Abstract: A split-cycle engine with disc valve includes a crankshaft, a power cylinder and a compression cylinder. A gas crossover passage interconnects the compression cylinder and the power cylinder. An air intake port circumscribes a periphery of the compression cylinder and defines an outer valve seat. An annular ring having a generally central opening is disposed between the compression cylinder and the air intake port and forms a washer valve for opening and closing the air intake port. A disc valve member is concentrically mounted over the central opening of the annular ring. The disc valve member includes a piston portion having a sidewall biased into engagement with the outer valve seat for controlling flow between the compression cylinder and the gas crossover passage.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine of the present invention features separate compression and expansion cycles. The engine includes a separate compressor device which pressurizes air by a ratio greater than 15 to 1, at least one two stroke combustion cylinder and a compressed air conduit for transferring compressed air from the compressor to the at least one combustion cylinder. An air injection valve injects the compressed air into the combustion cylinder during the second half portion of the return stroke of the combustion cylinder. The compressed air is mixed with fuel and combusted for expansion during a power stroke. In this engine compression occurs only to a minor degree in the combustion cylinder. Accordingly, the compression ratio of the present engine may be significantly higher or lower than the volumetric expansion ratio of the combustion cylinder thus resulting in corresponding increases in either power density or thermodynamic efficiency respectively.

Abstract: An air-hybrid engine operates in two operational modes. It employs uniquely designed camshafts with cam lobe activators, and camshaft phase shifters to operate and control the engine valves. It uses a different cam lobe for operating an engine valve during each of the two operational modes, and it uses camshaft phase shifters to vary the valve event timing and duration. The system exploits non-linearity that exists in relationship between the piston motion and the camshaft rotation. Varying the phase relationship between the camshaft and the engine crankshaft in a pre-determined specific way varies the duration of the engine valve opening in the required way, thus varying the volumes of air received into and discharged from the engine.

Abstract: The piston rod of the tandem-piston engine was modified to include a crosshead that slides in a crosshead guide machined into the lower part of the charger piston for better lateral support. The lower surface of the motor piston was changed to a simple conical surface allowing increased vertical thickness of the central region with a thinner outer region. A ceramic piston crown was clamped in compression by a piston bezel to the motor-piston base at a ledge with a conical upper surface having its vertex at the center of its base so thermal expansion will effect a sliding contact. A piston ring was used at the upper edge of the motor piston so the uppermost cylinder wall will be polished to prevent heat absorption. An intake port was given a flame arresting diffuser; and its entrance was blocked by the piston valve to prevent ignition in the valve cylinder.

Abstract: A split-cycle air hybrid engine operatively connects an air reservoir to a split cycle engine. A power piston is received within a power cylinder and operatively connected to a crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single revolution of the crankshaft. A compression piston is received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke in a single rotation of the crankshaft. The compression cylinder is selectively controllable to place the compression piston in a compression mode or an idle mode. An air reservoir is operatively connected between the compression cylinder and the power cylinder and selectively operable to receive compressed air from the compression cylinder and to deliver compressed air to the power cylinder for use in transmitting power to the crankshaft during engine operation.

Abstract: A split-cycle engine with disc valve includes a crankshaft, a power cylinder and a compression cylinder. A gas crossover passage interconnects the compression cylinder and the power cylinder. An air intake port circumscribes a periphery of the compression cylinder and defines an outer valve seat. An annular ring having a generally central opening is disposed between the compression cylinder and the air intake port and forms a washer valve for opening and closing the air intake port. A disc valve member is concentrically mounted over the central opening of the annular ring. The disc valve member includes a piston portion having a sidewall biased into engagement with the outer valve seat for controlling flow between the compression cylinder and the gas crossover passage.

Abstract: The Energy Storing Engine is the mechanization of a hot air engine cycle. Constant temperature compression is achieved by using a multi-stage-intercooled compressor. Energy is stored in a compressed air tank. Heat is added at constant pressure by an exhaust gas to compressed air heat exchanger. Heat is added at constant volume by injecting fuel and starting burning immediately above the power piston while the power piston is at the top of its stroke. Adiabatic expansion takes place and produces power output. Energy from storage produces power output. Adiabatic expansion again takes place, and this time produces power output all the way to complete expansion. The displacement of the resulting engine can be varied while the engine is running.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine of the present invention features separate compression and expansion cycles. The engine includes a separate compressor device which pressurizes air by a ratio greater than 15 to 1, at least one two stroke combustion cylinder and a compressed air conduit for transferring compressed air from the compressor to the at least one combustion cylinder. An air injection valve injects the compressed air into the combustion cylinder during the second half portion of the return stroke of the combustion cylinder. The compressed air is mixed with fuel and combusted for expansion during a power stroke. In this engine compression occurs only to a minor degree in the combustion cylinder. Accordingly, the compression ratio of the present engine may be significantly higher or lower than the volumetric expansion ratio of the combustion cylinder thus resulting in corresponding increases in either power density or thermodynamic efficiency respectively.

Abstract: A combustion method at a piston combustion engine showing a combustion chamber, in which a piston repeatedly moves in a work producing power stroke followed by an exhaust stroke with intermediate upper respective lower dead centers, in which dead centers the piston motion direction is changed. Air, which will be brought into the engine combustion chamber, is compressed to a certain pressure, whereupon it is brought into the combustion chamber with or without fuel during at least a part of the power stroke. The compressed air with or without fuel is brought into the combustion chamber during such a part of the power stroke determined by a required torque at different engine speeds, from that the piston is situated right before, at or right after the top dead center, and that fuel is combusted with the supplied air during the power stroke.

Abstract: A crankshaft driven positive displacement gear type air compressor enclosed within the engine housing forces air in between the compressor and reciprocating means. At approximately top dead center fuel is injected into the engine and burns. The high pressures of combustion transfer energy to the gears of the compressor and the reciprocating means and crankshaft assembly forcing them to accelerate. The reciprocating means accelerates to the bottom dead center position completely uncovering two exhaust ports. Exhaust passes through the exhaust ports and is scavenged with compressed air from the compressor flowing into the housing space enclosing the reciprocating means. The reciprocating means returns to the top dead center position compressing air in the housing space between the compressor and the reciprocating means. At approximately top dead center the process repeats itself.

Abstract: An internal combustion cylinder head is comprised of a housing formed from three sections horizontally divided along the axis of two parallel horizontal gear shafts and a horizontal parallel camshaft located above them. The valve stems pass between the gear shafts and the valve faces are located below the gear shafts. Meshing the gear shafts together and driving them from the crankshaft form the gear compressor. Internal combustion passages are formed in the housing between the air compressor and an exhaust valve. The compressor is divided into four pumps, two outer oil pumps and two middle air pumps that pump air into the combustion passages. Two internal air intake passages surround the housing enclosing the air compressor and serve to cool the cylinder head as air is drawn through them into the air compressor.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, especially a two-stroke engine in manually-guided implement, is provided. A piston that is disposed in a cylinder delimits a combustion chamber and by means of a connecting rod drives a crankshaft disposed in a crankcase. A fuel/air mixture is supplied to the engine via a diaphragm carburetor, the control chamber of which is delimited by a control diaphragm that controls a feed valve. Formed on the dry side of the diaphragm is a compensation chamber that communicates via a flow path with a source of pressure that pulsates as a function of engine speed. Disposed in the flow path is a check valve. The compensation chamber is to be relieved by a pressure-regulating valve disposed in a further flow path.

Abstract: A crankshaft driven positive displacement gear type air compressor enclosed within the engine housing forces air in between the compressor and reciprocating means. At approximately top dead center fuel is injected into the engine and burns. The high pressures of combustion transfer energy to the gears of the compressor and the reciprocating means and crankshaft assembly forcing them to accelerate. The reciprocating means accelerates to the bottom dead center position completely uncovering two exhaust ports. Exhaust passes through the exhaust ports and is scavenged with compressed air from the compressor flowing into the housing space enclosing the reciprocating means. The reciprocating means returns to the top dead center position compressing air in the housing space between the compressor and the reciprocating means. At approximately top dead center the process repeats itself.

Abstract: A positive displacement gear type air compressor enclosed within the engine housing forces air in between the compressor and the reciprocating means. At approximately top dead center fuel is injected into the engine and burns. The high pressures of combustion transfer energy to the gears of the compressor and the reciprocating meansand crankshaft assembly forcing them to accelerate. The reciprocating means accelerates to the bottom dead center position completely uncovering two exhaust ports. Exhaust passes through the exhaust ports and is scavenged with compressed air from the compressor flowing into the housing space enclosing the reciprocating means. The reciprocating means returns to the top dead center position compressing air in the housing space between the compressor and the reciprocating means. At approximately top dead center the process repeats itself.

Abstract: A crankshaft driven positive displacement gear type air compressor enclosed within the engine housing forces air in between the compressor and reciprocating means. At approximately top dead center fuel is injected into the engine and burns. The high pressures of combustion transfer energy to the gears of the compressor and the reciprocating means and crankshaft assembly forcing them to accelerate. The reciprocating means accelerates to the bottom dead center position completely uncovering two exhaust ports. Exhaust passes through the exhaust ports and is scavenged with compressed air from the compressor flowing into the housing space enclosing the reciprocating means. The reciprocating means returns to the top dead center position compressing air in the housing space between the compressor and the reciprocating means. At approximately top dead center the process repeats itself.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a compression cylinder having an air inlet and outlet, a conduit extending from the compression cylinder air outlet, an expansion cylinder of larger diameter than the diameter of said compression cylinder and having an inlet and outlet, and a heat exchanger disposed in the conduit and having a first passageway for flowing compressed air from the compression cylinder outlet to the expansion cylinder inlet, the expansion cylinder outlet being in communication with a second passageway in the heat exchanger for flowing combustion exhaust gases from the expansion cylinder through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger operates to heat the compressed air before entry into the expansion cylinder and to cool the exhaust gases before entry into an exhaust conduit in communication with the heat exchanger second passageway.

Abstract: The invention concerns a two-stroke internal-combustion engine with a charging pump, an outlet channel controlled by the main piston being subjected to additional control by the charging-pump plunger. Circulation losses are minimized and a higher means working pressure is obtained by early mechanical closure of the outlet channel by means of the charging-pump plunger or by injecting a pulse of exhaust gases into the outlet channel in the direction opposite to the direction of flow or by injecting part of the intake charge through the outlet channel into the main cylinder. In addition, the formation of oxides of nitrogen is reduced by controlled exhaust gas retention at the combustion stage. The invention also allows a catalytic converter to be used if required, since an increase in the oxygen concentration owing to circulation losses in the outlet channel is avoided.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine having at least one working cylinder, a reciprocating working piston is connected by a piston rod to a second piston which can reciprocate in a supercharge cylinder. The common piston rod is also connected with a crank drive of the internal combustion engine. Corresponding inlet, outlet and connecting channels are provided on the working cylinder and the supercharge cylinder. The inlet channel discharges into the wall of the supercharge cylinder at a location which is unblocked at the top dead center position of the working piston or of the supercharge piston. Located between the working cylinder and the supercharge cylinder is a combustion mixture connecting channel which connects an opening at the end of the supercharge cylinder to an inlet arranged in the working cylinder. The inlet is unblocked when the working piston is at the bottom dead center position.

Abstract: The invention concerns a piston internal-combustion engine with separate compression (K) and expansion (E) chambers and a compressed-gas transfer device (7) which feeds compressed gas from the compression chambers to the expansion chambers at the beginning of ignition. A control unit (7) is provided which, depending on the mode of operation, feeds the compressed gas either to the expansion chambers or to a pressure accumulator (10) from which the expansion chambers can also be operated in a pure compressed-air mode.

Abstract: A valve arrangement in an internal combustion engine, into which engine the air-fuel mixture is directly injected by relative pumping elements from a pressure chamber towards at least one cylinder provided with a valve aperture with its relative valve located within a valve body provided with at least one communication channel, between the valve and the valve aperture there being positioned an elastic element which when at rest maintains the valve in its closed position, the valve being inserted into said valve body by way of interposed elements, lockable in their selected position, for adjusting both the preload and its travel.

Abstract: Non-symmetrical port timing techniques in combination with the 90 degree phase difference between the pumping and combustion chamber of the two stroke migrating combustion chamber engine variant are disclosed as a special cycle of operation which allows a high degree of self supercharging and attendant performance advantages. Other embodiments include; protected fuel injection provisions, externally located induction rotor valves/counterweights to achieve better volumetric efficiency and complete dynamic balance and a technique to improve engine mechanism durability.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of and means for an improved internal combustion engine performance and of substantially reduced or eliminated pollutants. A relatively slow and long burning combustion is provided which produces an exhaust of high pressure which can be utilized to drive a turbocharger or cylinder or subsequent cylinders. Ideally, the compression ratio is reduced with respect to current internal combustion engines, and the maximum temperature in the power or combustion cylinder can be below the temperature at which NO.sub.x is formed. Preferably the pressure during combustion remains substantially constant and the air or air/fuel mixture is externally compressed 40 to 100% of its compression pressure in the combustion cylinder. This results in a controlled energy release tailored to a change in volume per unit of time which results in more torque and horsepower, less fuel consumption and drastically decreases pollution, both chemical and heat to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A power production apparatus comprises a Diesel engine having a plurality of sequentially operating motor cylinders and a plurality of alternating air compressor cylinders. Each motor cylinder has scavenge ports connected to receive scavenging air from that compressor cylinder whose compression stroke occurs while the scavenge ports of the motor cylinder are closed. An intake capacity having a volume equal to about five times the cubic capacity of the motor cylinder is located on the air path. The apparatus may consist of a gas turbine and a multi-tandem free piston gas generator and a gas turbine; the gas generator then has a plurality of Diesel type motor cylinders whose pistons are drivably connected to compression pistons.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a plurality of cylinders arranged parallel to and equally spaced from a longitudinally extending engine axis with a pair of opposed pistons mounted in each cylinder for controlled reciprocation therein. Respective rotatably mounted axial-faced cams and connected followers control the motion of the pistons through the operating cycle to permit at least one and preferably more power strokes from each cylinder during each rotation of the engine. A controllable divider valve is located between the opposed faces of the pistons to define, on the one side, a first air/fuel receiving compression chamber and, on the other side, a second relatively high-pressure ignition air receiving chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved internal combustion engine which separates the compression stroke from the power generator. In particular, the invention utilizes a cam profiled power shaft of a shape to accomodate the new movement of the power pistons to suit the particular phase of the combustion process.

Abstract: An engine and method in accordance with this invention includes a plurality of parallel cylinders equally spaced from a longitudinally extending engine axis with a pair of opposed pistons in each cylinder for controlled reciprocation therein. Respective rotatably mounted axial-faced cams and followers control the motion of the pistons through the operating cycle to permit at least one power stroke from each cylinder during each rotation of the engine. A controllable divider valve located between the opposed faces of the pistons defines, on one side, a first air/fuel receiving compression chamber and, on the other side, a second relatively high-pressure ignition air receiving chamber.

Abstract: An engine in which the compression and expansion functions are separated to enable: higher efficiency by eliminating inlet throttling, providing stable lean combustion of premixed or injected fuel, by allowing more complete expansion and reduced heat transfer during both compression and expansion; wide fuel compatibility by elimination of detonation and autoignition requirements of spark ignition engines and Diesel engines; lower emissions achieved in combustion of uniform fuel-air mixtures by mixing into hot recompressed combustion products.

Abstract: A compound internal combustion engine having an efficiency materially higher than that of an engine operating on the conventional Otto or Diesel cycle. This is accomplished by using the heat of the exhaust gases to compress air, with or without the addition of fuel, which is then injected into the cylinder or cylinders of the engine just prior to ignition. In this manner, less heat is rejected from the overall cycle with improved efficiency. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a portion of the unused heat energy in the exhaust gases is used in a unidirectional energy converter to compress air or an air/fuel mixture which is then injected into the cylinders of the engine. The engine, whether it should operate on the Otto or Diesel cycle, does not compress gas on the upstroke of the piston until the compressed gas from the unidirectional energy converter is injected into the cylinder.

Abstract: A compound internal combustion engine having an efficiency materially higher than that of an engine operating on the conventional Otto or Diesel cycle. This is accomplished by using the heat of the exhaust gases to compress air, with or without the addition of fuel, which is then injected into the cylinder or cylinders of the engine just prior to ignition. In this manner, less heat is rejected from the overall cycle with improved efficiency. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a portion of the unused heat energy in the exhaust gases is used in a unidirectional energy converter to compress air or an air/fuel mixture which is then injected into the cylinders of the engine. The exhaust gases and air or the air/fuel mixture are exhausted and introduced in an expansion space in the converter through substantially immediately adjacent ports.

Abstract: An engine has preferably coupled together a reciprocating air compressor discharging through a heat exchanger into a reciprocating cylinder piston combination, the flow into the piston cylinder combination being controlled by a cam-actuated inlet valve which is maintained open for a substantial fraction of the out-stroke of the combustion piston. There is also an exhaust valve from the combustion chamber which releases exhaust gas to the heat exchanger for transfer of thermal energy to the incoming compressed air. A fuel injector supplies fuel to the compressed air entering through the inlet valve into the combustion chamber over a large part of the out-stroke of the power piston.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the invention provides a four cycle internal combustion engine that produces one power stroke for each full rotation of the crankshaft. Direct fuel and oxidizer injection into the cylinder permits engine speed and power to be controlled by varying the duration of the intake stroke. This duration is controlled, moreover, by moving the distributor housing in relation to piston top dead center position.

Abstract: In a valve in head two-cycle internal combustion engine, a slave piston and a power piston reciprocate in a pair of parallel cylinders. Valve opened and closed intake and exhaust ports respectively communicate with the slave piston and power piston cylinders. The engine head centrally contains a combustion chamber overlying a portion of both cylinders and communicating therewith through a valve opened and closed combustion inlet port and a combustion outlet port, respectively communicating with the slave cylinder and power cylinder so that a fuel rich mixture, when ignited in the combustion chamber, mixes with and burns air compressed in the power cylinder. An engine head supported rocker arm and shaft assembly, driven by a cam shaft, opens and closes the valves in sequence with the reciprocating pistons.

Abstract: The high pressures in the combustion chambers of split cycle internal combustion engines require higher voltages to be applied to spark plugs than are utilized in conventional Otto cycle engines, with the result that the working life of the spark plugs is shortened. The present invention overcomes this difficulty by directing into the combustion chamber a pilot charge consisting of a spark-ignitable fuel in admixture with compressed air at a pressure below 2000 kPa, followed, after the pilot charge has been ignited, by a main charge of fuel and compressed air at a pressure higher than 2000 kPa.

Abstract: A drive aggregate for a heat pump includes a cylinder block defining cavities for forming at least one cylinder of an internal combustion engine and at least one cylinder of a compressor driven by the engine; a common crankshaft passing through the cylinder block for serving both the engine and the compressor; and a plurality of bearings mounted in the cylinder block and supporting the crankshaft. The cavities all have the same height dimension. There is further provided a valve plate sealingly secured in each cavity which forms a compressor cylinder. The valve plate which defines an end of the compressor cylinder formed by the respective cavity, is recessed with respect to the height of the cavity in which it is situated.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having both an air-fuel mixture and exhaust in the cylinder during the compression stroke with one of the air-fuel mixture and exhaust being in the cylinder at the start of the compression stroke and the other being pumped into the cylinder during the compression stroke, with the shape of the cylinder head being adapted to maintain the air-fuel mixture undiluted with exhaust.

Abstract: The engine has a compressor which compresses air for delivery via a heat exchanger to an expander. The expander receives the compressed air and fuel and, while combustion occurs during a power stroke, the air pressure is reduced to atmosphere and the expander drives a crankshaft. The fuel is injected at a rate to maintain the air temperature at the entry temperature. The exhaust passes through the heat exchanger to heat the incoming flow of compressed air to the expander. Energy may be stored via the crankshaft or used directly.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine 10 wherein no compression function is carried out in the engine 10 and including a tank 30 of compressed air, a pressure regulator 34, a fuel injector 28, and means 40 and 42 for connecting the pressure regulator 34 and the fuel injector 28 to a foot pedal 38 for controlling air and fuel feed to the combustion chambers 22 in response to throttle demand. The engine can use spark or compression ignition and can provide full expansion. Compressed air can be generated more efficiently using central station power with a vast savings in the amount of oil consumed. The internal combustion engine system of this invention is useful in all applications for such engines including vehicles such as automobiles, trucks, locomotives, marine applications, airplanes, etc. as well as non-vehicle use.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine method and apparatus wherein most or all of the air compression required for combustion is done outside of the internal combustion engine and out of heat exchange contact with the combustion chamber. The engine includes direct regeneration of exhaust heat and the compressor includes means for varying the compression ratio thereof in response to various parameters such as throttle demand and ambient temperature. Fuel injection and/or carburetion are used in various combinations with the compressor, and pulsed compressed air is fed from the compressor into the combustion chamber in matched relationship to the position of the piston in the cylinder.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine of the gasoline or diesel reciprocating piston type wherein the fuel and air are fed into the combustion chamber in the sequence: (1) fuel is fed into the combustion chamber first, and (2) air (preferably compressed air) is then fed into the combustion chamber. This sequence provides both physical and chemical combustion process advantages and can be used in either gasoline or diesel engines of either the 2-stroke or 4-stroke type as well as in applicant's modified 2-stroke type engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine includes a power cylinder, a power piston reciprocating therein and being connected to a rotating output crank. A free floating double acting auxiliary piston reciprocates within an auxiliary cylinder. Passages connect the upper end of the auxiliary cylinder to a combustion chamber and a source of air. The exhaust from the combustion chamber is connected to the underside of the auxiliary piston through a valved passage. A return cylinder and a cushioning cylinder are coaxially aligned with the auxiliary cylinder at opposite ends thereof and open therein. Elongated pistons extend from the auxiliary piston and into the return cylinder and cushioning cylinder during reciprocation of the auxiliary piston. A gas transfer passage connects the return cylinder with the exhaust from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides a two-stroke-cycle engine which has a main piston, and an auxiliary piston and transfer valve arrangement. and its associated drive mechanism. The engine has also at least two intake valves arranged in the cylinder head. The auxiliary piston and transfer valve assembly comprises an auxiliary piston having an external hollow stem linearly slidable in a bushing mounted in said cylinder head and the transfer valve is provided with a stem freely slidable within said hollow stem.

Abstract: Internal combustion engine apparatus includes a dual piston with a plurality of intake ports having reed type check valves.

Abstract: An internal combustion process and engine in which the chemical energy of a fuel is converted into heat by timed combustion using self-ignition and into kinetic energy by expansion of the hot combustion gases and is transmitted by way of a piston to a shaft. The combustion-supporting air is compressed substantially isothermally, then heated by the hot exhaust gases. Some of the compressed hot air is diverted to preheat and carburet and/or compress a fuel and the remainder of the combustion-supporting air and the combustible gas evolved are supplied separately and in substantially stoichiometric quantities to a burner nozzle, mixed therein and burned by self-ignition with a reduced excess of air and without pressure increase. The energy of the combustion gases which expand without cooling is transmitted to a piston and the exhaust gases are removed from the cylinder chamber.

Abstract: An internal combustion piston engine utilizing a catalyst to promote combustion and not requiring spark ignition. A catalyst member is provided within the engine cylinder. Air is supplied to the cylinder and is compressed by a piston. At or near the point of maximum compression, fuel is contacted with the catalyst, preferably from the side of the catalyst opposite the piston. The fuel and air mix to initiate combustion and the air-fuel mixture passes through the catalyst member, completing the combustion. The operation can result in relatively complete combustion of the fuel at a relatively low temperature of about 1800.degree. to 3300.degree. or 3500.degree. F. so that little or no undesirable components are present in the engine exhaust, especially the exhaust may have a low content of nitrogen oxides.