Method of and apparatus for a multi-stage boundary layer engine and process cell

• US 20050169743A1
• Filed: 10/02/2003
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Centripetal Dynamics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Centripetal Dynamics Incorporated
• Inventors: Hicks, Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 6,973,792 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 415/90
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 1/36 using fluid friction
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2300/143 Platinum group metals, i.e. Os, Ir, Pt, Ru, Rh, Pd
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2300/21 Oxide ceramics
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft

Abstract

A multi-staged boundary layer engine and process cell, (based on the effect known as adhesion and viscosity) which achieves high thermal efficiencies and high mechanical power output for use in the power generation, geothermal, energy recovery, solar, transportation, hydrogen production, desalinating water and hydroelectric fields. The design is novel with a dovetail attachment of the disc packs, allowing lower stress and allowing the use of next generation materials such as ceramics, composites and nanocomposites to improve the maximum temperature and the maximum RPM of the engine, thereby producing more horsepower and torque. In addition, this invention includes multi-stage vacuum, an external combustion chamber and condenser stages to improve the vortex flow through the primary disc pack cell. This engine will also encompass a closed loop cycle for ultimate efficiencies. This invention will also include the use of catalysts and/or electrical polarities applied to the disc pack and the disc pack/casing respectively to achieve low NOx and also to achieve process cell capability for applications such as desalinization and hydrogen generation.

Claims

1. A boundary layer turbine, comprising:

a housing, formed to create a cavity therein;

at least one inlet port, wherein the inlet port is coupled to the housing;

at least one outlet port, wherein the outlet port is coupled to the housing;

a shaft, comprised of two ends, wherein at least one end of the shaft extends outside the housing, and at least a portion of the shaft extends within the housing;

a plurality of discs with at least one hole at or near the center thereof; and

,

a mounting means, wherein the mounting means connects the plurality of discs to the shaft using a dovetail connection.

2. The boundary layer turbine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of discs are in physical contact with each other.

3. The boundary layer turbine of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of discs are etched such that at least one channel is formed between the discs.

4. The boundary layer turbine of claim 1, wherein the mounting means uses an internal dovetail connection to connect the plurality of discs to the shaft.

5. The boundary layer turbine of claim 1, further comprising an exhaust cone mounted at the center of the plurality of discs.

6. The boundary layer turbine of claim 5, wherein the shape of the exhaust cone is controllable.

7. The boundary layer turbine of claim 5, wherein the exhaust cone includes at least one vacuum release tube.

8. The boundary layer turbine of claim 1, wherein the discs are made of a ceramic material.

9. The boundary layer turbine of claim 1, wherein the discs are coated with a ceramic material.

10. The boundary layer turbine of claim 1, wherein the discs are coated with a catalyst.

11. The boundary layer turbine of claim 10, wherein the catalyst is Platinum.

12. The boundary layer turbine of claim 10, wherein the catalyst is an alloy comprised of a combination of at least Nickel and Tin.

13. The boundary layer turbine of claim 1, wherein the surface of the plurality of discs have been etched.

14. The boundary layer turbine of claim 1, wherein six inlet ports are used.

15. A boundary layer turbine, comprising:

a housing, formed to create a cavity therein;

at least one inlet port, wherein the inlet port is coupled to the housing;

at least one outlet port, wherein the outlet port is coupled to the housing;

a shaft, comprised of two ends, wherein at least one end of the shaft extends outside the housing, and at least a portion of the shaft extends within the housing;

a single piece disc pack, with at least one hole at or near the center thereof; and

,

a mounting means, for coupling the single part disc array to the shaft.

16. The boundary layer turbine of claim 15, wherein the mounting means uses an internal dovetail connection to connect the plurality of discs to the shaft.

17. The boundary layer turbine of claim 15, further comprising an exhaust cone mounted at the center of the plurality of discs.

18. The boundary layer turbine of claim 17, wherein the shape of the exhaust cone can be controlled.

19. The boundary layer turbine of claim 17, wherein the exhaust cone includes at least one vacuum release tubes.

20. The boundary layer turbine of claim 17, wherein the exhaust cone, the disc pack, and the mounting means are made from a single component.

21. The boundary layer turbine of claim 15, wherein the discs are made of a ceramic material.

22. The boundary layer turbine of claim 15, wherein the discs are coated with a ceramic material.

23. The boundary layer turbine of claim 22, wherein the discs are coated with a catalyst.

24. The boundary layer turbine of claim 23, wherein the catalyst is Platinum.

25. The boundary layer turbine of claim 23, wherein the catalyst is an alloy comprised of a combination of at least Nickel and Tin.

26. The boundary layer turbine of claim 15, wherein the surface of the plurality of discs have been etched.

27. A method for obtaining power from a geothermal power source, comprising:

locating a heat exchanger, having an input port and an output port, at or near a source of geothermal power;

locating a boundary layer turbine, having at least one inlet port and an outlet port, at a position distant from the geothermal power source;

connecting the heat exchanger output port to at least one inlet port of a boundary layer turbine using at least one pipe;

connecting the at least one boundary layer turbine outlet port to the heat exchanger input port using at least one pipe.

28. A method of obtaining power from a high pressure medium and reducing the pressure such that the medium is useable in an end user device, comprising:

coupling a boundary layer turbine, having at least one input port, an outlet port, a disc pack, and a shaft driven by the disc pack, to a high pressure medium source;

coupling a generator to the boundary layer turbine shaft;

coupling at least one end user device to the outlet port of the boundary layer turbine; and

,

allowing the high pressure medium to enter the boundary layer turbine through the at least one input port.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the medium is natural gas.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the medium is water.