Abstract: A multifuel closed-loop thermal cycle piston engine, system and method. An externally-fired continuous combustion piston-driven engine configured to employ water injection post combustion to maintain a temperature of exhaust gas at a set point to form a closed-loop thermal cycle. A multifuel closed-loop thermal cycle piston engine includes a drive stage, a compression stage separate from the drive stage, the compression stage including a pressure-operated exhaust valve of a compression cylinder, an externally-fired continuous combustion chamber configured to conduct continuous combustion of a nonselective fuel, the combustion chamber comprising a water injection stage succeeding the fuel burner chamber, the water injection stage configured to inject water into the combustion chamber post-combustion, and wherein a quantity of water injected post-combustion is configured to maintain engine exhaust at or below a temperature set point.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine in which the power output is controlled by modulating at least one of the compression ratio, expansion ratio, ratio of expansion rate to compression rate, air to fuel ratio, and steam to air ratio. Continuous isobaric catalytic combustion followed by isothermal expansion and the use of separate compressor and expander devices are used. Control dynamically maximizes fuel efficiency for the given power demand conditions. Power output is controlled by modulating flame temperature and/or pressure instead of by throttling. Lean combustion, high compression ratio, exhaust heat recuperation, and high power density and fuel economy are provided. External cooling is minimized or eliminated. Insulation of the engine effectively reduces energy losses to friction. Interchangeable use of gasoline, hydrogen and ammonia at high fuel efficiency is made possible for transitional periods of fuel availabilities. An injector suitable for isothermal expansion is provided.

Abstract: A Brayton-cycle rotary ramjet engine (10) operated within the confines of a helically elongated pass-through duct formed between a preferably stationary radially outward surface (14) and an outer rotating flow channel (36). The flow channel (36) is contoured between its inlet (34) and outlet (38) to include a supersonic diffuser (40), a combustor (42) and an expansion nozzle (44). Gaseous fuel, or liquid fuel atomized by a fuel slinger (58) within a housing (46), or solid fuel in the form of fine particulates, is inter-mixed with an oxidizer prior to being directed to the flow channel inlets (34). The air and fuel are combusted in the flow channels (36) and exhausted through the rear of the housing (46). A generator (22) can be coupled to a power shaft (18) to convert net shaft power into electricity. Preferably, the rotor (24) and stator (12) are fabricated from a ceramic or other high-temperature material so that combustor exit temperatures (T3) can be operated at highly efficient levels.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a highly supercharged, regenerative gas-turbine system. The gas turbine comprises a compressor, a regenerator, a combustor, and an expander. A pre-compressor pressurizes air going into the compressor section of the gas turbine. A cooler lowers the temperature of the air going into the compressor. The compressor pressurizes air, which then flows through the regenerator, which heats the air before it enters the combustor. The combustor further heats the air which then flows through the expander and then the regenerator. A post-expander is preferably located downstream of the regenerator. The post-expander is a second expander that receives high-pressure gas exiting the regenerator. The post-expander preferably drives the pre-compressor. The preferred pre-compressor and post-expander are toroidal intersecting vane machines (TIVMs), which are positive-displacement rotary devices. Numerous alternated embodiments of this basic system are described.

Abstract: A power plant especially for the propulsion of waterborne vehicles, includes two prime movers, a gas turbine (1) and a diesel starting engine (3) for selectively driving, via a central gearbox (4) and clutches (7) and (9), a power output shaft (5) and a generator (6). The gas turbine (1) is driven by a piston-like compressor (2) via central gearbox (4) and clutches (7) and (8), and further includes a turbocharger (12) and an intercooler (13) connected between the outlet of turbine (1) and the inlet of compressor (2). The diesel engine (3) drives auxiliary electric generator (17). The power output shaft drives a propeller (19) through a bearing (11). The shaft generator (6) is stabilized by a flywheel (22).

Abstract: A rocketjet engine has a light, hollow double-acting compressor piston (35 and 123). It is reciprocated by a smaller-diameter double-acting power piston (51) through a power shaft (52 and 60) connecting them. Up to 90 percent of intake air is routed from a compressor cylinder (36) to a thruster (1 and 106) and the remaining ten percent to a power cylinder (55). Fuel and water are preheated and sprayed into the power cylinder with phase-change injectors 67-70 at ends of compression strokes after complete flame-front propagation to actuate the compressor with combined combustion and steam pressure. To provide steam-propulsion pressure in addition to peak-heat combustion pressure and to cool the thruster, fuel is preheated and spray injected into an upstream combustor (8 and 109) portion of the thruster (1 and 106).

Abstract: The installation comprises a compression unit and a power unit. The compression unit comprises at least one engine operation according to a Diesel cycle and supercharged by a turbine having an expansion turbine supplied with the exhaust gases of the engine and rotary compressor taking air from the atmosphere through a filter. The compressor delivers a primary supercharging flow to the Diesel cylinders via a cooler. The Diesel engine drives two compressors supplied with atmospheric air through the filter. One of the compressors provides a secondary flow to the power unit. The power unit comprises a combustion chamber which is supplied through the exchanger with part at least of the secondary airflow from the compression unit. The combustion chamber feeds a turbine producing on its shaft the whole of the output power. The Diesel type engine may be a conventional crank type engine or a free piston engine.

Abstract: An engine has a compressor of variable capacity under command of a control system that regulates the output of the compressor for maintaining constant, at an adjustable value, the air pressure supplied from the compressor to plural combustion chambers of variable volume. A control system regulates the volume of the chambers in proportion to the charge of fuel injected in order to maintain constant, at an adjustable value, the air/fuel ratio at any load of the engine. Power cylinders are each provided with a reciprocating piston driven by combustion gases, each power cylinder being associated with at least two combustion chambers that are alternately fired, and from which combustion gases pass through valvings to the respective power cylinder. An accumulator stores compressed air during a braking mode of operation for subsequent use during super-power output modes of operation.

Abstract: In an automotive power plant including an electric motor having a drive shaft connected to a transmission and a battery pack connected to the motor for vehicle speeds up to 30 miles per hour approximately, the improvement comprising an alternate power source including an electric generator connectable to the drive shaft having output leads connected to the battery pack and to the motor. An air compressor having a drive shaft is coupled to the motor drive shaft and has a pressurized air outlet connected to a reservoir. A boost pump is connected to the reservoir or air compressor to a combustion chamber having an electric ignition and a connection to a pressurized fuel source and includes a high velocity exhaust gas outlet. A turbine receives exhaust gases for driving an impellor secured upon the compressor shaft.

Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine, characterized in that it is constituted by a cylinder (1) comprised by two identical portions, assembled together, symmetrical with respect to an axis perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, and traversed along this longitudinal axis by an engine shaft (3). Two reciprocating rotating pistons (4) are guided in the cylinder (1) and on the engine shaft (3), and driving the latter in rotation. Two explosion chambers (5) are located each at an end of the cylinder (1), on its periphery, in each of which moves a reciprocating piston (6), and into which empties a carburation injector. A turbocompressor (8) driven mechanically by the engine shaft, has air outlets (9) which are connected to the inlet tubing (10) of each portion of the cylinder (1), and two valve controlled escape orifices (11) are connected each to a tubular outlet (12).

Abstract: An improved engine comprises a primary piston and primary cylinder in which air and fuel is precombusted. The piston is reciprocated in the cylinder by an external prime mover. The exhaust of the precombusted air/fuel mixture is controlled by a floating exhaust valve piston which seats against the exhaust port and has its other end pressurized at a set pressure preferably by an inert gas. The precombusted air/fuel mixtures are exhausted to secondary combustion chambers where additional air, fuel and prime mover exhaust gases are added to increase the velocity and pressure of the gas and provide for more complete combustion of the fuel.

Abstract: A turbine-type engine which has a blade-type rotor mounted in a housing on a drive shaft, a plurality of cylinders symmetrically spaced about the drive shaft radially thereof, each having a piston connected by rods to a crank throw of the drive shaft, each cylinder having a combustion chamber with fuel injecting and water injecting means for injecting a fine spray of water in the chamber on the alternate cooling stroke of the corresponding compressor after detonation of the fuel to generate usuable steam pressure producing power incident to the dissipation of the internal heat of the engine.