Split cycle

The split-cycle engine  is a type of internal combustion engine.

In a conventional  Otto cycle engine, each cylinder performs four strokes per cycle: intake, compression, power, and exhaust. This means that two revolutions of the  crankshaft are required for each power stroke. The split-cycle engine divides these four strokes between two paired cylinders: one for intake/compression, and another for power/exhaust. Compressed air is transferred from the compression cylinder to the power cylinder through a crossover passage. Fuel is then injected and fired to produce the power stroke.

Note: not to be confused with the Split Cycle engine invented by Rick Mayne that used a multitude of small cylinders arranged in a radial arrangement with pistons operated by a  geneva mechan ism <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;line-height:19px;">. This engine was never successfully run in a meaningful demonstration, but significant capital was raised through a share plan.