A radial inflow turbine may include a wheel, a first set of nozzle vanes surrounding the wheel and a second set of nozzle vanes surrounding the wheel. A first circumferential spacing between two adjacent nozzle vanes of the first set may differ from a second circumferential spacing between another two of the nozzle vanes of the first set.

An air motor (10) that receives compressed air in order to be driven. The air motor (10) includes a valve assembly (11) with a base (12) of a unitary construction. The base (12) has opposite side faces (13) to which there is sealingly attached caps (14) that in cooperation with flexible diaphragms (15) provide working chambers (15, 16).

An air motor (10) that receives compressed air in order to be driven. The air motor (10) includes a valve assembly (11) with a base (12) of a unitary construction. The base (12) has opposite side faces (13) to which there is sealingly attached caps (14) that in cooperation with flexible diaphragms (15) provide working chambers (15, 16).

A heat engine is provided. The heat engine includes a chassis, a work output member, and an operating mechanism for operating the work output member. The chassis supports one or more heat engine components, including the work output member. The work output member is adapted to generate and output mechanical power to an electric power generation system for generating electrical power. The operating mechanism includes a first actuator band array and a second actuator band array connected to displace the work output member in a first direction and a second direction, respectively, in response to heat exposure. A heat switching mechanism is operable to cyclically expose each of the first and second actuator band array to heat to cause cyclic displacement of the work output member in the first and second direction for generating the mechanical power.

A heat engine is provided. The heat engine includes a chassis, a work output member, and an operating mechanism for operating the work output member. The chassis supports one or more heat engine components, including the work output member. The work output member is adapted to generate and output mechanical power to an electric power generation system for generating electrical power. The operating mechanism includes a first actuator band array and a second actuator band array connected to displace the work output member in a first direction and a second direction, respectively, in response to heat exposure. A heat switching mechanism is operable to cyclically expose each of the first and second actuator band array to heat to cause cyclic displacement of the work output member in the first and second direction for generating the mechanical power.

A pneumatic motor for rotating an axle including: a. a housing including: b. an air intake port; c. an air exhaust port; d. at least two cylinders; each cylinder being positioned radially from the axle; e. at least two air channels in communication with each cylinder; f. at least two pistons, each piston attached to the axle by a connecting rod, each piston and respective connecting rod being radially aligned, each piston to be received in one of said at least two cylinders; each connecting rod being attached centrally offset in relation to a central axis of the axle; wherein when one connecting rod and piston are in power stroke, the other connecting rod and piston are in exhaust stroke.

A pneumatic motor for rotating an axle including: a. a housing including: b. an air intake port; c. an air exhaust port; d. at least two cylinders; each cylinder being positioned radially from the axle; e. at least two air channels in communication with each cylinder; f. at least two pistons, each piston attached to the axle by a connecting rod, each piston and respective connecting rod being radially aligned, each piston to be received in one of said at least two cylinders; each connecting rod being attached centrally offset in relation to a central axis of the axle; wherein when one connecting rod and piston are in power stroke, the other connecting rod and piston are in exhaust stroke.

A hydraulic control circuit for a hydraulic motor operable at least at two displacements, having a proportional speed control valve with a control valve spool continuously moveable by means of a force generated by a pilot pressure being controlled by a continuously, electrically adjustable pilot valve having an electrical actuator, wherein the control valve spool is moveable between a full-torque end position, a reduced-torque end position, and at least one intermediate position. A time related control current function is provided for controlling the current applied to the electrical actuator for controlling the pilot pressure including a pre-current portion with a constant non-zero current and a current ramp portion during which the current is raised or lowered continuously from a ramp starting current level to an intermediate current level. The current is changed abruptly to a switching current level at the end of the current ramp portion for allowing the movement of the speed control valve spool from one of the two end positions via the at least one intermediate switching position into the other end position.

A hydraulic control circuit for a hydraulic motor operable at least at two displacements, having a proportional speed control valve with a control valve spool continuously moveable by means of a force generated by a pilot pressure being controlled by a continuously, electrically adjustable pilot valve having an electrical actuator, wherein the control valve spool is moveable between a full-torque end position, a reduced-torque end position, and at least one intermediate position. A time related control current function is provided for controlling the current applied to the electrical actuator for controlling the pilot pressure including a pre-current portion with a constant non-zero current and a current ramp portion during which the current is raised or lowered continuously from a ramp starting current level to an intermediate current level. The current is changed abruptly to a switching current level at the end of the current ramp portion for allowing the movement of the speed control valve spool from one of the two end positions via the at least one intermediate switching position into the other end position.

A heat engine is provided. The heat engine includes a chassis, a work output member, and an operating mechanism for operating the work output member. The chassis supports one or more heat engine components, including the work output member. The work output member is adapted to generate and output mechanical power to an electric power generation system for generating electrical power. The operating mechanism includes a first actuator band array and a second actuator band array connected to displace the work output member in a first direction and a second direction, respectively, in response to heat exposure. A heat switching mechanism is operable to cyclically expose each of the first and second actuator band array to heat to cause cyclic displacement of the work output member in the first and second direction for generating the mechanical power.