An improved sealing system for a poppet valve rotating sleeve internal combustion engine with rotating liners. A hydrodynamic face seal assembly includes a spring pre-load assembly provides a uniform loading to a primary sealing ring. A secondary seal is provided between the primary sealing ring and the cylinder head. Hydrodynamic face seal features are provided either on the mating face of the primary sealing ring or on the annular face of the rotating liner. The hydrodynamic face seal features include an inner sealing zone, and an outer loading zone with a plurality of hydrodynamic lift pads, and dam features which create converging surfaces. A lubricant is provided to the annular face of the rotating liner, so that a lubricant layer can be maintained between the primary sealing ring mating face and the rotating liner.

An improved sealing system for a poppet valve rotating sleeve internal combustion engine with rotating liners. A hydrodynamic face seal assembly includes a spring pre-load assembly provides a uniform loading to a primary sealing ring. A secondary seal is provided between the primary sealing ring and the cylinder head. Hydrodynamic face seal features are provided either on the mating face of the primary sealing ring or on the annular face of the rotating liner. The hydrodynamic face seal features include an inner sealing zone, and an outer loading zone with a plurality of hydrodynamic lift pads, and dam features which create converging surfaces. A lubricant is provided to the annular face of the rotating liner, so that a lubricant layer can be maintained between the primary sealing ring mating face and the rotating liner.

The present invention concerns an external heat source engine comprising: at least one cylinder (2), a piston (3) that is movable back and forth in the cylinder, a cylinder head (4) defining a working chamber (5) with the piston and the cylinder, a heat exchanger (6) for exchanging heat between a working gas and a heat-transfer fluid, a distribution comprising two rotary slide valves (20, 30) mounted so as to be able to rotate in the cylinder head and bringing the working chamber selectively into communication with the following resources: a working gas inlet (A), a cold end (B) of the exchanger, a hot end (C) of the exchanger, an exhaust (D). The slide valves (20, 30) comprise internal passages that open through the side wall of same through at least one opening that communicates selectively with the working chamber (5) via at least one opening formed in the cylinder head (4).

The present invention concerns an external heat source engine comprising: at least one cylinder (2), a piston (3) that is movable back and forth in the cylinder, a cylinder head (4) defining a working chamber (5) with the piston and the cylinder, a heat exchanger (6) for exchanging heat between a working gas and a heat-transfer fluid, a distribution comprising two rotary slide valves (20, 30) mounted so as to be able to rotate in the cylinder head and bringing the working chamber selectively into communication with the following resources: a working gas inlet (A), a cold end (B) of the exchanger, a hot end (C) of the exchanger, an exhaust (D). The slide valves (20, 30) comprise internal passages that open through the side wall of same through at least one opening that communicates selectively with the working chamber (5) via at least one opening formed in the cylinder head (4).

A reciprocating cylinder seal assembly (10, 10) has an elastomeric seal, where separate inner (16, 16) and an outer (18, 18) valve seal retainers are located within the reciprocating cylinder seal assembly. The reciprocating cylinder seal assembly (10, 10) better controls radial run out than past seals in reciprocating cylinder engines. Further, the reciprocating cylinder seal assembly may have a scraper (42) that is in contact with the outer valve seal retainer (18).

A reciprocating cylinder seal assembly (10, 10) has an elastomeric seal, where separate inner (16, 16) and an outer (18, 18) valve seal retainers are located within the reciprocating cylinder seal assembly. The reciprocating cylinder seal assembly (10, 10) better controls radial run out than past seals in reciprocating cylinder engines. Further, the reciprocating cylinder seal assembly may have a scraper (42) that is in contact with the outer valve seal retainer (18).

A tubular roller valve for an internal combustion engine, which includes a hollow tube having at least one hole, the at least one hole being configured to access an air inlet or an exhaust of a cylinder in an engine block, a tubular outer insulator outside of the hollow tube, the outer insulator being fixed to a cylinder head, and a tubular inner insulator inside of the hollow tube. An additional tube between the hollow tube and the outer insulator can serve to operate as a compression release brake.

A tubular roller valve for an internal combustion engine, which includes a hollow tube having at least one hole, the at least one hole being configured to access an air inlet or an exhaust of a cylinder in an engine block, a tubular outer insulator outside of the hollow tube, the outer insulator being fixed to a cylinder head, and a tubular inner insulator inside of the hollow tube. An additional tube between the hollow tube and the outer insulator can serve to operate as a compression release brake.

An engine with a rotating valve assembly is disclosed. The valve assembly including a housing having an internal cavity, an open top, and an open bottom, the open top and open bottom being in fluid communication with the internal cavity; a valve barrel positioned in the internal cavity and adapted for rotation therein, the valve barrel having an annular peripheral surface and an aperture extending transversely therethrough communicating with the peripheral surface on opposite sides; a first seal assembly positioned in the open top and a second seal assembly positioned in the open bottom, the first and second seal assemblies each include a seal having a sealing surface in mating engagement with the peripheral surface and an aperture extending therethrough.

An engine with a rotating valve assembly is disclosed. The valve assembly including a housing having an internal cavity, an open top, and an open bottom, the open top and open bottom being in fluid communication with the internal cavity; a valve barrel positioned in the internal cavity and adapted for rotation therein, the valve barrel having an annular peripheral surface and an aperture extending transversely therethrough communicating with the peripheral surface on opposite sides; a first seal assembly positioned in the open top and a second seal assembly positioned in the open bottom, the first and second seal assemblies each include a seal having a sealing surface in mating engagement with the peripheral surface and an aperture extending therethrough.