A method of sealing a coolant control valve of a cooling system for a power device which generates heat as a by-product of operation. The cooling system includes a pump, a heat exchanger, and coolant. The valve includes: an internal channel in fluid communication with the exchanger; a sealing package in contact a surface of the coolant control valve and bounding a portion of the cooling system and the channel; and a rotary element in the channel and rotatable to open and close the valve. The portion is bounded in part by the valve and the sealing package. The method includes: starting-up the device; creating a pressure differential of at least 0.2 bar between the coolant in the portion of the cooling system, and the coolant in the internal channel; rotating, using a motor, the rotary element; opening the valve; and pumping, using the pump, the coolant through the internal channel.

A split-cycle engine includes: a first cylinder housing a first piston, wherein the first piston performs an intake stroke and a compression stroke, but does not perform an exhaust stroke; a second cylinder housing a second piston, wherein the second piston performs an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke, but does not perform an intake stroke; and a valve chamber housing a valve, the valve comprising an internal chamber that selectively fluidly couples to the first and second cylinders, wherein the valve and internal chamber move within the valve chamber and relative to the first and second cylinders.

A split-cycle engine includes: a first cylinder housing a first piston, wherein the first piston performs an intake stroke and a compression stroke, but does not perform an exhaust stroke; a second cylinder housing a second piston, wherein the second piston performs an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke, but does not perform an intake stroke; and a valve chamber housing a valve, the valve comprising an internal chamber that selectively fluidly couples to the first and second cylinders, wherein the valve and internal chamber move within the valve chamber and relative to the first and second cylinders.

An improved sealing system for a poppet valve rotating sleeve internal combustion engine with rotating liners. A hydrodynamic face seal assembly includes a spring pre-load assembly provides a uniform loading to a primary sealing ring. A secondary seal is provided between the primary sealing ring and the cylinder head. Hydrodynamic face seal features are provided either on the mating face of the primary sealing ring or on the annular face of the rotating liner. The hydrodynamic face seal features include an inner sealing zone, and an outer loading zone with a plurality of hydrodynamic lift pads, and dam features which create converging surfaces. A lubricant is provided to the annular face of the rotating liner, so that a lubricant layer can be maintained between the primary sealing ring mating face and the rotating liner.

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.

A cylinder head assembly for a cylinder of a four stroke internal combustion engine, including an intake rotor assembly that includes an intake rotor body, a first intake rotor shell portion, and a second intake rotor shell portion, and is operable to be rotatably received in at least one through bore of a cylinder head member. An exhaust rotor assembly includes an exhaust rotor body, a first exhaust rotor shell portion, and a second exhaust rotor shell portion, and is operable to be rotatably received in the at least one through bore of the cylinder head member. At least one of the first and second intake rotor shell portions or the first and second exhaust rotor shell portions are operable to be urged outwardly towards or against an interior surface of the at least one through bore of the cylinder head member so as to create a seal therebetween.

A cylinder head assembly for a cylinder of a four stroke internal combustion engine, including an intake rotor assembly that includes an intake rotor body, a first intake rotor shell portion, and a second intake rotor shell portion, and is operable to be rotatably received in at least one through bore of a cylinder head member. An exhaust rotor assembly includes an exhaust rotor body, a first exhaust rotor shell portion, and a second exhaust rotor shell portion, and is operable to be rotatably received in the at least one through bore of the cylinder head member. At least one of the first and second intake rotor shell portions or the first and second exhaust rotor shell portions are operable to be urged outwardly towards or against an interior surface of the at least one through bore of the cylinder head member so as to create a seal therebetween.

Aspiration and multi-section slide valves (24) for internal combustion engines (11). The slide valves (24) include a central, reduced diameter neck (103) connecting separate cylindrical valve sections (104, 105), which have multiple spaced-apart ring groove arrays seating multiple rings. Slide valves (24) utilize spaced apart, continuously pressurized, annular oil confinement zones (101) that are defined between the slide valve exterior and its sleeve (27) between groups of piston ring arrays. The oil zones are axially spaced along the length of the slide valve and continuously pressured by oil flow passageways (106). During slide valve movement these pressurized oil zones tend to stabilize the slide valve (24), preventing metal-to-metal contact such as that associated with rocking, tipping, chafing or scrubbing. When appropriately displaced, the slide valve neck (103) facilitates transverse fluid flow through the slide valve and its confining sleeve between cylinder gas pathways (139, 141).

Aspiration and multi-section slide valves (24) for internal combustion engines (11). The slide valves (24) include a central, reduced diameter neck (103) connecting separate cylindrical valve sections (104, 105), which have multiple spaced-apart ring groove arrays seating multiple rings. Slide valves (24) utilize spaced apart, continuously pressurized, annular oil confinement zones (101) that are defined between the slide valve exterior and its sleeve (27) between groups of piston ring arrays. The oil zones are axially spaced along the length of the slide valve and continuously pressured by oil flow passageways (106). During slide valve movement these pressurized oil zones tend to stabilize the slide valve (24), preventing metal-to-metal contact such as that associated with rocking, tipping, chafing or scrubbing. When appropriately displaced, the slide valve neck (103) facilitates transverse fluid flow through the slide valve and its confining sleeve between cylinder gas pathways (139, 141).

A method of operating an exhaust valve of a two-stroke internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine has a cylinder and a piston movably disposed within the cylinder. The cylinder defines at least one exhaust port for discharging exhaust fluid from the cylinder. The exhaust valve is configured to cyclically obstruct the exhaust port. The method includes: rotating the exhaust valve in a first direction for clearing the exhaust port before the piston uncovers the exhaust port during a downstroke of the piston, the first direction being opposite a direction of rotation of a crankshaft of the engine; and rotating the exhaust valve in the first direction for at least partially closing the exhaust port before the piston fully covers the exhaust port during an upstroke of the piston, said rotating of the exhaust valve relative to the rotation of the crankshaft at least partially counterbalancing the crankshaft.