Split-cycle air hybrid engine
First Claim
1. A split-cycle air hybrid engine comprising:
- a crankshaft rotatable about a crankshaft axis;
a power piston slidably received within a power cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft;
a compression piston slidably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft, the compression cylinder being selectively controllable to place the compression piston in a compression mode or an idle mode;
an air reservoir operatively connected between the compression cylinder and the power cylinder and selectively operable to receive compressed air from the compression cylinder and to deliver compressed air to the power cylinder for use in transmitting power to the crankshaft during engine operation; and
valves selectively controlling gas flow into and out of the compression and power cylinders and the air reservoir.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A split-cycle air hybrid engine operatively connects an air reservoir to a split cycle engine. A power piston is received within a power cylinder and operatively connected to a crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single revolution of the crankshaft. A compression piston is received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke in a single rotation of the crankshaft. The compression cylinder is selectively controllable to place the compression piston in a compression mode or an idle mode. An air reservoir is operatively connected between the compression cylinder and the power cylinder and selectively operable to receive compressed air from the compression cylinder and to deliver compressed air to the power cylinder for use in transmitting power to the crankshaft during engine operation.
75 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A split-cycle air hybrid engine comprising:
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a crankshaft rotatable about a crankshaft axis;
a power piston slidably received within a power cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft;
a compression piston slidably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft, the compression cylinder being selectively controllable to place the compression piston in a compression mode or an idle mode;
an air reservoir operatively connected between the compression cylinder and the power cylinder and selectively operable to receive compressed air from the compression cylinder and to deliver compressed air to the power cylinder for use in transmitting power to the crankshaft during engine operation; and
valves selectively controlling gas flow into and out of the compression and power cylinders and the air reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 29, 30, 31)
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17. A split-cycle air hybrid engine comprising:
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a crankshaft rotatable about a crankshaft axis;
a power piston slidably received within a power cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft;
a compression piston slidably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft;
a gas passage interconnecting the compression and power cylinders, the gas passage including an inlet valve and an outlet valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween; and
an air reservoir connected by a reservoir passage to the pressure chamber at a location between the inlet valve and the outlet valve, the air reservoir selectively operable to receive compressed air from the compression cylinder and to deliver compressed air to the power cylinder for use in transmitting power to the crankshaft during engine operation. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A split-cycle air hybrid engine comprising:
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a crankshaft rotatable about a crankshaft axis;
a power piston slidably received within a power cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft;
a compression piston slidably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft;
a gas passage interconnecting the compression and power cylinders, the gas passage including an inlet valve and an outlet valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween; and
an air reservoir connected by a first reservoir passage directly to the power cylinder and a second reservoir passage directly to the compression cylinder, the air reservoir separated from direct connection with the crossover passage and connected in parallel therewith, the air reservoir selectively operable to receive compressed air from the compression cylinder and to deliver compressed air to the power cylinder for use in transmitting power to the crankshaft during engine operation. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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32. A split-cycle air hybrid engine comprising:
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a power piston slidably received within a power cylinder and operatively connected to a crankshaft such that the power piston is reciprocal through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft;
a compression piston slidably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston is reciprocal through an intake stroke and a compression stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft;
an air reservoir operatively connected between the compression cylinder and the power cylinder and operable to receive compressed air from the compression cylinder and to deliver compressed air to the power cylinder for use in transmitting power to the crankshaft during engine operation; and
valves to control gas flow into and out of the compression and power cylinders and the air reservoir, wherein;
the compression cylinder is selectively operable in the following modes;
a compression mode, wherein compressed air is received in the air reservoir or the power cylinder from the compression cylinder; and
an idle mode, wherein compressed air is not received in the air reservoir or the power cylinder from the compression cylinder. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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33. A split-cycle air hybrid engine comprising:
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a power piston slidably received within a power cylinder and operatively connected to a crankshaft such that the power piston is reciprocal through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft;
a compression piston slidably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston is reciprocal through an intake stroke and a compression stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft;
an air reservoir operatively connected between the compression cylinder and the power cylinder and operable to receive compressed air from the compression cylinder and to deliver compressed air to the power cylinder for use in transmitting power to the crankshaft during engine operation; and
valves to control gas flow into and out of the compression and power cylinders and the air reservoir, wherein;
the power cylinder is selectively operable in the following modes;
a power mode, wherein compressed air from the air reservoir or the compression cylinder is delivered, with or without fuel, to the power cylinder; and
an idle mode, wherein compressed air from the air reservoir or the compression cylinder is not delivered to the power cylinder.
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Specification