HYBRID OPPOSED-PISTON INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

• US 20200132110A1
• Filed: 10/31/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pinnacle Engines, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Pinnacle Engines, Inc.
• Inventors: Naber, Clayton
• Granted Patent: US 11,156,249 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F01B 7/14 acting on different main shafts
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/041 Linear electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 75/28 Engines with two or more pistons reciprocating within same cylinder or within essentially coaxial cylinders arranged oppositely relative to main shaft F02B75/24
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2380/26 Dynamo-electric machines or combinations therewith, e.g. electro-motors and generators in general H02K
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 3/06 Crankshafts
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 1/10 Connection to driving members

Abstract

A hybrid opposed piston engine is described that can include a cylindrical chamber and first and second pistons slidably disposed in the cylindrical chamber, surfaces of the first and second pistons and walls of the cylindrical chamber defining an internal combustion volume. The hybrid opposed piston engine can also include at least one port in the cylindrical chamber to allow air and fuel into and exhaust gas out of the internal combustion volume. In some embodiments, the hybrid opposed piston engine includes a drive shaft including a first mechanical linkage between the first piston and a crankshaft that is configured to move the first piston within the cylindrical chamber. In some embodiments, the hybrid opposed piston engine includes an electrical component adjacent to the second piston, the electrical component configured to move the second piston within the cylindrical chamber.

Claims

1. A hybrid opposed piston engine, comprising:

a cylindrical chamber;

first and second pistons slidably disposed in the cylindrical chamber, surfaces of the first and second pistons and walls of the cylindrical chamber defining an internal combustion volume;

at least one port in the cylindrical chamber to allow air and fuel into and exhaust gas out of the internal combustion volume;

a drive shaft including a first mechanical linkage between the first piston and a crankshaft that is configured to move the first piston within the cylindrical chamber;

an electrical component adjacent to the second piston, the electrical component configured to move the second piston within the cylindrical chamber.

2. The hybrid opposed piston engine of claim 1, wherein the electrical component includes one or more of an induction motor and a piezoelectric motor.

3. The hybrid opposed piston engine of claim 1, wherein the electrical component includes an electrical coil that extends around a circumference of the cylindrical chamber.

4. The hybrid opposed piston engine of claim 3, wherein the second piston is made out of one or more of an iron and a steel material.

5. The hybrid opposed piston engine of claim 3, wherein a position of the second piston along the cylindrical chamber is based on an amount of electrical current moving along a part of the electrical coil.

6. The hybrid opposed piston engine of claim 3, wherein an acceleration of the second piston along the cylindrical chamber is based on an amount of electrical current moving along a part of the electrical coil.

7. The hybrid opposed piston engine of claim 3, wherein an amount of force the second piston applies in a direction of the internal combustion volume is based on an amount of electrical current moving along a part of the electrical coil.

8. The hybrid opposed piston engine of claim 1, wherein the electrical component is coupled to the second piston via a second mechanical linkage, the electrical component being configured to move the second mechanical linkage to move the second piston within the cylindrical chamber.

9. The hybrid opposed piston engine of claim 8, wherein the electrical component includes a rotational electrical component coupled to the crankshaft of the second mechanical linkage.

10. The hybrid opposed piston engine of claim 8, wherein the electrical component includes a servo motor.

11. A method of a hybrid opposed piston engine, comprising:

moving a crankshaft of a hybrid opposed piston engine, the hybrid opposed piston engine, comprising;

a cylindrical chamber;

first and second pistons slidably disposed in the cylindrical chamber, surfaces of the first and second pistons and walls of the cylindrical chamber defining an internal combustion volume;

at least one port in the cylindrical chamber to allow air and fuel into and exhaust gas out of the internal combustion volume;

a drive shaft including a first mechanical linkage between the first piston and the crankshaft, wherein movement of the crankshaft causes movement of the first piston within the cylindrical chamber; and

an electrical component adjacent to the second piston, the electrical component configured to move the second piston within the cylindrical chamber; and

moving, as a result of a first current traveling along a part of the electrical component, the second piston within the cylindrical chamber.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

adjusting the first current to cause a change in an acceleration of the second piston.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

adjusting the first current to cause a change in an applied force by of the second piston in a direction of the internal combustion volume.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

adjusting the first current to cause a change in a position of the second piston along the cylindrical chamber.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrical component includes one or more of an induction motor and a piezoelectric motor.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrical component includes an electrical coil that extends around a circumference of the cylindrical chamber.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second piston is made out of one or more of an iron and a steel material.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrical component is coupled to the second piston via a second mechanical linkage, the electrical component being configured to move the second mechanical linkage to move the second piston within the cylindrical chamber.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the electrical component includes a rotational electrical component coupled to the crankshaft of the second mechanical linkage.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the electrical component includes a servo motor.