Abstract: A mechanism for operating one or more valves of a piston device, in particular an intake or exhaust valve of an internal-combustion engine, which valve can move between an open position and a closed position and is provided with associated restoring means for returning the valve to the closed position. The mechanism comprises a hydraulic valve actuator for operating the valve of the piston device, which valve actuator has a variable chamber which is delimited by a piston which can be coupled to the valve, in such a manner that when hydraulic fluid is supplied to the said chamber the valve opens. Furthermore, there are rotatable first and second cams, each having an associated cam follower, the relative angular position of the first cam and the second cam with respect to one another being adjustable.

Abstract: A mechanism for operating one or more valves of a piston device, in particular an intake or exhaust valve of an internal-combustion engine, which valve can move between an open position and a closed position and is provided with associated restoring means for returning the valve to the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electrical and/or mechanical energy from at least a low-grade fuel comprises a closed circuit in which steam is formed in a steam boiler fired with low-grade fuel, the steam formed in superheated in a superheater with the aid of heat originating from a heat source in which high-grade fuel is burned, the superheated steam is fed to a steam turbine in which the steam is expanded, thereby delivering work, the expanded steam is condensed in a condensor and the condensed steam is fed back to the steam boiler via a condensate degasser. The combination of forming steam with the aid of heat originating from low-grade fuel and superheating said steam with the aid of heat originating from high-grade fuel provides a process for converting fuel into electrical and/or mechanical energy with a relatively high overall efficiency.