GB2277964A

GB2277964A - External combustion engine.

Info

Publication number: GB2277964A
Application number: GB9309546A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edgar Stanley Askam
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-05-10
Filing date: 1993-05-10
Publication date: 1994-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 2013-05-10
Also published as: GB2277964B; GB9309546D0

Abstract

The engine comprises a sealed casing 12 mounted on a shaft 4 and containing an auger-like power section 9, having pressure-tight webs 18, each carrying a jet 17. A reservoir 6 is supported by bearings 15 on the shaft and a scoop 3 is provided to collect condensate from the inner wall of the casing and feed it to the reservoir. Fluid flows from the reservoir to a central bore in the shaft 4 which is internally screw-threaded to force fluid towards an impeller 11. Fluid thrown from the impeller is vaporised by heat from a burner 13, the vapour passes through the power section and is condensed by extraction of heat via a water jacket 2. Condensed fluid is thrown by centrifugal force to the wall of the casing 12 for collection by the swop 3 and subsequent re-cycling. The working fluid may be trichlorotrifluroethane, and the burner 13 may produce carbon-mon-oxide free exhaust. <IMAGE>

Description

EXTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

This engine is applicable to any situation where an internal combustion engine is at present used.

The engine is externally fired, permitting adjustments to the Air/Fuel ratio, so that the exhaust gases are free from Carbonmon-Oxide, and consist mainly of Carbon-di-Oxide and Water Vapour.

The engine is based on the same components currently in use for steam power generation. The present invention combines the Vaporiser (Boiler), Power Unit, and Condenser into one sealed capsule, mounted securely on to the Output Shaft, so that in operation, all these components rotate as one.

The Vaporiser occupies xn end section of the capsule.. Controlled flow of working fluid to this section results in a layer of fluid forming on the inner surface of the Vaporiser, so that when heat is applied to the outer surface vapour is produced.

This vapour is directed down channels, and forced through a series of jets, set at a radius to,and directed tangentially to, the output shaft. The acceleration of the vapour through the jets producing a reactive force causing rotation.

After passing through the jets the vapour enters the final section of the capsule, which is externally cooled and any condensate produced is thrown on to the inner surface, from where it is scooped up and returned to the Vaporiser, via a reservoir and the bore of the output shaft. The Reservoir is a semi-circular container, supported on bearings on the output shaft, the weight of the liquid preventing its rotation.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1o2 Shows an end elevation.

Figure 2.2 Shows a vertical section through the centre length.

The engine varies in size according to the output required.

The drawings shown are 1/4 Full Size, to give an estimated output of 22 Kw.(30 h.p) The rotating component combines into one pressure tight capsule a Vaporiser 12, Power Section 9, Condenser 14, and the working fluid return mechanism 3,6,11,10,15,20.

The Vaporiser (12)is where the working fluid is converted into vapour, by heating its external surface with suitable. Burners(13) The fluid fed to it is controlled,so that only a thin layer is maintained on its inner surface by its rotation, this minimises the time to achieve working pressure, and heat stress by smooth ing- out .temperature differentials.

The Power Section is an. auger (helix) shaped component (9), into the channel of which two pressure tight Webs (1 6)are fitted,each carrying a Jet (17). One web is fitted at the entrance, and the other at the exit to the auger(9). The jets are set so that their centre lines are at right angles to the output shaft (4), and as close to the outer casing (12) as practicable.

The Auger (9) is fitted into the Vaporiser casing (12) and on to the Output Shaft (4) with pressure tight joints. This construction forces. the vapour produced in the Vaporiser through the first jet and down the Auger channel to the second jet, without any leakage of vapour. The acceleration of the vapour through each jet develops a force which produces rotation.

After passing through the Power Section the vapour enters the Condenser (14), the two components being secured together with an intervening heat insulat.ing gasket (7). Beat is removed from the external surface of the condenser either by a flow of air or water. The Water Jacket casing (2) controls the flow of cooling medium over the Condenser. (14).

The centrifugal force created by the rotation of the Condenser throws condensate on to the inner surface of the Condenser, from where it is returned to the Vaporiser(12), by the return mechanism. This consists of a Reservoir (6), supported by bearings (15) running on the Output Shaft (4), this arrangement maintains the the Reservoir in a static position due to its weight. A Scoop (3) attached to the Reservoir collects fluid from the inner wall of the Condenser (14), and feeds it to the Reservoir (6), from where it flows through diametrically drillea holes, to the central bore of the Output Shaft (4) which is internally screwed to force feed the fluid to the Impeller (11). The rapid rotation of this component imparts sufficient velocity to the fluid to throw it into the Vaporiser (12).The rate of flow of fluid through the system is controlled by Valve (10).

The working fluid can be any chemical which produces a vapour when heated, and.each of which are stable, non-toxic, and noncorrosive to the materials utilised in the engines construction.

A chemical such as Trichlorotrifluroethane (C2Cl3P3), which has a density 12.2 times that of steam at their respective boiling points, at atmospheric pressure, would be suitabless The Output Shaft (4),incorporated in the capsule, is supported by two bearings (5) fitted into the engine Casing (1), which is internally Insulated (8)..at the end surrounding the Vaporiser(12), and at the Condenser (14) end their is a cooling water Reservoir (16) Eurzers (13) fire into the combustion space between the Vaporiser (12) and the Insulated Linning (8). An Exhaust Pipe (19)conveys the combustion products either to atmosphere or via a.recuperator preheating the incoming burner air.

Claims

CLAIMS.

1. An external combustion engine comprising a Vaporiser, Power Section, Condenser, Fluid Return Mechanism, combined into one pressure tight capsule, mounted on a centrally located Output Shaft, supported on bearings. Charged with a Working Fluid and sealed.

2. An engine as in Claim 1, in which the Vaporiser is externally heated permitting the.Air/.Fuel to the Burners to be adjusted to produce a Carbon-mon-Oxide free exhaust.

3. Ax engine as Claimed in 1 and 2, in which the vapour produced by heating the Vaporiser,feeds directly to the combined Power Section, through ducts,and jets, to create a reactive force at right angles to the Output Shaft causing rotation of the Capsule.

4. An engine as in Claim 1, in which the spent vapour, discharged from the Power Section,enters the combined rotating Condenser, the condensate formed being thrown to the condenser inner surface by centrifugal force.

5. An engine as in Claims 1 and 4, in which the Fluid Return Mechanism returns the working fluid to the Vaporiser by scooping condensate from the inner wall of the Condenser, using a Scoop attached to the-Reservoir, which is supported on the Output Shaft with bearings, so that its own weight prevents its rotation, The condensate then flows into the bore of the Output Shaft, and carried to an Impeller, secured to, and rotating with the Output Shaft, which throws the condensate on to the inner wall of the Vaporiser.

A Control Valve keeps the flow at the correct rate.

6. An engine as in Claim 1 m which the working fluid is Trichlorotrifluroethane.