Hybrid opposed-piston engine system

A method of operating an opposed-piston engine with at least one ported cylinder and pair of pistons disposed in opposition in the cylinder, comprising:

• compressing air between the opposed pistons during a compression stroke;
• releasing the compressed air from the cylinder, through a compression-release port associated with the cylinder;
• storing the released air;
• releasing stored compressed air;
• and,
• injecting the released stored compressed air into the cylinder through the compression-release port to force the pistons apart.

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 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.