US 7,958,864 B2 · Compression ignition engines and methods

Abstract

Compression ignition engines and methods of the type wherein the engines operate with one cylinder used as a compression cylinder and a second cylinder used as a combustion cylinder. The engines have all cylinders configured so as to be able to operate as a compression cylinder or a combustion cylinder. In the method of operation, a cylinder may switch its operation between being a compression cylinder and then operate a combustion cylinder. Switching the operation between compression and combustion operation results in an even temperature distribution within the engine, and eliminates the need for special cooling requirements, facilitating retrofit of existing engines. Also use of an air storage tank allows all cylinders to operate as combustion cylinders for short bursts of power. Various other features are disclosed.

Claims12

Dependent claims

An engine comprising:

a multi-cylinder compression ignition engine having at least one intake valve, at least one exhaust valve, a fuel injector and an air injection valve coupled to each cylinder of the multi-cylinder engine;
the engine having an air rail coupled to the air injection valve of each cylinder, each air injection valve being controllable to allow air compressed by the respective cylinder to pass to the air rail when that cylinder is being used as a compression cylinder, or to allow air to pass from the air rail to the respective cylinder when that cylinder is being used as a combustion cylinder, including after ignition during combustion;
the engine being a camless engine;
whereby all cylinders are capable of operating as a compression cylinder or a combustion cylinder.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Compression ignition engines and methods

Life of this patent

Compression ignition engines and methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12