Title: Device for converting calorific energy into mechanical energy

Do you think this is a good invention? Vote now:

Votes so far: For:(0) Against:(0)
Claims: What is claimed is:

1. A device for converting calorific energy into mechanical energy, comprising at least one combustion chamber having connected thereto at least one inlet duct for fuel, at least one inlet duct for combustion air in which a first restriction is incorporated, and at least one outlet duct for flue gases, a flue gas return duct being provided having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being connected to the flue gas outlet duct and the outlet to the part of the combustion air inlet duct which is situated between the combustion chamber and the first restriction, the flue gas return duct incorporating a second restriction which is constructed such that the mass flow of flue gas which passes through in each operating condition of the device is at least substantially proportional to the root of the pressure difference prevailing across the second restriction, characterized in that the first restriction is constructed such that the mass flow of air passing through in each operating condition of the device is proportional to the power M of the pressure difference prevailing across the first restriction, where 1 < M .ltoreq. 3/2.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, constructed as a hot-gas reciprocating engine in which the ratio of the quantities of combustion air and fuel to be supplied to the combustion chamber is controlled by way of a control system comprising a control member which is controlled by signals originating from a pressure-difference gauge in the combustion-air inlet duct and the fuel inlet duct, respectively, characterized in that the first restriction constitutes the pressure-difference gauge in the combustion air inlet duct, whilst the pressure-difference gauge in the fuel inlet duct is formed by a third restriction of a construction such that the mass flow of fuel which passes through in each operating condition of the hot-gas reciprocating engine is proportional to the power N of the pressure difference prevailing across the third restriction, where N = M.

3. In a combustion engine operable with a source of fuel, and a source of air, and including a combustion chamber, a first duct including a first restriction means therein, for flowing air from said air source to said chamber, a second duct for discharging flue gas from said chamber, a third duct for return flow of flue gas from said second duct to an inlet into said first duct intermediate said first restriction means and said chamber, and a fourth duct for flowing fuel from said fuel source to said chamber, the improvement in combination therewith of a control system for said fuel and air flows wherein said second restriction means is the turbulent type permitting mass flow of flue gas, M.sub.2, which is at least substantially proportional to the root of the pressure difference prevailing across said second restriction means, and said first restriction means is the laminar type permitting mass flow of air, M.sub.1, which is proportional to the power M of the pressure difference prevailing across the first restriction, where 1 < M .ltoreq. 3/2.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said engine is a Stirling cycle hot gas engine.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said control system further comprising a third restriction means in said fourth duct permitting a mass flow of fuel therethrough proportional to the power N of the pressure difference prevailing across said third restriction means, where N=M, said first and third restriction means provide signals corresponding to the respective pressure differences thereacross, said apparatus further comprising a valve in said fourth duct for controlling the fuel flow therethrough, and a control member for receiving said signals from said first and third restriction means and controlling said valve correspondingly.

Other info:

Inventors: Harrewijne, Arend (Eindhoven, NL)
Michels, Albertus Peter Johannes (Eindhoven, NL)
Gasseling, Franciscus Wilhelmus Engelbert (Eindhoven, NL)

Application Number: 475831
Filing Date: 1974-06-03
Publication_date: 1976-02-03
Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation (New York, NY)
Primary Class(es): 60/517 123/568.11, 431/115
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

2649686	Aug, 1953	Lawrence et al.	60/39.
3846985	Nov, 1974	Johannes et al.	123/119.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Ostrager, Allen M.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Trifari; Frank R., Dainow; J. David