Methods and systems are provided for controlling the temperature and ratio of gases within a gas mixing tank reservoir and selectively charging/discharging gases from the reservoir to one or both of an intake system or an exhaust system. In one example, a method (or system) may include storing exhaust gas and/or compressed intake air into a gas mixing reservoir, and increasing or decreasing flow of coolant to the reservoir based on engine operating conditions. The stored gases may be discharged to an intake system and/or an exhaust system based on requests from a controller, and coolant flow to the reservoir may be adjusted based on the composition of the gases stored within the reservoir.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling the temperature and ratio of gases within a gas mixing tank reservoir and selectively charging/discharging gases from the reservoir to one or both of an intake system or an exhaust system. In one example, a method (or system) may include storing exhaust gas and/or compressed intake air into a gas mixing reservoir, and increasing or decreasing flow of coolant to the reservoir based on engine operating conditions. The stored gases may be discharged to an intake system and/or an exhaust system based on requests from a controller, and coolant flow to the reservoir may be adjusted based on the composition of the gases stored within the reservoir.

A split cycle internal combustion engine comprising: a compression cylinder accommodating a compression piston configured to provide compressed working fluid; a combustion cylinder accommodating a combustion piston, wherein the combustion cylinder is coupled to the compression cylinder to receive compressed working fluid therefrom, and wherein the combustion cylinder comprises: (i) an inlet valve configured to control intake of compressed working fluid into the combustion cylinder, and (ii) an outlet valve configured to control exhausting of fluid from the combustion cylinder, and a controller configured to change the position during the engine cycle at which the inlet and/or outlet valves open to switch operation of the engine between an active mode and an engine braking mode, wherein the controller is configured to control at least one of: the inlet valve to open at a position which is closer to a bottom dead centre, BDC, position when operating in the engine braking mode than when operating in the active mode; and the outlet valve to open at a position which is closer to a top dead centre, TDC, position when operating in the engine braking mode than when operating in the active mode.

Variable compression ratio engines and methods for homogeneous charge, compression ignition operation. The engines effectively premix the fuel and air well before compression ignition. Various embodiments are disclosed including embodiments that include two stages of compression to obtain compression ratios well above the mechanical compression ratio of the engine cylinders for compression ignition of difficult to ignite fuels, and a controllable combustion chamber volume for limiting the maximum temperature during combustion. Energy storage with energy management are also disclosed.

Variable compression ratio engines and methods for homogeneous charge, compression ignition operation. The engines effectively premix the fuel and air well before compression ignition. Various embodiments are disclosed including embodiments that include two stages of compression to obtain compression ratios well above the mechanical compression ratio of the engine cylinders for compression ignition of difficult to ignite fuels, and a controllable combustion chamber volume for limiting the maximum temperature during combustion. Energy storage with energy management are also disclosed.

An opposed-piston engine system equipped for full hybrid compressed-air/combustion includes capacity for storing air compressed by the engine during a combustion mode of operation. The hybrid opposed-piston engine system includes a control mechanization for operating the opposed-piston engine in a combustion mode by provision of fuel, in a compressed-air mode by provision of stored compressed air, and in a combustion mode supplemented by provision of stored compressed air. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle equipped with an opposed-piston engine includes storing air compressed by the engine during a combustion mode of operation and operating in the vehicle a compressed-air mode by provision of stored compressed air.

An opposed-piston engine system equipped for full hybrid compressed-air/combustion includes capacity for storing air compressed by the engine during a combustion mode of operation. The hybrid opposed-piston engine system includes a control mechanization for operating the opposed-piston engine in a combustion mode by provision of fuel, in a compressed-air mode by provision of stored compressed air, and in a combustion mode supplemented by provision of stored compressed air. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle equipped with an opposed-piston engine includes storing air compressed by the engine during a combustion mode of operation and operating in the vehicle a compressed-air mode by provision of stored compressed air.

A method of controlling fuel delivery to an engine includes providing a fluid atomizer, a mechanically driven air compressor, a start up air source, and an air valve coupled between the mechanically driven air compressor and the start up air source, charging the start up air source, delivering compressed air from the start up air source to the fluid atomizer, providing an initial air/fluid mixture with the fluid atomizer, and operating the air valve to direct compressed air from the mechanically driven air compressor to the fluid atomizer.

A method of controlling fuel delivery to an engine includes providing a fluid atomizer, a mechanically driven air compressor, a start up air source, and an air valve coupled between the mechanically driven air compressor and the start up air source, charging the start up air source, delivering compressed air from the start up air source to the fluid atomizer, providing an initial air/fluid mixture with the fluid atomizer, and operating the air valve to direct compressed air from the mechanically driven air compressor to the fluid atomizer.

Embodiments may provide a starting device for a gas internal combustion engine whereby non-combusted gas accumulating in the gas internal combustion engine and an exhaust channel is discharged before ignition startup of the gas internal combustion engine and abnormal combustion of the gas internal combustion engine is prevented so as to improve safety, breakage prevention, durability and reliability. A starting device of a gas internal combustion engine 1 having an air starting device 30 includes a rotation-speed detection unit of the gas internal combustion engine 1, a compressed-air introduction unit 5 for supplying compressed air to each of cylinders according to an order of an ignition timing of the gas internal combustion engine 1, a compressed-air supply unit 3 for supplying the compressed air to the compressed-air introduction unit 5, and a control device 2 including a cumulative rotation-speed setting device 21 whereby an operator can set a threshold value of a cumulative rotation speed optionally, the control device 2 being configured to halt supply of the compressed air by the compressed-air supply unit 3 if a set cumulative rotation speed is achieved on the basis of the rotation speed detected by the rotation-speed detection unit.