Power plants – Motor operated by expansion and/or contraction of a unit of... – Unit of mass is a gas which is heated or cooled in one of a...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-10
2001-08-28
Nguyen, Hoang (Department: 3748)
Power plants
Motor operated by expansion and/or contraction of a unit of...
Unit of mass is a gas which is heated or cooled in one of a...
C060S524000, C060S526000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279318
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a heat engine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The heat engine is an alternate engine to the internal combustion engine. Various designs for heat engines have been developed in the past. Despite its potential for greater thermodynamic efficiency compared to internal combustion engines, heat engines have been used in only limited applications in the past due to several factors including the complexity of the designs, the weight of the engine per unit of horse power output as well as the difficulty in starting a heat engine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the instant invention, an improved design for a heat engine is disclosed. In one embodiment, the heat engine is made from lightweight sheet metal. By using a plurality of cylindrical containers, one nested inside the other for the displacer, the combustion and cooling chambers as well as to create an air flow path between the heating and cooling chambers, a rugged durable lightweight construction is achieved.
In another embodiment, the heat engine utilizes a power piston which is biased to a first position. By biasing the piston, several advantages are obtained. First, the heat engine may be self starting provided the power piston is biased so as to be initially positioned in the cooling chamber. A further advantage is that by using an electrical means (eg. a solenoid, an electromagnet or the like) to move the displacer, preferably in response to the position of the power piston, a complicated mechanical linkage between the power piston and the displacer is not required thus simplifying the design. Further, by using an electrical linkage, the phase angle between the displacer and the power piston may be adjusted.
The heat engine of the instant invention may be combined with a fuel source (eg. butane), a linear generator and an electrically operated light emitting means to create a flashlight or other portable light source. It will be appreciated that due to the simplicity of the design of the instant invention, the heat engine as well as the linear generator are each adapted to be scaled up or down so as to produce greater or lessor amounts of power. Accordingly, in another embodiment, the heat engine together with a linear generator and a fuel source may be used as a generator. It will further be appreciated that by connecting a linear generator to a source of electricity (eg. standard electrical outlet) the electricity from a power grid may be used to run the linear generator as a motor whereby the power piston effectively drives the displacer. In such a case, the heat engine may be used as a refrigerator or a cryogenic cooler. In such an embodiment, the heating and cooling chambers of the heat engine are effectively reversed and no combustion chamber is required.
In accordance with one aspect of the instant invention, there is provided a heat engine comprising an outer longitudinally extending wall, an inner longitudinally extending wall spaced from the outer longitudinally extending wall to define a first passageway, each wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner wall surrounding a cavity, each of the inner and outer walls having longitudinally spaced apart first and second ends, a heat source mounted at the first end and spaced from the inner wall to define a second passageway, the first and second ends in fluid flow communication via the first and second passageways, the first and second ends and the first and second passageways defining a sealed region within which a working fluid is circulated; a displacer movably mounted in the cavity; a piston movably mounted in the second end; a first heat exchanger mounted in the first passageway comprising at least one fin having first and second opposed sides and constructed to direct the working fluid as it flows through the first heat exchanger to enhance heat transfer between the working fluid and the first heat exchanger; and, a second heat exchanger mounted in the second passageway comprising at least one fin having first and second opposed sides and constructed to direct the working fluid as it flows through the second heat exchanger to enhance heat transfer between the working fluid and the second heat exchanger.
In one embodiment, the heat source comprises a combustion chamber mounted at the first end, the burner chamber is in fluid flow communication with an exhaust gas passageway and a portion of the exhaust gas passageway is positioned adjacent the first passageway.
In another embodiment, the heat engine further comprises a third heat exchanger mounted in the exhaust gas passageway and comprising at least one fin having first and second opposed sides and constructed to direct the exhaust gas as it flows there through to enhance heat transfer between the exhaust gas and the third heat exchanger.
In another embodiment, the inner wall is cylindrical and the heat source is mounted substantially within the inner wall whereby the second passageway is annular.
In another embodiment, the at least one fin is configured and arranged to permit fluid to flow from the first opposed side to the second opposed side and to direct fluid from the second opposed side to the first opposed side.
In another embodiment, the at least one fin has main directing members and fluid flow passages through which the fluid may pass through the fin, the main directing members are configured and arranged to cause a portion of the fluid which has passed through the fin from the first opposed side to the second opposed side to then pass from the second opposed side to the first opposed side.
In another embodiment, the at least one fin is configured and arranged to cause at least a portion of the fluid to swirl around the passageway within which the at least one fin is positioned.
In another embodiment, at least some of the fins are constructed from metal and are prepared by stamping.
In another embodiment, at least some of the fins have a deformable collar for lockingly engaging the wall to which the fin is attached.
In another embodiment, at least some of the fins are mechanically mounted to at least one wall of the heat exchanger by a pressure which is exerted between the fins and the at least one wall which is sufficient to ensure that the rate of heat transfer between the at least one wall and the fins is maintained over the normal operating temperature of the at least one wall.
In another embodiment, the at least one fin comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart fins and/or a helical fin.
In another embodiment, at least one of the main directing members is configured and arranged to cause a portion of the fluid to pass at least twice through the main directing member as the fluid flows through the fin.
In another embodiment, at least one of the main directing members has a first side, a second side and is configured and arranged to cause a portion of the fluid to flow unidirectionally from the first side of a main directing member to the second side of the main directing member as the fluid flows through the fin.
In another embodiment, the at least one fin has at least one main directing member which is configured and arranged to cause a portion of the fluid to pass at least twice through the main directing member as the fluid flows through the fin.
In another embodiment, the at least one fin has at least one main directing member, the main directing member having a first side, a second side and is configured and arranged to cause a portion of the fluid to flow unidirectionally from the first side of a main directing member to the second side of the main directing member as the fluid flows through the fin.
In another embodiment, the at least one fin has a hub adjacent a wall of the passageway within which the at least one fin is positioned and an annular body portion extending away from the hub, and openings and main directing members are provided in the annular body portion.
In another embodiment, the at least one fin has a hub adjacent a wall of the passageway within which the at least one fin is positioned and
Bereskin & Parr
Fantom Technologies Inc.
Mendes da Costa Philip C.
Nguyen Hoang
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