Abstract: A split cycle internal combustion engine comprises a combustion cylinder and a compression cylinder arranged to receive air and compress the air to provide a compressed working fluid to the combustion cylinder for combustion. The compression cylinder is coupled to a water reservoir. The engine further comprises a controller arranged to receive an indication of at least one parameter associated with the engine and/or a fluid associated therewith, and control delivery of the mass of water delivered to the compression cylinder based on the indication of the at least one parameter such that the total mass of water in the compressed working fluid at the end of the compression stroke results in a level of water concentration in the compressed working fluid that is less than a threshold water concentration level.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, and/or manufacture that is configured for operably releasing condensate received from a condensate-producing unit toward a drain without allowing a substantial quantity of gas to flow through the system, machine, device, and/or manufacture, those embodiments including a float and/or a housing.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, systems, and apparatuses for energy-efficient supercritical water oxidation of waste. The supercritical water oxidation processes and systems described herein may incorporate one or more of the following features: compression of large amounts of oxidant for plant-scale operations in an energy-efficient manner; the use of air as an oxidant; using reactor effluent to drive a turbine or other gas expander for energy recovery; and recovery of pressure and heat of reactor effluent. In some embodiments, the systems and methods are energy-neutral or energy-positive.

Abstract: A turbofan engine includes a first spool including a first turbine and a second spool including a second turbine. A superposition gear system includes a plurality of intermediate gears engaged to a sun gear and supported in a carrier and a ring gear circumscribing the intermediate gears. A second tower shaft is engaged to drive the sun gear. A starter is selectively coupled to the sun gear through a starter clutch. A first electric motor and a second electric motor are coupled to the superposition gear system and are operable to input power into a corresponding one of the first and second spools.

Abstract: An exemplary gas turbine engine assembly includes a transmission coupling a starter generator assembly to a first set of gears. The transmission is transitionable between a first mode where the starter generator assembly is driven at a first speed relative to the second towershaft, and a second mode where the starter generator assembly is driven at a different, second speed relative to the second towershaft.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of systems and methods for oxidizing gases. In some embodiments, a reaction chamber is configured to receive a fuel gas and maintain the gas at a temperature within the reaction chamber that is above an autoignition temperature of the gas. The reaction chamber may also be configured to maintain a reaction temperature within the reaction chamber below a flameout temperature. In some embodiments, heat and product gases from the oxidation process can be used, for example, to drive a turbine, reciprocating engine, and injected back into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Low-temperature, continuous “cold” combustion, constant pressure, active chamber motor-compressor unit operating with working compressed air and using a piston travel control device as well as an active chamber, with a cold chamber (29) able to reduce to very low temperatures the atmospheric air that supplies the input (28) of an air compression device (28,25,26,33), which then forces this working compressed air, still at low temperature, in an external combustion chamber (19) fitted with a heating device (19A) at constant pressure where it increases in volume, before its quasi-isothermal transfer in the active chamber (13) producing work, before being expanded in an engine cylinder (2) to produce work again.

Abstract: The present invention is an engine, which includes a positive displacement compression process, a variably fueled, continuous combustor and/or heat exchanger, and a positive displacement, work-producing expander. This arrangement avoids the traditional stochiometric mixture requirements utilized in spark-ignition based engines and the emission problems associated with diesel engines.

Abstract: A combustion engine, which is highly efficient, noiseless and lightweight, includes a combustion chamber without pistons. The combusted and expanded air exiting the combustion chamber flows into a displacement pump, such as a gear pump or radial vane pump. The displacement pump drives the load, and, in addition, another smaller displacement pump, which pressurizes fresh air and introduces same, via a feedback loop, into the combustion chamber. Gas or other burnable fuels are introduced in the combustion chamber, so that a continuous fuel burning will occur, after being ignited. The ratio of bigger to the smaller pump is influenced by the percentage of expansion of the air in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A continuous combustion system for an internal combustion engine includes a reaction vessel external to the engine cylinders. The reaction vessel contains a combustion chamber for sustaining continuous combustion of an air fuel mixture during the operation of the associated engine. The reaction vessel contains an incoming air chamber and an exhaust gas chamber that are each in communication with the combustion chamber. Injected fuel vapor is mixed with scavenged exhaust gas for pre-heating and with compressed air from each cylinder provided during the compression stroke of each piston. The compressed air and fuel vapor mixture sustains the ignited combustion continuously, while exhaust gas is fed to the cylinders to provide working fluid to the engine during the power stroke of each piston. A valve mechanism is provided to control the flow of air from and working fluid to the cylinders at the appropriate times in order to sustain operation of the engine.

Abstract: A stationary crankshaft, cylindrical rotor, low friction, adjustable timing, pistonless, rotary internal combustion engine. A cylindrical rotor rotates freely about a stator, also cylindrical in shape. A plurality of cavities are circumferentially disposed along the external circumference of the stator and the internal circumference of the rotor that, when rotationally aligned, form combustion chambers. Rotation of the rotor is induced by electrical-spark induced combustion of a fuel/air mixture in the combustion chambers. The combustive exhaust is vented into an exhaust manifold for transport to an exhaust disposal system, such as a catalytic converter. Cooling, fuel pressurization, and electrical generation can be internal to the engine or supplied externally. Engine speed, torque, and other operational requirements can be accommodated by coupling multiple rotational units together and engine vibration can be virtually eliminated by offsetting the combustion chambers on coupled units.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to power generation methods and secondary processes requiring high radiant and emissivity homogeneous combustion to maximize production output. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a top cycle power generator with combustion exhaust modified to have radiant flux in excess of 500 kW per square meter and emissivity greater than 0.90, and supercritical CO2 power generating cycle to maximize energy efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device using an external combustion apparatus to supply large amounts of heated and pressurized combustion gases used to produce mechanical movement of a device, such as, but not limited to, a piston or a low pressure positive displacement motor. The combustion takes place in a separate pressurized combustion vessel that is supplied with organic fuel and two separate streams of compressed air, one from a lower pressure air receiver and one from a higher pressure air receiver. The combustion gases from igniting the fuel with the higher pressure air stream are accelerated and blended with the lower pressure air stream in a manner to produce a mixture of higher temperature pressurized working gas. The design includes features of regenerative cooling of the combustion vessel, improved combustion characteristics, regenerative breaking, and higher efficiency.

Abstract: A combustion engine that has at least a plurality of power strokes during a complete cycle of engine operation that is of compact packaging and Brayton cycle operable. In a preferred embodiment, a piston-cylinder arrangement used to compress air and deliver it to a combustion chamber where it is combusted along with fuel. The combustion gases are returned back to the piston-cylinder arrangement where they act on the piston to output power in a power stroke. A second power stroke can be implemented where additional combustion gases are available to extract additional power from. In a preferred embodiment, the same piston-cylinder arrangement receives the additional combustion gases from the combustion chamber in the second power stroke.

Abstract: One embodiment of a heat engine machine enabling a user to convert heat sources into mechanical work or compressed air. The heat engine requires solar radiation and air. The thermodynamic cycle is quasi-isobaric, and comprise positive displacement compressors 16A & 16B, nozzle 30A, and turbine 18. Working fluid pressure lines 20, and storage fluid pressure lines 21 connect compressors 16A & 16B, air storage 21A, heat exchangers 20A & 21A, and nozzle 30A. The nozzle is De Laval shaped and has a valve that moves to throttle the rate of fluid expansion driving the turbine 18. The compressors 16A & 16B have directional control outlet valves, as well as intake control valves 31A and 31B. The heat sources include the following: recuperated waste heat 20A, regenerated heat of compression 21A, external heat absorber 14.

Abstract: A continuous combustion system for an internal combustion engine includes a reaction vessel external to the engine cylinders. The reaction vessel contains a combustion chamber for sustaining continuous combustion of an air fuel mixture during the operation of the associated engine. The reaction vessel contains an incoming air chamber and an exhaust gas chamber that are each in communication with the combustion chamber. Injected fuel vapor is mixed with scavenged exhaust gas for pre-heating and with compressed air from each cylinder provided during the compression stroke of each piston. The compressed air and fuel vapor mixture sustains the ignited combustion continuously, while exhaust gas is fed to the cylinders to provide working fluid to the engine during the power stroke of each piston. A valve mechanism is provided to control the flow of air from and working fluid to the cylinders at the appropriate times in order to sustain operation of the engine.

Abstract: The Energy Storing Engine is the mechanization of a hot air engine cycle. Constant temperature compression is achieved by using a multi-stage-intercooled compressor. Energy is stored in a compressed air tank. Heat is added at constant pressure by an exhaust gas to compressed air heat exchanger. Heat is added at constant volume by injecting fuel and starting burning immediately above the power piston while the power piston is at the top of its stroke. Adiabatic expansion takes place and produces power output. Energy from storage produces power output. Adiabatic expansion again takes place, and this time produces power output all the way to complete expansion. The displacement of the resulting engine can be varied while the engine is running.

Abstract: An engine block has one or more cylinders with associated pistons connected to turn a crankshaft. A distributor housing mounted on the block has a base with one or more first ports that open into corresponding cylinders. A hollow cylindrical distributor mounted for rotation in the distributor housing has one or more second ports formed in its circumference to align with the first ports in the housing base, at corresponding angular positions of the distributor. A combustor housing forms a combustion chamber with a fuel inlet, an air inlet, and a hot gas outlet. The combustor housing is joined to the distributor housing so that the combustion chamber opens into the interior of the distributor. A turbine plant has a gas inlet connected to the gas outlet on the combustor housing, and an output shaft that drives a compressor. The compressor has an air outlet connected to the air inlet on the combustor housing for supplying air to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An engine is disclosed. This invention is a multi-fuel oil-free engine for surface vehicles. With only one cycle and two fluids, air in an open cycle and water in a closed cycle, these fluids mixed with each other, one superimposing upon and augmenting the performance of the other. This engine can substitute advantageously the piston engines in an automobile and augmenting the mileage three times with equal energy consumption.

Abstract: An engine includes a compressor, and combustor, and an expander. The compressor compresses ambient air. The combustor burns the compressed air, and produces exhaust gasses. The expander receives the exhaust gases from the combustor, and expands the exhaust gasses. The compressor may be a gerotor compressor or a piston compressor having variable-dead-volume control. The expander may be a gerotor expander or a piston expander having variable-dead-volume control. Moreover, the engine may include a regenerative brake. The regenerative brake may include one or more valves coupled to the compressor, an expander clutch, and a compressor clutch. Specifically, during braking, the expander clutch is disengaged and the compressor clutch is engaged.

Abstract: A method for driving a combustion motor has the following procedural steps: cyclical combustion of a fuel in a combustion chamber (7); letting hot pressurized combustion gas created during the combustion flow into an expansion chamber separate from the combustion chamber where it moves a piston while expanding during an expansion phase; wherein at least for a partial load operation of the motor, the combustion gas in the expansion chamber (12) already reaches atmospheric pressure before the end of the expansion phase of the combustion gas; in consequence, the movement of the piston (1) continues in the same direction of movement while further expanding the combustion gas in the expansion chamber (12) and pressure is generated that is below atmospheric pressure; spraying cooling liquid into the expansion chamber and into the combustion gas which is at subatmospheric pressure at the end of the expansion phase of the combustion gas; wherein the pressure of the combustion gas is reduced further and the subatmo

Abstract: A rotary machine having a housing with rotary components disclosed within. The rotary machine is configurable as an internal combustion rotary engine, an external combustion rotary engine, a gas compressor, a vacuum pump, a liquid pump, a drive turbine, or a drive turbine for expandable gases or pressurized liquids. The combustion engine employs a new thermal cycle—eliminating the Otto cycle's internal compression of the combustion products as part of the cycle. The new combustion thermal cycle is intake, expansion and exhaust.

Abstract: Provided is an engine having positive displacement chambers containing pistons and an external combustion chamber which utilizes the compression energy in compressed natural gas from a high pressure main line and compressed air in combination with the energy released during combustion of the fuel to drive the pistons. Energy expended compressing the natural gas and air are recovered. Also provided is an electrical generator driven by the engine.

Abstract: The internal combustion engine comprises at least one combustion chamber for burning a fuel in timed explosions accompanied by formation of a combustion gas, at least one expansion chamber which is connected with the combustion chamber and separate from the combustion chamber and which has a piston for converting energy of the combustion gas into mechanical energy or work, and a cam gear unit by which a drive shaft can be driven by the piston and which has a cam disk and associated thrust member, wherein the thrust member can be lifted from the cam disk for carrying out irregular engine cycles independent from a continuous rotation of the cam disk, including a pausing of the piston of the expansion chamber at its top dead center.

Abstract: Provided is an engine having positive displacement chambers containing pistons and an external combustion chamber which utilizes the energy stored in compressed fuel and compressed air in combination with the energy released during combustion of the fuel to drive the pistons. Energy expended compressing the fuel and air are recovered.

Abstract: In a continuous-combustion piston engine in which working mediums flowing out of a combustion chamber is successively fed to at least two cylinders, each of the cylinders is stationary in relationship to the combustion chamber and has an inlet. Controls are provided that successively connect the inlet to the combustion chamber and separate it from the combustion chamber. Mechanical losses are minimized in this manner.

Abstract: An engine is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the engine comprises a compressor, and combustor, and an expander. The compressor compresses ambient air. The combustor bums the compressed air, and produces exhaust gasses. The expander receives the exhaust gases from the combustor, and expands the exhaust gasses. The compressor may be a gerotor compressor or a piston compressor having variable-dead-volume control. The expander may be a gerotor expander or a piston expander having variable-dead-volume control. In another embodiment, an engine comprises a piston compressor, a combustor, a piston expander, and a pressure tank. The piston compressor compresses ambient air. The combustor bums the compressed air, and produces exhaust gasses. The piston expander receives the exhaust gasses from the combustor, and expands the exhaust gasses. The pressure tank receives and stores the compressed air from the compressor.

Abstract: An engine is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the engine comprises a compressor, and combustor, and an expander. The compressor compresses ambient air. The combustor burns the compressed air, and produces exhaust gasses. The expander receives the exhaust gases from the combustor, and expands the exhaust gasses. The compressor may be a gerotor compressor or a piston compressor having variable-dead-volume control. The expander may be a gerotor expander or a piston expander having variable-dead-volume control. In another embodiment, an engine comprises a piston compressor, a combustor, a piston expander, and a pressure tank. The piston compressor compresses ambient air. The combustor burns the compressed air, and produces exhaust gasses. The piston expander receives the exhaust gasses from the combustor, and expands the exhaust gasses. The pressure tank receives and stores the compressed air from the compressor.

Abstract: The internal combustion engine comprises at least one combustion chamber (1, 1′) for burning a fuel in timed explosions accompanied by formation of a combustion gas, at least one expansion chamber (3) which is connected with the combustion chamber and separate from the combustion chamber and which has a piston (4) for converting energy of the combustion gas into mechanical energy or work, and a cam gear unit by which a drive shaft (32) can be driven by the piston and which has a cam disk (31) and associated thrust member (30), wherein the thrust member (30) can be lifted from the cam disk (31) for carrying out irregular engine cycles independent from a continuous rotation of the cam disk (31), including a pausing of the piston (4) of the expansion chamber (3) at its top dead center.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a combustion engine having a combustion chamber (1, 201), which has an ignition device, for the combustion of a fuel with formation of a combustion gas during an explosion stroke, and also having a rigid wall that is displaceable by the expanding combustion gas. The movement of the rigid wall can be transmitted to a drive shaft (9, 267). The combustion chamber (1, 201) has a constant volume, and a pumping chamber (12, 212) separate from the combustion chamber (1, 201) and connected to the combustion chamber (1, 201) is provided for the conversion of the energy of the combustion gas into mechanical energy, which pumping chamber has the displaceable rigid wall. The pumping chamber (12, 212) is preferably formed by a cylinder in which a piston (11, 211) is displaceably housed, which piston forms the displaceable rigid wall.