Fluidic-piston engine

Abstract

An external combustion engine includes: a plurality of cavities; a compressible working fluid in fluid communication between each pair of adjacent cavities; and a plurality of hydraulic linkages in reciprocal phase communication between each pair of alternate cavities. In an alternative embodiment the external combustion engine includes: a plurality of cavities; a compressible working fluid in fluid communication between each pair of adjacent cavities; and a plurality of articulated mechanical linkages in reciprocal phase communication between each pair of alternate cavities. In another alternative embodiment the external combustion engine includes: at least four upright cavities disposed substantially equidistant from a central upright axis; a compressible working fluid in fluid communication between each pair of adjacent cavities; and at least one linkage in reciprocal phase communication between each pair of alternate cavities. The at least one linkage may comprise a hydraulic linkage. Alternatively, the at least one linkage may comprise an articulated mechanical linkage.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An external combustion engine comprising: 
 a plurality of cavities;    a compressible working fluid in fluid communication between each pair of adjacent said cavities; and    a plurality of hydraulic linkages in reciprocal phase communication between each pair of alternate said cavities.    
     
     
         2 . An external combustion engine comprising: 
 a plurality of cavities;    a compressible working fluid in fluid communication between each pair of adjacent said cavities; and    a plurality of articulated mechanical linkages in reciprocal phase communication between each pair of alternate said cavities.    
     
     
         3 . An external combustion engine comprising: 
 at least four upright cavities disposed substantially equidistant from a central upright axis;    a compressible working fluid in fluid communication between each pair of adjacent said cavities; and    at least one linkage in reciprocal phase communication between each pair of alternate said cavities.    
     
     
         4 . An engine as defined in  claim 3  wherein said at least one linkage comprises an hydraulic linkage.  
     
     
         5 . An engine as defined in  claim 3  wherein said at least one linkage comprises an articulated mechanical linkage.