Patent ID: 6978610

Claim:
A heat engine comprising: a working fluid; a plurality of movable pistons; at least one compression cylinder having a plurality of said movable pistons receivable within said at least one compression cylinder defining variable volume fluid chambers between said pistons and having said working fluid occupying a space within said chambers; at least one expansion cylinder having a plurality of said movable pistons receivable within said at least one expansion cylinder defining variable volume fluid chambers between said pistons and having said working fluid occupying a space within said chambers; an entry point on one side of said at least one compression cylinder whereby when said engine is in operation, said pistons and said working fluid are at a relatively low pressure state upon entering therein; an exit point on one side of said at least one compression cylinder opposite the side of said entry point whereby when engine is in operation, said pistons and said working fluid are at a relatively high pressure state upon exiting thereof; a force acting on said pistons received within said at least one compression cylinder in addition to the forces exerted by said working fluid on said pistons, that propels said pistons through said at least one compression cylinder from said entry point toward said exit point; an entry point on one side of said at least one expansion cylinder whereby when said engine is in operation, said pistons and said working fluid are at a relatively high pressure state upon entering therein; an exit point at one side of said at least one expansion cylinder opposite the side of said entry point whereby when engine is in operation, said pistons and said working fluid are at a relatively low pressure state upon exiting thereof; a force acting on said pistons received within said at least one expansion cylinder in addition to the forces exerted by said working fluid on said pistons that resists the movement of said pistons through said at least one expansion cylinder from said entry point toward said exit point; a means to add heat to said working fluid; a means to remove heat from said working fluid; and, a power transfer means to transfer power between said engine and an apparatus.