Abstract: An engine includes a radial arrangement of cylinders each having a reciprocating piston with a piston head and a connecting rod pivotally linked to the piston head at an upper end. A lower end of each connecting rod is pivotally linked to a crank disk that is rotatably mounted on a crank arm of a crankshaft. Steam intake valves at each cylinder are momentarily opened by a bearing cam roller that is moved in a circular path by rotation of the crank disk to sequentially engage spring urged cam followers on inboard ends of radially extending valve stems. Low pressure steam or gas is injected into the top of each cylinder, as the intake valves of the cylinders are opened in sequence, thereby forcing the piston in each cylinder through a power stroke to move the crank disk and turn the crankshaft. Angular displacement of each connecting rod through the return stroke of the piston urges an exhaust reed valve on the piston head to an open position, thereby releasing exhaust steam to a condenser chamber.

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: A thermohydraulic pressure increase method and application thereof such as, required primarily in the field of energy management, in mechanical engineering, and in chemical plant engineering achieves volume change work by way of waste heat in a thermal process and applies the work to a hydraulic process, for example, in order to then drive presses or generators in stationary industrial systems. A hydraulic pump, which is driven by a motor disadvantageously requiring premiums forms of energy, such as electricity, diesel, or gasoline, is used conventionally to achieve the pressure increase. Some working fluids very drastically change the density thereof close to and above the critical point as the temperature rises, and transition into the gaseous state and under high pressure multiply the volume thereof if additional energy is supplied without density leaps at temperatures far below 100° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for rapidly and isothermally expanding gas in a cylinder. The cylinder is used in a staged hydraulic-pneumatic energy conversion system and includes a gas chamber (pneumatic side) and a fluid chamber (hydraulic side) and a piston or other mechanism that separates the gas chamber and fluid chamber while allowing the transfer of force/pressure between each opposing chamber. The gas chamber of the cylinder includes ports that are coupled to a heat transfer subassembly that circulates gas from the pneumatic side and exchanges its heat with a counter flow of ambient temperature fluid from a reservoir or other source.

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.

Abstract: A method for compressing a gas by using energy produced from a heat source. A boiler is provided. The boiler is segregated into an upper chamber and a lower chamber by a barrier such as a piston, a bellows, or a diaphragm. The lower chamber is filled with a liquid having a suitable boiling point and other properties. The upper chamber is filled with a gas to be compressed. Heat from any suitable source is applied to the liquid in the lower chamber in order to bring the liquid to a boil, and thereby produce pressurized vapor in the lower chamber. The rising pressure in the lower chamber moves the barrier in the direction of the upper chamber, thereby compressing the gas in the upper chamber.

Abstract: A rotary heat engine has a cylindrical engine block containing a rotor with four equally spaced pistons and corresponding cylinders extending radially in the rotor. The pistons are pivotally connected to connecting rods that are in turn connected to a shaft at an inner end of each connecting rod. The engine block has a cover thereon and the block can have heating and cooling locations that create heating and cooling chambers within the rotor, thereby causing the pistons to reciprocate and causing the rotor to rotate within the engine block. The pistons reciprocate within the rotor while the rotor rotates within the engine block.

Abstract: A system for accumulating mechanical energy comprising a carrier fluid and a plurality of porous particles distributed in the carrier fluid is disclosed. The plurality of particles are broken fragments of a lyophilic starting material having at least one pore open to an exterior of the starting material and defined by an interior surface of the starting material, wherein the exterior and interior surfaces of the lyophilic starting material comprise a coating that is lyophobic with respect to the carrier fluid.

Abstract: An external combustion engine includes: a main container sealed with a working fluid in a liquid state adapted to flow; a heater for heating a portion of the working fluid in the main container and generating the vapor of the working fluid; a cooler for cooling and liquefying the vapor; an output unit for outputting by converting the displacement of the liquid portion of the working fluid generated by the volume change of the working fluid due to the generation and liquefaction of the vapor into mechanical energy; and an auxiliary container communicating with the main container. The heater, the cooler and the output unit are arranged in order, in the direction of displacement of the working fluid. The working fluid is sealed in the auxiliary container which communicates with the portion of the main container nearer the output unit than the cooler.

Abstract: A rotary steam engine of a simple constitution capable of efficiently obtaining mechanical energy not only from a heat source of a high temperature but also from various heat sources in a low-temperature state such as the exhaust heat of an internal combustion engine. The engine has a rotor 1 having a plurality of displacement chambers 11 provided in a sealed container 2 which is filled with a liquid. A steam-generating portion 4 is arranged under the rotor 1 and where the liquid vaporizes being heated by the exhaust heat of an internal combustion engine. The vaporized stem is jetted from a flow-out passage 42 toward the displacement chambers 11 of the rotor 1. The steam stays in the displacement chambers 11 and, therefore, buoyancy acts onto the displacement chambers 11 on one side of the rotor 1. The rotor 1 rotates to produce the rotational energy.

Abstract: An external combustion engine comprises a container (11) with a working liquid (12) sealed therein in a state adapted to flow, a heater (13) for heating and vaporizing the working liquid (12) in the container (11), and a cooler (14) for cooling and liquefying the vapor of the working liquid (12) heated and vaporized by the heater (13). The displacement of the working liquid (12) caused by the vapor volume change is output as mechanical energy by being converted into the mechanical energy. A pressure regulating liquid (18) is sealed in a pressure regulating container (16) communicating with the container (11). A pressure regulating unit (19) regulates the internal pressure (Pt) of the pressure regulating container (16).

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: An external combustion engine provided with a plurality of evaporators and stabilized in output and efficiency, that is, an engine provided with at least one main container, a plurality of evaporators heating the working medium to evaporate, condensers cooling the vapor of the working medium evaporated at the evaporators to make it condense, an output part communicated with the other end of the main container and converting displacement of a liquid part of the working medium occurring due to fluctuations in volume of the working medium accompanying evaporation and condensation of the working medium to mechanical energy for output, a single main container pressure adjusting means adjusting an internal pressure of the main container, and controlling means for controlling the main container pressure adjusting means based on a lowest temperature in the temperatures of the plurality of evaporators constituting a minimum evaporator temperature.

Abstract: An external combustion engine including a container 10 sealed with a working medium 14 in liquid phase adapted to flow, a multiplicity of evaporators 201 to 204 for heating and evaporating part of the liquid-phase working medium 14, a multiplicity of condensers 221 to 224 for cooling and condensing the working medium 14 evaporated in the evaporators 201 to 204, and an output unit 11 for outputting by converting the displacement of the liquid-phase portion of the working medium 14 into mechanical energy. The multiplicity of the evaporators 201 to 204 share a heat source from which heat is supplied thereto.

Abstract: An external combustion engine formed with a plurality of heaters for improving output, provided with a container in which a working medium is sealed flowable in a liquid state, the container being formed with heaters for heating part of a working medium to generate vapor of the working medium and coolers for cooling the vapor to liquefy, the generation and liquefaction of the vapor causing the working medium to change in volume and the displacement of the liquid part of the working medium caused by the change in volume of the working medium being converted to mechanical energy for output, wherein at least the parts of the container connected with the heaters being branched into pluralities of tubular parts, a plurality of heaters are formed so as to be connected with the plurality of tubular parts, a plurality of vapor reservoirs for storing the vapor of the working medium are formed so as to be connected with the plurality of heaters, and the plurality of vapor reservoirs are connected with each other.

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: A thermal actuator and component part wherein the guide tube of the thermal actuator is integral with the component part. The cup containing the thermally responsive wax is crimped over a flange on the end of the guide tube. An actuating piston is positioned in the guide tube. The component part has a portion having a larger external diameter than the external diameter of the cup. The thermal actuator and component part are assembled by enclosing a split die member about the component part and integral guide tube member, placing the split die member with the component part and tube member into a lower tool member and advancing an upper tool member containing the cup toward the die member to cause the wall of the cup member to be crimped around the flange.

Abstract: An external combustion engine is disclosed, comprising a container (11) for sealing a working liquid (12) in a way adapted to allow the liquid to flow therein, a heater (13) for heating and vaporizing the working liquid (12) in the container (11), and a cooler (14) for cooling and liquefying the vapor of the working liquid (12) heated and vaporized by the heater (13). The displacement of the working liquid (12) caused by the volume change of the vapor of the working liquid (12) is output by being converted into mechanical energy. In the heated portion (11d) of the container (11) for vaporizing the working liquid (12), the direction of displacement of the working liquid (12) at the parts (17, 19) far from the cooler (14) is changed with respect to the direction of displacement at the part (16) near to the cooler (14).

Abstract: In a steam engine 1, an inner wall face 22a of a connecting tube portion 22 is entirely formed out of a water repellent finish face 22b. Accordingly, when liquid located in a portion close to a heater 30 in a vertical direction extending tube 12 is heated, boiled and liquefied, a liquid level of the liquid in the vertical direction extending tube 12 is pushed down from a top dead center Lu to a bottom dead center Lb. At this time, a quantity of liquid drops attached onto the inner wall face 22a of the connecting tube portion 22 can be reduced as compared with a case in which the entire inner wall face 22a of the connecting tube portion 22 is not formed out of a water repellent finish face 22b.

Abstract: In an acoustic resonator, an actuator allows a piston to reciprocate axially at very small amplitude at high speed. Owing to pressure fluctuation in the acoustic resonator involved by reciprocal motion of the piston, fluid is sucked into and discharged from the acoustic resonator via a valve device at the top end of the acoustic resonator. The acoustic resonator is covered with a gas guide with a space. The valve device is cooled by a fan at the top end of the gas guide.

Abstract: A steam engine has a pipe shaped fluid container, a heating and cooling devices respectively provided at a heating and cooling portions of the fluid container, and an output device connected to the fluid container, so that the output device is operated by the fluid pressure change in the fluid container, to generate an electric power. In such a steam engine, an inner radius “r1” of the cooling portion is made to almost equal to a depth “?1” of thermal penetration, which is calculated by the following formula (1); ? 1 = 2 ? a 1 ? ( 1 ) wherein, “a1” is a heat diffusivity of the working fluid at its low pressure, and “?” is an angular frequency of the movement of the working fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to micro heat engines (MHEs) and methods of manufacture. More particularly, the present invention relates to an MHE including a substrate having a sealed microchannel for operatively containing a liquid droplet within the microchannel and a thermal bridge for providing a heat source or heat sink to the microchannel. The MHFE also includes a piezoelectric sensor responsive to a pressure change within the microchannel to induce voltage across the piezoelectric sensor and a power output.

Abstract: A steam engine has a pipe shaped fluid container, a heating and cooling devices respectively provided at a heating and cooling portions of the fluid container, and an output device connected to the fluid container, so that the output device is operated by the fluid pressure change in the fluid container, to generate an electric power. In such a steam engine, the fluid pressure in the fluid container is adjusted such that the fluid pressure does not exceed a saturated vapor pressure at the operating temperature. As a result, unnecessary condensation and liquefaction of the steam due to the increased pressure higher than the saturated vapor pressure can be prevented, to improve performance of the steam engine.

Abstract: Movement of a gel structure is propagated by successively applying external stimuli to cause volume phase transition in the gel structure by alternately causing the gel structure to collapse and swell to move the center of mass of the gel structure in the direction of successive stimuli application. The movement is mediated by confining structure for the gel and anchoring—the starting side of the gel in the swelling cycle.

Abstract: An external combustion engine comprises a container (11) with a working liquid (12) sealed therein in a state adapted to flow, a heater (13) for heating and vaporizing the working liquid (12) in the container (11), and a cooler (14) for cooling and liquefying the vapor of the working liquid (12) heated and vaporized by the heater (13). The displacement of the working liquid (12) caused by the vapor volume change is output as mechanical energy by being converted into the mechanical energy. A pressure regulating liquid (18) is sealed in a pressure regulating container (16) communicating with the container (11). A pressure regulating unit (19) regulates the internal pressure (Pt) of the pressure regulating container (16).

Abstract: The system to generate power uses a freeze expansion pressure powered turbine and supporting devices for tapping the energy of cold weather from the environment, and associated methods to achieve power generation. The freeze expansion pressure powered turbine system comprises of flexible water chambers that enable motion for the rotor shaft. Gears enable transformation of linear motion to shaft rotation, and associated power generator coupling achieves the generation of electricity. The inner part of flexible water chamber is fitted with an immersed heating coil to de-freeze water, so that it can be subjected to freezing and exertion of pressure to rotate the turbine continuously. Freezing of water in flexible chamber happens by exposing portion of chamber to atmospheric cold. The turbine rotor speed, temperature, water chamber pressure, and atmospheric pressure are monitored by sensors to ensure overall system safety and performance.

Abstract: A steam engine has a looped fluid container, in which working fluid is filled. A heating device, a cooling device and an output device are arranged at the fluid container. A lower side valve is provided at a fluid passage of the fluid container between the heating device and the output device. An upper side valve is provided at another fluid passage of the fluid container between the cooling device and the output device. The upper and lower valves are respectively controlled to open and close the respective fluid passages at proper timings, to increase heat efficiency.

Abstract: A pre-condenser is provided for condensation of water at sub-zero degree Celsius temperatures. A brine solution is cooled below 0 degrees Celsius and delivered to the pre-condenser. The brine solution contacts the vapors and gases from a scrubber, thereby condensing the vapors without allowing ice formation. A vacuum system connected to the pre-condenser removes the remaining gases from a top portion of the pre-condenser while the brine solution and condensed vapors are removed and recycled through a bottom portion of the pre-condenser.

Abstract: In a steam engine having a heating device, a cooling device, and an output device, the output device comprises a piston reciprocally moving by a self-excited fluid vibration of a working fluid in a fluid container. The piston is reciprocally moved by the output device for a certain period before starting an operation of the steam engine, so that the working fluid is moved to an inside space of the heating device. Since the working fluid is surely heated and vaporized by the heating device, the fluid vibration is stably started, and as a result, the operation of the steam engine can be smoothly started.

Abstract: Heat differential power systems and apparatus for powering liquid cooling systems and/or generating electrical power in a data processing system or a telecommunication system are presented. A number of embodiments are presented. In each embodiment a heat differential power system is implemented which utilizes the heat created a heat-generating component such as a microprocessor within the data processing or telecommunications system and the resulting heat differential created with other parts of the system as power to operate the heat differential power system and convert thermal energy into mechanical and/or electrical energy for powering a liquid cooling system, fans, other electrical components, and/or extending the battery life in a portable data processing or telecommunications system.

Abstract: The engine for converting thermal energy to stored fluid energy includes expansion cylinders (61a–f) with expansion chambers (62a–f) and flexible membranes (63a–f). Heating and cooling of working fluid inside the cylinders (61a–f) is carried out by fluid supply lines (73, 71) communicating with external heat resources and sinks. Pressure accumulator (66a) is adapted to store a pressurised fluid (64a–f), such as hydraulic oil, from the individual cylinders (61a–f). In use, this pressurised fluid is delivered at an elevated and above a minimum threshold pressure level, irrespective of the irregularities of the movement of the expansion cylinders (61a–f).

Abstract: A specially profiled wax retaining cup and piston guide are crimped together to compress a peripheral portion of a diaphragm wax seal to the extent of extruding the diaphragm material to form both an axial seal and at least one radial seal. The compressed, extruded diaphragm seal provides a wax containment seal capable of withstanding high wax pressures that generate high actuation forces. A wax filled thermal actuator reliably produces an actuating force F sufficient to lift a load in a range of 2500 to 6000 times the mass of the actuator. Performance of the thermal actuator may also be expressed in terms of the internal pressures generated and delivered to the bottom of the actuator piston. The pressure applied to the bottom of the actuator piston in the inventive actuator is in the range of approximately 1700 to 8800 psi (124 to 620 kg/cm2).

Abstract: A heat engine, preferably combined with an electric generator, and advantageously implemented using micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) technologies as an array of one or more individual heat engine/generators. The heat engine is based on a closed chamber containing a motive medium, preferably a gas; means for alternately enabling and disabling transfer of thermal energy from a heat source to the motive medium; and at least one movable side of the chamber that moves in response to thermally-induced expansion and contraction of the motive medium, thereby converting thermal energy to oscillating movement. The electrical generator is combined with the heat engine to utilize movement of the movable side to convert mechanical work to electrical energy, preferably using electrostatic interaction in a generator capacitor.

Abstract: A gas generator comprises an outflow chamber and a freeing element. The outflow chamber contains at least briefly gas under pressure, when the gas generator is activated and at least one outflow opening is arranged in a side wall of the outflow chamber. The freeing element is arranged non-displaceably in the outflow chamber and has a peripheral wall and a base wall. The peripheral wall extends along the side wall and closes at least one outflow opening before an activation of the gas generator. The base wall is connected with the peripheral wall. The freeing element is constructed so that on exceeding a predetermined gas pressure in the outflow chamber, the base wall turns inwards under partial plastic deformation of the peripheral wall and at least one hitherto concealed outflow opening is freed by the plastic deformation of the peripheral wall.

Abstract: An engine comprising an enclosure having an open top surface and an interior volume partially filled with a fluid in both vapor and liquid phase and a biased diaphragm covering the open top surface of the enclosure. The biased diaphragm is movable between a concave and a convex states, thereby enabling instantaneous changing of the interior volume between a first lesser volume and a second greater volume respectively. A thrust tube extends laterally from the enclosure providing fluid communication between the interior volume and an external body of the fluid. A heater causes the fluid in the enclosure to produce a greater volume of the vapor phase. A thermal sensor enables the fluid to be heated and cooled cyclically thereby causing inflow and outflow of the fluid driving a thruster or a turbine.

Abstract: A high heat producing system which encapsulates a deflected rotating laser beam in a chamber and propagates it through a gaseous medium within the chamber. The heat energy of the deflected rotating laser beam agitates the molecules of the gaseous medium such that the temperature of the gaseous medium increases to at least about two thousand (2000° F.) degrees Fahrenheit, thereby increasing the temperature of the high heat producing device. In the preferred embodiment, the high heat producing device is in direct heat transfer with a working fluid in an expansion chamber for powering, for example, a turbine or the like.

Abstract: The proposed device is a self-powered blood pumping system whose source of energy is extracted from a radioisotope emitting alpha particles and can be used in place of natural hearts. An autonomous miniaturized symmetrical and redundant nuclear-thermodynamic power plant is integrated inside a totally artificial heart formed by a double piston-cylinder assembly able to transform the heat generated by alpha emitting isotopes into mechanical energy to pump blood without need for “extra-body” power sources. The source of heat is constituted by alpha decaying isotopes (i.e. Curium, Plutonium, Polonium, etc.), contained inside specially designed miniaturized decay heat alpha cartridges able to provide superheated vapor. This device can operate independently of external power sources for extended time duration from several months up to several years depending on which isotope is used in the cartridge.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for generating kinetic energy, thermal energy is applied to a cylinder body of a first pneumatic cylinder to result in an expansion stroke of the first pneumatic cylinder and in rotation of a flywheel assembly that is coupled to the first pneumatic cylinder. A second pneumatic cylinder is coupled to the flywheel assembly such that the expansion stroke of the first pneumatic cylinder results in a compression stroke of the second pneumatic cylinder. The first and second pneumatic cylinders are fluidly intercommunicated when the first pneumatic cylinder reaches the end of the expansion stroke, thereby reducing the temperature of working gas in the first pneumatic cylinder and increasing the temperature of working gas in the second pneumatic cylinder to result in an expansion stroke of the second pneumatic cylinder, continued rotation of the flywheel assembly, and in a compression stroke of the first pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: The Warren cycle engine operates on the Warren Cycle, and is a two stroke, internal combustion, reciprocating, regenerated engine made up of a number of similar working units. Each working unit is comprised of cylinder 12 that is closed at one end by cylinder head 4 and contains power piston 18 that is connected to power output shaft 22. Movable wall 11 is provided to suck in the working fluid and push the exhaust out of cylinder 12. As the exhaust moves out of the engine, it gives up heat to regenerator 10. During the heating portion of the cycle movable wall 11 pushes the compressed air through regenerator 10 and recaptures the heat left by the exhaust gases. Movable wall 11 can move between power piston 18 and cylinder head 4, and means are provided to accomplish this movement at the appropriate times during the engine's operating cycle. Means are also provided for the introduction of fuel into cylinder 12 during the heating part of the cycle.

Abstract: A thermodynamic cycle consisting of six events repeated continuously. Event 1 is adiabatic compression of a carrier gas to raise its temperature. Event 2 is liquid Injection into the hot carrier gas near the end of event 1. Event 3 is temperature equalization between the carrier gas and injected liquid with the liquid's full or partial vaporization. Event 4 is adiabatic expansion of the mixture. Event 5 exhausts the mixture. Exhaust should be captured to save and separate the mixture into its components to increase efficiency, however, this cycle may be either an open or closed cycle. Event 6 is the induction a new charge of carrier gas, which brings the cycle back to the initial conditions of event one. This cyclical sequence of six events numbered from any starting point will be referred to as the RAKH CYCLE. Engines using it are RAKH engines. Refrigeration machines using it are RAKH refrigerators.

Abstract: A heat engine body comprising a container defining a sealed region within which a working fluid is circulated when the heat engine body is in use, the sealed region having spaced apart first and second ends which are in fluid flow communication via a working fluid passageway, the first end is at a different temperature than the second end when the heat engine body is use, and a heat exchanger comprising at least one member defining a plurality of openings having louvers which are configured and arranged to cause at least a portion of a fluid to flow through the openings as the fluid flows through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A micromachined fluid handling device having improved properties. The valve is made of reinforced parylene. A heater heats a fluid to expand the fluid. The heater is formed on unsupported silicon nitride to reduce the power. The device can be used to form a valve or a pump. Another embodiment forms a composite silicone/parylene membrane. Another feature uses a valve seat that has concentric grooves for better sealing operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a micro reactor arrangement, particularly for a micro relay. It comprises a substrate (1) with two thermomechanical micro actuators (3, 4). In response to thermal stimulation, the first micro actuator (3) performs a movement in parallel with the substrate surface (2), while the second micro actuator moves in a direction orthogonal on the substrate surface (2). Both thermomechanical micro actuators are so disposed relative to each other that the first micro actuator (3), in the extended state, reaches under the second micro actuator (4).

Abstract: A cycle engine. converting thermal energy to electricity includes a cylinder housing having a piston having two oppositely disposed heads and mounted for reciprocating inside the cylinder. The cylinder is disposed between a hot zone to supply hot gas to one piston head and a cold zone to receive discharged hot gas from another piston head, and to transform the discharged hot gas into a liquid. The hot zone supplies hot gas into the first piston head, while the second head discharges hot gas to the cold zone. This action creates a pressure differential between the two piston heads that causes the piston heads to move in one direction. Thereafter, the hot zone supplies hot gas to the second piston head, while the first piston head discharges hot gas to the cold zone, thereby creating pressure differential between the heads causing the piston to move in another direction. The piston is provided with a permanent magnet coupled to electric coil.

Abstract: An external combustion engine comprises a mass of compressible working fluid; a fluidic piston in fluid communication with said working fluid; and a second piston in hydraulic communication with said fluidic piston and in fluid communication with said working fluid.

Abstract: A thermal energy engine assembly comprises a cylinder, a piston set, a reheater, a spindle and a flywheel. An external thermal source is placed outside the cylinder to drive the piston set to have reciprocating motion along the spindle. The piston set has at least one groove on outer surface thereof and the flywheel has a rotatory motion guided by the groove. The reheater is arranged within the cylinder and used to accumulate thermal energy to enhance efficiency of the thermal energy engine assembly.

Abstract: A power machinery for a temperature-differential engine comprises a first valving piston, a power piston, a second valving piston, a spindle, a countershaft and a flywheel. The power piston and the second valving piston have spiral grooves on outer surface thereof and the flywheel is fit on the grooves through a sliding member. The flywheel moves along the grooves on the power piston and the second valving piston and has a rotation motion when the first valving piston, the power piston and the second valving piston have reciprocating motion along the spindle. The countershaft is used to keep a fixed separation between the first valving piston and the second valving piston.

Abstract: A thermal energy conversion device includes a heat converter composed of a medium containing portion (10) that does not substantially change in capacity and a variable portion (11) that is changeable in capacity, an operating portion composed of a piston (13), a pivot lever (15), and a driving lever (16), a first conversion and storage portion formed of a movement barrel (21), and a second conversion and storage portion formed of a power generator (30). When the ambient temperature changes, heating medium contained in the medium containing portion (10) changes in volume, and the capacity of the variable portion (11) is changed, thereby operating the piston (13). Motion of the piston (13) is stored in a mainspring disposed in the movement barrel (21) via the pivot lever (15) and the driving lever (16), and power is generated in the power generator (30).

Abstract: A pyrotechnic actuator comprises a deformable membrane (24) separating a first chamber (20), which is able to receive pyrotechnic combustion gases, from a second chamber (22) containing a control member (32) displaceable by the membrane (24) during the operation of the actuator. In the inoperative state, the membrane (24) is prestressed counter to its deformation controlled by the intake of gases into the first chamber (20). In this way the functional travel is increased, which e.g. makes it possible to open or close a circuit with a larger cross-section without increasing the actuator size.

Abstract: A micromachined fluid handling device having improved properties. The valve is made of reinforced parylene. A heater heats a fluid to expand the fluid. The heater is formed on unsupported silicon nitride to reduce the power. The device can be used to form a valve or a pump. Another embodiment forms a composite silicone/parylene membrane. Another feature uses a valve seat that has concentric grooves for better sealing operation.