Engine having external combustion chamber
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An engine comprising:
- at least one positive displacement chamber;
a reciprocating piston disposed in said at least one positive displacement chamber;
an external combustion chamber in communication with the positive displacement chamber for containing a mixture of compressed gas;
an ignitor in the combustion chamber constructed and arranged to ignite a fuel in the combustion chamber;
at least one valve constructed and arranged to control the flow of the compressed gas from the combustion chamber into the positive displacement chamber;
at least one exhaust valve constructed and arranged to control the flow of expanded gas from the positive displacement chamber;
a high-pressure fuel vessel in communication with the combustion chamber;
at least one valve for controlling the flow of pressurized fuel from the high-pressure fuel vessel to the combustion chamber;
at least one external valve constructed and arranged to fill the high-pressure fuel vessel with compressed fuel from an external fuel source;
a high-pressure air vessel in communication with the combustion chamber;
at least one valve for controlling the flow of pressurized air from the high-pressure air vessel to the combustion chamber; and
at least one external valve constructed and arranged to fill the high-pressure air vessel with compressed air from an external pressurized air source.
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Abstract
Provided is an engine having positive displacement chambers containing pistons and an external combustion chamber which utilizes the energy stored in compressed fuel and compressed air in combination with the energy released during combustion of the fuel to drive the pistons. Energy expended compressing the fuel and air are recovered.
56 Citations
47 Claims
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1. An engine comprising:
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at least one positive displacement chamber;
a reciprocating piston disposed in said at least one positive displacement chamber;
an external combustion chamber in communication with the positive displacement chamber for containing a mixture of compressed gas;
an ignitor in the combustion chamber constructed and arranged to ignite a fuel in the combustion chamber;
at least one valve constructed and arranged to control the flow of the compressed gas from the combustion chamber into the positive displacement chamber;
at least one exhaust valve constructed and arranged to control the flow of expanded gas from the positive displacement chamber;
a high-pressure fuel vessel in communication with the combustion chamber;
at least one valve for controlling the flow of pressurized fuel from the high-pressure fuel vessel to the combustion chamber;
at least one external valve constructed and arranged to fill the high-pressure fuel vessel with compressed fuel from an external fuel source;
a high-pressure air vessel in communication with the combustion chamber;
at least one valve for controlling the flow of pressurized air from the high-pressure air vessel to the combustion chamber; and
at least one external valve constructed and arranged to fill the high-pressure air vessel with compressed air from an external pressurized air source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A vehicle powered by an engine, the engine comprising:
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at least one positive displacement chamber;
a reciprocating piston disposed in said at least one positive displacement chamber;
an external combustion chamber in communication with the positive displacement chamber for containing a mixture of compressed gas;
an ignitor in the combustion chamber constructed and arranged to ignite a fuel in the combustion chamber;
at least one valve constructed and arranged to control the flow of the compressed gas from the combustion chamber into the positive displacement chamber;
at least one exhaust valve constructed and arranged to control the flow of expanded gas from the positive displacement chamber;
a high-pressure fuel vessel in communication with the combustion chamber;
at least one valve for controlling the flow of pressurized fuel from the high-pressure fuel vessel to the combustion chamber;
at least one external valve constructed and arranged to fill the high-pressure fuel vessel with compressed fuel from an external fuel source;
a high-pressure air vessel in communication with the combustion chamber;
at least one valve for controlling the flow of pressurized air from the high-pressure air vessel to the combustion chamber; and
at least one external valve constructed and arranged to fill the high-pressure air vessel with compressed air from an external pressurized air source. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. An automobile containing an engine comprising:
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at least one positive displacement chamber;
a reciprocating piston disposed in said at least one positive displacement chamber;
an external combustion chamber in communication with the positive displacement chamber for containing a mixture of compressed gas;
an ignitor in the combustion chamber constructed and arranged to ignite a fuel in the combustion chamber;
at least one valve constructed and arranged to control the flow of the compressed gas from the combustion chamber into the positive displacement chamber;
at least one exhaust valve constructed and arranged to control the flow of expanded gas from the positive displacement chamber;
a high-pressure fuel vessel in communication with the combustion chamber;
at least one valve for controlling the flow of pressurized fuel from the high-pressure fuel vessel to the combustion chamber;
at least one external valve constructed and arranged to fill the high-pressure fuel vessel with compressed fuel from an external fuel source;
a high-pressure air vessel in communication with the combustion chamber;
at least one valve for controlling the flow of pressurized air from the high-pressure air vessel to the combustion chamber; and
at least one external valve constructed and arranged to fill the high-pressure air vessel with compressed air from an external pressurized air source.
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Specification