Abstract: Provided herein is an auxiliary hybrid system (AHS) that may be configured to provide electrical propulsion to vehicle or increase range to electric vehicles. In some embodiments, a system is disclosed including: at least one energy storage device configured to store power for a vehicle having at least one differential pinion and at least one axle tube; at least one power conversion device; at least one power conversion controller configured to regulate power flow between the at least one energy storage device and the at least one power conversion device; an input device configured to receive input from a user and configured to translate the input into instructions for the power conversion controller; and a drivetrain configured to transmit power between the at least one power conversion device and the vehicle's at least one differential pinion and configured to connect to the vehicle's axle tube.

Abstract: Provided herein is an auxiliary hybrid system (AHS) that may be configured to provide electrical propulsion to an e.g., internal combustion-powered vehicle through the use of a battery and electric motor. Alternatively, the AHS may be configured to increase range to electric vehicles through the use of an internal combustion-powered generator. In either embodiment, the AHS is added to a vehicle without altering the operation of the vehicles' standard drivetrain, allowing the vehicle to operate conventionally when the AHS is not engaged. The AHS is compatible with a wide range of vehicles with a minimum of vehicle-specific parts.

Abstract: Provided herein is an auxiliary hybrid system (AHS) that may be configured to provide electrical propulsion to an e.g., internal combustion-powered vehicle through the use of a battery and electric motor. Alternatively, the AHS may be configured to increase range to electric vehicles through the use of an internal combustion-powered generator. In either embodiment, the AHS is added to a vehicle without altering the operation of the vehicles standard drivetrain, allowing the vehicle to operate conventionally when the AHS is not engaged. The AHS is compatible with a wide range of vehicles with a minimum of vehicle-specific parts.

Abstract: Provided herein is an auxiliary hybrid system (AHS) that may be configured to provide electrical propulsion to an e.g., internal combustion-powered vehicle through the use of a battery and electric motor. Alternatively, the AHS may be configured to increase range to electric vehicles through the use of an internal combustion-powered generator. In either embodiment, the AHS is added to a vehicle without altering the operation of the vehicles standard drivetrain, allowing the vehicle to operate conventionally when the AHS is not engaged. The AHS is compatible with a wide range of vehicles with a minimum of vehicle-specific parts.

Abstract: An improvement is provided to a pressurized close-cycle machine that has a cold-end pressure vessel and is of the type having a piston undergoing reciprocating linear motion within a cylinder containing a working fluid heated by conduction through a heater head by heat from an external thermal source. The improvement includes a heat exchanger for cooling the working fluid, where the heat exchanger is disposed within the cold-end pressure vessel. The heater head may be directly coupled to the cold-end pressure vessel by welding or other methods. A coolant tube is used to convey coolant through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An improvement is provided to a pressurized close-cycle machine that has a cold-end pressure vessel and is of the type having a piston undergoing reciprocating linear motion within a cylinder containing a working fluid heated by conduction through a heater head by heat from an external thermal source. The improvement includes a heat exchanger for cooling the working fluid, where the heat exchanger is disposed within the cold-end pressure vessel. The heater head may be directly coupled to the cold-end pressure vessel by welding or other methods. A coolant tube is used to convey coolant through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An improvement is provided to a pressurized close-cycle machine that has a cold-end pressure vessel and is of the type having a piston undergoing reciprocating linear motion within a cylinder containing a working fluid heated by conduction through a heater head by heat from an external thermal source. The improvement includes a heat exchanger for cooling the working fluid, where the heat exchanger is disposed within the cold-end pressure vessel. The heater head may be directly coupled to the cold-end pressure vessel by welding or other methods. A coolant tube is used to convey coolant through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An improvement is provided to a pressurized close-cycle machine that has a cold-end pressure vessel and is of the type having a piston undergoing reciprocating linear motion within a cylinder containing a working fluid heated by conduction through a heater head by heat from an external thermal source. The improvement includes a heat exchanger for cooling the working fluid, where the heat exchanger is disposed within the cold-end pressure vessel. The heater head may be directly coupled to the cold-end pressure vessel by welding or other methods. A coolant tube is used to convey coolant through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An improvement is provided to a pressurized close-cycle machine that has a cold-end pressure vessel and is of the type having a piston undergoing reciprocating linear motion within a cylinder containing a working fluid heated by conduction through a heater head by heat from an external thermal source. The improvement includes a heat exchanger for cooling the working fluid, where the heat exchanger is disposed within the cold-end pressure vessel. The heater head may be directly coupled to the cold-end pressure vessel by welding or other methods. A coolant tube is used to convey coolant through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An improvement is provided to a pressurized close-cycle machine that has a cold-end pressure vessel and is of the type having a piston undergoing reciprocating linear motion within a cylinder containing a working fluid heated by conduction through a heater head by heat from an external thermal source. The improvement includes a heat exchanger for cooling the working fluid, where the heat exchanger is disposed within the cold-end pressure vessel. The heater head may be directly coupled to the cold-end pressure vessel by welding or other methods. A coolant tube is used to convey coolant through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A device and method for equalizing the pressure between work-space and crankcase in a pressurized engine, such as a Stirling engine. The device consists of a two-way valve connected between the work-space and the crankcase. The valve is connected to the work-space with a passageway including a constriction to provide an mean pressure for monitoring purposes. The valve connects the work-space and crankcase allowing the pressure to equalize when the mean pressure of the work-space exceeds the crankcase pressure by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A thermal cycle engine having a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy across the heater head from a heated external fluid to the working fluid. The heat exchanger has a set of heat transfer pins each having an axis directed away from the cylindrical wall of the expansion cylinder. The height and density of the heat transfer pins may vary with distance in the direction of the flow path, and the pin structure may be fabricated by stacking perforated rings in contact with a heater head. Ribs are provided interior to the heater head to enhance hoop strength and thermal transfer.

Abstract: An improvement is provided to a pressurized close-cycle machine that has a cold-end pressure vessel and is of the type having a piston undergoing reciprocating linear motion within a cylinder containing a working fluid heated by conduction through a heater head by heat from an external thermal source. The improvement includes a heat exchanger for cooling the working fluid, where the heat exchanger is disposed within the cold-end pressure vessel. The heater head may be directly coupled to the cold-end pressure vessel by welding or other methods. A coolant tube is used to convey coolant through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A thermal cycle engine having a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy across the heater head from a heated external fluid to the working fluid. The heat exchanger has a set of heat transfer pins each having an axis directed away from the cylindrical wall of the expansion cylinder. The height and density of the heat transfer pins may vary with distance in the direction of the flow path, and the pin structure may be fabricated by stacking perforated rings in contact with a heater head. Ribs are provided interior to the heater head to enhance hoop strength and thermal transfer.

Abstract: A thermal cycle engine having a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy across the heater head from a heated external fluid to the working fluid. The heat exchanger has a set of heat transfer pins each having an axis directed away from the cylindrical wall of the expansion cylinder. The height and density of the heat transfer pins may vary with distance in the direction of the flow path, and the pin structure may be fabricated by stacking perforated rings in contact with a heater head. Ribs are provided interior to the heater head to enhance hoop strength and thermal transfer.

Abstract: A system for supporting lateral loads on a piston undergoing reciprocating motion along a longitudinal axis in a cylinder includes a guide link for coupling the piston to a crankshaft undergoing rotary motion about a rotation axis of the crankshaft where the longitudinal axis and the rotation axis are substantially orthogonal to each other. A first guide element is located along the length of the guide link and includes a spring mechanism for urging the first guide element into contact with the guide link. The spring mechanism includes a first spring with a first natural frequency of oscillation and a second spring with a second natural frequency of oscillation. A second guide element is in opposition to the first guide element.

Abstract: A thermal cycle engine having a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy across the heater head from a heated external fluid to the working fluid. The heat exchanger has a set of heat transfer pins each having an axis directed away from the cylindrical wall of the expansion cylinder, or, alternatively, a set of fins substantially aligned with the axis of the expansion cylinder. The height and density of the heat transfer pins may vary with distance in the direction of the flow path, and the pin structure may be fabricated by stacking perforated rings in contact with a heater head. A ring burner supplements the main combustor for supplying additional fuel to cause additional combustion of the exhaust gas. A regenerator for the thermal cycle engine has a random network of fibers formed to fill a specified volume and a material for cross-linking the fibers at points of close contact between fibers of the network.

Abstract: A thermal cycle engine having a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy across the heater head from a heated external fluid to the working fluid. The heat exchanger has a set of heat transfer pins each having an axis directed away from the cylindrical wall of the expansion cylinder. The height and density of the heat transfer pins may vary with distance in the direction of the flow path, and the pin structure may be fabricated by stacking perforated rings in contact with a heater head. Ribs are provided interior to the heater head to enhance hoop strength and thermal transfer.

Abstract: A system for supporting lateral loads on a piston undergoing reciprocating motion along a longitudinal axis in a cylinder includes a guide link for coupling the piston to a crankshaft undergoing rotary motion about a rotation axis of the crankshaft where the longitudinal axis and the rotation axis are substantially orthogonal to each other. A first guide element is located along the length of the guide link and includes a spring mechanism for urging the first guide element into contact with the guide link. The spring mechanism includes a first spring with a first natural frequency of oscillation and a second spring with a second natural frequency of oscillation. A second guide element is in opposition to the first guide element.