Patent ID: 6282894
Filing Date: 2001-09-04
Classification: F02C

Abstract:
An engine system comprising:an engine connected to a mechanical work output device for confining a volume of a gas having at least one upper, vibrational energy level, at least one lower vibrational energy level and ground state translational energy, for compressing said gas substantially adiabatically, and for expanding said mixture substantially adiabatically while performing work;irradiation means for irradiating said gas, before said gas is compressed, to excite at least a portion of the molecular population of said gas to said at least one upper, vibrational energy level, thereby reducing the translational energy in said gas and cooling at least a portion of said gas; andsaid engine allowing said gas to relax between when said gas is compressed and when said gas is expanded, said vibrational energy returning to translational energy, thereby warming at least a portion of said gas.