Supercharged engine design

摘要

The present engine design can comprise one or more three-cylinder modules. Each module can comprise a left-hand combustion cylinder, a compression cylinder and a right-hand combustion cylinder. In an embodiment, the compression cylinder can function as a supercharger providing compressed air to the two combustion cylinders in order to improve performance and efficiency. Each module can comprise a specialized cylinder head comprising an intake air plenum configured to allow pressurized air to flow from the compression cylinder into each of the combustion cylinders. The flow of this pressurized air can be precisely controlled by valves that control airflow into and out of each of the three cylinders. Variable valve timing and computer controls can determine the exact amount of fuel, if any, which will be injected into the combustion cylinders to deliver high fuel economy while delivering an optimal level of power, horsepower and torque.

主权项

1. An engine design comprising:
an engine block; a crankshaft; at least one three-cylinder module, the three-cylinder module comprising: a left-hand combustion cylinder located within the engine block and a left-hand combustion cylinder piston located within the left-hand combustion cylinder and connected to the crankshaft; a right-hand combustion cylinder located within the engine block and a right-hand combustion cylinder piston located within the right-hand combustion cylinder and connected to the crankshaft; a compression cylinder located within the engine block and a compression cylinder piston located within the compression cylinder and connected to the crankshaft;
wherein the right-hand combustion cylinder and the left-hand combustion cylinder are configured to perform an intake stroke, a compression stroke, a power stroke and an exhaust stroke and the compression cylinder is configured to perform only an intake stroke and a compression stroke; and a cylinder head connected to the engine block, comprising at least one left-hand cylinder intake valve and at least one left-hand cylinder exhaust valve, at least one right-hand cylinder intake valve and at least one right-hand cylinder exhaust valve, and at least one compression cylinder intake valve and at least one compression cylinder exhaust valve, the cylinder head also comprising an intake air plenum connecting the at least one compression cylinder exhaust valve to at least one left-hand cylinder intake valve and the intake air plenum connecting the at least one compression cylinder exhaust valve to at least one right-hand cylinder intake valve;
wherein the compression cylinder intake valve and the compression cylinder exhaust valve are configured to remain closed while the compression piston begins upward movement which creates a positive pressure within the compression cylinder before the compression cylinder exhaust valve is opened; and wherein the left-hand combustion cylinder and the right-hand combustion cylinder are configured to be variably timed.