초록 ▼

A confined gaseous mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen is irradiated with a carbon dioxide laser which excites a significant portion of the gas to vibrational energy levels, thereby reducing the translational energy and therefore the temperature of the gas. The gas is adiabatically compressed, an

A confined gaseous mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen is irradiated with a carbon dioxide laser which excites a significant portion of the gas to vibrational energy levels, thereby reducing the translational energy and therefore the temperature of the gas. The gas is adiabatically compressed, and then allowed to relax so that the temperature of the compressed gas increases. The high temperature, compressed gas is then expanded through a turbine or in a cylinder which drives an external device, such as vehicle propulsion apparatus or an electric generator, thereby to perform work. The process may occur in engines having one or more closed cylinders, or in turbocompressors.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.]1. An engine system comprising:an engine connected to a mechanical work output device for confining a volume of a gas having at least one upper, vibrational energy level, at least one lower vibrational energy level and ground state translational energy, for compressing said gas subst

[ I claim:] [1.]1. An engine system comprising:an engine connected to a mechanical work output device for confining a volume of a gas having at least one upper, vibrational energy level, at least one lower vibrational energy level and ground state translational energy, for compressing said gas substantially adiabatically, and for expanding said mixture substantially adiabatically while performing work;irradiation means for irradiating said gas, before said gas is compressed, to excite at least a portion of the molecular population of said gas to said at least one upper, vibrational energy level, thereby reducing the translational energy in said gas and cooling at least a portion of said gas; andsaid engine allowing said gas to relax between when said gas is compressed and when said gas is expanded, said vibrational energy returning to translational energy, thereby warming at least a portion of said gas.