Abstract: A new and improved low emission combustor comprises a plurality of concentric cylindrical shells spaced radially to provide air supply and cooling passages and a primary fuel supply means disposed at the inlet end and a secondary fuel supply means disposed at the outlet end and arranged so that fuel supplied by the primary fuel supply means is less than that required for full load operation and the remainder of the fuel required to full load being supplied as needed by the secondary fuel supply means. Regeneratively heated combustion and cooling air is provided at the inlet and exit ends of the combustion chamber and at various intermediate locations along the length thereof to effect staged combustion and flame cooling.

Abstract: A steam turbine-generator power plant is described wherein solar energy is used to preheat feedwater to a steam generator. Two parallel feedwater supply branches are proposed for preheating the feedwater upstream from the steam generator. A first preheater branch utilizes extraction steam from the steam turbine for preheating feedwater and is called an extraction branch. A second preheater branch utilizes solar energy for preheating feedwater and is called a solar branch. The two branches are joined upstream from the steam generator and the proportion of flow from each branch is based on the temperature difference between the extraction branch and the solar branch. A variable speed pump is used to pump feedwater from the solar branch at a rate proportional to the temperature difference between the two branches.

Abstract: A valve arrangement for controlling the flow of fluid from an inlet passage to the cylinder of a reciprocating piston engine wherein the valve is opened by a cam against the resistance of a valve closing spring and compressed gas above a plunger connected to the end of the valve stem and slidingly positioned within an enclosed chamber and which valve closing spring and compressed gas provide the forces for effecting rapid closing of the valve.

Abstract: A pneumatically actuated valve for controlling the flow of fluid from an inlet passage to the cylinder of a reciprocating piston machine wherein the valve is opened by the fluid pressure in the cylinder as the piston approaches top dead center and closed by fluid pressure from the cylinder supplied to the top of a plunger connected to the end of the valve stem when the piston is preselected distance below top dead center.

Abstract: A valve arrangement for controlling the flow of fluid from an inlet passage to the cylinder of a reciprocating piston compressor wherein the valve is actuated to the open position by the pressure of the fluid compressed in the cylinder by planned early closing of the discharge valve as the piston approaches its top dead center position; actuation of the inlet valve to the closed position being effected at the desired time by operation of a cam and valve closing spring.