Methods and designs for increasing efficiency in engines

摘要

An efficient thermal engine is disclosed. In some embodiments, a remainder of energy remaining after an expansion cycle is used to power a subsequent compression cycle. In other embodiments, novel configurations for a larger expansion volume than compression volume are provided. In addition, work of compression may be reduced in a compression cycle, and recovered in an expansion cycle.

主权项

1. A thermal engine having high efficiency comprising:
at least one or more mechanically variable volumes within which compression and expansion of a working fluid occurs, at least one controlled intake valve for ingesting a working fluid into said one or more variable volumes just prior to compression of said working fluid, at least one controlled exhaust valve for exhausting said working fluid from said one or more variable volumes after heating and expansion of said working fluid, at least one rotational power shaft for extraction of power from said engine, trochoidal gears connected between said at least one or more mechanically variable volumes and said rotational power shaft, said trochoidal gears providing a maximum intake volume within said one or more variable volumes upon closure of said controlled intake valve that is smaller than a maximum expanded volume within said one or more variable volumes upon opening of said controlled exhaust valve, whereby said working fluid expands within said greater maximum expanded volume, thereby providing more efficiency than expansion of said working fluid in said maximum intake volume.