Regenerative internal combustion engine

A multicylinder, regenerative internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a first cylinder and a first piston reciprocating therein, the first piston defining in part a variable volume cold space within the first cylinder, the first piston operable to compress a charge of air within the first cylinder;
• a second cylinder and a second piston reciprocating therein, the second piston defining in part a variable volume hot space within the second cylinder;
• an intake manifold connected to the first cylinder, the intake manifold operable to allow the charge of air to enter the cold space, the intake manifold in communication with a supply of air;
• an intake valve positioned in the intake manifold, the intake valve operable to control flow of the charge of air from the intake manifold to the cold space;
• a transfer manifold connecting the first cylinder with the second cylinder, the transfer manifold operable to allow the charge of air to move from the cold space to the hot space, the transfer manifold further operable to allow exhaust gases to leave the hot space;
• a transfer valve positioned in the transfer manifold, the transfer valve operable to control the flow of air from the cold space into the transfer manifold;
• a regenerator disposed in the transfer manifold, the regenerator operable to heat the charge of air as it moves from the cold space to the hot space, the regenerator further operable to remove heat from exhaust gases leaving the hot space;
• a catalyst disposed in the transfer manifold adjacent to the second cylinder, the catalyst operable to oxidize fuel entering the hot space, the catalyst further operable to enhance oxidation of exhaust gases leaving the hot space;
• a fuel injector operable to dispense fuel into the transfer manifold between the regenerator and the catalyst;
• an ignition means operable to cause combustion in the hot space of the second cylinder;
• a linkage connecting the first piston to the second piston, the linkage operable to mechanically relate reciprocation of the first piston with reciprocation of the second piston;
• an exhaust manifold connected to the transfer manifold, the exhaust manifold operable to allow the exhaust gases to exit the transfer manifold;
• and
• an exhaust valve positioned in the exhaust manifold, the exhaust valve operable to control the flow of exhaust gases from the transfer manifold to the exhaust manifold.

A method for operating a regenerative internal combustion engine, comprising:

• intaking a charge of air from an external air supply into a compression cylinder;
• compressing the charge of air within the compression cylinder by use of a compression piston;
• transferring the compressed charge of air into a combustion cylinder via a transfer manifold;
• heating the compressed charge of air by use of a regenerator disposed within the transfer manifold;
• adding fuel to the compressed charge of air by use of a fuel injector after the compressed charge of air has been heated by the regenerator;
• igniting the mixture of compressed air and fuel within the combustion cylinder by use of an initial ignition means and then oxidizing the mixture by use of a catalyst once stable combustion is achieved to perform work upon a combustion piston;
• exhausting exhaust gases from the combustion cylinder via an exhaust manifold connected to the transfer manifold;
• heating the regenerator and the catalyst by exhaust gases flowing from the combustion cylinder through the regenerator and the catalyst;
• enhancing oxidation of exhaust gases leaving the combustion cylinder by use of the catalyst;
• and
• mechanically relating motion of the combustion piston with motion of the compression piston by use of a linkage.