US3777485A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vaporized fluid powered engine
Assignee: Deskin Corp
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Filing: 1972-03-08
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1992-03-08
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for converting heat energy to mechanical energy in a closed circuit power unit by alternately expanding and vaporizing and then condensing a working fluid to product a pressure differential utilized to operate a reciprocal engine component such as a piston or diaphragm. The apparatus includes an improved and simplified engine component efficiently operated by the pressure differential resulting from the heating and cooling of the working fluid and also includes a series of nonsimultaneously operating combination fluid heat generators and condensors to maintain a continuously available source of heat and cooling for acting on the working fluid. This invention is illustrated in association with a motor vehicle air conditioning system where the heated fluid in the normal engine cooling system is utilized to provide heat to the working fluid heat generators in a controlled sequence whereby the heat energy created is utilized to operate the engine component which in turn is coupled to the compressor unit of the air conditioning system or which may otherwise be connected to any other appropriate work load. This new engine is also operable by any other suitable source of heat.
Inventors
- 👤 Emerson C Plummer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:46
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K25/00; F01K25/08; F01K25/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
An engine assembly operated by pressure differentials created in a closed vaporized fluid circuit, comprising: a closed container for a working fluid, a source of heat to act on said container to vaporize the working fluid therein, control means for selectively opening and closing said source of heat to said container whereby when said source of heat is open, said container serves as a vapor generator, temperature responsive means within said container operatively associated with said control means to open and close said source of heat to said container at predetermined temperatures, a vapor storage reservoir for receiving superheated vapor from said container when it is serving as a vapor generator, a pressure regulating valve on said reservoir operatively connected to said control means to maintain a predetermined pressure in said reservoir and effect the closing of said source of heat to said container according to predetermined pressure limits within said reservoir, an engine assembly, a predetermined pressure regulated flow means between said engine assembly and said reservoir whereby said engine assembly converts heat energy from said vaporized working fluid to mechanical motive power, a condensor assembly, flow means in said engine assembly for exhausting vapor to said condensor assembly, and a valved flow means for transferring said working fluid from said condensor assembly to said container when said source of heat thereto is closed whereby said container serves as a condensing unit until said source of heat thereto is opened.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
An engine assembly operated by pressure differentials created in a closed vaporized fluid circuit, comprising: a closed container for a working fluid, a source of heat to act on said container to vaporize the working fluid therein, control means for selectively opening and closing said source of heat to said container whereby when said source of heat is open, said container serves as a vapor generator, temperature responsive means within said container operatively associated with said control means to open and close said source of heat to said container at predetermined temperatures, a vapor storage reservoir for receiving superheated vapor from said container when it is serving as a vapor generator, a pressure regulating valve on said reservoir operatively connected to said control means to maintain a predetermined pressure in said reservoir and effect the closing of said source of heat to said container according to predetermined pressure limits within said reservoir, an engine assembly, a predetermined pressure regulated flow means between said engine assembly and said reservoir whereby said engine assembly converts heat energy from said vaporized working fluid to mechanical motive power, a condensor assembly, flow means in said engine assembly for exhausting vapor to said condensor assembly, and a valved flow means for transferring said working fluid from said condensor assembly to said container when said source of heat thereto is closed whereby said container serves as a condensing unit until said source of heat thereto is opened.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including: said source of heat being a closed circuit how water circulating means, and a water jacket encasing said container and disposed in flow communication with said circulating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in combination with a motor vehicle air conditioner wherein said motor vehicle includes an engine cooling fluid circulating system and said air conditioner includes a compressor, an evaporator, a condensor and a receiver, said apparatus including: a jacket encasing said container and disposed in flow communication with said engine cooling fluid circulation system whereby waste heat from said circulation system is utilized as said source of heat, and means operatively connecting said engine means to said compressor whereby said compressor is operated by the motive power converted from the heat energy of said working fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
211 words
A power system operated by pressure differentials created in a closed circuit for vaporizing and condensing a working fluid, comprising: a first and second closed container for a working fluid, a source of heat to act on said containers to vaporize the working fluid therein, control means for opening and closing said source of heat to said containers whereby said containers when opened to said source of heat serve as a vapor generator, temperature responsive means within said containers operatively associated with said control means whereby when heat is supplied to one container it is closed to the other container and at predetermined temperature limits, the open and closed relation of the source of heat to said containers is reversed, an engine assembly, valve flow communication means between said engine assembly and said respective containers whereby said engine means converts heat energy from the container serving as a vapor generator into mechanical motive power, a condensor assembly, flow means in said engine assembly for exhausting vapor to said condensing assembly, and a second valved flow communication means for transferring said working fluid from said condensor assembly to that container which at the time is closed off from the source of heat and is in that condition serving as a condensing unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
211 words
A power system operated by pressure differentials created in a closed circuit for vaporizing and condensing a working fluid, comprising: a first and second closed container for a working fluid, a source of heat to act on said containers to vaporize the working fluid therein, control means for opening and closing said source of heat to said containers whereby said containers when opened to said source of heat serve as a vapor generator, temperature responsive means within said containers operatively associated with said control means whereby when heat is supplied to one container it is closed to the other container and at predetermined temperature limits, the open and closed relation of the source of heat to said containers is reversed, an engine assembly, valve flow communication means between said engine assembly and said respective containers whereby said engine means converts heat energy from the container serving as a vapor generator into mechanical motive power, a condensor assembly, flow means in said engine assembly for exhausting vapor to said condensing assembly, and a second valved flow communication means for transferring said working fluid from said condensor assembly to that container which at the time is closed off from the source of heat and is in that condition serving as a condensing unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
101 words
A power system as defined in claim 4 which includes: a vapor reservoir for receiving superheated vapor from said respective containers when they are serving as a vapor generator, said reservoir disposed intermediate said engine assembly and said containers and interposed in said flow communication means, a pressure regulating valve on said reservoir operatively connected to said control means to maintain a predetermined pressure in said reservoir and effect the closing of said source of heat to said containers according to predetermined pressure limits within said reservoir, and a predetermined pressure regulated flow means between said engine assembly and said reservoir.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A power system as defined in claim 4 which includes: said source of heat being a closed circuit hot water circulating means, and a respective water jacket encasing said containers and disposed in flow communication with said circulating means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A power system as defined in claim 6 which includes: said control means being separate solenoid operated valves in said flow communication means associated respectively said respective containers, and said temperature responsive means being electrically connected to said valves whereby only one of said valves is open at any given time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
A power system as defined in claim 4 in combination with a motor vehicle air conditioner wherein said motor vehicle includes an engine cooling fluid circulation system and said air conditioner includes a compressor, an evaporator, a condensor and a receiver, said apparatus including: a respective jacket encasing said containers and disposed in flow communication with said engine cooling fluid circulation system whereby waste heat from said circulation system is utilized as said source of heat, and means operatively connecting said engine means to said compressor whereby said compressor is operated by the motive power converted from the heat energy of said working fluid.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of converting heat energy to mechanical energy comprising the steps of: providing a closed container for a working fluid, applying heat to said container to vaporize said working fluid, storing the vaporized working fluid in a pressure regulated reservoir, transferring the vaporized working fluid to a work producing device, closing off the heat to said container at a predetermined pressure in said reservoir, exhausting vapor from said work producing device, condensing the same and returning it to said container when said container is not receiving heat, and continuing the condensing of said vapor in said container until heat is again supplied thereto to vaporize the working fluid.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of converting heat energy to mechanical energy comprising the steps of: providing a closed container for a working fluid, applying heat to said container to vaporize said working fluid, storing the vaporized working fluid in a pressure regulated reservoir, transferring the vaporized working fluid to a work producing device, closing off the heat to said container at a predetermined pressure in said reservoir, exhausting vapor from said work producing device, condensing the same and returning it to said container when said container is not receiving heat, and continuing the condensing of said vapor in said container until heat is again supplied thereto to vaporize the working fluid.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of converting heat energy to mechanical comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of closed containers for a working fluid, applying heat to said containers on a regulated cycle so that only one container receives heat at any given time, transferring the superheated vapor from the container receiving heat to a work producing device, exhausting vapor from said work producing device, condensing the same and returning it to said containers not at the time receiving heat, continuing the condensing of vapor returned to containers free of heat, and transferring the application of heat between containers in a successive cycle at predetermined intervals to maintain a supply of superheated vapor for continual transfer to said working device and to utilize all containers but the one receiving heat for condensing vapor returned from said working device.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of converting heat energy to mechanical comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of closed containers for a working fluid, applying heat to said containers on a regulated cycle so that only one container receives heat at any given time, transferring the superheated vapor from the container receiving heat to a work producing device, exhausting vapor from said work producing device, condensing the same and returning it to said containers not at the time receiving heat, continuing the condensing of vapor returned to containers free of heat, and transferring the application of heat between containers in a successive cycle at predetermined intervals to maintain a supply of superheated vapor for continual transfer to said working device and to utilize all containers but the one receiving heat for condensing vapor returned from said working device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as defined in claim 10 which includes: maintaining a stored supply of superheated vapor for continuous delivery to said working device, and regulating the application of heat to said containers according to a predetermined pressure of said stored supply of superheated vapor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as defined in claim 10 which includes regulating the successive transfer of the application of heat between containers according to predetermined temperature limits within the container receiving heat at any given time.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |