Abstract: This invention provides for reliable, long-life operation of fluid pressure responsive engines directly from raw natural gas at the wellhead by introducing a novel rotary dynamic contaminant filter system especially adapted for removing liquid and abrasive particle contaminants from the flow of natural gas under high pressure from the wellhead. Thus, a novel turbine type gas driven rotor in the gas flow stream has rotor blades slanted at an angle to the rotation axis to serve as a ramp for removal of contaminants as the flow of gas spirals upwardly from input to output ports. This dynamic filter employs the combined forces of gravity, centrifugal force and those imposed by interception with a contaminant flow ramp to encounter and remove a wide range of microscopic contaminants from the high pressure wellhead natural gas.

Abstract: Controls for operating fluid pressure fueled reciprocating piston engines are simplified by passing fuel directly to a cylinder inlet port from a synchronously timed rotary distributor. This permits a snap acting diaphragm transfer valve normally opening the inlet fuel path to the cylinder to respond to a decrease in fuel pressure to quickly snap open an exhaust port and close the inlet port. Several embodiments include a battery operated fuel supply source, recycling of spent fuel, and auxiliary exhaust paths from bottom dead center cylinder positions, to increase efficiency, speed and reliability.

Abstract: A pressurized-fluid-operated engine having a plurality of reciprocatable pistons carried within cylinders through connecting rods with an output shaft. The engine is adapted to operate on pressurized air or pressurized gases, without combustion, and it includes a recirculation device of the ejector type to provide recirculation of a part of the lower pressure exhaust gas and to permit mixing of the recirculated exhaust gas with incoming inlet gas. The device is particularly adapted for use where the source of compressed gas provides a very high pressure of gas, but a relatively low volume, and it permits the mixing of very high pressure inlet gas with lower pressure exhaust gas to provide an operating gas a sufficiently high level to provide a desired engine output.

Abstract: A compressed fluid reciprocating piston engine provides for cylinders radially disposed about a crankshaft and coupled thereto by means of piston rods engaging a disc rotatable with the crankshaft. Exhaust fluid feedback is merged into higher pressure fuel at a venturi throat section in the fuel conveyance line where the pressures are temporarily substantially equalized. A timer distributor mechanism consists of a disc rotatable by a shaft as journalled between two outer panels thereby with a rotating aperture hole to provide pressurized fluid through a scanned sequence of outlet lines serving to operate fluid input valves coupling a fluid pressure source selectively to power the reciprocating pistons.

Abstract: A piston type power plant operable by any suitable pressure fluid available such as natural gas from a well for stationary applications, etc., or by compressed air in either stationary or mobile applications such as driving generators, saw mills or vehicles, etc., and embodying novel valve actuation and control means.