Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for efficiently converting heat energy to readily usable energy with maximized thermal efficiency. Maximized thermal efficiency is obtained by the use of heat regeneration and working gas processing steps that optimize the heat regeneration, so that any heat that is supplied to the working gas from the external heat sourse is supplied at the maximum temperature, and any heat that is rejected from the working gas to an external heat sinks is rejected at the minimum temperature, given the constraints of the the heat source and heat sink temperatures. Two basic designs of engines are proposed. One of the basic designs uses pairs of heat regenerators, and would be suitable for stationary power generation applications. The other basic design uses single heat regenerators and would be suited for motive power applications. Both piston cylinder and turbocompressor driven engine applications can be used in each of the two basic designs of engines.

Abstract: This invention concerns a high efficiency piston-cylinder engine whose cylinder is equipped with means to add heat to a working gas in the cylinder. Other important components include: a heat regenerator, one end of which is connected to the cylinder; and piston position controlled valves for timing the flow of compressed working gas into, and expanded working gas from, the regenerator. A quantity of fresh compressed working gas is introduced into the regenerator, with the residual working gas in the regenerator and cylinder being at the same pressure as the compressed working gas introduced into the regenerator. The fresh and residual working gas is then expanded with the addition of heat. The fresh working gas is exhausted after the expansion step, and the residual working gas remaining in the regenerator and cylinder is compressed prior to receipt of fresh compressed working gas for the next cycle.

Abstract: An improved crank driven reciprocating piston hot gas engine in which virtually the entire working gas mass performs the same Ericsson cycle loop, thereby achieving maximized thermal efficiency. The invention engine embodiments consist of paired hot and cold cylinders, connected together through leak sealed flow paths with included valves and regenerator. Embodiments are presented for both the open cycle and closed cycle operations. The improvements consist of relative piston crank positioning and timed valve operation such that the working gas that started the isothermal expansion in a hot cylinder essentially remains in that hot cylinder for the entire duration of the isothermal expansion step, and the working gas that started the isothermal compression in a cold cylinder essentially remains in that cold cylinder for the entire duration of the isothermal compression step. The second improvement concerns the heat transfer within the cylinders.

Abstract: An improved closed cycle hot gas engine in which virtually the entire working gas mass performs the same Ericsson Cycle loop thereby achieving maximized thermal efficiency. The invention engine embodiments consist of paired cylinders connected together by leak sealed means for controlled working gas operation. The working gas is simultaneously heated and expanded in the heating cylinder and then simultaneously cooled and compressed in the cooling cylinder to achieve the isothermal expansion and compression steps respectively of the four step Ericsson Cycle loop. The improvements consist of means to provide both the reciprocating operation of the cylinders pistons as well as control of piston relative motion with respect to each other.

Abstract: An engine having valve means, timing means, fuel distribution means and ignition means configured for operation on a combustible mixture of fuel and air, or other energy source, comprises at least one annular cylinder and mating annular piston forming combustion chambers at both ends and configured for orbital rotation about a central crank. Escapement means transfers orbital rotation of the piston and cylinder in a first direction to the crank and prevents their rotation in the opposite direction relative to a grounded frame which encloses the engine. The piston and cylinder alternately are rotated in the first direction by expansion or contraction of the energy source in successively predetermined combustion chambers on each stroke to rotate the crank.

Abstract: An engine having valve means, timing means, fuel distribution means and ignition means configured for operation on a combustible mixture of fuel and air, or other energy source, comprises at least one annular cylinder and mating annular piston forming combustion chambers at both ends and configured for orbital rotation about a central crank. Escapement means transfers orbital rotation of the piston and cylinder in a first direction to the crank and prevents their rotation in the opposite direction relative to the grounded frame which encloses the engine. The piston and cylinder alternately are rotated in the first direction by expansion or contraction of the energy source in successively predetermined combustion chambers on each stroke to rotate the crank.