Air Connector for an Internal Combustion Engine and a Compressed Air Storage Tank

摘要

An air connector 10 for mounting opposite an intake port 120 in an intake pipe of an internal combustion engine to allow the intake port 120 to communicate selectively with the intake passage and with a compressed air storage tank 40. The connector comprises a stopper 12 mounted on a rod 14 movable by a pneumatic actuator 30 and a return spring between an open position in which the intake port communicates with the intake pipe and a closed position in which the stopper seals the entrance of the intake port to isolate it from the intake pipe. An air passage 16 is provided in the stopper and the rod 14 to allow communication between the intake port and the compressed air storage tank when the stopper is in the closed position. A check valve 18 arranged in the air passage is biased in a direction to prevent escape of air from the compressed air storage tank in all positions of the stopper. The system allows modification of a four stroke engine so it can charge a compressed air storage tank and also allow the engine to operate as an air motor within a hybrid vehicle.