The invention is for a continuous-combustion, closed-cycle, gas turbine
engine with a regenerator and a displacer. It has embodiments that remove
heater and cooler interior volumes during gas compression, which enable it
to scale well to very large sizes. Low combustion temperatures insure very
low emissions. The displacer levitated by an integral gas bearing and
small clearance seal and given oscillatory translational motion by
electromagnetic forces operates without surface wear. The turbine blades,
subjected only to warm gases, are durable and inexpensive. Thus, this
engine has a very long, continuous, maintenance-free service life. This
gas turbine engine also operates without back work allowing high
efficiency for both low and rated output. Pressurized encapsulation
permits use of low-cost ceramics for high temperature components. The
invention includes a unique monolithic ceramic heater, a compact
high-capacity regenerator and a constant-power gas turbine.
