Abstract: An HV-ECU performs processing including controlling an engine to be in a non-forced induction operation state when an engine has been on and when an engine stop request has been issued, performing processing for stopping the engine when a predetermined first period has elapsed, restricting forced induction and output when the engine stop request has not been issued and when a current time point is immediately after start of the engine, canceling restriction when a predetermined second period has elapsed, and controlling the engine with a position on a higher rotation speed side than a current operating point along an equal power line being set as an operating point when the current time point is not immediately after start of the engine and when a negative pressure is insufficient.

Abstract: It is disclosed a boxer engine with two substantially mirror-symmetric engine sides (L, R) comprising a crankshaft (1) to which is connected, at least two main scotch yoke assemblies (110) each having one main piston (7) arranged inside one main cylinder (I, III; II, IV) of each engine side (R; L), and at least one auxiliary scotch yoke assembly (120) having a pair of auxiliary pistons (8) arranged inside a pair of auxiliary cylinders (V, VII; VI, VIII) of each engine side (R; L), wherein the main scotch yoke assemblies (110) are arranged synchronized on the crankshaft (1) and the at least one auxiliary scotch yoke assembly (120) is arranged 180° offset on the crankshaft (1), each auxiliary piston (7) defining an outer space and an inner space within each auxiliary cylinder (V, VII; VI, VIII), the inner space facing the opposite engine side (R; L), wherein, said inner spaces of each auxiliary cylinder (V, VII; VI, VIII) pair are in fluid communication and forming a compression chamber, said compression cha

Abstract: Power plants using multiple identical engine block assemblies to form multiple engines, each contributing to a common output or outputs, and each using an intake manifold, an exhaust manifold and an air rail. Air is first compressed by some engine cylinders and delivered to the air rail, and then coupled to combustion cylinders from the air rail. Compressions and combustion may be in the same cylinders, the same engine block assembly but different cylinders or in different engine block assemblies. Multiple engines in the power plants are less costly than single large engines because of the quantity of manufacture and ease of maintenance. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a gas-fired burner on a liquid fuel. The apparatus integrates a catalytic liquid fuel reformer with a flame burner designed for operation on a gaseous fuel of high Wobbe Index, e.g., natural gas. The method involves reacting a mixture of a liquid fuel and oxidant in a catalytic reformer to obtain a gaseous reformate having a low Wobbe Index; and thereafter combusting the gaseous reformate, optionally augmented with liquid co-fuel and oxidant, in the gas-fired burner under diffusion flame conditions. The invention allows commercial gas-fired appliances, such as stoves, ovens, ranges, grills, griddles, stock pot burners, clothes dryers, hot water heaters, and boilers to be operated on a liquid fuel, which offers advantages in logistics and camp operations.

Abstract: Split cycle engine that runs on gaseous fuels such as natural gas and synthesis gas (syngas) and to a method of operating the same. The engine includes a first compression chamber for compressing the gaseous fuel, means for supplying the gaseous fuel to the first compression chamber at a level of concentration that prevents predetonation of the fuel during compression, a second compression chamber for compressing air, a combustion chamber in which the compressed fuel and air are combined to reduce the concentration of the fuel to a level that allows the fuel to burn and expand in the combustion chamber, and an expansion chamber having an output member which is driven by expanding gas from the combustion chamber. Turbochargers or blowers pressurize and increase the volume of the fuel and air delivered to the respective compression chambers, and the concentration of the fuel is progressively reduced by the injection of air at spaced intervals as the fuel travels toward the compression chamber.

Abstract: A supercharging engine supplying compressed air to a combustion chamber as intake air may include at least two cylinders, a deactivation cylinder being at least one of the cylinders, and selectively deactivated, a compressed air tank adapted to store compressed air supplied from a combustion chamber of the deactivation cylinder, a compressed air storage passage formed to communicate the compressed air tank with the combustion chamber of the deactivation cylinder, an intake manifold selectively communicating with the compressed air tank, and a compressed air valve selectively opening/closing the compressed air storage passage, in which compressed air may be transmitted from the combustion chamber of the deactivation cylinder to the compressed air tank as the compressed air valve is opened in a compression stroke during deactivation of the deactivation cylinder.

Abstract: A heat engine includes structure for compressing a cooled working gas, heating the compressed working gas using an external heat source, expanding the heated compressed working gas, cooling the working gas using a heat exchanger with a cold source, and subsequently, returning the cooled working gas into the compression structure.

Abstract: A poppet valve engine incorporates a single rotary combustion chamber serving multiple cylinders to decrease emissions and increase thermodynamic efficiency. Virtually zero emissions are achievable by on-board fuel reforming to hydrogen. Limited heat range exposure of the rotary combustion chamber, low temperature combustion, and ceramic coatings reduce heat loss while three stage combustion, intake and fuel preheating, and fuel reforming reduce combustion process irreversibility. A supercharger increases the power density to allow engine displacement reduction. A z-crankshaft assembly coupled with a pre-combustion chamber allow knock-less and stable hydrogen combustion at virtually all load and speed conditions. Variable compression, possible in certain configurations of the z-crankshaft assembly, further increases thermal efficiency.

Abstract: Rotary expansible chamber (REC) devices having one or more working-fluid ports that are adjustable, for example, in size or location. In some embodiments, the variable port mechanisms can be used to control any one or more of a plurality of operating parameters of a REC device independently of one or more others of the operating parameters. In some embodiments, the REC devices can have a plurality of fluid volumes that change in size during rotation of the REC device, and that transition to a zero volume condition during the rotation of the REC device. Systems are also provided that can include one or more REC devices. Methods for controlling various aspects of REC devices, including methods of controlling one or more operating parameters, are also provided.

Abstract: An external-combustion, closed-cycle thermal engine is provided with: a gas chamber, a heater, and a cooler which are closed; flow paths for connecting the gas chamber and the inlet and outlet sides of the heater; flow paths for connecting the gas chamber and the inlet and outlet sides of the cooler; on-off valves respectively provided to the flow paths on the inlet and outlet sides of the heater and of the cooler; and a means for moving a working gas. The switching of the destination of the working gas between the heater and the cooler is performed by the on-off valves, and an operation body is driven. As a result of the configuration, the volume of the heater or the cooler does not affect the efficiency of the engine, and the engine operates under various conditions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a power and/or propulsion system comprising an external combustor, a steam generator, and a radial piston engine. In one embodiment, an undersea vehicle is powered by a propulsion system including a steam generator having a series of coiled tubes in which water is heated to generate steam by combustion of a monopropellant fuel ignited in the external combustor.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to the use of gas clathrates. More particularly, this disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatuses related to the use of gas clathrates as a fuel source for automobiles. The gas clathrates may first be dissociated into at least one gas and the at least one gas delivered to the prime mover of a vehicle or the gas clathrates may be directly utilized by the prime mover as a fuel source.

Abstract: External combustion engine which comprises a first cylinder and a second cylinder, in which a first piston and a second piston are able to slide respectively. The first and second cylinder are fluidically connected with respect to each other for the passage of a heat-carrying fluid suitable to determine the cyclical movement of the first piston and the second piston. The external combustion engine also comprises a drive shaft rotating around an axis of rotation, and with which crank means are solidly associated, provided with at least a first pin and a second pin having pivoting axes parallel to each other, and also disposed distanced radially from the axis of rotation. The external combustion engine also comprises first and second kinematic connection means suitable to connect respectively the first pin and the second pin to the first piston and respectively to the second piston.

Abstract: An expansion system utilizes external combustion of its residual warm exhaust air, in order to heat incoming compressed air. The heat of this external combustion is communicated to the incoming compressed air through a heat exchanger. The expansion system may be incorporated into an energy storage device also featuring a compressed air storage unit supplied by a compressor. Where the stored supply of compressed air is depleted, the energy storage device may continue to supply electricity on demand through operation as a heat engine, with the compressor being driven directly (e.g. on a same rotating shaft) or indirectly (via generated electrical power) by the expansion system. Multiple expanders of the same or different types (e.g. rotating, reciprocating), may be utilized in parallel and/or in series (e.g. multiple stages) depending upon the particular application. Multi-stage embodiments featuring internal combustion in low pressure stages, may be particularly suited for placement in vehicles.

Abstract: An external combustion engine fuel that converts the expansion force of a fluid vapor to mechanical force. In some embodiments, the external combustion engine utilizes the coolant passages of an internal combustion engine block to shroud the engine block with the heat of fuel combustion when the expanding fluid vapor is directed into the engine block.

Abstract: Provided herein are geothermal power generating systems utilizing supercritical carbon dioxide as a working fluid and superheating the extracted the emitted carbon dioxide utilizing external combustion of the hydrocarbons concurrently extracted with the emitted carbon dioxide to increase enthalpy and thermodynamic cycle efficiency. Methods for producing power are also provided.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a chamber having a longitudinal centerline, inlet valving operable to admit constituents of a combustible mixture into the chamber for combustion therein to provide a pressure increase and outlet valving operable to release an outflow of liquid from the chamber under the influence of that pressure increase as an energy output of the chamber. The chamber has a flowpath defined therein for flow of the liquid towards the outlet valving. The flowpath diverges from centerline in a downstream direction thereof and has a cross-section area in a direction perpendicular to the centerline that remains substantially equal or decreases in the downstream direction of the flowpath.

Abstract: A system for converting potential energy into heat including a tower configured to contain a fluid and to permit the formation of a substantially nitrogen-free combustion chamber defined by the tower and the surface of the fluid in the tower and at a pressure less than ambient, a first tower outlet in fluid communication with a first fuel valve configured to regulate a flow of the fluid out of the tower, an oxygen source in fluid communication with an oxygen valve in fluid communication with an oxygen inlet in fluid communication with the tower, a source of combustible fuel including hydrogen in fluid communication with a fuel valve in fluid communication with a fuel inlet in fluid communication with the tower, and an ignition source positioned so that it resides within the combustion chamber and is configured to initiate a reaction between oxygen and fuel.

Abstract: Low-temperature, continuous “cold” combustion, constant pressure, active chamber motor-compressor unit operating with working compressed air and using a piston travel control device as well as an active chamber, with a cold chamber (29) able to reduce to very low temperatures the atmospheric air that supplies the input (28) of an air compression device (28,25,26,33), which then forces this working compressed air, still at low temperature, in an external combustion chamber (19) fitted with a heating device (19A) at constant pressure where it increases in volume, before its quasi-isothermal transfer in the active chamber (13) producing work, before being expanded in an engine cylinder (2) to produce work again.

Abstract: An external combustion engine is disclosed. The external combustion engine containing a working fluid and including a burner element for heating the working fluid of the engine, at least one heater head defining a working space containing the working fluid, at least one piston cylinder containing a piston for compressing the working fluid, a cooler for cooling the working fluid, a crankcase. The crankcase includes a crankshaft for producing an engine output, a rocking beam rotating about a rocker pivot for driving the crankshaft, a piston rod connected to the piston, a rocking beam driven by the piston rod, and a connecting rod connected at a first end to the rocking beam and at a second end to a crankshaft to convert rotary motion of the rocking beam to rotary motion of the crankshaft.

Abstract: General Wheel Rotation Power Motor (GWRPM) systems, apparatus, devices and methods of using a pressure generation, storage and control element; a pressure conversion to rotational force unit with reverse and neutral capability and components to transfer said rotational force to a power accumulator/multiplier whereby useful rotational force can be applied to varied applications. Pressure can be generated from an internal combustion engine (ICE), a pressurized air source, and the like.

Abstract: A non-compression engine having two or three variable volume mechanisms, an induction-displacer (1) and a combustion-expander (2) or an induction-displacer (1) and a combustion-expander (2) and an atmospheric-cooler (3). A working volume of gas is drawn into the induction-displacer, then displaced into the combustion-expander (2) at substantially constant volume passing through the regenerator (5). The gas in the combustor-expander (2) is further heated by combustion of a fuel then expanded to extract work. The gas is then displaced through the regenerator (5) into the atmospheric-cooler (3) at substantially constant volume, or exhaust from the regenerator at constant pressure. The gas is contracted in the atmospheric-cooler doing atmospheric work. Once the gas has equilibrated with the pressure of the atmosphere it is exhaust from the atmospheric-cooler (3).

Abstract: An efficient thermal engine is disclosed. In some embodiments, a remainder of energy remaining after an expansion cycle is used to power a subsequent compression cycle. In other embodiments, novel configurations for a larger expansion volume than compression volume are provided. In addition, work of compression may be reduced in a compression cycle, and recovered in an expansion cycle.

Abstract: The present invention is an engine, which includes a positive displacement compression process, a variably fueled, continuous combustor and/or heat exchanger, and a positive displacement, work-producing expander. This arrangement avoids the traditional stochiometric mixture requirements utilized in spark-ignition based engines and the emission problems associated with diesel engines.

Abstract: General Wheel Rotation Power Motor (GWRPM) systems, apparatus, devices and methods of using a pressure generation, storage and control element; a pressure conversion to rotational force unit with reverse and neutral capability and components to transfer said rotational force to a power accumulator/multiplier whereby useful rotational force can be applied to varied applications. Pressure can be generated from an internal combustion engine (ICE), a pressurized air source, and the like.

Abstract: An external combustion engine fuel that converts the expansion force of a fluid vapor to mechanical force. In some embodiments, the external combustion engine utilizes the coolant passages of an internal combustion engine block to shroud the engine block with the heat of fuel combustion when the expanding fluid vapor is directed into the engine block.

Abstract: A continuous combustion system for an internal combustion engine includes a reaction vessel external to the engine cylinders. The reaction vessel contains a combustion chamber for sustaining continuous combustion of an air fuel mixture during the operation of the associated engine. The reaction vessel contains an incoming air chamber and an exhaust gas chamber that are each in communication with the combustion chamber. Injected fuel vapor is mixed with scavenged exhaust gas for pre-heating and with compressed air from each cylinder provided during the compression stroke of each piston. The compressed air and fuel vapor mixture sustains the ignited combustion continuously, while exhaust gas is fed to the cylinders to provide working fluid to the engine during the power stroke of each piston. A valve mechanism is provided to control the flow of air from and working fluid to the cylinders at the appropriate times in order to sustain operation of the engine.

Abstract: An external-combustion, closed-cycle thermal engine is provided with: a gas chamber, a heater, and a cooler which are closed; flow paths for connecting the gas chamber and the inlet and outlet sides of the heater; flow paths for connecting the gas chamber and the inlet and outlet sides of the cooler; on-off valves respectively provided to the flow paths on the inlet and outlet sides of the heater and of the cooler; and a means for moving a working gas. The switching of the destination of the working gas between the heater and the cooler is performed by the on-off valves, and an operation body is driven. As a result of the configuration, the volume of the heater or the cooler does not affect the efficiency of the engine, and the engine operates under various conditions.

Abstract: Devices and methods for moving a working fluid through a controlled thermodynamic cycle in a positive displacement fluid-handling device (20, 20?, 20?) with minimal energy input include continuously varying the relative compression and expansion ratios of the working fluid in respective compressor and expander sections without diminishing volumetric efficiency. In one embodiment, a rotating valve plate arrangement (40, 42, 44, 46) is provided with moveable apertures or windows (48, 50, 56, 58) for conducting the passage of the working fluid in a manner which enables on-the-fly management of the thermodynamic efficiency of the device (20) under varying conditions in order to maximize the amount of mechanical work needed to move the target quantity of heat absorbed and released by the working fluid. When operated in refrigeration modes, the work required to move the heat is minimized. In power modes, the work extracted for the given input heat is maximized.

Abstract: A hydrogen fuel zero or low emissions external combustion engine and a method to convert an internal combustion engine thereto. The invention includes devices, modifications, alterations, kits and methods for converting an internal combustion (IC) engine or engine design to the external combustion engine while using many of the components of the internal combustion engine. The external combustion engine includes a hydrogen tank to supply hydrogen fuel, a hydrogen flash vaporizer (HFV) to combust the hydrogen fuel and vaporize an atomized liquid introduced into the hydrogen flash vaporizer into an expanding fluid vapor (EFV), and an engine to receive the expanding fluid vapor and convert an expansion force thereof into mechanical force with a superior level of efficiency derived from a unique heat scavenging and cylinder shrouding design.

Abstract: Valve assembly and method in which a valve member is connected to an elongated lever arm for controlling communication between two chambers in an internal combustion engine. The valve assembly is disposed at least partially within one of the chambers, and the valve member is moved between open and closed by an actuator connected to the lever arm. In some disclosed embodiments, a pilot valve is opened to equalize pressure on both sides of the valve member prior to moving the valve member toward the open position. In others, where a piston in an expansion cylinder is driven by hot, expanding gases from a separate combustion chamber, the exhaust valve is closed before the piston has completed its exhaust stroke, and pressure is allowed to build up in the expansion cylinder to a level corresponding to the pressure in the combustion chamber before the valve member is moved toward the open position.

Abstract: Pyrolyzing gasification system and method of use including primary combustion of non-uniform solid fuels such as biomass and solid wastes within a refractory lined gasifier, secondary combustion of primary combustion gas within a staged, cyclonic, refractory lined oxidizer, and heat energy recovery from the oxidized flue gas within an indirect air-to-air all-ceramic heat exchanger or external combustion engine. Primary combustion occurs at low substoichoimetric air percentages of 10-30 percent and at temperatures below 1000 degrees F. Secondary combustion is staged and controlled for low NOx formation and prevention of formation of CO, hydrocarbons, and VOCs. The gasifier includes a furnace bed segmented into individual cells, each cell is independently monitored using a ramp temperature probe, and provided with controlled air injection. Gasifier air injection includes tuyere arrays, lances, or both.

Abstract: A device and method that converts the high temperature produced by combustion into a fluid volume of high pressure gas without requiring a boiler or heat exchanger. By injecting a fluid directly into a combustion system, heat energy that may otherwise be wasted is converted directly into high pressure gas.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to improve the efficiency of internal combustion engines in which compression and combustion of an Air/Fuel mixture is carried out without a compression stroke as used in conventional internal combustion engines and expansion of the combusted mixture is performed to increase the expansion ratio resulting in an increase in the amount of work extracted. An externally compressed Air/Fuel Mixture is combusted in a variable volume combustion chamber and expanded into a conventional cylinder displacing a power piston to produce rotation of a crankshaft to drive a vehicle or other device. Separation of the variable volume combustion chamber from the conventional cylinder eliminates the conventional Otto Cycle compression stroke and provides a substantially larger expansion ratio than the compression ratio in a conventional engine.

Abstract: An engine supplied with compressed air includes a main drive piston (1) driving a crankshaft (5) and one active expansion chamber (13) of a variable volume allowing work to be produced and which is connected, by a passage (6), with the volume contained in the driving cylinder (2). The passage (6) includes a shutter (7) thus allowing the active expansion chamber to be isolated from or to be placed in contact with the dead volume, in such a manner that the engine works according to a four-phase thermodynamic cycle: * an isothermal expansion without work; * a transfer-slight expansion with work known as quasi-isothermal; * a polytropic expansion with work; * an exhaust at ambient pressure.

Abstract: An external combustion engine provided with a pipe-shaped main container with a heating portion and a cooling portion, an output part converting displacement of the liquid part of said working fluid generated due to the change in volume of said working fluid accompanying generation and condensation of said steam to mechanical energy for output, a venturi provided at a communicating part of the main container and an auxiliary container, a communicating member forming a communicating passage bypassing the venturi and communicating the main container and the auxiliary container, and a shutting means for closing the communicating passage at the time of normal operation and opening the communicating passage at the time of startup, wherein at the time of startup, the pressure loss at the communicating passage becomes smaller than a saturated steam pressure at the temperature of the heating portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an engine comprising a housing that defines a chamber. The engine also includes a driveshaft positioned within the housing such that the driveshaft extends from the chamber and passes through a wall of the housing such that devices may couple to the engine. The engine includes a rotatable piston positioned within the housing, coupled to the driveshaft, and configured to rotate about the driveshaft axis. A backstop valve couples to the housing such that the backstop valve directs expansive gas toward the rotatable piston. The housing further defines an exhaust outlet configured to exhaust used expansive gas. Finally, the engine includes ignition and timing controls coupled to the housing and configured to combust a fuel.

Abstract: An external combustion engine comprising a pipe-shaped main container in which a working fluid is sealed flowably in a liquid state, a heated part formed at a location of one end of the main container and heating part of the working fluid in the main container in order to make it evaporate, a cooled part formed at a location next to the heated part toward the other end of the main container and cooling the vapor of the working fluid evaporated at the heated part in order to make it condense, an output unit communicated with the other end of the main container and converting the displacement of the liquid phase part of the working fluid to mechanical energy for output, and a controller alternately performing a heat storage mode making displacement of the liquid phase part of the working fluid stop in order to make the heated part store heat and an output mode allowing displacement of the liquid phase part of the working fluid and taking output from the output unit.

Abstract: An engine system comprises at least a first volumetric device, and a second volumetric device in which said second volumetric device is larger in volume than said first volumetric device, in which, during continuous flow of a compressible fluid from said first to said second volumetric device work is performed.

Abstract: An external combustion engine provided with a main container in which a working fluid is sealed flowable in a liquid phase state, a heater heating part of the liquid phase state working fluid in the main container to make it vaporize, a cooler cooling steam of the working fluid heated and vaporized by the heater so as to make it liquefy, an output part converting displacement of the liquid part of the working fluid caused by a change of volume of the steam into mechanical energy and outputting the energy, an auxiliary container communicated with the main container through a venturi means and having a liquid sealed inside it, an auxiliary heater heating the liquid in the auxiliary container to make it vaporize, a storage container communicated with the auxiliary container and storing the liquid, and a liquid draining means for draining liquid in the auxiliary container into the storage container when the internal pressure of the auxiliary container becomes a first predetermined pressure or more.

Abstract: General Wheel Rotation Power Motor(GWRPPM) systems, apparatus, devices and methods of using a pressure generation, storage and control element: a pressure conversion to rotational force unit with reverse and neutral capability and components to transfer said rotational force to a power accumulator/multiplier whereby useful rotational force can be applied to varied applications. Pressure can be generated from an internal combustion engine(ICE), a pressurized air source, and the like.

Abstract: Pyrolyzing gasification system and method of use including primary combustion of non-uniform solid fuels such as biomass and solid wastes within a refractory lined gasifier, secondary combustion of primary combustion gas within a staged, cyclonic, refractory lined oxidizer, and heat energy recovery from the oxidized flue gas within an indirect air-to-air all-ceramic heat exchanger or external combustion engine. Primary combustion occurs at low substoichoimetric air percentages of 10-30 percent and at temperatures below 1000 degrees F. Secondary combustion is staged and controlled for low NOx formation and prevention of formation of CO, hydrocarbons, and VOCs. The gasifier includes a furnace bed segmented into individual cells, each cell is independently monitored using a ramp temperature probe, and provided with controlled air injection. Gasifier air injection includes tuyere arrays, lances, or both.

Abstract: A bi-directional converter between pressure and rotational force includes engaging rotation members that continue to rotate while being adjacent to each other without collision; the rotation members and an outer wall form an enclosed space; rotation shafts of the rotation members are mutually engaged by gear wheels; the rotation members are synchronized and rotate in opposite directions; the rotation members are rotated by a volume change of the enclosed space by application of pressure from outside; and the volume of the enclosed space is changed by rotational force to generate a pressure difference. The bi-directional converter includes an open-close mechanism opening and closing supply exhaust paths inside the rotation member and disposed to the rotation shaft or the outer wall according to a rotation angle.

Abstract: The present invention is an engine, which includes a positive displacement compression process, a variably fueled, continuous combustor and/or heat exchanger, and a positive displacement, work-producing expander. This arrangement avoids the traditional stochiometric mixture requirements utilized in spark-ignition based engines and the emission problems associated with diesel engines.

Abstract: A small (0.1 kW to 1000 kW) biomass fired electrical generator consisting of a boiler or furnace designed to burn biomass material, a thermal to mechanical energy converter and a mechanical to electrical energy converter.

Abstract: An external combustion engine alternately repeating a first stroke of making a working fluid evaporate at a plurality of heating portions and making a liquid phase part of the working fluid displace toward an output part side and a second stroke of making the working fluid evaporated at the first stroke condense at the plurality of cooling portions and making the liquid phase part of the working fluid displace toward the side of the plurality of the heating portions and provided with inflow adjusting means for reducing differences in inflows among the plurality of the heating portions, wherein the inflow is defined as the amount of a liquid phase part of the working fluid flowing into the heating portions when the liquid phase part of the working fluid displaces from the output part side to the side of the plurality of the heating portions in the second stroke.

Abstract: In a steam engine having multiple main containers, first and second communication pipes are arranged in parallel to each other for respectively communication an auxiliary container with the main containers. Restricted portions and a first switching device are formed in the first communication pipe. The first communication pipe is closed during a start-up step of a starting operation of the engine, in order to prevent that an excess amount of working fluid may flow back from the auxiliary container to the main containers. As a result, a start-up time can be reduced.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for transferring heat by conduction to the internal heat acceptor of an external combustion engine. Fuel and air are introduced and mixed to form an air/fuel mixture. The air/fuel mixture is directed into a catalytic reactor that is positioned substantially adjacent to the heater head. Heat is transferred via conduction from the catalytic reactor to the heater head and the catalytic reaction products are exhausted.

Abstract: A fuel combustion power generation system is provided operating as a closed loop Rankine cycle and with zero atmospheric emissions. The fuel is combusted with oxygen in a combustor to generate high temperature products of combustion. The products of combustion are routed to a first side of a heat exchanger. A second side of the heat exchanger has a working fluid of the closed loop Rankine cycle passed therethrough to boil the working fluid into a gas. The working fluid is then expanded, condensed back to a liquid and pumped back to high pressure for return to the heat exchanger the products of combustion enter a condenser, where gases are collected and liquids recirculated or released. The products of combustion can be expanded upstream of the heat exchanger. The fuel can be a gaseous fuel or a solid or liquid fuel, such as coal or biomass, with gasification before combustion.

Abstract: An external combustion engine 10 is disclosed, wherein a container 11 sealed with a working medium adapted to flow in a liquid state includes a heating unit 13 for generating a vapor of the working medium 12 by heating part of the working medium, and a cooling unit 14 for liquefying by cooling the vapor. The volume of the working medium 12 is changed by the generation and liquefaction of the vapor, and the displacement of the liquid portion of the working medium 12 caused by the volume change of the working medium 12 is converted into and output as mechanical energy. The heating unit 13 is structured so that inner members 51a, 53a arranged on the inside and outer members 51b, 53b arranged on the outside are bonded to each other. The outer members 51b, 53b are made of a second material higher in heat resistance than the first material of the inner members 51a, 53a. Further, the thickness of the inner members 51a, 53a is not smaller than the thermal penetration depth ? of the first material.