in 1900 ernst körting filed patents for a novel design of gas engine. this engine had a single water cooled piston that was double acting, i.e. the cylinder had combustion chambers at either end. as the engine was a 2-stroke this gave it continuous power strokes, much as a double acting steam engine. the lack of continuous power strokes in internal combustion engines was perceived by those used to steam as having the potential for mechanical problems due to the intermittent power strokes. the körting design was quite successful in a range of applications particularly large installations powered by blast furnace gas.