Fluid Motor Means Is A Turbine With Output Means Mechanically Interconnected With Internal Combustion Engine Output Patents (Class 60/624)
  • Patent number: 5056315
    Abstract: A Wankel rotary engine is modified to operate on natural gas, with the exhaust from the engine being fed into a combustion chamber where an ignition device ignites the hydrocarbons in the engine exhaust, with the engine timing, and the air and fuel mixture of the engine being controlled to produce a sufficient amount of hydrocarbons in the engine exhaust to enable ignition and combustion of the engine exhaust in the combustion chamber without the addition of fuel to air. The exhaust from the combustion chamber drives a power turbine. In further embodiments, the engine may be turbocharged, and heat exchangers use the excess heat from the engine coolant, lubricant, and exhaust gases to heat a usable liquid, such as water, thus providing a cogeneration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Inventor: Peter E. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 5033269
    Abstract: The invention is a compound motor having an internal combustion engine, a turbine driven by exhaust from the engine and compressor connected to the turbine. The compound motor has a clutch means to declutch the compressor from the turbine and to disable the turbine from transferring power to a gear set. The gear set is capable of simultaneously receiving power from the engine and the turbine and transferring this power to a final output shaft. The clutch mechanism brake or debrakes, and clutches or declutches, in response to torque or rotational force exerted on the turbine by the exhaust gas from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Inventor: Roger R. Smith
  • Patent number: 4989410
    Abstract: The invention is a compound motor having an internal combustion engine, a turbine driven by exhaust from the engine and compressor connected to the turbine. The compound motor has a clutch means to declutch the compressor from the turbine and to disable the turbine from transferring power to a gear set. The gear set is capable of simultaneously receiving power from the engine and the turbine and transferring this power to a final output shaft. The clutch mechanism brake or debrakes, and clutches or declutches, in response to torque or rotational force exerted on the turbine by the exhaust gas from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: Roger R. Smith
  • Patent number: 4912923
    Abstract: This invention makes use of the combined advantages of the internal combustion engine and the turbine. A rotary internal combustion engine has a base and a housing rotatably mounted to the base and forming a radial cylinder. An output shaft is rotatably mounted concentric with the housing and has an arm rigidly extending therefrom. A piston slides in the cylinder for forming a combustion chamber, the piston being operatively connected to the arm. Relative rotational movement between the housing and the output shaft causes the piston to reciprocate in the cylinder. Rotation of the housing is caused by expension of exhaust gases from the cylinder passing through a turbine which is fixedly connected to the housing. Stop means are arranged on the shaft for limiting the relative movement between the shaft and the housing. Brake means are arranged on the base and the housing for facilitating a starting and a stopping sequences of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventor: Abraham S. Lin
  • Patent number: 4897998
    Abstract: A turbo compound engine is provided with a rotor which is connected to the engine's output shaft so as to deliver working medium, such as intake air or exhaust gas or a mixture of the two, and a bypass line that bypasses the rotor, so that it not only utilizes the compression work and delivery work the rotor performs for a part of the braking force in the event of engine braking, but also attains a rapid and smooth increase in engine power output by allowing the working medium to bypass the rotor for a while when the engine operation mode is shifted from rotor-assisted engine brake mode to rotor-assisted engine drive mode for acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Shigeo Sekiyama, Shigeru Nihongi, Sadatoshi Mogami
  • Patent number: 4894992
    Abstract: A turbo compound engine comprising an engine, a power turbine provided in the exhaust gas passage of the engine, the power turbine being rotatable both in normal and reverse senses, a reversing mechanism including a friction type clutch connecting the power turbine with the crankshaft, with the rotating direction of the power turbine being reversed when the friction type clutch is switched into its engagement mode, and an oil pump and a controller therefor which, in combination, cause the friction type clutch to produce frictional torque large enough to stop the power turbine as the clutch is switched to its engagement mode and further to produce a larger amount of frictional torque within its upper limit when required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Shigeo Sekiyama
  • Patent number: 4884407
    Abstract: A turbo compound engine which comprises an engine having an intake air passage, an exhaust gas passage and a crankshaft, a power turbine disposed in the exhaust gas passage so as to be rotatable in normal and reverse senses, a reversing mechanism for connecting the power turbine with the crankshaft, an exhaust bypass line connected to the exhaust gas line so as to bypass the power turbine, first and second shut-off valves respectively disposed in the exhaust gas line upstream of the junctions of the exhaust bypass line and the exhaust gas passage, so that they may be closed upon reversed switching of the reversing mechanism an intake air bypass line connected to the intake air passage at one end thereof and to the exhaust gas passage downstream of the power turbine and upstream of one of the junctions with the exhaust bypass line at the other end, a third shut-off valve disposed in the intake air bypass line so as to be opened as the rotation of the power turbine is reversed and reaches a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 4882906
    Abstract: An engine braking system, includes an axial flow compressor connected to an output shaft of an engine so as to be driven by said output shaft and to discharge air or exhaust gas supplied thereto. The compression and discharging work performed by the axial flow compessor serves as a braking effort during engine braking. A second embodiment of the engine braking system includes a driving force transmission connection the rotating output shaft of the engine to a power turbine disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine during engine braking so as to transmit the rotative power of the output shaft to the power turbine. This system also includes a throttling mechanism for adjusting a nozzle throat area of the power turbine, which mechanism is provided with movable wing-type vanes circumferentially disposed relative to the power turbine. Finally, a controller is provided for controlling the system in accordance with various running conditions of the engine and vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Shigeo Sekiyama, Masaki Okada
  • Patent number: 4872311
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine exhaust system is connected to a controlled manifold for selectively varying the manifold output to an exhaust gas driven turbine which is connected by a clutch to the engine output shaft. The control of the manifold includes selective delivery to a muffler. The clutch is of the hydraulic type. The engine includes a variable speed transmission having a control which is connected to the control of the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Inventor: Michael Sturm
  • Patent number: 4858440
    Abstract: A turbo compound engine constructed in a manner such that the crankshaft of the engine and a power turbine disposed in the exhaust gas passage are connected to each other by a gear train during exhaust braking with the rotation of the crankshaft being transmitted to the power turbine. The power turbine imposes a negative work on the crankshaft as a braking force. A speed-change mechanism is provided in the gear train to adjust the transmitting revolution speed from the crankshaft to the power turbine and is controlled by a controller based on driving conditions of the vehicle, so that a suitable braking force is applied to the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Masaki Okada
  • Patent number: 4843822
    Abstract: A turbo compound engine comprising an engine having an output shaft and an exhaust line, a power recovering turbine disposed at the exhaust line, a gear train connecting the power recovering turbine with the output shaft of the engine, and a power reversing mechanism including a hydraulic clutch provided with the gear train, so that energy utilized by the power turbine may serve as braking effort against the vehicle upon switching of the power reversing mechanism, and a large load may not be applied to the gear train all at once by allowing the hydraulic clutch to slip during a certain period from the switching of the power reversing mechanism, thereby protecting the drive power transmission system of the vehicle and improving driveability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Masaki Okada
  • Patent number: 4800726
    Abstract: A turbo compound engine including driving power transmission means for drivingly connecting a crankshaft of the engine to a power turbine provided in an exhaust gas passage, so as to secure an adequate braking force, which is relatively weakened by an improvement in engine performance, by activating a power turbine by means of the driving power transmission means during exhaust braking, thereby transforming the work of the power turbine to braking force of the crankshaft in order to increase the entire braking force of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Masaki Okada, Keiji Kishishita
  • Patent number: 4785631
    Abstract: A waste-heat turbine unit is equipped with a rotating cylinder that is formed as a hollow body that carries a blading on its exterior. The blading is subjected to the exhaust gases of an internal-combustion engine that is a component of a drive assembly, particularly for motor vehicles. The blading, that is located adjacent to exhaust gas duct outlets of the internal-combustion engine, extends spirally along the cylinder. As a result, the stability of the cylinder is increased, and the heat transfer from the exterior to the interior of the cylinder is optimized, whereby the utilization of energy is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.c.f. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Helmut Striebich
  • Patent number: 4768344
    Abstract: For conversion of the waste heat into the mechanical energy, in the proposed expander the parts of rotor and circulatory tube have the crucial importance. The rotor is a rotational symmetric hollow disc with the comparison chambers tangentially positioned on its peripheral wall. At the outlet ends of these chambers the de Laval nozzles with corrected divergent parts for supersonic outflow of the fluid flows causing the rotation of rotor, are placed in the position of maximum torque arm. The circulatory tube enables that the part of the fluid from the outlet tube is returned to the expander in the regulated way. The compression chambers and the circulatory system support the favorable conditions of flowing through the nozzles at the partial duties of the heat engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Inventor: Tode Stojicic
  • Patent number: 4760702
    Abstract: In a supercharged marine diesel engine having at least one exhaust-gas turbocharger (6, 7) and a separate utility turbine (12) which is connected in parallel with the supercharging turbine (7) and delivers power, and having at least one auxiliary diesel engine (10) which is supercharged by means of a turbocharger and which drives a synchronous generator (11) supplying the ship's electrical system with electrical energy, the utility turbine (12) is coupled to a free shaft end of the auxiliary diesel/generator unit (10, 11). In this way, the auxiliary diesel engine (10) can be relieved of load, which results in a considerable fuel saving. In order to maintain a positive scavenging gradient when the auxiliary diesel engine (10) is relieved of load, a small portion of the exhaust gases of the marine diesel engine (2) is conveyed to a point upstream of the supercharging turbine (19) of the auxiliary diesel engine (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: BBC Brown, Boveri & Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hansrudolf Ammann, Hans J. Egger, Adrian Streuli
  • Patent number: 4748812
    Abstract: A turbo compound engine including driving force transmitting means for connecting the crankshaft of an engine, and a power turbine disposed in an engine exhaust passage achieves adequate engine brake force by applying a resistance force against the crankshaft directly or indirectly during the exhaust brake because the engine brake force of the turbocharged engine suffers a relative decrease due to the increase in the output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Masaki Okada, Shigeo Sekiyama
  • Patent number: 4742683
    Abstract: A turbocompound engine having a stratified charge or diesel cycle rotary internal combustion engine, with a first output shaft and a turbine engine with a second output shaft. The first and second output shafts are coupled together so that the shafts rotate in synchronism with each other and provide a rotary output from the turbocompound engine. A valve variably directs air inducted into the engine between the turbine engine and internal combustion engine in dependence upon engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Teledyne Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William W. Heminghous, J. Albert McEachern, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4719756
    Abstract: A supercharged marine diesel engine having at least one exhaust gas turbocharger and a separate power turbine is connected in parallel with the supercharger turbine. At least one auxiliary diesel engine drives a synchronous generator for supplying the shipboard grid with electrical energy. The power turbine is connected to a free shaft end of the auxiliary diesel/generator unit. By this arrangement, it is possible to reduce the load on the auxiliary diesel engine, which results in a substantial saving in fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: BBC Brown, Boveri & Company, Limited
    Inventor: Adrian Streuli
  • Patent number: 4718235
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine exhaust energy recovery apparatus including a turbine housing retaining a recovery turbine disc and defining a recovery inlet, a recovery exhaust port for discharging exhaust gases, a turbine chamber enclosing the turbine disc, and a convoluted recovery passage extending between the inlet and a periphery of the turbine disc. Disposed in the housing is a partition that separates the convoluted passage into first and second passages each providing communication between the inlet and the periphery of the turbine disc. A recovery valve is disposed in the first passage and is operable to control the flow of exhaust gases received at the inlet from a supercharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Kawamura
  • Patent number: 4704868
    Abstract: An apparatus for the expansion of pressurized, pulsating exhaust gases comprises at least one expansion chamber (12a, 12b; 40; 68, and 70), a piston (18; 44; and 66) oscillating in the expansion chamber (12a, 12b; 40; 68 and 70) and an output drive (16, 34; 46, 56, 63; 67, 90, 92 and 110) that is connected with the piston (18; 44; and 66) and includes a directional clutch (36; 58; 102, and 104), that is so arranged that it produces a coupling connection in the direction of motion corresponding to exhaust gas expansion. In the case of there being at least two expansion chambers (68 and 70) adapted to receive exhaust gas acting in opposite directions there is preferably a directional clutch (102 and 104) for each direction of expansion, said two directional clutches (102 and 104) being connected together by means of a reversing drive (86, 88, 90, 92 and 110 ) for output drive in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Helmut Lamprecht
    Inventor: Oskar Schatz
  • Patent number: 4700542
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine apparatus and method of operation includes the monitoring of the exhaust gas temperature and air-fuel ratio on a continuing basis. The exhaust gas temperature is compared to a stored value and compression of the input air is varied to cause the exhaust gas temperature to equal the stored value. By minimizing the exhaust gas temperature increased engine efficiency can be realized. The invention may be embodied in a variety of engine configurations, including piston and turbine systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Inventor: Lin-Shu Wang
  • Patent number: 4674284
    Abstract: The turbocharging plant of an internal combustion engine includes two turbines connected in series, of which one drives the compressor and the other transfer its output to the engine mechanically. The turbines and the compressor are mounted at the same side of the engine. The turbines can be designed to handle the gas in a radially inwards directed flow, the downstream turbine being mounted at a lower level than the upstream one, and receiving the gas by way of a double volute device. A third turbine desinged to handle the gas in a radially outwards directed flow may be interposed between the two first mentioned turbines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventors: Sven-Olof Kronogard, Clas-Olof Kronogard, Hakan Kronogard
  • Patent number: 4622818
    Abstract: A gas turbine (22) of a compound internal combustion engine is coupled by a double reduction gear (32) to the engine crankshaft. The turbine shaft (30) is journalled by a floating bearing (48) adjacent the turbine wheel (22) and by two bearings (50 and 52) adjacent the gear wheel (38). At least one of the latter bearings (50, 52) is a fixed bearing. The intermediate shaft (42) of the double reduction gear incorporates a flexible coupling (56) which is disposed outside the gearbox (60). The flexible coupling has rubber or the like resilient material (88) between its parts (84, 86).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Inventors: David Flaxington, James Kay, Steven M. Miller
  • Patent number: 4616482
    Abstract: The turbocharging plant of an internal combustion engine includes two turbines connected in series, of which one drives the compressor and the other transfer its output to the engine mechanically. The turbines and the compressor are mounted at the same side of the engine. The turbines can be designed to handle the gas in a radially inwards directed flow, the downstream turbine being mounted at a lower level than the upstream one, and receiving the gas by way of a double volute device. A third turbine designed to handle the gas in a radially outwards directed flow may be interposed between the two first mentioned turbines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventors: Sven-Olof Kronogard, Clas-Olof Kronogard, Hakan Kronogard
  • Patent number: 4614086
    Abstract: A drive shaft torque enhancer for internal combustion engines acting through drive shafts, including engine exhaust gas ducting directing the exhaust to impinge upon blades secured radially outstanding from the drive shaft, to impart torque thereto, said enhancer preferably including a housing about the exhaust impingement blades. The torque enhancer is equally applicable to power systems of moving vehicles and stationary power applications. For vehicles, provisions are made for diverting the exhaust gases into the engine's regular exhaust system, triggered by the action of the operator's foot upon the vehicle brake pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignee: Energy Modifications Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew B. Koch
  • Patent number: 4586337
    Abstract: A turbocompound system (50,50') for use with an internal combustion engine (10) including a turbocharger (60,60') and an exhaust gas driven power turbine (92,92'). The second exhaust gas driven power turbine is mounted on the engine front end (14) and includes a rotor (100) having a rotational axis oriented to extend in the same direction as the engine crankshaft (20). Output of the second exhaust gas driven power turbine is coupled to the engine crankshaft (20) adjacent to the engine rear end (16) by a jackshaft (130) which extends longitudinally of the engine and is located within the front end profile (150) of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry D. Fox
  • Patent number: 4554787
    Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine, characterized in that it is constituted by a cylinder (1) comprised by two identical portions, assembled together, symmetrical with respect to an axis perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, and traversed along this longitudinal axis by an engine shaft (3). Two reciprocating rotating pistons (4) are guided in the cylinder (1) and on the engine shaft (3), and driving the latter in rotation. Two explosion chambers (5) are located each at an end of the cylinder (1), on its periphery, in each of which moves a reciprocating piston (6), and into which empties a carburation injector. A turbocompressor (8) driven mechanically by the engine shaft, has air outlets (9) which are connected to the inlet tubing (10) of each portion of the cylinder (1), and two valve controlled escape orifices (11) are connected each to a tubular outlet (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Inventors: Camille Wilhelm, Camille Wilhelm, Robert Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 4535592
    Abstract: An advanced turbo compound engine of internal combustion type having conventional reciprocally movable pistons, cylinders, manifolds, fuel-oxygen admixing apparatus or fuel injection, firing apparatus or compression ignition, and incorporating the improvement of respective nozzle means for conveying the hot, moderately high pressure combustion products (exhaust gases) from the respective cylinders to one or more turbines, the nozzle means having its inlet and discharge ends connected, respectively, with the respective boundary walls of respective combustion chambers or cylinders and with the inlet to a turbine. The turbine may have its shaft connected with a compressor for compressing at least air for intake to the engine and/or for connecting with the output shaft of the engine for assisting in delivering power that is used as desired, or connected to other auxiliary power needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: Specialty Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert G. Zinsmeyer
  • Patent number: 4474007
    Abstract: Outlet and inlet conduits of an internal combustion engine are united in, and carry a housing enclosing a rotor spool having one turbine and one compressor wheel. A cavity in the housing, the longitudinal axis of which is substantially parallel to a middle plane through the row of engine cylinders is adapted to receive the casing of the turbocharger, and may be designed in such a manner that the casing may be slid into the housing in the axial directions, without the housing having to be removed from the engine. Alternatively, the outlet and the inlet conduits may each, per se, be collected and form one half of the housing. The halves are brought together over the rotor spool, from both ends thereof. Resilient sealing members are preferably fitted between the two halves of the housing. A second exhaust gas turbine may be connected to the exhaust conduit from the supercharger, and may be adapted to drive at the power take-off shaft of the engine, or to drive some auxiliary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventors: Sven-Olof Kronogard, Clas-Olof Kronogard, Hakan Kronogard
  • Patent number: 4452043
    Abstract: A compound traction engine for a heavy vehicle including a high temperature adiabatic four stroke reciprocating diesel engine arranged to drive a boost compressor through a differential gear. The other output of the gear is connected through a torque converter to the output shaft. The exhaust from the engine is fed to a turbine with an adjustable blade nozzle ring and the output from the compressor is connected to the air inlet of the engine and is also connected via a valve to the same turbine. The turbine is connected via a continuously variable transmission to the output shaft. An automatic control unit has inputs from an output torque/speed sensor and a boost pressure sensor and is arranged to control the variable gear and the turbine blade ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: South Western Industrial Research Limited
    Inventor: Frank J. Wallace
  • Patent number: 4429534
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a spark ignition engine that is fueled by methanol. Liquid methanol is first heated in a heat exchanger and then vaporized in a vapor generator. The vapor is decomposed in a catalytic reactor and expanded in an expander having an output shaft coupled to the output shaft of said spark ignition engine. A carburetor on said engine mixes air and the expanded decomposed methanol vapor to fuel said spark ignition engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Williams International Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Joy
  • Patent number: 4391098
    Abstract: First and second waste gates respectively control the supercharging pressure of an engine supercharger and the pressure fed to an auxiliary turbine from the engine turbo-charger turbine. The scroll of the auxiliary turbine is divided by a partition into first and second passages which respectively receive the exhaust gases by-passed by the first waste gate and the exhaust gases from the turbo-charger turbine. The first waste gate prevents over pressurization of the engine cylinders while the second prevents the build up of excessive back pressure downstream of the turbo-charger turbine, thus maintaining the efficiency and torque output of the engine while still deriving benefit from the operation of the auxiliary turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventor: Hideaki Kosuge
  • Patent number: 4307695
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary engine comprising a rotor, a plurality of pistons angularly mounted in the rotor, an actuator mounted for eccentric rotation relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor, a blower, a transverse actuator pin connecting each piston to the actuator, and a plurality of fixed pins connecting the rotor to the actuator. The fixed pins are mounted on the rotor, pass through clearance holes in a rotor disc which acts as a blower, and carry extension gears which mate with internal gears mounted in the actuator. Accordingly, rotation of the rotor causes rotation of the blower and of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1981
    Inventor: Michael Vasilantone
  • Patent number: 4244188
    Abstract: Methanol is delivered by a fuel pump to a reformer at a relatively high pressure, where it is heated by exhaust gases from a spark ignition engine and decomposed over a catalyst bed to form carbon dioxide and hydrogen, this being a constant pressure process. The mixture is fed to an auxiliary turbine which helps drive the output shaft of the spark ignition engine. The low pressure exhaust gases from the auxiliary turbine are mixed with air and fed to a spark ignition engine where they are combusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Assignee: Williams Research Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Joy
  • Patent number: 4201058
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating steam including an internal combustion engine providing mechanical energy and also thermal energy which is commonly referred to as waste heat. In one aspect, the engine drives a heat pump, and the low temperature side of the heat pump removes waste heat from the engine and in some instances also heat from the environment, while the high temperature side of the heat pump delivers heat to an unfired steam boiler. In another aspect, the engine drives a water injectable compressor, and waste heat from the engine is utilized in a heat exchanger to boil water and thereby produce steam at a relatively low temperature and pressure. This steam enters the compressor and emerges therefrom at a relatively high temperature and pressure. In all aspects, the generated steam can be used for such applications as heating or the operation of a steam engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1980
    Inventor: Raymond C. Vaughan
  • Patent number: 4201049
    Abstract: A turbine power plant of particularly inexpensive construction and using static expansion of the combustion gas to accelerate slugs of liquid used as the motive power for a Pelton wheel. The turbine power plant comprises a fuel combustion unit producing combustion gas which serves to impart speed to slugs of an auxiliary liquid, like water, in output pipes; this auxiliary liquid acts on a Pelton wheel to produce rotary drive. A part of the auxiliary liquid is reconverted as slugs to compress the air supplied to the fuel combustion unit. The turbine power plant also includes a second Pelton wheel driving a common shaft for an air fan, and a pair of rotating nozzles arranged to produce the said slugs of auxiliary liquid. The second Pelton wheel is driven by part of the auxiliary liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1980
    Inventor: Arno W. Tobber
  • Patent number: 4157080
    Abstract: The invention resides in a fuel efficient internal combustion engine employing a substantially constant volume combustion method and a moderate equivalent compression ratio. The engine has an air compressor connected to the intake port of the first cavity of a two cavity combustion chamber and substantially all the compression of the working medium is performed outside the combustion chamber by that compressor. In the combustion chamber, fuel and the compressed working medium are burned at substantially constant volume. Each cavity of the combustion chamber houses a piston whose motion alternately increases and decreases the cavity volume. The maximum volume of the first cavity is smaller than the maximum volume of the second cavity, to which it is connected by a duct. The duct connecting the two cavities serves as the only gas outlet of the first cavity and the only working medium inlet to the second cavity. Every downstroke of the piston in the first cavity is an intake stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1979
    Inventor: Craig C. Hill
  • Patent number: 4100742
    Abstract: An exhaust energy extraction system for a multi-cylinder engine, comprising n axial flow turbine arranged to convert time-spaced exhaust pressure pulses into turbine rotor rotation. Output flow from the axial flow turbine is directed through a diffuser that converts velocity pressure to static pressure; a second radial flow turbine is operated by the steady state flow produced by the diffuser. Any tendency of the diffuser to exert an adverse back pressure on the axial flow turbine is counteracted by a pressure-responsive vent valve that establishes a ceiling on the diffuser pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: James L. Harp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4087974
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating steam including an internal combustion engine providing mechanical energy and also thermal energy which is commonly referred to as waste heat. In one aspect, the engine drives a heat pump, and the low temperature side of the heat pump removes waste heat from the engine and in some instances also heat from the environment, while the high temperature side of the heat pump delivers heat to an unfired steam boiler. In another aspect, the engine drives a water injectable compressor, and waste heat from the engine is utilized in a heat exchanger to boil water and thereby produce steam at a relatively low temperature and pressure. This steam enters the compressor and emerges therefrom at a relatively high temperature and pressure. In all aspects, the generated steam can be used for such applications as heating or the operation of a steam engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1978
    Inventor: Raymond C. Vaughan
  • Patent number: 4078529
    Abstract: A radial engine with a rotating cylinder block is disclosed which is capable of high rates of rotation although operating on the two stroke cycle. An intake air compressor and an exhaust driven turbine are provided, both in driving connection with the same output shaft as the cylinder block. A peripheral manifold serves both to provide the stator of the exhaust turbine and to mask exhaust passages from the cylinders in the block so as to modify the two stroke cycle of the engine by effectively advancing the end of the scavenge phase. A system for recovering oil from the block is disclosed, and the block is reinforced by a peripheral tension band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1978
    Inventor: Douglas Warwick
  • Patent number: 4064697
    Abstract: A rotary engine comprising a rotor having mounted thereon a plurality of radially reciprocating pistons and a cam that controls the opening and closing of the compression chamber valves which are located, together with combustion chambers, beyond the radially outward ends of the pistons. By so remotely locating the combustion chambers and spark plugs therefor, the heat of combustion is separated from the pistons and cylinders, whereby they can operate in a relatively cool atmosphere, use very little oil and reduce wear of parts to an absolute minimum so as to lengthen the life of the pistons many fold. The rotary engine produces greater torque, uses less fuel per horsepower developed and emits less exhaust pollutants. Also there is less wearing of parts, therefore less maintenance and much longer life than engines of the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1977
    Inventor: Michael Torquato
  • Patent number: 4056930
    Abstract: An engine includes a rotatable cylinder block having a plurality of cylinders reciprocally receiving pistons. A combustible mixture ignited successively in each cylinder is discharged for expansion through an exhaust port in a stationary member associated with the rotatable block. The expanding gases are directed against a rotatable turbine wheel and rotatably drive same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1977
    Inventor: Henry B. Sherman
  • Patent number: 4038558
    Abstract: An electric power generating device recovering the energy of the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, comprising a speed-reducer mounted between the engine and a transmission shaft and a turbo-alternator set driven by the energy taken from said exhaust gases and the turbine of which is operatively connected to said reducer through a reversible transmission system with variable speed keyed in follow-up relationship to the speed variations of said transmission shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1977
    Assignee: Societe d'Etudes de Machines Thermiques
    Inventor: Jacques Gallois
  • Patent number: 4019324
    Abstract: In order to make better use of the energy which is generated by the combustion of fuel and air in an internal combustion engine, such an engine is provided with a turbine through which the hot exhaust combustion gases are expanded to drive a power output shaft of the turbine, a compressor for compressing the air drawn into the engine, and passages extending in the engine around the combustion chamber or chambers through which pass the compressed air which is not used for combustion, this air extracting heat from the engine and being expanded through the turbine to assist the exhaust gases in driving the turbine output power shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1977
    Inventor: John R. Coxon
  • Patent number: 4011725
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an annular or ring-type cylinder and piston therein; exhaust ports from the cylinder lead to an afterburner reactor situated generally medially of the annular cylinder; the exhaust gases are further burned within the afterburner section; to further reduce pollutants during the afterburning process, additional air is pumped into the afterburner section as by the ring piston due to its special configuration enabling it to accomplish, for example, triple functions such as: (a) to act as a power transmitting means, (b) to act as a pumping means to supply the engine's combustion chamber with scavenging air and/or an air-fuel mixture, and (c) to act as an air pumping means to supply desired quantities of ambient air into the afterburner section even in timed intervals with a constant predetermined pressure and predetermined quantities in order to thereby maximize the degree of control of the temperature generated in the afterburner and thereby more nearly fully oxidize the unb
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1977
    Inventor: William V. Bachmann
  • Patent number: 4010607
    Abstract: A power plant in which a turbine is driven by the combustion products of hydrocarbon fuel, air under superatomspheric pressure, and the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine. Air is supplied by a compressor which is driven by the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1973
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1977
    Inventor: Alvin S. Hopping
  • Patent number: 3986575
    Abstract: An automotive engine unit comprises an internal combustion engine adapted to meet the power requirements of a vehicle under steady speed running conditions, a hot air turbine unit of higher power output than the internal combustion engine adapted to meet the additional power requirements for accelerating the vehicle, an air compressor driven directly or indirectly by power supplied by the internal combustion engine, and an air storage reservoir. During acceleration of the vehicle, air from the reservoir is fed to the turbine through a heat exchanger where it absorbs heat from the exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1976
    Inventor: Ernst Eggmann
  • Patent number: 3979913
    Abstract: A system for increasing the efficiency of an internal combustion engine by converting the waste energy to drive a turbine. Output power from the turbine is used to supplement the basic power of the engine or to provide power to auxiliary systems such as the electrical generator, compressor type air conditioner, power assist steering mechanism and power assist brakes. In a disclosed embodiment, a thermostatically actuated valve is responsive to heat build-up in the engine to direct a stream of water on a water based liquid from a reserve tank into a steam generating chamber utilizing the waste heat of the engine where it is converted to high pressure steam which drives a turbine. The turbine shaft is mechanically coupled to supplement the power of the engine and/or to provide power to one or more of the auxiliary systems mentioned above through a series of jackshaft attachments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1976
    Inventor: Harold P. Yates
  • Patent number: 3961484
    Abstract: Greater overall power is obtained from an internal combustion engine utilizing a power recovery turbine operated by the exhaust gases from the engine cylinders by dimensioning the stacks connecting the exhaust valve flow areas to the turbine such that each stack has a cross sectional flow area less than the cross sectional flow area of the exhaust valve when fully opened. While there results a slight increase in frictional losses in the stack and pumping losses to the piston, such losses are more than made up by the substantial decreases in throttling losses across the exhaust valve flow area during the valve opening process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1976
    Inventor: James L. Harp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 3945200
    Abstract: A propulsion system useful, for example, for automobiles, comprising an air compressor, a rotary engine, and a multiple stage turbine mounted upon a common shaft, and an infuser section comprising a plurality of nozzles for injecting air into the exhaust gases from the turbine to reduce the temperature and consequently the pressure of the exhaust gases prior to passage into an exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1976
    Inventor: Charles H. Wright