Scuderi Group, Inc.

Engineering and Sales Associates Inc.

Stephen P Scuderi

Salvatore C Scuderi

Riccardo Meldolesi

Ford Allen Phillips

Charles K Forner, Sr

David Pratt Branyon

James V Masi

Thomas E Briggs, Jr

Douglas Arthur McKee

Ambrogio Giannini

Carmelo J Schuderi

Salvatore O Scuderi

In some embodiments, split-cycle engines are disclosed that are capable of operating in a normal firing mode in which a firing stroke is performed in the expansion cylinder only on every other rotation of the crankshaft. Fuel can be injected directly into the expansion cylinder during the non-firing rotation of the crankshaft over a period of time greater than what is possible with traditional split-cycle engines. A number of other advantages are associated with such engines. In some embodiments, two expansion cylinders can be provided such that a firing stroke is performed on every rotation of the crankshaft, even though each individual expansion cylinder only performs a firing stroke on every other rotation of the crankshaft. Air hybridized and/or Millerized variations of these engines, as well as various cylinder arrangements, are also disclosed herein.

Split-cycle engines with direct injection

A split-cycle air hybrid engine with improved efficiency is disclosed in which the centerline of a compression cylinder is positioned at a non-zero angle with respect to the centerline of an expansion cylinder such that the engine has a V-shaped configuration. In one embodiment, the centerlines of the respective cylinders intersect an axis parallel to, but offset from, the axis of rotation of the crankshaft. Modular crossover passages, crossover passage manifolds, and associated air reservoir valve assemblies and thermal regulation systems are also disclosed.

Split-cycle air hybrid V-engine

An engine includes a crankshaft rotatable about a crankshaft axis. A compression piston is slidably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston is operable to reciprocate through an intake stroke and a compression stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. An expansion (power) piston is slidably received within an expansion cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the expansion piston is operable to reciprocate through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. At least two crossover passages interconnect the compression and expansion cylinders. Each of the at least two crossover passages includes a crossover compression (XovrC) valve and a crossover expansion (XovrE) valve operable to define a pressure chamber therebetween. The engine controls and maximizes engine efficiency at part-load by utilizing only selected crossover passages.

Part-load control in a split-cycle engine

A split-cycle engine includes a crankshaft rotatable about a crankshaft axis. A compression piston is slidably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through intake and compression strokes during a single rotation of the crankshaft. An expansion piston is slidably received within an expansion cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the expansion piston reciprocates through expansion and exhaust strokes during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A crossover passage interconnects the expansion and compression cylinders. The crossover passage includes crossover compression (XovrC) and crossover expansion (XovrE) valves defining a pressure chamber therebetween. At least one of the XovrC and XovrE valves is a balanced valve. A fluid pressure balancer biases the valve for balancing fluid pressures acting against the valve in both opening and closing directions, reducing the forces required in actuating the valve.

Pressure balanced engine valves

A split-cycle engine includes a rotatable crankshaft. A compression piston is slidably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. An expansion piston is slidably received within an expansion cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the expansion piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A crossover passage interconnects the expansion and compression cylinders. The crossover passage includes a crossover compression valve and a crossover expansion valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween. A pilot crossover valve is disposed between the crossover passage and the expansion cylinder. The pilot crossover valve equalizes fluid pressures acting against the crossover expansion valve in an opening direction, reducing the forces required in actuating the crossover expansion valve.

Split-cycle engine with pilot crossover valve

An engine includes a crankshaft rotatable about a crankshaft axis. A compression piston is slidably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston is operable to reciprocate through an intake stroke and a compression stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. An expansion (power) piston is slidably received within an expansion cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the expansion piston is operable to reciprocate through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A variable volume crossover passage interconnects the compression and expansion cylinders, and includes a variable volume housing to controllably regulate the air flow from the compression cylinder to the expansion cylinder.

Variable volume crossover passage for a split-cycle engine

A split-cycle air hybrid engine operatively connects an air reservoir to a split cycle engine. A power piston is received within a power cylinder and operatively connected to a crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single revolution of the crankshaft. A compression piston is received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke in a single rotation of the crankshaft. The compression cylinder is selectively controllable to place the compression piston in a compression mode or an idle mode. An air reservoir is operatively connected between the compression cylinder and the power cylinder and selectively operable to receive compressed air from the compression cylinder and to deliver compressed air to the power cylinder for use in transmitting power to the crankshaft during engine operation.

Split-cycle air hybrid engine

A waste heat recovery system for a split-cycle engine includes a heat exchange unit. An air compressor device is in communication with the heat exchange unit. A waste heat input receives waste heat from the engine and is in fluid communication with the heat exchange unit. An ambient air intake connected to the air compressor device draws air into the air compressor device. A compressed air outlet member on the air compressor device in fluid communication with a compression cylinder of the split-cycle engine delivers compressed air from the air compressor device to the engine. Engine waste heat is communicated to the heat exchange unit and energy from the waste heat is used to drive the air compressor device, causing the air compressor device to draw in ambient air through the ambient air intake, compress the ambient air, and deliver compressed air to the engine through the compressed air outlet.

System and method for split-cycle engine waste heat recovery

A compressor/motor combination device for use in refrigerant recovery and/or recycling apparatus wherein the motor employed is of the disc armature type and the drive shaft thereof also acts as the crank shaft of the compressor for reciprocating the piston therein and extends in a direction opposite the compressor to drive a fan.

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Westfield, MA, United States of America

Stephen P Scuderi