| WO/2009/056380 | BUOYANT HARBOR POWER SUPPLY |
| WO/2010/060482 | AIR INLET DUCT FOR A GENSET ENCLOSURE |
| JP2011153620 | PORTABLE TYPE ENGINE POWER GENERATOR |
HERNDON, H., Brooks (2400 Franklin Road, Suite ELawrence, KS, 66046, US)
| CLAIMS I/We claim the invention as described herein which may be further characterized as follows: 1. An electricity generator comprising: a two- stroke engine including — a substantially adiabatic combustion chamber; a free and floating piston defining a portion of the substantially adiabatic combustion chamber; and a switching intake and exhaust system operable to deliver air to and remove exhaust gas from the substantially adiabatic combustion chamber. 2. The electricity generator as set forth in 1, above, further including a wire coil, wherein the two-stroke engine causes movement of a magnetic material through the wire coil, thereby producing electricity through electromagnetic induction. 3. A two- stroke engine operable to produce electricity through electromagnetic induction, the two-stroke engine comprising: a body; a head secured to the body and operable, in combination with the body, to define a substantially enclosed space, the head including at least a portion of a combustion chamber; a piston operable to move within the substantially enclosed space defined by the body and the head, and which is associated with a magnetic field; an intake and exhaust system operable to introduce air into and remove exhaust gas from the substantially enclosed space; and a wire coil operable to cooperate with the magnetic field of the moving piston to, through electromagnetic induction, generate an electric current. 4. The two-stroke engine as set forth in 3, above, wherein the body is constructed of a non-electrically conductive material. 5. The two-stroke engine as set forth in 4, above, wherein the body is constructed of a plastic, such as polyimide. 6. The two- stroke engine as set forth in 3, above, wherein the head includes a first portion of the combustion chamber, and the piston includes a second portion of the combustion chamber. 7. The two-stroke engine as set forth in 3, above, wherein the combustion chamber is substantially spherical. 8. The two-stroke engine as set forth in 3, above, wherein the combustion chamber is at least lined with a ceramic material, such as silicon nitride, having low thermal expansion and contraction and low thermal conductivity properties. 9. The two- stroke engine as set forth in 3, above, wherein the piston floats on gas bearings, and the clearance between the piston and the body is approximately between 1 x 10-2 inches and 1 x 10-4 inches, or approximately 1 x 10-3 inches. 10. The two-stroke engine as set forth in 3, above, wherein the piston includes a magnetic material. 11. The two-stroke engine as set forth in 3, above, wherein the intake and exhaust system includes — an intake conduit operable to deliver air into a second space defined by the body and the piston, i.e., below the piston; a transfer conduit operable to transfer air from the second space to a first space defined by the body and the head, i.e., above the piston; an exhaust conduit operable to direct exhaust gas out of the engine, a sleeve, wherein the intake, transfer, and exhaust conduits are coupled with the sleeve, and the sleeve moves relative to the body between a first position in which the intake conduit is aligned with the one or more second ports and the exhaust conduit is aligned with the one or more first ports, and a second position in which a second end of the transfer conduit is aligned with the one or more second ports and a first end of the transfer conduit is aligned with the one or more first ports. 12. The two-stroke engine as set forth in 3, above, wherein the intake and exhaust system includes — an intake conduit operable to deliver air into a second space defined by the body and the piston, i.e., below the piston; a transfer conduit operable to transfer air from the second space to a first space defined by the body and the head, i.e., above the piston; an exhaust conduit operable to direct exhaust gas out of the engine, a sleeve interposed between the conduits and the body and operable to move between a first position in which the intake conduit is connected to the one or more second ports and the exhaust conduit is connected to the one or more first ports, and a second position in which a second end of the transfer conduit is connected to the one or more second ports and a first end of the transfer conduit is connected to the one or more first ports. 13. The two-stroke engine as set forth in 12, above, further including a second wire coil operable, through electromagnetic induction, to move the sleeve between the first and second positions. 14. The two-stroke engine as set forth in 3, above, wherein the two-stroke engine uses a fuel of alcohol and water. 15. The two-stroke engine as set forth in 3, above, wherein the energy of the exhaust gas is used to preheat the fuel, compress the intake air, or both. |
[0001] The present invention relates to electricity generators. More specifically, the present invention concerns an electricity generator operable to produce electricity through electromagnetic induction using a two-stroke engine including a substantially adiabatic combustion chamber which eliminates the need for a cooling system and allows for using relatively lightweight low-temperature materials, a free and floating piston which minimizes friction and eliminates the need for a conventional lubricating system, a switching intake and exhaust system which further improves efficiency and reduces undesirable emissions, and a supercharging system which improves performance.
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0002] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 61/085,339, filed on July 31, 2008 and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Electrical generators convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, typically using electromagnetic induction resulting from relative motion between a magnetic field and a wire coil. In portable generators and in hybrid vehicles, for example, internal combustion engines burn gasoline or diesel fuel that may rotate a coil of wire, called a rotor, within the magnetic field of a stationary magnet, called a stator. Due to weight and performance considerations, it may be desirable to use two-stroke engines for this purpose.
[0004] Two-stroke engines differ from more common four-stroke engines in that they complete the same four processes, i.e., intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust, in only two strokes of the piston rather than four. This is generally achieved in an overlapping sequence during the late portion of the expansion stroke and the early portion of the compression stroke as the piston first exposes an exhaust port and, subsequently, an intake port and then closes them on the compression stroke. [0005] Thus, two stroke engines enjoy the advantages of simple design, low cost, and high power-to-weight ratios. Unfortunately, both two and four-stroke engine designs suffer from numerous inefficiencies. More specifically, four-stroke engines require complex and cumbersome valve systems, both two and four-stroke engines require complex ignition, lubrication and cooling systems, and both two and four-stroke engines exhibit exhaust system losses (i.e., "volumetric inefficiencies") and produce significant amounts of undesirable emissions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention overcomes the above-described and other problems and limitations by providing an improved electricity generator operable to produce electricity through electromagnetic induction using a two-stroke engine including a substantially adiabatic combustion chamber which eliminates the need for a cooling system and allows for using relatively lightweight low-temperature materials, a free and floating piston which minimizes friction and eliminates the need for a conventional lubricating system, a switching intake and exhaust system which further improves efficiency and reduces undesirable emissions, and a supercharging system which improves performance.
[0007] In one embodiment, the electricity generator broadly comprises the two- stroke engine including the substantially adiabatic combustion chamber; the floating piston defining a portion of the substantially adiabatic combustion chamber; and the switching intake and exhaust system operable to deliver air to and remove exhaust gas from the substantially adiabatic combustion chamber. The electricity generator may further include a wire coil, wherein the two-stroke engine causes movement of a magnetic material through the wire coil, thereby producing electricity through electromagnetic induction. As mentioned, the two-stroke engine may further include the supercharging system for improved performance.
[0008] In one implementation, the present invention may be characterized as a two-stroke engine operable to produce electricity through electromagnetic induction, the two-stroke engine broadly comprising a body; a head secured to the body and operable, in combination with the body, to define a substantially enclosed space, the head including at least a portion of a combustion chamber; a piston which moves within the substantially enclosed space defined by the body and the head, and which drives or moves a magnetic field relative to the wire coil; an intake and exhaust system operable to introduce air into and remove exhaust gas from the substantially enclosed space; and a wire coil operable to cooperate with the magnetic field of the moving piston to, through electromagnetic induction, generate an electric current.
[0009] In various particular implementations, the present invention may further include any one or more of the following additional features. The body may be constructed of a non-electrically conductive material. The body may be constructed of a plastic, such as polyimide. The head may include a first portion of the combustion chamber, and the piston may include a second portion of the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber may be substantially spherical. The combustion chamber may be at least lined with a ceramic material, such as silicon nitride, having low thermal expansion and contraction and low thermal conductivity properties. The piston may float on gas bearings, and the clearance between the piston and the body may be approximately between 1 x 10-2 inches and 1 x 10-4 inches, or approximately 1 x 10-3 inches. The piston may include a magnetic material. The intake and exhaust system may include an intake conduit operable to deliver air into a second space defined by the body and the piston, i.e., below the piston; a transfer conduit operable to transfer air from the second space to a first space defined by the body and the head, i.e., above the piston; an exhaust conduit operable to direct exhaust gas out of the engine, a sleeve, wherein the intake, transfer, and exhaust conduits are coupled with the sleeve, and the sleeve moves relative to the body between a first position in which the intake conduit is aligned with the one or more second ports and the exhaust conduit is aligned with the one or more first ports, and a second position in which a second end of the transfer conduit is aligned with the one or more second ports and a first end of the transfer conduit is aligned with the one or more first ports. The engine may further include a second wire coil operable, through electromagnetic induction, to move the sleeve between the first and second positions. The engine may use a fuel of alcohol and water, wherein the water may be injected at or near top dead center of piston travel. The energy of the exhaust gas may be used to preheat the fuel, compress the intake air, or both. [00010] These and other details of the present invention are further described below in the section titled DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0010] The present invention is described herein with reference to the following drawing figures, with greater emphasis being placed on clarity rather than scale:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevation view of an embodiment of a two- stroke engine component of the electricity generator of the present invention, wherein the engine is shown in a stage of operation associated with a combustion process;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross- sectional elevation view of the two-stroke engine, wherein the engine is shown in a stage of operation associated with an exhaust process;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross- sectional elevation view of the two-stroke engine, wherein the engine is shown in a stage of operation associated with a second part of the intake process;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross- sectional elevation view of the two-stroke engine, wherein the engine is shown in a stage of operation associated with a compression process and a first part of an intake process;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional plan view of a body component of the two- stroke engine, showing a plurality of ports;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevation view of a portion of an intake and exhaust system component of the two-stroke engine, showing a supercharging process;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the two-stroke engine component of the electricity generator of the present invention, wherein the engine is shown in the stage of operation associated with the exhaust process;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross- sectional elevation view of the two-stroke engine component of FIG. 7, wherein the engine is shown in the stage of operation associated with the combustion process;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional elevation view of an embodiment of an intake and exhaust system component of the two- stroke engine component of the FIGs. 7 and 8, wherein the intake and exhaust system is shown in the stage of operation associated with the second part of the intake process;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a cross- sectional elevation view of the intake and exhaust system component of FIG. 9 shown in the stage of operation associated with an exhaust process;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional elevation view of another alternative embodiment of the two-stroke engine component of the electricity generator of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] With reference to the drawings figures, an electricity generator 10 is herein described, shown, and otherwise disclosed in accordance with various embodiments, including one or more preferred embodiments, of the present invention.
[0023] Broadly, the electricity generator 10 is operable to produce electricity through electromagnetic induction using a two-stroke engine including a substantially adiabatic combustion chamber which eliminates the need for a cooling system and allows for using relatively lightweight low-temperature materials, a free and floating piston which minimizes friction and eliminates the need for a conventional lubricating system, a switching intake and exhaust system which further improves efficiency and reduces undesirable emissions, and a supercharging system which improves performance.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, the generator 10 broadly comprises the two-stroke engine 12 which includes a body 14; a head 16; a piston 18; an intake and exhaust system 20; and one or more wire coils 22.
[0025] The body 14 is operable, in combination with the head 16, to define a substantially enclosed space within which the piston 18 moves. The body may have substantially any suitable shape, e.g., cylindrical, and be constructed of substantially any suitable material or materials, including lightweight, relatively low temperature materials such as polyimide or other high temperature plastics. Use of such materials may contribute to an approximately 90% overall reduction in weight over conventional metal engines. [0026] The head 16 is operable, in combination with the body 14, to define the substantially enclosed space within which the piston 18 moves, and further defines a first portion of a combustion chamber 30. The head 16 may further include or accommodate a fuel injector 32 which opens into the first portion of the combustion chamber 30.
[0027] The piston 18 is operable to move within the substantially enclosed space defined by the body 14 and the head 16, defines a second portion of the combustion chamber 30, and presents a magnetic field. In one implementation, the piston 18 floats on gas bearings, such that little or no conventional lubrication between the body 14 and the piston 18 is needed. In various implementations, the clearance between the piston sidewall and the body sidewall may be approximately between 1 x 10-2 inches and 1 x 104 inches. For example, in a particular implementation the clearance may be approximately 1 x 1 e inches.
[0028] In one implementation, the combustion chamber 30 is substantially spherical in shape, with the head 16 defining a first portion of the sphere and the piston 18 defining a second portion of the sphere. The combustion chamber 30 may be at least lined with a ceramic material, such as silicon nitride, having low thermal expansion and contraction and low thermal conductivity properties. As such, a high-temperature region is maintained within the combustion chamber 30. This feature, in combination with the vaporization of injected fuel, allows for substantially eliminating a conventional cooling system, and, as mentioned, the body 14 can be constructed of lightweight, relatively low temperature materials such as polyimide or other high temperature plastics. Furthermore, isolation and concentration of the high-temperature region in the combustion chamber 30 eliminates the need for a spark plug. To start the engine 10, the wire coil 22 is used in the second mode (described below) to cycle the engine through several compression cycles and thereby create sufficient temperature in the combustion chamber for initial combustion. In one implementation, the sidewalls of the piston 18 are at least surfaced with permanently magnetic material 34.
[0029] The intake and exhaust system 20 is operable to introduce air prior to combustion and remove exhaust gas following combustion. The system 20 includes an intake conduit 40, a transfer conduit 42, an exhaust conduit 44, a sleeve 46, one or more second ports 48, and one or more first ports 50. The intake conduit 40 delivers air into a second space of the space defined by the body 14 and the piston 18, i.e., below the piston. The transfer conduit 42 transfers air from the second space to a first space defined by the body 14 and the head 16, i.e., above the piston. The exhaust conduit 44 directs exhaust gas out of the engine 10. The conduits 40,42,44 are coupled with the sleeve 46, and the sleeve 46 moves relative to the body 14 between a first position in which the intake conduit 40 is aligned with the one or more second ports 48 and the exhaust conduit 44 is aligned with the one or more first ports 50, and a second position in which a second end of the transfer conduit 42 is aligned with the one or more second ports 48 and a first end of the transfer conduit 42 is aligned with the one or more first ports 50. Referring to FIG. 5, in one implementation the plurality of first and second ports 48,50 are arranged around the body 14 in a spaced apart relationship so as to more efficiently perform their functions. In one particular implementation, there may be six such first ports 48 and six such second ports 50.
[0030] The wire coil 22 is operable through electromagnetic induction to, in a first mode, cooperate with the magnetic field of the moving piston 18 to generate a current which the wire coil 22 carries away to a storage medium, such as a battery, or to an application, such as a motor, and to, in a second mode, carry a current which cooperates with the magnetic field of the piston 18 to cause the piston 18 to move in a desired direction or to a desired position within the space defined by the body 14 and head 16.
[0031] In one implementation, a second wire coil is used, in the manner of the aforementioned second mode, to move the sleeve 46 so as to align the various conduits 40,42,44 and ports 48,50.
[0032] In one implementation, the engine 12 uses fuel, such as alcohol or diesel fuel, mixed with water. The addition of water to the fuel both increases pressure in the combustion chamber as the water is converted to steam, and lowers exhaust temperatures, thereby increasing the power and efficiency of the engine 12. The use of ethyl or methyl alcohol and water as a fuel reduces both undesirable emissions and carbon deposits inside the engine. Furthermore, while conventional metal engines suffer corrosion in the presence of water, the present engine can, as mentioned, be constructed in relevant part of ceramics, plastics, or other non-corroding materials.
[0033] In one implementation, the energy of the exhaust gas may be used to preheat the fuel, compress the intake air, or both. In one implementation, the exhaust gas may be used to supercharge the intake of air. Referring to FIG. 6, for example, exhaust gas leaving the body 14, shown at 1, may be used to compress an air charge, shown at 2, and the compressed air charge may be transferred to the intake, shown at 3; a fresh air charge, shown at 4, may then replace the expended air charge, shown at 5, and, in so doing, force the prior exhaust gas out, shown at 6. In one implementation, valves 54,56 may be provided to facilitate this process by defining an intermediate chamber 58. The chamber 58 may be tuned to the mass flow and/or acoustic resonance frequency of the engine 12.
[0034] Generally, it may be desirable to carefully filter the fuel, air, and, if used, water because of the use of air bearings. More specifically, particulates introduced into the space defined by the body 14 and the head 16 may move between the body 14 and the sidewall of the piston 18 and create friction or otherwise cause damage.
[0035] In one implementation, two instances of the engine 12 are opposingly arranged and operated so as to minimize the net vibration.
[0036] In one implementation, the engine 12 operates at a single speed or within a narrow range of speeds.
[0037] It will be appreciated that certain features, such as those of the intake and exhaust system, disclosed herein have broad application to two-stroke engines apart from their use in electricity generators.
[0038] In one implementation, multiple instances of the engine 12 are bussed together to provide a desired amount of electricity. A system incorporating the electricity generator 10 of the present invention may be adapted to allow for quickly and easily connecting or disconnecting instances of the engine 12 to match changing electricity needs. [0039] In one application, the electricity generator 10 is used to power a hybrid vehicle, either by charging a storage system, such as a battery, which provides electricity to one or more motors, powering the one or more motors directly, or both. For example, under normal conditions the generator 10 may provide electricity only to the storage system, and under abnormal conditions, e.g., high acceleration or steeply positive slope, both the generator 10 and the storage system may provide electricity directly to the motor.
[0040] In exemplary operation, the engine 12 may function substantially as follows. Referring to FIG. 1, with the piston 18 at top dead center, i.e., maximum compression, the sleeve 46 of the intake and exhaust system 20 is positioned in the first position, in which the intake conduit 40 is aligned with the one or more second ports 48 and the exhaust conduit 44 is aligned with the one or more first ports 50; the intake conduit 40 has already delivered air into the second space of the space defined by the body 14 and the piston 18, i.e., below the piston; fuel is injected into the combustion chamber 30 and ignited.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 2, combustion of the fuel drives the piston 18 downwardly, thereby exposing the one or more first ports 50 and allowing the exhaust gases to flow out via the exhaust conduit 44, and compressing the air in the second space below the piston 18.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 3, the sleeve 46 moves to the second position, in which the second end of the transfer conduit 42 is aligned with the one or more second ports 48 and the first end of the transfer conduit 42 is aligned with the one or more first ports 50, thereby forcing the compressed air below the piston through the transfer conduit 42 and into the space defined by the head 16 and the piston 18, i.e., above the piston.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 4, as the piston 18 passes the one or more first ports 50 on its way back to top dead center, the sleeve 46 moves back to the first position, and the process, beginning with FIG. 1, repeats.
[0044] Through electromagnetic induction, all movement of the magnetic material 34 on the piston 18 through the wire coil 22 creates an electric current which can be processed and used in substantially any desired application. [0045] Referring to FIGs. 7 and 8, an alternative embodiment of the generator
110 is shown which may be substantially similar to the above-described embodiment except as follows. The piston assembly may comprise an upper piston portion 118a and a lower piston portion 118b, wherein the upper and lower piston portions 118a, 118b are spaced apart and connected by a shaft 119. A wall 121 may divide the body 114 into an upper space in which the upper piston portion 118a moves, and a lower space in which the lower piston portion 118b moves, wherein the shaft 119 extends through an opening in the wall 121. An air bearing may be used to seal the opening about the shaft 119. The lower piston portion 118b may be associated with the magnetic material which interacts with the wire coil 122.
[0046] In an alternate embodiment the piston 118 can be operated by any means used in the industry that includes but is not limited to an electromagnetic field, pneumatic chamber (air-powered), hydraulic cylinder (fluid filled), gas powered, or combinations thereof. The operable movement of the piston 118 or 18 can be powered by any actuation means that are currently known or used in the industry.
[0047] One or more second wire coils 164,166 may be provided for controlling movement of the intake and exhaust system 120, as discussed above.
[0048] Additionally, a cushion mechanism may be included comprising a male portion 160 associated with either the head 116 or upper piston portion 118a, and a female portion 162 associated with an opposing surface of the upper piston portion 118a or head 116. In operation, as the head 116 and upper piston portion 118a come together immediately prior to combustion, the male portion 160 enters the female portion 162 and traps air therewithin. The trapped air compresses as the head 116 and upper piston portion 118 move closer together, thereby slowing the upper piston portion 118a and preventing damaging impact between, i.e., cushioning, the head 116 and upper piston portion 118a.
[0049] Referring to FIGs. 9 and 10, an alternate embodiment of the intake and exhaust system 120 is also shown which may be substantially similar to the above- described embodiment except as follows. The intake conduit 140, the transfer conduit 142, and the exhaust conduit 144 remain stationary rather than moving with the sleeve 146. There are at least two vertically spaced-apart second ports 148, with one of the second ports 148 aligned with the intake conduit 140 and the other being aligned with the second end of the transfer conduit 142, and there are at least two one or more vertically spaced-apart first ports 150, with one of the first ports being aligned with the first end of the transfer conduit 142 and the other being aligned with the exhaust conduit 144. The sleeve 146 is interposed between the conduits 140,142,144 and the body 114, and presents a single second opening which is alignable with the second ports 148 and a single first opening which is alignable with the first ports 150.
[0050] The sleeve 146 moves relative to the body 114 between a first position in which the intake conduit 140 is connected via the second opening in the sleeve 146 to a respective one of the second ports 148 and the exhaust conduit 144 is connected via the first opening in the sleeve 146 to a respective one of the first ports 150, and a second position in which the second end of the transfer conduit 142 is connected via the second opening in the sleeve 146 to a respective other one of the second ports 148 and a first end of the transfer conduit 142 is connected via the first opening in the sleeve 146 to a respective other one of the first ports 150. Thus, the conduits 140,142,144 and the body 114 may remain substantially stationary relative to one another, and only the sleeve 146 may move between them.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 11, another alternative embodiment of the generator 210 is shown which may be substantially similar to the above-described embodiments except as follows. The piston may comprise the upper piston portion 218a, the lower piston portion 218b, and an intermediate piston portion 218c, wherein the various piston portions 218a, 218b, 218c are spaced apart and connected by the shaft 219. Additionally, at least the upper piston portion 218a may have a smaller diameter than the other piston portions 218b, 218c, and the corresponding portion of the body 214 may have a smaller diameter than the remaining portion of the body 214.
[0052] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the engine 12 retains the advantages of simplicity of construction and operation and low construction cost, while overcoming or minimizing many of the disadvantages of prior art engines. [0053] While the invention has been explained in relation to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the description. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention disclosed herein is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.