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==M4+2 engine==
''' The M4+2 engine ''', also known as the double -piston internal [[combustion]] engine, is a new type of [[internal combustion engine]] invented by a Polish patent holder [[Piotr Mężyk]].<ref name="Piotr Mężyk">[http://izoling.beep.pl/www.izoling.pl/badania/czytaj/engine.html Official site of the city of [[Myszków]], Poland]('''Polish'''){{dead link|date=January 2020}}</ref>
The M4+2 engine took its name from a combination of the two working modes of the known engines, that is from the [[Twotwo-stroke engine]] and [[Fourfour-stroke engine]]. The two-stroke combustion engine is characterized by a simple construction and system of air load change, as well as bigger index of power output. Unfortunately, its filling ratio is worse than in four-stroke engine. The ecological index of two-stroke engine is also unfavorable. The system of valves of the four-stroke engine is its disadvantage. The cylinders of both modules of double -pistons engine have been joined along one axis with common cylinder head - in the form of the ring. The pistons are moved with different speed and with appropriate stage displacement. There areThe two crankshafts, which are connected with a special transmission in shown solution. The four-stroke crankshaft is rotated with twice a speed of two-stroke crankshaft. The engine is named double pistons-piston because of its construction - double pistons and crankshafts. In the M4+2, the advantages of both engines being connected are obvious; the [[piston]]s of the engine working in one [[combustion]] [[Cylinder (engine)|cylinder]] are set oppositely to each other, but in different modes. Although the projects of connecting two stroke modes in one cylinder were tried already a long time ago in the [[Opposedopposed piston engine]], the combination of the two different cycles had never been tried before. It turned out that the engine is not only able to work, but that the effects are very promising. The engine has a far greater efficiency over the break-even value known to combustion engines (caabout 35%) and closer to the one associated with [[steam turbines]] or [[electric engines]] (caabout 70%).{{Citation needed|reason=this should be in one of the already cited refs|date=April 2010}}
[[Image:proto.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The M4+2 [[prototype]] constructed at the [[Silesian University of Technology]], [[Poland]]]]
The other advantages are as follows:
*more efficient [[Power (physics)|power]] production (150 [[Horsepowerhorsepower]] from 1000 cc of volume in the basic version)
*ability to differentiateuse different [[fuel]] types (natural plant oils as well as the traditional onespetroleum)
*much better ecological effects – a huge reduction of [[carbon dioxide]] and other gas emission
*smallerlower fuel consumption
*prolonged stroke expansion
*possibility to change the compression parameters without having to stop the engine
*simplicity of construction<ref name="novenia">[http://www.invenia.es/tech:05_pl_spop_0dwm Invenia] New-generation various fuel forms internal combustion engine - a review from Spain</ref><ref name="German">[http://www.bit.or.at/irca/bbsshow8.php?ref1=05%20PL%20SPOP%200DWM&vQuelle=&cc= BBS] A review from Germany</ref>
The idea was developed at the [[Silesian University of Technology]], Poland, under the leadership of dr [[Adam Ciesiołkiewicz]].<ref name="kones">[http://www.ilot.edu.pl/Journal%20of%20KONES%202002%20No%201_2/01/str56.pdf Journal abstract] - Journal of KONES Internal Combustion Engines 2002 No. 1-2 {{ISSN|1231-4005}}, the official Polish educational site ('''Pdf''')</ref> It was granted a [[patent]] nrnumber 195052 by the Polish [[Patent Office]].<ref name="patent">[http://www.uprp.pl/wydawnictwa/wyd/bup_03/bup09_03/bup09_2003.pdf The Polish Patent Office newsletter] ('''Polish, Pdf'''){{dead link|date=January 2020}}</ref> The work with the new combustion engine has been done by IZOLING P.W. Company in cooperation with Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice. There are consultationsConsultations with researchers from Technical University of Kraków, tooalso were held. So far, two working engine models have been made. The preliminary model is based on two existing engines (two-stroke motorbike engine and four-stroke small machine engine). This model confirms the rightnessconcept of two- and four-stroke engines connection. The second model is the functional model. <!-- It realizes the elaborated engine work conception. --> The new solution of combustion engine was presented during Scientificscientific Conferencesconferences (KONES '2002, Seminary of bio - fuels 2003, etc.) and in mass media (journals, newspapers, TVP, radio).
The hope to build modern and universal ecological engine with good technical parameters and low fuel consumption is connected with Doublethe pistonsdouble-piston internal combustion engine.
===The M4+2 engine working cycle===
The stages of the working cycle:
*[[Gas]] exhaust
*Fresh [[air]] inlet (two stages)
*Medium [[Gas compression|compression]]
*Two -stage [[combustion]]
*[[Gas]] expansion
The filling process takes place at the [[overpressure]] phase, using a mechanical [[gas compressor]] and a [[throttle]] for the purpose of regulation.<br>
The load change is assisted by a four -stroke piston, working as a dynamic boosting system and allowing the good scavenging of working space. <br>
ThereA ispossibility a possibilityexists of changing the relative [[piston]] positions during the engine work, thatwhich gives the possibility of changing the compression [[ratio]] depending on the temporary level of the load. This suggests the possibility of different [[fuel]]sfuels for combustion (low -octane petrol, bio-fuelsbiofuels with high levels of vegetable components).
The working cycle is characterised by an almost constant combustion characteristic of the working space volume increasing during the expansion stage.<ref name="afm">[http://mirka.forumakad.pl/archiwum/2001/06/artykuly/19-rewolucyjna_konstrukcja.htm The Academical Forum monthly] A report published by a Polish academic monthly [[:pl:Forum Akademickie|Forum Akademickie]] ('''Polish''')</ref><ref name="ndw">[http://www.ndw.v.pl/art.php?nr=234&kom=1 An article on ndw.v.pl] A report published by a Polish popular science magazine "Strefa NDW" ('''Polish''')</ref>
The engine is characterized by:
* extended gas expansion and limited [[exhaust gas]] temperature on the outlet,
* the variability of the compression ratio and possibility of changing the compression ratio during the engine work depending on the temporary load,
* a beneficial changing of working space during the mixture compression with different crankshafts' polar ___location. That makes the pressure forming in cylinder possible (within reasonable limits)
* an almost constant characteristic of volume increasing during the expansion stage at different piston positions (it influences the steady power transport).
Calculations prove that, the new engine has more favorable parameters and work indicators:
* the increase of engine thermal efficiency (Although the mechanical efficiency is lesser than a conventional engine),
* higher total efficiency - efficiency characteristic is more favorable at medium load. It is comparable with the diesel engine efficiency so the exploitation of fuel consumption is relatively smaller,
* the higher torque and the higher power output compared to the four-stroke SI engine with the same stroke volume.
Preliminary research shows that, the combustion engine has possibility of lean mixtures combustion (lambda>1). The properties and the possibility of compression ratio change during normal work forecast the possibility of different fuels combustion (like vegetable oils, low-octane petrol, bio - fuels with high stage of vegetable components). The properties and features of new engine show that it can work as SI or diesel engine. ▼
▲<!-- Preliminary research shows that , the combustion engine has possibility of lean -mixtures combustion (lambda>1). The properties and the possibility of compression ratio change during normal work forecast the possibility of different fuels combustion (like vegetable oils, low-octane petrol, bio - fuels with high stage of vegetable components). The properties and features of new engine show that it can work as SI or diesel engine.
-->
===Ricardo 2x4 engine===
The two -cycle modes are currently being researched at [[Ricardo Consulting Engineers]] in the UK. The concept consists in switching from one mode to the other depending on [[Revolutions per minute|rpm]] value. The four -stroke engine is more efficient when running at full throttle, while the opposite is the case for the two -stroke engine. When a small car under heavy load runs at half speed, the engine automatically switches to the two -cycle mode, which is then more efficient. The research on this showed a 27% reduction in fuel consumption.<ref name="genius">[http://www.theengineer.co.uk/Articles/305434/Stroke+of+genius.htm Engineer Online] Stroke of genius [[The Engineer (UK magazine)]]</ref><ref name="mit">[http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/20494/ Nonelectric Hybrid Engines [[Technology Review]]/[[MIT]]] A novel hybrid engine could slash fuel consumption</ref>
Since the shaft of the four -stroke piston in the M4+2 engine always rotates twice as fast as the shaft of the two stroke piston, meaning the two -stroke part always runs at half speed, both parts work in optimal conditions regarding fuel consumption at all times. The same principles are involved as with having distinct engines, but the design of the M4+2 is much simpler.
==See also==
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