Abstract: A hydrostatic power unit (2) comprises a variable displacement machine with a continuously variable displacement volume and is operated as a pump and motor and is in a drive connection with an internal combustion engine (3). When operated as a pump, the power unit sucks hydraulic fluid out of a tank (9) and delivers into a delivery side (P), and, when operated as a motor, functions as a hydraulic starter to start the internal combustion engine (3). When operated as a motor, the power unit is supplied with hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic accumulator (30). The displacement volume of the power unit (2) is set by a displacement volume control device (60) actuated by a positioning piston device (61) supplied with hydraulic fluid from a charging pressure circuit (23). The power unit (2) includes a supplemental positioning piston device (80) in an operative connection with the displacement volume control device (60) and which is actuated directly by the pressure present in the hydraulic accumulator (30).

Abstract: A drive unit and a method for the operation thereof. The drive unit has an internal combustion engine in operative connection with a driven shaft and a reciprocating piston expansion engine in an operative connection with a crankshaft. The driven shaft is mechanically connected to the crankshaft by a clutch in such a way that torque is transmitted from the crankshaft to the driveshaft. The reciprocating piston expansion engine has at least one cylinder, and a fluid is guided from a fluid supply into an interior of the at least one cylinder at least occasionally via an inlet valve and a bypass valve which is arranged in parallel with the inlet valve.

Abstract: An extended rich mode engine configured and operated extremely rich of stoichiometric to produce a substantially continuous hydrogen rich engine exhaust. Oxygen enrichment devices further optimize production of hydrogen rich engine exhaust. Engines include a free piston gas generator with rich homogenous charge compression, a rich internal combustion engine cylinder system with an oxygen generator, and a rich inlet turbo-generator system with exhaust heat recovery. Oxygen enrichment devices to enhance production of hydrogen rich engine exhaust include pressure swing absorption with oxygen selective materials, and oxygen separators such as a solid oxide fuel cell oxygen separator and a ceramic membrane oxygen separator.

Abstract: A free-piston engine has a stepped piston having a larger end face thereof guided in the compression cylinder, and a smaller end face in the work cylinder. Both the work cylinder and the compression cylinder are connected with a common high-pressure accumulator for initiating the compression stroke or for charging during the expansion stroke.

Abstract: A catalyst comprising rhodium on a support, the support comprising 52-95% zirconia and 5-48% rare earth oxide, based on the total weight of (a) and (b), the concentration of the rhodium on the support being 0.035-0.35% based on the total weight of the rhodium and the support, and the catalyst containing 1.2-4.0 g per in3 (g per 16.4 cm3) in total of (a) and (b).

Abstract: A method of starting a free piston combustion engine is described in which the free piston unit consisting of the combustion pistons and the piston rod connecting them is set in motion by alternately pressurizing the hydraulic cylinder spaces of a double-acting piston and cylinder arrangement whose piston or piston is or are connected to the piston rod. For this purpose pressure from a hydraulic accumulator used for starting the engine is supplied as a control pressure to the check valve members of the one way outlet check valves of the hydraulic cylinder spaces to keep those check valves closed during starting of the engine. This control pressure supplements the spring pressure supplied by springs in the check valves biasing the check valve members towards their closed positions. Simultaneously a directional valve is used to channel hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic accumulator directly to the cylinder spaces in turn, thereby bypassing the one way inlet check valves to the cylinder spaces.

Abstract: A linear engine/hydraulic pump system provides an efficient source of controllable fluid power thay may be used for a hydrostatic drive system of a vehicle. The engine/pump has a prompt first stroke full power capability and capability of prompt power increase from a lower power operation. A supplemental engine (bounce engine) produces output work to operate the power engine of the free piston engine pump during a compression stroke of the latter. The engine is of the opposed piston type with a synchronizer and cross drive to maintain controlled interrelated operational movement of the two oppositely moving pistons thereof while combining output work effort and holding approximately constant the approximate center of mass of the engine. A novel starter also is disclosed.

Abstract: A new heat engine in which liquid moves in a tube, one end of which is closed. The tube is heated at the closed end, and the liquid oscillates along the length of the tube. When the liquid interface enters the hot section, some of the interface vaporizes, so that the pressure in the space between the interface and the end of the tube increases, and the interface is forced back into the cooler section of the tube. The vapor then condenses, the pressure falls, and the liquid moves back toward the hot end.The longer the tube in relation to size of the hot section or "boiler," the greater the momentum of the liquid when it enters the boiler, and the higher the peak pressure ratio which is developed. High pressure ratios are essential for efficient operation. It is also generally necessary for the boiler walls to be heavy enough to "store" the heat required for one complete cycle, and to be able to reject it to the water during the very short time that the interface is within the boiler.