Internal combustion engine with compound air compression

Claim 1

An internal combustion engine in combination with a compound air compression system, comprising: a) a reciprocator with at least one cylinder, at least one piston reciprocal in the cylinder and a combustion chamber formed in substantial part by portions of the piston and cylinder, the reciprocator having a drive shaft; b) a rotary compressor having a drive shaft mechanically coupled to the drive shaft of the reciprocator, the rotary compressor having a Wankel-type, three-lobe, epitrochoidal configuration with compressor sides for compressing an intake gas, and expander sides for expanding an intake gas with the compressor sides having a conduit connected to the reciprocator for supplying compressed air to the reciprocator; c) a turbocharger with a gas turbine and a turbocompressor, the turbocompressor having an air conduit connected to the expander sides of the rotary compressor; and a bypass conduit with a valve means connecting the turbocharger to the reciprocator for supplying compressed air directly to the reciprocator wherein the drive shaft of the reciprocator and the drive shaft of the compressor have connecting means for transmitting mechanical energy to the reciprocator at mid to high operating speeds of the engine when the turbocharger supplies compressed air to the rotary compressor and, at least in part, drives the rotary compressor.