An engine includes: a block defining a cylinder bore; a crankshaft mounted for rotation in the block; a piston disposed in the cylinder bore; a connecting rod interconnecting the piston to the crankshaft; and a cylinder head coupled to the block and including: a combustion chamber aligned with the cylinder bore and having an intake opening and an exhaust opening communicating therewith; an intake port; an exhaust port; a rotatable inlet valve barrel disposed between the intake opening and the intake port and having a first diameter; and a rotatable exhaust valve barrel disposed between the exhaust opening and the exhaust port and having a second diameter different from the first diameter.

A modular rotary valve apparatus includes: a plurality of separate valve barrels coupled to each other and arranged end-to-end along an axis so as to define a valve shaft, each valve barrel having an annular peripheral surface extending between forward and aft end faces, and an aperture extending transversely therethrough communicating with the peripheral surface on opposite sides.

An engine system and method of operation therefor are provided. The system is a two-stroke internal combustion engine having an exhaust valve assembly that controls the exhaust cycle relative to crankshaft timing. The exhaust valve assembly is positioned between exhaust port and an exhaust pipe. The exhaust valve assembly comprises a rotary exhaust valve and valve phasing assembly. The rotary exhaust valve comprises a valve body defining a valve void therethrough. The use of the rotary exhaust valve allows for alteration or calibration of the fixed time and location at which the intake port and exhaust port are opened and closed by the piston with respect to the respective engine cycle. Notably, while still uncovered by the piston, the exhaust port may be closed due to full misalignment of the valve void and the exhaust port, while the intake port remains open, allowing for cylinder charging.

An engine system and method of operation therefor are provided. The system is a two-stroke internal combustion engine having an exhaust valve assembly that controls the exhaust cycle relative to crankshaft timing. The exhaust valve assembly is positioned between exhaust port and an exhaust pipe. The exhaust valve assembly comprises a rotary exhaust valve and valve phasing assembly. The rotary exhaust valve comprises a valve body defining a valve void therethrough. The use of the rotary exhaust valve allows for alteration or calibration of the fixed time and location at which the intake port and exhaust port are opened and closed by the piston with respect to the respective engine cycle. Notably, while still uncovered by the piston, the exhaust port may be closed due to full misalignment of the valve void and the exhaust port, while the intake port remains open, allowing for cylinder charging.

Embodiments of a compact pressure swing reformer are disclosed. Certain embodiments have a construction comprising multiple rotating reformer beds, high temperature rotary valves at the bed ends, and E-seals to seal the beds to the valves. Several possible designs for introducing reactants into the beds also are disclosed. The multiple reformer beds are configured to provide for pressure equalization and steam push. The compact pressure swing reformer is suitable for use in fuel cell vehicle applications.

A throttle valve assembly includes a valve housing having a main channel and an auxiliary channel. A main throttle valve is pivotally mounted in the main channel, and an auxiliary throttle valve pivotally is mounted in the auxiliary channel. A common rotating actuator controls the opening angle of both the main throttle valve and the auxiliary throttle valve through an actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism includes a crank mechanism connected between an auxiliary pivoting shaft and a gear train driven by the rotating actuator.

An engine system and method of operation therefor are provided. The system is a two-stroke internal combustion engine having an exhaust valve assembly that controls the exhaust cycle relative to crankshaft timing. The exhaust valve assembly is positioned between exhaust port and an exhaust pipe. The exhaust valve assembly comprises a rotary exhaust valve and valve phasing assembly. The rotary exhaust valve comprises a valve body defining a valve void therethrough. The use of the rotary exhaust valve allows for alteration or calibration of the fixed time and location at which the intake port and exhaust port are opened and closed by the piston with respect to the respective engine cycle. Notably, while still uncovered by the piston, the exhaust port may be closed due to full misalignment of the valve void and the exhaust port, while the intake port remains open, allowing for cylinder charging.

An engine system and method of operation therefor are provided. The system is a two-stroke internal combustion engine having an exhaust valve assembly that controls the exhaust cycle relative to crankshaft timing. The exhaust valve assembly is positioned between exhaust port and an exhaust pipe. The exhaust valve assembly comprises a rotary exhaust valve and valve phasing assembly. The rotary exhaust valve comprises a valve body defining a valve void therethrough. The use of the rotary exhaust valve allows for alteration or calibration of the fixed time and location at which the intake port and exhaust port are opened and closed by the piston with respect to the respective engine cycle. Notably, while still uncovered by the piston, the exhaust port may be closed due to full misalignment of the valve void and the exhaust port, while the intake port remains open, allowing for cylinder charging.

An engine system and method of operation therefor are provided. The system is a two-stroke internal combustion engine having an exhaust valve assembly that controls the exhaust cycle relative to crankshaft timing. The exhaust valve assembly is positioned between exhaust port and an exhaust pipe. The exhaust valve assembly comprises a rotary exhaust valve and valve phasing assembly. The rotary exhaust valve comprises a valve body defining a valve void therethrough. The use of the rotary exhaust valve allows for alteration or calibration of the fixed time and location at which the intake port and exhaust port are opened and closed by the piston with respect to the respective engine cycle. Notably, while still uncovered by the piston, the exhaust port may be closed due to full misalignment of the valve void and the exhaust port, while the intake port remains open, allowing for cylinder charging.

An engine system and method of operation therefor are provided. The system is a two-stroke internal combustion engine having an exhaust valve assembly that controls the exhaust cycle relative to crankshaft timing. The exhaust valve assembly is positioned between exhaust port and an exhaust pipe. The exhaust valve assembly comprises a rotary exhaust valve and valve phasing assembly. The rotary exhaust valve comprises a valve body defining a valve void therethrough. The use of the rotary exhaust valve allows for alteration or calibration of the fixed time and location at which the intake port and exhaust port are opened and closed by the piston with respect to the respective engine cycle. Notably, while still uncovered by the piston, the exhaust port may be closed due to full misalignment of the valve void and the exhaust port, while the intake port remains open, allowing for cylinder charging.