Heat exchange – Non-communicating coaxial enclosures
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-10
2002-02-12
Lazarus, Ira S. (Department: 3743)
Heat exchange
Non-communicating coaxial enclosures
C165S141000, C062S006000, C060S517000, C060S524000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06345666
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 inner and outer spaced apart longitudinally extending walls, each wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner wall surrounding a cavity, each of the inner and outer wall having longitudinally spaced apart first and second ends, the first end is at a different temperature than the second end when the heat engine is in use, the first and second ends in fluid flow communication via a passageway, the first and second ends and the passageway defining a sealed region; and, a heat exchanger mounted on a portion of one of the walls, the heat exchanger comprising at least one fin extending around the portion of the wall and having first and second opposed sides and a plurality of main the fin. Alternately, at least one of the main directing members preferably has a first side, a second side and at least one associated secondary directing member, the secondary directing member is configured and arranged to cause the fluid to flow unidirectionally from one side of a main directing member with which the secondary directing member is associated to the other side as the fluid flows through the fin.
In another embodiment, the fin comprises a hub and a main body portion extending away from the hub, and the main directing members comprise flanges extending away from an opening in the main body portion.
In another embodiment, the fin comprises a hub and a main body portion extending away from the hub, the main body portion having a plurality of openings, and the main directing members comprise louvres extending away from an opening in the main body portion and in contact with the main body portion at a plurality of positions which are nonlinear.
In another embodiment, the fin comprises a hub and a main body portion extending away from the hub, and the main directing members comprises a plurality of blades extending away from the hub.
In another embodiment, the fin is constructed from metal and is prepared by stamping.
In another embodiment, each annular fin has a deformable collar for lockingly engaging a wall.
In another embodiment, the fin is mechanically affixed to the wall by a pressure which is exerted between the fin and the wall which is sufficient to ensure that the rate of heat transfer between the wall and the fin is maintained over the normal operating temperature of the wall. directing members, the fin configured and arranged to produce a main flow of fluid which flows through the fin and to produce a secondary fluid flow which passes through the main directing members whereby the heat transfer between the fluid and the heat exchanger is enhanced.
In one embodiment, the at least one fin comprises a plurality of individual longitudinally spaced apart annular fins.
In another embodiment, the at least one fin comprises a helical fin.
In another embodiment, the main directing members are configured and arranged to direct a portion of the fluid which passes from the first opposed side to the second opposed side to subsequently flow from the second opposed side to the first opposed side as the fluid flows longitudinally through the heat exchanger. Preferably, at least one of the main directing members has associated secondary directing members, the secondary directing members are configured and arranged to cause a portion of the fluid to pass at least twice through the main directing member with which the secondary directing members are associated as the fluid flows through the fin. Alternately, at least one of the main directing members preferably has a first side, a second side and at least one associated secondary directing member, the secondary directing member is configured and arranged to cause the fluid to flow unidirectionally from one side of a main directing member with which the secondary directing member is associated to the other side as the fluid flows through the fin.
In another embodiment, the main directing members are configured and arranged to cause fluid to flow rotationally through the heat exchanger. Preferably, at least one of the main directing members has associated secondary directing members, the secondary directing members are configured and arranged to cause a portion of the fluid to pass at least twice through the main directing member with which the secondary directing members are associated as the fluid flows through In accordance with another aspect of the instant invention, there is provided a heat exchanger capable of being mounted in an fluid flow passage which is located between first and second walls, the walls having a first end and a spaced apart second end, the heat exchanger comprising at least one fin extending between the first and second walls, the at least one fin having first and second opposed sides and a plurality of main directing members, the at least one fin configured and arranged to produce a main flow of fluid which flows through the at least one fin as the fluid flows through the passage from the first end to the second end and to produce a secondary fluid flow which passes through the main directing members whereby the heat transfer between the fluid and the at least one fin is enhanced.
In one embodiment, the at least one fin comprises a plurality o
Fantom Technologies Inc.
McKinnon Terrell
Mendes da Costa Philip C.
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