(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
International Bureau

11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111(10) International Publication Number(43) International Publication Date

21 October 2010 (21.10.2010)(51) International Patent Classification:
F02B 33130 (2006.01)(21) International Application Number:
PCT/US20 I 0/029304(22) International Filing Date:
31 March 2010 (31.03.2010)(25) Filing Language:

English(26) Publication Language:

English(30) Priority Data:

WO 2010/120499 A1

PCT(81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BR, BW, BY, BZ,
CA,CH,CL,CN,CO,CR,CU,CZ,DE,DK,DM,DO,
DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT,
HN, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KM, KN, KP,
KR, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LY, MA, MD,
ME, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI,
NO, NZ, OM, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, RU, SC, SD,
SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TH, TJ, TM, TN, TR,
TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW.

us(84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH,(71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): SCUDGM, KE, LR, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG,
ERI GROUP, LLC [US/US]; llll Elm Street, Suite 33,
ZM, ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ,
West Springfield, MA 01089 (US).
TM), European (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE,
ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV,(72) Inventor: SCUDERI, Stephen; 1023 Shaker Road,
MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, SM,
Westfield, MA 01085 (US).
TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW,
ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
(74) Agents: FILDES, Christopher J. et al.; Fildes & Outland, P.C., 20916 Mack Avenue, Suite 2, Grosse Pointe
Published:
Woods, MI 48236 (US).
with international search report (Art. 21 (3))
61/170,452

17 April2009 (17.04.2009);;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;--;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;-(54) Title: PART-LOAD CONTROL IN A SPLIT-CYCLE ENGINE-;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

56(57) Abstract: An engine includes a crankshaft rotatable about a crankshaft axis. A compression piston is slidably received within
a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston is operable to reciprocate
through an intake stroke and a compression stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. An expansion (power) piston is slidably received within an expansion cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the expansion piston is operable
to reciprocate through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. At least two crossover
passages interconnect the compression and expansion cylinders. Each of the at least two crossover passages includes a crossovercompression (XovrC) valve and a crossover expansion (XovrE) valve operable to define a pressure chamber therebetween. The
engine controls and maximizes engine efficiency at part-load by utilizing only selected crossover passages.

wo 2010/120499

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1

PART-LOAD CONTROL IN A SPLIT-CYCLE ENGINETECHNICAL FIELD

The

present

invention

generally

relatestocontrolling and maximizing the efficiency of a split-cycle
5

engine operating under part-load conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For
10engine"aspurposes

used

in

of

the

clarity,present

theterm "conventional

applicationreferstoaninternal combustion engine wherein all four strokes of thewell-known Otto or Diesel cycles(the intake,expansion

are

and

exhaustpiston/cylinder
15

strokes)combination

of

the

contained

engine.

angle

crankshaft
entire(CA)),

and( 7 2 0 degrees

Otto

or

two

CA)

Diesel

full

are

cycle

in

Each

requires one half revolution of the crankshaft
crank

compression,eachstroke(180 degrees

revolutions

of

the

completetherequired

to

in

each

cylinderclarity,

the

of

a

conventional engine.
20

Also,

for

purposesoffollowing

definition is offered for the term "split-cycle engine" as
may be applied to engines disclosed in the prior art and as
referred to in the present application.
A split-cycle engine generally includes:25

a crankshaft rotatable about a crankshaft axis;acompression

compression
cylinderpistonandslidably

operatively

received withinconnected

to

a

the

crankshaft such that the compression piston is operable toreciprocate
30

throughanintakestrokeandacompression

stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft;wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

2

anwithinexpansionan expansion(power)cylinderpistonslidablyreceived

and operatively connected tothe crankshaft such that the expansion piston is operable toreciprocate
5through

expansion

strokeandanexhauststroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft; and
a

10

an

crossoverpassageinterconnecting

thecompression and expansion cylinders,the crossover passage

includinga(XovrC)valve

crossover

expansion

operablecrossovercompression(XovrE)

valve

and

a

to

defineatwoadjacentpressure chamber therebetween.
Asplit-cycle

enginereplaces

cylinders of a conventional engine with a combination of one
compression cylinder and one expansion cylinder.

The fourstrokes of the Otto or Diesel cycle are "split" over the two
15

cylindersfortheand suchintakecylinder

that

and

providesthecompression

compression

for

the

strokes

expansionandcylinder provides
and

the

expansion

exhauststrokes.

The Otto or Diesel cycle is therefore completed in these twocylinders once per crankshaft revolution (360 degrees CA).
20

United States patent no.
8,

2003

to

"Scuderi patent")andUnited States patent no.

6,952,923 granted October 11,

2005

to

al.

each

David

CarmeloP.

Scuderi

6,543,225 granted April

J.

Branyon

et

(the

(the

"Branyonpatent")contain an extensive discussion of split-cycle and similar
25

type engines.

In addition,

the Scuderi and Branyon patents

disclose details of prior versions of engines of which thepresent invention comprises a further development.
Split-cycle engines typically rely on maintainingpressure in the crossover passage at a high minimum pressure
30(typically 20 bar or higher)
Otto or Diesel cycle.
in theduring all four strokes of theMaintaining maximum pressure levels

crossover passage generally results

efficiency levels.

in the highest

wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

3

Also, spark-ignition (or Otto) split-cycle engines
preferably maintain an appropriate mixture of air and fuelintheexpansion

stoichiometric5

the masscylinderair/fuelprior

mixtureof air to fuel)

to

spark

ignition.

(approximately

is ideal.

A

14.7

times

A rich mixture(lessthan approximately 14.7 times the mass of air to fuel)leave excess fuel, which reduces efficiency.

canA lean mixture(more than approximately 14.7 times the mass of air to fuel)can10

produceconverter

too

(not

much

nitrous-oxideshown)

to process,

(NOx)

for

a

catalytic

causing an unacceptablelevel of NOx emissions.
In

prior

art

valves, XovrE valves,

split-cycle

engines,theand fuel injectors of each of the one

or more crossover passages operate synchronously.
15

XovrC

words,

if there are multiple crossover passages,

valvesopen and close at approximately the

In otherthe XovrC

same time,the

XovrE valves open and close at approximately the same time,
and the fuel injectors inject approximately the same amount
of
20

fuel

into

their

respective

controlloadcompression
variableby(or Otto)

varyingcylinder.

valve

the

mass

This

can

actuationofthethrottling valve may also be used.
theintakevalve

atsplit-cycle

enginescanentering

theofcompression

the

of
be

done

intakeisbyvalve,

utilizing
althougha

At part-load conditions,compression

pistonair

incylinderits

typicallyclosesas(i.e.,

when the compression piston is moving away from thecylinder head).
30

passages

approximately the same time.
Spark-ignition

25

crossoverdownward

strokeThe result is that the compression cylinder

does not intake a full charge of air.

In other words, underpart-loadinconditions,thepressure

thecompression

cylinder when the compression piston is at its bottom deadcenter position is typically less than 1 atmosphere.

wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

4
Controlling

load

by

varying

the

mass

of

air

entering the compression cylinder allows spark-ignition(orOtto) split-cycle engines to maintain an appropriate mixture
of
5

air

and

fuel

in

the

expansion

cylinder.

controlling load in this manner may have
In prior art

split-cycle engines,

However,adverse effects.

compressing lessthan afull charge of air in the compression cylinder reduces thepressure in the one or more crossover passages because thesame mass
10of airis

not moved/compressed intothe

one ormore crossover passages as is moved/compressed at full-load.
This

of

coursedoes

notmaintainthedesiredmaximumpressure levels in the crossover passages and can reduce thepressurebelow

requirements
15

the

of

aforementioned

split-cycle

enginesminimum(typicallypressure

20

bar

or

higher).
Accordingly,
minimumpressurepassage

of

a

in

the

one

there

split-cycleorisrequirements

More particularly,
20

high

a

need

to

meet

the

of

one

or

more

crossoverengineatpart-loadhighconditions.

there is a need to maximize the pressuremorecrossoverpassagesofspark-ignition

split-cycle engines operating at part-load.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

25

The present invention provides a solution to theaforementioned

crossoverpassagepressure

split-cycle engines operating at part-load.
thepresent

providing30

invention

multiple

generally

crossoversolvespassages

problems

In particular,

these
and,

for

problems

atbypart-load,

utilizing only selected crossover passages that need not be
all of the crossover passages.
These and other advantages may be accomplished ln
anexemplaryembodiment

of

the

present

inventionbywo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

5
providing an engine comprising a crankshaft rotatable aboutacrankshaft

axis,

a

compression piston

slidably received

within a compression cylinder and operatively connected tothe crankshaft such that the compression piston is operable
5

toreciprocate

stroke10duringthrough an

intakearotation

singlestroke and aof

expansion(power)pistonslidably

expansion

cylinderandoperatively

crankshaft

such

the

expansion

reciprocatethatcrankshaft,receivedanwithinconnected

an

to

the
to

pistonisoperablestrokeandanexhaustsingle rotation of the crankshaft,and atthroughstroke during athecompression

anexpansion

least two crossover passages interconnecting the compression
and expansion cylinders, each of the at least two crossover
passages including a crossover compression (XovrC) valve and15acrossoverpressure

expansionchamber(XovrE)valve

therebetween,

operable

whereinthetodefineacompression

cylinder is operable to intake a charge of air and compress
said charge into at least one but less than all of the atleast two crossover passages during a single rotation of the20

crankshaft.
These and other advantages may be accomplished ina further embodiment of the present invention by providing
anengine,crankshaft
25

comprising
axis,

a

a

crankshaft

compression

rotatable

pistonabout

slidablyareceived

within a compression cylinder and operatively connected tothe crankshaft such that the compression piston is operable
toreciprocate

stroke30duringthrough an

intakearotation

singlestroke and aof

expansion(power)pistonslidably

expansion

cylinderandoperatively

crankshaft

such

the

expansion

reciprocatethatcrankshaft,received

withinconnected

an
an

to

the
to

pistonisoperablestrokeandanexhaustsingle rotation of the crankshaft,and atthroughstroke during athecompression

anexpansion

wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

6
least two crossover passages interconnecting the compression
and expansion cylinders,each of the at least two crossover

passages including a crossover compressiona5

crossoverpressure

expansionchamber(XovrE)valve

therebetween,(XovrC) valve andoperable

whereintodefinetheaexpansion

cylinder is operable to receive fluid from at least one but
less than all of the at least two crossover passages during
a single rotation of the crankshaft.
These and other advantages may be accomplished in10afurther embodiment of the present invention by providing

anengine,crankshaft
within acomprising
axis,

a

a

crankshaft

compression

rotatable

pistonabout

slidablyareceived

compression cylinder and operatively connected tothe crankshaft such that the compression piston is operable
15

toreciprocate

stroke20

duringthroughansingleaintakestrokerotationofexpansion(power)pistonslidably

expansion

cylinderandoperatively

crankshaft

such

the

expansionthecrankshaft,receivedanwithinconnected

an

to

the
to

is

operablestrokeandanexhauststroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft,

at least

two

throughancrossover passages

expansion

cylinders,

expansioninterconnecting the

each

of

the

at

a

crossoverpressure

expansionchamber(XovrE)valve

therebetween,

andcompression andleastpassages including a crossover compression
25

compression

pistonreciprocate

that

and a

crossover(XovrC) valve andoperable
at

two

to

least

define
two

a

fuel

injectors, each fuel injector corresponding to one of the atleast two crossover passages, each fuel injector operable to
add
30

fuel

passage,

to

the

exit

end

of

the

corresponding

crossoverwherein the engine is operable to add fuelto theexit end of at least one but less than all of the at least
twocrossovercrankshaft.

passages

duringasinglerotationofthewo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

7

Optionally,

in

these

three

embodiments

theexpansion cylinder may be operable to receive fluid from atleast one but less than all of the at least two crossover
passages during a5single rotation of the crankshaft.

The

compression cylinder may be operable to intake a charge of
air and compress the charge into at least one but less than
all of the at least two crossover passages during a single
rotation of the crankshaft.
least

10

two

percent

crossoveroftheThe volume of a first of the atpassagesvolumecrossover passages.

of

a

may

be

secondbetween

of

the

40

at

and

60

least

two

The engine may be configured such thatthe pressure of the charge in the compression cylinder isless than 1 atmosphere when the compression piston is at its
bottom dead center position.
These and other advantages may be accomplished in15

a further embodiment of the present invention by providing amethod forcontrolling an engine at part-load,

the engine

including a crankshaft operable to rotate about a crankshaft
axis of the engine,20

a compression piston slidably received

within a compression cylinder and operatively connected tothe crankshaft such that the compression piston is operable
toreciprocate

stroke25

duringthrough an

intakearotation

singlestroke and aof

expansion(power)pistonslidably

expansion

cylinderandoperatively

crankshaft

such

the

expansion

reciprocatethatcrankshaft,receivedanwithinconnected

an

to

the
to

pistonisoperablestrokeandanexhaustsingle rotation of the crankshaft,and atthroughstroke during athecompression

anexpansion

least two crossover passages interconnecting the compression
30

and expansion cylinders, each of the at least two crossover
passages including a crossover compression (XovrC) valve andacrossoverpressure

expansionchamber(XovrE)valve

therebetween,

operablethemethodtodefineacomprisingwo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

8
actuating atleast

one but

lessthan allcompression(XorvC)valves during aof the crossover

single rotation of the

crankshaft.
These and other advantages may be accomplished in5

a further embodiment of the present invention by providing amethodforcontrolling anengineatpart-load,

theengineincluding a crankshaft operable to rotate about a crankshaft
axis of the engine,
within a10compression piston slidably received

compression cylinder and operatively connected tothe crankshaft such that the compression piston is operable
toreciprocate

stroke15aduringthroughaansingleintakestrokerotationoftheexpansion(power)pistonslidably

expansion

cylinderandoperatively

crankshaft

such

the

expansion

reciprocate
strokethatthroughduring aansingleexpansionrotation

and acompression

crankshaft,receivedanwithinconnected

an

to

the
to

pistonisoperablestrokeandanexhaustcrankshaft,and atoftheleast two crossover passages interconnecting the compression
and expansion cylinders,20

passages including a crossover compressionacrossoverpressure

expansionchamber

actuating at
expansion
25

each of the at least two crossover

valve

therebetween,

least(XovrE)(XovrE)

one but
valveslessduring(XovrC) valve andoperablethemethodtodefineacomprisingthan allof the crossoverarotation

singleofthecrankshaft.
These and other advantages may be accomplished ina further embodiment of the present invention by providing amethodforcontrolling anengineatpart-load,

theengineincluding a crankshaft operable to rotate about a crankshaft
30

axis of the engine,
within aacompression piston slidably received

compression cylinder and operatively connected tothe crankshaft such that the compression piston is operable
toreciprocate

throughanintakestrokeand acompression

wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

9

stroke5duringasinglerotationofexpansion(power)pistonslidably

expansion

cylinderandoperatively

crankshaft

such

the

expansion

crankshaft,receivedanwithinconnected

an

to

the
to

pistonisoperablestrokeandanexhauststroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft,

at least

reciprocate

that

the

throughan

two crossover passages
expansion

cylinders,

expansioninterconnecting the compression and

each

of

the

at

least

two

crossoverpassages including a crossover compression (XovrC) valve and10acrossoverpressure

expansionchamber(XovrE)valve

therebetween,

operable

and

at

to

define

least

two

a

fuel

injectors, each fuel injector corresponding to one of the atleast two crossover passages, each fuel injector operable to
add
15

fuel

passage,

to

the

exit

end

of

the

corresponding

crossoverthe method comprising adding fuel to the exit endof at least one but less than all of the crossover passages
during a single rotation of the crankshaft.
Optionally,may
20

further

includein these three embodiments the method
the

step

of determining which

of

the

fuel injectors to use to add the fuel based on at least oneof the load and speed of the engine.
the

step

of

determining

which

of

The method may include
thecrossover

expansion(XovrE) valves to actuate based on at least one of the loadand speed of the engine.
25

determining
valves

to

which

of

The method may include the step oftheactuate based on

speed of the engine.

crossovercompression

at

one

least

of

the

(XovrC)load andThe volume of a first of the at least

two crossover passages may be between 40 and 60 percent ofthe30

volumepassages.

of
The

a

secondengine

of

may

the
be

at

least

two

crossoverconfigured

such

that

the

pressure of the charge in the compression cylinder is lessthan1

atmosphere

when

the

bottom dead center position.

compression

piston

is

at

its

wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

10

These

and

other

invention will be morefeaturesandadvantages

fully understood from the

of

the

followingdetailed description of the invention taken together with theaccompanying drawings.
5

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSIn the drawings:
FIG.
10

1 is a cross-sectional view of a split-cycle

engine according to the present invention;
FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional top views of the
split-cycle engine taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1; andFIGS.

3 through 10 are cross-sectional top viewsof a second embodiment of a split-cycle engine according to15

the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

20

With

referenceasplit-cycle

indicates
present

invention.

crankshaft

25

The

FIG.

1,

numeralengineinaccordance

split-cycle

rotatable

about

a

enginepiston72

isslidably

compression

cylinder66

andoperatively

50

generallywith

50

crankshaft

compression

theincludesaxis

received

a

54.

A

withinaconnected

tothecrankshaft 52 such that the compression piston is operable
toreciprocate

stroke30

52

toduringthrough anasingleexpansion(power)expansion

cylinderintakerotationstroke and aofthecompression

crankshaft.

Anpiston 7 4 is slidably received within an
68

andoperatively

connected

tothecrankshaft 52 such that the expansion piston is operable toreciprocate

throughanexpansion

strokeandanstroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft.
two crossover passages 78

exhaustAt least

interconnect the compression andwo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

11

expansion cylinders 66,acrossover

expansion

68.

compression(XovrE)

Each crossover passage includes(XovrC)

valve

valve

8 6 operable

84

to

and

a

definecrossoverapressurechamber 81 therebetween.
5

During the intake stroke, intake air is drawn into
thecompression

throughancylinder)cylinderinwardlypoppet66

fromopeninganintake(opening

intake valve

82.

passage

76

into

the

inwardDuring thecompression

stroke, the compression piston 72 pressurizes the air charge
10

and drives

the

air charge

78,

act

as

which

the

through theintakecrossover passagesspassagesfortheexpansion

cylinder 68.
Thevolumetriccompression

ratio

of

the

compression cylinder of the split-cycle engine 50 is herein15referred toengine.

asthe "compression ratio"

split-cycle

The volumetric compression ratio of the expansion

cylinder of a

split-cycle engine is herein referred to as

theratio""expansion

of

the

very high compression ratios
20of thegreater)

split-cycle

engine.

(e.g.,

1,40

toin the compression cylinder 66,(opening outward away
compression(XovrC)fromvalvesthecylinder)

80

Due

to

to 1,

or

outwardly opening
poppetcrossover

84 at the inlet of each of theone or more crossover passages 78 are used to control flow
from
25

the

cylindercrossover passages 78.
(e.g.,

40cylinder(XovrE)

30

compression

to
68,

1,

80

66

into

the

one

or

more

Due to very high expansion ratios
tooutwardly

1,orgreater)

opening poppet

in

the

expansion

crossover

expansion

valves 86 at the outlet of each of the one or morecrossoverpassages

78

controlflow

crossoverpassages

78

into

Generally,

the actuation rates and phasing of the XovrC and

the

from

the

expansion

one

or

more

cylinder68.

XovrE valves 84, 86 may be timed to maintain pressure in theone or more crossover passages 78 at a high minimum pressurewo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

12(typically 20 bar or higher)

during all four strokes of the

Otto or Diesel cycle.
One

or

more

crossover passage 78)
5

fuelinjectors

inject fuel

90

(one

for

each

into the pressurized air

at the exit end of the one or more crossover passages 78 incorrespondence
occurs

with

the

XovrE

valve ( s)86

opening,which

shortly before the expansion piston 7 4 reaches

top dead center position.

its

The fuel-air charge fully entersthe expansion cylinder 68 shortly after the expansion piston
10

7 4 reaches its top dead center position.

As the expansion

pistontop

74

beginstodescend

from

its

dead

centerposition, and while the XovrE valve(s) 86 is/are still open,
the spark plug 92 is fired to initiate combustion (typicallybetween 10
15

to 2 0 degrees CA after top dead center of the

expansion piston

74).

The

XovrE

valve (s)86

is/arethenclosed before the resulting combustion event can enter theone

or morecrossover passages

78.

The

combustion event

drives the expansion piston 74 downward in a power stroke.
Exhaust gases are pumped out of the expansion cylinder
20

into

an

exhaustpassage80

throughaninwardly

68

opening

poppet exhaust valve 88 during the exhaust stroke.
With the split-cycle engine concept, the geometric

25

engineparameters(i.e.,

bore,

stroke,connectingrodlength,compression

ratio,

etc.)ofcompression

and

are

generally

expansion

cylindersanother.

For

the

crank
and

compression

cylinder66

respectivelymaydifferent

apart
30

example,from one

expansion

have

the

independent
throwsandanother with top dead center

piston74

compression piston 72.

occurring

prior

one

for

the

cylinder68

56,

expansion
radii

from

to

58

may

be

phased

(TDC)

of

the

TDC

of

the

This independence enables the split-

cycle engine to potentially achieve higher efficiency levels
and greater torques than typical four stroke engines.

wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

13First Exemplary Embodiment

Turning now to FIGS.
5inaccordancecrossovervolume.

withpassagesthe78,

2 and 3,

presentwhich

area first embodiment

invention

providesapproximately

the

two
same

The maximum mass of air that each of the crossover

passages 7 8 are designed to process(i.e.,

input via XovrC

84 or output via XovrE 86) during a single revolution of the10

crankshaft 52 at a particular engine speed is approximately
the same.
At

15

full

load,

both

crossoverpassages78

areutilized.

This means that during a single rotation of the

crankshaft

thecrossoverpassages

closed),XovrCboth fuelvalves84

areactuated

78

injectors

90

corresponding(i.e.,

inject fuel

to

both

openedandinto the exit

end of their respective crossover passages 78, and the XovrE

20

valves86 corresponding to both crossover passages

openedandclosed.

Suchutilization

of

both

78

are

crossoverpassages 78 is depicted in FIG. 3 by both fuel injectors 90
spraying fuel into the exit end of the respective crossover
passages 78.
At part-load,
unit

25

(ECU)

passages

the engine 50's electronic control(not shown) selects at least one of the crossover78

toutilize.

For

compression cylinder intakes

30

example,at(or receives)

half-loada masstheof air.

At half-load,

this mass of air can approximately match the

maximummassofpassages

78

air

that

either

one

of

the

crossoveris designed to process during a revolution of

the crankshaft 52.

Accordingly,

the ECU selects one of thetwo crossover passages 78 to utilize.

Utilization of only

one crossover passage 78 is shown in FIG. 2 by only one fuelspray being indicated by dashed lines fanning outwardly from

wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

14

the tip of the fuel injector 90 and toward XovrE valve 86.
The crossover passage 78 that is not utilized (shown in FIG.
2 by its
spray)
5

corresponding fuelinjector90

not ejecting fuelis deactivated by not actuating both the XovrC valve

84 and the XovrE valve 86 of that crossover passage.

Given

that

same

the

crossover passages

78

are

approximately thesize in this embodiment, the aforementioned selection may bebased on factors such as what effect previous cycles of the
For example, if theso have had on the engine.
engine so comprises only two crossover passages 78 ofengine10

approximately
embodiment,

the

it

same

may

size

is

as

advantageousbeutilization of each of

the

two

the
to

in

case

alternate

thisbetweencrossover passages because

doing so may be beneficial to wetting of the cylinder walls
15

in the expansion cylinder 68.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

Turning
20

now

to

FIGS.

4

through10,

asecondembodiment in accordance with the present invention provides
threecrossover passages

volume.

In

the

94,

embodiment

96,

98,

shown

which each differ
inthedrawings,

inthemaximum mass of air that the largest crossover passage 94 is
designed to process25

via XovrE 86)(i.e.,

input via XovrC 84 and/or output

during a single revolution of the crankshaft

52 at a particular engine speed may be approximately 4 timesa v a r i ab 1 e X ( i . e . ,second smallest

via XovrE 86)

The maximum mass of air that the(or second largest)

designed to process30

4 X) .

(i.e.,

crossover passage 96 is

input via XovrC 84 and/or output

during a single revolution of the crankshaft

52 at a particular engine speed may be approximately 2 times
a variable X (i.e.,

2X).

The maximum mass of air that thesmallest crossover passage 98 is designed to process(i.e.,

wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

15

input

via

singleXovrC

84

revolution

and/orof

outputthevia

crankshaft

XovrE

86)

during52aparticularataengine speed may be approximately a variable X (i.e., X).

5

in

the

The volumes of the crossover passages 94,

96,

secondbinaryarrangement

embodimenttomaximizearethedesigned

numberofinacombinations

98

ofmaximum masses when selecting different combinations of thecrossover passages 94,

96,

98.

In this second embodiment,

there are seven distinct combinations of crossover passages
10

94,

96, 98 that have distinct maximum masses of air that the

combinationcanprocessduringasinglerotationofthecrankshaft 52, as shown in Table I below.

Table I

15
Crossover

Crossover

CrossoverMaximum

Mass

Passage 94

Passage 96

Passage 98

Processable

per

Crankshaft
Revolution

20

FIG. 4

0

0

1

1X

FIG. 5

0

1

0

2X

FIG. 6

0

1

1

3X

FIG. 7

1

0

0

4X

FIG. 8

1

0

1

5X

FIG. 9

1

1

0

6X

FIG. 10

1

1

1

7X

0

Crossover Passage Not Selected

1

Crossover Passage Selected

FIG.

4

through

10

show

each

combinationofcrossover passages as indicated in the left hand column ofwo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

16
Table I.
98

is

For example,

utilized(asin FIG.

indicated

4 only the crossover passage
inspray in crossover passage 98).

5

FIG.

4

by

only

one

fuel

FIGS. 5 through 10 show theother various combinations of crossover passages

94,

that can be utilized

sprays in(each indicated by the fuel96

98

the figures).

Selecting

CrossoverPassages

for

the

First

and

SecondEmbodiments
10
The engine SO's electronic control unit
theenginedetermine

of

the

first

embodiment or the multiple crossover passages 94,

96,

98 of

15

of

the

and

the

multiple

speed ofcrossover

inject fuel into,

with)

for

enginepassages

the second embodiment to utilize
into,

the

(e.g.,

78

to compress the airand power the expansion cylinder 68

each revolutionof thecrankshaft

the appropriate crossover passages 78 or

20

uses

to

which

load

(ECU)

52.

94,

96,

Ideally,
98

shouldbe selected(which is not necessarily all of the crossover

passages

or

94,

96,

98)

such that there is no pressure
98

incomparison to the pressure in the crossover passages 78

or

drop

94,

in

78

96,

the

98

crossover

when

the

passages

engine

10

is

78

or

94,

operating96,

atfull-load.

The ideal situation may not always be possible or practical,
25

howeverthepresent

invention

aims

to

utilizeappropriate crossover passages 78 or 94,

96,

98

the

(which canbe less than all of the crossover passages 78 or 94,

96,

98)

such that the pressure drop in the crossover passages 78 or
94,

96,

30

98 is minimized.
Eachcrossoverdesigned to input
air

via

its

passage(or receive)

XovrC

valve

84

78

or

94,

96,

98

is

a particular maximum mass ofandtooutputaparticularmaximum mass of air via its XovrE valve 86 during a single

wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

17

revolution
speed.

ofthecrankshaft

52

at

a

particularengineThese two maximum masses for each crossover passage

are typically the same value in the first embodiment.

Inother words, each crossover passage 78 is generally designed
5

to input (or receive) and output the same mass of air duringa10

singlerotation

of

In

the

at

particulareachcrossover

to

input

passage94,

receive)and output a multiple of a mass X of air during aisembodiment,aspeed.

98

second52

engine96,

thecrankshaft

generally

designed(orsingle rotation of the crankshaft 52 at a particular engine
speed.
The
compression
given

15

ECU

determines

cylinderintakethe66

intakesofthestroke

mass
(or

of

air

receives)

engine

50.

that

the

during

any

ECU

then

The

determines the maximum mass that the crossover passages 78
or 94,

96,

98 can process during a single revolution of the

crankshaft

52 based on the

speed and load ofthe engine.

The maximum mass that any individual crossover passage 78 or
94,
20

96,

98

crankshaft

can processcanalternatively

be

the

ECU

during asingle revolution

pre-programmed
canoperation of the engine 50.

calculate

into

the

these

valuesIn any case,of theECU,

duringthe ECU compares

the mass of air that the compression cylinder 66 intakesreceives)
25

or

(or

in any given intake stroke with the maximum massthat various different combinations of crossover passages 78
or 94,

96,

98 can process during a single revolution of the

crankshaft 52.
Table
passage 94, 96,
30

I

shows

an

exemplary

list

of

crossover

98 combinations and maximum masses according

to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The ECUpreferably selects the smallest value in such alist thatexceeds the mass of air that compression cylinder 66 intakes(orreceives)

duringtheintakestrokeoftheengine50.

wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

18
For example,(i.e.,

5

for

a

mass

of

air of

4. 5 timesavariable X

4.5X), the ECU would select crossover passages 94 and98 as shown in FIG.

8 because together crossover passages 94

and

a

98

can

process

maximum mass

revolution of the crankshaft 52.
thesmallest

combination

maximum

of

of

5X

duringasingleA maximum mass of 5X isprocessable

mass

of

air

of

98

that

exceeds

crossover passages

94,

9 6,

split-cycle

50

utilizes

only

or

94,

98

any

4.5X.
The
10

selectedcrossovercrossover passages
compression

andenginepassages
94,

98

power

78

96,

in the above example)
strokes

of

the

the

(e.g.,

during theengine50

that

immediately follow the intake stroke of the engine 50 during
which the crossover passages 78 or 94,
15

98 were selected.

This means that only the XovrC valves 84 that correspond totheselected

openedcrossover

and/orcrankshaft

closed)52

passages

duringsuch

thatcompression piston 72
20

96,

78

the

are

actuatedsucceeding

the

air

(e.g.,

revolution

compressed

by

of
the

is compressed into only the selectedcrossoverpassages

78

or

94,

96,

98.

Only

those

in

the

selected

fuelinjectors

90

that

are

disposedpassages 78 or 94,

96,

98 are used to inject fuel into thecrossoverexit end of only the selected crossover passages 78 or 94,

25

96,

98

52.

And,

duringselected
and/or30

therevolution

only the XovrE valvescrossoverclosed)52

expansion

cylinder78orpassageduringcrankshaft

passages

succeeding

thein order to

94,

78

of

the

crankshaft

8 6 that correspond toareactuatedsucceeding(e.g.,

revolution

allow flow of air I fueltheselectedtheopenedoftheinto the

68

from

only

crossover

96,

98.

The crossover passage (s)that

are not selected are deactivated by not actuating both the
XovrC valve

and theXovrE valve

selected crossover passage(s).

corresponding to

the

non-

wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

19

The
receivedintakebythestroke ofcrossover5

above

systemquantizes

thecompression

cylinder66

thepassages

split-cycle engine

78

or

94,

96,

98

mass
during

50
to

air

a

given

into autilizeset ofinthesucceeding compression and power strokes of the split-cycle
engine

50

which

(1)

minimizes

crossover passages 7 8 or 94,

the

9 6,

pressure

98 and( 2)pressure in the crossover passages 78 or 94,
enables
10

of

the

split-cycle

enginetooperate

loss

in

the

maximizes the
96,

98.

This

under part-loadconditions while maintaining a high minimum pressure in its
crossover passages 78 or 94, 96, 98.
Althoughreferencetotheinventionhas

specific embodiments,

it

been

described

byshould be understoodthat numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope
15

of

the

inventive

concepts

described.

Accordingly,itisintended that the invention not be limited to the describedembodiments,

but that it have the full scope defined by thelanguage of the following claims.

wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

20
CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

5

1.

An engine, comprising:a crankshaft rotatable about a crankshaft axis;acompression

compression
cylinderpistonandslidably

operatively

received withinconnected

to

a

the

crankshaft such that the compression piston is operable to10

reciprocate

throughanintakestrokeandacompression

stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft;anwithinexpansionan expansion(power)cylinderpistonslidablyreceived

and operatively connected tothe crankshaft such that the expansion piston is operable to15

reciprocate

throughanexpansion

strokeandanexhauststroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft; andatthecompression

least
20

least

two

compression

two

and

crossover

expansion

crossover(XovrC)passagescylinders,passagesinterconnecting
eachincluding

of

a

the

at

crossovervalve and a crossover expansion(XovrE)valve operable to define a pressure chamber therebetween;

intakeawhereinthechargeofcompression

air

and

cylindercompresssaidisoperablecharge

into

to
at

least one but less than all of the at least two crossover
25

passages during a single rotation of the crankshaft.
2.

The engine of claim 1, wherein the expansion

cylinder is operable to receive fluid from at least one but
less than all of the at least two crossover passages during
a single rotation of the crankshaft.
30

3.
at

The engine of claim 1, further comprising:
least

two

fuel

injectors,

each

fuel

injectorcorresponding to one of the at least two crossover passages,

wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

21

each fuel injector operable to add fuel to the exit end of
the corresponding crossover passage;
wherein the engine is operable to add fuel to theexit end of at least one but less than all of the at least5

twocrossoverpassages

duringasinglerotationofthecrankshaft.
4.

The engine of claim 1, wherein the volume ofa first of the at least two crossover passages is between 40
and 60 percent of the volume of a second of the at least two
10crossover passages.
5.

The engine of claim 1,

configured such thatthe pressure of the charge in the compression cylinder isless than 1 atmosphere when the compression piston is at its
bottom dead center position.
15

6.

An engine, comprising:a crankshaft rotatable about a crankshaft axis;acompression

compression
cylinderpistonandslidably

operatively

received withinconnected

to

a

the

crankshaft such that the compression piston is operable to20

reciprocate

throughanintakestrokeandacompression

stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft;anwithinexpansionan expansion(power)cylinderpistonslidablyreceived

and operatively connected tothe crankshaft such that the expansion piston is operable to25

reciprocate

throughanexpansion

strokeandanexhauststroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft; andatthecompression

least
30

least

two

compression

two

and

expansion

crossover(XovrC)

crossoverpassagescylinders,passagesinterconnecting
eachincluding

a

of

the

at

crossovervalve and a crossover expansion(XovrE)valve operable to define a pressure chamber therebetween;
whereinthe

expansion

cylinderisoperabletoreceive fluid from at least one but less than all of the at

wo 2010/120499

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22
least two crossover passages during a single rotation of the
crankshaft.
7.

The

engine

of

claim

6,

whereinthecompression cylinder is operable to intake a charge of air
5

and compress said charge into at least one but less than all
of

the

at

least

two

crossoverpassages

duringasinglerotation of the crankshaft.
8.

The engine of claim 6, further comprising:

at
10

least

two

fuel

injectors,

each

fuel

injectorcorresponding to one of the at least two crossover passages,
each fuel injector operable to add fuel to the exit end of
the corresponding crossover passage;
wherein the engine is operable to add fuel to theexit end of at least one but less than all of the at least

15

two

crossoverpassages

duringasinglerotationofthecrankshaft.
9.

The engine of claim 6, wherein the volume ofa first of the at least two crossover passages is between 40
and 60 percent of the volume of a second of the at least two
20

crossover passages.
10.

The engine of claim 6,

configured such thatthe pressure of the charge in the compression cylinder isless than 1 atmosphere when the compression piston is at its
bottom dead center position.
25

11.

An engine, comprising:a crankshaft rotatable about a crankshaft axis;acompression

compression
cylinderpistonandslidably

operatively

received withinconnected

to

a

the

crankshaft such that the compression piston is operable to30

reciprocate

throughanintakestrokeandacompression

stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft;anwithinexpansionan expansion(power)cylinderpistonslidablyreceived

and operatively connected towo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

23

the crankshaft such that the expansion piston is operable toreciprocate

throughanexpansion

strokeandanexhauststroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft;
at
5

the

least

compression

least

two

compression
valve

two

and

expansion

crossover(XovrC)

operablecrossoverpassagescylinders,passagesinterconnecting
eachincludingofadefine

least

two

a

pressurechamberatcrossovervalve and a crossover expansion

to

the

(XovrE)

therebetween;

and
10

at

fuel

injectors,

each

fuel

injectorcorresponding to one of the at least two crossover passages,
each fuel injector operable to add fuel to the exit end of
the corresponding crossover passage;
wherein the engine is operable to add fuel to the15

exit end of at least one but less than all of the at least
twocrossoverpassages

duringasinglerotationofthewhereinthecrankshaft.
12.

The

engine

of

claim

11,

compression cylinder is operable to intake a charge of air
20

and compress said charge into at least one but less than all
of

the

at

least

two

crossoverpassages

duringasinglerotation of the crankshaft.
13.

The engine of claim 11, wherein the expansion

cylinder is operable to receive fluid from at least one but
25less than all of the at least two crossover passages during
a single rotation of the crankshaft.
14.

The engine of claim 11, wherein the volume ofa first of the at least two crossover passages is between 40
and 60 percent of the volume of a second of the at least two
30

crossover passages.
15.

The engine of claim 11, configured such thatthe pressure of the charge in the compression cylinder iswo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

24

less than 1 atmosphere when the compression piston is at its
bottom dead center position.
16.
load,
5

the engine including a crankshaft operable to rotate

about a crankshaft axis of the engine, a compression piston
slidablyreceived

20

acompression

thecrankshaft

connected

tocompression

pistonisoperableacompression

strokeandrotationoftheslidablyreceived

operatively

15

withinoperatively

intake10

A method for controlling an engine at part-

crankshaft,toanrotationofcrankshaft,passagesinterconnecting

crossover

expansiontoexhaustat

piston
and

that

the

throughanduringasingleleast

twocrossovercompression

andexpansion

least

two

compression(XovrE)such

reciprocate
stroke

and

the
at

crossoversinglecrankshaft

and

a

a

the

strokeincludingduringcylinderexpansion

theanexpansion

operableofthrough

an

is

each

strokethe(power)pistoncylinders,

reciprocate

and

that

expansion

expansion

the

such

an

withinconnectedtocylindervalvecrossoverpassages(XovrC)

valve

and

a

operabletodefineapressure chamber therebetween, the method comprising:actuating at least one but lesscrossovercompression(XorvC)valvesthan all of theduringasinglefurthercomprisingrotation of the crankshaft.
17.
25

determining
valvestoThemethod

which

of

of

the

actuate based on

claim

16,

crossovercompression

at

one

least

of

the

(XovrC)load andspeed of the engine.
18.

The

method

of

claim

16,

furthercomprisingactuating at least one but less than all of the crossover
30

expansion(XovrE)valvesduring19.

methodofasinglerotationofthecrankshaft.
The

claim

18,

further

determining which of the crossover expansion

comprising(XovrE)valveswo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

25
to actuate based on at least one of the load and speed ofthe engine.
2 0.
further
5

The method ofcomprises

at

least

claim 16,
two

fuel

whereintheinjectors,

engineeach

fuelinjector corresponding to one of the at least two crossover
passages,

each

fuel

injector

operable

to

add

fuel

exit end of the corresponding crossover passage,

to

the

the method

further comprising:adding fuel
10

less

than

all

of

to the exit end of at least one but

thecrossoverpassages

duringasinglerotation of the crankshaft.
21.

The

methodofclaim 20,

determining which of the fuelfuel15

based on at

least

one

furthercomprising

injectors to use to add the

of

the

load and speed oftheengine.
22.

The method of claim 16, wherein the volume ofa first of the at least two crossover passages is between 40
and 60 percent of the volume of a second of the at least twocrossover passages.
20

23.

The method of claim 16, wherein the engine isconfigured

such

that

compression

cylindertheispressure
less

than

of
1

the

chargeatmosphere

in

the

when

the

compression piston is at its bottom dead center position.
24.
25

load,

A method for controlling an engine at part-the engine including a crankshaft operable to rotate

about a crankshaft axis of the engine, a compression piston
slidably30

received

withinacompression

thecrankshaft

operatively

connected

tocompression

pistonisoperableacompression

intakestrokeandrotationofslidablyreceived

operatively

thecrankshaft,withinconnected

totocylindersuch

reciprocate
strokeduringthatthethroughanasinglepistonan

expansion(power)an

expansion

cylinderthecrankshaft

such

and

that

and
the

wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

26

5

expansion

pistonisoperable

expansion

strokeandanrotationofcrankshaft,passagesinterconnectingthecylinders,

each

of

the

includingacrossover

expansion

crossovertoreciprocate

exhauststroke

and

the
at

at

duringaansingleleast

twocrossovercompression

andexpansion

least

two

compression(XovrE)throughvalve

crossoverpassages(XovrC)

valve

and

a

operabletodefineapressure chamber therebetween, the method comprising:actuating at least one but less10

crossover expansion(XovrE)

than all of thevalves during a single rotationof the crankshaft.
25.

The

methodofclaim 24,

further

determining which of the crossover expansion

comprising(XovrE)valvesto actuate based on at least one of the load and speed of15

the engine.
2 6.

The

methodofclaim 24,

furthercomprisingactuating at least one but less than all of the crossovercompression(XorvC)valves during a single rotation of the

crankshaft.
20

27.
determining
valvestoThemethod

which

of

of

the

claim 26,

furthercomprisingcrossovercompression

at

one

actuate based on

least

of

the

(XovrC)load andspeed of the engine.
2 8.
25

further

The method ofcomprises

at

least

claim 2 4,
two

fuel

whereintheinjectors,

engineeach

fuelinjector corresponding to one of the at least two crossover
passages,

each

fuel

injector

operable

to

add

fuel

exit end of the corresponding crossover passage,

to

the

the method

further comprising:30

adding fuel
less

than

all

of

the

to the exit end of at least one but
crossoverrotation of the crankshaft.

passages

duringasinglewo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

27

2 9.

The

methodofclaim 2 8,

determining which of the fuelfuelbased on at

least

one

furthercomprising

injectors to use to add the

of

the

load and speed oftheengine.
The method of claim 24, wherein the volume of30.

5

a first of the at least two crossover passages is between 40
and 60 percent of the volume of a second of the at least twocrossover passages.
31.
10

The method of claim 24, wherein the engine isconfigured

such

that

compression

cylindertheispressure
less

of

than

the

1

chargeatmosphere

in

the

when

the

compression piston is at its bottom dead center position.
32.
load,
15

the engine including a crankshaft operable to rotate

about a crankshaft axis of the engine, a compression piston
slidablyreceived

30

acompression

thecrankshaft

connected

tocompression

pistonisoperableacompression

strokeandrotationofslidablyreceived

operatively

25

withinoperatively

intake20

A method for controlling an engine at part-thecrankshaft,

to

an

two

expansion(XovrE)

valve

chamber therebetween,
fuelinjectorsuch

reciprocate
stroke

and

and

that

the

throughanduringexpansion

crossover(XovrC)passages

valve

operableasingletocylinders,
includingandadefine

to

one

of

the

at

a

crossoverapressure

and at least two fuel injectors,

corresponding

crossover passages,

pistonat least two crossover passages

compression

compression

toexhaustrotation of the crankshaft,crossoversinglecrankshaft

and

least

a

the

strokeatduringcylinderexpansion

theanexpansion

operableofthrough

an

is

each

strokethe(power)pistonthereciprocate

and

that

expansion

expansioninterconnecting

such

an

withinconnectedtocylinder

least

each
two

each fuel injector operable to add fuelwo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

28
to the exit end of the corresponding crossover passage,

themethod comprising:adding fuel
less
5

than

all

of

to the exit end of at least one but

thecrossoverpassages

duringasinglerotation of the crankshaft.
33.

The

methodofclaim

determining which of the fuelfuelbased on at

least

one

32,

furthercomprising

injectors to use to add the

of

the

load and speed oftheengine.
10

34.

The

method

of

claim

32,

furthercomprisingactuating at least one but less than all of the crossovercompression(XorvC)valves during a single rotation of the

crankshaft.
35.
15

determining
valvestoThemethod

which

of

of

the

actuate based on

claim

34,

furthercomprisingcrossovercompression

at

one

least

of

(XovrC)theload andspeed of the engine.
3 6.

The

method

of

claim

32,

furthercomprisingactuating at least one but less than all of the crossover
20

expansion(XovrE)valvesduring37.

methodofasinglerotationofthecrankshaft.
The

claim

33,

further

determining which of the crossover expansion

comprising(XovrE)valvesto actuate based on at least one of the load and speed of25

the engine.
38.

The method of claim 32, wherein the volume ofa first of the at least two crossover passages is between 40
and 60 percent of the volume of a second of the at least twocrossover passages.
30

39.

The method of claim 32, wherein the engine isconfigured

such

that

compression

cylindertheispressure
less

than

of
1

the

chargeatmosphere

in

the

when

the

compression piston is at its bottom dead center position.

wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

1/5

FIG. 1

81 90

86 92

76

3

56

wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

2/5

FIG. 2

92

1

50

66--

80

76

FIG. 3
66--

92

1

50

... 6880

76

wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

3/5

FIG. 4

(

50

80
76

FIG. 5(50..... 68

80
76

FIG. 6(50..... 68

80
76

wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

4/5

FIG. 7

(

50

66--

80
76

96

FIG. 894(

50... 68

66--

80
76

96

FIG. 9

98

94

(

50

66--

80
76

wo 2010/120499

PCT/US201 0/029304

5/5

FIG. 10

I

50

66--

80

International application No.

INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORTA.

PCT/US201 01029304

CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MA TIER

IPC(8)- F02B 33/30 (201 0.01)
USPC- 123/65P
According to International Patent Classification (I PC) or to both national classification and IPC
B.

FIELDS SEARCHED

Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols)
IPC(8)- F02B 11100,33100, 33/30 (2010.01}
USPC- 123f65P, 65R, 65V, 65VB, 65VD, 65W, 65WA, 66, 68, 70R, 70V, 71R, 71V, 71VA
Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents are included in the fields searchedElectronic data base consulted during the international search (name of data base and, where practicable, search terms used)
USPTO EAST System (US, USPG-PUB, EPO, DERWENT}C.

DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages

Category*

Relevant to claim No.

y

US 200910038597 A1 (PHILLIPS) 12 February 2009 (12.02.2009) entire document

1-39

y

JP 62131916 A (TANAHASHI) 15 June 1987 (15.06.1987) English abstract, figure 1

1-39

A

US 5,740,767 A (KAKU et al) 21 April1998 (21.04.1998) entire document

1-39

A

US 5,205,245 A (FLACK et al} 27 April1993 (27.04.1993) entire document

1-39

A

US 4,548,175 A (KAWAI et al) 22 October 1985 (22.10.1985) entire document

1-39

D
•

"A"

"E"
"L"
"0"

"P"

D

Further documents are listed in the continuation of Box C.
Special categories of cited documents:
document defining the general state of the art which is not considered
to be of particular relevanceearlier application or patent but published on or after the international
filing datedocument which may throw doubts on priority claim(s) or which iscited to establish the publication date of another citation or otherspecial reason (as specified)
document referring to an oral disclosure, use, exhibition or othermeans
document published prior to the international filing date but later thanthe priority date claimed

Date of the actual completion of the international search(17 MAY 2010)
Name and mailing address of the !SAlUS
Mail Stop PCT, Attn: ISAfUS, Commissioner for Patents
P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
Facsimile No. 571-273-3201
Form PCTIISA/210 (second sheet) (Apn12005)"T'

later document published after the international filing date o1eriority
date and not in conflict with the aphlication but cited to un erstandthe principle or theory underlying t e invention"X" document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be
considered novel or cannot be considered to involve an inventive
step when the document is taken alone"Y" document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be
considered to involve an inventive step when the document iscombined with one or more other such documents, such combination
being obvious to a person skilled in the art"&" document member of the same patent family

Date of mailing of the international search report

03 JUN 2010
Authorized officer:
Blaine R. Copenheaver
PCT Helpdesk: 571·272-4300
PCT OSP: 571·272· 7774