Abstract: Traditional power generation with a turbine may be inefficient, costly or inconvenient. The improvement disclosed herein involves the use of two fluids. A pressurizing fluid is vaporized, pressurized and fed into a pressure cylinder holding a liquid working fluid. The pressurizing fluid forces the working fluid out of the pressure cylinder and through a liquid turbine to generate electricity or perform work. The working fluid is recycled from the turbine into another pressure cylinder for re-use. The pressurizing fluid is condensed and then also recycled back to the evaporator where it is vaporized and pressurized again. Use of a liquid rather than gas turbine makes for improved efficiency and lower cost. The use of a separate pressurizing fluid, which may be volatile, allows for convenient use where the temperature of the thermal source is limited.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, apparatuses, methods, products, and other implementations of vapor pressure solids. In some embodiments, a vapor pressure solid may include a one- or multi-component matrix material. In some embodiments, the multi-components matrix material is a two-part PDMS comprising a first and second matrix material. The first matrix material is capable of being mixed with one or more vaporizable fluids that causes the first matrix material to swell. The second matrix material is capable of being mixed with the swelled first matrix material to produce an actuating material. When the actuating material is heated, the one or more vaporizable fluids expand, resulting in vapors. The increased pressure applied by the vapors causes the actuating material to expand.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine includes at least one cylinder head and at least one exhaust pipe having at least one flange, whereby the flange has at least two flange fastening holes that have at least two fastening screws for fastening the exhaust pipe to the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine, whereby the exhaust pipe can be arranged so as to be connected to the cylinder head by means of the fastening screws in such a way that it can be dismantled, whereby at least one centering device is provided essentially in the area of the flange holes.

Abstract: In various embodiments, compressed-gas energy storage and recovery systems include a cylinder assembly for compression and/or expansion of gas, a reservoir for storage and/or supply of compressed gas, and a system for thermally conditioning gas within the reservoir.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for rapidly and isothermally expanding and compressing gas in energy storage and recovery systems that use open-air hydraulic-pneumatic cylinder assemblies, such as an accumulator and an intensifier in communication with a high-pressure gas storage reservoir on a gas-side of the circuits and a combination fluid motor/pump, coupled to a combination electric generator/motor on the fluid side of the circuits. The systems use heat transfer subsystems in communication with at least one of the cylinder assemblies or reservoir to thermally condition the gas being expanded or compressed.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a mechanical assembly and/or storage vessel is fluidly coupled to a circulation apparatus for receiving pressurized heat-transfer fluid from an outlet at a first elevated pressure, boosting a pressure of the heat-transfer fluid to a second pressure larger than the first pressure, and returning heat-transfer fluid to an inlet at a third pressure.

Abstract: In various embodiments, coupling losses between a cylinder assembly and other components of a gas compression and/or expansion system are reduced or eliminated via valve-timing control.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for rapidly and isothermally expanding and compressing gas in energy storage and recovery systems that use open-air hydraulic-pneumatic cylinder assemblies, such as an accumulator and an intensifier in communication with a high-pressure gas storage reservoir on a gas-side of the circuits and a combination fluid motor/pump, coupled to a combination electric generator/motor on the fluid side of the circuits. The systems use heat transfer subsystems in communication with at least one of the cylinder assemblies or reservoir to thermally condition the gas being expanded or compressed.

Abstract: In various embodiments, gas is compressed to store energy and/or expanded to recover energy to or from high pressures, and the gas is exchanges heat with a heat-exchange fluid that is thermally conditioned at low pressures.

Abstract: In various embodiments, efficiency of energy storage and recovery systems compressing and expanding gas is improved via heat exchange between the gas and a heat-transfer fluid.

Abstract: In various embodiments, energy-storage systems are based upon an open-air arrangement in which pressurized gas is expanded in small batches from a high pressure of, e.g., several hundred atmospheres to atmospheric pressure. The systems may be sized and operated at a rate that allows for near isothermal expansion and compression of the gas.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electricity generation device using hot gas engine. The device contains a closed container filled with high-pressure gas. The container has an outlet which is connected to a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. Hot and cold fluids are sprayed alternatively and repeatedly into the closed container to heat up or cool down the high-pressure gas. As the high-pressure gas expands or contracts, a piston rod of the cylinder is pushed and pulled back and forth so as to produce electricity continuously.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a mechanical assembly and/or storage vessel is fluidly coupled to a circulation apparatus for receiving pressurized heat-transfer fluid from an outlet at a first elevated pressure, boosting a pressure of the heat-transfer fluid to a second pressure larger than the first pressure, and returning heat-transfer fluid to an inlet at a third pressure.

Abstract: In various embodiments, compressed-gas energy storage and recovery systems include a cylinder assembly for compression and/or expansion of gas, a reservoir for storage and/or supply of compressed gas, and a system for thermally conditioning gas within the reservoir.

Abstract: In various embodiments, efficiency of energy storage and recovery systems compressing and expanding gas is improved via heat exchange between the gas and a heat-transfer fluid.

Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a compressor, a first turbine, a second turbine, a first combustor, a second combustor, a heat exchanger and a heat recovery steam generator. A controller operates the combined cycle power plant a first mode wherein compressor air is passed through the heat exchanger before being delivered to the first and second combustors, and exhaust gas from the second turbine is passed to the heat exchanger. The exhaust gas from the second turbine pre-heats the compressor air passing through the heat exchanger to the first and second combustors.

Abstract: When converting thermal into mechanical energy by a working medium containing a mixture of at least two materials having different boiling and condensation points, which is fed to a condenser, and is condensed therein, the condenser condensation pressure may increase and the efficiency for generating the mechanical energy thus decreases because the mixture of materials is separated into a liquid phase and a vapor phase upstream of the condenser. To prevent this, the liquid phase of the working medium is mixed with the vapor phase of the working medium before or while the working medium is condensed, thus once again creating a homogeneous mixture of materials which condenses at a lower pressure than the separated working medium, thereby preventing loss of efficiency. This can be applied to the use of thermal energy from low-temperature sources such as geothermal fluids, industrial waste heat, or waste heat from internal combustion engines.

Abstract: A rotary vane pumping machine includes a stator and rotor in relative rotation. The rotor has a plurality of radial vanes slots and each one of a corresponding plurality of vanes slides within a radial vane slot of the rotor. Each pair of adjacent vanes defines a vane cell. A rotary scavenging disk is disposed along the stator circumference, and is sized such that the rotary scavenging disk extends into the vane cell. An outer circumferential edge of the rotary scavenging disk is in sealing proximity with an outer circumferential edge of the rotor and recesses within the rotary scavenging disk mesh and seal with the extending and retracting vanes.

Abstract: A high temperature, high pressure, four-cycle piston engine having two companion cylinders or multiple pairs of companion cylinders connected by a transfer valve or valves and working together to complete the four-cycle operation. The internal combustion of fuel and air in the ceramic cylinders is utilized as a means of producing heat and this heat is used to generate superheated steam by cyclicly injecting water into the hot power cylinders, with each power cylinder serving as a steam boiler. Ceramic pistons in the power cylinders use the power of the expanding steam to do useful work and operate to exhaust all gases after each power stroke. The engine can be adapted for both compression ignition and spark ignition operation.

Abstract: A rotary external combustion engine wherein energy is transferred to air acting as a working gas by injection into the air of liquid water at a high temperature and pressure. The liquid water is injected either directly into the working space in the stator or into a preliminary mixing chamber. The water acts as a heat-transfer medium for heating the air. Spontaneous vaporization of the liquid water on injection increases the pressure of the air which drives the rotor before being exhausted. The exhaust water is recovered and recycled. The working space is scavenged and refilled with a fresh charge of air.

Abstract: A reciprocating external combustion engine wherein energy is transferred to air acting as a working gas by injection into the air of liquid water at a high temperature and pressure. The liquid water is injected either directly into the cylinder or into a preliminary mixing chamber. The water acts as a heat-transfer medium for heating the air. Spontaneous vaporization of the liquid water on injection increases the pressure of the air which drives the piston before being exhausted. The exhaust water is recovered and recycled. The cylinder is scavenged and refilled with a fresh charge of air.

Abstract: A rotary engine includes an outer body arranged to rotate on a stationary member, the outer body having an eccentric circular cavity cooperating with radial vanes from the stationary body which sequentially reciprocate so that a series of volumes sequentially increase and decrease in size. Ammonia gas under pressure is introduced on one side of the vanes and when the volumes containing the gas pass their maximum value and start to decrease, water is injected which is immediately absorbed in the ammonia gas to create a vacuum. As a consequence, a push-pull action is provided in each volume to rotate the outer member about the stationary member. A tire may be held on the outer member to provide a vehicle wheel which serves simultaneously as a rolling support and a driving engine for the vehicle.

Abstract: A steam or vapor engine comprising a vapor generating apparatus, at least one cylinder with a piston working in the cylinder, and pipes and valves for supplying vapor from the vapor generating apparatus to a closed chamber, formed in the cylinder, and for discharging vapor from the cylinder chamber after a working stroke, and an apparatus for supplying an additive, which rapidly expands at the temperature of the vapor, to the cylinder chamber essentially simultaneously with the vapor.

Abstract: A variable volume chamber such as defined by a cylinder and piston has closed circuit connections to a given gas and a given liquid for which the gas has a chemical affinity when in physical contact therewith. By bringing the liquid and gas together in the confines of the closed chamber, the rapid absorption of the gas creates a vacuum or implosion effect which results in the piston being driven by the pressure differential further into the cylinder. The same process can be used to drive a rotary engine, there being required no heat, ignition system, or exhaust to the atmosphere of gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a thermodynamic machine for the generation of power or for the transport of heat, where a compressible working fluid is compressed and expanded in a cycle using a vane type apparatus. Heat is added and removed from the working fluid by using another fluid within the vane unit housing together with the working fluid. The second fluid is also circulated through external heat exchange means for changing the temperature of the fluid. The working fluid may be a suitable gas, such as a halogenated hydrocarbon or carbon dioxide, and the second fluid may be a liquid such as a light oil which also can provide lubrication within the housing. The working fluid ordinarily remains within the vane type unit housing, while the second fluid is circulated through the outside heat exchanger means.