Abstract: An external combustion engine includes: a plurality of cavities; a compressible working fluid in fluid communication between each pair of adjacent cavities; and a plurality of hydraulic linkages in reciprocal phase communication between each pair of alternate cavities. In an alternative embodiment the external combustion engine includes: a plurality of cavities; a compressible working fluid in fluid communication between each pair of adjacent cavities; and a plurality of articulated mechanical linkages in reciprocal phase communication between each pair of alternate cavities. In another alternative embodiment the external combustion engine includes: at least four upright cavities disposed substantially equidistant from a central upright axis; a compressible working fluid in fluid communication between each pair of adjacent cavities; and at least one linkage in reciprocal phase communication between each pair of alternate cavities. The at least one linkage may comprise a hydraulic linkage.

Abstract: An external combustion engine comprises a mass of compressible working fluid; a fluidic piston in fluid communication with the working fluid; and a second piston in hydraulic communication with the fluidic piston and in fluid communication with the working fluid.

Abstract: An external combustion engine comprises a mass of compressible working fluid; a fluidic piston in fluid communication with said working fluid; and a second piston in hydraulic communication with said fluidic piston and in fluid communication with said working fluid.

Abstract: Sheets of certain transparent plastic materials placed between polarizer sheets have the ability to change substantially the light intensity emerging out of the polarizers without inducing colors (achromatic filters). Likewise, certain other plastic sheets have the ability to induce colors when oriented suitably between polarizer sheets. This invention uses this information to make panels that could serve as the basis for making optical light screening items like windows, blinds and other utility items that are capable of generating light and dark and colored patterns. The essential optical components of these items include: overlapping polarizer sheets capable of translation with respect to each others, a series of predesigned achromatic plastic filters, suitably placed between the polarizers, and, one or more color inducing plastic sheets placed also suitably between the polarizers.