Electricity: single generator systems – Nonmagnetic-type generator
Patent
1986-01-23
1987-06-16
Hickey, R. J.
Electricity: single generator systems
Nonmagnetic-type generator
136208, F01N 502, H01L 3530
Patent
active
046738630
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to an improved generator and more particularly to a voltage generator which is suitable for use with engines such as, for example, internal combustion engines.
One particular application of the present invention is in connection with motor vehicles and it will be convenient to describe the invention with reference to that particular application. It is to be understood, however, that this is not to be taken as a limitation on the scope of the invention as it will be readily apparent that the voltage generator could be used in a wide variety of applications.
Motor vehicles are generally fitted with an electrical generator for meeting the electrical requirements of the vehicle. The generator is usually in the form of an alternator which produces alternating current or in some cases in the form of a dynamo which produces direct current. Both devices are relatively complicated in their structure and because of the number of moving parts tend to suffer from mechanical failure.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved generator which is suitable for use with internal combustion engines which alleviate one or more of the aforementioned problems.
According to the present invention there is provided a voltage generator suitable for use with engines which in operation have relatively hot zones the voltage generator comprising a plurality of thermocouples having alternating hot and cold junctions, characterized in that said thermocouples are arranged in electrical series and/or parallel with said hot junctions being disposed adjacent a relatively hot zone of the engine, said cold junctions being spaced from the relatively hot zone so that the heat of the engine in the hot zone causes a voltage to be produced by the plurality of thermocouples.
Preferably, the relatively hot zone of the engine is a waste heat zone such as the engine exhaust.
In a preferred form, the thermocouples are mounted on support members in banks. Preferably, the support members are in the form of elongated fins having one longitudinal edge mounted in the hot zone with the fin projecting away from the hot zone said one longitudinal edge having the hot junctions at or adjacent thereto the other longitudinal edge having the cold junctions of the thermocouples at or adjacent thereto.
Where the generator is used in association with the engine exhaust the inner longitudinal edge of each fin abuts against the exhaust pipe of the engine and said outer longitudinal edge projects away therefrom.
Preferably, a plurality of fins are provided which are arranged on the exhaust pipe, the fins being circumferentially disposed therearound and projecting radially therefrom.
More preferably 20 fins are provided around the exhaust pipe of the engine each fin containing at least a hundred thermocouples thereon, the outer longitudinal edges of the fins being spaced apart so that air can freely pass along and between the outer edge portions of each fin.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a generator according to the invention; and
FIG. 2 is a diagram of one proposed array of thermocouples for use in the generator of the present invention.
Referring to the drawings, the generator of the present invention generally indicated at 1 comprises a plurality of thermocouples 11 having alternating hot and cold junctions 12 and 13, the thermocouples 13 being arranged in electrical series and/or parallel (see FIG. 2). The hot junctions of the thermocouples are mounted adjacent a relatively hot zone of the engine when the engine is in operation, the cold junctions being spaced from the relatively hot zone so that the heat of the engine in the hot zone causes a voltage to be produced by the plurality of thermocouples. Preferably, the heat zone of the engine is, as shown, a waste heat zone such as the engine exhaust or the like.
As shown, the thermocouples are mounted on support members 2 in banks. The support
REFERENCES:
patent: 1118269 (1914-11-01), Creveling
patent: 2362259 (1944-11-01), Findly
patent: 3297492 (1967-01-01), Pepper
patent: 4095998 (1978-06-01), Hanson
patent: 4204882 (1980-05-01), Howell
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