ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE LIQUID PISTON ENGINE

• US 20080072597A1
• Filed: 09/21/2006
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Call, Anson J.
• Application Number:
  US11/533,933
• Publication Number:
  US 20080072597A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/645
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 44/085 with conducting liquids

Abstract

A liquid piston engine utilizing an electronically or electrically conductive liquid medium. A method is provided for utilizing the electrically conductive liquid piston engine.

Claims

1. A liquid engine system for converting heat into electrical energy or work, said system comprising:

an arrangement for imparting heat to a gaseous medium at a first location and conducting said gaseous medium to a second location for cooling thereof;

a pumping device employing an electrically or electronically conductive liquid for pumping said gaseous medium in reciprocatory motion between said first and second locations; and

a generator communicating with said gaseous medium intermediate said first and second locations and incorporating an electrically or electronically conductive liquid operative as a liquid engine for generating an electrical output current responsive to movement of said liquid caused by changing flow and temperature conditions of said gaseous medium.

2. A liquid engine system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said generator comprises a magneto-hydrodynamic generator, said conductive liquid forming a conductor, which is moved through a magnetic field perpendicular to flux lines of said field so as cause an electrical current to flow in the liquid perpendicular to both the direction of the conductive liquid and the flux lines of the magnetic field.

3. A liquid engine system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said electrical current is outputted from said magneto-hydrodynamic generator as work or energy.

4. A liquid engine system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pumping device comprises a magneto-hydrodynamic pump, said conductive liquid forming a conductor which is moved through a magnetic field perpendicular to flux lines of said field so as cause an electrical current to flow in the liquid perpendicular to both the direction of the conductive pump and the flux lines of the magnetic field.

5. A liquid engine system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said electrical current causes said conductive liquid to shift in reciprocating motion in directions towards and away from, respectively, said first and second location.

6. A liquid engine system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first location comprises a first chamber having a gaseous medium located in an upper portion of said chamber, having an inlet connected to a heat source for imparting the heat to said gaseous medium.

7. A liquid engine system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said second location comprises a second chamber having an upper portion communicating with the upper portion of said first chamber for the flow of said gaseous medium between said first and second chambers.

8. A liquid engine system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lower portions of said first and second chambers communicate with said pumping device and contain said conductive liquid.

9. A method of utilizing a liquid engine system for converting heat into electrical energy or work, said method comprising:

providing an arrangement for imparting heat to a gaseous medium at a first location and conducting said gaseous medium to a second location for cooling thereof;

employing a pumping device containing an electrically or electronically conductive liquid for pumping said gaseous medium in reciprocatory motion between said first and second locations; and

having a generator communicate with said gaseous medium intermediate said first and second locations and incorporating an electrically or electronically conductive liquid operative as a liquid engine for generating an electrical output current responsive to movement of said liquid caused by changing flow and temperature conditions of said gaseous medium.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said generator comprises a magneto-hydrodynamic generator, said conductive liquid forming a conductor which is moved through a magnetic field perpendicular to flux lines of said field so as cause an electrical current to flow in the liquid perpendicular to both the direction of the conductive liquid and the flux lines of the magnetic field.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said electrical current is outputted from said magneto-hydrodynamic generator as work or energy.

12. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said pumping device comprises a magneto-hydrodynamic pump, said conductive liquid forming a conductor which is moved through a magnetic field perpendicular to flux lines of said field so as cause an electrical current to flow in the liquid perpendicular to both the direction of the conductive pump and the flux lines of the magnetic field.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said electrical current causes said conductive liquid to shift in reciprocatory motion in directions towards and away from, respectively, said first and second location.

14. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first location comprises a first chamber having a gaseous medium located in an upper portion of said chamber, having an inlet connected to a heat source for imparting the heat to said gaseous medium.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein said second location comprises a second chamber having an upper portion communicating with the upper portion of said first chamber for the flow of said gaseous medium between said first and second chambers.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the lower portions of said first and second chambers communicate with said pumping device and contain said conductive liquid.