Split-cycle, reactivity controlled compression ignition engine and method

An internal combustion engine operating a split combustion, reactivity controlled compression ignition cycle, comprising:

• an intake stroke carried out in a first cylinder, wherein air or a mixture of air with exhaust gas is admitted into the first cylinder during the intake stroke;
• a compression stroke carried out in the first cylinder, wherein during at least a portion of at least one of the intake stroke and the compression stroke a first fuel is provided within the first cylinder such that the first fuel mixes with the air or the mixture of air with exhaust gas present in the first cylinder to provide a substantially homogeneous mixture that contains air or a mixture of air with exhaust gas and a first fuel, which substantially homogeneous mixture is compressed during the compression stroke;
• a transfer process carried out between the first cylinder and a second cylinder, during which the substantially homogeneous mixture in a compressed state passes through a transfer passage fluidly interconnected between the first and second cylinders;
• a first injection of a second fuel provided to the substantially homogeneous mixture passing through the transfer passage, the first injection of the second fuel creating a first region within the substantially homogeneous mixture, the first region having a different reactivity than the substantially homogeneous mixture;
• a second injection of the second fuel provided to the substantially homogeneous mixture passing through the transfer passage and performed discretely from the first injection, the second injection of the second fuel creating a second region within the substantially homogeneous mixture, the second region having a different reactivity than the substantially homogeneous mixture;
• a combustion stroke carried out in the second cylinder, the combustion stroke being ignited by a compression ignition that initiates in one of the first and second regions;
• and
• an exhaust stroke carried out in the second cylinder.

A method for operating an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• performing an intake stroke in a first cylinder by admitting air or a mixture of air with exhaust into the first cylinder;
• mixing a predetermined amount of a first fuel into the first cylinder to provide a substantially homogeneous mixture;
• compressing the substantially homogeneous mixture in the first cylinder;
• transferring the substantially homogeneous mixture in a compressed state from the first cylinder to a second cylinder;
• injecting a first predetermined amount of a second fuel into the substantially homogeneous mixture as the substantially homogeneous mixture is being transferred from the first cylinder;
• creating a first region within the substantially homogeneous mixture that has a different reactivity than surrounding portions of the substantially homogeneous mixture, the first region created by the predetermined amount of the second fuel that was injected;
• injecting a second predetermined amount of the second fuel into the substantially homogeneous mixture as the substantially homogeneous mixture continues to be transferred from the first cylinder;
• creating a second region within the substantially homogeneous mixture that has a different reactivity than surrounding portions of the substantially homogeneous mixture, the second region created by the second predetermined amount of the second fuel that was injected;
• creating a stratified region of different reactivity within the second cylinder that includes the first region, the second region, and the surrounding portions of the substantially homogeneous mixture;
• initiating ignition in the stratified region of the second cylinder;
• and
• performing an exhaust stroke in the second cylinder to remove combustion byproducts following ignition and combustion.