GB2116503A

GB2116503A - Propulsion device for water- borne vessels

Info

Publication number: GB2116503A
Application number: GB08208204A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Brian Harris
Original assignee: Howard Carter Scientific Industries
Current assignee: Howard Carter Scientific Industries
Priority date: 1982-03-20
Filing date: 1982-03-20
Publication date: 1983-09-28

Abstract

A reaction chamber (10) having an outlet port (12) has the port below water level so that the water enters the chamber. A fuel/air mixture is ignited in the chamber above the water level driving out the water, so generating a thrust. Successive thrusts provide for movement of the vessel. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Propulsion device for water-borne vessels The invention relates to a propulsion device for vessels which travel through water such as ships, submarines, hydrofoils and hovercraft. The invention is especially, though not exclusively, applicable to small craft such as dinghies.

It is a disadvantage with marine engines, especially internal combustion engines, that they are somewhat complex and their use in proximity with sea water causes problems with corrosion, maintenance and the like.

Accordingly the present invention seeks to provide a simple engine for a water-borne vessel which is mechanically uncomplicated and which is inexpensive to make.

The invention provides therefore a propulsion device for a water-borne vessel comprising a reaction chamber having an outlet port therein, an inlet for fuel/air mixture, and means for igniting the fuel/air mixture, the reaction chamber being attachable to the vessel with said chamber partially or fully filied with water and the said outlet port below the water surface.

The means for igniting the fuel/air mixture may comprise two or more electrodes which may each be independent electrodes or alternatively one of the electrodes may be provided by all or part of the wall of the reaction chamber. The reaction chamber is preferably substantially L-shaped, the outlet port facing in a direction opposite to that in which motion is desired In use the electrodes are supplied with a high voltage electric current, the voltage being of the order of 125 KV and, this may be supplied to the electrodes intermittently or continuously. In the latter case the electrodes are immersed in water for a part of the operating cycle of the engine, the water inhibiting damage to the source of high voltage due to its impedance, despite there being a direct short circuit through the water.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view through a boat propulsion device according to the invention.

The figure shows an engine for a water-borne vessel, comprising an L-shaped reaction chamber 10 having on a lower limb of the L an outlet port 1 2. Towards the top of the reaction chamber a pair of electrodes 1 3 having insulated sheaths 14 are provided, these being supplied with an electric current from an EHT unit 1 6 producing approximately 125 KV from a 12 V accumulator (not shown). A gas inlet tube 1 8 is also provided near the top of the reaction chamber 10 this tube being supplied with a mixture of propane and air, in a combustible ratio, from a suitable mixing device (not shown).At the start of the working cycle the reaction chamber is arranged so that, with the device inoperative, the water level 20 is as shown in the figure, i.e. with the electrodes and the lower end of the fuel inlet tube are submerged below water level. The device is activated by switching on the EHT unit and the propane/air mixture, thus the level of water in the reaction chamber is driven downwards until the electrodes 1 3 are exposed whereupon a spark occurs igniting the propane air mixture in the reaction chamber resulting in a rapid combustion which drives the water in the reaction chamber 10 out of the outlet port 12 providing a thrust to the engine and to the vessel to which it is attached. After this combustion water again fills the tube to the level 20 and the engine cycle recommences.The electrodes can be arranged to be activated continuously or can be arranged to be deactivated after each combustion for a brief period of time until the water level 20 is re-established. Similarly the propane/air mix can be applied continuously, or interrupted after each combustion until the water level 20 is re-established. The device can be made from any suitable material such as metal (desirably treated against corrosion) or preferably plastics material.

Any suitable electrical source may be used instead of the accumulator. The fuel and air may be supplied separately to the reaction chamber.

The device may be fitted to a vessel by means of clamps using screw fixings or any other suitable method of attachment.

The end of the fuel inlet pipe need not be under the water surface when the engine is inoperative.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, for example the reaction chamber could have a series of outlets with some means for directing the thrust from one or more of the outlets as desired so that the vessel can be moved in a desired direction without moving the device with respect to the vessel. Alternatively means can be provided for pivoting the device in a given direction in the manner of a rudder, to give a thrust in a desired direction.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

1. A propulsion device for a water-borne vessel comprising a reaction chamber having an outlet port therein, an inlet for fuel/air mixture, and means for igniting the fuel/air mixture, the reaction chamber being attachable to the vessel with said chamber partially or fully filled with water and the said outlet port below the water surface.

2. A propulsion device as claimed in claim 1, in which the means for igniting the fuel/air mixture comprises two or more electrodes.

3. A propulsion device as claimed in claim 2, in which one of the electrodes is provided by all or part of one wall of the reaction chamber.

4. A propulsion device as claimed in any of the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Propulsion device for water-borne vessels The invention relates to a propulsion device for vessels which travel through water such as ships, submarines, hydrofoils and hovercraft. The invention is especially, though not exclusively, applicable to small craft such as dinghies. It is a disadvantage with marine engines, especially internal combustion engines, that they are somewhat complex and their use in proximity with sea water causes problems with corrosion, maintenance and the like. Accordingly the present invention seeks to provide a simple engine for a water-borne vessel which is mechanically uncomplicated and which is inexpensive to make. The invention provides therefore a propulsion device for a water-borne vessel comprising a reaction chamber having an outlet port therein, an inlet for fuel/air mixture, and means for igniting the fuel/air mixture, the reaction chamber being attachable to the vessel with said chamber partially or fully filied with water and the said outlet port below the water surface. The means for igniting the fuel/air mixture may comprise two or more electrodes which may each be independent electrodes or alternatively one of the electrodes may be provided by all or part of the wall of the reaction chamber. The reaction chamber is preferably substantially L-shaped, the outlet port facing in a direction opposite to that in which motion is desired In use the electrodes are supplied with a high voltage electric current, the voltage being of the order of 125 KV and, this may be supplied to the electrodes intermittently or continuously. In the latter case the electrodes are immersed in water for a part of the operating cycle of the engine, the water inhibiting damage to the source of high voltage due to its impedance, despite there being a direct short circuit through the water. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view through a boat propulsion device according to the invention. The figure shows an engine for a water-borne vessel, comprising an L-shaped reaction chamber 10 having on a lower limb of the L an outlet port 1 2. Towards the top of the reaction chamber a pair of electrodes 1 3 having insulated sheaths 14 are provided, these being supplied with an electric current from an EHT unit 1 6 producing approximately 125 KV from a 12 V accumulator (not shown). A gas inlet tube 1 8 is also provided near the top of the reaction chamber 10 this tube being supplied with a mixture of propane and air, in a combustible ratio, from a suitable mixing device (not shown).At the start of the working cycle the reaction chamber is arranged so that, with the device inoperative, the water level 20 is as shown in the figure, i.e. with the electrodes and the lower end of the fuel inlet tube are submerged below water level. The device is activated by switching on the EHT unit and the propane/air mixture, thus the level of water in the reaction chamber is driven downwards until the electrodes 1 3 are exposed whereupon a spark occurs igniting the propane air mixture in the reaction chamber resulting in a rapid combustion which drives the water in the reaction chamber 10 out of the outlet port 12 providing a thrust to the engine and to the vessel to which it is attached. After this combustion water again fills the tube to the level 20 and the engine cycle recommences.The electrodes can be arranged to be activated continuously or can be arranged to be deactivated after each combustion for a brief period of time until the water level 20 is re-established. Similarly the propane/air mix can be applied continuously, or interrupted after each combustion until the water level 20 is re-established. The device can be made from any suitable material such as metal (desirably treated against corrosion) or preferably plastics material. Any suitable electrical source may be used instead of the accumulator. The fuel and air may be supplied separately to the reaction chamber. The device may be fitted to a vessel by means of clamps using screw fixings or any other suitable method of attachment. The end of the fuel inlet pipe need not be under the water surface when the engine is inoperative. Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, for example the reaction chamber could have a series of outlets with some means for directing the thrust from one or more of the outlets as desired so that the vessel can be moved in a desired direction without moving the device with respect to the vessel. Alternatively means can be provided for pivoting the device in a given direction in the manner of a rudder, to give a thrust in a desired direction. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon. CLAIMS

4. A propulsion device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the reaction chamber is substantially L-shaped, the outlet port facing in a direction opposite to that in which motion is desired.

5. A propulsion device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which means are provided for supplying a high voltage electrical current of the order of 125 KV to the electrodes.

6. A propulsion device as claimed in claim 5, in which said means comprises an EHT circuit having power derived from an accumulator.

7 A propulsion device as claimed in claim 5 or 6 in which the said electrical current is supplied t6 said electrodes intermittently.

8. A propulsion device as claimed in claim 5 or 6 in which the said electrical current is supplied to said electrodes continuously.

9. A propulsion device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein at least a substantial part of the body of the reaction chamber is made from plastics material.

10. A propulsion device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 in which at least a substantial part of the reaction chamber is made of a metal resistant to corrosion in water.

11. A propulsion device as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the fuel/air mixture is supplied intermittently.

12. A propulsion device as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the fuel and air are supplied separately to the reaction chamber.

13. A propulsion device as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the device is provided with clamps by which it may be attached to a vessel which it is, in use, to propel.

14. A propulsion device as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the fuel inlet is raised above water level when the device is inoperative.

1 5. A propulsion device as claimed in any of the preceding claims having a number of outlet ports.

1 6. A propulsion device as claimed in claim 1 5 in which means are provided for directing the thrust of the device through a selected one or selected ones of said outlet ports.

1 7. A propulsion device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 1 5 in which means are provided for pivoting the device so that the outlet can be directed to move the vessel in a given direction.

1 8. A propulsion device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.