Method and apparatus for extracting heat and mechanical energy from a

Abstract

A piston type expander/prime mover utilizes a plurality of pairs of cylinders mounted on a rotatable cylinder support. Each cylinder has an open end and a closed end and each pair of cylinders has their open ends disposed in spaced, opposed relationship. A pair of pistons respectively cooperate with the pair of cylinders, and each piston has a connecting rod pivotally secured thereto and projecting through the open end of the respective cylinder. The two ends of the connecting rods are in turn pivotally connected to a lever arm which is secured to the movable element of a first unidirectional (over-running) clutch which has its stationary element secured to a stationary shaft. A first load transmitting element is secured to the rotatable element of the unidirectional (over-running) clutch. Valving is provided in the closed end of each cylinder to permit a charge of pressured gas to be introduced into such closed end as the respective piston approaches such closed end. As a result, half of the pistons advance through a power stroke, rotating the first load transmitting member through an arcuate angle and the cylinders are then moved on the next power stroke in the same direction to effect the return of the first half of the pistons to the other ends of the cylinders and thus drive the second load transmitting element in the same direction as the first load transmitting element, but completely independent thereof.