-port during the injection-process, so the coordinate-valve and the coordinate-port can be kept within the operational temperature in the heavy load operation; the two-stage-coordination system will open the coordinate-valve twice during each round of the eight-stroke-operation, so the hot-combustion-medium of the master cylinder will be mixing with the flow of the high-density-air in a conceal environment after the coordinate-valve is shut with the pressure difference, thereby reducing the heat loss and preventing the irreparable damage due to the backfiring effect.

Abstract: The present invention provides a swirl-injection type eight-stroke engine capable of constantly varying the injection-direction of the high-density-air from the slave cylinder, thereby effectively circulating the high-density-air around the master cylinder wall and master cylinder head during the injection process to speed up the mixing of the high-density-air and the hot combustion medium in the master cylinder, furthermore the hot spots in the master cylinder head and the master cylinder wall are eliminated with the two-direction swirling effect during the cold-expansion process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variable coordination volume type eight-stroke engine for increasing the fuel efficiency in the heavy load operation by regulating the maximum air-pressure in the charge-coordinate-channel and adjusting the initiation timing of the injection-process as the engine load changes; wherein the maximum air-pressure of the charge-coordinate-channel will be regulated with a buffer piston in the range of 25% to 75% of the concurrent maximum combustion pressure of the mastery cylinder. In addition the overall temperature of the master cylinder and the slave cylinder will be reduced in the heavy load condition by injecting a flow of high-density-air at lower temperature in the heavy load operation, thereby achieving better durability and higher fuel efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed is an upper structure of an engine having three or more cylinders arranged in a row. A first one of a pair of adjacent cylinders among at least three of the cylinders serially arranged in a cylinder row direction is provided with a second spark plug at a position on an opposite side of a second one of the pair of adjacent cylinders, and the second one of the pair of adjacent cylinders is provided with a second spark plug at a position on an opposite side of the first one of the pair of adjacent cylinders. The present invention can provide enhanced flexibility in design of a head cover of the engine.

Abstract: Exhaust ports (8 and 9) of paired middle cylinders (#2 and #3) in which respective power strokes take place with one intervening power stroke therebetween are joined together in a cylinder head (1) to form a joint exhaust port (11). Exhaust ports (7 and 10) of paired end cylinders (#1 and #4) in which respective power strokes take place with one intervening power stroke therebetween extend from the respective cylinders (#1 and #4) toward the joint exhaust port (11). Then, on the respective sides of the joint exhaust port (11), the exhaust ports (7 and 10) extend along the joint exhaust port (11) to a side wall face (5) of the cylinder head (1) while the exhaust ports (7 and 10) and the joint exhaust port (11) are separated from each other by respective thin walls (12 and 13).

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a vertical multi-cylinder diesel engine capable of conveniently protecting a common rail and its parts. On the assumption that a width direction of a cylinder block (2) is taken as a horizontal direction, when arranging the common rail (3) horizontally lateral of the cylinder block (2), there is disposed above the common rail (3) a passage forming means (23) which is the alternative of an intake air distributing means (5) and an exhaust air converging means (22). The passage forming means (23) above the common rail (3) may be formed into a box-shaped structure with no branch pipe. Further, an engine cooling fan (4) may be arranged in front of the common rail (3) so as to pass cooling air below the passage forming means (23) above the common rail (3).

Abstract: There is provided a multicylinder four-cycle combustion engine, in which a communication hole is formed, to allow gases to flow smoothly form one cylinder to another so that the pumping loss occurring within the cylinders can be reduced. The combustion engine (E) includes an engine casing (EC) having defined therein a plurality of cylinders (2A to 2D), each having a cylinder bore (20A to 20D), and a crank chamber (30A to 30D) below the respective cylinder bore. A partition wall (21) separating the neighbor cylinder bores (20A, 20B; 20C, 20D) of the cylinders (2A to 2D) and the crank chambers (30A to 30D) from each other is formed with a communication hole (4). An open edge portion (4aa) of the uppermost edge (4a) thereof, which opens into the cylinder bore (20A to 20D) has a circumferentially intermediate major portion extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the cylinder longitudinal axis (CH).

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-cylinder engine wherein, even where it is structured such that a cam chain case is provided on a side portion of the engine, a working fluid supply path can be simplified and the weight and size of a cylinder head reduced. According to the invention, a multi-cylinder engine is provided wherein at least one of a plurality of engine valves of a cylinder head can be cut off from its corresponding combustion chambers such that a first intake valve, a second intake valve, a first exhaust valve, and a second exhaust valve are positioned on the opposite side to a cam chain case.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-cylinder engine wherein, even where it is structured such that a cam chain case is provided on a side portion of the engine, a working fluid supply path can be simplified and the weight and size of a cylinder head reduced. According to the invention, a multi-cylinder engine is provided wherein at least one of a plurality of engine valves of a cylinder head can be cut off from its corresponding combustion chambers such that a first intake valve, a second intake valve, a first exhaust valve, and a second exhaust valve are positioned on the opposite side to a cam chain case.

Abstract: In an inclined engine where a cylinder (2) projects from a crank case (1) obliquely and upwardly, when seen in a direction parallel to a center axis (3) of a crank shaft (10), under a specific observation condition in which the cylinder projecting direction is deemed as an upper right side, a valve operating cam gear (5) meshes with a crank gear (4) from a horizontal right side of the latter and a governor gear (6) is arranged in a space defined below a portion where the valve operating cam gear (5) meshes with the crank gear (4). This governor gear (6) engages with the valve operating cam gear (5) from a lower left side of the latter.

Abstract: In a multi-cylinder reciprocating internal combustion engine, an optimal angle of crank arrangement that reduces vibrating force caused in the engine is obtained.

Abstract: A four stroke engine having at least two cylinders spaced vertically relative to each other. Each cylinder includes a cylinder body having a cylinder bore extending generally horizontally. Plurality of air intake ducts are provided for connecting a common plenum chamber and respective air intake passages which extends to respective combustion chambers. Each of the air intake ducts has a generally straight section extending generally horizontally and parallel to each other. The distance between the straight sections is less than the distance between the axes of the cylinder bores. Also, in another feature, throttle body means are interposed between duct members, which are upstream components of the air intake ducts, and the intake passages for controlling the flow of air to the combustion chambers.

Abstract: A four stroke internal combustion engine having a flexible arrangement is disclosed such that the engine can be easily configured for supercharged or normally aspirated operation. The engine includes a cooling system that includes both closed loop and open loop cooling systems for improved cooling efficiency. A power take off housing located on one end of the crankcase. Various engine components are operatively coupled to the crankshaft within the power take off housing including a cam shaft for a valve actuation assembly, a generator, an engine starting mechanism, a balance shaft, and a supercharger. The engine contemplated in accordance with the present invention also includes a dry sump lubrication system having lubricant separator for separating lubricant from blow-by gas within the engine.