Abstract: A vehicular internal combustion engine system includes an internal combustion engine and an electric intake air supply device. The internal combustion engine is shifted into a stoichiometric combustion mode, and a lean combustion mode. The electric intake air supply device is driven by an on-vehicle battery, and employed to contribute a part of intake air quantity at least under a specific operating condition when in the lean combustion mode. A control method includes: determining a requested electric energy of the electric intake air supply device for a shift into the lean combustion mode in response to a shift from a stoichiometric combustion operation region into a lean combustion operation region; and continuing the stoichiometric combustion mode, without operation of the electric intake air supply device, when the on-vehicle battery is in an insufficient state of charge with respect to the requested electric energy.

Abstract: The electric vehicle including one or more in-wheel motors, a battery electrically coupled to one or more in-wheel motors, a power electronics including a DC-AC inverter, a AC-DC inverter, and a boost converter that receives DC power from the battery and supplies AC power to the one or more in-wheel motors, and a generator electrically coupled to the battery via the power electronics. Further, it includes a Rankine cycle system including a pump, a first valve having an input, a first output, and a second output connected to the pump, the generator, and the one or more in-wheel motors, respectively. A second valve having a first input connects to the generator, a second input connects the one or more in-wheel motors and an output delivers the working fluid to the power electronics. An expander receives the working fluid from at least one of the power electronics.

Abstract: A microwave device includes a microwave generator generating a microwave and outputting the microwave, a waveguide guiding the microwave output from the microwave generator, a cavity resonator, and a flow tube. In some embodiments, the cavity resonator has an irradiation chamber as a quadrangular prism cavity into which the microwave guided by the waveguide is introduced, resonates the microwave in the irradiation chamber, and generates an electric field in TM110 mode along a direction of a center axis through centers of top and bottom faces of the irradiation chamber. The flow tube is installed in the irradiation chamber and formed in a helical fashion by winding and extending around the center axis, and causes a liquid to be treated to flow in a direction crossing the electric field generated in the irradiation chamber. The center axis is a location where the electric field is the strongest in the irradiation chamber.

Abstract: The efficient heat exchange system provides a rapidly rechargeable thermal energy storage bank operably connected to a heat engine capable of use in an electric power generation facility or in a vehicle. Microwave energy is supplied to the system via a network of waveguides. The thermal energy storage bank has a slurry in a heat exchanger capable of sustaining operation of the engine without requiring the microwave source. The slurry provides a mixture of powdered stainless steel and silicone oils functioning as the working fluid in the hot side of the heat exchanger. The slurry may be heated by plugging the system into standard AC power for a predetermined microwave heat charging duration. A closed, triple-expansion, reciprocating Rankine cycle engine capable of operating under computer control via a high pressure micro-atomized steam working medium is provided to propel the vehicle.

Abstract: A mower having a cutting deck for cutting grass has four drive wheels arranged in a square or rectangular configuration on the mower's frame. Four wheel drive and four wheel steering are employed with the drive wheels. The four wheel drive is provided by a hydraulic drive system that employs a pair of identical serial circuits which have their own pumps with each pump serially sending its output through a rear drive motor and a front drive motor that are catty-corner to one another on the frame, i.e. are on opposite sides of the motor. Various flow crossover paths and flow recirculation paths are provided in the serial circuits to ensure the drive motors receive adequate flow in maximum turns of the mower. The flow recirculation paths around a pair of drive motors at one end of the frame are shut off during reverse and during braking so that all drive motors retain hydraulic braking in these conditions.

Abstract: A method and system for an external combustion engine operable using at least two different working fluids to be supplied to an engine to cause it to do mechanical work. The engine is started by providing a compressed gaseous working fluid at a sufficient pressure to the engine. At the same time the compressed gaseous working fluid is provided to the engine, a second working fluid that is liquid at ambient temperatures is provided to a heater to be heated. The second working fluid is heated to its boiling point and converted to pressurized gas form. Once the pressure is increased to a sufficient level, the second working fluid is injected into the engine to generate power, and the supply of the first working fluid may be stopped. After expansion in the engine, the working fluids are is exhausted from the engine, and the second working fluid may be condensed for separation from the first working fluid. The initial compressed fluid is recompressed for later use.

Abstract: A much more fuel-efficient automotive vehicle can be made utilizing an internal combustion engine paired to a conventional piston-type steam engine. There is a gasoline-powered boiler to produce the steam as well as a condenser to recycle spent steam.

Abstract: The Rankine engine with efficient heat exchange system provides a rapidly rechargeable thermal energy storage bank operably connected to a heat engine capable of propelling a vehicle. Microwave energy is supplied to the system via a network of waveguides. Thermal storage bank has a slurry in a heat exchanger capable of sustaining operation of the engine without requiring the microwave source. The slurry provides a mixture of powdered stainless steel and silicone oils functioning as the working fluid in the hot side of the heat exchanger. The slurry may be heated by plugging the system into standard AC power for a predetermined microwave heat charging duration. A closed, triple-expansion, reciprocating Rankine cycle engine capable of operating under computer control via a high pressure micro-atomized steam working medium is provided to propel the vehicle. A variety of working fluids are capable of powering the Rankine cycle engine.

Abstract: A compressed-air powered drive system for a vehicle (10) or a propeller-driven aircraft (12). In a land vehicle (10), the drive system includes a plurality of air motors (20) each driving a wheel (16) through a transmission device (18). Compressed air from an air storage tank (12) is supplied through a heat exchanger (40) to drive air motors. A fuel is burned in the heat exchanger (40) to provide hot, high pressure air to the first air motors. Water may be injected into the heat exchanger to provide a hot steam. A plurality of air pumps (22) are engaged with and driven by the wheels to pump air into the tank during driving. When braking, the air pumps (22) driven by the wheels (16) recapture kinetic energy by pumping air into the tank. The air motors can also act as pumps to pump air into the tank during braking by reversing the transmission devices.

Abstract: A method and system for an external combustion engine operable using at least two different fluids to provide pressure volume work to an engine. The engine is started by providing a compressed fluid at a sufficient pressure to move internal components of the engine that in turn rotate a shaft to generate power. At the same time the compressed fluid is provided to the engine, a liquid fluid is provided to a heater to be heated. The liquid fluid is heated to its boiling point and converted to gas form. Additional heat is provided to increase the pressure of this gas fluid. Once the pressure is increased to a sufficient level, the gas fluid is injected into the engine to generate power. The gas is exhausted from the engine, and is cooled and separated back into the two separate fluids. The initial compressed fluid is recompressed for later use.

Abstract: A Rankine cycle system for recovering a heat energy of an exhaust gas is mounted on a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine as a drive source for the vehicle and an electric generator motor. An output from the Rankine cycle system is input to a transmission and used to assist in a driving force from the internal combustion engine, or converted into an electric power and used to charge a battery. During acceleration and cruising of the vehicle, the heat energy of the exhaust gas is recovered by the Rankine cycle system, and during deceleration of the vehicle, a kinetic energy of a vehicle body is recovered as a regenerative electric power for the electric generator motor, thereby reducing the amount of fuel consumed in the internal combustion engine. Thus, in any operational state, vehicle energy efficiency is enhanced, thus reducing the fuel consumed.

Abstract: An improved method of propelling land, water, and air vehicles by utilizing an electrical source of initial energy (10), a “flash”-type boiler (14), and a steam engine (16). The system employs the usual devices, such as an alternator (22), voltage regulator (24), and other appurtenances of modern vehicles.

Abstract: The invention waste heat conversion system for a motor vehicle includes a waste heat converting vapor engine coupled by a one way clutch to a motor-generator which is coupled through an engageable clutch to the vehicle drive train. The motor-generator of the invention system is also electrically connected to a storage battery and can either charge the battery or be powered by the battery to provide added power to the drive train. The invention system is capable of numerous modes of operation and can also be configured to convert braking energy for storage in the battery.

Abstract: A self-contained compressed air system comprising a modified Wankel engine for driving various vehicles, mining gear boxes, pumping oil and water in oil fields and industrial plants, electrical power generators, and specifically, a 5-speed transmission for a front wheel drive vehicle. The compressor engine does not require electrical ignition and water-cooled components.

Abstract: A `heat battery` or heat storage device based on the phenomena that at a particular temperature and pressure water becomes supercritical and can absorb increasing quantities of heat without a corresponding increase in either temperature or pressure. The device may operate a heat engine such as the Stirling engine or a steam turbine engine in an automobile. The battery includes a pressure vessel for maintaining a charge of water in the vessel at approximately 374 degrees Centigrade and 221 bars of pressure. A heat exchanger coil is positioned in the vessel from which useful heat is extracted and applied to end use such as a heat engine. An electric heater for inputting heat into the charge of water is positioned in the vessel and external connections from the vessel allow for changing the charge of supercritical water and for substituting high supercritical heat containing water for a charge that has been substantially depleted of supercritical heat.

Abstract: A hybrid engine is disclosed which utilizes the heat from the exhausted combustion gases of an internal combustion engine to generate steam externally of the cylinders of the engine. The steam is used to power turbines which may be effectively connected to augment the power supplied by the internal combustion engine or to act as a power transfer medium. The device includes a modified exhaust manifold which incorporates one way valves and water injection ports to enable steam pressurization within the manifold. Steam spent in the turbines is condensed and returned to the system with exhaust gases being vented to atmosphere subsequent to the utilization of their previously wasted heat energy for power production.

Abstract: A flame cutoff plate is disposed between an exhaust pipe of an exhaust gas system of an engine and a side wall of the fuel tank, an inside of which becomes free of fuel earlier than other portions of the fuel tank so as to prevent heat transfer from the exhaust pipe to a portion of the tank which has its inside free of fuel when a fire breaks out in the exhaust pipe as a result of overheating or breaking on a rough road.

Abstract: A firebox, steam boiler and steam condenser are mounted in a road vehicle such as a passenger automobile. A steam powered drive member, such as a steam turbine, is operated by the steam pressure from the boiler and has drive connection with the drive axle of the vehicle. The vehicle carries a fuel bin for holding a supply of powdered fuel which is fed to the firebox. An electrical system is also associated with the vehicle to produce an auxiliary heating function for the boiler, and such electrical system includes a time control arranged to energize the heating element at a preset time. A temperature control is also provided. A water supply system for the boiler includes an auxiliary condenser to assist the main condenser in the system. Main and auxiliary reservoirs are provided to facilitate adequate storage of water in a compact arrangement.

Abstract: An automobile engine runs on liquid air and gasoline. The liquid air is initially pumped up to a high pressure such as 200 atmospheres (or 200 bars) and is then warmed toward the ambient temperature in a heat exchange and changes to the gaseous state. Subsequently, it is permitted to expand, doing useful work on a piston or other known type of expansion engine. The gas is then passed through an additional heat exchanger where heat is absorbed from the ambient, and is combined with a small amount of fuel such as gasoline. The gasoline is ignited, under constant volume conditions thereby bringing the pressure back up to approximately 200 bars and at a temperature in the order of 1200 degrees. The gas is then allowed to expand in a cylinder containing an additional piston, and as a final cycle, additional fuel is added and ignited, and the resultant gases expand to drive an additional piston and provide further power to the engine.