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.

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.

A method for operating an oxycombustion engine system includes passing a nitrogen-depleted gas, a fuel, and a recycled exhaust gas into a combustion chamber, combusting a mixture of the nitrogen-depleted gas, the fuel, and the recycled exhaust gas, thereby producing an exhaust gas including carbon dioxide, detecting a pressure of the recycled exhaust gas passed to the combustion chamber, determining whether the detected pressure of the recycled exhaust gas is less than a configurable pressure threshold, and in response to determining that the detected pressure of the recycled exhaust gas is less than the configurable pressure threshold, increasing the pressure of the recycled exhaust gas passed to the combustion chamber.

An internal combustion engine may include a first piston reciprocatingly disposed in a first cylinder, and a second piston reciprocatingly disposed in a second cylinder. A crankshaft may be coupled with the first piston and the second piston for rotational motion associated with reciprocating movement of at least one of the first piston and the second piston. A combustion chamber may be fluidly coupled with the first cylinder and the second cylinder. An ignition source may be at least partially disposed within the combustion chamber. An intake valve may provide selective fluid communication between an intake system and the combustion chamber, and an exhaust valve may provide selective fluid communication between an exhaust system and the combustion chamber.

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.

A split cycle internal combustion engine comprising a compression cylinder accommodating a compression piston; a combustion cylinder accommodating a combustion piston; a crossover passage between the compression cylinder and the combustion cylinder arranged to provide working fluid to the combustion cylinder; a controller arranged to determine a peak temperature of combustion in the combustion cylinder based on a received indication of a peak temperature of combustion in the combustion cylinder; and a coolant system arranged to regulate a temperature of the working fluid supplied to the combustion cylinder; wherein, in response to determining that the peak temperature of combustion exceeds a selected threshold, the controller is configured to control the coolant system to regulate the temperature of the working fluid supplied to the combustion cylinder so that a peak temperature of combustion in the combustion cylinder is less than the selected threshold.

A split cycle internal combustion engine comprising a compression cylinder accommodating a compression piston; a combustion cylinder accommodating a combustion piston; a crossover passage between the compression cylinder and the combustion cylinder arranged to provide working fluid to the combustion cylinder; a controller arranged to determine a peak temperature of combustion in the combustion cylinder based on a received indication of a peak temperature of combustion in the combustion cylinder; and a coolant system arranged to regulate a temperature of the working fluid supplied to the combustion cylinder; wherein, in response to determining that the peak temperature of combustion exceeds a selected threshold, the controller is configured to control the coolant system to regulate the temperature of the working fluid supplied to the combustion cylinder so that a peak temperature of combustion in the combustion cylinder is less than the selected threshold.

The present invention provides an internal combustion engine with a split cylinder and free piston. The internal combustion engine (100) comprises a first chamber (200) having pumping means (202) disposed therein, wherein the first chamber (200) is configured to pump air or a charge, a second chamber (400) having second piston (402) disposed therein, the first chamber (200) is connected to and in fluid communication with the second chamber (400) and is configured to receive the air or charge from the first chamber (200) or from a source of compressed air thereof selected from the group consisting of compressors or pre-compressed air, and a third chamber (600) having third piston (602) disposed therein, the third chamber (600) is configured to receive a fluid therein and the third piston (602) is operably coupled to the second piston (402), and a second locking mechanism (1000) and/or a first locking mechanism (800).

The present invention provides an internal combustion engine with a split cylinder and free piston. The internal combustion engine (100) comprises a first chamber (200) having pumping means (202) disposed therein, wherein the first chamber (200) is configured to pump air or a charge, a second chamber (400) having second piston (402) disposed therein, the first chamber (200) is connected to and in fluid communication with the second chamber (400) and is configured to receive the air or charge from the first chamber (200) or from a source of compressed air thereof selected from the group consisting of compressors or pre-compressed air, and a third chamber (600) having third piston (602) disposed therein, the third chamber (600) is configured to receive a fluid therein and the third piston (602) is operably coupled to the second piston (402), and a second locking mechanism (1000) and/or a first locking mechanism (800).