Abstract: An energy conversion system is disclosed with a converging-diverging duct, a first rotor, a compressor, a second rotor, and a return duct. The converging-diverging duct is configured to receive a working fluid. The first rotor is configured to increase or decrease kinetic energy of the working fluid entering the converging-diverging duct. The compressor device is configured to receive the working fluid after exiting the converging-diverging duct. The second rotor is in a flow path of the working fluid following an exit of the converging-diverging duct and before an entrance of the compressor device. The second rotor is configured to decrease or increase kinetic energy of the working fluid entering the compressor device. The first and second rotors impart opposite changes to kinetic energy in the working fluid. The return duct is configured to return the working fluid to the converging-diverging duct after passing through the compressor device.

Abstract: An energy conversion system is disclosed with a converging-diverging duct, a first turbine, a compressor, a second turbine, and a return duct. The first converging-diverging duct is configured to receive a working fluid. The first turbine is configured to increase or decrease kinetic energy of the working fluid entering the first converging-diverging duct. The compressor device is configured to receive the working fluid after exiting the converging-diverging duct. The second turbine is in a flow path of the working fluid between the first converging-diverging duct and the compressor device. The second turbine is configured to decrease or increase kinetic energy of the working fluid entering the compressor device. The first and second turbines impart opposite changes to kinetic energy in the working fluid. The return duct is configured to return the working fluid to the first converging-diverging duct after passing through the compressor device.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method to operate a conventional 4 cylinder engine as an expander for any pressurized fluid (e.g., liquid, vapor, or gas). A poppet valve system is disclosed enabling upward lift of the inlet valve, with assist from cylinder compression pressure, together with downward lift from an exhaust valve, resulting in especially efficient expansion of fluid or gas in a thermodynamic power cycle. Further, it is described that a desmodromic valve operation system may be employed and provides essential guidance and opening closing actions for proper operation of the expander system.

Abstract: An engine is disclosed comprising a chamber defined by at least one fixed wall and at least one movable wall, the volume of the chamber variable with movement of the movable wall; an injector arranged to inject liquid into the chamber while the chamber has a substantially minimum volume; apparatus through which energy is introduced that is absorbed by the fluid which then explosively vaporizes, performing work on the movable wall; and apparatus which returns the movable wall to a position prior to the work being performed thereon so the chamber has the substantially minimum volume, substantially evacuating the chamber of vaporized fluid without substantially compressing the vaporized fluid.

Abstract: An engine and a method for operating the engine comprising a chamber defined by at least one fixed wall and at least one movable wall, the volume of the chamber variable with movement of the movable wall; an injector arranged to inject liquid into the chamber while the chamber has a substantially minimum volume; apparatus through which energy is introduced that is absorbed by the fluid which then explosively vaporizes, performing work on the movable wall; and apparatus which returns the movable wall to a position prior to the work being performed thereon so the chamber has the substantially minimum volume, substantially evacuating the chamber of vaporized fluid without substantially compressing the vaporized fluid.

Abstract: A method of converting thermal energy into another energy form using a thermodynamic cycle is disclosed, the method including the steps of: pressurizing a working fluid; supplying thermal energy to heat the working fluid from a liquid or substantially liquid state to a supercritical fluid state; in a first expander, substantially isentropically expanding the working fluid to yield energy in the other energy form; separating the expanded working fluid to form a first portion of the fluid diverted to a second expander and a second portion of the working fluid diverted to bypass the second expander; in the second expander, substantially isentropically expanding the first portion of the working fluid to yield energy in the other energy form; condensing the expanded first portion of the working fluid to a liquid or substantially liquid state; and recombining the first and second portions of the working fluid to be recirculated in the cycle.

Abstract: An engine is disclosed comprising a chamber defined by at least one fixed wall and at least one movable wall, the volume of the chamber variable with movement of the movable wall; an injector arranged to inject liquid into the chamber while the chamber has a substantially minimum volume; apparatus through which energy is introduced that is absorbed by the fluid which then explosively vaporizes, performing work on the movable wall; and apparatus which returns the movable wall to a position prior to the work being performed thereon so the chamber has the substantially minimum volume, substantially evacuating the chamber of vaporized fluid without substantially compressing the vaporized fluid.

Abstract: The invention includes a solar collector subsystem and a heat engine. The solar collector system uses heliostat mirrors, a parabolic mirror, and a convex concentrator lens or compound parabolic concentrator to gather a large amount of solar energy into a very intense beam. The beam is used to vaporize an injected droplet of working fluid, whereby multiple opposed pistons responsive to the vapor formed reciprocate to produce electric energy by means of linear electric generators. The heat engine includes a chamber having three orthogonal sets of opposed pistons, wherein each piston is independently axially reciprocable and coupled to a linear electric generator. One piston is provided with an axially located window that admits the concentrated solar beam from the solar collector subsystem into the chamber of the heat engine. Another piston is provided with an injector that selectably injects a water drop into the center of the chamber where it can be vaporized by impingement of the concentrated solar beam.

Abstract: The invention includes a solar collector subsystem and a heat engine. The solar collector system uses heliostat mirrors, a parabolic mirror, and a convex concentrator lens or compound parabolic concentrator to gather a large amount of solar energy into a very intense beam. The beam is used to vaporize an injected droplet of working fluid, whereby multiple opposed pistons responsive to the vapor formed reciprocate to produce electric energy by means of linear electric generators. The heat engine includes a chamber having three orthogonal sets of opposed pistons, wherein each piston is independently axially reciprocable and coupled to a linear electric generator. One piston is provided with an axially located window that admits the concentrated solar beam from the solar collector subsystem into the chamber of the heat engine. Another piston is provided with an injector that selectably injects a water drop into the center of the chamber where it can be vaporized by impingement of the concentrated solar beam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for depressurizing a gas, comprising at least one cycle of: expanding the gas to a lower pressure and temperature while extracting mechanical energy and converting the mechanical energy to electrical energy; raising the temperature of the gas to ambient temperature through use of heat exchange means; heating the gas with at least some of the energy derived from the step of expanding the gas; whereby the pressure of the gas can be reduced, and the temperature of the gas can be returned near ambient temperature without requiring consumption of chemical energy from the gas. The instant invention also provides a new approach in extracting the potential energy available in the pressure difference between high pressure and low pressure natural gas, while maintaining outlet temperature at reasonable levels.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a gas depressurization station, comprising a preheater for preheating a gas, an expander having an output shaft for expanding and depressurizing the gas, and an air compressor coupled to the output shaft for creating high pressure air for use in controlling the depressurization process. The invention is also directed to a method for safely depressurizing a gas, comprising: passing the gas through a preheater and a gas expander which drives an output shaft; driving an air compressor attached to said output shaft to produce compressed air; and controlling the pressure of said compressed air by means of control throttling means; whereby unwanted variations in the speed of rotation of said output shaft may be safely controlled by said control throttling means.