Hybrid opposed-piston engine system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016252004-A1
Application number	US-201615042422-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 12, 2016
Priority date	Feb 27, 2015
Publication date	Sep 1, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An opposed-piston engine system equipped for full hybrid compressed-air/combustion includes capacity for storing air compressed by the engine during a combustion mode of operation. The hybrid opposed-piston engine system includes a control mechanization for operating the opposed-piston engine in a combustion mode by provision of fuel, in a compressed-air mode by provision of stored compressed air, and in a combustion mode supplemented by provision of stored compressed air. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle equipped with an opposed-piston engine includes storing air compressed by the engine during a combustion mode of operation and operating in the vehicle a compressed-air mode by provision of stored compressed air.

First claim

1 . A hybrid engine system, comprising:
an opposed-piston engine with at least one cylinder having piston-controlled exhaust and intake ports, a charge air channel to provide air to at least one intake port, an exhaust channel to remove exhaust gas from at least one exhaust port, a fuel system to deliver fuel for combustion in the cylinder, and a compression-release port in fluid communication with the cylinder bore; an air storage device; a bidirectional air transport channel connecting the air storage device with the compression release port; and, an engine control unit programmed to cause the bidirectional air transport channel to transport compressed air between the air storage device and the compression release port to either store compressed air in the air storage device or inject compressed air between the pistons.

2 . The hybrid engine system of claim 1 , in which the bidirectional air transport channel comprises a compression-release valve mounted in the compression release port, a transport channel in fluid communication with the compression-release valve, and a storage valve in fluid communication with the transport channel and connected to the air storage device.

3 . The hybrid engine system of claim 2 , in which the storage valve is further connected to the charge air channel and the engine control unit is further programmed to cause the storage valve to couple the air storage device to the charge air channel.

4 . The hybrid engine system of claim 2 , further including a braking valve connected to the transport channel and in which the engine control unit is further programmed to cause the braking valve to couple the transport channel to the exhaust channel.

5 . The hybrid engine system of claim 1 , further including a braking valve connected to the transport channel and in which the engine control unit is further programmed to cause the braking valve to couple the transport channel to the exhaust channel.

6 . The hybrid engine system of claim 1 , in which the opposed-piston engine is a two-stroke, fuel-injected opposed-piston engine.

7 . The hybrid engine system of claim 1 , in which the opposed-piston engine includes one, two, or three or more crankshafts.

8 . The hybrid engine system of claim 1 , in which the opposed-piston engine includes one, two, or three or more ported cylinders.

9 . The hybrid engine system of claim 8 , in which the opposed-piston engine is a two-stroke, fuel-injected opposed-piston engine.

10 . The hybrid engine system of claim 9 , in which the opposed-piston engine includes one, two, or three or more crankshafts.

11 . A method of operating an opposed-piston engine with at least one ported cylinder and pair of pistons disposed in opposition in the cylinder, comprising:
compressing air between the opposed pistons during a compression stroke; releasing the compressed air from the cylinder, through a compression-release port associated with the cylinder; storing the released air; releasing stored compressed air; and, injecting the released stored compressed air into the cylinder through the compression-release port to force the pistons apart.

12 . The method of claim 11 , further including:
ceasing the injection of released stored compressed air; and, injecting fuel into the cylinder through one or more fuel injectors.

13 . The method of claim 12 , further including releasing stored compressed air into a charge air channel of the engine.

14 . A method of operating a fuel-injected, opposed-piston engine having at least one ported cylinder, and a pair of pistons disposed in opposition in the cylinder, the method comprising:
compressing air in the cylinder between the opposed pistons during an intake/compression stroke; releasing compressed air from the cylinder; storing the released compressed air; providing fuel and air to the cylinder; operating the engine in response to combustion of the fuel; stopping provision of fuel to the engine; and then, releasing the stored air; and, operating the engine in response to the released stored compressed air

15 . A method of operating a vehicle equipped with an opposed-piston engine, comprising:
compressing air in a cylinder of the engine; injecting fuel into the compressed air in the cylinder to operate the engine; detecting deceleration of the vehicle; preventing fuel injection into the compressed air in in the cylinder in response to the deceleration; opening a compression-release port located in an intermediate portion of the cylinder to release compressed air from the cylinder; and, storing the released compressed air in an air storage device.

16 . The method of operating a vehicle according to claim 15 , further including:
detecting a pressure difference between compressed air in the cylinder and compressed air stored in the air storage device; and, closing the compression-release port in response to the pressure difference.

17 . The method of operating a vehicle according to claim 16 , further including:
resuming fuel injection into the compressed air at the end of the deceleration.

18 . The method of operating a vehicle according to claim 17 , further including:
detecting acceleration of the vehicle; preventing fuel injection into the compressed air in in the cylinder in response to the acceleration; opening the compression-release port in response to the acceleration; opening the compression-release port; releasing stored compressed air from the air storage device; and injecting the released compressed air into the cylinder bore through the opened compression-release port.

19 . The method of operating a vehicle according to claim 17 , further including braking the vehicle by releasing compressed air from the cylinder by opening the compression-release port.

20 . The method of operating a vehicle according to claim 15 , in which the opposed-piston engine is a fuel-injected, two-stroke opposed-piston engine.

Assignees

• Achates Power Inc

Inventors

• Koszewnik John J

Classifications

• F02B75/282 Primary

  the pistons having equal strokes · CPC title

• F02B21/00

  Engines characterised by air-storage chambers · CPC title

• F02B11/02 Primary

  convertible from fuel-air mixture compression to air compression or vice versa · CPC title

• F02B29/00

  Engines characterised by provision for charging or scavenging not provided for in groups F02B25/00, F02B27/00 or F02B33/00 - F02B39/00; Details thereof · CPC title

• Y02T10/12

  Improving ICE efficiencies · CPC title