Title:
AN ENGINE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2000/031394
Kind Code:
A2
Abstract:
An engine is disclosed that incorporates components purely or predominantly rotational components. An engine including a rotor and a stator, in which a combustion chamber is defined in the stator and a fluid receiving chamber is defined in the rotor, in which combustion gas can expand from the combustion chamber into the receiving chamber, whereby momentum is transferred from the combustion gas to the rotor.
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Inventors:
HEAP ROLAND GRANT (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB1999/003844
Publication Date:
June 02, 2000
Filing Date:
November 19, 1999
Export Citation:
Assignee:
HEAP ROLAND GRANT (GB)
International Classes:
F01D1/34; F02C3/30; F02C5/04; F02C5/00; F02C7/00; F02C7/06; F02C7/143; F02C7/28; (IPC1-7): F02C5/00; F01D1/34
Foreign References:
| FR1192930A | 1959-10-29 | |||
| FR977740A | 1951-04-04 | |||
| DE1601582A1 | 1970-01-29 | |||
| FR801662A | 1936-08-12 | |||
| US2444213A | 1948-06-29 | |||
| FR9155E | 1908-09-07 |
Other References:
None
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Raynor, Simon Mark (Urquhart-Dykes & Lord Midsummer House 411C
Midsummer Boulevard Central Milton Keynes MK9 3BN, GB)
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Claims:
Claims
| 1. | An engine including a combustion assembly comprising a rotor and a stator, in which a combustion chamber is defined in the stator and a fluid receiving chamber is defined in the rotor, in which combustion gas can expand from the combustion chamber into the receiving chamber, whereby momentum is transferred from the combustion gas to the rotor. |
| 2. | An engine according to claim 1 in which the rotor has a plurality of rotor expansion chambers into which combustion gas can expand in turn. |
| 3. | An engine according to claim 2 in which the rotor expansion chambers are of different volumes. |
| 4. | An engine according to claim 3 in which the rotor expansion chambers are of successively increasing volumes. |
| 5. | An engine according to claim 3 or claim 4 in which the receiving chamber is of volume larger than several of the rotor expansion chambers. |
| 6. | An engine according to any preceding claim in which the stator has a plurality of stator expansion chambers into which gas can expand from the chambers of the rotor. |
| 7. | An engine according to claim 6 in which the rotor expansion chambers are of different volumes. |
| 8. | An engine according to claim 7 in which the rotor expansion chambers are of successively increasing volumes. |
| 9. | An engine according to any preceding claim in which the rotor has a transfer chamber through which combustion gas can pas into the combustion chamber during a portion of the rotation of the rotor. |
| 10. | An engine according to any preceding claim in which there is provided spark ignition apparatus in association with the combustion chamber for igniting a charge of combustible fluid received therein. |
| 11. | An engine according to claim 10 in which the ignition apparatus includes a spark plug. |
| 12. | An engine according to any preceding claim in which either one or both of the rotor and stator is formed from a material that has selflubricating properties. |
| 13. | An engine according to claim 12 in which either the rotor or the stator are formed from spheroidal graphite iron. |
| 14. | An engine according to any preceding claim in having an oil mist injector operative to inject an oil mist into a space between the rotor and the stator. |
| 15. | An engine according to claim 14 in which the oil mist is injected at a position in advance of the combustion chamber. |
| 16. | An engine according to any preceding claim having a lubricating brush to add lubricating material between the stator and the rotor. |
| 17. | An engine according to claim 16 in which the lubricating material is graphite. |
| 18. | An engine according to any preceding claim in which the rotor is shaped as a disc having chambers opening to the periphery of the disc. |
| 19. | An engine according to any preceding claim in which the rotor comprises a rotor assembly that includes a rotor casting. |
| 20. | An engine according to claim 18 in which the rotor casting is shaped as a disc, having peripheral openings into voids formed therein. |
| 21. | An engine according to claim 20 in which the rotor assembly further comprises end plates secured to the rotor casting to close these voids axially. |
| 22. | An engine according to any one of claims 19 to 21 including several rotor castings assembled together between endplates to provide a combustion assembly of greater combustion capacity. |
| 23. | An engine according to claim 22 in which a spacer is disposed between adjacent rotor castings to aid in removal of heat from the combustion assembly, and from the rotor castings in particular. |
| 24. | An engine according to claim 23 in which the spacer includes a through passage in alignment with cooling fluid ducts of the rotor castings. |
| 25. | An engine according to any preceding claim in which the stator comprises a stator assembly that includes a stator casting. |
| 26. | An engine according to claim 25 in which the stator casting is shaped as to partially surround the rotor assembly, having openings into voids formed therein. |
| 27. | An engine according to claim 26 in which the stator assembly further comprises end plates secured to the stator casting to close these voids axially. |
| 28. | An engine according to claim 27 in which several stator castings may be assembled together between endplates to provide a combustion assembly of greater combustion capacity. |
| 29. | An engine according to claim 28 in which a spacer is disposed between adjacent stator castings to aid in removal of heat from the combustion assembly, and from the stator castings in particular. |
| 30. | An engine according to claim 29 in which the spacer is formed with holes to link the combustion chambers of the various stator castings in an axial direction. |
| 31. | An engine according to any preceding claim having a gap control system for controlling a separation between the rotor and the stator during operation of the engine. |
| 32. | An engine according to claim 13 in which the gap control system operates to move the stator radially with respect to the rotor. |
| 33. | An engine according to any one of claims 1 to 11 in which the rotor is shaped as a frustum, having chambers opening to its periphery. |
| 34. | An engine according to claim 15 in which the stator partially surrounds the rotor. |
| 35. | An engine according to claim 15 or 16 having a gap control system for controlling a separation between the rotor and the stator during operation of the engine. |
| 36. | An engine according to claim 17 in which the gap control system operates to move the stator axially with respect to the rotor. |
| 37. | An engine according to any one of claims 31,32,35 or 35 in which the gap control system including a noncontact sensor. |
| 38. | An engine according to claim 37 in which the sensor operates by capacitive sensing, inductive sensing or a combination of capacitive and inductive sensing. |
| 39. | An engine according to any one of claims 1 to 11 in which the rotor and the stator are both disc shaped, the combustion chamber being defined between flat faces of the rotor and the stator. |
| 40. | An engine according to any preceding claim further including a compressor for supplying combustion air to the combustion assembly. |
| 41. | An engine according to claim 20 in which the compressor is driven by the rotor. |
| 42. | An engine according to claim 21 in which the compressor and the rotor are carried on a common shaft or upon interconnected coaxial shafts. |
| 43. | An engine according to any one of claims 26 to 28 in which, in a spark ignition configuration, the compressor delivers combustion air at a pressure in the range of 4 to 7 Bar, and in a compression ignition configuration, the compressor delivers combustion air at a pressure in the range of 9 to 15 Bar. |
| 44. | An engine according to any one of claims 20 to 22 in which an intercooler is disposed between the compressor and the combustion assembly operative to remove heat from the combustion air. |
| 45. | An engine according to claim 30 in which, in a spark ignition configuration, the compressor delivers combustion air at a pressure in the range of 6 to 12 Bar, and in a compression ignition configuration, the compressor delivers combustion air at a pressure in the range of 20 to 30 Bar. |
| 46. | An engine according to any preceding claim in which fuel is injected into a stream of combustion air externally of the combustion assembly. |
| 47. | An engine according to any preceding claim in which fuel is injected into a chamber within the combustion assembly. |
| 48. | An engine according to any preceding claim in which water is introduced into the combustion chamber together with air and fuel. |
| 49. | An engine according to claim 26 in which water expands, during combustion, the water vaporises and expands into the receiving chamber and transfers at least some of its momentum to the rotor. |
| 50. | An engine according to any preceding claim in which either the stator and or the rotor includes a casting between end plates. |
Description:
INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT Irt tional Application No PCT/GB 99/03844 C. (Continuation) DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT Category Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim No. X DE 16 01 582 A (KONATH) 1-3,5, 29 January 1970 (1970-01-29) 10, 11, 18-20, 25,26, 40-43, 46,50 the whole document X FR 801 662 A (LEMIRE ET AL) 1-5,10, 12 August 1936 (1936-08-12) 11, 18-22, 25,26, 46,50 page 1, line 49-line 56 page 2, line 3-line 15 figure 2 X US 2 444 213 A (WEEKS) 1,2,6, 29 June 1948 (1948-06-29) 10, 11, 18-20, 25,26,46 column 1, line 53-column 2, line 22 figure 2 A FR 9 155 E (LE COMPAGNON ET AL) 1-12 7 September 1908 (1908-09-07) the whole document 4 arnational application No. INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT PCT/GB 99/03844 Box I Observations where certain claims were found unsearchable (Continuation of item 1 of first sheet) This International Search Report has not been established in respect of certain claims under Article 17 (2) (a) for the following reasons: 1. Claims Nos.: because they relate to subject matter not required to be searched by this Authority, namely: 2. Claims Nos.: because they relate to parts of the International Application that do not comply with the prescribed requirements to such an extent that no meaningful International Search can be carried out, specifically : 3. Claims Nos.: because they are dependent claims and are not drafted in accordance with the second and third sentences of Rule 6.4 (a). Box 11 Observations where unity of invention is lacking (Continuation of item 2 of first sheet) This International Searching Authority found multiple inventions in this international application, as follows: see additional sheet 1. 2 As all required additional search fees were timely paid by the applicant, this International Search Report covers all searchable claims. 2. As all searchable claims could be searched without effort justifying an additional fee, this Authority did not invite payment of any additional fee. 3. As only some of the required additional search fees were timely paid by the applicant, this International Search Report covels pnly those claims for which fees were paid, specifically claims Nos. : 4. IXI No required additional search fees were timely paid by the applicant. Consequently, this International Search Report is restricted to the invention first mentioned in the claims; it is covered by claims Nos.: 1-11,18-21,25-27,33,39-43,46,47,50 Remark on Protest The additional search fees were accompanied by the applicant's protest. u No protest accompanied the payment of additional search fees. t International Application No. PCT/GB 99/03844 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTINUED FROM PCT/ISA/210 This International Searching Authority found multiple (groups of) inventions in this international application, as follows: 1. Claims: 1-11,18-21,25-27,33,39-43,46,47,50 This group of claims, depending on claim 1, relates to an independent invention 1 forming a single general inventive concept. This invention deals with a problem independent from the problems of inventions 2,3,4,5 and 6. Problem: to provide a rotary engine with minimal vibration and amount of components Solution: to design an internal combustion engine with a single rotating part (rotor) Additionally, this group of claims constitutes a"special technical feature", defining a contribution over the prior art found in the partial search for the first invention. This invention shares no common"special technical feature" with the inventions 2,3,4,5 and 6. 2. Claims: 12-17 32 34-38 This group of claims, depending on claim 1, relates to an independent invention 2 forming a single general inventive concept. This invention deals with a problem independent from the problems of inventions 1,3,4,5 and 6. Problem: to prevent friction between the stator and the rotor Solution: to provide means for lubrication Additionally, this group of claims constitutes a"special technical feature", defining a contribution over the prior art (in this case claim 1) found in the partial search for the first invention. This invention shares no common "special technical feature"with the inventions 1,3,4,5 and 6. According to PCT-rules 13.1,13.2 and 13.3, this group of claims does not fulfil the requirements of unity of invention. Note: Claims 37 and 38 are dependent from either claims 32,35 (independent invention 2) or 31 (independent invention 4). However, this subdependency does not constitute a common technical feature between inventions 2 and 4. International Application No. PCT/GB 99/03844 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTINUED FROM PCT/ISA/210 3. Claims: 22-24 28-30 45 This group of claims, depending on claims 19 or 20, relates to an independent invention 3 forming a single general inventive concept. This invention deals with a problem independent from the problems of inventions 1,2,4,5 and 6. Problem: to produce engines of different sizes Solution: to use a plurality of standard modules Additionally, this group of claims constitutes a"special technical feature", defining a contribution over the prior art (in this case claims 19 or 20) found in the partial search for the first invention. This invention shares no common"special technical feature"with the inventions 1,2,4,5 and 6. According to PCT-rules 13.1,13.2 and 13.3, this group of claims does not fulfil the requirements of unity of invention. 4. Claims: 31,37,38 This group of claims, depending on claim 1, relates to an independent invention 4 forming a single general inventive concept. This invention deals with a problem independent from the problems of inventions 1,2,3,5 and 6. Problem: to prevent friction between rotor and stator under different temperature conditions Solution: to control the clearance between the rotor and the stator Additionally, this group of claims constitutes a"special technical feature", defining a contribution over the prior art (in this case claim 1) found in the partial search for the first invention. This invention shares no common "special technical feature"with the inventions 1,2,3,5 and 6. According to PCT-rules 13.1,13.2 and 13.3, this group of claims does not fulfil the requirements of unity of invention. Note: Claims 37 and 38 are dependent from either claims 32,35 (independent invention 2) or 31 (independent invention 4). However, this subdependency does not constitute a common technical feature between inventions 2 and 4. International Application No. PCT/GB 99/03844 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTINUED FROM PCT/ISA/210 5. Claim: 44 This group of claims, depending on claim 20, relates to an independent invention 5 forming a single general inventive concept. This invention deals with a problem independent from the problems of inventions 1,2,3,4 and 6. Problem: to improve the volumetric efficiency of the engine Solution: to remove heat from the combustion air Additionally, this group of claims constitutes a"special technical feature", defining a contribution over the prior art (in this case claim 20) found in the partial search for the first invention. This invention shares no common "special technical feature"with the inventions 1,2,3,4 and 6. According to PCT-rules 13.1,13.2 and 13.3, this group of claims does not fulfil the requirements of unity of invention. 6. Claim: 48 49 This group of claims, depending on claims 1 or 26, relates to an independent invention 6 forming a single general inventive concept. This invention deals with a problem independent from the problems of inventions 1,2,3,4 and 5. Problem: to increase the momentum of the engine Solution: to inject an additional medium in the combustion chamber Additionally, this group of claims constitutes a"special technical feature", defining a contribution over the prior art (in this case claims 1 or 26) found in the partial search for the first invention. This invention shares no common"special technical feature"with the inventions 1,2,3,4 and 5. According to PCT-rules 13.1,13.2 and 13.3, this group of claims does not fulfil the requirements of unity of invention. INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT Ir tional Application No Information on patent family members PCT/GB 99/03844 Patent document Publication Patent family Publication cited in search report date member (s) date l FR 1192930 A 29-10-1959 NONE FR 977740 A 04-04-1951 NONE DE 1601582 A 29-01-1970 NONE FR 801662 A 12-08-1936 NONE US 2444213 A 29-06-1948 NONE FR 9155 E NONE
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