Abstract: An adiabatic thermal regulator utilizing principles of adiabatic expansion and compression. The regulator can include a body having an internal passageway in communication with the exterior at both ends thereof, and at least one stage defined along a length of the passageway. The stage can include at least one expansion chamber, at least one upstream channel portion, and at least one downstream channel portion, the channel portions having smaller diameters than the expansion chamber. The stage is configured to cause a gas flowing therethrough to undergo compression and expansion as the gas flows through the stage, such that a temperature of the gas is modified via adiabatic or near-adiabatic processes. A plurality of stages may be provided. A plurality of expansion chambers may be provided at each stage. The total expansion chamber volume of a stage may be greater than the total expansion chamber volume of a downstream stage.

Abstract: A passive pressure amplification device. The pressure amplification device includes a main body defining an internal chamber extending along a longitudinal axis between an upstream end and a downstream end, the internal chamber being in communication with an external environment at both ends. The internal chamber includes at least one step at which a diameter of the internal chamber decreases, subdividing the internal chamber into at least two subchambers having different effective volumes. A valve body is disposed at the step and separates the subchambers, the valve body defining a passage connecting the subchambers. A check valve arrangement cooperates with the valve body and is configured to permit gas flow from an upstream subchamber to a downstream subchamber only when pressure within the upstream subchamber exceeds a predetermined threshold.