External combustion engine

Abstract

An improved efficiency external combustion engine which utilizes separation on the thermodynamic processes that occur in an external combustion engine into components designed to maximum each operation. The external combustion engine varies flow volume of air to the combustor in response to power demands and delivers fuel to the combustor at a constant air-to-fuel ratio. The system further comprises separate compressors, combustors and expanders wherein the compressor utilizes isothermal compression, the combustor utilizes constant pressure or constant volume combustion or a combination of the two and may provide final compression, and the expander may utilize subatmospheric expansion. Exhaust heat may be regenerated and used in the primary cycle. The engine also comprises a positive lubrication system for the cylinders and pistons that allows a constant flow of a lubricant around the piston. A wide variance valve control mechanism is introduced which offers varied valve timings.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.