US3648458A

US3648458A - Vapor pressurized hydrostatic drive

Info

Publication number: US3648458A
Application number: US58934A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roy E Mcalister
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-07-28
Filing date: 1970-07-28
Publication date: 1972-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 1989-03-14

Abstract

A hydrostatic drive system generally of the type wherein vapor is alternately directed into one of two reservoir tanks so that working fluid in that tank is forced out of the tank by pressure of the vapor and through a fluidic motor to generate a mechanical output before it returns to refill the other tank. When the first tank is substantially depleted, the vapor pressure is directed into the refilled tank so that fluid from that tank now flows through the motor to refill the first, now depleted, tank. In one embodiment, cyclic pressure generated by a vapor generator forces fluid cyclically through an AC fluid motor. In another embodiment, heat from the working fluid is employed to generate the vapor pressure and reduce the temperature of the working fluid passing through the motor. In a further embodiment, the fuel serves as the working fluid and the vapor from the refilling tank is combusted to provide heat to convert the fuel from its liquid to vapor state. In another embodiment, the combustion gases are combined with the vapor so that, when water is the working fluid, the water vapor in the combustion gases serves as make up working fluid. In a further embodiment, heat from working fluid on its way to the motor is transferred to other working fluid in a second system to drive a second motor. Further aspects of the invention are set forth below.

Description

United States Patent McAlister [4 Mar. 14, 1972 [54] VAPOR PRESSURIZED HYDROSTATIC DRIVE [72] Inventor: Roy E. McAlister, 5285 N. Red Rock Drive, Phoenix, Ariz. 85018 [22] Filed: July 28, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 58,934

2,955,897 10/1960 Noe 3,100,965 8/1963 Blackburn ..60/51 Primary Examiner-Edgar W. Geoghegan Assistant ExaminerAllen M. Ostrager Attorney-Cushman, Darby & Cushman {57] ABSTRACT A hydrostatic drive system generally of the type wherein vapor is alternately directed into one of two reservoir tanks so that working fluid in that tank is forced out of the tank by pressure of the vapor and through a fluidic motor to generate a mechanical output before it returns to refill the other tank. When the first tank is substantially depleted, the vapor pressure is directed into the refilled tank so that fluid from that tank now flows through the motor to refill the first, now depleted, tank. 1n one embodiment, cyclic pressure generated by a vapor generator forces fluid cyclically through an AC fluid motor. In another embodiment, heat from the working fluid is employed to generate the vapor pressure and reduce the temperature of the working fluid passing through the motor. In a further embodiment, the fuel serves as the working fluid and the vapor from the refilling tank is combusted to provide heat to convert the fuel from its liquid to vapor state. In another embodiment, the combustion gases are combined with the vapor so that, when water is the working fluid, the water vapor in the combustion gases serves as make up working fluid. In a further embodiment, heat from working fluid on its way to the motor is transferred to other working fluid in a second system to drive a second motor. Further aspects of the invention are set forth below.

9 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PAIENTEBMAR 14 I972 SHEET 1 OF 9 INVENTOR y ZMZ/S/Z'E ATTORNEY$ PAIENTEDMAR 14 m2 SHEET 3 BF 9 K INVENTOR 1/5405756 M ATTORNEYS PATENTEDHAR 14 I972 SHEET h 0F 9 a 7 -..F;INVENTOR M ATTORNEE PMENTEDHAR 14 972 3,648, 15 8 sum 5 OF 9 FUEL /5 ,5372 INVENTOR F0) .5 fl/( 05756 3 mag lah 4 A I Y -'Ja a? ATTORNEYS PATENTEDHAR 14 1972 T 648 ,458

sum 7 BF 9 A AAA/\AAAAAA IN VEN TOR ATTORNEY PATENTEDHAR 14 I972 SHEET 8 [)F 9 INVENTOR 4%141/5726 ATTORNEYS VAPOR PRESSURIZED HYDROSTATIC 'DRIV E BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relation to a vapor pressurized hydrostatic drive for converting heat into mechanical motion.

Over the past few centuries, one of the continuing goals of technology has been the improvement of systems for converting energy in the form of heat into mechanical motion. The widely employed conventional steam engine and internal combustion engine are the products of this continued effort. Neither of these engines is, however, completely satisfactory. Both are complicated heavy machines whose efficiency in accomplishing the energy conversion is normally quite low. The internal combustion engine produces pollutants which .are both dangerous and obnoxious.

One promising heat conversion apparatus which has been developed includes a tank containing a working fluid and a fluid motor operatively connected to the tank so that when heat is added to the system a pressure is generated on the fluid in the tank which forces it out the tank and through the motor, thus generating a mechanical output. A second tank can be added to the system so that the fluid after passage through the motor can refill that tank. When the second tank is full, pressure can be generated on the fluid in that tank to forcefluid flow out of the second and through the motor to refill the first. Such systems are shown, for example, inPike U.S. Pat. Nos. 228,555 and Parish 2,941,608.

The present invention relates to a number of embodiments basically similar to such devices. In these embodiments, the basic engine is improved to increase its efficiency and make it more satisfactory for use as an energy conversion system.

Many other objects and purposes of the invention will become clear from the following detailed .description of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention with a DC fluid motor,

FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment with an AC fluid motor,

FIG. 3 shows a device for injecting fluid as fine droplets into a steam generator,

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention wherein the fluid to be vaporized is drawn from the reservoir tank,

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the invention in which a resonant coupled acoustic pump is employed to inject the fluid into a steam generator as fine droplets,

FIG. 6 shows a reservoir tank having a thin walled steam quench for preventing thermal shock to the reservoir walls,

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the invention wherein the working fluid is a fuel which is combusted to provide heat,

FIG. 8 shows yet another embodiment of the invention in which fluid transmitted to the steam generator absorbs heat from the working fluid in the tank being refilled,

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the invention in which a porous steam storage bed absorbs heat from the working fluid in the tank being refilled,

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein a portion of the heat in the working fluid is recovered and employed to generate a mechanical output,

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment in which heat in the fluid on its way to the fluid motor is transmitted to fluid leaving the fluid motor on its way to refill one of the reservoir tanks,

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein a portion of the working fluid is evaporated from the heat exchanger to cool the working fluid,

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the invention in which the working fluid which is vaporized absorbs heat from the working fluid in the tank being refilled,

FIG. 14 shows a further embodiment whereby heat in the working fluid on its way to the fluid motor is transferred to working fluid in a second system to cause vaporization of that second fluid and operation of a second fluid motor,

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of the inventionwherein two systems are connectedtogether to a single shaft,

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of the invention inwhich each reservoir includes fluids separated by an impenneable barrier which is able to move within the reservoir,

FIG. 17 shows :another embodiment of the invention in which the heat generated by fuel being combusted is employed togenerate vapor pressure to force the fuel through a fluid motor and into the combustion chamber,

FIG. 18 showsa modification of the embodiment of FIG. I?

in which the vapor pressure in the reservoir tank is generated by vaporizing a portion of the fuel in that tank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which illustrates a hydrostatic drive system 18 suitable for use with a DC fluid motor. In this embodiment, as in many of the other embodiments of the invention, as discussed in detail below, vapor is altematively directed into one of the two

reservoir tanks

20 and 22 so that the working fluid in that tank is forced out of the tank by the pressure of the vapor, and through a conventional fluidic motor 38 to generate a mechanical output before it returns to refill the other tank. When the first tank is substantially depleted, the vapor pressure is directed into the refilled tank so that the fluid from that tank now flows again through motor 38 to refill the first, now depleted, tank.

In FIG. 1, a suitable reservoir 24 of a fluid such aswater is connected to a conventional phase converter or boiler 26 which converts the fluid from a liquid to a vapor phase. This conversion maybe accomplished by burning a suitable fuel such as a hydrocarbon adjacent boiler 26 so that the generated heat changes the phase of at least a portion of the fluid in boiler 26. Any other suitable arrangement for generating the vapor which is employed to impart motion to the working fluid can be employed. The vapor pressure output of boiler 26 is directed to either reservoir tank 20 or tank 22 via master valve 28 which may be a conventional solenoid valve or any other suitable type of conventional mechanism. As depicted schematically in FIG. 1, valve 28 is operated by a suitable control apparatus 30, which alternately causes valve 28 to direct the vapor pressure generated by boiler 26 to

reservoir tanks

20 and 22. Control 30 may be mechanically or otherwise linked to the fluid motor 38 so that the position of the valve 28 is responsive to the physical position of the rotating part of fluid motor 38. Altemately, control 30 may include means for sensing the fluid level in

tanks

20 and 22 and switching the tank which is being emptied whenever the fluid in a tank is detected below a certain predetermined level.

Assuming for the purposes of describing the operation of the embodiment of FIG. ll that control 30 has shifted valve 28 to a position such that the vapor pressure generated by boiler 26 is transmitted into tank 22 as depicted, then that vapor pressure pushing the fluid in tank 22 causes working fluid to exit from the bottom of tank 22 and to flow through motor 38 via one way check valve 32. Valve 32, as well as the other check valves in this and the other embodiments set forth below, permit fluid flow in one direction but prevent it in the other. These valves may be of any suitable type and are well known in the art. After passage through motor 38, the moving fluid passes through check valve 34 and enters tank 20. The difierential between the pressure of the fluid exiting from tank 22 and the fluid exiting from motor 38 prevents fluid from flowing back through

check valves

36 and 38. An exhaust valve 40, which also is shown under the control of apparatus 30, is vented to the atmosphere during this time so that the fluid can freely enter chamber 20. Valve 42 at the same time is closed to prevent the loss of the vapor pressure generated by the flow of vapor into tank 22 via valve 28.

The cyclic venting of

tanks

20 and 22 to the atmosphere results in a gradual reduction in the quantity of working fluid in the system. Reservoir 24 provides some makeup fluid since some of the vapor directed into the tanks condenses therein and is thus added to the supply of working fluid. However, it may be desirable to provide some suitable arrangement for automatically or otherwise replenishing the working fluid from time to time.

When tank 22 has been depleted or substantially depleted, control mechanism 30 shifts the position of valve 28 so that the vapor pressure generated by boiler 26 is now directed into tank 20 and begins to force the fluid which has refilled it out of tank 20 and through fluid motor 38 via check valve 36. At the same time, exhaust valve 40 is closed and valve 42 opened by apparatus 30 so that the fluid now flowing through motor 38 via check valve 36 returns to tank 32 via check valve 39. Open valve 42 permits the vapor pressure in chamber 22 to escape to the atmosphere so that tank 22 can refill.

A portion of the fluid flowing out of one or the other of the

tanks

20 or 22 also returns to reservoir 24 via valve 46 which may be controlled by apparatus 30 or may be manually or otherwise adjusted to provide a suitable flow of liquid into reservoir 24 for vaporization within boiler 26. As mentioned above, while water is one suitable material which exists in the vapor and gaseous phase and can be suitably used in this arrangement, any other suitable fluid which can be satisfactorily converted from its liquid to its vapor phase can be employed.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which shows another embodiment of the invention of this application. In this arrangement, the fluid motor 50 is an AC hydrostatic motor which is capable of converting reciprocating motion into continuous shaft rotation, e.g., by means of a reciprocating or swashplate motor. Such AC motors are well known in the art, and no further discussion of them is necessary. This embodiment of the invention operates in the same fashion as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 as discussed above with two

tanks

52 and 54 alternately filled and emptied of the working fluid by means of vapor generated within boiler 54 and alternately directed to

tanks

52 and 54 by master valve 56 which is under the control of a suitable control mechanism 58. A reservoir 60 is provided in the system and a valve 62 connects reservoir 60 to the fluid in the two tanks for providing additional fluid for vaporization in boiler 54. Boiler or vapor generator 54 produces cyclic pressure at N times the hydraulic motor 50 shaft rotation frequency, N being any suitable integer.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which depicts one suitable arrangement for injecting fluid into a boiler or similar device, such as boiler 26 depicted in FIG. 1, for conversion into a vapor phase such as steam. The fluid thus injected is preferably divided into droplets which are as small as possible to minimize the time required for vaporization. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, fluid enters vessel 70 through a conventional inlet valve 72. Vessel 70 is constructed or associated with piezo electric, magnetic restrictive, or solenoid driven material or structure so that the volume of vessel 70 is cyclically changed due to the harmonic residence of its elastic walls. Thus, the fluid which enters vessel 70 through inlet check valve 72 is cyclically injected into boiler 74 for conversion from a liquid to gaseous phase. This injection technique also I finely divides the injected droplets. In fact, inlet valve 72 may not be required in operation because water is injected into the boiler steam generator 74 at such high rate to make backflow through the normally small orifices which will preferably be employed a negligible problem.

FIG. 4 illustrates another arrangement similar to that of FIG. 1 whereby the fluid which is converted into vapor is derived directly from the vessels themselves. In this arrangement,

fluid lines

76 and 78 are connected to vessels 80 and 82 as shown.

Valves

86 and 88 connect

lines

76 and 78, respectively, to a conventional boiler or other steam generator 90 which converts the received fluid from its liquid to its gaseous phase. Master valve 92 directs the fluid to tanks 80 and 82 alternately as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, and the fluid forced from one tank by vapor pressure flows through actuator or fluid motor 94 and refills the other tank in the same manner as in FIG. 1.

Valves

86 and 88 are operated by control mechanism which also controls master valve 92 so that fluid is drawn from the tank which is refilling to provide fluid to be vaporized to provide the pressure which imparts motion to the working fluid. As in the other embodiments, vapor pressure in the tank being refilled is vented to the atmosphere through valves 102 and 104.

Valves

86 and 88 are cyclically opened to cause flow into boiler 90. The heat available from the walls of boiler 90 preferably converts the liquid to vapor. Preferably the period during which water flows into boiler 90 is related to the speed of sound in the vapor compared to its speed in the liquid and upon the geometrical proximities of valves and reservoirs.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the invention similar to that of FIG. 1 in which a hydrostatic resonant coupled acoustic pump is employed to draw liquid from the drive system to be converted into vapor within boiler 110. As in the arrangement of FIG. 1,

tanks

112 and 114 are alternately emptied and refilled with the working fluid by means of vapor pressure which is generated in boiler and alternately directed into the respective tanks by master valve 116 which is controlled by a suitable control 120.

Whenever additional working fluid, e.g., water, is required for boiler 110, tuning fork 120 is set in motion by any suitable mechanism. For example, in this embodiment tuning fork 120 is shown connected to the hydrostatic motor 124 by some suitable linkage mechanism. The horn may also be driven by cams or strikers from the motor 124. Horn 122 magnifies the acoustic excursion generated by fork 120 by the inverse ratio of the steam chamber inlet area to the base area so that water is pushed from the region of tuning fork 120 through horn 122 and injected into boiler 110 as fine droplets.

FIG. 6 illustrates one particular reservoir which is believed to be of particular use in conjunction with a system such as depicted in FIGS. 1-5 and in the other Figures discussed below. In this arrangement, the returning hot water enters tank 126 and is kept from the walls thereof by a thin-walled steam quench 128 which is provided with a number of holes which permit the returning hot water to exit therefrom. Quench 128 thus prevents the return water from thermally shocking the reservoir tank walls and also allows the heat stored in that wall to generate steam within the reservoir tank itself.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention similarly to the basic DC hydrostatic drive system shown in FIG. 1. In this arrangement, as in the others, fluid from two

vessels

130 and 132 is alternately forced through a fluidic motor 134 via suitable check valves. However, this particular arrangement differs from those illustrated above in that the fuel which is burned to generate the heat which is converted to mechanical energy is also employed as the working fluid. The fuel, e.g., methane, is stored in a suitable reservoir 136 and added to the system at point 138 where the working fluid exists from fluidic motor 134. The working fluid which is also the fuel then returns to the

tank

130 or 132 which is being refilled through the associated check valve.

Part of the liquid which flows out of the

tank

130 or 132 which is being depleted is also diverted through either valve 140 or 142, which are both controlled by the control mechanism 134, into either boiler or 152, respectively, where heat is added to cause the fuel to change from a liquid to a gaseous state and expand into the associated tank so as to force the working fluid therein out its exit to drive fluid motor 138 and refill the other tank. The gas in the tank which is being refilled, for example, tank 130, is also exhausted to a burner via either

valve

164 or 166. An oxidant from a suitable reservoir 168 is also supplied to burner 160 for combusting the gaseous fuel. Thus the liquid fuel serves as the working fluid and the vapor which must be exhausted from the tank being refilled then combusted to provide a compact heat source. Floating head barriers may be disposed in each of the

vessels

130 and 132 to increase heat transfer between the gas and fluid stages.

FIG. 8 illustrates yet another modification of the basic hydrostatic drive system set forth in FIG. 1. In this arrangement, heat exchange from the vapor expanding within the reservoir tank to feed water on its way to the boiler or vapor generators provides a simple regenerative system. Tanks 170 and 172 are filled with a suitable working fluid as in the other embodiment, and this working fluid is alternately forced out of one of the tanks 170 and 172 through fluidic motor 174 to refill the other tank. Further, some of the fluid forced from

tank

172 or 174 is diverted into line 176, and from line 176, the working fluid thus diverted flows through either coil 178 or 180 depending on which of the check valves 184 and 186 is open. Valves 184 and 186 are under the control of a suitable control apparatus 190 as shown so that the fluid is normally permitted to flow only through the coil 178 or 180 which is in the tank being refilled. The fluid passing through coil 178 or 180 absorbs heat from the working fluid in the surrounding tank and from the hot vapor in that tank as it is exhausted. Thus, the feed fluid enters either

boiler

200 or 202 at an elevated temperature, which reduces the quantity of heat necessary to convert the fluid from a liquid to a vapor phase before injection into tank 170 or 172.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the invention which is regenerative in the sense that heat in the working fluid is employed, at least in part, to generate the vapor pressure which forces that fluid for one tank through the motor to refill the other tank. In this embodiment, two

tanks

210 and 212 are designed to be filled to a maximum level which is just below the porous heat storage bed 214 with a fluid which will change from liquid to vapor phase at a suitable temperature. When heat is added to one side of storage bed 214, for example, the side associated with tank 210, the added heat causes a conversion of some of the fluid in vessel 210 from its liquid to its vapor phase resulting in a volume expansion which force part of the remaining fluid out the exit of vessel 210 and through a fluidic motor 220 to refill tank 210. When tank 210 has been emptied to a desired level, the procedure is reversed and heat is added to the portion of the porous heat storage bed 214 associated with tank 212. Next the working fluid in tank 212 is partially vaporized so that part of the remaining fluid is out the exit of tank 212 and through fluidic motor 220 into vessel 210.

Meanwhile in the tank that is being refilled with working fluid, bed 214 is absorbing heat from the fluid entering that tank. This heat is retained in bed 214 until that tank has been refilled and additional heat can thereafter be added to cause partial vaporization of the fluid in that tank. Thus, the system is regenerative in the sense that a portion of the heat which is imparted to the working fluid and not initially used to generate mechanical output is thereafter removed from the fluid and reused to generate mechanical output.

FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment of the invention in which heat is exchanged in the system in a manner similar to an Ericson cycle. In this arrangement, heat is generated, for

example, by burning methane or some other suitable fuel in.

burner 218, and then conducted into the vessel through

coils

220 and 222. Suitable valves may be provided for switching the flow of the exhaust gases and the heat to the respective tanks for cyclically emptying and refilling

tanks

224 and 226. The fluid reentering either of the tanks also passes through a

coil

228 or 230 before being emptied into

vessel

226 or 224, respectively, so that the heat which exists in the fluid which is leaving the tank on its way through motor 232 is in part given back to the water which is returning to the vessel. Similarly, coils 242 and 244 are provided to at least partially cool the fluid exiting from motor 232.

FIG. 11 shows yet another embodiment of the invention whereby the heat imparted to the working fluid which would be otherwise lost is in part saved and used to generate a mechanical output. In this embodiment, two tanks 240 242 are alternately filled and emptied with working fluid which passes through conventional fluid motor 244. Fuel such as kerosene, natural gas, powdered coal or LP gas from a suitable source 246 is combined with a suitable oxidant and combusted in a suitable burner 248 after passage through a valve 250 which may be manually or automatically adjusted to permit flow of a desired amount of fuel. Heat from the burner 248 is employed to convert the working fluid injected into boilers 252 and 254 into vapor, in which state it is directed into tanks 7 240 and 242, respectively. Suitable valve means may be provided in boilers 252 and 254 if necessary or desirable.

A portion of the fluid exiting from the

tank

240 and 242 being emptied is drawn through either coil 260 or 262 into boiler 252 or 254, respectively. Valves 266 and 268 control the flow of fluid into coils 260 and 262 and these valves are controlled in turn by a suitable control apparatus 270 which insures that fluid will enter only that boiler which is supplying vapor to the tank which is being emptied. Thus, if fluid is to be forced out of tank 240 by the addition of vapor to the top thereof, then valve 268 will be open and valve 266 closed so that the fluid which passes valve 268 will pass through coil 262 and be injected by a suitable injector into boiler 254. As the working fluid passes through coil 262, heat is imparted to it by the burner 248 to preheat the fluid so that it arrives at the boiler at an elevated temperature, thus considerably increasing the amount of vapor that can be injected into the

tanks

240 and 242 within any given period of time.

Further, water or other fluid existing from the tank being emptied passes through

heat exhanger

270 or 272 before passage through fluid motor 244. These heat exchangers reduce the temperature of the working fluid on its way to motor 244 and thereby decrease the possibility of damage to the fluid motor because of exposure to overheated fluid. The heat in the fluid which enters heat exchanger 272 from the

tank

240 or 242 being emptied is in part transferred to the fluid which is leaving motor 244 and is being returned to the

tank

240 or 242 which is being refilled so that this heat raises the temperature of the fluid in the tank being refilled.

Reference is now made to FIG. 12 which shows another embodiment of the engine whereby water derived as a byproduct of hydrocarbon or other fuel combustion is employed as a makeup supply for the working fluid of the system and further as means of rejecting into the atmosphere heat which is not converted into useful mechanical output. This heat transfer management technique significantly simplifies the apparatus required for converting chemical potential energy into shaft work and increases the efficiency compared to Otto or Diesel cycle processes.

Hydrocarbon fuels yield carbon monoxide and water when burned to completion in oxygen or oxygembearing atmospheres. The amount of water produced compared to the amount of carbon monoxide produced depends upon the hydrogen to carbon ratio of the fuel being burned. In common liquid petroleum fuels, the amount of water produced is ap proximately equal to the amount of fuel burned. In liquefied petroleum gas fuels (butane, propane, methane, etc.) combustion products tend to an even greater extent to be water. vaporization of water at a fixed pressure fixes the boil off temperature. At sea level the temperature for boil off is about 212 F. and, at lower atmospheric pressure, the boil off temperature is correspondingly lower. The embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 12 uses this byproduct of hydrogenous fuel combustion as a makeup working fluid supply.

In this embodiment, as in the other embodiments, two

reservoir tanks

276 and 278 are alternately discharged and refilled with working fluid which flows from one tank to the other through fluid motor 280, thus, converting the pressure of the working fluid and the kinetic energy embodied in the flow of that fluid into useful output shaft power. The flow of the working fluid is also cyclically directed via valves 262 and 284 into the

boilers

286 and 288 which provide the vapor pressure for forcing the working fluid cyclially from tanks 278 and 280. Fuel from a suitable source 300 is directed via valve 302 into

boilers

286 and 288, respectively. Valve 302 may be under the control of a suitable mechanism such as control apparatus 304 which controls

valves

282 and 284 as. well as

valves

306 and 308 in the same fashion as discussed above.

In contrast to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, the fuel derived from source 300 is combusted within

boilers

286 or 288 which alternately may be any other type of combustion device suitable for combusting the fuel and directing the combined vapor and exhaust gases therefrom. The exhaust gases of combustion together with the water or other vapor produced from the working fluid are alternately passed into

tanks

276 and 278 to force the fluid therein to flow out the exit and pass through the fluid motor 280. In this fashion, the water vapor which is derived from the burning of the hydrocarbon fuel and thus added to the system at least in part replaces the vapor which is exhausted to the atmosphere by the alternate opening of

valves

310 and 312 during alternate refilling of

tanks

276 and 278.

A portion of the fluid existing from motor 280 also passes through

valves

306 and 308 which are under control of apparatus 304 and enter the evaporator-

radiator devices

320 and 322. These devices are preferably provided with an open top or are otherwise accessible to the atmosphere so that the fluid that enters these devices evaporates to the atmosphere taking with it heat imparted to the evaporating fluid by the working fluid which passes through coils 324 and 326 on its way to fluid motor 280. Part of the heat imparted to the fluid in

evaporators

320 and 322 is also transmitted to the fluid returning to

tanks

276 and 278 via

coils

330 and 332. Thus, part of the heat of the working fluid in

tanks

276 and 278 is employed to preheat the fluid returning to the tanks after passing through motor 280 and part is vented to the atmosphere so that the fluid which is passed through motor 280 is at a temperature which will not damage the motor.

As in the other embodiments, the working fluid in this embodiment may be water or may be more sophisticated solutions, e.g., mixtures of water and other compounds which might, for example, prevent freezing, increase lubricity, increase or decrease heat transfer, or aid or retard absorption and retention of combustion gases. Conversely, the working fluid may contain a less dense compound or particle which floats upon its surface, thus providing insulation between the combustion gases and working fluid during the period that the pressure is being transmitted in from the hot gases to the working fluid in the reservoir. Compounds added to the working fluid may be separated from vaporizable or combustible portions of the working fluid prior to admission to the generator-combustor sections such as

boilers

286 and 288.

By utilization of common and inexpensive steels, ceramics, bearings, valves and other hardware, the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 12, as well as the embodiments of the other figures, may be designed to operate at temperatures of, for example, 2,000 F. and 6,000 lbs. per square inch at the inlet of the tank receiving the vapor through 160 F. or lower by use of heat-dams, insulation, and other arrangements such as flow deflectors and surface coatings. Conversely, the upper portion of the reservoir walls may be maintained at temperatures exceeding l,200 F. if desired, thus allowing heat input and storage previous to steam generation by conduction of heat into the fluid at the time during the filling of the reservoir tank that the fluid level reaches the high wall temperature level.

The basic versatility of the embodiment of FIG. 12 is further illustrated by the potential of using more than two fluid reservoirs. Manufacture of 100 horsepower modules consisting of two reservoirs and one motor actuator allows engine units of 200 hp., 400 hp., 600 hp., and 1,000 hp., or more, to be assembled simply by joining the output shafts of each motor to a common output shaft. Such an output shaft would only have the minimum fabrication requirement of being attachable per the application function and would not involve the various sophistications characteristic of internal combustion engine crankshafts. Similarly multiple reservoir modules may be hydraulically connected to a single motor.

The vast variety of hydrostatic, hydraulic, and hydrodynamic actuators further exemplifies particularly the versatility of the embodiment of FIG. 12 in various applications only being transmissions, angle drives, universal joints, and differentials. The probability of costly failure is inherently reduced in the embodiment. Fig. 12, as well as the other embodiments, compares favorably to conventional internal combustion reciprocating engines by the reduced number of workings parts, the reduced metal to metal relative motion, and the reduced gyratory forces involved. The ability to achieve high horsepower to weight ratios at high efficiencies, particularly when materials selections typical to aircraft turbines are made, makes the engine shown in FIG. 12 preferable to turbines for propeller driven aircraft.

Reference is now made to FIG. 13 which shows another embodiment of the invention which is somewhat similar to the conventional Stirling cycle engine. The Stirling cycle distinguishes itself primarily as one employing regeneration techniques in which heat is transferred from the working fluid into a thermal reservoir as a working fluid begins its expansion. After mechanical output has been generated, the stored heat is readded to the cooled working fluid as it is being reheated to the maximum temperature of the cycle.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 13 is similar in that it is regenerative, but this embodiment also employs advantageous aspects of both the liquid and gas phases in the process of converting heat into mechanical work. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13, heat, for example, produced by combustion of hydrocarbon or other fuels, nuclear fission, or fusion is transferred into vapor phases of the working fluid at heat source 350 which may be, for example, a boiler such as in the other embodiments.

As in the other embodiments, heat from source 350 is employed to convert working fluid from a liquid to a gaseous phase and to direct the vapor pressure thus generated alternately into

tanks

352 and 354 so that working fluid is forced out of one of the tanks and through fluidic motor 356 to refill the other tank. A portion of the working fluid which is forced out of each of the tanks is also employed to provide liquid for conversion to a gaseous phase. However, in this embodiment, fluid on its way to a vapor generator such as a boiler passes through a heating coil in the tank being refilled so as to absorb as much of the heat as possible from the fluid entering that tank and also to absorb as much heat as possible from an extended heat transfer surface which is mounted adjacent to the coil through which the fluid passes. For example, a portion of the fluid exiting from tank 352 passes through valve 360 and coil 362 which is mounted in tank 354 as shown. During the time that tank 354 is refilling, working fluid on its way to boiler 366 passes through tank 354 via coil 362. The fluid returning to tank 354 from motor 356 passes through negative heat rejection coil 364 and the fluid returning to tank 352 through negative heat rejection coil 365.

Further, an extended heat transfer surface comprising coil 367 within tank 354 is mounted adjacent coil 362. Coil 367 absorbs heat from the working fluid reentering tank 354 and also absorbs heat from the exhaust gases generated by source 350 which are exhausted to the atmosphere via coil 367 as well as coil 370. The heated fluid existing from coil 362 is injected into boiler 366 where it is converted into its vapor phase and that vapor then transmitted to tank 352 to force the working fluid therein out its exit and through motor 356.

Coils

368 and 370 within tank 352 operate similarly when that tank is being refilled, and tank 354 is being emptied. As shown, coils 362 and 368, which each preferably comprise a hollow coil, are connected to an exhaust 372 so that, for example, the hot combustion gases are transmitted through

coils

366 and 368 so that the heat of the combustion gases can, at least in part, be imparted to the working fluid which is to be vaporized and eventually employed to generate a mechanical output. Nuclear loop transfers, of course, would not need an exhaust but preferably employ a similar circuit to optimize the efficiency of energy conversion.

Reference is now made to FIG. 14 which shows yet another embodiment of the invention. In this arrangement, two or served today by complex mechanisms involving clutches, more working fluids are employed to permit extension of the thermal gradiant to higher and lower temperatures than allowed by a single working fluid. This arrangement offers considerable advantages from the standpoint of thermodynamics. In this embodiment, as in the embodiment of FIG. 11, fuel from a suitable source 400 is burned by a suitable burner 402 adjacent conventional boilers 406 and 408. Vapor thus generated is alternately directed into

reservoir tanks

410 and 412, one of which is continually emptying and refilling the other through fluidic motor 414 and thus generating a continuous and useful mechanical shaft output.

However, fluid issuing from either of the

tanks

410 or 412 passes through a

heat exchanging coil

414 or 416 on its path through motor 414, thus imparting heat to the fluid in

lines

420 and 422 respectively which will normally contain working fluid having a different critical point than the working fluid in

tanks

410 and 412. The heat thus imparted causes the fluid in

lines

420 and 422 to change from its liquid to its vapor phase and the resulting expansion of the working fluid causes the fluid in

tanks

424 and 426 alternately to be forced through a second fluid motor 426 which may be in parallel with the first motor for combining the mechanical shaft output.

A number of combinations of working fluids can be employed in this arrangement. A few examples are mercury and water, mercury and potassium-sodium eutectic, water and freon, water and silicone fluids, freon and liquefied gases and many others. A simple extension of the illustrated system permits the development of engines which use three or four or more working fluids.

Reference is now made to FIG. which shows yet another embodiment of the invention in which two hydrostatic systems, each having two tanks are employed to operate a single shaft with two

motors

402 and 404 connected in parallel. It should be apparent that any number of systems such as illustrated above can connected together to generate any desired power output.

FIG. 16 shows yet another embodiment of the invention wherein

elastic diaphragms

410 and 412 are connected between two working fluids. The diaphragms separate each of the two

tanks

416 and 418 into an upper and lower compartment. The fluid in the upper compartment, for example, the fluid in the upper part of tank 410 can be expanded for any suitable means, for example, by heating in boiler 420 with the result that the downward pressure exerted by elastic diaphragm 412 forces the fluid in the lower portion of tank 418 out of its exit and through hydrostatic motor 420 thus deriving a mechanical output. The fluid thus forced from tank 412 then refills the bottom portion of tank 410 which then forces the fluid out of the upper portion and thereof and into the upper portion of tank 410 via valve 422. The process is then reversed with the fluid in the lower portion of tank 410 being forced out by the fluid expanded by boiler 426 and directed into the upper portion of tank 410. Similarly pistons, bellows, and floating particles may be used to separate the fluids.

Reference is now made to FIG. 17 which shows a hydrostatic drive system employing only a single reservoir tank 424. This embodiment which could be used, for example, in a rocket system for travel in outer space employs the heat generated by the fuel which is combusted to supply the rocket thrust to impart motion to the fuel which then serves as the working fluid for conventional hydrostatic or other similar motor 426. The heat generated in combustion chamber 428 which is normally wasted is employed to convert the fuel fluid from a liquid to a gaseous state in pressure source 430 so that the pressure thus generated forces the fuel fluid in tank 424 out its exit and through motor 426 to be burned in combustion chamber 420. A cooling arrangement 432 can be disposed adjacent the tank 424 for condensing some of the vapor added to tank 424 into a liquid which can then be used as the working fluid and combusted after passage through motor 426.

FIG. 10 shows a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 7 whereby the heat generated by combusting the working fluid in a combustion chamber 440, for example, to generate thrust to propel a rocket or other vehicle is employed by a heater 442 which has coils disposed about reservoir tank 444 which is filled with a suitable fuel fluid. The heat added to the fluid in tank 444 by heater 442 causes a portion of it to be converted into a vapor state and expand, thus forcing part of the working fluid in chamber 444 out past valve 446 and through fluid motor 448 to combustion chamber 440 where it is burned. Thus, the waste heat from the combustion is employed to generate the mechanical output which can be employed in the device for any purpose desired.

The above discussed embodiments of the invention can of course be satisfactorily employed in a number of applications. These include, but are not limited to:

a. Air heating and cooling,

b. Lawn mowers,

c. Motor-generator units,

d. Garden Tractors,

e. Sump pumps,

f. Garbage Disposal and Compaction,

g. Irrigation pumps,

h. Electrical Power Generation i. Compressor Stations j. Oil and Gas Drill Drilling and Pumping k. Elevators and Lifts l. Conveyors m. Ore Crushers and Pulverizers 11. Grain mills 0. Scrap Shredders and Compactors p. Automobile q. Rail Cars r. Bus and Train s. Truck and Tractors t. Other Farm Equipment u. Highway construction equipment v. Pleasure and Commercial Boats w. Aircraft The following table represents a few resultant engine horsepowers and weights based upon the use of fired boiler rated steels and conventional hydrostatic motors as derived from computer modeling studies.

The use of titanium alloys, composites, and coatings will permit considerable improvement in the weight to power ratios of the Table. However, for most applications the Table ratios will be sufficient.

Many changes and modifications in the above discussed embodiments of the invention can of course be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, that scope is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An energy conversion system comprising:

first means for containing a working fluid, second means for containing a working fluid, motor means operatively communicating with said working fluid in said first and second containing means for receiving said working fluid so that said working fluid flows into and out of at least a portion of said motor means so as to generate a mechanical motion,

means for alternately supplying a given fluid in a vapor phase to said first means at a pressure such that said working fluid is forced from said first means, into and out of said portion of said motor means and into said second means and to said second means at a pressure such that said working fluid is forced from said second means, into and out of said portion of said motor means and into said first means,

means for receiving said fluid in a liquid phase and for heating said fluid in said liquid phase to convert it to said given fluid in said vapor phase, and

means for receiving a portion of said working fluid forced from said first and second means and injecting said portion in fine droplets into said receiving and heating means.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said motor means is a DC fluid motor.

3. A system as in claim 1 wherein said motor means is an AC fluid motor.

4. A system as in claim 1 further including first check valve means connecting said first means to the entrance of said portion of said motor means for permitting fluid to flow from said first means toward said motor means and for preventing flow from said motor means toward said first means, second check valve means connecting said second means to the entrance of said portion of said motor means for permitting fluid to flow from said second means to said motor means and for preventing flow from said motor means toward said second means, third check valve means connecting the exit of said portion of said motor means to said first means for permitting fluid to flow from said exit to said first means when said given fluid in said vapor phase is being supplied to said second means and for preventing flow from said first means to said exit and fourth check valve means connecting said exit to said second means for permitting fluid to flow from said exit to said second means when said given fluid in said vapor phase is being supplied to said first means and for preventing flow from said second means to said exit. 1

5. A system as in claim I wherein said first and second means are tanks and said receiving and heating means includes means for combusting a fuel and means for supplying said fuel to said combusting means.

6. A system as in claim 1 wherein said receiving and injecting means includes a vessel having walls adapted for harmonic resonance, an inlet for receiving said portion of said working fluid and an outlet connected to said receiving and heating means and means for harmonically resonating said walls to inject said fluid into said receiving and heating means as fine droplets.

7. A system as in claim 1 wherein said receiving and injecting means includes a liquid horn having a large inlet for receiving said portion of said working fluid and a small outlet connected to said receiving and heating means and tuning fork means mounted adjacent said inlet for causing said horn to inject said droplets into said receiving and heating means.

8. A system as in claim 1 wherein said first and second means are each reservoir tanks and wherein each said tank includes a thin walled quench tube having a plurality of apertures and mounted within that tank for receiving said working forced into said tanks so as to prevent thermal shock to the walls of that tank.

9. A system as in claim 1 further including means for venting said first means to the atmosphere while said supplying means is supplying said given fluid in said vapor phase to said second means and for venting said second means to the atmosphere while said supplying means is supplying said given fluid in said vapor phase to said first means.

Claims

1. An energy conversion system comprising: first means for containing a working fluid, second means for containing a working fluid, motor means operatively communicating with said working fluid in said first and second containing means for receiving said working fluid so that said working fluid flows into and out of at least a portion of said motor means so as to generate a mechanical motion, means for alternately supplying a gIven fluid in a vapor phase to said first means at a pressure such that said working fluid is forced from said first means, into and out of said portion of said motor means and into said second means and to said second means at a pressure such that said working fluid is forced from said second means, into and out of said portion of said motor means and into said first means, means for receiving said fluid in a liquid phase and for heating said fluid in said liquid phase to convert it to said given fluid in said vapor phase, and means for receiving a portion of said working fluid forced from said first and second means and injecting said portion in fine droplets into said receiving and heating means.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said motor means is a DC fluid motor.

3. A system as in claim 1 wherein said motor means is an AC fluid motor.

4. A system as in claim 1 further including first check valve means connecting said first means to the entrance of said portion of said motor means for permitting fluid to flow from said first means toward said motor means and for preventing flow from said motor means toward said first means, second check valve means connecting said second means to the entrance of said portion of said motor means for permitting fluid to flow from said second means to said motor means and for preventing flow from said motor means toward said second means, third check valve means connecting the exit of said portion of said motor means to said first means for permitting fluid to flow from said exit to said first means when said given fluid in said vapor phase is being supplied to said second means and for preventing flow from said first means to said exit and fourth check valve means connecting said exit to said second means for permitting fluid to flow from said exit to said second means when said given fluid in said vapor phase is being supplied to said first means and for preventing flow from said second means to said exit.

5. A system as in claim 1 wherein said first and second means are tanks and said receiving and heating means includes means for combusting a fuel and means for supplying said fuel to said combusting means.