Patent ID: 7028476
Filing Date: 2006-04-18
Classification: F02G

Abstract:
1. An afterburning, recuperated, positive displacement, external combustion, open cycle heat engine; said engine comprising: a. positive displacement compressor means for compressing ambient air to a peak pressure while using cooling means to remove heat from said positive displacement compressor means whereby the compression work is minimized; b. counterflow heat exchange recuperator means for receiving said air at peak pressure from said compressor means and for heating said air using recuperative heating means; c. positive displacement expander means for receiving said heated air at peak pressure from said recuperator means and for producing work by expanding said heated air to a low pressure while using insulation means to contain heat within said expander means whereby said expansion work is maximized and whereby the mechanical bearings, seals, and lubricants of said expander means are isolated from the high temperature of said heated air and whereby said mechanical bearings, seals and lubricants can obtain long life without needing to be constructed of expensive, temperature resistant, materials; d. afterburner means for receiving said expanded air at low pressure from said positive displacement expander means, introducing a fuel to said air to form a combustible air-fuel combination, and igniting said air-fuel combination to generate hot combustion gases at a flame temperature; said hot combustion gases being used to provide said recuperative heating means through said counterflow heat exchange recuperator means; e. connection means whereby said compressor means receives said compression work from a portion of said expansion work from said expander means; f. control means for changing the speed and power of said engine by regulating the flow rate of said air while simultaneously adjusting the flow of said fuel whereby the speed and power of said engine is controlled and whereby said flame temperature is maintained nearly constant.