Abstract: The fine water discharging element capable of transitioning between an adsorption state where water contained in a fluid to be treated is adsorbed and a discharge state where the adsorbed water is discharged to the fluid to be treated, the fine water discharging element comprising a base material portion, a plurality of particles and a nanochannel formed between the shell portions by laminating the plurality of particles on an outer surface of the base material portion in a rich viscoelasticity film shape. The fine water discharging element is transitioned between the adsorption state and the discharged state by changing the temperature of the water in the nanochannel by controlling an electrifying of at least one of the base material portion and the plurality of particles.

Abstract: A fine water particle release device includes: a case formed in a cylindrical shape having both ends opened; a fine water particle generating element accommodated in the case and generating uncharged fine water particles; an air blowing member operating to allow air to flow into the case from one end and allow the air flowing into the case to be released from the other end; a discharge element including first and second electrodes separated from each other, the discharge element causing discharge in a discharge space between the first and second electrodes by applying a voltage between the first and second electrodes, and being disposed such that the fine water particles pass through the discharge space together with the air; and a control device controlling the discharge and a generated moisture amount generated in the fine water particle generating element.

Abstract: A fine water discharge device includes a case having a flow path allowing a first space and a second space to communicate with each other, a blower which is disposed in the flow path, introduces air in the first space into the flow path, and discharges the air introduced into the flow path into the second space, a fine water generating unit which is disposed in the flow path and in which a plurality of the particles are laminated as a film-shaped conductive polymer film portion on an outer surface of a honeycomb member, and the particles are transitioned between an adsorption state where water is adsorbed and a discharge state where the adsorbed water is discharged to the air, an electrifying portion electrically connected to the honeycomb member to perform electrification, and a controller which is a control portion controlling the blower and the electrifying portion.

Abstract: A Stirling engine has an external combustion chamber for burning a kerosene and transferring a high temperature therein to working fluid in heater tubes. In the case of the present invention, the external combustion chamber is connected to a furnace for burning industrial waste materials such as plastic materials or rubber materials so that the high temperature above 900.degree. C. is able to be supplied to the combustion chamber. This serves in raising an output power of the Stirling engine. A conduit for connecting the furnace with the combustion chamber is proveded with a dumper capable of interrupting a flow of the high temperature combustion gases toward the combustion chamber of the Stirling engine.

Abstract: An apparatus for decreasing nitrogen oxides in a combustion device of Stirling engine which performs continuous combustion includes a combustion chamber, means for supplying the combustion chamber with fuel and air, an exhaust passageway for discharging exhaust gas produced by combustion in the combustion chamber, a catalytic unit arranged in the exhaust passageway for purging toxic components contained in the exhaust gas discharged, and hydrogen supply means for supplying hydrogen gas to the exhaust gas which enters the catalytic unit. The hydrogen gas is supplied to the combustion exhaust gas which has entered the catalytic unit, and the combustion exhaust gas is then catalytically reduced in an environment of a comparatively low temperatures of less than 250.degree. C., whereby the nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas are decreased.

Abstract: A Stirling engine is provided in which the burner has an annular shape and is disposed in an outside lower portion of the heater. The burner has a plurality of fuel delivery holes and a plurality of air supplying holes which open through an inner circumferential surface of the burner. The arrangement permits the Stirling engine to use a fuel line under a low pressure and to be easily used as a power source of a compressor for an air-conditioning and heating device for domestic use. Also, the arrangement permits the Stirling engine to be constructed without a fuel/air mixing device and to be used with a smaller blower. Furthermore, the arrangement permits the burner to be made from a variety of material, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A combustor for use in an external combustion engine having a rotary-type regenerator heat exchanger includes a housing having a combustion chamber, an air chamber, a plurality of first outlet ports, and a first inlet port. A main partition defining the combustion chamber and the air chamber in the housing has a plurality of second outlet ports defined in a peripheral portion thereof and a second inlet port defined in a central portion thereof. An annular regenerator is rotatably supported in the housing, dividing the air chamber into first and second chambers, the regenerator having first and second axially opposite end surfaces and a multiplicity of axial through-holes extending therebetween. First subpartitions define first outlet passages communicating between the first outlet ports, respectively, and the first end surface of the regenerator, and divide the first chamber into air and exhaust sections.

Abstract: A burner for a stirling cycle engine which includes an air inlet port, an exhaust port and a combustion chamber between the inlet port and the exhaust port, the combustion chamber having an inlet provided with a swirl producing device including a pair of spaced apart, substantially parallel plates respectively formed with central apertures respectively having centers which are substantially aligned with each other, a plurality of spiral guide vanes disposed between the parallel plates. Each of the guide vanes has a curvature in which a tangent line at a point on the guide vane makes with a straight line passing through the point and the center of the central aperture an angle which is substantially constant and between 30.degree. and 80.degree. so that each two adjacent guide vanes define an inlet passage which is gradually decreased in area toward the central aperture.

Abstract: A burner for a Stirling engine includes a baffle for partitioning the interior of a housing into an air chamber and a combustion chamber, the baffle having a centrally located cylindrical portion of tapered configuration, and a generally cylindrical ceramic burner cone for primary combustion of an air-fuel mixture, the burner cone being inserted into and retained by the cylindrical portion of the baffle and having a tapered outer circumferential surface and an annular end face on an upstream side thereof. The baffle is equipped with an engagement portion having an annular outer circumferential surface for engaging the annular end face of the burner cone. The burner cone is retained by the tapered cylindrical portion of the baffle and the engagement portion.