Method and apparatus for operating an engine on compressed gas

摘要

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for operating an engine having a cylinder and a piston reciprocable therein on compressed gas. The apparatus comprises a source of compressed gas connected to a distributor which distributes the compressed gas to the cylinder. A valve is provided to selectively admit compressed gas to the cylinder when the piston is in an approximately top dead center position. In one embodiment of the present invention the timing of the opening of the valve is advanced such that the compressed gas is admitted to the cylinder progressively further before the top dead center position of the piston as the speed of the engine increases. In a further embodiment of the present invention a valve actuator is provided which increases the length of time over which the valve remains open to admit compressed gas to the cylinder as the speed of the engine increases. A still further embodiment of the present invention relates to an apparatus for adapting a conventional internal combustion engine for operation on compressed gas.