Hybrid internal combustion engine
OwnerDavid F. Moyerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for improving the fuel economy and reducing emissions of an internal combustion engine. A device is provided for controlling the energy conversion function of the engine by computer control of engine valves and distribution valves. This control provides for the normal engine operation by providing intake air and fuel and exhausting the products of combustion; it also provides for operating the engine as an air compressor and storing the compressed air in a reservoir; it also provides for operating the engine as an air motor utilizing the stored compressed air; it also provides a supercharged engine function by utilizing the stored compressed air.
Claims8
A system for controlling an internal combustion engine coupled to an inertial load, said system comprising:
- said engine having operating means consisting of:
- taking said load kinetic energy from the said engine driveshaft and storing it as compressed gas and taking said energy from said stored gas and delivering it to said driveshaft;
- a control means which responds to an operator demand by providing signals to valves;
- a valve control means which responds to said signals by causing said engine to operate with appropriate functional means, said functional means comprising:
- conventional engine function, supercharged engine function, disabled cylinder function, air compressor function, air motor function, a compressed gas storage means.
A method for operating an internal combustion engine system in a functional mode which is responsive to an operator demand, comprising the steps of:
- a) periodically determining the positions of the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal, and
- b) periodically determining said system operating conditions, and
- c) if said positions or said conditions change, then selecting the proper functional mode from a predetermined set, said set comprising:
- conventional engine function, supercharged engine function, disabled cylinder function, air compressor function, air motor function, and
- d) operating said engine system in said selected mode in response to said positions and said conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.