Abstract: There is described an electric power generating apparatus having: a free-piston linear expander having a moving shaft creating mechanical power; an electrical generator converting the mechanical power into electrical power; a variable frequency drive configured for applying an electromagnetic load force modifying the shaft's movement; and a controller communicatively coupled to the variable frequency drive, the controller configured to perform the steps of: receiving sensor data including a first shaft position value, a first shaft velocity value, and a first electromagnetic load force value; using a drive control module, determining, based on the sensor, a second electromagnetic load force value which when applied would cause a shaft velocity to gradually change to a second shaft velocity value, the second electromagnetic load force value and the second shaft velocity value causing an output power value to correspond to a desired output power value; and applying the second electromagnetic load force value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a waste-heat recovery and power generation system for liquid-cooled data centres and computing centres, to capture and use their waste heat and use it to produce electricity, allowing the data centres and computing centres to self-supply a part of their electrical needs in a cost-effective manner. The system uses heat collected from the electronic components to heat and vaporize a working fluid; uses the vaporized working fluid(s) to power an expander; uses the expander to drive an electric generator; uses a condenser to condense the partially cooled vapour expelled from the expander; uses a pump to return the condensed working fluid to the evaporator system; and uses a control system to manage the valves of the heat-capture system and the expander, and to manage the generation system order to maximize efficiency and power quality.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compressor powered by a pressurized gas, whether steam or another working fluid, and a system for extracting work using such as compressor. The pressurized gas may comprise a heated working fluid in a gaseous state, to displace a piston in an input circuit, which in turn displaces a piston in an output circuit, thereby compressing a compressible fluid or displacing an incompressible fluid. A purpose of the compressor is to convert waste heat, heat generated by the combustion of biomass or other fuels, or heat resulting from the concentration of solar energy into useful power, whether configured to produce compressed air or pump water, which can displace the electricity otherwise used for this purpose, or to produce electricity or motive force directly, through a hydraulic circuit. The system for extracting work does so by an output fluid which is compressed or pumped by a pressurized gas powered compressor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compressor powered by a pressurized gas, whether steam or another working fluid, and a system for extracting work using such as compressor. The pressurized gas may comprise a heated working fluid in a gaseous state, to displace a piston in an input circuit, which in turn displaces a piston in an output circuit, thereby compressing a compressible fluid or displacing an incompressible fluid. A purpose of the compressor is to convert waste heat, heat generated by the combustion of biomass or other fuels, or heat resulting from the concentration of solar energy into useful power, whether configured to produce compressed air or pump water, which can displace the electricity otherwise used for this purpose, or to produce electricity or motive force directly, through a hydraulic circuit. The system for extracting work does so by an output fluid which is compressed or pumped by a pressurized gas powered compressor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compressor powered by a pressurized gas, whether steam or another working fluid, and a system for extracting work using such as compressor. The pressurized gas may comprise a heated working fluid in a gaseous state, to displace a piston in an input circuit, which in turn displaces a piston in an output circuit, thereby compressing a compressible fluid or displacing an incompressible fluid. A purpose of the compressor is to convert waste heat, heat generated by the combustion of biomass or other fuels, or heat resulting from the concentration of solar energy into useful power, whether configured to produce compressed air or pump water, which can displace the electricity otherwise used for this purpose, or to produce electricity or motive force directly, through a hydraulic circuit. The system for extracting work does so by an output fluid which is compressed or pumped by a pressurized gas powered compressor.