Abstract: A high efficiency, low cost fluid pressure engine. This engine converts reciprocating piston motion to rotary output in a novel manner. The engine comprises at least two parallel pistons adapted to reciprocate in cylinders within an engine block closed by upper and lower heads. Each piston is rigidly secured to a piston rod located along the cylinder centerline and extending through substantially fluid tight packing in the lower head. The lower end of each piston rod is flexibly connected to a first connecting means which also includes an opening surrounding a first crank pin. A pair of reciprocating valve means, located within said engine block, are adapted to selectively introduce and exhaust the engine drive fluid into and out of the cylinder above and below the pistons. Valve push rods secured to said valve means are connected to a second connecting means which also has an opening surrounding a second crank pin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for operating an engine having a cylinder and a piston reciprocable therein on compressed gas. The apparatus comprises a source of compressed gas connected to a distributor which distributes the compressed gas to the cylinder. A valve is provided to selectively admit compressed gas to the cylinder when the piston is in an approximately top dead center position. In one embodiment of the present invention the timing of the opening of the valve is advanced such that the compressed gas is admitted to the cylinder progressively further before the top dead center position of the piston as the speed of the engine increases. In a further embodiment of the present invention a valve actuator is provided which increases the length of time over which the valve remains open to admit compressed gas to the cylinder as the speed of the engine increases.

Abstract: A high efficiency, low cost fluid pressure engine. This engine converts reciprocating piston motion to rotary output in a novel manner. The engine comprises at least two parallel pistons adapted to reciprocate in cylinders within an engine block closed by upper and lower heads. Each piston is rigidly secured to a piston rod located along the cylinder centerline and extending through substantially fluid tight packing in the lower head. The lower end of each piston rod is flexibly connected to a first connecting means which also includes an opening surrounding a first crank pin. A pair of reciprocating valve means, located within said engine block, are adapted to selectively introduce and exhaust the engine drive fluid into and out of the cylinder above and below the pistons. Valve push rods secured to said valve means are connected to a second connecting means which also has an opening surrounding a second crank pin.

Abstract: A high efficiency, low cost fluid pressure engine. This engine converts reciprocating piston motion to rotary output in a novel manner. The engine comprises at least two parallel pistons adapted to reciprocate in cylinders within an engine block closed by upper and lower heads. Each piston is rigidly secured to a piston rod located along the cylinder centerline and extending through substantially fluid tight packing in the lower head. The lower end of each piston rod is flexibly connected to a first connecting means which also includes an opening surrounding a first crank pin. A pair of reciprocating valve means, located within said engine block, are adapted to selectively introduce and exhaust the engine drive fluid into and out of the cylinder above and below the pistons. Valve push rods secured to said valve means are connected to a second connecting means which also has an opening surrounding a second crank pin.

Abstract: A high efficiency, low cost fluid pressure engine. This engine converts reciprocating piston motion to rotary output in a novel manner. The engine comprises at least two parallel pistons adapted to reciprocate in cylinders within an engine block closed by upper and lower heads. Each piston is rigidly secured to a piston rod located along the cylinder centerline and extending through substantially fluid tight packing in the lower head. The lower end of each piston rod is flexibly connected to a connector which also includes an opening surrounding a first crank pin. Swinging links are provided interconnecting each of the connector and the engine housing to constrain the movement of the piston rods and valve push rods to substantially linear motion. The crank pin is mounted on a crank plate offset from an output drive shaft so that as steam or another fluid drives the pistons, linear motion is converted to rotary output motion.

Abstract: A high efficiency, low cost fluid pressure engine. This engine converts reciprocating piston motion to rotary output in a novel manner. The engine comprises at least two parallel pistons adapted to reciprocate in cylinders within an engine block closed by upper and lower heads. Each piston is rigidly secured to a piston rod located along the cylinder centerline and extending through substantially fluid tight packing in the lower head. The lower end of each piston rod is flexibly connected to a first connecting means which also includes an opening surrounding a first crank pin. A pair of reciprocating valve means, located within said engine block, are adapted to selectively introduce and exhaust the engine drive fluid into and out of the cylinder above and below the pistons. Valve push rods secured to said valve means are connected to a second connecting means which also has an opening surrounding a second crank pin.

Abstract: A rotary control valve for expansion fluid driven engines comprises a housing having inlet and outlet ports, a distribution port positioned at one end of the housing and communicating with the engine cylinder, and a first sealing face disposed about the distribution port. A rotor is mounted in the housing on a drive shaft, rotates therewith, and is capable of translating axially thereon. The rotor includes pressure and exhaust passageways which alternately communicate with the distribution port to pressurize and exhaust the engine cylinder. A second sealing face is positioned on the rotor about one end of the pressure and exhaust passageways, and mates with the housing sealing face to form a sliding seal therebetween. A seal ring is positioned between the periphery of the rotor and the housing, and divides the cavity defined therebetween into separate intake and exhaust chambers which respectively communicate with the intake and exhaust ports.

Abstract: A cryogenic fuel powered vehicle is disclosed. A cryogenic fuel, such as liquid nitrogen or other liquified gases, is stored in a container at a selected pressure. The apparatus includes a suitable container, a heat exchanger for adding heat to the cryogenic liquid to cause it to expand and convert to gas, a valving apparatus which controls the rate of flow of the expanded gas, and a power plant formed of at least one cylinder having a double acting piston. The double acting piston has inlet and exhaust valves connected to it. The relative timing of the opening of the intake valve is related to the movement of the piston by a cam and cam follower to reduce the gas pressure in the piston at the end of each stroke practically to zero to eliminate waste of the cryogenic fuel. The valve system is adjustable to accommodate depletion of the cryogenic storage container.