Abstract: The present invention is a combustion turbine assembly connected to a steam generator which utilizes deaerated potable water. The steam formed by the steam generator may be combined with air and injected into the combustor of the combustion turbine assembly to increase the mass flow of gas through the turbine for power augmentation. The deaeration of the feed water to the steam generator eliminates the need to demineralize the water and eliminates the use of more costly alloys for heat exchanger components of a steam generator.

Abstract: The present invention is an advanced co-generation system for abating solid wastes, hydrocarbons and other volatile organic compounds (VOC's) produced by various processes utilizing a Stirling cycle engine, turbines or other internal combustion engines doing useful work. The turbine exhaust is directed into an abatement chamber which may include a catalyst that is designed to operate at high temperature and includes supplementary fuel and air inputs which are controlled by a computer that receives sensor inputs to achieve the requisite heat ranges necessary to convert exhaust and VOC's to non-toxic substances. The exhaust generated by the abatement chamber is directed to a Stirling cycle engine for additional heat generation and recovery. The exhaust generated from this process can also be used to perform direct or indirect heating.

Abstract: The Warren cycle engine operates on the Warren Cycle, and is a two stroke, internal combustion, reciprocating, regenerated engine made up of a number of similar working units. Each working unit is comprised of cylinder 12 that is closed at one end by cylinder head 4 and contains power piston 18 that is connected to power output shaft 22. Movable wall 11 is provided to suck in the working fluid and push the exhaust out of cylinder 12. As the exhaust moves out of the engine, it gives up heat to regenerator 10. During the heating portion of the cycle movable wall 11 pushes the compressed air through regenerator 10 and recaptures the heat left by the exhaust gases. Movable wall 11 can move between power piston 18 and cylinder head 4, and means are provided to accomplish this movement at the appropriate times during the engine's operating cycle. Means are also provided for the introduction of fuel into cylinder 12 during the heating part of the cycle.

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: An external combustion engine (1) comprising pressure vessel means defining a tubular working chamber (3) having spaced apart first and second ends and including first wall means (11), adjacent the first end of the chamber, heated by heating means (10, 11) and second wall means (6), adjacent the second end of the chamber, cooled by cooling means. The engine further has a porous piston or regenerator (7) provided with heat exchanging means (9) and movable within the tubular working chamber (3) between the first and second ends of the chamber so that the working fluid passes through the heat exchanging means. The regenerator (7) has valving means.

Abstract: A power plant includes a high temperature fuel cell, a volume expansion heat engine producing mechanical energy, and a combustion chamber coupled to receive from said fuel cell at least a portion of unconsumed fuel and apply high pressure combusted gases to the engine. A reformer can feed fuel to said fuel cell. A distributor distributes fuel cell exhaust fuel selectively to the reformer and the combustion chamber and varies the ratio of exhaust fuel fed to the reformer and combustion chamber in accordance with predetermined power desired from said fuel cell and engine.

Abstract: The invention aims at providing higher efficiency and good exhaust gas performance. To this end, a fresh-gas is compressed in a first cylinder chamber having a first piston during successive compression strokes and compressed in one of at least two combustion chambers, in which combustion of a mixture consisting of the compressed fresh gas and an at least partially evaporated fuel is started after the combustion chamber has been closed in relation to the first combustion chamber. Subsequently, the combustion chamber is opened relative to a second cylinder chamber and a second piston in the second cylinder chamber is impinged upon by the combustion gases expanding form the combustion chamber to perform a working cycle. After the working cycle has been completed, the exhaust gases are expelled from the second cylinder chamber.

Abstract: A low or no pollution engine is provided for delivering power for vehicles or other power applications. The engine has an air inlet which collects air from a surrounding environment. At least a portion of the nitrogen in the air is removed using a technique such as liquefaction, pressure swing adsorption or membrane based air separation. The remaining gas is primarily oxygen, which is then compressed and routed to a gas generator. The gas generator has an igniter and inputs for the high pressure oxygen and a high pressure hydrogen-containing fuel, such as hydrogen, methane or a light alcohol. The fuel and oxygen are combusted within the gas generator, forming water and carbon dioxide with carbon containing fuels. Water is also delivered into the gas generator to control the temperature of the combustion products. The combustion products are then expanded through a power generating device, such as a turbine or piston expander to deliver output power for operation of a vehicle or other power uses.

Abstract: A combustion chamber system of a spark-ignition linear engine includes a pre-combustion chamber and a main combustion chamber separated by a combustion control wall. The pre-combustion chamber has a length substantially greater than its width to support the propagation of more organized flame fronts that push unburned fuel and air into the main combustion chamber. The pre-combustion chamber can be arranged to define a multi-stage annular structure comprising a plurality of pre-combustion chamber sections fluidically connected together in an axially stacked array wherein the main combustion chamber can be co-axially housed or accommodated internally within the annular pre-combustion chamber structure.

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: 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: A method of controlling operation of a portable, combustion-engined, power tool and including feeding fuel into the combustion chamber of the power tool, before ignition, several times one after another in accordance with an intermittent metering operational mode, and a power tool including a control device (34, 64) for controlling operation of the fuel feeding device (32, 33) of the power tool so that the feeding device (32, 33) feeds the fuel into the combustion chamber (1) several times in accordance with the intermittent metering operational mode.

Abstract: A hybrid engine, having a plurality of coupled expansible chamber devices, preferably a piston in a cylinder, each capable of operating in any one of an internal combustion mode, an air pump/compressor mode and an air motor mode. The modes are controlled by a microcontroller which controls the valves, ignition source and fuel source. The mode for each expansible chamber device is computed and independently selected by the microcontroller and the combination of modes at any instant is switched to optimize engine operation for the operating conditions at that instant.

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: 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: The instant invention relates to a two-cycle hot-gas engine comprising an expansion piston in a heatable cylinder member and a compression piston in a coolable cylinder member. The expansion piston and the compression piston are disposed along a common axis.

Abstract: Integrated air-separation process and plant, including at least two air separation units (1, 101), an air compressor (13), which feeds a combustion chamber and at least one of the air separation units with compressed air, and at least one dedicated air compressor (21, 121) feeding one or both of the air separation units, so that, if both air separation units receive air from the compressor (13), the proportions of air coming from the air compressor are different in the case of the two air separation units.

Abstract: A regenerator for a thermal cycle engine and methods for its manufacture. The regenerator has a random network of fibers formed to fill a specified volume and a material for cross-linking the fibers at points of close contact between fibers of the network. A method for manufacturing a regenerator has steps of providing a length of knitted metal tape and wrapping a plurality of layers of the tape in an annular spiral.

Abstract: To provide a heating device for an external combustion engine, which is capable of improving the stabilization of combustion in a controlled state with a relatively small quantity of heat and for controlling the properties of an exhaust gas. An increased long-time operation of the external combustion engine is achieved by the present invention. A heating device for an external combustion engine includes a combustion housing provided for surrounding a heating portion of an external combustion engine. An fuel-air mixer is provided at one end of the combustion housing and an exhaust pipe provided at the other end of the combustion housing. An oxidation catalyst is disposed in the combustion housing for accelerating the combustion of a fuel-air mixture of fuel and air supplied through the fuel-air mixer.

Abstract: An external combustion engine having an exhaust flow diverter for directing the flow of an exhaust gas. The external combustion engine has a heater head having a plurality of heater tubes through which a working fluid is heated by conduction. The exhaust flow diverter is a cylinder disposed around the outside of the plurality of heater tubes and includes a plurality of openings through which the flow of exhaust gas may pas. The exhaust flow diverter directs the exhaust gas past the plurality of heater tubes. The external combustion engine may also include a plurality of flow diverter fins coupled to the plurality of heater tubes to direct the flow of the exhaust gas. The heater tubes may be U-shaped or helical coiled shaped.

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: An auxiliary power system for providing electrical power and heat to an indoor area includes an external combustion engine, such as a Stirling cycle engine, for generating mechanical energy and thermal energy. The external combustion engine burns a fuel with substantially complete combustion such that exhaust emissions from the external combustion engine are below a predetermined exhaust level. A generator is coupled to the external combustion engine and converts the mechanical energy produced by the external combustion engine to electrical power. A first power output is used to provide the electrical power produced by the generator. The external combustion engine and generator are disposed within a housing such that the external combustion engine, generator and housing combination is a portable size. The thermal energy generated by the external combustion engine may be used to heat the atmosphere surrounding the housing.

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 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: A low or no pollution engine is provided for delivering power for vehicles or other power applications. The engine has an air inlet which collects air from a surrounding environment. At least a portion of the nitrogen in the air is removed using a technique such as liquefaction, pressure swing adsorption or membrane based air separation. The remaining air is primarily oxygen, which is then compressed and routed to a gas generator. The gas generator has an igniter and inputs for the high pressure oxygen and a high pressure hydrogen containing fuel, such as hydrogen or methane. The fuel and oxygen are combusted within the gas generator, forming water and carbon dioxide with carbon containing fuels. Water is also delivered into the gas generator to control a temperature of the combustion products. The combustion products are then expanded through a power generating device, such as a turbine or piston expander to deliver output power for operation of a vehicle or other power uses.

Abstract: An externally fired gas turbine system according to the present invention has a compressor for compressing ambient air and producing compressed air, an air heat exchanger for heating the compressed air to produce heated compressed air, a turbine for expanding the heated compressed air to produce heat depleted expanded air, and a generator connected to the turbine for generating electricity. According to the present invention, the system also includes combustible products producing apparatus for processing fuel to produce combustible products that include combustible gases and an external combustion chamber for burning the combustible products and transferring heat to the air heat exchanger and producing heat depleted combustion products. The system also includes a closed Rankine cycle steam power plant having a water heat exchanger for vaporizing water and producing steam using heat contained in the heat depleted combustion products.

Abstract: An external combustion engine having an exhaust flow diverter for directing the flow of an exhaust gas. The external combustion engine has a heater head having a plurality of heater tubes through which a working fluid is heated by conduction. The exhaust flow diverter is a cylinder disposed around the outside of the plurality of heater tubes and includes a plurality of openings through which the flow of exhaust gas may pas. The exhaust flow diverter directs the exhaust gas past the plurality of heater tubes. The external combustion engine may also include a plurality of flow diverter fins coupled to the plurality of heater tubes to direct the flow of the exhaust gas. The heater tubes may be U-shaped or helical coiled shaped.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing water from water-containing gases released in a conversion device for converting chemical energy into mechanical energy, comprising: at least one membrane which is adapted to at least partly allow passage of water molecules and substantially prevent passage of other molecules; a passage for guiding the waste gases along a first side of the membrane, a discharge pipe arranged on the second side of the membrane for discharging the water released on the second side of the membrane. The conversion device for converting chemical energy into mechanical energy is formed by a conversion device with external combustion, and the discharge pipe are formed at least partly by auxiliary equipment associated with the conversion device with external combustion.

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: 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: This is the mechanization of an external combustion hot air engine cycle known as the “Warren Cycle”. The “Warren Cycle” has four parts. They are: 1. cooled compression; 2. stored heat released from a regenerator and heat added to the working fluid at constant volume; 3. heated expansion; and 4. heat stored in a regenerator and heat removed from the working fluid at constant volume. The resulting engine is a thermally regenerated, reciprocating, two stroke external combustion engine that stores the spent heat in regenerator 10 and returns it to the engine cycle to do work. Each unit of the engine has cylinder 12 that is closed at one end by cylinder head 4 and contains working fluid, regenerator 10, heater 14, cooler 24, and power piston 18 that is connected to power output shaft 22. Cooler 24 is moved through the working fluid as it is being compressed, cooling the working fluid.

Abstract: A controlled direct drive engine efficiency uses positive-displacement power produced from a thermal energy source (or sources), which may include combustion energy. Engine power production is from a plurality of cylinders appropriately controlled by a hydraulic drive unit to add to or subtract from such power output to adjust cyclic variations, thus producing a desired velocity profile for a piston (or other mover) in a fluid-displacement cylinder that is being used to effect pumping (or compressing) of liquids, gases, or vapors. The overall system is particularly suited to use a Modified Brayton thermodynamic cycle where the power output is delivered through a common rod to a positive displacement fluid pumping or compressing device. Interconnected with that common rod is a double-acting hydraulic cylinder which is operated in conjunction with a rotary, variable volume hydraulic motor/pump to effect the desired adjustment.

Abstract: This invention is a two stroke, regenerated, external combustion, reciprocating engine. Each unit of the engine has cylinder 12 that is closed at one end by cylinder head 4 and contains power piston 18 that is connected to power output shaft 22, and plunger 11 that sucks in fluid and pushes out exhaust. Plunger 11 is a movable wall which has attached to it plunger valve 8 that opens to allow fluid to flow through plunger 11 while plunger 11 is moving away from piston 18, and closes to form a plunger while plunger 11 is moving towards piston 18. Plunger 11 also has attached to it exhaust pipe 7, exhaust valve 6, heater 14, and an alternating flow heat exchanger, called regenerator 10. Means are provided for the introduction of heat into cylinder 12.

Abstract: A combustion chamber system comprises a pre-combustion chamber and a final combustion chamber separated by means of a combustion control wall. The pre-combustion chamber is structured so as to define a multi-stage annular structure comprising a plurality of pre-combustion chamber sections fluidically connected together in an axially stacked array wherein the final combustion chamber is co-axially housed or accommodated internally within the annular pre-combustion chamber structure.

Abstract: A combustion engine including a combustion chamber for combusting a fuel in an explosion cycle, and a separate pump chamber, connected with the combustion chamber and having a liquid inlet opening through which pump liquid flows into the pump chamber, and a liquid outlet opening, through which the pump liquid is expelled from the pump chamber under the action of combustion gas formed in an explosion cycle, wit the separate pump chamber being divided by at least one flexible diaphragm into a gas space and a liquid space so that the combustion gas, with flows out of the combustion chamber into the separate pump chamber, displaces the flexible membrane against the pump liquid.

Abstract: A combustion chamber system having a pre-combustion chamber in communication with a final combustion chamber, where the length of said pre-combustion chamber is substantially greater than its width. The pre-combustion chamber can be curved along all or part of its length, and such curved chamber parts can be nested.

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: To provide a heating device for an external combustion engine, which is capable of improving the stabilization of combustion in a controlled state with a relatively small quantity of heat and for controlling the properties of an exhaust gas. An increased long-time operation of the external combustion engine is achieved by the present invention. A heating device for an external combustion engine includes a combustion housing provided for surrounding a heating portion of an external combustion engine. An fuel-air mixer is provided at one end of the combustion housing and an exhaust pipe provided at the other end of the combustion housing. An oxidation catalyst is disposed in the combustion housing for accelerating the combustion of a fuel-air mixture of fuel and air supplied through the fuel-air mixer.

Abstract: A power plant includes a high temperature fuel cell, a volume expansion heat engine producing mechanical energy, and a combustion chamber coupled to receive from said fuel cell at least a portion of unconsumed fuel and apply high pressure combusted gases to the engine. A reformer can feed fuel to said fuel cell. A distributor distributes fuel cell exhaust fuel selectively to the reformer and the combustion chamber and varies the ratio of exhaust fuel fed to the reformer and combustion chamber in accordance with predetermined power desired from said fuel cell and engine.

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: A high-pressure computer controlled chamber, processing high-temperature combustion gases combining with a vaporizing liquid, to create a high-energy flow to an expansion engine to do variable-rate work.

Abstract: A cyclic internal combustion engine having at least one working piston and cylinder arrangement which includes separate compression, combustion, and expansion chambers that perform respective compression combustion and expansion cycles. The compression cycle is advanced up to 180° in relation to the expansion cycle, so as to extend the combustion cycle during the exhaust stroke to reduce the formation in the combustion cycle of polluting gases.

Abstract: A low or no pollution engine is provided for delivering power for vehicles or other power applications. The engine has an air inlet which collects air from a surrounding environment. At least a portion of the nitrogen in the air is removed using a technique such as liquefaction, pressure swing adsorption or membrane based air separation. The remaining gas is primarily oxygen, which is then compressed and routed to a gas generator. The gas generator has an igniter and inputs for the high pressure oxygen and a high pressure hydrogen-containing fuel, such as hydrogen, methane or a light alcohol. The fuel and oxygen are combusted within the gas generator, forming water and carbon dioxide with carbon containing fuels. Water is also delivered into the gas generator to control the temperature of the combustion products. The combustion products are then expanded through a power generating device, such as a turbine or piston expander to deliver output power for operation of a vehicle or other power uses.

Abstract: A combustion-engined tool including two opposite combustion chamber walls (14,18), and an ignition device (52) arranged between the two opposite combustion chamber walls for igniting a fuel gas mixture occupying space between the two walls, and an element located between the ignition device (52) and openings (38) formed in one of the two walls (18) for localized swirling a laminary expanding flame front formed upon ignition of the fuel gas mixture with the ignition device (52).

Abstract: A method and device for reaccelerating a vehicle equipped with a compressor supplying high-pressure compressed air for cleansed or cleansing engine is provided, in which, during decelerating and/or braking phases, the on-board compressor being operated, the high pressure compressed air flow is derived and stored in a reaccelerating reservoir, thermally insulated and maintained at very high pressure and very high temperature, to be used when the vehicle is put back in driving phase by being injected at high temperature and at high pressure in the combustion chamber of the engine.

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: 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: 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: A mechanism is disclosed for actuating the intake and exhaust valves of a reciprocating multiple cylinder external combustion vapor expansion engine in either forward and reverse rotation. Electrical solenoid and pressure actuating valve mechanisms responding to a sophisticated digital computer program replaces the cam shafts, push rods, adjustable tappets, throttle, fuel injection, and cooling systems of a conventional internal combustion Diesel engine. The computer integrates the many system variables, including, temperature, pressure, speed, friction, mass, and acceleration to obtain the optimum efficiency of shaft work output.