Refrigeration – Cryogenic treatment of gas or gas mixture – Liquefaction
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-25
2001-06-19
Capossela, Ronald (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Cryogenic treatment of gas or gas mixture
Liquefaction
C060S373000, C091S277000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247332
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a gas driven mechanical oscillator and method for converting the energy of an expanding gas into mechanical work using the oscillator and in particular, but not limited to, a gas driven dynamic linear oscillator using an oscillating mass to accelerate a heavier load against an air cushion.
BACKGROUND ART
Many engines utilize and operate on the principle whereby the energy of an expanding gas during a combustion process is used to produce mechanical work typically driving a piston. This process is utilized in an internal combustion engine.
The present invention has been devised to offer a useful alternative to present gas driven mechanical oscillators of this general kind by utilizing physical principles in a different way to the customarily accepted techniques and methods for converting the energy of an expanding gas into mechanical work.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect the present invention resides in a method for converting the energy of an expanding gas into mechanical work comprising the steps of:
(i) applying a sequence of pulses of gas under a positive pressure to complementary expansion chambers of a variable amplitude mechanical oscillator to cause an oscillating member thereof to oscillate in order for the expanding gas to perform work under load;
(ii) continuing to apply said pulses to said chambers while progressively increasing the amplitude of oscillation of said oscillating member until a desired amplitude is reached; and
(iii) continuing to apply said pulses to said chambers while maintaining said desired amplitude.
The method typically includes the further step of progressively increasing the inertia of said oscillating member while continuing to apply said pulses to said chambers.
The method typically further includes the step of using the said oscillating member to directly or indirectly drive a compressor to compress gas.
In a further and alternative method step said oscillating member is used to directly or indirectly generate electricity.
In a further and alternative step said oscillating member is directly or indirectly used to liquefy air.
In a further and alternative step said oscillating member is used to directly or indirectly drive a combined compressor and electricity generator.
In a further aspect there is provided a gas driven mechanical oscillator comprising a casing, a plurality of expansion chambers within the casing, an oscillating member including moveable walls of said chambers, the oscillating member being adapted to oscillate in response to complementary expansion of gas within and exhaustion of gas from the chambers and there being provided control means operable to vary the amplitude of said oscillating member from an initial low amplitude to a higher amplitude.
Typically the control means comprises variable inertia means for increasing the inertia of said oscillating member during oscillation thereof. In another form where gas is delivered to the chambers as a sequence of gas pulses said control means preferably includes valve means to control the sequencing of said pulses delivered to the chambers in order to increase the amplitude.
In a particularly preferred form the expansion chambers are respective opposed chambers of a double acting pneumatic cylinder assembly having a cylinder and piston within the cylinder, the oscillating member including said piston and being provided with a reciprocable load mounted externally of said cylinder assembly, said piston and said load being mounted for movement together and preferably on a common elongate piston rod, said piston rod having spaced transverse slots and axially shiftable and positionable valve means moveable along said piston rod, said valve means having passage means communicating with a source of compressed gas and at the same time with said chambers, said slots being alternately aligned with the respective spaced passages in said valve means to supply pulses of gas to the expansion chambers of the double acting pneumatic cylinder assembly to cause the oscillating member to oscillate.
In a still further aspect there is provided an AC power supply comprising a double acting pneumatic cylinder assembly including a cylinder and a piston assembly comprising a piston and piston rod attached thereto mounted for reciprocation with the cylinder, a source of compressed air, valve means alternately delivering compressed air from the source of compressed air either side of the piston to cause the piston to reciprocate within the cylinder, the piston rod being coupled to the piston and protruding from the cylinder, the piston rod carrying AC power generator driven by reciprocation of the piston.
In a further aspect there is provided a compressor comprising a double acting pneumatic cylinder assembly including a cylinder and a piston assembly comprising a piston and piston rod attached thereto mounted for reciprocation within the cylinder, a source of compressed air, valve means alternately delivering compressed air from the source of compressed air either side of the piston to cause the piston to reciprocate within the cylinder, the piston rod being coupled to the piston and protruding from the cylinder, the piston rod carrying variable inertia means for increasing the inertia of the moving piston assembly and an air compressor driven by reciprocation of the piston.
REFERENCES:
patent: 711525 (1902-10-01), Place
patent: 3185040 (1965-05-01), Ligon
patent: 3782246 (1974-01-01), Hilbrands
patent: 4016941 (1977-04-01), Sanders
patent: 5765374 (1998-06-01), Hansen
Capossela Ronald
Linear Energy Corporation Limited
Young & Thompson
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