| CPC F02C 9/18 (2013.01) [F02C 6/08 (2013.01); F02C 6/18 (2013.01); F02C 6/14 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |

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1. A heat engine system comprising:
a compressor having an inlet and an outlet;
a heat source having an inlet and an outlet; and
a turbine having an inlet and an outlet;
wherein the compressor, heat source and turbine define part of a working fluid flow circuit;
the heat engine system further comprising a housing which is operable to be sealed to define a reservoir in which the compressor, heat source, turbine and working fluid flow circuit are located;
wherein the working fluid flow circuit includes
a compressor-to-heat-source duct which extends between the compressor outlet and the heat source inlet,
a heat-source-to-turbine duct which extends between the heat source outlet and the turbine inlet, and
a turbine-to-compressor duct which extends between the turbine outlet and the compressor inlet;
wherein a bleed valve is provided in flow communication with the compressor outlet, operable to bleed working fluid into the reservoir; and
wherein an intake valve is provided in flow communication with the compressor inlet, operable to allow the passage of working fluid from the reservoir to the compressor inlet.
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