Method and apparatus for extracting heat and mechanical energy from a

Abstract

A method and apparatus for extracting heat and mechanical energy from a pressured gas utilizes a plurality of peripherally spaced cylinders fixedly mounted in generally tangential relationship about a rotatable power output shaft. A unidirectional clutch is mounted on the shaft and the pistons provided for each cylinder are respectively provided with pivoted connecting rod connections to the outer housing of the unidirectional clutch so that movement of the pistons from the outer ends of the cylinders toward the inner ends will effect rotation of the output shaft, while reverse movement of the pistons in the cylinders will have no effect on the rotation of the output shaft. The cylinders are preferably mounted in a cylindrical wall of a hollow housing defining a sealed internal fluid pressure chamber communicating with the inner ends of each of the cylinders. A regulated gas pressure is maintained in the inner fluid pressure chamber to effect the return of the pistons to their outermost positions in the cylinders where the pistons operate inlet valves permitting a new charge of pressured gas to be supplied to the cylinders. Modifications of the invention permit sequential operation of groups of pistons and selection of the number of groups of cylinders that are in operation, thus providing a variable displacement engine. The cooled expanded gases discharged from the cylinders may be employed in either a closed or an open cycle air conditioning system. The exterior surfaces of the cylinders may be utilized to cool a stream of air passing in contact therewith.