Pneumatic engine

A compressed air engine having a throttle with compressed air being supplied to the throttle. The engine includes at least two cylinders each having a reciprocating piston therein. Air is supplied from the throttle to the cylinders to drive the pistons within the cylinders. A crankshaft is coupled to the pistons and is rotatably driven in response to the reciprocating motion of the pistons. Each cylinder includes an inlet valve for allowing compressed air into the cylinder during a power stroke and preventing compressed air from entering the cylinder during an exhaust stroke, and includes an exhaust valve connecting the cylinder to atmosphere during the exhaust stroke and closing the connection to atmosphere during the power stroke. The inlet and exhaust valves are auger type valves with the inlet auger valves remaining open for approximately 180 degrees of crankshaft rotation and the exhaust auger valves remaining open for approximately the remaining 180 degrees of crankshaft rotation. Operatively connected between the throttle and the cylinders are valves for selectively interrupting the flow of compressed air to at least one of the cylinders while allowing compressed air to at least one other cylinder. The valve, which interrupts the flow of compressed air to the one cylinder, allows the inlet valve of the one cylinder to communicate with atmosphere when the compressed air is disconnected from the one cylinder.