When reading some topics on engines here I realised there is a lot of expertise here. Could some of you shed some light on the idea on this site?
The base Scuderi Engine is a split-cycle design that divides the four strokes of a conventional combustion cycle over two paired cylinders: one intake/compression cylinder and one power/exhaust cylinder. By firing after top-dead center, it produces highly efficient, cleaner combustion with one cylinder and compressed air in the other. Unlike conventional engines that require two crankshaft revolutions to complete a single combustion cycle, the Scuderi Engine only requires one. Besides the improvements in efficiency and emissions, studies show that the Scuderi Engine is capable of producing more torque than conventional gasoline and diesel engines.[/indent]
Although it produces one power stroke per revolution (2 stroke cycle) it requires 2 pistons to do it, so no advantage there.
More torque/BMEP. They are careful not to claim more power as there seem to be some limitations on RPM imposed by mechanical and breathing complexity.
With 180 deg of power stroke and 180 deg of exhaust, the power cylinder would be highly thermally stressed - even more than a conventional 2 stroke. It will be interesting to see what technologies they use to overcome that.
There are some benefits claimed in the area of replacing throttling with computer controlled valve actuation, which of course will also be highly beneficial on Otto engines as this technology becomes viable.
Those things aside, there are some genuine benefits in the design - particularly the control of heat release and compression/combustion pressures and temperatures.
