US3648458A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vapor pressurized hydrostatic drive
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-07-28
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Granted: 1972-03-14
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Expires: 1990-07-28
Abstract
Abstract A hydrostatic drive system generally of the type wherein vapor is alternately directed into one of two reservoir tanks so that working fluid in that tank is forced out of the tank by pressure of the vapor and through a fluidic motor to generate a mechanical output before it returns to refill the other tank. When the first tank is substantially depleted, the vapor pressure is directed into the refilled tank so that fluid from that tank now flows through the motor to refill the first, now depleted, tank. In one embodiment, cyclic pressure generated by a vapor generator forces fluid cyclically through an AC fluid motor. In another embodiment, heat from the working fluid is employed to generate the vapor pressure and reduce the temperature of the working fluid passing through the motor. In a further embodiment, the fuel serves as the working fluid and the vapor from the refilling tank is combusted to provide heat to convert the fuel from its liquid to vapor state. In another embodiment, the combustion gases are combined with the vapor so that, when water is the working fluid, the water vapor in the combustion gases serves as make up working fluid. In a further embodiment, heat from working fluid on its way to the motor is transferred to other working fluid in a second system to drive a second motor. Further aspects of the invention are set forth below.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy E Mcalister
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 02:56
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03B; F03B17/00; F03B17/005; F04; F04B; F04B45/00; F04B45/04; F04B45/053; F04B45/0536; F16; F16H; F16H43/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
An energy conversion system comprising: first means for containing a working fluid, second means for containing a working fluid, motor means operatively communicating with said working fluid in said first and second containing means for receiving said working fluid so that said working fluid flows into and out of at least a portion of said motor means so as to generate a mechanical motion, means for alternately supplying a gIven fluid in a vapor phase to said first means at a pressure such that said working fluid is forced from said first means, into and out of said portion of said motor means and into said second means and to said second means at a pressure such that said working fluid is forced from said second means, into and out of said portion of said motor means and into said first means, means for receiving said fluid in a liquid phase and for heating said fluid in said liquid phase to convert it to said given fluid in said vapor phase, and means for receiving a portion of said working fluid forced from said first and second means and injecting said portion in fine droplets into said receiving and heating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
An energy conversion system comprising: first means for containing a working fluid, second means for containing a working fluid, motor means operatively communicating with said working fluid in said first and second containing means for receiving said working fluid so that said working fluid flows into and out of at least a portion of said motor means so as to generate a mechanical motion, means for alternately supplying a gIven fluid in a vapor phase to said first means at a pressure such that said working fluid is forced from said first means, into and out of said portion of said motor means and into said second means and to said second means at a pressure such that said working fluid is forced from said second means, into and out of said portion of said motor means and into said first means, means for receiving said fluid in a liquid phase and for heating said fluid in said liquid phase to convert it to said given fluid in said vapor phase, and means for receiving a portion of said working fluid forced from said first and second means and injecting said portion in fine droplets into said receiving and heating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said motor means is a DC fluid motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said motor means is an AC fluid motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
200 words
A system as in claim 1 further including first check valve means connecting said first means to the entrance of said portion of said motor means for permitting fluid to flow from said first means toward said motor means and for preventing flow from said motor means toward said first means, second check valve means connecting said second means to the entrance of said portion of said motor means for permitting fluid to flow from said second means to said motor means and for preventing flow from said motor means toward said second means, third check valve means connecting the exit of said portion of said motor means to said first means for permitting fluid to flow from said exit to said first means when said given fluid in said vapor phase is being supplied to said second means and for preventing flow from said first means to said exit and fourth check valve means connecting said exit to said second means for permitting fluid to flow from said exit to said second means when said given fluid in said vapor phase is being supplied to said first means and for preventing flow from said second means to said exit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said first and second means are tanks and said receiving and heating means includes means for combusting a fuel and means for supplying said fuel to said combusting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said receiving and injecting means includes a vessel having walls adapted for harmonic resonance, an inlet for receiving said portion of said working fluid and an outlet connected to said receiving and heating means and means for harmonically resonating said walls to inject said fluid into said receiving and heating means as fine droplets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said receiving and injecting means includes a liquid horn having a large inlet for receiving said portion of said working fluid and a small outlet connected to said receiving and heating means and tuning fork means mounted adjacent said inlet for causing said horn to inject said droplets into said receiving and heating means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said first and second means are each reservoir tanks and wherein each said tank includes a thin walled quench tube having a plurality of apertures and mounted within that tank for receiving said working forced into said tanks so as to prevent thermal shock to the walls of that tank.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system as in claim 1 further including means for venting said first means to the atmosphere while said supplying means is supplying said given fluid in said vapor phase to said second means and for venting said second means to the atmosphere while said supplying means is supplying said given fluid in said vapor phase to said first means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-14 | 1975-09-13 | 1976-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-14 | 1979-09-13 | 1980-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-14 | 1983-09-13 | 1984-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |