HEAT -PIPE ELECTRIC POWER GENERATING DEVICE AND HYDROGEN/OXYGEN GAS GENERATING APPARATUS AND INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE SYSTEM HAVING THE SAME

• US 20100162970A1
• Filed: 12/18/2009
• Published: 07/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
• Inventors: Tain, Ra-Min, Peng, Wen-Yang, Chen, Yao-Shun
• Granted Patent: US 8,438,847 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/3
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/04 by electrolysis of water
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 9/00 Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
• CPC Class Codes: F01K 27/00 Plants for converting heat or fluid energy into mechanical energy, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 43/10 Engines or plants characterised by use of other specific gases, e.g. acetylene, oxyhydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1823 structurally associated with turbines or similar engines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/129 Energy recovery, e.g. by cogeneration, H2recovery or pressure recovery turbines

Abstract

A heat-pipe electric power generating device includes a heat pipe having an evaporating end and a condensing end, a non-magnetic shell connected to the condensing end, a generator stator coil disposed at the outer of the non-magnetic shell, a turbine disposed in the heat pipe, a driving axle connected to the turbine and extended into the non-magnetic shell, and a magnetic element disposed at the driving axle and located in the non-magnetic shell. A vapor flow flowing to the condensing end is generated at the evaporating end. The vapor flow drives the turbine to move the magnetic element, such that the generator stator coil generates an induced current. In addition, a hydrogen/oxygen gas generating apparatus and an internal combustion engine system having the heat-pipe electric power generating device are also provided.

Claims

1. A heat-pipe electric power generating device, comprising:

a heat pipe having an evaporating end, a condensing end, and confined space between the evaporating end and the condensing end, wherein a pressure difference exists between the evaporating end and the condensing end, such that a vapor flow flowing from the evaporating end to the condensing end is generated;

a non-magnetic shell connected to the condensing end and communicated with the confined space;

a magnetic field change generator comprising;

at least a turbine disposed within the confined space;

a hollow shell disposed within the confined space and located between the at least a turbine and the evaporating end, the hollow shell having a circular side wall, a vapor flow channel, and an opening located at the circular side wall, wherein an end of the hollow shell contacts the evaporating end, the vapor flow channel faces the at least a turbine, and the circular side wall is adhered to an inner wall of the heat pipe;

a driving axle connected to the at least a turbine and extended into the non-magnetic shell;

a magnetic element disposed at the driving axle and located within the non-magnetic shell; and

a generator stator coil disposed at the outer of the non-magnetic shell, wherein the vapor flow enters the hollow shell through the opening and is guided to the at least a turbine through the vapor flow channel, such that the at least a turbine is driven to move the magnetic element, and that the generator stator coil generates electric power.

2. The heat-pipe electric power generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a material of the non-magnetic shell is ceramic or glass.

3. The heat-pipe electric power generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a wick structure is disposed at the inner wall of the heat pipe.

4. The heat-pipe electric power generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a material of the heat pipe is copper or aluminum.

5. The heat-pipe electric power generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a material of the hollow shell is polytetrafluoroethene (PTFE) or polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

6. The heat-pipe electric power generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement of the at least a turbine is rotation or reciprocation.

7. The heat-pipe electric power generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driving axle has a bearing connected to a top of the hollow shell and pivoted to a center of the at least a turbine.

8. The heat-pipe electric power generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-magnetic shell is connected to the heat pipe by sintering or welding.

9. A hydrogen/oxygen gas generating apparatus having a heat-pipe electric power generating device, the hydrogen/oxygen gas generating apparatus comprising:

the heat-pipe electric power generating device as claimed in claim 1;

a container having a gas discharge vent, an electrolytic solution filling the container; and

a set of positive and negative electrodes disposed in the electrolytic solution and electrically connected to an electric power output end of the generator stator coil.

10. The hydrogen/oxygen gas generating apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein a material of the non-magnetic shell is ceramic or glass.

11. The hydrogen/oxygen gas generating apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein a wick structure is disposed at the inner wall of the heat pipe.

12. The hydrogen/oxygen gas generating apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein a material of the heat pipe is copper or aluminum.

13. The hydrogen/oxygen gas generating apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein a material of the hollow shell is polytetrafluoroethene (PTFE) or polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

14. The hydrogen/oxygen gas generating apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the movement of the at least a turbine is rotation or reciprocation.

15. The hydrogen/oxygen gas generating apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the driving axle has a bearing connected to a top of the hollow shell and pivoted to a center of the at least a turbine.

16. The hydrogen/oxygen gas generating apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the non-magnetic shell is connected to the heat pipe by sintering or welding.

17. The hydrogen/oxygen gas generating apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the generator stator coil has a rectifying device converting alternating current generated by the generator stator coil to direct current.

18. The hydrogen/oxygen gas generating apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the electrolytic solution is electrolytic water.

19. An internal combustion engine system having a heat-pipe electric power generating device, the internal combustion engine system comprising:

the heat-pipe electric power generating device as claimed in claim 1;

a container having a gas discharge vent, an electrolytic solution filling the container;

a set of positive and negative electrodes disposed in the electrolytic solution and electrically connected to an electric power output end of the generator stator coil; and

an internal combustion engine connected to the gas discharge vent, wherein a gas product discharged from the gas discharge vent serves as fuel of the internal combustion engine.

20. The internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 19, wherein a material of the non-magnetic shell is ceramic or glass.

21. The internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 19, wherein a wick structure is disposed at the inner wall of the heat pipe.

22. The internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 19, wherein a material of the heat pipe is copper or aluminum.

23. The internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 19, wherein a material of the hollow shell is polytetrafluoroethene (PTFE) or polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

24. The internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the movement of the at least a turbine is rotation or reciprocation.

25. The internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the driving axle has a bearing connected to a top of the hollow shell and pivoted to a center of the at least a turbine.

26. The internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the non-magnetic shell is connected to the heat pipe by sintering or welding.

27. The internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the generator stator coil has a rectifying device converting alternating current generated by the generator stator coil to direct current.

28. The internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the electrolytic solution is electrolytic water.

29. The internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 19, further comprising:

a heat-conducting element connected between the heat-pipe electric power generating device and the internal combustion engine to conduct heat generated by the internal combustion engine to the evaporating end.

30. The internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 29, wherein the heat-conducting element is a cooling radiator for cooling the internal combustion engine.

31. The internal combustion engine system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the internal combustion engine has an air-introducing pipe communicated with the gas discharge vent.