The present invention describes an external combustion rotary engine, which, due to the separate combustion chamber of the engine, is possible the operation at a lower temperature than those internal combustions, therefore, the engine efficiency is greater. Another characteristic presented by the external combustion rotary engine is that it has concentric expansion chambers and through cams that have a rotor, it is possible to take advantage of the expansion force of the working fluid. The external combustion rotary engine is of closed-cycle operation, so the consumption of additional water is reduced as work fluid since the amount of water within the system is sufficient. Finally, it is worth mentioning that the external combustion rotary engine, thanks to its operation principle, can be applied in the electric power generation field.

A method of controlling a rotary engine is disclosed. The rotary engine includes a shroud surrounding a rotor. The rotor carries a combustion chamber spaced from an axis of rotation of the rotor. A pressure activated valve is located between the combustion chamber and obliquely arranged exhaust nozzles. An ECU controls the combustion cycle of the engine based on a signal from a pressure sensor in the combustion chamber. The electronic control responds to the pressure signal from the pressure sensor to open a fuel control valve, to fire a spark plug and cause combustion of the fuel within the combustion chamber, and to thereafter open an air control valve to purge the combustion chamber of exhaust gasses.

A method of controlling a rotary engine is disclosed. The rotary engine includes a shroud surrounding a rotor. The rotor carries a combustion chamber spaced from an axis of rotation of the rotor. A pressure activated valve is located between the combustion chamber and obliquely arranged exhaust nozzles. An ECU controls the combustion cycle of the engine based on a signal from a pressure sensor in the combustion chamber. The electronic control responds to the pressure signal from the pressure sensor to open a fuel control valve, to fire a spark plug and cause combustion of the fuel within the combustion chamber, and to thereafter open an air control valve to purge the combustion chamber of exhaust gasses.

A rotary engine includes a shroud surrounding a rotor. The rotor carries a combustion chamber spaced from an axis of rotation of the rotor. A pressure activated valve is located between the combustion chamber and obliquely arranged exhaust nozzles. An ECU controls the combustion cycle of the engine based on a signal from a pressure sensor in the combustion chamber. The electronic control responds to the pressure signal from the pressure sensor to open a fuel control valve, to fire a spark plug and cause combustion of the fuel within the combustion chamber, and to thereafter open an air control valve to purge the combustion chamber of exhaust gasses.

A rotary engine includes a shroud surrounding a rotor. The rotor carries a combustion chamber spaced from an axis of rotation of the rotor. A pressure activated valve is located between the combustion chamber and obliquely arranged exhaust nozzles. An ECU controls the combustion cycle of the engine based on a signal from a pressure sensor in the combustion chamber. The electronic control responds to the pressure signal from the pressure sensor to open a fuel control valve, to fire a spark plug and cause combustion of the fuel within the combustion chamber, and to thereafter open an air control valve to purge the combustion chamber of exhaust gasses.

An internal combustion engine comprises a plurality of engine units (50A-50C), each having a working space (11), in which two rotary pistons (20, 30) are arranged so as mesh with each other and thereby divide the working space (11) into an inflow region (12) and an outflow region (13). Each engine unit comprises a closable inlet opening (62A-62C) to the inflow region (12) and a closable exhaust gas outlet opening (64A-64C). The internal combustion engine further comprises a feed-line pipe (60) to the inlet openings (62A-62C) and an exhaust gas collection pipe (66) connected to the exhaust gas outlet openings (64A-64C), so that the engine units (50A-50C) are connected in parallel with each other. The internal combustion engine further comprises exhaust gas lines (63A, 63B) which connect the engine units (50A, 50B) with each other in series. In dependence upon a desired power output, a control device (70) operates some of the engine units (50B, 50C) either as internal combustion engines, wherein the respective inlet opening (62B-62C) is opened, or as expansion engines, wherein respective inlet opening (62B-62C) remains closed and the respective rotary pistons (20, 30) are instead driven by exhaust gas flowing in via the respective exhaust gas line (63A, 63B).

An internal combustion engine comprises a plurality of engine units (50A-50C), each having a working space (11), in which two rotary pistons (20, 30) are arranged so as mesh with each other and thereby divide the working space (11) into an inflow region (12) and an outflow region (13). Each engine unit comprises a closable inlet opening (62A-62C) to the inflow region (12) and a closable exhaust gas outlet opening (64A-64C). The internal combustion engine further comprises a feed-line pipe (60) to the inlet openings (62A-62C) and an exhaust gas collection pipe (66) connected to the exhaust gas outlet openings (64A-64C), so that the engine units (50A-50C) are connected in parallel with each other. The internal combustion engine further comprises exhaust gas lines (63A, 63B) which connect the engine units (50A, 50B) with each other in series. In dependence upon a desired power output, a control device (70) operates some of the engine units (50B, 50C) either as internal combustion engines, wherein the respective inlet opening (62B-62C) is opened, or as expansion engines, wherein respective inlet opening (62B-62C) remains closed and the respective rotary pistons (20, 30) are instead driven by exhaust gas flowing in via the respective exhaust gas line (63A, 63B).

A rotary engine casing having at least one end wall of an internal cavity for a rotor including a seal-engaging plate sealingly engaging the peripheral wall to partially seal the internal cavity and a member mounted adjacent the seal-engaging plate outside of the internal cavity. The member and seal-engaging plate having abutting mating surfaces which cooperate to define between them at least one fluid cavity communicating with a source of liquid coolant. When the casing includes a plurality of rotor housings, the end wall may be between rotor housings. A method of manufacturing a rotary engine casing is also discussed.

A CAES generator includes a plurality of motors, a plurality of compressors, a pressure accumulator, an expander, a generator, an electric-motor inverter that changes a rotation speed of each of the motors, a feed command receiver that receives input power as a feed command value before feeding the input power, and a controller. The controller includes a compressor number calculation unit that calculates a maximum number of motors that are allowed to be driven at a rating based on the feed command value, and a compressor drive control unit that drives at the rating, the motors, the number of which is the maximum number calculated by the compressor number calculation unit.

A CAES generator includes a plurality of motors, a plurality of compressors, a pressure accumulator, an expander, a generator, an electric-motor inverter that changes a rotation speed of each of the motors, a feed command receiver that receives input power as a feed command value before feeding the input power, and a controller. The controller includes a compressor number calculation unit that calculates a maximum number of motors that are allowed to be driven at a rating based on the feed command value, and a compressor drive control unit that drives at the rating, the motors, the number of which is the maximum number calculated by the compressor number calculation unit.