Energy conversion apparatus

US11629663B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Joshua Tyler Mook · Cincinnati, US
• Michael Thomas Gansler · Mason, US
• Scott Douglas Waun · Loveland, US
• Kevin Michael VandeVoorde · Cincinnati, US
• Aigbedion Akwara · Cincinnati, US
• Michael Robert Notarnicola · Cincinnati, US
• Jason Joseph Bellardi · Lancaster, US
• Mohammed El Hacin Sennoun · Sharonville, US
• Mary Kathryn Thompson · Colfax, US
• Mohamed Osama · Garching an der Alz, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 28, 2022
• Grant date: Apr 18, 2023
• Expiry date: Jan 28, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T10/12
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An energy conversion apparatus may include an engine assembly, such as a monolithic engine assembly. The engine assembly may include a first monolithic body segment and a plurality of second monolithic body segments directly coupled or directly couplable to the first monolithic body segment. The first monolithic body segment may define a combustion chamber and a recirculation pathway in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. The recirculation pathway may be configured to recirculate combustion gas through the combustion chamber. The plurality of second monolithic body segments may respectively define at least a portion of a piston chamber and a plurality of working-fluid pathways fluidly communicating with the piston chamber.