Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Egan

Christopher J. Egan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8749079
    Abstract: A compact Wankel expander-alternator combination is provided. The combination includes a stationary outer housing that has embedded stator coils and a rotating inner housing having corresponding magnets disposed around the housing with the magnet/coil interaction generating power. Within the rotating housing, a three-sided rotor turns within a two lobed Wankel cavity, powered by working fluid acting on the rotor. The rotating housing and the rotor each circumscribe a stationary shaft. The shaft has an eccentric lobe about which the rotor turns on a bearing disposed between the rotor and the lobe. The rotating housing turns on bearings supported by the stationary shaft. The rotor and rotating housing are linked so that as the rotor turns in response to the working fluid force, the housing turns at a higher speed the speed ratio being preselected to achieve the desired output energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Paul M. Dunn, Christopher J. Egan
  • Patent number: 8461703
    Abstract: A engine-generator is provided which has a rotary engine formed with an engine housing having an output surface portion and an output shaft on a central axis extending externally of the engine housing. A generator has a stator secured to the output end of the shaft and has a surface in a confronting relation with the engine housing. Permanent magnets and windings are secured to the respective surface portion of the engine housing and stator at a radial distance from the axis. Each magnet and winding has a corresponding pole face lying in a corresponding one of a pair of first planes orthogonal to the central axis. The magnets and windings are rotatable with respect to each other and periodically align in a confronting relationship to define an air-gap between the parallel planes. The windings produce electrical output in response to rotation of the magnets relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Paul M. Dunn, Christopher J. Egan
  • Patent number: 8334604
    Abstract: An integrated engine and generator is provided and includes a stationary non-rotating shaft. An engine block is provided that is capable of rotation about the shaft. The engine block comprises a plurality of cylinders with each cylinder including a piston translating in rectilinear motion while rotating about the shaft. A stationary generator housing and stator surrounds the block and has stator windings wound into the housing. Magnets are affixed to an outer surface of the block to rotate with the block, with the magnets separated from the housing by an air gap. The stator windings are electrically configured to match pole pairs of the magnets in order to generate electrical current upon block rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Paul M. Dunn, Christopher J. Egan