Abstract: An apparatus for acquiring mechanical energy on the basis of the gravitational effect and reduced pressure, comprising at least one double-acting hollow piston (1) accommodated in a horizontally oriented cylinder (2), the essence of which re-sides in that the double-acting hollow piston (1) is provided with centrally and mutually oppositely arranged hollow piston rods (3, 3.1) that are equipped with steam inlets (4, 4.1), wherein a free end of a first hollow piston rod (3) that is closer to a first vertical elevator carrier (6) is connected to a first weight cable (5) that is guided over a first pulley system (6.2) and a free end of an oppositely oriented second hollow piston rod (3.1) that is closer to a second vertical elevator carrier (6.1) is connected to a second weight cable (5.1) that is guided over a second pulley system (6.3), wherein a first weight (7) that is slidably supported on a first guiding rod (8) is connected to the opposite end of the cable (5) and a second weight (7.

Abstract: A system of combining balanced, independent, self-starting and initially separated internal combustion engines, wherein engines not immediately required for power can be shut down. Shut down engines are disconnected from the running engine or engines, and drive train. This system will dramatically reduce fuel consumption and the amount of exhaust gases. A microprocessor determines vehicle power requirements from engine sensors. Hydraulic pistons under control of the microprocessor bring the individual engine units into and out of engagement with each other. Friction plates and locking pins are provided for coupling the crankshafts at predetermined relative angular positions.

Abstract: To efficiently recover excess energy available in a turbo supercharger (4) operated by exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine (ICE) (1), when the loading of the ICE exceeds about half of rated load, a hydraulic pump--motor unit (10) is coupled to the shaft of the turbo supercharger. The hydraulic unit (10) provides output over a hydraulic line (14) through a selectively operated valve (30) to either a hydraulic motor (15), which is coupled to an energy utilization system, for example a generator (17), or to return hydraulic fluid to a sump or suply (11). A controller (21) controls operation of the valve. If the exhaust gases are insufficient to provide excess energy for the hydraulic motor (15), the valve is controlled to return hydraulic fluid form said motor--pump unit so that, in effect, said unit (10) is idling.

Abstract: A vehicle having at least two driven axles is powered by a gas turbine plant having two separate take-off shafts. One of these is connected to a first driven axle by a mechanical gearing, while the other take-off shaft is connected to a second driven axle by way of a hydraulic transmission including a constant volume pump and motor. The two turbine shafts are interconnected by a transmission, which preferably is of the infinitely variable type. Adjustable guide vanes are provided at the inlet to at least one of the turbine rotors for occasional distribution of the total load between the two rotors.

Abstract: A vehicle having at least two driven axles is powered by a gas turbine plant having two separate take-off shafts. One of these is connected to a first driven axle by a mechanical gearing, while the other take-off shaft is connected to a second driven axle by way of a transmission including a non-mechanical link.The non-mechanical link may include provision for electric power transfer and the transmission can be equipped with a current collector adapted to occasionally cooperate with a fixed electric main for transferring electric power into the transmission, to be used instead of, or together with the current generated by the gas turbine plant.

Abstract: A propulsion arrangement which includes two diesel engines with one of the two engines having a first compression ratio for ensuring a reliable starting and the second engine having a compression ratio that permits high supercharging and high average pressure. Each of the engines include an exhaust supercharger with surplus exhaust from the exhaust driven supercharger of the first engine being supplied to the second engine to prepare an air charge of the second engine for reliable ignition conditions in a partial load operation of the second engine. A device may be provided for heating up the air charge of the second engine at least in one of an idling and partial load operation with a temperature regulator controlling the temperature of the air charge of the second engine so as to set the temperature for the air charge such that at each rpm a final compression temperature exists in the cylinders of the second engine which is necessary for ignition in that engine.