Abstract: An energy recovery system for wheeled vehicles is characterized by a compressor/expander which operates as an expander in the run mode to assist the engine in driving the vehcile and as a compressor in the braking mode to store braking energy. A heat exchanger, a boiler drum, and a flash chamber transfer heat from the vehicle exhaust to a working fluid for generating high and low pressure vapor. The boiler drum stores heated and vaporized liquid and supplies high-pressure vapor to the inlet port of the compressor/expander during the run mode. The flash chamber supplies low-pressure steam to the inlet port of the compressor/expander during the braking mode. Storage tanks are provided for storing and passing low-pressure vapor to the input of the compressor/expander during the run mode.

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 combined internal combustion and hot gas engine employs a working space surrounding a cylinder in an engine block. A piston reciprocates within the cylinder between combustion and expansion ends. A working fluid fills the working space and is moved by a reciprocal displacer mounted within the working space between a hot end adjacent the combustion end of the cylinder to a cold end disposed in fluid flow communication with the expansion side of the piston. The working fluid when heated increases in pressure and acts on the piston to assist in driving the piston between expansion and compression ends of the cylinder. A drive cam reciprocates the displacer in a timed phase relationship with the piston. In one embodiment, the displacer is formed of a regenerative heat transfer material to absorb and give off heat from the working fluid as the working fluid moves between the ends of the working space.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an auxiliary cell connected thereto by a transfer valve. Approximately isothermally compressed gas, which may be a combustible mixture, is introduced into the cell through an input valve. A displacer piston in the cell is biased toward lower volume of the cell. In an illustrated embodiment, the displacer piston is translated by the compressed gas toward a larger volume in the cell. When the cell is fully charged with compressed gas, the input valve is closed and the transfer valve is opened for intermittently discharging the mass of gas in the cell into the cylinder of the internal combustion engine. The displacer piston displaces substantially all of the gas from the cell into the engine. Combustion is initiated and may, at least in part, occur within the cell, providing power to the engine as the gas expands and performs work by way of the engine piston.

Abstract: An improved six cycle internal combustion engine is provided comprised of an engine block; a crank shaft mounted within said engine block; at least one cylinder within which a piston is slidably mounted and operably connected to said crank shaft; a valve head fixedly attached to said engine block; said valve head, piston and cylinder defining a variable volume chamber; an admission duct adapted to admit air into said variable volume chamber; an exhaust duct adapted to remove exhaust gases from said variable volume chamber; said valve head further including a preheating chamber positioned between and capable of fluid communication with said admission duct and said variable volume chamber and a combustion chamber positioned and said variable volume chamber; said valve head further including (a) at least one admission valve to control the admission of air from said preheating chamber into said variable volume chamber (b) at least one exhaust valve to control the flow of gases from said variable volume chamber in

Abstract: A vehicle kinetic energy reclaiming system employs the vehicle's engine (10) to compress air when the vehicle decelerates and reuses the stored compressed air to drive an air motor (78) which assists in powering the vehicle when it is underway again. When the vehicle begins to decelerate, an accelerator switch (24) causes a valve (38) in a carburetor (34) bypass pipe to open, allowing ample air to enter and be compressed by the engine, which is driven by the vehicle's kinetic energy through the transmission (42). This helps decelerate the vehicle and saves its brakes. The same switch closes a valve (22) in the exhaust line (18-19), causing the compressed air to be diverted to a storage tank (26). When enough pressure in accumulated in the tank, a pressure release valve (74) in the tanks' output opens and a valve switch (72) closes, allowing air to reach an accelerator-controlled valve (88). This enables a clutch (76), which connects the air motor to the vehicle's transmission, to be operated.

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: In an internal combustion type engine having a piston disposed within a cylinder, a plurality of ceramic cylinder inner surface sections are provided for covering surfaces of the cylinder chamber and the piston which are directly exposed to the ignited combustion gases as the piston travels through its stroke. Same are for the protection of the metal structure of the engine from exposure to the heat generated within the cylinder.

Abstract: A cylinder in a fluid handling device in which high pressures and temperature vary in a periodic cycle. An outer chamber surrounding the cylinder in which a pressurized fluid is used to equalize the pressure inside and outside the cylinder wall to prevent breaking under high internal pressures. The pressurized fluid is also transferred from the outer chamber for use in the cylinder of the fluid handling device.

Abstract: A method is described wherein the efficiency of an internal combustion engine is upgraded. Heat from the engine block is used to generate high pressure steam. The steam is generated in a chamber separate from and in addition to the standard engine cooling system water jacket. The high pressure steam is fed to a selected one of the engine pistons and used to drive that piston in an otherwise alternating pattern with the combustion stroke. The steam drive and the combustion drive for the selected piston alternate one with respect to the other.

Abstract: A thermally regenerated four-stroke cycle internal combustion engine, comprises a cold side cylinder having intake and exhaust valves independently located through cold side cylinder wall, and a cold side piston connected through a connecting rod to a crankshaft; a hot side cylinder having fuel injector and ignitor and hot side piston connected to said cold side piston through the crankshaft; and a regenerator duct for housing a regenerator and for connecting cold and hot side cylinders.

Abstract: An energy transformation cycle in which the number of strokes is higher than four, at least four of which are:a. the compression of air contained in a variable volume chamber, into a preheating chamber;b. the expansion of the variable volume chamber through the expansion of hot air contained in the preheating chamber;c. the compression of the expanded hot air contained in the variable volume chamber into a combustion chamber where fuel is introduced to cause the combustion of the mixture; andd. the expansion of the variable volume chamber through the expansion in the chamber of high temperature and high pressure combustion gases from the combustion chamber. The engine comprises a body (23) inside which is a movable member (25) defining a variable volume chamber (29). The body (23) comprises an admission duct (35) and an exhaust duct (34).

Abstract: A diesel piston engine having at least one modified cylinder adapted for use as an engine cylinder or as a compressor cylinder. The modified cylinder has an extra valve, a biasing member biasing the extra valve closed, and hydraulic means for controlling the sequential opening of the extra valve. The modified cylinder further includes a switching device for alternately disconnecting the hydraulic means and permitting normal fuel injection or connecting the hydraulic means and preventing normal fuel injection.

Abstract: Each cylinder of an internal combustion engine is provided with a reciprocative piston and a combustible fuel intake port controlled by an intake valve. A steam generation chamber communicates with the cylinder through a steam inlet port controlled by a steam inlet valve which is opened by steam pressure in the generation chamber. The generation chamber also communicates with a combustible fuel exhaust pipe through a combustible fuel exhaust port controlled by a fuel exhaust valve the opening of which is also accompanied by opening of the steam inlet valve. The steam generation chamber also communicates through a water injection valve and, preferably, a heat exchanger associated with the exhaust pipe, with a source of water under super-atmospheric pressure. A steam exhaust port, controlled by a steam exhaust valve, also communicates the cylinder with a steam condenser the outlet of which communicates with a supply reservoir for the water source.

Abstract: An engine which utilizes gas and compressed air to provide propulsive force. A compressor and a turbo are connected to the engine to provide compressed air for driving the engine to either supplement or replace the gas.

Abstract: The power of a fuel injected internal combustion engine is augmented by forming in the head of the engine piston or pistons a chamber within which superheated steam is generated from cyclically injected water and which also serves as a pre-combustion space. In a preferred embodiment, the piston head has steam channels extending from said chamber through the top face of the piston.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine in which a compact ring type boiler pack is installed at the top of each cylinder recessed into the cylinder head. Water is pumped through each boiler at a rate proportional to the cylinder temperature, to maintain a proper cooling and steam injection balance, the generated steam being injected peripherally into the cylinder during the last part of the power stroke, timed by the temperature in the boiler pack and the pressure in the cylinder. Boiler feed water is controlled by movement of the inlet valve actuating mechanism of the particular cylinder. The boiler provides multiple stage conversion of the water to steam, the peripheral steam injection providing internal cooling of the cylinder walls without interfering with normal combustion. The steam system is adaptable to existing internal combustion engines and results in reduced fuel consumption, very low pollutant emissions in the exhaust and a very efficient thermal cycle.

Abstract: An engine which utilizes gas and compressed air to provide propulsive force. A compressor and a turbo are connected to the engine to provide compressed air for driving the engine to either supplement or replace the gas.

Abstract: The present invention entails a combustion type engine of the internal reciprocally mounted piston type. Formed adjacent the conventional combustion pistons and communicatively open thereto are a series of steam pistons reciprocally mounted in alignment in face-to-face relationship with said combustion pistons. A steam generator is provided and utilizes engine exhaust heat to produce steam that is directed to the cylinders having said steam pistons reciprocally mounted for driving the same in time relationship to the reciprocal movement of said combustion pistons. Essentially the steam pistons are driven such that they assist in driving the combustion pistons by exerting a force against the combustion pistons during the ignition or combustion stroke of the combustion pistons.

Abstract: A modified Stirling cycle type engine (10) includes a pair of cylinders (12,14) in which pistons (16,18) are reciprocably mounted to define a hot and cold side to the engine, a passageway (30) interconnecting the cylinders (12,14) and a regenerator (32) and a cooler (34) in the passageway (30). Exhaust and intake valves (50,54) permit exhaust of working fluid from and supply of fresh air to the hot side. A fuel injector (38) and fuel igniting means (36) are provided for injecting fuel into the passageway (30) adjacent the hot side for admixture with working fluid passing therethrough and ignition within the hot side cylinder (12).

Abstract: My invention relates to internal combustion engines that are intermittently operated as steam engines with the changeover from one phase to the other controlled by the heat of the metal of the engine in the region of the combustion.

Abstract: An improved cylinder head for a fuel injected internal combustion piston engine is channeled so as to form a miniature steam boiler at the combustion end of the cylinder bore enabling injected water to flash into superheated steam in a few milliseconds. The cylinder head is configured to provide the maximum heat transfer surface area thereon. The generated steam in the engine supplements its power, and assists in controlling engine temperature.

Abstract: A method for driving a vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine having a plurality of compression chambers divided into a first set and a second set, each of said sets being able to be separately operated and to be convertible in operation so as to take an compression action.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided that has a stationary cylinder block in which cylinders contain reciprocating pistons that are sequentially actuated to impart torque to a revolving rotor. A unique rotor is provided that includes a cam surface that controls the reciprocation of the pistons through followers. Ports in the rotor conduct working fluids to and from the cylinders. An exhaust blow-down nozzle is provided in the rotor that transforms kinetic energy in the exhaust into additional torque. There is no residual gas fraction present during combustion and the engine operates with true constant volume combustion.

Abstract: A six-stroke cycle engine fires a fuel charge for a first power stroke, the exhaust gases being directed to a thermally insulated jacket surrounding the cylinder and having fins and/or baffles to recover heat from the gases and conduct the heat to the inner cylinder wall for converting injected water into steam for a second power stroke. The fins and/or baffles in the jacket also function as a muffler for the engine.

Abstract: An Ericsson-Stirling type engine is disclosed having a semi-open regenerative working fluid system employing intermittent internal combustion. The regenerator is modified to act also as a catalytic combustor and is located at the terminal end of the unswept clearance volume most adjacent the high temperature chamber or hot swept space. The clearance volume is reduced and engine efficiency increased by (a) elimination of any leak path around the regenerator (b) positive exhaust purging, and (c) lower peak combustion temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for the periodical steam cooling of the inner spaces of internal combustion engines, aiming partly to reduce the contaminations in the exhaust gas and partly to increase the ratio of the heat to be converted into mechanical work.

Abstract: An automotive engine unit comprises an internal combustion engine adapted to meet the power requirements of a vehicle under steady speed running conditions, a hot air turbine unit of higher power output than the internal combustion engine adapted to meet the additional power requirements for accelerating the vehicle, an air compressor driven directly or indirectly by power supplied by the internal combustion engine, and an air storage reservoir. During acceleration of the vehicle, air from the reservoir is fed to the turbine through a heat exchanger where it absorbs heat from the exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston engine of the type including a piston reciprocal in a cylinder toward and away from an expansion chamber at one end of the cylinder and also provided with intake and exhaust valves openable and closable in timed sequence with reciprocation of the piston. The valves are closed during the compression and power strokes of the piston and the exhaust valve is opened during the third stroke of the piston toward the expansion chamber. During the fourth stroke of the piston, a readily vaporizable liquid is injected into the expansion chamber under pressure for flashing into a vapor upon being heated by the residue heat of combustion in the expansion chamber and during the fifth and sixth strokes of the piston the exhaust and intake valves, respectively, are open to exhaust the vaporized liquid therefrom and intake a fresh combustible mixture of air and fuel into the expansion chamber and cylinder prior to compression of the mixture on the next stroke of the piston toward the expansion chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with an engine which is adapted to serve as an air compressor. Air supply apparatus is provided for interrupting the supply of fuel to the engine and for supplying air to the engine. Compressed air from the engine is delivered to an air tank.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine utilizes a combustion cylinder formed in part of material which can withstand high temperatures in conjunction with a displacement or power piston having a ringless section capable of withstanding high temperatures and being backed up by a relatively low temperature lubricated ringed piston section. Means to inject fuel and water into the combustion chamber is provided along with means to charge the combustion chamber with air and to exhaust the combustion chamber near the end of the power stroke.

Abstract: A combination engine and air compressor apparatus in which an engine action and an air compression action are changed over to each other by changing valve timing of inlet and exhaust valves.