The split-cycle engine divides these four strokes between two paired cylinders: one for intake and compression, and another for power and exhaust.
The Backus Water Motor Company of Newark, New Jersey was producing an early example of a split cycle engine as far back as 1891.
However, both pistons in each pair are used for power (and the underside of both supplies fuel air mixture, if crankcase scavenging is used), and they only differ in that one piston works the transfer port to provide the fuel air mixture for use in both cylinders and the other piston works the exhaust port, so that the burnt mixture is exhausted via that cylinder.
[8] In 2009 investigative journalist Gerard Ryle reported a scam by New Zealander Rick Mayne that lost investors 100Ms of NZ dollars.
This scam engine was never successfully run in a meaningful demonstration, but significant capital was raised from unsuspecting investors and lost, through a share plan.