US3813882A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hot-gas engines
Assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
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Filing: 1972-11-14
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Granted: 1974-06-04
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Expires: 1992-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A double-acting hot gas engine includes four or a higher even number of cylinders which comprise pairs whereof the cylinders are phase-displaced through a 180* crank angle. An expansion chamber of each cylinder is connected, by way of a heater, a regenerator and a cooler arranged in series, to a compression chamber of another cylinder. At least for partial load, the compression chambers of each pair are interconnected via an overflow path for a time period extending throughout part of each of successive working cycles of each pair, the time period being increased if the load decreases.
Inventors
- 👤 K Hubschmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 01:00
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02G; F02G1/00; F02G1/04; F02G1/043; F02G1/045; F02G1/044; F02G2244/00; F02G2244/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of obtaining load-responsive regulation of the power of a double-acting hot-gas engine comprising an even number of cylinders of at least four, each cylinder containing an expansion chamber and a compression chamber separated by a working piston, grouping said cylinders in pairs of cylinders, phase-displacing the cylinders of each pair with respect to each other through a 180* crank angle, connecting the expansion chamber of each cylinder, by way of a flow path containing a heater, a regenerator and a cooler arranged in series with one another, to the compression chamber of another cylinder which is phasedisplaced with respect to the first-mentioned cylinder through a crank angle which is a fraction of 180*, the compression chambers of each pair being intermittently interconnectable by way of an overflow path, at least for partial load, interconnecting the compression chambers of each pair of cylinders by way of the respective overflow path for a time period extending throughout part of each of successive working cycles of each pair, and increasing said time period if the load decreases.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of obtaining load-responsive regulation of the power of a double-acting hot-gas engine comprising an even number of cylinders of at least four, each cylinder containing an expansion chamber and a compression chamber separated by a working piston, grouping said cylinders in pairs of cylinders, phase-displacing the cylinders of each pair with respect to each other through a 180* crank angle, connecting the expansion chamber of each cylinder, by way of a flow path containing a heater, a regenerator and a cooler arranged in series with one another, to the compression chamber of another cylinder which is phasedisplaced with respect to the first-mentioned cylinder through a crank angle which is a fraction of 180*, the compression chambers of each pair being intermittently interconnectable by way of an overflow path, at least for partial load, interconnecting the compression chambers of each pair of cylinders by way of the respective overflow path for a time period extending throughout part of each of successive working cycles of each pair, and increasing said time period if the load decreases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, and the step of maintaining the overflow paths closed at full load.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the time periods for which the overflow path of each pair of cylinders is open occur in regions of said working cycles wherein the pressures in the respective two compression chambers would be substantially equal to each other at full load.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said time periods for which the overflow path of each pair is open, are displaced through 180* crank angle with respect to one another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a double-acting hot-gas engine, a combination comprising an even number of cylinders of at least four, each cylinder containing an expansion chamber and a compression chamber separated by a working piston, said cylinders being grouped in pairs of cylinders, the cylinders of each pair being phase-displaced with respect to each other through a 180* crank angle, a flow path connecting the expansion chamber of each cylinder to the compression chamber of another cylinder which is phase-displaced with respect to the first-mentioned cylinder through a crank angle which is a fraction of 180*, each flow path comprising a heater, a regenerator and a cooler arranged in series, an overflow path for interconnecting intermittently the compression chambers of each pair, and valve means in each overflow path for opening and closing the overflow path at intervals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a double-acting hot-gas engine, a combination comprising an even number of cylinders of at least four, each cylinder containing an expansion chamber and a compression chamber separated by a working piston, said cylinders being grouped in pairs of cylinders, the cylinders of each pair being phase-displaced with respect to each other through a 180* crank angle, a flow path connecting the expansion chamber of each cylinder to the compression chamber of another cylinder which is phase-displaced with respect to the first-mentioned cylinder through a crank angle which is a fraction of 180*, each flow path comprising a heater, a regenerator and a cooler arranged in series, an overflow path for interconnecting intermittently the compression chambers of each pair, and valve means in each overflow path for opening and closing the overflow path at intervals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A combination according to claim 5, wherein said valve means in each overflow path comprises first and second valve means adjacent the respective compression chambers interconnectable via said overflow path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A combinatiOn according to claim 5, wherein said valve means in each overflow path comprises a first control aperture formed in a member connected to the working piston of a cylinder of the respective pair, and a second control aperture formed in a regulating sleeve and co-operating with said first control aperture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A combination according to claim 7, wherein each said member is a piston rod co-axial with the respective working piston.
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) | 1977-06-03 | 1977-12-03 | 1978-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-03 | 1981-12-03 | 1982-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-03 | 1985-12-03 | 1986-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |