The invention is concerned with a method of deriving mechanical work from a combustion gas in internal combustion engines and reciprocating internal combustion engines for carrying out the method. The invention includes methods and apparatuses for managing combustion charge densities, temperatures, pressures and turbulence in order to produce a true mastery within the power cylinder in order to increase fuel economy, power, and torque while minimizing polluting emissions. In its preferred embodiments, the method includes the steps of (i) producing an air charge, (ii) controlling the temperature, density and pressure of the air charge, (iii) transferring the air charge to a power cylinder of the engine such that an air charge having a weight and density selected from a range of weight and density levels ranging from below atmospheric weight and density to heavier-than-atmospheric weight and density is introduced into the power cylinder, and (iv) then compressing the air charge at a lower-than-normal compression ratio, (v) causing a pre-determined quantity of charge-air and fuel to produce a combustible mixture, (vi) causing the mixture to be ignited within the power cylinder, and (vii) allowing the combustion gas to expand against a piston operable in the power cylinders with the expansion ratio of the power cylinders being substantially greater than the compression ratio of the power cylinders of the engine. In addition to other advantages, the invented method is capable of producing mean effective cylinder pressures ranging from lower-than-normal to higher-than-normal. In the preferred embodiments, the mean effective cylinder pressure is selectively variable (and selectively varied) throughout the mentioned range during the operation of the engine. In an alternate embodiment related to constant speed-constant load operation, the mean effective cylinder pressure is selected from the range and the engine is configured, in accordance with the present invention, such that the mean effective cylinder pressure range is limited, being varied only in the amount required for producing the power, torque and speed of the duty cycle for which the engine is designed.

Method and apparatus for varying the final compression temperature in a four cycle internal combustion engine

Internal combustion engine and working cycle

A method of operating an internal combustion engine, including at least one cylinder and a piston slidable in the cylinder, may include supplying pressurized air from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, selectively operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold substantially during a majority portion of a compression stroke of the piston, and operably controlling a fuel supply system to inject fuel into the combustion chamber after the intake valve is closed.

Air and fuel supply system for combustion engine

Working cycle for internal combustion engines, with methods and apparatuses for managing combustion charge density, temperature, pressures and turbulence (among other characteristics). At least one embodiment describes a supercharged internal combustion engine in which a supercharging portion of air is compressed, cooled and injected late in the compression process. A sub-normal compression ratio or low 'effective' compression ratio initial air charge is received by a cylinder/compression chamber on the engine intake process, which during compression produces only a fraction of heat-of-compression as that produced by a conventional engine. During compression process, dense, cooled supercharging air charge is injected, adding density and turbulence above that of conventional engines with low 'effective' compression ratio for this portion of air charge also. Compression continues and near piston top dead center, the air charge being mixed with fuel is ignited for power pulse followed by scavenging.

Cold air super-charged internal combustion engine working cycle & method

Tandem supercharging system

An internal combustion engine having variable intake valve timing mechanism (20) to control the compression work performed by a piston (12) slidably housed within a cylinder (14) of the engine, so as to avoid knocking operation while allowing maximum use of exhaust energy in the event that the engine is equipped with a turbocharger.

Internal combustion engine with adaptive control of compression ratio

High-pressure supercharging system

The present invention relates to internal combustion power plants of the type comprising a prime mover for expanding motive fluid to produce power and an internal combustion engine s driving a compressor for supplying charging and scavenging air to the internal combustion engine at a pressure...

Method and apparatus for varying the final compression temperature in a four cycle internal combustion engine

Citations

Internal combustion engine and working cycle

Air and fuel supply system for combustion engine

Cold air super-charged internal combustion engine working cycle & method

Tandem supercharging system

Internal combustion engine with adaptive control of compression ratio

References

High-pressure supercharging system

Internal combustion power plant

Procédé et dispositifs pour augmenter le couple d'un moteur à combustion interne donné

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