Abstract: A piston of a gas engine is reciprocatingly guided in a cylinder. A gas inlet valve whose valve closure component consists of a ball is situated in the cylinder head. The ball is pushed open in the top dead-center position of the piston by a protrusion formed on the upper portion of the piston in order to admit propellant gas into an expansion chamber formed by the cylinder. The gas engine must be set into operation by turning a crankshaft. If the piston accidentally lies near top dead-center when starting, the piston must be moved against full gas pressure. In order to alleviate starting, a shut-off device is provided which has a start position and an operational position. The shut-off device connects the inlet side of the gas inlet valve with an air conduit opening into ambient air and obturates a pressurized gas container in the start position.

Abstract: A gas supply device contains a pressurized gas container having a plurality of inserted pressure-resistant gas flasks. The gas flasks are partially filled with liquid gas, such as carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide, before being inserted and are closed by an openable closure component. Each closure component of the gas flasks has associated with it an opening device effective at initiation of operational readiness of the gas supply device, at least one of which opening devices opens its associated closure component under the influence of an external force. It is possible to actuate the opening devices associated with the second gas flask and with further gas flasks by the gas escaping from the first opened gas flask. This gas supply device is especially suitable for applications where a large storage capacity is desired.

Abstract: A gas engine with a gas supply device contains a substantially bell-shaped aluminum intermediate housing open on one side and provided with fins on the interior and exterior. A cylinder of the gas engine with good thermal conduction properties and a sleeve accommodating a pressurized gas container having good thermal conduction properties are fastened to this intermediate housing. A gas supply conduit leads from the pressurized gas container to the gas engine. A gas superheater conduit structure is in thermal communication with the intermediate housing and situated at the beginning of the gas supply conduit. The thermal unit formed jointly by the intermediate housing, the cylinder, the sleeve surrounding the pressurized gas container and the gas superheater conduit structure permits operation of the gas engine under all practically arising ambient temperatures without damage to the gas engine, since this thermal unit prevents the gas in the gas engine from condensing back to its fluid or even solid state.