Abstract:
A device and method that converts the high temperature produced by combustion into a fluid volume of high pressure gas without requiring a boiler or heat exchanger. By injecting a fluid directly into a combustion system, heat energy that may otherwise be wasted is converted directly into high pressure gas.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to internal combustion engines, and more particularly, to the combustion of an internal combustion engine. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     In a typical combustion engine, fuel and air are mixed in a combustion chamber and the fuel and air mixture is combusted. The leftover hot gases produced by this combustion tend to occupy a far greater volume than the original fuel, thus creating an increase in pressure within the limited volume of the combustion chamber. The pressure can be used to do work, for example, to move a piston on a crankshaft or rotate the blades of a turbine. The energy can be converted to various types of motion or to produce thrust when directed out of a nozzle as in a rocket or jet engine. 
     For example, a reciprocating engine, also known as a piston engine, is a heat engine that uses one or more pistons to convert pressure into a rotating motion. There may be one or more pistons and each piston is enclosed inside a cylinder or combustion chamber. Gas is introduced into the combustion chamber, either already hot and under pressure such as in a steam engine, heated inside the cylinder either by ignition of a fuel air mixture such as in an internal combustion engine, or by contact with a hot heat exchanger in the cylinder. As the hot gases expand, pressure pushes the piston to the bottom of the cylinder or combustion chamber. The piston is returned to the cylinder top either by a flywheel or by the power from other pistons connected to the same shaft and the cycle starts again. Typically, the expanded or “exhausted” gases are removed from the cylinder by this stroke. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     An asynchronous combustion system (ACS) and method of use improves the efficiency of internal combustion engines by supplying high-pressure gas to a power transfer system. The ACS is an external combustion system that utilizes the heat energy typical lost in internal combustion engines such as four cycle, two cycle, turbine, and rotary engines. 
     More specifically, the ACS converts the high temperature produced by combustion into a fluid volume of high pressure gas without requiring a boiler or heat exchanger. By injecting a fluid directly into a combustion system, heat energy that may otherwise be wasted is converted directly into high pressure gas. The conversion of the liquid into a gas is a high volumetric expansion ratio and follows the ideal gas law V=nRT/P. Because the ACS is an external combustion system, the combustion process can be controlled, without dependence on the operating conditions of the machine utilizing the ACS. 
     The ACS contains a combustion system, high pressure chamber, regulated pressure chamber, and a power transfer system. The combustion system generates a high pressure hot gas and transfers the high pressure hot gas to the high pressure chamber. The high pressure chamber stores a large capacity of the high pressure hot gas generated by the combustion system and functions as the source of the high pressure gas contained in the regulated pressure chamber. The power transfer system uses the high pressure gas contained in the regulated pressure chamber to operate a machine associated with the ACS. The machine may be a vehicle such as an automobile, tractor, boat, train, or airplane or the machine may be stationary machinery such as a generator or pump. 
     The pressure of the gas in the high pressure chamber is regulated by a regulator and monitored by a main controller that monitors and controls the operation of the ACS. When the pressure in the high pressure chamber falls below a minimum required value, the main controller initiates an ignition sequence that allows compressed air to flow into the combustion chamber. During the same sequence, the main controller allows a controlled amount of fuel to flow into the combustion chamber and the main controller controls the operation and timing of the ignition. In addition, the main controller controls a second valve such that the combusted gas in combustion chamber is allowed to flow into the high pressure chamber so the high pressure chamber contains a constant source of high pressure gas that is greater than the pressure in the regulated chamber. 
     The combustion system generally contains an air intake, compressor, pre-combustion air chamber, combustion fuel source, and a combustion chamber. During use, air is drawn into the combustion system via an air intake. The compressor compresses the received air and delivers the compressed air to the pre-combustion air chamber. The pressure level in the pre-combustion air chamber is monitored by the main controller such that once the pressure level in the pre-combustion air chamber has reached a predetermined level, a waste gate or clutch on the compressor shaft is activated to reduce the load on the compressor. 
     The main controller also controls a first valve wherein the first valve allows the high pressure gas contained in the pre-combustion air chamber to flow into the combustion chamber. The fuel flow into the combustion chamber is also controlled by the main controller. Because the compressed air is admitted into the combustion chamber through the first valve, in contrast to a four stroke and rotary engine, the combustion chamber does not perform the compression function and therefore, oil contamination is reduced. 
     The main controller then controls the ignition of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber and the pressure and volume from the combusted gas/air mixture in the combustion chamber flows through a second valve. The combusted gas/air mixture is stored in the high pressure chamber. Pressure remaining in the combustion chamber is evacuated and re-circulated back through to the compressor via a re-circulation valve or the remaining pressure is evacuated to the atmosphere. 
     Next, liquid from a water injection block is injected into the high pressure chamber to convert an additional amount of the combustion temperature into pressure. The pressure level in the high pressure chamber reservoir is transmitted to the main controller and the main controller controls the regulator to provide a relatively constant regulated pressure in regulated pressure chamber. In one embodiment, for high pressure applications, the water injection may take place in the combustion chamber. In contrast, for lower pressure applications, the water injection takes place in the post-combustion chamber. 
     The large capacity of the high pressure hot gas stored in the high pressure chamber is used to supply the high pressure gas contained in the regulated pressure chamber. The high pressure gas from the regulated pressure chamber is supplied to the power transfer system. The amount of high pressure gas supplied to the power transfer system is determined by the needs of the power transfer system and conditions such as acceleration or deceleration. The conversion of heat energy into pressure energy reduces the need for a cooling system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of an asynchronous combustion system. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a combustion system of an asynchronous combustion system. 
         FIG. 3  is diagram of an illustrative embodiment of an air amplifier of an asynchronous combustion system. 
         FIG. 4  is block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of an asynchronous combustion system integrated into a turbine engine. 
         FIG. 5  is block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of an intake section of an asynchronous combustion system integrated into a turbine engine block. 
         FIG. 6  is block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a turbine section of an asynchronous combustion system integrated into a turbine engine block. 
         FIG. 7  is block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a pressure chamber section of an asynchronous combustion system integrated into a turbine engine. 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of one embodiment of an asynchronous combustion system used in conjunction with an internal combustion engine. 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a compressor of an asynchronous combustion system. 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of multiple compressors of an asynchronous combustion system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized. It is also to be understood that structural, procedural and system changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. For clarity of exposition, like features shown in the accompanying drawings are indicated with like reference numerals and similar features as shown in alternate embodiments in the drawings are indicated with similar reference numerals. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , shown is a simplified block diagram of asynchronous combustion system (ACS)  100 . ACS  100  contains combustion system  102 , high pressure chamber  104 , regulated pressure chamber  106 , power transfer system  109 , and main controller  114 . Combustion system  102  generates a high pressure hot gas and transfers the high pressure hot gas to high pressure chamber  104 . High pressure chamber  104  stores the high pressure hot gas generated by combustion system  102  and functions as the source of the high pressure gas used in regulated pressure chamber  106 . In an embodiment, high pressure chamber  104  stores a large amount of the high pressure hot gas generated by combustion system  102  Regulated pressure chamber  106  contains high pressure gas and uses the high pressure gas to apply energy to power transfer system  109 . Power transfer system  109  uses the high pressure gas created by ACS  100  to power machinery such as a vehicle that contains ACS  100  or to power stationary machinery such as a generators or pumps. Main controller  114  monitors the activity of ACS  100  and adjusts air and fuel flow and other parameters of ACS  100  to obtain various levels of proper combustion and efficiency. In an embodiment, main controller  114  monitors the activity of ACS  100  and adjusts air and fuel flow and other parameters of ACS  100  to obtain optimal or near optimal combustion and efficiency. 
       FIG. 2 , shows a more detailed view of combustion system  102 . Combustion system  102  contains air intake  202 , compressor  204 , pre-combustion air chamber  206 , pressure regulator  222 , combustion fuel source  208 , and combustion chamber  210 . Air intake  202  may be an open element intake system, sealed intake system, ram intake, or other air intake system that can provide sufficient air to operate ACS  100 . In one embodiment, air intake  202  contains mass air flow sensor  224 . Mass air flow sensor  224  monitors the air flow into air intake  202  and sends the information to main controller  114 . 
     Compressor  204  draws air from air intake  202 , compresses the air and transfers the compressed air to pre-combustion air chamber  206 . Compressor  204  keeps compressed air in pre-combustion air chamber  206 , such that once valve  216  is opened by pressure regulator  222  or in one embodiment, by main controller  114 , compressed air is pushed from pre-combustion chamber  206  into combustion chamber  210 . In one embodiment, an air amplifier provides positive air pressure to the input of compressor  204 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , air amplifier  302  is an annular venturi ring. The inlet of air amplifier  302  is supplied with high pressure air by high pressure node  306 . High pressure node  306  is located in ACS  100  and may be connected to pre-combustion chamber  206 , high pressure chamber  104 , regulated high pressure chamber  106 , or some other node or nodes in the system capable of supplying high pressure air. High pressure line  308  connects high pressure node  306  to air amplifier  302 . The high pressure air in high pressure line  308  can be regulated or controlled by main controller  114  to stabilize or modify the flow of air to air amplifier  302  and, in an embodiment, optimize the performance of air amplifier  302 . Air amplifier  302  may be applied to one or more stages of a multi-stage compressor, or other compressor types. In one embodiment, all or part of high pressure line  308  may be cooled by intercooler system  310  such that the high pressure air in high pressure line  308  is cooled before being delivered to air amplifier  302 . 
     Pre-combustion air chamber  206  ( FIG. 2 ) stores the compressed air from compressor  204  until the compressed air is needed by combustion chamber  210 . In one embodiment, there is more than one pre-combustion air chamber  206  and each pre-combustion air chamber  206  may function independently or together as a single unit. The amount of pressure in pre-combustion air chamber  206  is determined by the pressure required for combustion. The pressure for combustion includes any ‘overhead’ required by the pressure regulator being in series with pre-combustion chamber  206  and valve  216 . For example, for gasoline combustion, the air pressure in combustion chamber  210 , before combustion, might be 10 bar. If the pressure regulator in series with pre-combustion chamber  206  and valve  216  requires a 2 bar differential in order to properly function, then the minimum pressure in pre-combustion air chamber  206  would be at least about 12 bar. In one embodiment, the air mass in pre-combustion chamber  206  is controlled by main controller  114 . Main controller  114  monitors and/or calculates the pressure, temperature, and volume of the compressed air in pre-combustion chamber  206  and determines the air mass. 
     In one embodiment, compressor  204  contains waste gate  230 . Waste gate  230  insures the pressure level in pre-combustion air chamber  206  does not exceed a predetermined level. If the pressure in pre-combustion air chamber  206  exceeds a predetermined level, then waste gate  230  is opened to divert the compressor output to the atmosphere in order to decrease the load on compressor  204 . In one embodiment, in order to decrease the load on compressor  204  when there is a sufficient amount of compressed air in the pre-combustion air chamber  206   a  clutch mechanism on the drive shaft of compressor  204  is used to engage or disengage compressor  204 . When waste gate  230  is closed, compressor  204  forces air into pre-combustion air chamber  206 . The air flow from pre-combustion chamber  206  into combustion chamber  210  is monitored and/or controlled by pressure regulator  222 . Pressure regulator  222  may be a fixed regulator or an adjustable, variable pressure regulator in communication with and controlled by main controller  114 . In one embodiment, the air flow from pre-combustion chamber  206  into combustion chamber  210  is monitored and/or controlled by main controller  114 . 
     Combustion chamber  210  receives compressed air from pre-combustion air chamber  206  and a combustible fuel from combustion fuel source  208 . An ignition source ignites the combustible fuel producing a high pressure hot gas. In a particular embodiment, main controller  114  controls the compression ratio within combustion chamber  210  based on air mass data. Main controller  114  uses pressure regulator  222  to create an air to fuel ratio in combustion chamber  210  by determining how much fuel from combustion fuel source  208  to allow into combustion chamber  210  and if necessary, adjusting the compression ratio within combustion chamber  210 . For example, on a system using theoretical ‘pure octane’ gasoline as the fuel, if pressure regulator  222  detects 2.0 cfs of air going to combustion chamber  210 , then main controller  114  would allow 1.52 ml of fuel to enter combustion chamber  210  such that a 14.7:1 stoichiometric air to fuel ratio could be obtained. In one embodiment, main controller  114  determines the ignition spark timing based on the air mass. 
     After combustion of the fuel, the resulting high pressure hot gas is transferred to high pressure chamber  104  via high pressure gas valve  218 . High pressure gas valve  218  may be an actuated valve, or a passive valve such as a Tesla valve-conduit. In one embodiment, pressure remaining in combustion chamber  210  is evacuated and re-circulated back through compressor  204  via re-circulation valve  220 . Re-circulation valve  220  may be a passive valve, an active valve, or a sonic choke. In one embodiment, there is more than one combustion chamber  210  and each combustion chamber  210  may function independently or together as a single unit. 
     High pressure chamber  104  receives and stores the high pressure hot gas created by combustion chamber  210  and functions as the source of the high pressure gas used by regulated pressure chamber  106 . In one embodiment, there is more than one high pressure chamber  104  and each high pressure chamber  104  may function independently or together as a single unit. 
     The amount of pressure in high pressure chamber  104  is determined by the pressure required for operation of power transfer system  109 , and the overhead required by regulator  110 . For example, if the maximum required operating pressure of power transfer system  109  is about 125 bar, and regulator  110  requires a 2 bar differential in order to properly function, then the minimum pressure in high pressure chamber  104  would be about 127 bar. In one embodiment, regulator  110  is an adjustable regulator. 
     Main controller  114  monitors the pressure, temperature, and volume of the high pressure gas in high pressure chamber  104 . Main controller block  114  adjusts the pressure in regulated pressure chamber  106  by means of regulator  110 , based on the derived high pressure gas data and the requirements of the power transfer system. In one embodiment, main controller  114  can control both the volume and pressure in high pressure chamber  106  such that if the temperature in regulated pressure chamber  106  drops, the pressure is increased by decreasing the volume of regulated pressure chamber  106 . 
     In an embodiment, water injection block  212  injects liquid into high pressure chamber  104  in order to convert additional amounts of the combustion temperature into pressure. As an alternative or in combination, water injection block  212  may inject liquid directly into combustion chamber  210 . In one embodiment, the injected liquid is pre-heated from heat collected by a water jacket surrounding combustion chamber  210 . In another embodiment, the liquid is pre-heated by means of one or more heat exchangers, that derive heat from the exhaust of ACS  100 . 
     Regulator  110 ,  FIG. 1 , supplies regulated pressure chamber  106  with high pressure gas from high pressure chamber  104 . Regulated pressure chamber  106  contains a large capacity of high pressure gas and, via control valve  112 , uses the high pressure gas to apply energy to power transfer system  109 . In one embodiment, there is more than one regulated pressure chamber  106  and each regulated pressure chamber  106  may function independently or together as a single unit. If there is more than one regulated pressure chamber  106 , each chamber may have a corresponding control valve  112  or each regulated pressure chamber  106  may feed into to a single control valve  112 . 
     In general, the purpose of ACS  100  is to provide a large capacity source of high pressure gas to power transfer system  109  via control valve  112 . The high pressure gas is contained in regulated pressure chamber  106 . The high pressure gas in regulated pressure chamber  106  is supplied from high pressure chamber  104 . When the pressurized gas supplied by high pressure chamber  104  falls below a minimum level, main controller  114  initiates an ignition sequence to activate combustion system  102 . 
     The ignition sequence allows compressed air from pre-combustion air chamber  206  to flow into combustion chamber  210  by means of combustion valve  216 . During the same sequence, main controller  114  allows a controlled amount of combustible fuel from combustion fuel source  208  to flow into combustion chamber  210  and main controller  114  controls the operation and timing of the ignition. In addition, main controller  114  controls high pressure gas valve  218  such that the combusted gas in combustion chamber  210  is allowed to flow into high pressure chamber  104 . Because compressed air is forced into combustion chamber  210  by combustion valve  216 , combustion chamber  210  does not perform the compression function and therefore, the only source of oil contamination is combustion valve  216  and high pressure gas valve  218 . 
     In applications where power transfer system  109  is a four-cycle engine, the function of compressor  104  may be performed by the compression cycle of the engine. A four-cycle engine has an intake valve, exhaust valve, cylinder, and piston. In addition, a typical four-cycle engine has an intake cycle, a compression cycle, a power cycle, and an exhaust cycle. During the intake cycle, the air intake valve is open, and all other valves are closed and uncompressed air is drawn into the cylinder. Then during the compression cycle, the air output valve between the cylinder and pre-combustion chamber  206  is opened, all other valves are closed, and the air that was drawn in during the intake cycle is compressed. During the power cycle, the valve between the regulated pressure chamber  106  and the cylinder is opened, all other valves are closed, and the piston is activated by the pressure from regulated pressure chamber  106 . Finally, the exhaust cycle removes the high pressure gas from the cylinder by opening the exhaust valve so that the upward motion of the piston forces the high pressure gas out of the cylinder and the process continues with the intake cycle. 
     In applications where the power transfer block is a two-cycle engine, during the power cycle, the valve between regulated pressure chamber  106  and the cylinder is opened, the exhaust valve is closed, and the piston is activated by the pressure from regulated pressure chamber  106 . Then during the exhaust cycle, the valve between regulated pressure chamber  106  remains closed and the exhaust valve is opened so that the upward motion of the piston forces the gas out of the cylinder. 
     In applications where the power transfer block is a rotary engine, during the power cycle, pressure from regulated pressure chamber  106  forces the rotor in the rotary engine to rotate. In one embodiment, during the compression cycle, air is forced out of the cylinder and into pre-combustion pressure chamber  206 . 
     In applications where the power transfer block is a turbine engine, the high pressure air is supplied to the turbine via control valve  112 . In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 4 , ACS  100  is integrated into turbine engine block  400 . Turbine engine block  400  contains intake section  402 , pressure chamber section  404 , and turbine section  406 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , intake section  402  contains compressor  204 , pre-combustion air chamber  206 , valve conduit  216 , and first channel  502 . 
     Compressor  204  draws power from power transfer system  106  and uses the power to rotate compressor blades  504 . The rotation of compressor blades  504  draws air from air intake  202  (not shown) towards the center of the compressor blades in compressor  204 . The air is then compressed as compressor blades  504  force air from the center of compressor blades  504  towards the outside perimeter of compressor blades  504 . From the perimeter of compressor blades  504 , air flows into the pre-combustion chamber  206 . Next, air flows from pre-combustion chamber  206  to combustion chamber  210  ( FIG. 6 ) via first channel  502 . First channel  502  traverses the width of turbine engine block  400  and connects intake section  402  to turbine section  406 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , turbine section  406  contains first channel  502 , combustion chamber  210 , control valve  112 , second channel  606 , supply channel  702 , turbine air conditioner  602 , and turbine  604 . Combustion chamber  210  receives the compressed air from pre-combustion chamber  206  via first channel  501 . After combustion, the hot high pressure gas is delivered to high pressure chamber  104  ( FIG. 7 ) via second channel  606 . Second channel  606  connects turbine section  406  to pressure chamber section  404 . Control valve  112  receives high pressure gas from regulated pressure chamber  106  via supply channel  702  and regulates the flow of the high pressure gas to turbine air conditioner  602 . Turbine air conditioner  602  conditions the hot high pressure gas for use by turbine  604  and in one embodiment turbine air conditioner  602  is a Laval-type nozzle or some other similar nozzle that is capable of delivering a high-velocity stream of gas to the perimeter of turbine  604 . Turbine  604  rotates a shaft that supplies power to the load and may be used to drive compressor  204 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , pressure chamber section  404  contains first channel  502 , second channel  606 , high pressure chamber  104 , water injection system  704 , pressure regulator  110 , regulated pressure chamber  106 , and supply channel  702 . The hot high pressure gas created by combustion chamber  210  in turbine section  406  is delivered to high pressure chamber  104  via second channel  606 . High pressure chamber  104  receives and stores the high pressure hot gas created by combustion chamber  214  and functions as the source of the high pressure gas used by regulated pressure chamber  106  via pressure regulator  110 . In one embodiment, water injection system  704  is connected to high pressure chamber  104  and injects liquid into high pressure chamber  104  to convert additional amounts of the combustion temperature into pressure. Pressure regulator  110  controls the pressure in the regulated pressure chamber  106  and ensures the high pressure gas contained in regulated pressure chamber  106  is sufficient to supply energy to power turbine  604  via control valve  112 . The high pressure gas from pressure regulator  110  is transferred to control valve  112  through supply channel  702 . 
     In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 8 , combustion system  102  of ACS system  100  is replaced by an internal combustion engine (IC engine) 802. Similar to the combustion system  102 , the IC engine  802  provides high temperature gas to high pressure chamber  104 . Collector  804  is located between exhaust manifold  806  of IC engine  802 , and high pressure chamber  104 . Collector  804  receives the hot gas from exhaust manifold  806  of IC engine  802  via collector inlet manifold  814 . In one embodiment, collector  804  contains one or more airlocks. In an embodiment, because efficient operation of IC engine  802  typically depends on a low pressure exhaust system, water injector  808  injects water into collector  804  to convert the high temperature low pressure gas inside collector  804  into high pressure gas. The high pressure gas in collector  804  is delivered to high pressure chamber  104  of ACS system  100  via outlet manifold  810 . Vent manifold  812  vents any excess pressure directly to the atmosphere. In one embodiment, vent manifold  812  vents any excess pressure through the IC engine  605  exhaust system. Main controller  114  controls the flow of gas into and out of collector  804  and high pressure chamber  104 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , collector  804  contains chamber intake  902 , chamber  904 , chamber output  906 , vent port  908 , and water injection port  910 . Chamber intake  902  is connected to collector inlet manifold  814  to receive the exhaust from exhaust manifold  806  of IC engine  802 . The exhaust from IC engine  802  is stored in chamber  904 . The flow from the exhaust manifold  806  though collector inlet manifold  814  and chamber intake  902  and into chamber  904  is controlled by intake valve  912 . In one embodiment intake valve  912  is a unidirectional valve. 
     Chamber output  906  is connected to output manifold  810 . Output manifold  810  is connected to high pressure chamber  104  of ACS system  100  and delivers the high pressure gas in collector  804  to high pressure chamber  104  of ACS system  100 . The flow from chamber  904  through chamber output  906  and to output manifold  810  is controlled by output valve  914 . In one embodiment output valve  914  is a unidirectional valve. 
     Vent port  908  is connected to vent manifold  812  and vents any excess pressure directly to the atmosphere. The flow from chamber  904  through vent port  908  and to vent manifold  812  is controlled by vent valve  916 . In one embodiment, vent valve  916  is a unidirectional valve. 
     During operation, main controller  114  closes the output valve  914  and vent valve  916 . Then intake valve  912  is opened. Hot exhaust gas from IC engine  802  travels through exhaust manifold  806  and chamber intake  902  and into chamber  904 . After chamber  904  has received the hot exhaust gas from the IC engine  802 , main controller  114  closes intake valve  912  and opens water injection valve  910  such that the liquid in water injector  808  enters chamber  904 . In one embodiment, the liquid in water injector  808  is pre-heated before being delivered into chamber  904 . The high temperature gas inside chamber  904  causes the injected water to turn into high pressure steam. After the high pressure steam is generated within the chamber  904 , main controller  114  opens output valve  914 , which releases the high pressure gas within the chamber  904  into high pressure chamber  102 . 
     Then, main controller  114  closes the output valve  914  after at least a portion of the high pressure gas within the chamber  904  is transferred to the high pressure chamber  102 . In one embodiment, main controller  114  opens vent valve  916  and residual high pressure gas remaining in chamber  904  is evacuated through vent manifold  910 . After the residual high pressure gas in chamber  904  is evacuated, main controller  114  closes vent valve  916 , and the cycle begins again. 
     In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 10 , there are a plurality of chambers and each collector chamber operates independently, so that the collector may simultaneously or independently perform any combination of the three modes such as that of intake, expansion, and exhaust. In another embodiment, the plurality of chambers operates collectively. 
     The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosed embodiments. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope possible consistent with the principles and novel features as defined by the following claims.