What is a clean-burning 2-stroke TIE?

A clean-burning 2-stroke TIE is a simple, clean, efficient, and elegant Torque Impulse Engine.  (For more information about the TIE, see “What is a TIE”)

At the heart of this technology is a unique Self Lubricating Piston (SLP).  See figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1

 Figure 1 shows an SLP in a cylinder.

 Figure 2 shows a side and top view of the SLP.

Figure 2

It is simple in the sense that 2-strokes engines inherently have few moving parts.  This is also the case in this engine, as may be seen in the above referenced figures 1 and 2.  However, the overall technology and concepts may seem rather complex.

• Four Stroke TIE Animation

• Gas Engine Prototype (Video)

• Electric Engine Prototype (Video)

 It is clean for two reasons:

First, oil is not introduced into the combustion chamber.  That is, oil is not mixed with the fuel.  Rather, as may be seen in figure 1, oil pressure (green) may be supplied to oil-rings, in much the same manor as the more complex 4-stroke automotive engine.

Second, scavenging of spent fuel (exhaust) need not waste fresh fuel.  For example, with this configuration, air or another gas may easily perform the scavenging of exhaust.  Then, a conventional fuel may be introduced (injected) into the combustion chamber, after the exhaust port is closed off by the SLP.

It is efficient for at least three reasons:

First, unlike 4-stroke engines, 2-stroke engines fire each and every time the piston approaches top dead center (TDC).  This implies a superior duty-cycle and power-to-weight ratio.

Second, pure fuel may be burned rather than oily fuel.  Thus, a more efficient burn may occur and plugs need not foul.

Third, since the lower unit is a Torque Impulse Engine (TIE), side forces and loss of maximum torque are not at issue.

It is elegant because this refined technology does more than solve the long standing and complex fuel and oil separation issues in a 2-stroke engine;

This technology has converged to a unique engine wherein separated fluids flow throughout mechanisms in a graceful, seamless, and natural way.

It may be seen in figures 1 and 2 that the SLP follows a rectilinear path.  This is because the lower portion of the engine is not a typical crankshaft.  It is a TIE.

Therefore, the rod portion of the SLP may ride in a lubricated guide (red) and a seal (violet) may form a natural fluid separation.

A complete explanation of how the clean-burning 2-stroke TIE works is beyond the scope of this section.

However, two things may be worth noting:

First, unlike conventional 2-stroke engines, the top of the piston (and thus the SLP oil-rings) will not move past any port in the cylinder wall.  Thus, in this engine, oil-pressure may be maintained at all times.  This is true because the passages (nostrils) that run from the top of the SLP to the side of the SLP may allow fuel or fuel components to pass UNDER the oil-rings!

Second, substantial friction between the piston and cylinder wall may not exist.  That is, lubrication may only be needed for the INTERFACE (rings) between the cylinder and cylinder wall.  There are two reasons for this:

First, substantial piston side forces are not created by the TIE.

Second, the lubricated guide (red) may prevent the piston itself from coming into contact with the cylinder wall.