The aim of the invention is to ensure that a hydraulic drive (10) for accelerating and braking a gas exchange valve (20) of internal combustion engines or other reciprocating engines operates in a simple, reliable and recuperative manner. To this end, a first pressure tank (41) for providing a first pressure p.sub.1, a restoring energy accumulator preferably embodied as a spring (25), and at least one hydraulic basic pressure tank (40) having a lower pressure p.sub.0 than the first pressure tank (41) are provided. A controllable opening (49) of a first valve (46) is arranged with at least one non-return valve (47) located upstream or downstream of the opening in the flow path, in a connection line (48) between the first hydraulic pressure tank (41) and the working cylinder (22), said non-return valve allowing the pressure medium (30) to flow towards the working cylinder (22) but preventing it from flowing back towards the pressure tank (41). In order to also initiate the closing movement or the braking of the gas exchange valve in a hydraulically simple and reliable manner, a controllable opening (59) of a second valve (56) is arranged in a second connection line (58) between the first pressure tank (41) and the working cylinder (22), with a non-return valve (57) that prevents flow towards the working cylinder (22) but allows backflow towards the pressure tank (41).

A closed cycle plant for converting thermal power to mechanical or electrical power including: a closed circuit inside which a working fluid circulates according to a predetermined circulation direction, a volumetric expander configured to receive at the inlet the working fluid in a gaseous state. The volumetric expander includes: a jacket having an inlet and an outlet for enabling the introduction and discharge the working fluid; an active element housed in said jacket and suitable for defining, in cooperation with said jacket, a variable volume expansion chamber; a main shaft; a valve active that opens and closes the inlet and outlet, and a generator connected to the main shaft. The valve includes a regulation device configured to vary the duration of the introduction condition, or the maximum through cross-section of the inlet.

In order to ensure a simple, reliable and recuperative operation in a hydraulic drive (10) for accelerating and braking a gas exchange valve (20) of internal combustion engines or other reciprocating engines, it is proposed that a first pressure reservoir (41) for providing a first pressure p.sub.1 comprises a restoring energy accumulator, preferably configured as a spring (25), and at least one hydraulic base pressure reservoir (40), which has a lower pressure p.sub.0 than the first pressure reservoir (41). In a connecting line (48) between the first hydraulic pressure reservoir (41) and the working cylinder (22), a controllable opening (49) of a first valve (46) comprising at least one check valve (47) is arranged upstream or downstream in the flow path, which allows the pressure medium (30) to flow in the direction of working cylinder (22), but prevents a backflow towards the pressure reservoir (41). In order to also initiate the closing movement or to enable the breaking of the gas exchange valve in a hydraulically simple and reliable manner, in a second connecting line (58) between the first pressure reservoir (41) and the working cylinder (22) there is arranged a controllable opening (59) of a second valve (56) comprising a check valve (57), which prevents a flow in the direction of the working cylinder (22), but allows a return flow in the direction of the pressure reservoir (41).

Embodiments, systems, and methods for error detection in crankshaft tooth encoding for a crank pulse wheel of a vehicle are provided. In some embodiments, a system for crankshaft tooth encoding includes a read module, a buffer module, an error module, and a position module. The read module identifies a tooth type for N number of teeth in a sliding buffer based on at least one tooth characteristic. The buffer module calculates a buffer value for the sliding buffer corresponding to a tooth represented in the sliding buffer. The error module detects an error associated with a tooth of the crank pulse wheel and calculates a revised buffer value based on the error. The position module determines an angular position of the crank pulse wheel based on the revised buffer value. The position module broadcasts the angular position to one or more vehicle systems of the vehicle.

Embodiments, systems, and methods for error detection in crankshaft tooth encoding for a crank pulse wheel of a vehicle are provided. In some embodiments, a system for crankshaft tooth encoding includes a read module, a buffer module, an error module, and a position module. The read module identifies a tooth type for N number of teeth in a sliding buffer based on at least one tooth characteristic. The buffer module calculates a buffer value for the sliding buffer corresponding to a tooth represented in the sliding buffer. The error module detects an error associated with a tooth of the crank pulse wheel and calculates a revised buffer value based on the error. The position module determines an angular position of the crank pulse wheel based on the revised buffer value. The position module broadcasts the angular position to one or more vehicle systems of the vehicle.

An internal combustion engine inducts no air from outside atmosphere and it discharges no gas into outside environment. The engine receives hydrocarbon fuel and oxygen, and its combustion gas consists mostly of carbon dioxide and water vapor. Carbon dioxide is captured, stored and subsequently sequestered by using it with water to create a hydrocarbon fuel that can be supplied back to the engine. In that way, the engine fuel is repeatedly regenerated and reused, and the engine operates in a carbon neutral mode of operation. Some of the combustion gas is used as a diluent gas in the engine. High specific heat and high density of that gas permit operation in high-efficiency overexpanded cycle without an increase in the engine size. Various methods of the engine control and operation are described, including methods to reduce pumping loss. Various modes of in-cylinder diluent gas formation are considered.

In order to ensure a simple, reliable and recuperative operation in a hydraulic drive (10) for accelerating and braking a gas exchange valve (20) of internal combustion engines or other reciprocating engines, it is proposed that a first pressure reservoir (41) for providing a first pressure p.sub.1 comprises a restoring energy accumulator, preferably configured as a spring (25), and at least one hydraulic base pressure reservoir (40), which has a lower pressure p.sub.0 than the first pressure reservoir (41). In a connecting line (48) between the first hydraulic pressure reservoir (41) and the working cylinder (22), a controllable opening (49) of a first valve (46) comprising at least one check valve (47) is arranged upstream or downstream in the flow path, which allows the pressure medium (30) to flow in the direction of working cylinder (22), but prevents a backflow towards the pressure reservoir (41).

In order to also initiate the closing movement or to enable the breaking of the gas exchange valve in a hydraulically simple and reliable manner, in a second connecting line (58) between the first pressure reservoir (41) and the working cylinder (22) there is arranged a controllable opening (59) of a second valve (56) comprising a check valve (57), which prevents a flow in the direction of the working cylinder (22), but allows a return flow in the direction of the pressure reservoir (41).

Embodiments, systems, and methods for error detection in crankshaft tooth encoding for a crank pulse wheel of a vehicle are provided. In some embodiments, a system for crankshaft tooth encoding includes a read module, a buffer module, an error module, and a position module. The read module identifies a tooth type for N number of teeth in a sliding buffer based on at least one tooth characteristic. The buffer module calculates a buffer value for the sliding buffer corresponding to a tooth represented in the sliding buffer. The error module detects an error associated with a tooth of the crank pulse wheel and calculates a revised buffer value based on the error. The position module determines an angular position of the crank pulse wheel based on the revised buffer value. The position module broadcasts the angular position to one or more vehicle systems of the vehicle.

Embodiments, systems, and methods for error detection in crankshaft tooth encoding for a crank pulse wheel of a vehicle are provided. In some embodiments, a system for crankshaft tooth encoding includes a read module, a buffer module, an error module, and a position module. The read module identifies a tooth type for N number of teeth in a sliding buffer based on at least one tooth characteristic. The buffer module calculates a buffer value for the sliding buffer corresponding to a tooth represented in the sliding buffer. The error module detects an error associated with a tooth of the crank pulse wheel and calculates a revised buffer value based on the error. The position module determines an angular position of the crank pulse wheel based on the revised buffer value. The position module broadcasts the angular position to one or more vehicle systems of the vehicle.

Disclosed herein is a valve apparatus for vehicles that is configured such that the sealability of a valve body can be markedly enhanced. The valve apparatus includes a valve body, a valve member and a sealing unit. The valve body is provided with at least two ports and has an internal space communicating with the ports. The valve member is rotatably installed in the internal space so as to open or close the ports. The sealing unit is provided to seal at least one of the ports. The sealing unit includes a sealing body airtightly installed on an inner surface of the corresponding port, and at least one elastic element integrally provided on a first end of the sealing body. The elastic element axially applies elastic force to the sealing body so that a second end of the sealing body comes into airtight contact with the valve member.