Patent ID: 7261070
Filing Date: 2007-08-28
Classification: F02B

Abstract:
1. A linear fluid engine comprising: one or more accumulating tanks for holding pressurized fluid within various predetermined ranges of pressures; one or more engine pistons housed within a combustion chamber, each engine piston comprising an engine piston shaft and an engine piston head; a fluid power piston corresponding to each engine piston, the power piston being housed within a power piston cylinder and including a power piston head and a power piston shaft, the power piston being positioned in-line with the engine piston such that the power piston shaft has an axial centerline that is substantially coincident with an axial centerline of the engine piston shaft; wherein the power piston is driven by movement of the engine piston caused by combustion of fuel in the combustion chamber and wherein when the power piston is driven by the engine piston the power piston acts upon fluid within the power piston cylinder to transfer power from the combustion chamber to the proper accumulator tanks; a fluid compression piston coupled to the engine piston, the compression piston being housed in a compression piston cylinder and including a compression piston head and compression piston shaft, the compression piston being positioned in-line with the engine and power pistons and wherein the compression piston is powered by fluid power from the proper accumulator tanks to drive the engine piston within the combustion chamber to compress fuel in preparation for a next combustion cycle; an intake/exhaust piston coupled to the engine piston, the intake/exhaust piston being housed in a intake/exhaust piston cylinder and including a intake/exhaust piston head and intake/exhaust piston shaft, the intake/exhaust piston being positioned in-line with the engine and power pistons and wherein the intake/exhaust piston is powered by fluid power from the proper accumulator tanks to drive the engine piston within the combustion chamber to exhaust combustion gases and take in fresh air in preparation for the next combustion cycle; wherein the power piston and compression piston are formed on a moveable sleeve disposed around the engine piston shaft that sealingly engages the engine piston shaft and wherein the sleeve includes a top distal end that is configured to abut an underside of the engine piston head to drive or be driven by the engine piston; and wherein the intake/exhaust piston is formed on the engine piston shaft.