Abstract:
A device and method for double actuating, by pressure differential, a valve of a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, wherein the double actuating device comprises an actuator piston displaceably arranged in an actuator cylinder between two chambers of inversely varying volume, mechanically attached to the stem of said valve. The actuating forces on said valve are selectively controllable via pressurized manifolds. The valves are double actuated independently of engine operation, the method allowing for variation in timing, duration, and lift under an electronically controlled fluid circuit, using alterable constants to allow for modifiable operating modes, also allowing reprogramming of said electronics to provide for in-place upgrades.
Abstract:
An internal combustion engine has at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve. A first spring biases the at least one intake valve to a closed position. A second spring biases the at least one exhaust valve to a closed position. At least one of the first and second springs is an air spring. An air compressor fluidly communicates with the air spring to supply air to the air spring. The air compressor is operatively connected to a rotating shaft of the engine to be selectively driven thereby. A motor is operatively connected to the air compressor to selectively drive the air compressor. A method of supplying air to the air spring of the above engine is also disclosed. A method of supplying air to an air spring of an engine having both a mechanical and an electrical air compressor is also disclosed.
Abstract:
Method of operating an internal combustion engine, including, at least, compressing and cooling air outside an engine chamber, supplying cooled, pressurized air to an intake port associated with the chamber, and, during each engine cycle: opening the intake port, allowing cooled, pressurized air to flow through the intake port and into the chamber during at least a portion of the intake stroke; maintaining open the intake port during the portion of the intake stroke and beyond the end of the intake stroke and into the compression stroke and during a majority portion of the compression stroke; closing the intake port at a point during travel of the piston to capture in the chamber a cooled compressed charge of the cooled, pressurized air; controllably delivering fuel into the chamber after the cooled compressed charge is captured within the chamber; and igniting a fuel and air mixture within the chamber.
Abstract:
An exhaust valve arrangement includes a cylinder having a top end, an exhaust conduit connected to the cylinder by an opening in the top end of the cylinder, the opening comprising a valve seat, a valve member comprising a valve stem and a valve head on the valve stem, the valve member being movable between a closed position in which the valve head is received in the valve seat and an open position in which the valve head is spaced from the valve seat, and a resilient member arranged to urge the valve member to a closed position. A piston is mounted relative to the valve stem, the piston being disposed in a second cylinder in flow communication with the exhaust conduit and arranged such that a change in pressure in the exhaust conduit changes a degree of compression of the resilient member.
Abstract:
Pneumatic system for controlling the valves, of an internal combustion engine; the pneumatic system is provided with: a pneumatic accumulator containing pressurized air; a pneumatic manifold; a control device to connect the pneumatic manifold alternatively to the pneumatic accumulator with the internal combustion engine in the high rpm range and to the atmosphere with the internal combustion engine in the low rpm range; a plurality of pneumatic springs, each of which has a variable volume actuating chamber and a piston mounted slidingly inside the actuating chamber; a plurality of connecting conduits, each of which connects the actuating chamber of a respective pneumatic spring to the pneumatic manifold; and a plurality of calibrated cross-sectional portions, each of which has a reduced cross-sectional area and is arranged along a respective connecting conduit.