A rod seal assembly. The rod seal assembly includes a housing between two spaces configured to receive a reciprocating rod, the reciprocating rod disposed within a first space and a second space, a floating bushing configured to move axially and radially within the housing and disposed coaxially around the reciprocating rod, a rod seal configured to seal the outside diameter of the reciprocating rod relative to an inside surface of the floating bushing, and at least one stationary bushing fixed within the housing that may form a seal with the floating bushing to the axial flow of fluid in the presence of a pressure difference between the two spaces.

A piston rod seal unit. The piston rod seal unit includes a housing, a cylinder gland, and at least one floating rod seal assembly mounted in the cylinder gland, the floating rod seal assembly comprising at least one rod seal mounted onto the floating rod seal assembly.

A piston rod seal unit. The piston rod seal unit includes a housing, a cylinder gland, and at least one floating rod seal assembly mounted in the cylinder gland, the floating rod seal assembly comprising at least one rod seal mounted onto the floating rod seal assembly.

A hydrogen production system includes: a hydrogen production device connected to an electric power system or connected to a power generation device using renewable energy and configured to produce hydrogen by electrolyzing pure water; an output control unit capable of controlling an amount of power supplied from the electric power system to the hydrogen production device according to request from the electric power system; a first pure water line for supplying pure water to the hydrogen production device; a first adjustment device capable of adjusting an amount of pure water supplied to the hydrogen production device via the first pure water line; and a first control unit configured to control the first adjustment device, based on a power amount signal indicating information on an amount of power supplied from the electric power system to the hydrogen production device.

A method of operating a thermal exchange engine having a thermal energy conduction surface and rotating elements in the vessel which form a plurality of closed working chambers which increase or decrease in volume as the rotating elements move. The method involves placing a phase change fluid in each of the working chambers and operating the vessel as on a closed cycle without addition of phase change fluid into the vessel or removal of phase change fluid from the vessel. The method involves applying thermal energy to the thermal energy conduction surface, thereby thermally increasing or decreasing a pressure inside at least one working chamber positioned adjacent to the thermal energy conduction surface, such that the change in pressure inside the at least one working chamber causes the rotating elements to move the at least one working chamber away from the thermal energy conduction surface.

A method of operating a thermal exchange engine having a thermal energy conduction surface and rotating elements in the vessel which form a plurality of closed working chambers which increase or decrease in volume as the rotating elements move. The method involves placing a phase change fluid in each of the working chambers and operating the vessel as on a closed cycle without addition of phase change fluid into the vessel or removal of phase change fluid from the vessel. The method involves applying thermal energy to the thermal energy conduction surface, thereby thermally increasing or decreasing a pressure inside at least one working chamber positioned adjacent to the thermal energy conduction surface, such that the change in pressure inside the at least one working chamber causes the rotating elements to move the at least one working chamber away from the thermal energy conduction surface.

A method is provided for converting heat from a heat source to mechanical energy. The method comprises heating a working fluid using heat supplied from the heat source; and expanding the heated working fluid to lower pressure of the working fluid and generating mechanical energy as the pressure of the working fluid is lowered. The method is characterized by using a working fluid comprising (2E)-1,1,1,4,5,5,5-heptafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)pent-2-ene (HFO-153-10mzzy). Also provided is a power cycle apparatus. The apparatus is characterized by containing a working fluid comprising HFO-153-10mzzy.

A method is provided for converting heat from a heat source to mechanical energy. The method comprises heating a working fluid using heat supplied from the heat source; and expanding the heated working fluid to lower pressure of the working fluid and generating mechanical energy as the pressure of the working fluid is lowered. The method is characterized by using a working fluid comprising (2E)-1,1,1,4,5,5,5-heptafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)pent-2-ene (HFO-153-10mzzy). Also provided is a power cycle apparatus. The apparatus is characterized by containing a working fluid comprising HFO-153-10mzzy.

An external combustion engine including a burner element, a heater head, a piston cylinder containing a piston, a cooler and a crankcase. The crankcase includes a crankshaft, a piston rod connected to the piston, a drive mechanism for converting the linear motion of the piston rod to rotary motion of the crankshaft and a linear cross-head bearing that is connected rigidly to the piston rod at one end and to the drive mechanism at the other end. Also the external combustion engine includes a piston clearance seal and a piston rod seal unit that has floating rod seals. The piston includes a inner dome to reduce axial heat transfer via radiation and convection.

An external combustion engine including a burner element, a heater head, a piston cylinder containing a piston, a cooler and a crankcase. The crankcase includes a crankshaft, a piston rod connected to the piston, a drive mechanism for converting the linear motion of the piston rod to rotary motion of the crankshaft and a linear cross-head bearing that is connected rigidly to the piston rod at one end and to the drive mechanism at the other end. Also the external combustion engine includes a piston clearance seal and a piston rod seal unit that has floating rod seals. The piston includes a inner dome to reduce axial heat transfer via radiation and convection.