Atkinson Cycle

[canavar]

I've read in a car magazine "QuattroRuote" an article that new hybrid engined Toyota Prius is using Atkinson cycle that is, the take in valves are left open for some period during compression phase(1/5 of the cyclinder) and the following phases occur as known. First I thought the reason was to drive out the remaining exhaust gases and obtain a fully clean air-fuel mixture but the article didn't give me enough info to understand the speciality of this cycle.

Can anyone give some information on Atkinson Cycle like its principle, advantages on other cycles?

Thanks in advance,
Canavar

 

[malbeare]

Dear canavar,
The aim of the Atkins cycle is to have the expansion stroke larger than the intake stroke thereby gaining efficiency as more of the energy in the expanding gass is utilised before it is exhausted.It is like a small engine on the intake and a large engine on the expansion. Just like my design
Malbeare

http://www.sixstroke.com