F02B41/06

Method and apparatus for controlling a single-shaft dual expansion internal combustion engine
10519835 · 2019-12-31 · ·

An internal combustion engine includes first and second power cylinders and an expander cylinder, and is configured to operate in an expander mode and a bypass mode by selectively fluidly coupling exhaust flow from the first and second power cylinders to the expander cylinder. Operation includes commanding a transition from the bypass mode to the expander mode, including retarding openings of intake valves of the first and second power cylinders to a LIVC position. Exhaust valves of the power cylinders are controlled to effect fluid flow to the expander cylinder, and opening of an outlet valve of the expander cylinder is controlled to a maximum advanced state. The openings of the intake valves of the first and second power cylinders are controlled to desired positions associated with engine operation in the expander mode.

Split Cycle Engine

A split cycle internal combustion engine includes a combustion cylinder accommodating a combustion piston and a compression cylinder accommodating a compression piston. The engine also includes a controller arranged to receive an indication of a parameter associated with the combustion cylinder and/or a fluid associated therewith and to control an exhaust valve of the combustion cylinder in dependence on the indicated parameter to cause the exhaust valve to close during the return stroke of the combustion piston, before the combustion piston has reached its top dead centre position (TDC), when the indicated parameter is less than a target value for the parameter; and close on completion of the return stroke of the combustion piston, as the combustion piston reaches its top dead centre position (TDC), when the indicated parameter is equal to or greater than the target value for the parameter.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WITH PAIRED, PARALLEL, OFFSET PISTONS

An internal combustion engine wherein at least two cylinders continuously communicate via the cylinder head and wherein the connecting rod in one cylinder is offset from the connecting rod in the second cylinder by a first angle between 8 and 12 degrees as measured from the crankshaft, and a camshaft having a second offset of one half of the first angle offset.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WITH PAIRED, PARALLEL, OFFSET PISTONS

An internal combustion engine wherein at least two cylinders continuously communicate via the cylinder head and wherein the connecting rod in one cylinder is offset from the connecting rod in the second cylinder by a first angle between 8 and 12 degrees as measured from the crankshaft, and a camshaft having a second offset of one half of the first angle offset.

MULTIFUEL CLOSED-LOOP THERMAL CYCLE PISTON ENGINE, SYSTEM AND METHOD
20240151193 · 2024-05-09 · ·

A multifuel closed-loop thermal cycle piston engine, system and method. An externally-fired continuous combustion piston-driven engine configured to employ water injection post combustion to maintain a temperature of exhaust gas at a set point to form a closed-loop thermal cycle. A multifuel closed-loop thermal cycle piston engine includes a drive stage, a compression stage separate from the drive stage, the compression stage including a pressure-operated exhaust valve of a compression cylinder, an externally-fired continuous combustion chamber configured to conduct continuous combustion of a nonselective fuel, the combustion chamber comprising a water injection stage succeeding the fuel burner chamber, the water injection stage configured to inject water into the combustion chamber post-combustion, and wherein a quantity of water injected post-combustion is configured to maintain engine exhaust at or below a temperature set point.

Split cycle engine with crossover shuttle valve
10378431 · 2019-08-13 · ·

A split-cycle internal combustion engine (ICE) is provided, comprising a compression cylinder, an expansion cylinder and a crossover valve having a valve cylinder housing inside a shuttle and a combustion chamber structure defining a combustion chamber. The shuttle is configured to perform reciprocating motion inside the valve cylinder synchronously with a compression piston and an expansion piston, thereby alternatingly fluidly coupling and decoupling the combustion chamber with the compression cylinder and with the expansion cylinder, selectively. Sealing rings positioned between the valve cylinder and the shuttle prevent gas leaks between them during the reciprocating motion. In some embodiments, a phase shift between the pistons may be set or varied by a piston phase transmission gear. A bi-directional fluid flow split-cycle internal combustion engine (ICE) is also provided having a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a combustion chamber and a single crossover valve fluidly communicating them.

Split cycle engine with crossover shuttle valve
10378431 · 2019-08-13 · ·

A split-cycle internal combustion engine (ICE) is provided, comprising a compression cylinder, an expansion cylinder and a crossover valve having a valve cylinder housing inside a shuttle and a combustion chamber structure defining a combustion chamber. The shuttle is configured to perform reciprocating motion inside the valve cylinder synchronously with a compression piston and an expansion piston, thereby alternatingly fluidly coupling and decoupling the combustion chamber with the compression cylinder and with the expansion cylinder, selectively. Sealing rings positioned between the valve cylinder and the shuttle prevent gas leaks between them during the reciprocating motion. In some embodiments, a phase shift between the pistons may be set or varied by a piston phase transmission gear. A bi-directional fluid flow split-cycle internal combustion engine (ICE) is also provided having a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a combustion chamber and a single crossover valve fluidly communicating them.

Internal combustion engine with paired, parallel, offset pistons

An internal combustion engine; wherein at least two cylinders continuously communicate via the cylinder head; and wherein the connecting rod in one cylinder is offset from the connecting rod in the second cylinder by a first angle between 8 and 12 degrees as measured from the crankshaft, and a camshaft having a second offset of one-half of the first angle offset.

Internal combustion engine with paired, parallel, offset pistons

An internal combustion engine; wherein at least two cylinders continuously communicate via the cylinder head; and wherein the connecting rod in one cylinder is offset from the connecting rod in the second cylinder by a first angle between 8 and 12 degrees as measured from the crankshaft, and a camshaft having a second offset of one-half of the first angle offset.

SPLIT-CYCLE ENGINE
20190203633 · 2019-07-04 ·

the present disclosure is related to an engine with entry ignition, comprising a compressor coupled to a pressure reservoir, wherein the pressure reservoir comprises a conduit connected to a mixing chamber wherein the mixing chamber comprises a fuel injector, and wherein the mixing chamber is coupled to a combustion chamber, a valve at the opening of the combustion chamber, wherein the valve is configured to open and close one or more channels between the mixing chamber and the combustion chamber, an exhaust valve at the opening of the combustion chamber. and a valve actuator connected to the exhaust valve.