US4218266A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid hydrocarbon-fueled thermo-electric generator with counter-flow type regenerative heat exchanger
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
•
Filing: 1978-12-21
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Granted: 1980-08-19
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Expires: 1998-12-21
Abstract
Abstract An air-to-air heat exchanger, comprising an array of stainless steel tubings arranged in a three-fold pass, is connected to the outlet of the combustion chamber of a liquid hydrocarbon-fueled, thermoelectric generator. Air enters the heat exchanger at the ambient temperature and is pre-heated up to 500 DEG C. At the same time, the temperature of the gases leaving the combustion chamber is reduced from 700 DEG C. to only 200 DEG C. This pre-heating of the air reduces fuel consumption, increases efficiency and makes it more difficult to detect the generator by means of its infrared signature.
Inventors
- 👤 Guido Guazzoni
- 👤 Andrew Herchakowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:51
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N10/00; H10N10/10; H10N10/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A thermoelectric generator which comprises: a combustion chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end; a thermoelectric converter associated with the walls of said combustion chamber; a source of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel; means for atomizing said fuel; means for supplying air to mix with said atomized fuel to thereby form a combustible mixture; means for igniting said combustible mixture, said mixture burning in the combustion chamber to heat said thermoelectric converter, the exhaust gases resulting from said combustion passing out of said generator through the outlet end of said combustion chamber; and means, associated with the outlet end of said combustion chamber, for pre-heating the air supplied to mix with said atomized fuel thereby to increase the efficiency of said generator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A thermoelectric generator which comprises: a combustion chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end; a thermoelectric converter associated with the walls of said combustion chamber; a source of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel; means for atomizing said fuel; means for supplying air to mix with said atomized fuel to thereby form a combustible mixture; means for igniting said combustible mixture, said mixture burning in the combustion chamber to heat said thermoelectric converter, the exhaust gases resulting from said combustion passing out of said generator through the outlet end of said combustion chamber; and means, associated with the outlet end of said combustion chamber, for pre-heating the air supplied to mix with said atomized fuel thereby to increase the efficiency of said generator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pre-heating means comprises an air-to-air heat exchanger for removing heat energy from the exhaust gases exiting said combustion chamber and supplying same to heat said air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said heat exchanger comprises a plurality of tubes through which said air passes, arranged so that the exhaust gases from said combustion chamber flow over the outer walls of said tubes thereby to heat the air passing through the tubes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 further including first and second baffles positioned such that the air traverses said heat exchanger three times, thus forming a three-fold pass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said tubes comprise stainless steel, whereby said heat exchanger provides means such that the temperature of the exhaust gases is reduced from approximately 700 degrees C. to approximately 200 degrees C., and the temperature of said air is increased from the ambient (27 degrees C.) to approximately 500 degrees C.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1983-08-19 | 1984-02-18 | 1984-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-19 | 1988-02-18 | 1988-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-19 | 1992-02-18 | 1992-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |