Abstract: A steam turbine system uses a laser to instantaneously vaporize water in a nozzle within a turbine. This steam is then used to rotate the turbine. Thus, the turbine system does not require an external boiler. The steam turbine system may be used in either an open system, where the steam passing through the turbine is not condensed and reused, or a closed system, where the steam passing through the turbine is condensed and reused.

Abstract: In various embodiments, foam is compressed to store energy and/or expanded to recover energy.

Abstract: This invention is a piston in cylinder engine using water injection into a relative vacuum heated to steam by expanding in the cylinder and by an electric arc or other heat source. The resulting steam explosion applies a work force on the piston. The piston has jet nozzles uncovered at the end of its work stroke to jet the piston to help propel it during the return stroke and to form a vacuum in place of the usual compression stroke. The piston has a cover plate with tapered pins depending into jet nozzles through the piston to block the jet nozzles during the main work stroke.

Abstract: In various embodiments, foam is compressed to store energy and/or expanded to recover energy.

Abstract: A compression vapor engine which, being at its core a cylinder and piston, the latter attached to a rotary wheel, moves the piston to compress air, thereby heating it; introduces water to the compressed air, converting it from liquid to vapor, water to steam; and uses the expanding steam to move the piston reciprocally: all organized as a reciprocal cylinder-piston engine creating continuing rotary movement which can be made to do work.

Abstract: In various embodiments, energy-storage systems are based upon an open-air arrangement in which pressurized gas is expanded in small batches from a high pressure of, e.g., several hundred atmospheres to atmospheric pressure. The systems may be sized and operated at a rate that allows for near isothermal expansion and compression of the gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing superheated steam in an engine in which highly compressed water is injected into a very hot medium located in the engine, resulting in explosion-like evaporation. Said process is to take place in a specially developed rotational-translational engine in order to utilize a maximum of the thrust of the steam. The engine is to comprise at least two cylinders which have a circular cross-sectional shape (10) and inside which the drive shaft (11) is disposed eccentrically. A rotor (12) that is connected to an element (16) which is inserted through the drive shaft (11) is arranged on the drive shaft. Said element (16) can be moved back and forth in the drive shaft (11) while the ends thereof are fixedly anchored to the rotor (12). The two ends of the rotor (10) are provided with a specially designed triple-roll seal (13) that can lengthen and shorten the rotor (10), which is a requirement when the drive shaft (11) is placed non-axially in a circular cylinder (10).

Abstract: In various embodiments, efficiency of energy storage and recovery systems compressing and expanding gas is improved via heat exchange between the gas and a heat-transfer fluid.

Abstract: An engine and a method for operating the engine comprising a chamber defined by at least one fixed wall and at least one movable wall, the volume of the chamber variable with movement of the movable wall; an injector arranged to inject liquid into the chamber while the chamber has a substantially minimum volume; apparatus through which energy is introduced that is absorbed by the fluid which then explosively vaporizes, performing work on the movable wall; and apparatus which returns the movable wall to a position prior to the work being performed thereon so the chamber has the substantially minimum volume, substantially evacuating the chamber of vaporized fluid without substantially compressing the vaporized fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piston steam engine having flash vaporization. Said inventive piston steam engine can be operated with various working mediums and at different temperatures. The liquid working medium is successively injected into individual prechambers of the vapor machine cylinder. The inlet temperature of said working medium is adapted to the expansion step in the working cycle of the machine in relation to the respective point in time of injection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing superheated steam in an engine in which highly compressed water is injected into a very hot medium located in the engine, resulting in explosion-like evaporation. Said process is to take place in a specially developed rotational-translational engine in order to utilize a maximum of the thrust of the steam. The engine is to comprise at least two cylinders which have a circular cross-sectional shape (10) and inside which the drive shaft (11) is disposed eccentrically. A rotor (12) that is connected to an element (16) which is inserted through the drive shaft (11) is arranged on the drive shaft. Said element (16) can be moved back and forth in the drive shaft (11) while the ends thereof are fixedly anchored to the rotor (12). The two ends of the rotor (10) are provided with a specially designed triple-roll seal (13) that can lengthen and shorten the rotor (10), which is a requirement when the drive shaft (11) is placed non-axially in a circular cylinder (10).

Abstract: There is provided a micro power generator enhanced in efficiency and power generation output, and having an increased temperature range for operation. The micro power generator comprises: a high-temperature heat source; a low-temperature heat source; an enclosed body containing a working substance therein, the enclosed body being deformable by means of a phase change of the working substance between a first shape wherein heat can be transferred from the high-temperature heat source and a second shape wherein heat can be transferred to the low-temperature heat source; a permanent magnet constituting the enclosed body, the permanent magnet being maintained in a first position when the enclosed body has the first shape and in a second position when the enclosed body has the second shape; and a wire in which an electric current is induced by a movement of the permanent magnet.

Abstract: Cooling control device for a condenser is provided which includes the condenser, a cooling device for cooling the condenser, and a control device for controlling the cooling device. The cooling device includes a first cooling fan for cooling a gaseous-phase portion of the condenser, and two second cooling fans for cooling a liquid-phase portion of the condenser independently of the first cooling fan. The control device also includes a pressure control section for optimally adjusting a pressure within the gaseous-phase portion, and a temperature control section for optimally adjusting a temperature within the liquid-phase portion. The pressure control section operates the first cooling fan, in accordance with a detected pressure within the gaseous-phase portion, to adjust the pressure within the gaseous-phase portion.

Abstract: A heat engine includes a plurality of heating side expansion chambers and cooling side expansion chambers, positioned on opposite sides of an axis, for providing rotation of an apparatus about its axis when the fluids inside the chambers expand and contract on the same side and plane of a rotational axis. This is accomplished by, shifting the weight of fluids off-balance, or a weight, when the fluid, expands and exerts a pressure on an elastic wall inside an expansion chamber and contracts and reduces pressure on an elastic wall inside an expansion chamber, or by moving an element or ring, through actuators, when fluids expand and contract in the expansion chambers. The engine further includes a heat source and a structure for supporting the expansion chambers and heat source, and providing direction of a desired motion.

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: 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 having two stages, a first low temperature chamber and a second high temperature chamber. A low boiling point liquid or solution is heated in a first low temperature chamber to slightly above the boiling point. A second high temperature chamber having electric heating coils therein is injected with the returned condensed liquid at predetermined times causing a high vapor pressure driving a piston. The expanding vapor or gas is returned though an exhaust port and condensed by a cooling chamber to be returned to the solution or liquid reservoir. The piston is used to do work and may be coupled to a generator. Different piston configurations may be used. The heat engine of the present invention has the advantage of using a relatively low boiling point liquid, which may be heated by a variety of fuel sources, including solar energy. The invention has a relatively quick response time as a result of the second high temperature chamber.

Abstract: An engine cycle that is carried out in a reciprocating piston/cylinder engine consists of a working stroke in which exothermic decomposition of at least one liquid compound is caused to occur without combustion so as to produce a gaseous product of the decomposition that drives the piston along the cylinder in one direction and an exhaust stroke in which the products of the decomposition are exhausted from the cylinder upon return movement of the piston.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cylinder piston unit, especially for steam engines with expansion by heat influx, which is constructed as follows: a piston guided in the cylinder element has a displacer, a heating device is mounted on the cylinder element for the stroke area of a non-compacting displacer, the working medium is supplied in a vapour or liquid state in the area of the upper dead point, the expanded working medium is discharged at least in the area of the lower dead point. A pore burner is assigned to the cylinder piston unit in an advantageous mamler. To this end, the invention provides for the heat transfer sections (B, C) of a pore burner (50) which surrounds the cylinder head (43) along part of its height to be arranged at the level of the warm section (41) of the cylinder in the stroke area of the displacer (3) and at the level of the cylinder head (43).

Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus has heat exchangers comprising porous material of improved heat exchange efficiency provided in an exhaust passage, and a ceramic engine provided with a supercharger comparing a steam turbine driven by the steam generated in the heat exchanger apparatus. The heat exchange apparatus comprises a high temperature heat exchanger having a steam passage provided in an exhaust gas passage through which an exhaust gas passes whereby steam is heated, and a low temperature heat exchanger provided in the portion of the exhaust gas passage on the downstream side of the high temperature heat exchanger which has a water passage for heating water by the exhaust gas. The ceramic engine has a steam turbine type supercharger provided with a steam turbine driven by the steam from the high temperature heat exchanges, a compressor, and a condenser which separates a fluid discharged from the steam turbine into water and low temperature steam.

Abstract: An energy conserving engine particularly for heavy power requirements in freight movers and power plants, consists of an Otto cycle Diesel engine modified to receive superheated water injection for steam operation. The waste energy resulting from heat due to fossil fuel combustion is utilized in a series of counterflow heat exchangers that are temperature and pressure monitored, and valved for computer control of the heat transfer rates, providing superheated water at the proper temperature and pressure for steam operation of the engine. The computer defaults to fossil fuel operation of the engine when superheated water and steam operation conditions do not exist in the counterflow heat exchangers.

Abstract: A high temperature, high pressure, four-cycle piston engine having two companion cylinders or multiple pairs of companion cylinders connected by a transfer valve or valves and working together to complete the four-cycle operation. The internal combustion of fuel and air in the ceramic cylinders is utilized as a means of producing heat and this heat is used to generate superheated steam by cyclicly injecting water into the hot power cylinders, with each power cylinder serving as a steam boiler. Ceramic pistons in the power cylinders use the power of the expanding steam to do useful work and operate to exhaust all gases after each power stroke. The engine can be adapted for both compression ignition and spark ignition operation.

Abstract: A combined steam generator and engine including a means for spraying a finely atomized vaporizable liquid at all areas of an extensive heat exchanging surface. The opposite surface of walls providing the extensive heat exchanging surface is in direct contact with a heating fluid. The resulting steam is produced in a comparatively small steam generating volume in constantly open fluid communication with the expansible chamber of a cyclically operable engine. The invention provides rapid steam pressure build-up from a cold start, operates with a liquid or gaseous heating fluid, and has rapid response time to changing operating conditions. A sensitive control means alters the amount of vaporizable fluid that is sprayed in the generator, to control power output.

Abstract: A rotary external combustion engine wherein energy is supplied to a working space of the engine by direct injection into the stator of liquid water at a high temperature and pressure. The water acts as a heat-transfer medium. Some of the liquid water spontaneously vaporizes on injection, during the rotor. Liquid water is exhausted from the working space and recycled to an external heat exchanger for reheating prior to reinjection. The engine is capable of a thermal efficiency greater than that of the Rankine cycle.

Abstract: A rotary external combustion engine wherein energy is transferred to air acting as a working gas by injection into the air of liquid water at a high temperature and pressure. The liquid water is injected either directly into the working space in the stator or into a preliminary mixing chamber. The water acts as a heat-transfer medium for heating the air. Spontaneous vaporization of the liquid water on injection increases the pressure of the air which drives the rotor before being exhausted. The exhaust water is recovered and recycled. The working space is scavenged and refilled with a fresh charge of air.

Abstract: A reciprocating external combustion engine wherein energy is supplied to a working end space of the engine by direct injection into the cylinder of liquid water at a high temperature and pressure. The water acts as a heat-transfer medium. Some of the liquid water spontaneously vaporizes on injection, driving the piston. Liquid water is exhausted from the cylinder and recycled to an external heat exchanger for reheating prior to reinjection. The engine is capable of a thermal efficiency greater than that of the Rankine cycle.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to internal expansion engines of the type where a non-combusting operating fluid is vaporized within a cylinder or cylinders so that the vapor upon expansion performs mechanical work. The internal expansion engine utilizes a non-combusting liquid operating fluid, a linkage apparatus for having an expansion chamber for transforming an expansion of the operating fluid into shaft power, and a vaporizing apparatus for expanding the liquid fluid to vapor.

Abstract: A reciprocating external combustion engine wherein energy is transferred to air acting as a working gas by injection into the air of liquid water at a high temperature and pressure. The liquid water is injected either directly into the cylinder or into a preliminary mixing chamber. The water acts as a heat-transfer medium for heating the air. Spontaneous vaporization of the liquid water on injection increases the pressure of the air which drives the piston before being exhausted. The exhaust water is recovered and recycled. The cylinder is scavenged and refilled with a fresh charge of air.

Abstract: A vaporized driving fluid generator and engine unit are associated in open communication with each other with driving fluid being injected, in synchronized relation to the cyclic operation of the engine, into an externally heated casing which contains heat conductive elements that displace a substantial portion of the casing volume to vaporize the driving fluid. A cyclically operable expansible chamber engine is used and where such engine includes a reciprocable piston the piston may carry a tapered metering probe which reciprocates in the open communication between the generator and engine to increase the size of the open communication as the engine piston moves away from the open communication toward exhaust porting in the wall of the cylinder containing the piston.

Abstract: A prime source of mechanical power comprising an expansion chamber, an inlet into which expansible fluid is injected, and an outlet through which said fluid is exhausted after expansion in said chamber. Expansion of the fluid is achieved by application of a heat source directly to the expansion chamber, which expansion acts through a piston to create useful mechanical motion. The engine is preferably of a reciprocating type, while the heat source can be solar, gaseous, petroleum, nuclear, or electrical.

Abstract: A solar powered engine and tracking system comprises a piston working within a cylinder for turning a drive shaft for driving an electrical generator or performing other useful work, a solar concentrator comprising a plurality of mirrors, each reflecting Sun light on a common focal point on the end of the cylinder for heating a flash boiler located thereon, preheated water from a source is injected into the flash boiler by a pump powered by the drive shaft timed according to piston movement after operating the piston, the steam is then vented from the boiler by valve means operated from the drive shaft. A starter motor is provided to initially start the engine operating by rotating the drive shaft until the piston movement is self sustaining. The entire device is enclosed in a solar energy collector panel for elevating the temperature of the system so as to maintain the water at a sufficient temperature with a minimum of external heating.

Abstract: A heat-power engine and system using a condensable vapor as the working fluid has a cylinder with a piston operating therein characterized in that the heat input communicates with the clearance volume of the cylinder, and all of the working fluid, mechanically and thermodynamically possible, is removed from the cylinder adjacent and/or following bottom dead center of the piston.

Abstract: A heat-power engine and system using a condensable vapor as the working fluid has a cylinder with a piston operating therein characterized in that the heat input communicates with the swept volume of the engine in a zone comprising the clearance volume of the cylinder at the top dead center of the piston.