Abstract: A variable volume chamber device is disclosed. The chambers may be defined by the space between four pivotally connected vanes contained within a housing. The vanes may be connected so as to create a sealed interior chamber that may be used as a combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine, or as a pumping chamber in a pump or compressor. The four-vane assembly may also form additional variable volume chambers between the vanes and a surrounding structure. The plurality of variable volume chambers may be interconnected to progressively act on a working fluid.

Abstract: A controlled turbulence system is disclosed to have a surface and means configured to induce a first wave form in a working fluid along the surface. Some embodiments of the invention may include a second means configured to induce a second wave form in the working fluid, wherein the first wave form and the second wave form have different frequencies. The first and/or second means may be provided as fields of pockets formed in the surface or wave-based generators.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus for controlling the movement of matter, including but not limited to one-way fluid valves, are disclosed. The apparatus may include a transition nozzle, a funnel nozzle, and a reverse flow blocker arranged in series in a case. A counter-flow area may be disposed about the funnel nozzle. The apparatus may permit matter to flow in a first direction, and discourage or prevent flow in a direction reverse to the first direction. Control over the flow of matter also may enable matter to be harvested, sorted, separated or combined with injected matter.

Abstract: Internal combustion engines having a split crankshaft are disclosed. The engines may also have non-circular, preferably rectangular, cross-section pistons and cylinders. The pistons may include a skirt with a field of pockets that provide a ringless, non-lubricated, seal equivalent. The pistons also may have a domed piston head with depressions thereon to facilitate the movement of air/charge in the cylinder. The engines also may use multi-stage poppet valves in lieu of conventional poppet valves. The engines may use the pumping motion of the engine piston to supercharge the cylinder with air/charge. The engines also may operate in an inverted orientation in which the piston is closer to the local gravitationally dominant terrestrial body's center of gravity at top dead center position than at bottom dead center position.

Abstract: Internal combustion engines having pistons with one or more depressions located on the piston head to facilitate the movement of air/charge in the cylinder are disclosed. The pistons may include a skirt with a field of pockets that provide a ringless, non-lubricated, seal equivalent. The piston head also may be domed to further facilitate the movement of air/charge in the cylinder. The engines may also have non-circular, preferably rectangular, cross-section pistons and cylinders. The engines also may use multi-stage poppet valves in lieu of conventional poppet valves, and may include a split crankshaft. The engines may use the pumping motion of the engine piston to supercharge the cylinder with air/charge. The engines also may operate in an inverted orientation in which the piston is closer to the local gravitationally dominant terrestrial body's center of gravity at top dead center position than at bottom dead center position.

Abstract: Variable volume chamber devices are disclosed. The chambers may be defined by the space between two complementary rotors. The volume of the chambers may vary as a function of the variation of relative rotational speeds of the two rotors.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus for controlling the movement of matter, including but not limited to one-way fluid valves, are disclosed. The apparatus may include a transition nozzle, a funnel nozzle, and a reverse flow blocker arranged in series in a case. A counter-flow area may be disposed about the funnel nozzle. The apparatus may permit matter to flow in a first direction, and discourage or prevent flow in a direction reverse to the first direction. Control over the flow of matter may also enable the matter to be harvested, sorted, separated or combined with injected matter.

Abstract: A variable volume chamber device is disclosed. The chambers may be defined by the space between four pivotally connected vanes contained within a housing. The vanes may be connected so as to create a sealed interior chamber that may be used as a combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine, or as a pumping chamber in a pump or compressor. The four-vane assembly may also form additional variable volume chambers between the vanes and a surrounding structure. The plurality of variable volume chambers may be interconnected to progressively act on a working fluid.

Abstract: Internal combustion engines that operate in an inverted orientation in which the piston is closer to the local gravitationally dominant terrestrial body's center of gravity at top dead center position than at bottom dead center position are disclosed. The engines may have non-circular, preferably rectangular, cross-section pistons and cylinders, and the pistons may include a skirt with a field of pockets that provide a ringless, non-lubricated, seal equivalent. The pistons also may have a domed piston head with depressions thereon to facilitate the movement of air/charge in the cylinder. The engines also may use multi-stage poppet valves in lieu of conventional poppet valves, and a split crankshaft. The engines may use the pumping motion of the engine piston to supercharge the cylinder with air/charge.

Abstract: A variable volume chamber device is disclosed. The chambers may be defined by the space between four pivotally connected vanes contained within two side plates. The vanes may be connected so as to create a sealed interior chamber that may be used as a combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine, or as a pumping chamber in a pump or compressor. The four vane assembly may also form additional variable volume chambers between the vanes and a surrounding structure. The plurality of variable volume chambers may be interconnected to progressively act on a working fluid.

Abstract: A piston and cylinder arrangement is disclosed in which a field of spaced pockets is provided on the walls of a piston skirt and/or the cylinder to create a seal equivalent between the piston and the cylinder. The pockets may be provided in a pattern having a plurality of vertically spaced rows.

Abstract: Internal combustion engines that use the pumping motion of the engine pistons to supercharge the cylinder with air/charge are disclosed. The pistons may include a skirt with a field of pockets that provide a ringless, non-lubricated, seal equivalent. The piston heads may be domed with one or more depressions to facilitate the movement of air/charge in the cylinder. The engines also may have non-circular, preferably rectangular, cross-section pistons and cylinders. The engines also may use multi-stage poppet valves in lieu of conventional poppet valves, and may include a split crankshaft. The engines also may operate in an inverted orientation in which the piston is closer to the local gravitationally dominant terrestrial body's center of gravity at top dead center position than at bottom dead center position.

Abstract: Internal combustion engines having multi-stage telescoping poppet valves in lieu of conventional poppet valves are disclosed. The engines may have pistons with a skirt with a field of pockets that provide a ringless, non-lubricated, seal equivalent. The piston heads may include one or more depressions and may be domed to facilitate the movement of air/charge in the cylinder. The engines may also have non-circular, preferably rectangular, cross-section pistons and cylinders. The engines also may include a split crankshaft. The engines may use the pumping motion of the engine piston to supercharge the cylinder with air/charge. The engines also may operate in an inverted orientation in which the piston is closer to the local gravitationally dominant terrestrial body's center of gravity at top dead center position than at bottom dead center position.

Abstract: A controlled turbulence system is disclosed to have a surface and means configured to induce a first wave form in a working fluid along the surface. Some embodiments of the invention may include a second means configured to induce a second wave form in the working fluid, wherein the first wave form and the second wave form have different frequencies. The first and/or second means may be provided as fields of pockets formed in the surface or wave-based generators.

Abstract: Internal combustion engines having non-circular, preferably rectangular, cross-section pistons and cylinders are disclosed. The pistons may include a skirt with a field of pockets that provide a ringless, non-lubricated, seal equivalent. The pistons also may have a domed piston head with depressions thereon to facilitate the movement of air/charge in the cylinder. The engines also may use multi-stage poppet valves in lieu of conventional poppet valves, and a split crankshaft. The engines may use the pumping motion of the engine piston to supercharge the cylinder with air/charge. The engines also may operate in an inverted orientation in which the piston is closer to the local gravitationally dominant terrestrial body's center of gravity at top dead center position than at bottom dead center position.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus for controlling the movement of matter, including but not limited to one-way fluid valves, are disclosed. The apparatus may include a transition nozzle, a funnel nozzle, and a reverse flow blocker arranged in series in a case. A counter-flow area may be disposed about the funnel nozzle. The apparatus may permit matter to flow in a first direction, and discourage or prevent flow in a direction reverse to the first direction. Control over the flow of matter also may enable matter to be harvested, sorted, separated or combined with injected matter.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus for controlling the movement of matter, including but not limited to one-way fluid valves, are disclosed. The apparatus may include a transition nozzle, a funnel nozzle, and a reverse flow blocker arranged in series in a case. A counter-flow area may be disposed about the funnel nozzle. The apparatus may permit matter to flow in a first direction, and discourage or prevent flow in a direction reverse to the first direction. Control over the flow of matter may also enable the matter to be harvested, sorted, separated or combined with injected matter.

Abstract: Variable volume chamber devices are disclosed. The chambers may be defined by the space between two complementary rotors. The volume of the chambers may vary as a function of the variation of relative rotational speeds of the two rotors.

Abstract: A variable volume chamber device is disclosed. The chambers may be defined by the space between four pivotally connected vanes contained within two side plates. The vanes may be connected so as to create a sealed interior chamber that may be used as a combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine, or as a pumping chamber in a pump or compressor. The four vane assembly may also form additional variable volume chambers between the vanes and a surrounding structure. The plurality of variable volume chambers may be interconnected to progressively act on a working fluid.

Abstract: Internal combustion engines that use the pumping motion of the engine pistons to supercharge the cylinder with air/charge are disclosed. The pistons may include a skirt with a field of pockets that provide a ringless, non-lubricated, seal equivalent. The piston heads may be domed with one or more depressions to facilitate the movement of air/charge in the cylinder. The engines also may have non-circular, preferably rectangular, cross-section pistons and cylinders. The engines also may use multi-stage poppet valves in lieu of conventional poppet valves, and may include a split crankshaft. The engines also may operate in an inverted orientation in which the piston is closer to the local gravitationally dominant terrestrial body's center of gravity at top dead center position than at bottom dead center position.