IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0339066
(2003-01-08)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Maceda, Joseph P.
- Peeters, Randall L.
- Chen, Felix F.
- Hewitt, Ross A.
- Ito, Jackson I.
- Klaas, Kenneth P.
- Grimes, John L.
- Hestevik, Svein
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출원인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
44 인용 특허 :
6 |
초록
▼
The present invention provides heat exchanging elements for use in Stirling engines. According to the present invention, the heat exchanging elements are made from muliple platelets that are stacked and joined together. The use of platelets to make heat exchanging elements permits Stirling engines t
The present invention provides heat exchanging elements for use in Stirling engines. According to the present invention, the heat exchanging elements are made from muliple platelets that are stacked and joined together. The use of platelets to make heat exchanging elements permits Stirling engines to run more effiecient because the heat transfer and combustion processes are improved. In one embodiment, multi-stage combustion can be introduced with platlets, along with the flexibility to use different types of fuels. In another embodiment, a single component constructed from platelets can provide the heat transfer rquirements betweeen the combustion gas/working gas, working gas in the regenerator and the working gas/coolant fluid of a Stirling engine. In another embodiment, the platelet heat exchanging element can recieve solar energy to heat the Stirling engine's working gas. Also, this invention provides a heat exchanging method that allows for multiple fluids to flow in opposing or same direction.
대표청구항
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1. A heat exchange platelet manifold for use in a Stirling engine, the manifold comprising, in combination:a housing; and a platelet member in said housing, wherein said platelet member is formed by a plurality of channeled platelet elements that are joined together, each of said channeled platelet
1. A heat exchange platelet manifold for use in a Stirling engine, the manifold comprising, in combination:a housing; and a platelet member in said housing, wherein said platelet member is formed by a plurality of channeled platelet elements that are joined together, each of said channeled platelet elements having a plurality of heat exchange sections, wherein said platelet member defines a piston chamber. 2. The manifold of claim 1 wherein said platelet member further comprises a plurality of combustion chambers.3. The manifold of claim 2 wherein said plurality of heat exchange sections comprises:a first heat exchange section having a plurality of working gas channels and a plurality of combustion gas channels, wherein working gas is heated by combustion gas present in said combustion gas channels; a second heat exchange section adjacent said first heat exchange section, said second heat exchange section having a plurality of working gas channels, wherein heat from said working gas is transferred to said platelet member; and a third heat exchange section adjacent said second heat exchange section, said third heat exchange section having a plurality of working gas channels and a cooling system having a coolant, wherein said working gas transfers heat to said coolant. 4. The manifold of claim 3 wherein said combustion chamber comprises:a plurality of air inlet channels; an ignition device; and a plurality of exhaust outlet channels. 5. The manifold of claim 4 further comprising a pre-heater disposed around said housing, said pre-heater accepting ambient air into a pre-heating space between said pre-heater and said housing, said pre-heating space in close proximity to said plurality of exhaust outlet channels, wherein air in said pre-heating space is directed into said combustion chamber.6. The manifold of claim 5 wherein said cooling system is a closed loop cooling system, the system comprising:a plurality of coolant inlets in said housing; a plurality of coolant outlets in said housing; and a plurality of coolant channels in fluid communication with said coolant inlets and said coolant outlets, wherein said coolant channels are formed in said platelet elements. 7. A heat exchange manifold for use in a Stirling engine, the manifold comprising, in combination:a housing having first and second ends; a platelet member in said housing, said platelet member comprised of a plurality of platelets, and said platelet member defining a piston chamber, and said platelet member including a combustion chamber therein; a plurality of air inlet channels at said first end of said housing, said channels leading to said combustion chamber; and a plurality of exhaust outlet channels at said first end of said housing, said channels exhausting outside said housing. 8. The manifold of claim 7 wherein said platelet member further comprises a plurality of heat exchange sections, the sections comprising:a first heat exchange section having a plurality of working gas channels and a plurality of combustion gas channels, wherein working gas is heated by combustion gas present in said combustion gas channels; a second heat exchange section adjacent said first heat exchange section, said second heat exchange section having a plurality of working gas channels, wherein heat from said working gas is transferred to said platelet member; and a third heat exchange section adjacent said second heat exchange section, said third heat exchange section having a plurality of working gas channels and a cooling system having a coolant, wherein said working gas transfers heat to said coolant. 9. The manifold of claim 8 wherein said piston chamber comprises:a piston having a top end and a bottom end, said top end of said piston aligned toward said first end of said housing; a plurality of upper ports in said platelet member above said top end of said piston in said second heat exchange section, said upper ports allowing working gas to be admitted and expelled above said piston; and a plurality of lower ports in said platelet member below said bottom end of said piston in said third heat exchange section, said lower ports allowing working gas to be admitted and expelled below said piston wherein said working gas flows in a bi-directional manner in a closed path through said working gas channels. 10. The manifold of claim 9 wherein said heat exchange sections are oriented in a series configuration.11. The manifold of claim 9 wherein said heat exchange sections are oriented in a parallel configuration.12. A heat exchange manifold for use with a Stirling engine, the manifold comprising, in combination:a plurality of combustors; a plurality of platelets that are fused together to form a platelet stack heat exchanger, said platelet stack heat exchanger comprising: a first heat exchange section, wherein heat is transferred to a working gas, said working gas flowing in working gas channels through said first heat exchange section; a second heat exchange section, wherein heat from said working gas is transferred to said platelet stack heat exchanger; and a plurality of conduits for combustion gas flow from said combustors through said platelet heat stack exchanger, wherein said working gas channels and said plurality of conduits are proximate one another. 13. The manifold of claim 12 further comprising a secondary air injection system, wherein air is injected into said combustion gas flowing through said first heat exchange section.14. A heat exchange system for use with a Stirling engine, comprising, in combination:a combustion device; a platelet working gas heat exchange plate proximate said combustion device; a platelet manifold adjacent said platelet working gas heat exchange plate; a platelet air injector, wherein ambient air is directed into air exiting said combustion device; and an exhaust manifold, wherein air traveling from said combustion device and said working gas heat exchange plate is directed to exhaust ports. 15. The system of claim 14 wherein said platelet manifold further comprises:a first heat exchange section, wherein heat is transferred between a working gas and a combustion gas; and a second heat exchange section comprising a regenerator, said regenerator having a plurality of passages therein, wherein heat is transferred to or from said working gas. 16. The system of claim 15 wherein said platelet working gas heat exchange plate is bonded to said platelet manifold.17. The system of claim 16 wherein said platelet manifold is bonded directly to a displacer piston cylinder in the Stirling engine.18. A multiple cylinder Stirling engine, comprising, in combination:a plurality of individual hot ends, each distinct from the other, one for each cylinder of said multiple cylinder Stirling engine, whereby each said individual hot end is associated with its own individual heat source, wherein each said individual hot end is a platelet hot end, the platelet hot end comprising: a plurality of platelets that are bonded together to form a platelet member, wherein said platelet member contains working gas channels and combustion gas channels, and said platelet member comprises a plurality of heat exchange sections. 19. A heat exchange system for use with a Stirling engine, comprising, in combination:a solar focusing unit; a platelet working gas heat exchange plate proximate said solar focusing unit; and a platelet manifold adjacent said platelet working gas heat exchange plate, wherein said platelet manifold further comprises: a first heat exchange section, wherein heat is transferred from said solar focusing unit to a working gas; and a second heat exchange section comprising a regenerator, said regenerator having a plurality of passages therein, wherein heat is transferred to or from said working gas. 20. The heat exchange system of claim 19 wherein said platelet working gas heat exchange plate comprises two discrete radial circuits.21. The heat exchange system of claim 20 wherein said two discrete radial circuits are arranged in a swirl-like pattern in said platelet working gas heat exchange plate.22. The heat exchange system of claim 20 wherein said two discrete radial circuits are arranged in a linear, spoke-like pattern in said platelet working gas heat exchange plate.23. The heat exchange system of claim 20 wherein a face of said platelet working gas heat exchange plate comprises channels in its surface, wherein turbulent flow is created at said face.24. A heat exchange manifold for use in a Stirling engine, comprising, in combination:a plurality of platelets that are joined together, said platelets defining: an air/fuel intake platelet zone; an air pretreat platelet zone; an air/fuel mixing platelet zone; a plurality of combustion platelet zones; and an expansion/compression platelet zone. 25. The heat exchange manifold of claim 24, wherein said air/fuel intake platelet zone further comprises:a plurality of fuel intake openings and fuel intake conduits; a plurality air intake openings and air intake conduits; and a plurality of exhaust ports and exhaust conduits; wherein each type of conduit is located at a different level in said air/fuel intake platelet zone such that crossover/interference is prevented. 26. The heat exchange manifold of claim 25 further comprising means to utilize solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel.27. A heat exchange manifold for use in a Stirling engine, comprising, in combination:a plurality of platelets that are joined together, said platelets defining: a plurality of fuel intake openings; a plurality of air intake openings; a plurality of combustion chambers; a plurality of conduits to transport air and fuel from said air intake openings and said fuel intake openings to said combustion chambers; a plurality of exhaust outlets; and a plurality of exhaust conduits to transport exhaust gases from said combustion chambers to said exhaust outlets. 28. The heat exchange manifold of claim 27 wherein said plurality of platelets is coupled to a piston assembly of the Stirling engine, a seal formed therebetween, wherein said piston assembly includes a piston cylinder.29. The heat exchange manifold of claim 28 wherein said plurality of platelets further defines a plurality of working gas conduits, said working gas conduits defined by a plurality of U-shaped bends, said U-shaped bends proximate said combustion chambers, wherein said working conduits transport working gas to and from said piston cylinder of the Stirling engine.30. The heat exchange manifold of claim 29 wherein each of said working gas conduits is defined by a series of branched tortuous pathways, said tortuous pathways comprising a plurality of U-shaped bends, said U-shaped bends proximate said combustion chambers.31. The heat exchange manifold of claim 29 wherein said plurality of platelets further defines a plurality of connecting conduits, said connecting conduits directing working gas to and from said working gas conduits.32. The heat exchange manifold of claim 27 wherein said plurality of platelets further defines a plurality of combustion connector conduits, said combustion connector conduits connecting said combustion chambers to one another.33. The heat exchange manifold of claim 32 further comprising ignition means to ignite a mixture of fuel and air present in said plurality of combustion chambers and in said combustion connector conduits.34. The heat exchange manifold of claim 29 wherein said plurality of platelets defines a single monolithic structure, said single monolithic structure sealed to said piston assembly.
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