Patent ID: 8850815

Claim:
A hybrid engine comprising: a primary internal combustion engine portion having at least one primary cylinder housing a primary piston for reciprocating movement to drive a primary crankshaft; a secondary external combustion engine portion having at least one secondary cylinder housing a secondary piston for reciprocating movement to drive a secondary crankshaft; a gearing system interconnecting the primary and secondary crankshafts to allow the primary internal combustion engine portion and the secondary external combustion engine portion to operate at different cycling speeds; an inlet to the at least one primary cylinder controlled by an inlet valve to deliver fuel to the at least one primary cylinder to generate a power stroke for the primary piston; an outlet from the at least one primary cylinder controlled by a first outlet valve for discharge of exhaust gases from the at least one primary cylinder on an exhaust stroke of the primary piston, said outlet communicating with the at least one secondary cylinder; an outlet from the at least one secondary cylinder controlled by a second outlet valve for exhaust gases to exit the at least one secondary cylinder; a fluid reservoir to store heat generated in the at least one primary cylinder; and a fluid inlet for delivering fluid from the fluid reservoir to the at least one secondary cylinder for contact with the heated exhaust gases for vapourization into a volume of gas to generate a power stroke for the secondary piston wherein the power strokes of the primary and secondary pistons contribute to rotation of the primary crankshaft.