Low cost heat engine which may be powered by heat from a phase change thermal storage material

• US 20040211182A1
• Filed: 04/24/2003
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Len Charles Gould
• Original Assignee: Len Charles Gould
• Inventors: Gould, Len Charles
• Application Number:
  US10/421,813
• Publication Number:
  US 20040211182A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/643
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 13/00 General layout or general methods of operation of complete plants

Abstract

This invention is an engine where the working fluid may be in either a closed circuit or an open circuit. The engine may be powered by heat stored in an easily rechargeable high temperature phase change system or by heat of combustion directly. Also disclosed is a portable device incorporating the engine optionally as a) an electrical generator b) a source of refrigeration in remote environments c) a source of rotating mechanical power in remote environments. Also disclosed is a stationary device incorporating the engine and phase change thermal storage system as a co-generating heating and refrigeration system for widespread application. Also disclosed is a vehicle catalytic converter pre-heater incorporating a phase change thermal storage system and engine.

Claims

1. ) A gerotor machine having

the outer rotor supported by two journal bearings surrounding the outer rotor

2. ) A gerotor machine as in claim 1 where

lubricant to the journal bearings is oil pumped by a purpose-built additional gerotor pump which is driven from the common shaft of the main gerotor machine.

3. ) A gerotor machine as in claim 2 where

Coolant passages are provided between any lubricated element and any hot gas chambers of the gerotor machine for the purpose of cooling the lubricant.

4. ) A gerotor machine as in claim 1 where

lubricant to the journal bearings is an engine fuel pumped by a purpose-built additional gerotor pump which is driven from the common shaft of the main gerotor machine.

5. ) A gerotor machine as in claim 1 where

lubricant to the journal bearings is a gaseous working fluid pumped by a gerotor compressor which is driven from the common shaft of the gerotor machine.

6. ) A gerotor machine as in claim 5 where

lubricant to the journal bearings is further compressed by a purpose-built additional gerotor pump which is driven from the common shaft of the main gerotor machine.

the lubricant is compressed to a pressure above its critical point pressure to become a supercritical fluid.

7. ) A gerotor machine as in claim 1 where

the outer rotor is substantially surrounded be a sealable case

the sealable case is separated into two or more chambers by fixed seals

provision is made to pressurize the resulting several chambers to differing pressures to reduce unbalanced loads on the journal bearings

8. ) A gerotor machine as in claims 1 to 7 where

thermal energy to operate the gerotor machine as a heat engine derives substantially from a phase change Thermal Store.

the heat storage phase change material is one of aluminum, zinc, copper, lead, barium, tin, silver, silicon, boron oxide, lithium iodide or any alloy composed substantially of one or more of these.

9. ) A heat engine as in claim 8 where

the engine drives an electrical generator as its primary load

provision is made for the engine to drive other loads mechanically

the thermal storage container is attached to the engine by one or more insulated structural shafts said shafts are designed to house and protect the conduit tubes which transport the engine working fluid to and from the said thermal storage.

said shafts are designed to allow the thermal storage container to be suspended over a substantially open fire or other general purpose heat source for collection of heat.

the thermal storage container is shaped to provide for additional thermal storage containers to be placed in close thermal contact with it to provide additional thermal storage capacity.

10. ) A heat engine as in claim 9 where

the engine working fluid is air

the engine working fluid operates in an open cycle with additional heat energy supplied by a burner oxidizing part of the working fluid.

11. ) A heat engine as in claim 8 where

the engine working fluid operates in a closed cycle

the thermal storage is part of a stationary space conditioning electrical co-generation system

12. ) A heat engine as in claim 8 where

heat is provided by a solid fuel burning system disposed to supply heat primarily to the thermal storage

13. ) A heat engine as in claim 8 where

heat is provided by a sollar collector system disposed to supply heat primarily to the thermal storage

14. ) A heat engine as in claim 8 where

heat is provided by the fuel burner of a second heat engine as in claim 8 with the working fluid operating in an open circuit

the fuel burner is disposed to supply heat primarily to the thermal storage

the exhaust of the fuel burner drives the second engine

15. ) A heat engine as in claim 13 where

heat is provided by a decorative fireplace

16. ) A heat engine as in claim 8 where

the thermal storage surrounds the catalytic converter of a motor vehicle

the thermal store is normally heated by the exhaust of the vehicle engine

the heat engine working fluid operates in a closed cycle

the heat engine drives an auxiliary compressor to operate a refrigeration circuit providing space cooling to the vehicle cabin

17. ) A heat engine as in claim 16 where

an auxiliary fuel burner is disposed to provide heat to the thermal store

18. ) A heat engine as in claim 17 where

the thermal store or engine exhaust is also used to provide space heating to the vehicle cabin

19. ) A heat engine as in claim 17 where

the thermal store or engine exhaust is also used to provide heating to the engine prior to startup of the vehicle engine