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kernkraftwerks

http://www.cyclonepower.com/works.html links to Cyclone Power Technologies' "How It Works" page for their non-opensource "Cyclone Engine."

As an example of a Rankine cycle steam engine, the Cyclone Engine may serve as a useful example of modern steam power implementation.

mjn

I am familiar with the Cyclone steam engine. It is a fine piece of machinery and definitely a state-of-the-art advancement for steam technology. It is also protected by several patents. Patents are something we continually struggle with - especially in the open hardware world. It is partially for that reason that most of our OSE steam engine designs are based on some very OLD concepts and thus expired patents.

- Mark

kernkraftwerks

Mark, absolutely understood. Was posting the Cyclone Engine purely as an example. Thanks for your considered & informed reply. :-)

-Kern

SnakeEyes

for a patent, is it "patently illegal" to build one for your own use? I know you can't build and sell them to make money, but if you just build one for yourself with the intent of "proving that it works" is that really all that wrong? Then say it does work and you put it into service for yourself...

Where does that line get drawn?

DavidIAm

The line gets drawn at profiting monetarily off of their patented invention without license from them to do so.

Matt_Maier

I believe in the UK it's acceptable to infringe on a patent as long as it's for your own personal non-commercial use. However, in the US all patent infringement is illegal. I'm not an expert, tho.

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