Abstract: An improved means for starting char burning engines is described wherein, during engine cranking for starting, compressed air is heated by burning with a liquid fuel and is then compressed into the pore spaces of the char fuel in order to increase the char fuel temperature to where it reacts rapidly with air.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for alternate fuels such as coal-water slurry comprises a conventional fuel injection pump for supplying timed and metered pulses of diesel fuel to an injector assembly. The injector assembly includes a shuttle piston in a cylinder which is connected at one end by an injection line to the pump and at the other end by a passage to an injection nozzle. The alternate fuel is introduced into the injector assembly passage under pressure through a check valve between injection intervals. A bleed passage in the pump delivery valve provides a rapid pressure decay in the injection line following injection, permitting the shuttle piston to return to its starting position under the influence of the alternate fuel pressure. The timed and metered injection pulses are transferred by the shuttle piston from the diesel fuel to the alternate fuel to open the injection nozzle and inject the alternate fuel into an engine cylinder.

Abstract: An air preheater is described which surrounds the char fuel reaction chamber of a char burning engine as an insulating layer, and through which the primary air passes to be preheated therein. By thusly preheating the primary air and insulating the char fuel reaction chamber a larger portion of the char fuel is maintained at or above its rapid reaction temperature. More complete char fuel burnup and more efficient combustion is obtained in this way.

Abstract: An improved means for starting char burning engines is described wherein, during engine cranking for starting; compressed air is heated burning with a liquid fuel and is then compressed into the pore spaces of the char fuel in order to increase the char fuel temeprature to where it reacts rapidly with air.

Abstract: An improved gasifier and engine system which includes an air compressor, a fixed-bed gasifier, a gas cleansing device and a diesel-cycle internal combustion engine. Ambient air is compressed by the compressor to a predetermined first pressure and is directed to a chamber of the gasifier which contains a batch loaded charge of coal and/or other expendable conditioning materials such as water, limestone and sand. The gasifier partially burns the charge and produces high pressure and temperature fuel gas which is cleaned up prior to exiting the gasifier chamber. The cleaned hot fuel gas is directed to the engine where an injection device injects the fuel gas into a combustion chamber of the engine during a later portion of a compression phase of the diesel cycle. The injected fuel gas is ignited in the engine combustion chamber by a glow plug or other ignition-assist device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gas with a solid reaction plant using cyclicompression and expansion of the reactant gas. Gas reactants are stored in reactant gas reservoirs during compression. During expansion the stored gas emerges to react with primary reacted gas in a secondary reaction.

Abstract: Injection of atomized coal slurry fuel into an engine combustion chamber is achieved at relatively low pressures by means of a vortex swirl nozzle. The outlet opening of the vortex nozzle is considerably larger than conventional nozzle outlets, thereby eliminating major sources of failure due to clogging by contaminants in the fuel. Control fluid, such as air, may be used to impart vorticity to the slurry and/or purge the nozzle of contaminants during the times between measured slurry charges. The measured slurry charges may be produced by a diaphragm pump or by vortex valves controlled by a separate control fluid. Fluidic circuitry, employing vortex valves to alternatively block and pass cool slurry fuel flow, is disclosed.

Abstract: A dual-fuel injector is provided which allows precisely controlled injection of liquid and slurry fuels into an engine or the like, which prevents separation of solid material from the liquid carrier in the slurry fuel, and which prevents abrasion of selected surfaces of the injector by the solid material. The preferred injector includes a housing and an electronically actuated liquid and slurry fuel assemblies. In operation, pressurized liquid fuel supplied to the injector is used to amplify the injection pressure of the respective fuels for discharge through respective nozzles. The slurry fuel is continously circulated through the injector to prevent separation of the solid material from the liquid carrier and liquid fuel is used to purge selected surfaces of the injector to prevent the abrasion thereof by the solid material in the slurry fuel.

Abstract: The injection fuel system employs a hydraulically operated piston for pressurizing and expelling a primary fuel suspension through an injection valve into the combustion chamber. A high pressure piston pump which is driven off the camshaft delivers diesel oil to operate the piston. In addition, the high pressure piston pump provides pressurized diesel oil to open and close the injection valve for the primary fuel during an injection phase and also supplies pressurized diesel oil to operate the injection valve for the ignition oil. The hydraulically operated piston can be adjusted in dependence upon the speed of the engine with a corresponding adjustment in the pressure used to regulate the injection valve for the ignition oil.

Abstract: The fuel injection system employs a relief valve which is connected to the fuel chamber in the injection valve containing the primary fuel. The relief valve opens towards the end of the primary fuel injection phase to connect the fuel chamber to a discharge duct. Further, the relief valve permits a flushing of the fuel chamber after a changeover from operation with a coal slurry suspension to operation with diesel oil as the primary fuel. A selector valve, a pair of three way valves and multiple reservoirs are provided to accommodate switching over of operation from coal slurry to diesel oil.

Abstract: Reactant gas reservoir systems are described for use in combination with solid with gas reaction plants using cyclic compression and expansion of the reactant gas. During compression reactant gases are stored in the reservoir systems. During expansion these stored reactant gases emerge from the reservoir systems to react with gaseous products formed from the solid reactant during compression.

Abstract: A fuel injection system particularly adapted for injecting coal slurry fuels at high pressures includes an accumulator-type fuel injector which utilizes high-pressure pilot fuel as a purging fluid to prevent hard particles in the fuel from impeding the opening and closing movement of a needle valve, and as a hydraulic medium to hold the needle valve in its closed position. A fluid passage in the injector delivers an appropriately small amount of the ignition-aiding pilot fuel to an appropriate region of a chamber in the injector's nozzle so that at the beginning of each injection interval the first stratum of fuel to be discharged consists essentially of pilot fuel and thereafter mostly slurry fuel is injected.

Abstract: The thermal ignition combustion system comprises means for providing walls defining an ignition chamber, the walls being made of a material having a thermal conductivity greater than 20 W/m.degree. C. and a specific heat greater than 480 J/kg.degree. C. with the ignition chamber being in constant communication with the main combustion chamber, means for maintaining the temperature of the walls above a threshold temperature capable of causing ignition of a fuel, and means for conducting fuel to the ignition chamber.

Abstract: A self purging dual fuel injector has a valve which is pressed down, as opposed to lifting, to provide a pilot charge to the combustion chamber. As the valve further extends from the injector the pilot fuel flow is cut off and coal water slurry flows through the valve to the combustion chamber. During shut off of the slurry the retracting valve allows a shot of pilot fuel to purge the valve passageways.

Abstract: Reactant gas reservoir systems are described in combination with solid with gas reaction plants using cyclic compression and expansion of the reactant gas. During compression reactant gases are stored in the reservoir system. During expansion these stored reactant gases emerge from the reservoir systems to react with gaseous products formed from the solid reactant during compression.

Abstract: A reactor plant is described comprising separate compressor and expander, and several reaction chambers. Solid reactant within each said reaction chamber is alternately compressed with reactant gas from the compressor and subsequently the consequently reacted gases are expanded through the expander. Rapid gas with solid reaction occurs since the reactant and reacted gases are alternately flowing into and out of the pore spaces of the solid reactant where a large area for reaction exists. Reacted gases are recycled back through repeated cycles of compression and expansion until adequately reacted after which they are replaced with fresh reactant gases.

Abstract: The fuel injection system for a multi-cylinder reciprocating internal combustion engine employs an accumulator in the feed line between a feed pump and each of two hydraulic pumps of hydraulic pump pairs. In addition, a high-pressure accumulator is connected on the delivery side in common to all of the hydraulic pumps to eliminate pressure variations. The pumps of each pair of hydraulic pumps are driven in a 45.degree. out-of-phase relation to each other while the adjacent pairs of hydraulic pumps are driven in co-phase relation.

Abstract: The mechanically driven pump is provided with a delivery chamber which communicates with an annular groove about a valve needle of the injection valve to deliver pressurized hydraulic medium to prevent an inflow of liquid fuel between the valve needle and the injection valve body. The hydraulic pressure medium of the mechanically driven pump also drives a reciprocating piston in the hydraulic pump used to pump the fuel to the injection valve and, thus, also provides a barrier to the passage of liquid fuel between the reciprocating piston and the surrounding wall of the pump.

Abstract: A pulverized fuel injector is described capable of injecting and dispersing pulverized char fuels into an engine combustion chamber.

Abstract: Mechanisms for refueling a cyclically pressurized char fuel combustion chamber are described which can function at any time during the cycle of pressurization and expansion. Similar mechanisms for removal of ashes from these cyclically pressurized combustion chambers are also described.

Abstract: A device for ignition of the powder in powder engines and powder-operated turbine engines comprises heated divergent slots through which the powder is disposed to be blown.

Abstract: A cyclic solid to gas reactor is described capable of reacting several different gas reactants in sequence with one or more solid reactants. The solid reactant in a reaction chamber is subjected to repeated cycles of compression and expansion with the reactant gas by a compressor means enclosing the reaction chamber. Useful mechanical work can be generated from the heat of reaction.

Abstract: A method and device for obtaining, upon injection, flash evaporation of a liquid in a slurry fuel to aid in ignition and combustion. The device is particularly beneficial for use of coal-water slurry fuels in internal combustion engines such as diesel engines and gas turbines, and in external combustion devices such as boilers and furnaces. The slurry fuel is heated under pressure to near critical temperature in an injector accumulator, where the pressure is sufficiently high to prevent boiling. After injection into a combustion chamber, the water temperature will be well above boiling point at a reduced pressure in the combustion chamber, and flash boiling will preferentially take place at solid-liquid surfaces, resulting in the shattering of water droplets and the subsequent separation of the water from coal particles.

Abstract: An ignition device for use with internal combustion engines is adapted for conducting a light beam into the combustion chamber of the engine to ignite a fuel-air mixture. The ignition device includes a light emission apparatus opened to the combustion chamber to emit a light beam into the chamber, and a particle supply apparatus disposed in opposed relation with the light emission apparatus for supplying into the combustion chamber particles of a high light absorption index separately from the fuel-air mixture. The particles from the particle supply apparatus are emitted along the optical axis of the light beam into the combustion chamber and are heated at a position suitable for ignition of the fuel-air mixture within the combustion chamber to serve as an ignition source.

Abstract: A free-piston engine formed by one or more units, each comprising a pair of opposed pistons connected to a common piston rod and movable within two opposed cylinders, with a load, such as the inductor of a linear alternator, connected to an intermediate point of the piston rod, and in which there is provided at least a cam controlled by an operatively independent motor and engaging at least a tappet connected to the piston rod of a unit of pistons. This cam is profiled and controlled in such a way as to substantially follow the movement of the tappets which is produced by the free-piston engine during normal operation, but to limit the travel of the piston units and provide the energy for the compression stroke, in case of anomalous operation. The cam serves also to start the engine, as well as to mutually synchronize the various units of pairs of pistons in engines having a plurality of units. The engine may also be in the form of an adiabatic engine fed by coal dust or other solid fuel.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine, includes adding to the fuel being supplied to the engine, a combustible oil or grease in a minor proportion of the weight of the fuel. The oil preferably is a member selected from the group consisting of petroleum oil and vegetable oil, and the grease preferably is a member selected from the group consisting of petroleum grease and animal fat grease. The apparatus for use with the internal combustion engine includes a reservoir device for storing a quantity of the fuel additive, and a mixing device which disperses small quantities of the additive, received from the reservoir device, with fuel flowing therethrough to form a fuel mixture for use in the engine.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine comprises an intake path supplying a mixture of air and fuel into the combustion chamber of the engine, a particle supplying unit having an ejection port opening into the combustion chamber for supplying minute particles of a material which is not the fuel and has a high light absorption factor, and a light source radiating a laser beam through a light focusing unit toward a suitably selected position in the internal space of the combustion chamber, so that the laser beam can strike the minute particles of high light absorption factor supplied from the particle supplying unit thereby producing a torch for igniting the air-fuel mixture.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is described capable of burning porous solid char fuels alone or with oil fuels. Air is forced into the char pore spaces during the compression process of the engine cycle in order to achieve the rapid burning needed for reasonable engine speeds. Fresh char fuel is periodically furnished into a combustion chamber and ashes are removed therefrom. Engine torque is controlled by control of intake air density.

Abstract: A coal dust combustion motor comprises a piston reciprocatable in a cylinder and connected at one end by a connecting rod to a crankshaft of the motor for rotating the crankshaft during reciprocation of the piston along a sucton and a compression stroke. A cylinder space is defined between the other end of the piston and a facing end wall of the cylinder. A whirling chamber communicates in the region of the cylinder end wall with the cylinder space and a mixture of coal dust and air is blown at a pressure of about 5-7 bar into the whirling chamber during the compression stroke of the piston at a time at which the pressure in the cylinder space is greater than that in the whirling chamber to prevent penetration of coal dust into the cylinder.

Abstract: In the engines of this invention the fuel is spread out over the interior pore area of a porous burner volume and the large area of contact with air needed for rapid burning is obtained in this way. The fuel may burn in three ways: partial burning of evaporated fuel in the pore spaces; partial burning of solid carbon fuel deposits in the pore spaces; complete burning of the partial oxidation products outside the pore spaces during expansion. Several engine cycles can be used to burn up any solid carbon deposits formed from the fuel so these engines can efficiently utilize high viscosity residual fuels and slurries of solid char fuels in oil even at very small piston diameters.

Abstract: A free piston gasifier is described capable of burning porous solid char fuels alone or with oil fuels. Air is forced into the char pore spaces during the compression process of the cycle in order to achieve the rapid burning needed for reasonable gasifier speeds. Fresh char fuel is periodically furnished into a combustion chamber and ashes are removed therefrom. Gasifier output is controlled by control of intake air density.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine utilizing particulate fuel such as coal dust having a fuel delivery system wherein a mixing component is provided having a metering and a pressurized air duct assembly. During a compression stroke, this mixing component is moved into registry with an intake port and the particulate fuel within the metering duct is driven into the combustion chamber and a suspension thereof is formed within the chamber. A screw conveyor is utilized to transport the particulate fuel continuously between the metering duct and source.

Abstract: A solid fuel particle and air control device for use with combustion systems for a gas turbine engine and the like is disclosed. The device has a first housing with an inlet passage for receiving solid fuel particles. The first housing is mounted on a second housing with a blind cavity. A first passage extends through the second housing so as to intersect the blind cavity to permit flow communication therebetween. Solid fuel particles from the inlet passage of the first housing are metered and transfered to the blind cavity. A fluid pressure source is injected into the first passage in the secondary housing so as to entrain the solid fuel particles in the air as to form a uniform air entrained mixture. The air entrained mixture is then ejected out of the first passage in the second housing to a duct which communicates with the combustion system of the gas turbine engine where the air entrained solid fuel particle mixture is burned.

Abstract: A dry coal fuel supply system for a gas turbine engine includes a continuous loop conveyor pump having a plurality of positive displacement pistons connected by a cable and driven by a variable speed motor with respect to an atmospheric reservoir filled with powdered coal and the continuous loop includes a dual stage coal pick-up for assuring coal fill of the conveyor system to accurately meter coal therefrom in accordance with the speed of the variable drive motor for driving the conveyor and wherein the system includes an improved sealed discharge manifold means for directing a controlled amount of the compressor discharge air of the gas turbine engine to a plurality of air jets for blasting high pressure air across the coal pump pistons to direct a fluidized powdered coal mixture into a downstream, closely associated fuel nozzle system for a gas turbine engine combustor.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine adapted to burn solid fuel including a piston-and-cylinder assembly including a valved inlet for combustion supporting air, a valved outlet for exhaust of combustion products, ignition means and a fuel valve for retaining a quantity of solid fuel out of the cylinder and opening on pressure reduction in the cylinder by piston movement beyond top dead center to introduce the quantity of fuel into the cylinder.

Abstract: A fuel slurry and engine systems for using the slurry are disclosed. The fuel slurry is a uniform mixture of water and 20 to 50 percent by weight of particulate coal of maximum size equal to 20 microns, the small size promoting complete combustion of the coal and minimizing engine wear due to particles of ash. Engine systems for utilizing the slurry of micronized coal and water are described, the preferred system including a slow-speed, two-stroke turbo-charged diesel engine. Preferred compositions of the fuel slurry are discussed and their behavior in engine systems is analyzed. Also disclosed are techniques for enhancing its ignition.

Abstract: Devices and processes are provided for intermittently exploding smoke charges in such a way as to extract thermal energy cheaply and efficiently for various applications.

Abstract: Engine steam stratifier devices are described capable of supplying and delivering steam largely to those regions of a solid carbon burning internal combustion engine where this solid carbon is being burned and for the principal purpose of reducing the temperatures prevailing in these regions.

Abstract: A gunpowder fueled internal combustion engine having a cylinder block with a plurality of cylinders circularly arranged in the cylinder block.An upper housing is located on the cylinder block in which is contained a storage chamber for storing the gunpowder. An air intake system is also provided in the upper housing. A metering system is included for sequentially directing controlled amounts of gunpowder and air from the upper housing to each cylinder where the gunpowder and air mixture can be burned within the cylinder. A crank shaft arrangement is provided in the cylinder block. Pistons reciprocatingly associated with each cylinder drive the crank shaft system.

Abstract: An improved solid fuel carburetor is disclosed for an internal combustion engine or furnace. A solid fuel supply mechanism advances a cake of compressed, powdered, combustible fuel into an operative position in a mixing chamber. A rotary brush mechanism positioned proximately to the fuel supply mechanism, contacts the fuel cake and abrasively removes fuel particles therefrom in the mixing chamber. An air supply is provided proximate to the brush mechanism for mixing air with the removed fuel particles forming a combustible mixture in the mixing chamber. A delivery mechanism is connected between the mixing chamber and internal combustion engine or furnace, for delivering the combustible mixture to the combustion chamber. The resultant solid fuel carburetor provides a more convenient and safe mechanism for delivering solid state combustible materials to an internal combustion engine or furnace.

Abstract: A method of fueling an internal combustion engine using explosive dust, characterized by making a slurry of particles of grain dust, jetting said slurry to arrange said particles seriatim, drying said seriatim particles, injecting said dried particles in a series of computer controlled program of successive rasters into said engine, adding dried oxygenated air to said dried injected particles and igniting said rasters of dried dust particles inside said engine to drive the piston.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine. A fuel supply chamber is located adjacent the combustion chamber and is in communication with the combustion chamber. A fuel supply line communicates with the fuel chamber. A valving piston is movable in said fuel chamber and a fuel port or pocket is formed between the valving piston and the fuel chamber. The valving piston is actuable to place the fuel port in communication with the combustion chamber to deliver discrete quantities of fuel to support combustion. The valving piston may be mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically operated. Means are also disclosed which cooperate with the valving piston to expel fuel from the port in the fuel delivery position.

Abstract: Rotary power engines driven by explosive or expansive media have pistons which reciprocate in cylinder cavities of a rotor at opposite sides of the rotor axis and which contact the walls of a stator by means of rollers. The rotor is turned by the reactive force of the pistons on the stator and by the reactive force of the working medium which exhausts from the cylinders as jets. In an internal combustion embodiment, one set of cylinders is used for compression of the working medium, and the compressed medium is transferred cyclically to adjoining cylinders for driving the rotor.

Abstract: The powdered fuel is dosed in metered amounts by a pocketed dosing wheel into a fuel-feeding duct which is opened and closed by reciprocally mounted slider. Air is charged into the fuel feeding duct via a compressed air duct above the fuel valve. Upon opening of the fuel valve, a blast of air is charged via a control valve into the compressed air duct to expel the powdered fuel in the fuel-receiving chambers of the fuel valve.

Abstract: The solid particulate fuel is first dried and then liquified to a viscous state at 300.degree. C within an inert atmosphere in a melting tank. Thereafter, while the heat is retained in the fuel, the liquified fuel is pumped to a heater and heated to a higher temperature of 400.degree. C. This hot fuel is then delivered via switching means to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine while the temperature of the fuel is maintained.

Abstract: A powdered coal air suspension is charged from a rotating drum via a switch means into a vertical channel which is sealed off from a powdered coal collector in the valve piston by an axially hollow slider. Downward movement of the slider allows the powdered coal to charge into the valve piston while an air valve within the vertical channel opens when the valve piston opens to create an air blast for expelling the coal and air into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The nozzle in the cylinder head is supplied with solid particulate fuel, e.g. powdered coal, via a dosing wheel while a hollow slider in the nozzle blocks a supply of compressed air. After dosing, the hollow slider is moved into a position to block further entry of the particulate fuel while opening the nozzle to the compressed air supply. The fuel is then blasted out of the discharge openings of the nozzle into the combustion chamber of a cylinder.

Abstract: The valve piston is charged with powdered fuel, such as coal, which is initially metered into a fuel transfer channel during a downward stroke of a dosing and ejecting member and then blown via compressed air through the valve piston into the combustion chamber upon completion of the downward stroke of the dosing and ejecting member. A slider is used to allow metering of the fuel without interference from the compressed air. After the fuel charge is metered, the slider moves transversely of the transfer channel to permit entry of the compressed air so that the charge can be blown into the combustion chamber via the valve piston.

Abstract: Powdered fuel charges are injected mechanically into a pocket in the piston during a first half of a compression stroke for subsequent expulsion into the combustion chamber during the second half of the compression stroke. The dosing and ejecting means is mounted in the cylinder wall and includes a plunger which ejects the fuel charges from a duct. Movement of the plunger in the duct is cyclically blocked by a slider during filling of the duct with a fuel charge.

Abstract: Particulate solid fuel, e.g. powdered coal, is delivered into a first duct of the housing inserted into the cylinder, and thereafter moved into a second duct via a control slider. A plunger in the second duct is controlled hydraulically to move the delivered fuel through the discharge openings of a rotating ejector body when the body is in an open position in the combustion chamber.