US4248039A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Regenerative parallel compound dual fluid heat engine
Assignee: Cheng Power Systems Inc
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Filing: 1978-12-06
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Granted: 1981-02-03
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Expires: 1998-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A regenerative, parallel-compound, dual-fluid heat engine is set forth wherein important engine parameters are specified and linked to each other in a manner which maximizes engine efficiency and throughput for an engine of this type.
Inventors
- 👤 Dah Y. Cheng
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:36
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K21/00; F01K21/04; F01K21/047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
The method of operating a dual fluid heat engine at maximum efficiency and/or throughput, for a given turbine inlet temperature, which engine comprises: a chamber; compressor means for introducing a first gaseous working fluid into said chamber, said compressor means having a predetermined pressure ratio (CPR); means for introducing a second liquid-vapor working fluid in the form of a vapor within said chamber at a defined second/first working fluid ratio (XMIX); means for heating said first gaseous working fluid and said second working fluid in the vapor form in said chamber at a defined specific heat input rate (SHIR); turbine means responsive to the mixture of said first and second working fluids for converting the energy associated with the mixture to mechanical energy, the temperature of said mixture entering said turbine means defining the turbine inlet temperature (TIT); counterflow heat exchanger means for transfering residual thermal energy from said exhausted mixture of first and second working fluids to said incoming second working fluid, said method comprising the steps of: pre-heating the second working fluid in the heat exchanger to a superheated vapor state prior to its introduction within the chamber; and selecting XMIX and SHIR so that for a given value of TIT, XMIX is substantially equal to or is greater than XMIX peak , where XMIX peak occurs by both: (i) maximizing the temperature of the superheated second working fluid vapor; and (ii) minimizing the effective temperature of the exhausted mixture of the first and second working fluids.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
249 words
The method of operating a dual fluid heat engine at maximum efficiency and/or throughput, for a given turbine inlet temperature, which engine comprises: a chamber; compressor means for introducing a first gaseous working fluid into said chamber, said compressor means having a predetermined pressure ratio (CPR); means for introducing a second liquid-vapor working fluid in the form of a vapor within said chamber at a defined second/first working fluid ratio (XMIX); means for heating said first gaseous working fluid and said second working fluid in the vapor form in said chamber at a defined specific heat input rate (SHIR); turbine means responsive to the mixture of said first and second working fluids for converting the energy associated with the mixture to mechanical energy, the temperature of said mixture entering said turbine means defining the turbine inlet temperature (TIT); counterflow heat exchanger means for transfering residual thermal energy from said exhausted mixture of first and second working fluids to said incoming second working fluid, said method comprising the steps of: pre-heating the second working fluid in the heat exchanger to a superheated vapor state prior to its introduction within the chamber; and selecting XMIX and SHIR so that for a given value of TIT, XMIX is substantially equal to or is greater than XMIX peak , where XMIX peak occurs by both: (i) maximizing the temperature of the superheated second working fluid vapor; and (ii) minimizing the effective temperature of the exhausted mixture of the first and second working fluids.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of choosing CPR to generally maximize the transfer of the residual thermal energy, for a given value of TIT, to said second working fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of choosing CPR to fall within a range bounded by the value of CPR for which maximum transfer of residual thermal energy to said second working fluid occurs, and a value which is not less than one-third of this value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of choosing SHIR within a range bounded by SHIR at peak efficiency and 2 X SHIR at peak efficiency, and increasing XMIX above XMIX peak to maintain a constant TIT.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 3 including the step of choosing SHIR within a range bounded by SHIR at peak efficiency and 2 X SHIR at peak efficiency, and increasing XMIX above XMIX peak to maintain a constant TIT.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A heat engine as in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein said second working fluid comprises water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A heat engine as in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein said second working fluid comprises water and said first working fluid comprises air and combustion products.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
297 words
The method of operating a dual fluid heat engine at maximum efficiency and/or throughput, for a given turbine inlet temperature, which engine comprises: (a) a chamber; (b) compressor means for introducing a first gaseous working fluid into said chamber, said compressor means having a predetermined pressure ratio (CPR); (c) means for introducing a second liquid-vapor working fluid in the form of a vapor within said chamber at a defined second/first working fluid ratio (XMIX); (d) means for heating said first gaseous working fluid and said second working fluid in the vapor form in said chamber at a defined specific heat input rate (SHIR); (e) turbine means responsive to the mixture of said first and second working fluids for converting the energy associated with the mixture to mechanical energy, the temperature of said mixture entering said turbine means defining the turbine inlet temperature (TIT); (f) counterflow heat exchanger means characterized by having a neck at that point where the second working fluid first begins to change state from a liquid to a vapor for transfering residual thermal energy from said exhausted mixture of first and second working fluids to said incoming second working fluid, said method comprising the steps of: pre-heating the second working fluid in the heat exchanger to a superheated vapor state prior to its introduction within the chamber; and selecting XMIX and SHIR so that for a given value of TIT, XMIX is substantially equal to or is greater than XMIX peak , where XMIX peak occurs by both: (i) generally maximizing the temperature of the superheated second working fluid vapor at its discharge from the heat exchanger; and (ii) generally minimizing the temperature difference at the heat exchanger neck between the exhausted mixture of first and second working fluids and the second working fluid.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
297 words
The method of operating a dual fluid heat engine at maximum efficiency and/or throughput, for a given turbine inlet temperature, which engine comprises: (a) a chamber; (b) compressor means for introducing a first gaseous working fluid into said chamber, said compressor means having a predetermined pressure ratio (CPR); (c) means for introducing a second liquid-vapor working fluid in the form of a vapor within said chamber at a defined second/first working fluid ratio (XMIX); (d) means for heating said first gaseous working fluid and said second working fluid in the vapor form in said chamber at a defined specific heat input rate (SHIR); (e) turbine means responsive to the mixture of said first and second working fluids for converting the energy associated with the mixture to mechanical energy, the temperature of said mixture entering said turbine means defining the turbine inlet temperature (TIT); (f) counterflow heat exchanger means characterized by having a neck at that point where the second working fluid first begins to change state from a liquid to a vapor for transfering residual thermal energy from said exhausted mixture of first and second working fluids to said incoming second working fluid, said method comprising the steps of: pre-heating the second working fluid in the heat exchanger to a superheated vapor state prior to its introduction within the chamber; and selecting XMIX and SHIR so that for a given value of TIT, XMIX is substantially equal to or is greater than XMIX peak , where XMIX peak occurs by both: (i) generally maximizing the temperature of the superheated second working fluid vapor at its discharge from the heat exchanger; and (ii) generally minimizing the temperature difference at the heat exchanger neck between the exhausted mixture of first and second working fluids and the second working fluid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 8 including the step of choosing CPR to fall within a range bounded by the value of CPR for which maximum transfer of residual thermal energy to said second working fluid occurs, and a value which is not less than one-third of this value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 8 including the step of choosing CPR to generally maximize the transfer of the residual thermal energy, for a given value of TIT, to said second working fluid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 8 including the step of choosing SHIR within a range bounded by SHIR at peak efficiency and 2 X SHIR at peak efficiency, and increasing XMIX above XMIX peak to maintain a constant TIT.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 10 including the step of choosing SHIR within a range bounded by SHIR at peak efficiency and 2 X SHIR at peak efficiency, and increasing XMIX above XMIX peak to maintain a constant TIT.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A heat engine as in claim 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 wherein said second working fluid comprises water.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A heat engine as in claim 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 wherein said second working fluid comprises water and said first working fluid comprises air and combustion products.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
240 words
A dual fluid heat engine comprising: (a) a chamber; (b) compressor means for introducing a first gaseous working fluid into said chamber, said compressor means having a predetermined pressure ratio (CPR); (c) means for introducing a second liquid-vapor working fluid in the form of a vapor within said chamber at a defined second/first working fluid ratio (XMIX); (d) means for heating said first gaseous working fluid and said second working fluid in the vapor form in said chamber at a defined specific heat input rate (SHIR); (e) turbine means responsive to the mixture of said first and second working fluids for converting the energy associated with the mixture to mechanical energy, the temperature of said mixture entering said turbine means defining the turbine inlet temperature (TIT); (f) counterflow heat exchanger means for transfering residual thermal energy from said exhausted mixture of first and second working fluids to said incoming second working fluid to thereby preheat the same to a superheated vapor state prior to its introduction within said chamber, and means for controlling XMIX and SHIR so that for a given value of TIT, XMIX is substantially equal to or is greater than XMIX peak , where XMIX peak occurs when the following conditions are both met simultaneously; (i) the temperature of the superheated second working fluid vapor is substantially maximized; and, (ii) the effective temperature of said exhausted mixture of the first and second working fluids is substantially minimized.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
240 words
A dual fluid heat engine comprising: (a) a chamber; (b) compressor means for introducing a first gaseous working fluid into said chamber, said compressor means having a predetermined pressure ratio (CPR); (c) means for introducing a second liquid-vapor working fluid in the form of a vapor within said chamber at a defined second/first working fluid ratio (XMIX); (d) means for heating said first gaseous working fluid and said second working fluid in the vapor form in said chamber at a defined specific heat input rate (SHIR); (e) turbine means responsive to the mixture of said first and second working fluids for converting the energy associated with the mixture to mechanical energy, the temperature of said mixture entering said turbine means defining the turbine inlet temperature (TIT); (f) counterflow heat exchanger means for transfering residual thermal energy from said exhausted mixture of first and second working fluids to said incoming second working fluid to thereby preheat the same to a superheated vapor state prior to its introduction within said chamber, and means for controlling XMIX and SHIR so that for a given value of TIT, XMIX is substantially equal to or is greater than XMIX peak , where XMIX peak occurs when the following conditions are both met simultaneously; (i) the temperature of the superheated second working fluid vapor is substantially maximized; and, (ii) the effective temperature of said exhausted mixture of the first and second working fluids is substantially minimized.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The heat engine of claim 15 wherein, for a given value of TIT, CPR is a value which maximizes the transfer of the residual thermal energy to said second working fluid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The heat engine of claim 15 wherein, for a given value of TIT, CPR falls within a range bounded by the value of CPR for which maximum transfer of residual thermal energy to said second working fluid occurs, and a value which is not less than one-third of this value.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
A heat engine as in claim 17 wherein SHIR falls within a range bounded by SHIR at peak efficiency and 2 X SHIR at peak efficiency, and XMIX is increased above XMIX peak to maintain a constant TIT.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
A heat engine as in claim 15 wherein SHIR falls within a range bounded by SHIR at peak efficiency and 2 X SHIR at peak efficiency, and XMIX is increased above XMIX peak to maintain a constant TIT.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A heat engine as in claim 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19 wherein said second working fluid comprises water.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
A heat engine as in claim 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19 wherein said second working fluid comprises water and said first working fluid comprises air and combustion products.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
275 words
A dual fluid heat engine comprising: (a) a chamber; (b) compressor means for introducing a first gaseous working fluid into said chamber, said compressor means having a predetermined pressure ratio (CPR); (c) means for introducing a second liquid-vapor working fluid in the form of a vapor within said chamber at a defined second/first working fluid ratio (XMIX); (d) means for heating said first gaseous working fluid and said second working fluid in the vapor form in said chamber at a defined specific heat input rate (SHIR); (e) turbine means responsive to the mixture of said first and second working fluids for converting the energy associated with the mixture to mechanical energy, the temperature of said mixture entering said turbine means defining the turbine inlet temperature (TIT); (f) counterflow heat exchanger means characterized by having a neck at that point where the second working fluid first begins to change state from a liquid to a vapor for transfering residual thermal energy from said exhausted mixture of first and second working fluids to thereby preheat the same to a superheated vapor state prior to its introduction within said chamber, and means for controlling XMIX and SHIR so that for a given value of TIT, XMIX is substantially equal to or is greater than XMIX peak , where XMIX peak occurs when the following conditions are both met simultaneously: (i) the temperature of the superheated second working fluid vapor is substantially maximized at its discharge from said heat exchanger, and (ii) wherein the temperature difference at the heat exchange neck between the exhausted mixture of first and second working fluids and the second working fluid is substantially minimized.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
275 words
A dual fluid heat engine comprising: (a) a chamber; (b) compressor means for introducing a first gaseous working fluid into said chamber, said compressor means having a predetermined pressure ratio (CPR); (c) means for introducing a second liquid-vapor working fluid in the form of a vapor within said chamber at a defined second/first working fluid ratio (XMIX); (d) means for heating said first gaseous working fluid and said second working fluid in the vapor form in said chamber at a defined specific heat input rate (SHIR); (e) turbine means responsive to the mixture of said first and second working fluids for converting the energy associated with the mixture to mechanical energy, the temperature of said mixture entering said turbine means defining the turbine inlet temperature (TIT); (f) counterflow heat exchanger means characterized by having a neck at that point where the second working fluid first begins to change state from a liquid to a vapor for transfering residual thermal energy from said exhausted mixture of first and second working fluids to thereby preheat the same to a superheated vapor state prior to its introduction within said chamber, and means for controlling XMIX and SHIR so that for a given value of TIT, XMIX is substantially equal to or is greater than XMIX peak , where XMIX peak occurs when the following conditions are both met simultaneously: (i) the temperature of the superheated second working fluid vapor is substantially maximized at its discharge from said heat exchanger, and (ii) wherein the temperature difference at the heat exchange neck between the exhausted mixture of first and second working fluids and the second working fluid is substantially minimized.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The heat engine of claim 22 wherein, for a given value of TIT, CPR is a value which maximizes the transfer of the residual thermal energy to said second working fluid.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
50 words
The heat engine of claim 22 wherein, for a given value of TIT, CPR falls within a range bounded by the value of CPR for which maximum transfer of residual thermal energy to said second working fluid occurs, and a value which is not less than one-third of this value.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
A heat engine as in claim 24 wherein SHIR falls within a range bounded by SHIR at peak efficiency and 2 X SHIR at peak efficiency, and XMIX is increased above XMIX peak to maintain a constant TIT.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
A heat engine as in claim 22 wherein SHIR falls within a range bounded by SHIR at peak efficiency and 2 X SHIR at peak efficiency, and XMIX is increased above XMIX peak to maintain a constant TIT.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
A heat engine as in claim 23, 24, 25 or 26 wherein said second working fluid comprises water.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
A heat engine as in claim 23, 24, 25 or 26 wherein said second working fluid comprises water and said first working fluid comprises air and combustion products.
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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) | 1984-02-03 | 1984-08-04 | 1985-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-03 | 1988-08-04 | 1989-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-03 | 1992-08-04 | 1993-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |