Method and apparatus for operating an engine on compressed gas

An apparatus for adapting an internal combustion engine for operation with compressed gas, the internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, a piston reciprocable within the at least one cylinder, intake and exhaust means disposed in the at least one cylinder, and a tapped hole in the at least one cylinder adapted to receive a spark plug, the apparatus comprising:

• a source of compressed gas;
• distributor means connected with the source of compressed gas for distributing the compressed gas to the at least one cylinder;
• valve means arranged in the tapped hole for admitting the compressed gas to the at least one cylinder when the piston is in approximately a top dead center position within the cylinder;
• and
• altering means for increasing the duration of each engine cycle over which the valve means remains open to admit the compressed gas as the speed of the engine increases.

A method of operating an engine on compressed gas, said engine having at least one cylinder and a piston reciprocable therein comprising the steps of:

• delivering compressed gas from a source to a distributor;
• distributing the compressed gas to the at least one cylinder;
• admitting compressed gas to the at least one cylinder through an intake valve when the piston is at approximately a top dad center position;
• increasing the duration of each engine cycle over which compressed gas is admitted to the at least one cylinder as the engine speed increases;
• and
• exhausting the remaining gas when the piston subsequently reaches approximately the top dead center position.

An apparatus for operating an engine having at least one cylinder and a piston reciprocable therein on compressed gas comprising:

• a source of compressed gas;
• distributor means connected with the source of compressed gas for distributing the compressed gas to the at least one cylinder;
• electrically actuated valve means secured in an opening in the at least one cylinder for selectively admitting compressed gas to the at least one cylinder when the piston is in approximately a top dead center position;
• and
• means for advancing the timing of the valve means as the speed of the engine increases whereby compressed gas is admitted progressively further before the top dead center position as the speed of the engine increases.