Abstract: A hybrid engine that uses a primary internal combustion engine portion and a secondary external combustion engine portion. In a preferred arrangement, the secondary external combustion engine portion operates as a reciprocating steam engine. The heated exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine portion are used to generate steam, and the steam is used to power the steam engine portion adding the steam engine's power output to that of the internal combustion engine. The thermal efficiency of the hybrid engine may be higher than the thermal efficiency of an internal combustion engine without use of the exhaust gas heat. The hybrid engine uses a configuration in which steam is generated directly in the steam engine and a mechanical link between the internal combustion engine portion and the steam engine portion with the result that the hybrid engine is simple and inexpensive to construct and maintain.

Abstract: A method for fracturing a solid material is disclosed. The method comprises boring at least one bore hole in the solid material, the bore hole having a bottom and an open top. Reactive materials capable of an exothermic reaction to produce a liquid and a gas are introduced into the bore hole. The bore hole is then sealed at the open top. The exothermic reaction is then initiated to produce the liquid and the gas. The pressures generated by the liquid and gas in the bore hole result in fracturing of the solid material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of a fluid past a device having a flow adjusting device comprising transmitting a temperature to a thermally reactive material having a coefficient of thermal expansion which produces a volume change in the thermally reactive material in response to a change in the temperature. The thermally reactive material is enclosed within a container having a movable portion which is moved in response to the volume change of the thermally reactive material and the movement of the movable portion is applied to actuate the flow adjusting device. The flow adjusting device may comprise a fluid propulsion device such as a fan or pump or a throttling device such as a throttling, check, or shuttle valve.