Patent ID: 6490854
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: F02G

Abstract:
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; an air compressor in communication with the high-pressure fuel vessel driven by pressurized fuel from the high-pressure fuel vessel, the air compressor having an opening to the atmosphere to which air flows into the air compressor and an exit through which pressurized air flows, the air compressor being in communication with the combustion chamber; and at least one valve for controlling the flow of pressurized air from the air compressor to the combustion chamber.