Hybrid opposed-piston engine system
AssigneeAchates Power, Inc.
InventorJohn J. Koszewnik
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An opposed-piston engine system equipped for full hybrid compressed-air/combustion includes capacity for storing air compressed by the engine during a combustion mode of operation. The hybrid opposed-piston engine system includes a control mechanization for operating the opposed-piston engine in a combustion mode by provision of fuel, in a compressed-air mode by provision of stored compressed air, and in a combustion mode supplemented by provision of stored compressed air. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle equipped with an opposed-piston engine includes storing air compressed by the engine during a combustion mode of operation and operating in the vehicle a compressed-air mode by provision of stored compressed air.
Claims7
A method of operating a fuel-injected, opposed-piston engine having at least one ported cylinder, and a pair of pistons disposed in opposition in the cylinder, the method comprising:
- compressing air in the cylinder between the opposed pistons during an intake/compression stroke;
- releasing compressed air from the cylinder;
- storing the released compressed air;
- providing fuel and air to the cylinder;
- operating the engine in response to combustion of the fuel;
- stopping provision of fuel to the engine;
- and then,
- releasing the stored air;
- and,
- operating the engine in response to the released stored compressed air.
A method of operating a vehicle equipped with an opposed-piston engine, comprising:
- compressing air in a cylinder of the engine;
- injecting fuel into the compressed air in the cylinder to operate the engine;
- detecting deceleration of the vehicle;
- preventing fuel injection into the compressed air in the cylinder in response to the deceleration;
- opening a compression-release port located in an intermediate portion of the cylinder to release compressed air from the cylinder;
- and,
- storing the released compressed air in an air storage device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.