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US 2011/0030548 A1Published application
Energy conversion devices and systems including the same
OwnerAndrew C. Berkuninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for converting energy from a stream of compressed gas into mechanical work as systems incorporating such methods and apparatus.
Claims36
An energy conversion device, comprising:
- a cylinder defining first and second longitudinal ends;
- a piston located within the cylinder and movable relative to the cylinder;
- an intake valve associated with the first longitudinal end of the cylinder and including outlet and an intake valve member, the intake valve member being movable, between an open position in spaced relation to the outlet and a closed position that abuts the outlet, and biased to the open position by a biasing force;
- a protrusion carried by the piston or the intake valve member such that the piston moves the intake valve member to the open position when the piston is adjacent to the intake valve;
- and
- an exhaust valve associated with the first longitudinal end of the cylinder and including an outlet and an exhaust valve member, the exhaust valve member being movable between an open position in spaced relation to the outlet and a closed position that abuts the outlet and biased to the open position by a biasing force.
3 more elements
An energy conversion device, comprising:
- a cylinder defining first and second longitudinal ends cylinder and including an exhaust port between the longitudinal ends;
- a piston located within the cylinder and movable relative to the cylinder through an expansion stroke having an end and a return stroke;
- the piston and cylinder being configured the piston covers exhaust port during at least a portion of the expansion stroke and uncovers the exhaust port near the end of the expansion stroke;
- an intake valve associated with the first longitudinal end of the cylinder and including outlet and an intake valve member, the intake valve member being movable, between an open position in spaced relation to the outlet and a closed position that abuts the outlet, and biased to the open position by a biasing force;
- and
- a protrusion carried by the piston or the intake valve member such that the piston moves the intake valve member to the open position when the piston is adjacent to the intake valve.
3 more elements
36-43. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.