Reciprocating engine and inlet system therefor
AssigneeCogen Microsystems Pty Ltd
InventorPaul van de Loo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a reciprocating engine and a working fluid inlet system therefore. The engine includes at least one cylinder with a reciprocating piston therein and a variable volume expansion chamber capable of receiving a working fluid via an inlet valve. The inlet system includes a pilot valve having an open condition and a closed condition. In the open condition, the secondary fluid passes therethrough to act on the inlet valve. The system also includes an actuating means for controlling the condition of the pilot valve. The inlet valve is adapted to open in response to the action of the secondary fluid. The engine may also include exhaust means, possibly by porting in the piston and a cylinder wall. The working fluid may be used as the secondary fluid.
Claims61
A working fluid inlet system for a reciprocating engine, the engine including at least one cylinder with a reciprocating piston therein and having a variable volume expansion chamber capable of receiving a working fluid via an inlet valve, the inlet system including:
- a movable pilot valve having an open condition wherein secondary fluid passes therethrough to act on the inlet valve, and a closed condition;
- and
- an actuator device physically separate from the piston and arranged for acting on the pilot valve for controlling movement of the pilot valve;
- wherein the inlet valve is adapted to open in response to the action of the secondary fluid.
A method of operating a reciprocating engine including at least one cylinder with a reciprocating piston therein and having a variable volume expansion chamber capable of receiving a working fluid via an inlet valve, said engine further including a working fluid inlet system including:
- a movable pilot valve having an open condition where secondary fluid passes therethrough to act on the inlet valve, and a closed condition;
- and
- an actuator device physically separate from the piston and arranged for acting on the pilot valve for controlling movement of the pilot valve;
- wherein the inlet valve is adapted to open in response to the action of the secondary fluid, said method including the steps:
- a) as the piston nears top dead centre (TDC), operating the actuating means to open the pilot valve against a closing force, permitting secondary fluid to move thereth rough;
- b) the secondary fluid engaging with an inlet valve, causing the inlet valve to open, again against a closing force;
- c) the working fluid entering the expansion chamber of the cylinder via the inlet valve, expanding and forcing the piston away from TDC on its expansion (power) stroke, towards bottom dead centre (BDC);
- d) operating the actuating means to close the pilot valve, denying secondary fluid to the inlet valve, and allowing the closing force to close the inlet valve
- e) once the piston has passed BDC, it returns towards TDC on its return stroke, expanded working fluid within the cylinder exhausts exhausting through exhaust valve(s);
- and
- f) as the piston again nears TDC, operating the actuating means to open the pilot valve against the closing force, again permitting secondary fluid to move therethrough.
A reciprocating engine including at least one cylinder with a reciprocating piston therein and having a variable volume expansion chamber capable of receiving a working fluid via an inlet valve, said engine further including a working fluid inlet system including:
- a movable pilot valve having an open condition where secondary fluid passes therethrough to act on the inlet valve, and a closed condition;
- and
- an actuator device physically separate from the piston and arranged for acting on the pilot valve for controlling the condition of the pilot valve;
- wherein the inlet valve is adapted to open in response to the action of the secondary fluid.
A reciprocating engine including at least one cylinder with a reciprocating piston therein and having a variable volume expansion chamber capable of receiving a working fluid via an inlet valve, said engine including a working fluid inlet system and exhaust means, said working fluid inlet system including a pilot valve having an open condition where secondary fluid passes therethrough to act on the inlet valve, and a closed condition and actuating means for controlling the condition of the pilot valve, wherein the inlet valve is adapted to open in response to the action of the secondary fluid, and said exhaust means including at least one exhaust valve in the piston and at least one exhaust port in the pistons said exhaust valve being configured to open automatically when the pressure above the piston drops to a threshold pressure above an exhaust port pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.