Patent ID: 6718751
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: F02G

Abstract:
An engine that utilizes the compression energy of pressurized natural gas from a high pressure natural gas main line 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 main connector for connecting a high pressure natural gas main line to the combustion chamber; a high pressure main valve in communication with the high pressure main connector and combustion chamber for controlling the flow of natural gas from the high pressure natural gas main line to the combustion chamber; 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.