Patent ID: 7603970
Filing Date: 2009-10-20
Classification: F02B,F02D,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A split-cycle air hybrid engine comprising: a crankshaft rotatable about a crankshaft axis; a power piston slidably received within a power cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft; a compression piston slidably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft; a gas passage interconnecting the compression and power cylinders, the gas passage including an inlet valve and an outlet valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween; an air reservoir connected by a reservoir passage to the pressure chamber at a location between the inlet valve and the outlet valve, and selectively operable to receive compressed air from the compression cylinder and to deliver compressed air to the power cylinder for use in transmitting power to the crankshaft during engine operation; and valves selectively controlling gas flow into and out of the compression and power cylinders and the air reservoir such that the engine is operable in a pre-compressed air power (PAP) mode, wherein in the PAP mode: the power cylinder receives compressed air from the reservoir at the beginning of an expansion stroke of the power piston which is mixed with fuel during the same expansion stroke and the fuel is ignited, burned and expanded on the same expansion stroke, transmitting power to the crankshaft.