CA2171451A1 - Propulsion apparatus driven by environment's heat - Google Patents

Abstract

A propulsion apparatus having at least one converging duct (1) connected to a diverging duct (2). When the apparatus is in motion,fluid flowing through the converging duct (1) converts a portion of its own mechanical energy into propelling energy, which is the product of the thereby generated thrust and propelling speed, whereas fluid flowing through the diverging duct (2) converts its own heat into mechanical energy, thereby cooling the fluid by the amount of work performed by the thrust.

Description

2 ~ 7 1 4 5 I PCT/AU94/00482 Invention ~itle: Propulsion apparatus driven by environment's heat.
Technical field of the invention:
This invention relates to a propulsion apparatus for the propulsion of vehicles or power generators in air or in water in such a way that heat energy contained by the fluid in which said apparatus operates, air or water, is utilised to perform propulsion work so that normally not any addition of external heat, like by burning of fuel, is required, except at a very high speed, supersonic, when said heat energy is insufficient, an external heat must be added.
~ackground art of the invention:
This invention relates to propulsion apparatuses which are propelled not by the reaction of issued jet of fluid, like in conventio~al jet propulsion systems, but by a force similar to the ~orce which propels a balloon, without leaving a rearwardly directed jet of fluid behind the apparatus. Such force has the ability when it performs work like in ca~e of a balloon, to convert heat directly into work without involving any of conventionally used thermal cyclic processes.
The only prior art, as far as known to the applicant, can be cited is the applicant's Australian Patent No. 59 3525.
This invention introduces some important improvements which are not included in said Patent: The construction, being now in form of a nacelle, is considerably simplified and is less expensive to make; the thrust is increased and the dynamic drag is reduced.
Summary of the invention.
In brief summary, this invention facilitates the utilisation of the heat contained in atmosphere or water to perform the propulsion work, thus facilitating the utilisation of the vast energy stored as heat in environmental fluids as an energy source.
This propulsion apparatus consists m~i n~ y of a number of converging and diverging ducts.
When a diverging duct is in motion towards its narrower ~ L~U Sn~k-l ~R~e9l) 5 ~ ~

end and fluid flows through it from its narrower towards its wider end, the fluid converts in the duct its own heat directly into its mechanical energy.
When a converging duct is in motion towards its wider end and fluid flows through it from its wider towards its narrower end, the fluid converts a portion of its own mechanical energy directly into propulsion energy.
The ductæ can be in àny combination. M~ m propulsion is achieved when the apparatus consists, preferably, of two converging and one diverging ducts arranged so that the fluid enters the apparatus, which is in motion, through the wider end of a converging duct which is connected at its narrower end with the correspon~ n~l y narrower end of a diverging duct which is also connected at its wider end with the correspon~; ngl y wider end of the second converging duct.
Propulsion produced by the work resulting from a thrust generated in such a combination of ducts is obtained from the heat provided by the fluid, from its own heat, in the diverging duct so that the fluid issues from the apparatus cooled by the amount of work resulting from the thrust.
DESCRIPTION OF THE lNv~Nll~IoN.
Following constructions of propulsion apparatuses in accordance with this invention will now ~e described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
~ig. 1. ~nd ~ig. 2. illustrate and explain the concept o~
this invention and in particular:
~ig. 1. explains the concept of a propulsion apparatus which has three ducts.
Fig. 2. explains the concept of a propulsion apparatus which has two ducts.
~ig. 3. shows longitudinal section ~-~ of a propulsion apparatu5 suitable for propulsion in water or in air at subsonic speed ~ig. 4. shows the end view A - A.
~ig. 5. shows longitudinal section of a propulsion apparatus suitable for supersonic speed.

3 217~4~1 ~ig. 6. ~hows the end view C - C.
Fig. 7. shows longitudinal ~ection F-F of a propulsion apparatus which has no converging inlet duct.
~ig. 8. ~hows the end view E - ~.
~ig. 9. -~ho~s longitudinal ~ection G:-G of a propulsio~
apparatus which discharges fluia through the wider end of diverging duct.
Fig. 10 ~hows the end view H - H.
~ig- 11 is the end view J-J of a po~er ge~erator driven by one of the propul~ion apparatues of this invention.
Fig. 12 ~hows ~ection ~

In order to describe the concept of this invention clearly it i~ necessary to u~e some simple mathematical pre~entation and also to explain some symbol~ used in the De~cription.
~ = mechanical energy of fluid (N~m) per unit mass.
- P = pressure (N/m2) N = Newton = kg-g (kg-m/sec2) ~ = absolute temperature (K) V = fluid's absolute velocity relating to the groun~ (~/sec) W = fluid's relative velovity relating to moving duct(m/sec) U = speed of apparatu~ (m/sec) m = ma~s o~ ~luid pa~ing duct in unit time (kg/sec.) a = cross section area (m2) q = density of fluid (kg/ m3) Cp= specific heat of fluid at con~tant pressure (cal/kg) ~ = mechanical e~uivalent of heat (N-m/cal) Referring to the diverging duct 2, shown on Fig. 1, it will be proved that when the duct is in motion with a speed U in the direction æhown by the arrow 15, the total mechanical energy of fluid in the wider end of the duct i~ larger than in the narrower end despite the ~act that no heat or any other energy ha~ been added to the fluid in the duct.
If fluid is a liquid, like water, the total mechanical energy of the fluid passing the duct for unit weight is:
at entry, narrow end, El= 1 + 1 and at outlet E2= 2 + 2 2 q 2 q ~ecause duct i~ in motion, absolute velocitie~ of fluid are:

~ ~U ~ (Rule91) wo 95/07410 ~ ~ 7 ~ 4 5 ~ PCT/AU94/00~82 at entry: Vl = U - Wl and at outlet: V2 = U - W2 The difference in said machanical energies:
(U-~2)2 P2 (U-Wl)2 Pl 2 2 P2-P
E = E2-El= ~ (W2--Wlt2Uwl--2u~2)~ q Since ~(Wl-W22)= 2 1 E = (Wl-W2)~U for unit weight or generally E = m,(Wl - W2)~U
HEA~ R A CTED FROM TH~ ~UID MUST COVER THIS ~NERGY.
If fluid is a gas, the total energy of the gas i8:

~ U-Wl)2 1 (U-W2) in inlet: El= - ~C Ti~ in outlet E2= - + CpT2~-~

And since ~(Wl-W2)= ~p (T2-11).- after solving the equations 10 the same re~ult will be obtained as for liquids.
~hese equations indicate that the fluid itself provides for any increase of its mechanical energy by its own heat. ~his means that the exact required heat is extracted from the ~luid and is directly converted into usable mechanical energy without any heat being rejected. This can be condensed in the ~ollowing statement:
When a diverging duct is in motion in a fluid in the direction o~ its narrower end, ~luid passing the duct converts its own heat directly into its mechanical energy of 20 which magnitude is determined by the product of the change of momentum of the fluid which passes the duct and the speed of duct's motion.

Referring to ~ig. 1., when ~he propulsion apparatus is in motion with a speed U in the direction shown by the arrow 15, 25 surrounding fluid is rammed and forced to enter the converging inlet duct 1 in which it increases its velocity reaching in the narrow end a velocity Wl which forms in combination with U an absolute velocity Vl. Pa~sing the diverging duct 2, Wl is decreased to W2 which again forms 30 with U an absolute velocity V2 which will be ~orwardly wo9slo74lo 2 1 7 ~ 4 5 1 PCT/AUg4/00482 directed if U is larger than W2. Therefore the divergence of the duct _ust be such that this condition is, preferably, achieved. ~rom diverging duct 2 the fluid enters the second converging duct 3 from which it iqsue~ through narrower end.
On top of ~ig. l. are shown energy levels of the fluid in important cro~s sections of the duct and at the bottom are ~hown the dif~erences of these energies, the results are underlined. Such presentation provides a clear picture how thi3 propulsion apparatus works.
Relations of pre~sure and velocities, in line l, indicate that issuing velocity W3 cannot be larger than U.
Difference o~ energies Eo~ El, in line 2, shows that in the converging duct l fluid converts a portion of its own mechanic~l energy directly into propulsion work which is the product of the momen~um caused by the reaction o~ Vl and the speed ~ and said momentum is a part of the propelling force.
~he r~m~;nin~ part i~ generated in the second converging duct 3, this is shown in line 4.
~otal propelling force, per unit weight, is shown in line 5 and the general magnitude of the thrust is shown in line 6.
It ~hould he noted that the total work performed by the thrust, line 5, is equal the amount o~ extrac~ed energy, in form of heat, in the diverging duct 2, line 3.
Referring further to Fig. l., in the diverging duct 2 and in the converging duct 3 are shown velocity diagrams 5 and 6.
When ducts are in mo~ion, the combination of velocitie~ W
and ~ for~ absolute velocity V which acts in diverging duct, diagram 5, against the wall and in converging duct, diagram 6, away ~rom wall. ~his means that in diverging duct a higher pressure acts upon the wall than in converging duct al~o it means that in the centre of diverging duct a lower pressure will prevail than in the centre of converging duct.
Consequently, also the pressure acting upon the central conical structure 4 will be smaller at its front than at its rear. Such distribution o~ pressure causes that a propelling force, the thrust, is acting on the propulsion apparatus in ~orward direction.
Said distribution o~ pressure takes place only when the apparatus is in motion. When it is ~tationary, like during e 91) Wo95/07410 pcTlAus4loo482 ~ 7 ~ ~5~ 6 the testing in a wind or a water tunnel, velocity component U in said velocity diagrams 5 and 6 i8 missing threrefore the said pressure distribution cannot take place. Also then W would change to V.
On Fig. 2. is illustrated a propulsion apparatus in which the converging duct 3 is omitted. ~herefore energy E2 is here not present. It is also here shown that the issuing velocity W3 = U. ~eeause duct 3 is omitted, the thrust, line 9, is smaller ~han generated in ~ig. 1. Here the said second part of the thrust, line 4, is mi~sing.

Description of propulsion apparatus shown on ~ig.3 and Fig.4.
This apparatus is suitable for propulsion in water or in air at Rubsonic speed. ~ross section can be of a circular, oval, rectangular or any other required form.
~he apparatus consists mainly of three ducts: converging inlet duct l; diverging duct 2 and second converging duct 3.
All ducts are connected to each other as is illustrated on ~ig.3. In order to reduce dynamic drag of apparatus a cowling 9 is provided which forms also the con~erging inlet duct 1. ln the centre of ducts 2 and 3 is located a conical structure 4 of which thin ends extend into inlet 7 and into outlet 8. This conical structure consists, preferably, of two parts which can be inserted into each other at their wider end in order to control the thrust. This control is effected by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 10 which can move the desired conical end either into the inlet 7 or into the outlet 8. ~y this the fluid~s flow area can be restricted or completely closed controlling by this the thrust.
The part of conical structure 4 which is not movable is solidly connected to the duct by ribs 11.
As has been said hereinbefore this apparatus can generate thrust only when it is in motion. ~hen the surrounding fluid is rammed and forced to enter the apparatu~ through duct 1 and flowing fluid forms in the appara~us the effect de~cribed and illustraded on ~ig.l., diagrams 5 and 6.
~luid issues from the apparatus cooled by the amount of work performed by the thrust.

WO 95/07410 2 ~ 7 1 4 5 ~ PCT/AU94/00482 Description of a propulsion apparatus suitable for supersonic propulsion as illustrated on Fig. 5 and ~ig. 6.
This apparatus consists of an apparatus as shown on Fig.3 and ~ig.4 which is herein already described, e~cept that the converging inlet duct 1 is here substituted, preferably, with a converging duct 12 suitable for supersonic speed and the addition of an outlet diffuser 13. Cowling 14 is formed to sui~ supersonic speed, In order to describe clearly how this apparatus works, 10 velocity distributio~s in important sections of apparatus are diagrammatically illustrated above Fig. 5.
When apparatus moves with super~onic speed in the direction shown by the arrow 15, air enters inlet duct 12 where it ~ncreaseæ its pressure and reduces velocity reaching in the 15 narrow throat sonic velocity Wl which in combination with the speed U results in velocity Vl reactive momentum of which acts against propulsion. In diverging duct 2, Wl reduces to W2 causing by this the increase of absolute velocity from Vl to V2. ~ecause of the divergence of the duct, any force acting on it, from inside the duct, can only act in forward direction and here the increase of momentum from Vl to V2 is taken up by increasing along the duct pressure. ~hat is here increasing pressure along the duct balances not the absolute velocity V but its reaction.
Consequently, when fluid issues from apparatus, it is already s~ripped of its reaction in the diverging duct, The increased mechanical energy of air, by said increased pressure and kinetic energy by increase of absolute velocity from Vl to V2, is provided by the heat g~en by the air, 30 from its own heat, in the diverging duct. This energy is:
~2- ~1= U (Wl- W2) for unit mass, as is shown on Fig. 1 in line 3.
In converging duct 3 the momentum of air decreases along the duct, decrease of V2 to V3, and this decreasing momentum of 35 air together with the decreasing momentum of air in outlet d~ffuser 13 act in the direction of prorulsion. ~o the total propulsion force, thrust, is:
m (V2 Vl) = m-~(U-W2)-(U-Wl)~ = m-(W - W ) WO 95/07410 ~ ~ 5 ~ PCT/AU94/00482 The same result can be obtained by subtracting the energies in relevant sections of the duct as i~ illustrated on ~ig.l.
Air i~ e~h~ ted from the apparatus cooled by the amount of work performed by the thrust, m~(Wl- W2)-U, and there 18 not any jet of air streaming in rearward direction behind the apparatu~. In the apparatus, velocities Wl and W3 are sonic velocities at which the air ha~ not the same temperature.
Since at supersonic speed the demand on power is very high, the heat contained by the air may be insufficient, in this ca~e some external heat must be added. ~his can be done by arr~ng; n~ a burner, preferably in the wider end of duct 2, adding the heat to the air by burning of fuel.
Description of a propulsion apparatus as illustrated on Fig. 7. and Fig. 8.
~his apparatus is a modified version of the apparatus shown on Fig.3 in which the converging duct 1 has been omitted.
~ecause of this omission its thrust i3 reduced S;m; 1 ~rly as has been described on page 6, lines 5-10, and as illustrated on Fig.2. ~he thrust is E2-E3 = U (U-W2) and the extraction f heat from fluid is E2-Eo = U-(U-W2).
The thrust is controlled by the valve 1~ tur~ing of whi~h, by~the sha~t 17, restriots the passage for the fluid.
Description of a propulsion apparatus as illustrated on Fig. 9. and Fig. 10.
This apparatus is a modified version of the apparatus shown on Fig.3 in which the converging duct 3 has been omitted.
~ecause of this omission its thrust is reduced. ~his is de~cribed on page 6, lines 5-10 and illustrated on Fig. 2.
Control of the thrust is effected by introduction of an e~ternal fluid to the fluid in the duct where low pressure prevails. ~his external ~luid is introduced through pipe 18 into space 20 from where it enters through the gap 21 into the fluid stream in the duct, choking by this more or less the flow. Valve 19 controls the amount of fluid introduced.
Despite of the reduced thrust, the apparatu~es illustrated on Fig.7 and ~ig.9 may be employed because Of their simplicity, ~ S~k~ e 91) - 2171~51 The herein illustrated and described propulsion apparatuses can be used for linear propulsion when they are attached to vehicles like ships, aircrafts, fast moving trains and so on, or they can be used for circular propulsion, driving a rotor of power generators which will generate power by the heat extracted from the atmosphere or water.
Description of a power generator,shown on Fig.ll and Fig.12, driven by the propulsion apparatus of this invention.
Referring to Fig ll, propulsion apparatues 22 are attached to the arms 23 which are rigidly connected with the shaft 25 constituting the rotor 24 o~ a power generator.
~his power generator resebles, to some degree, a windmill wi~h the difference that here instead the wind the heat extracted from the fluid, air or water, drives the rotor.
When the rotor rotates in the direction shown by the arrow 15 each apparatus 22 rams fluid and forces it to flow through the apparatus generating by this a propulsion force which drives the rotor and generates power.
The apparatuses 22 are preferably bent as shown to follow 2Q the circular path.
In order to control the speed of rotation,each apparatus is pivotally connected to the arms 23 freely rotating on pins 27. When the speed increases, due to lower power demand, centrifugal force deflects the rear of each apparatus away from the centre of rotation deflecting by this the inlet of the apparatuses ~rom the direction of rotation resticting by this the fluid to enter the apparatus and this in turn reduces the thrust which drives the rotor. Said deflection of apparatus is kept in balance by the ties 28 which are pivotally attached to the apparatuses 22 and to the bush 29 which can freely rotate on the shaft 25. ~y rotating the bush 29 all apparatuses ca~ be deflected together as required. 3ush 29 can be rotated m~m7~lly or it can be controlled automatically by a suitable conventional governor.
Speed of the power generator can also be controlled by choking the flow of fluid as is illustrated and described on Fig.9. In this case apparatuses 22 will be rigidly connected to arms 23 and each apparatus will be connected by WO 95/07410 2. ~ 7 ~ 4 5 PCT/AU94/00482 a pipe, 18 on Fig.9, to a central container located, preferably, in the vicinity of and rotating with the shaft 25. Fluid will be introduced into said container through a valve which can be oontrolled by a suitable conventional governor or ~ml ~1 1 y.
Shaft 25 of power generator rotates in bearings 30.

The herein de~cribed and illu~trated propul~ion apparatuse~
and the power generator may be modified to ~uit particular requirements. For instance the described and illustrated mean3 for controlling the thrust can be made interchangeable.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS:

1. A propulsion apparatus propelling at subsonic speed by the heat contained by a fluid in which it is submerged, which heat is converted into propelling energy by means of a diverging duct when it is in motion in the direction of its narrow end and through which a fluid flows from its narrower end towards its wider end whereby the fluid flowing along the diverging duct obtains a momentum which is converted into thrust by means of a converging duct connected at its wider end to the wider end of the diverging duct and arranged under an angle to the direction of propulsion whereby my said propulsion apparatus has following two disadvantages: because the fluid enters directly into the narrow end of the diverging duct, when the entering velocity is larger than the propelling speed, and such condition is required to generate a larger thrust, then the pressure of the fluid in the entry drops below the external pressure which acting upon the external side of the diverging duct causes a retarding force which opposes the thrust; the arrangement of the converging duct under an angle to the propelling direction increases frontal projection of the apparatus increasing by this dynamic drag of the apparatus whereby said disadvantages are overcome by the invention which is characterised that the propulsion apparatus comprises a diverging duct and a converging duct which are connected to each other at their corresponding narrow ends and the fluid in which the apparatus is submerged enters the apparatus, when it is in motion with said diverging duct moving in the direction of its narrow end, through the wider end of said converging duct in which said fluid decreases its pressure and increases its velocity, due to the convergency of the duct, and enters the narrow end of the said diverging duct whereby the reaction of momentum of the fluid issuing from the converging duct constitutes the thrust which propels the apparatus thereby the generated propelling energy and the thrust are increased and the external pressure acting upon the external side of the converging duct counteracts said retarding force.

2. A propulsion apparatus according to Claim 1 characterised in that an additional converging duct is connected at its wider end to the corresponding wider end of the said diverging duct and, in order to reduce the dynamic drag of the apparatus by reducing its frontal projection, by connecting both said ducts substantially in line to each other.

3. A propulsion apparatus according to Claim 1 characterised in that the said converging duct is located at the rear of the said diverging duct, in relation to the direction of the said motion, and both said ducts are connected to each other at their wider ends and so that, in order to reduce the dynamic drag of the apparatus by reducing its frontal projection, the said two ducts are connected substantially in line to each other.

4. A propulsion apparatus for supersonic speed driven by heat of air in which the apparatus is submerged, which heat is converted into propelling energy by means of a diverging duct when it is in motion in the direction of its narrower end and through which air flows from its narrower end towards its wider end, whereby the magnitude of said conversion is the product of the difference of momenta of the air, in the narrower and the wider ends of the duct, and the speed of said duct's motion, whereby as a result of this conversion said air gives up in the duct its heat which is converted directly into said propelling energy and, in consequence, the air issues from the duct correspondingly cooled, said propulsion apparatus comprises: a converging inlet duct into which air enters through its wider end and in which the supersonic velocity of the air is reduced to sonic velocity and the air subsequently enters a diverging duct with that velocity, and in which the flowing air gives up its heat which is converted directly into propelling energy which consists of work performed by the thrust and the kineticenergy of the air issued from the apparatus; and a second converging duct conventionally arranged at an angle to said diverging duct for transmitting the momentum of the air to its wall and to increase velocity of the air to sonic velocity with which velocity the air enters a subsequent outlet diffuser in which said sonic velocity is increased to supersonic and from which the cooled air is exhausted from the apparatus, wherein the propulsion apparatus is characterised in that, in order to reduce the dynamic drag of the apparatus by reducing its frontal projection, the said second converging duct is connected substantially in line at its wider end to the corresponding wider end of said diverging duct.

5. A propulsion apparatus according to Claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 adapted to produce linear propulsion in water or in air.

6. A propulsion apparatus according to Claim 1, 2, or 3 adapted to produce rotary propulsion in a liquid or in a gas.

7. A power generator driven by a propulsion apparatus according to Claim 1, 2, 3or 4.

8. A process for conversion of heat contained in a fluid directly into mechanical energy by means of a system consisting of a diverging duct and a converging ductwhich process takes place when the system is in motion in the direction of the narrow end of the diverging duct and when the fluid flows through the diverging duct from its narrower end towards its wider end whereby the fluid flowing along the duct, due to the convergence of the duct, decreases its relative to duct velocity causing by this a downstream increasing pressure and a downstream increasing absolute velocity, being velocity relative to the ground, of the fluid increasing by this mechanical energy of the fluid along the duct and since no heat or any other energy has been added to the fluid in the duct, the fluid gives up its heat and converts it directly into said mechanical energy which is determinable by the product of the change of momentum of the fluid which passes the duct and the speed of duct's motion and said mechanical energy is conventionally carried out into practical effect by the process comprising following two steps: the first step involves the generation of said mechanical energy by passing the fluid through said diverging duct and in the second step the fluid possessing said mechanical energy is passed through a converging duct by means of which momentum of the fluid, formed in said diverging duct by said absolute velocity, is transmitted to the walls of the system and converted into thrust which acts on the system and propels it whereby said thrust is reduced by a retarding force which is caused by the external pressure acting upon the external side of the diverging duct when the fluid enters the diverging duct with a velocity, relative to duct, which is higher than the propelling speed and fluid's pressure drops below the external pressure, wherein this deficiency is overcome by the invention which is characterised that the sequence of said two steps is reversed by connecting said converging and diverging ducts together with their corresponding narrow ends whereby the fluid enters the system through the wider end of the converging duct and because both ducts are connected to each other by their narrow ends, external pressure acting upon the external side of the converging duct counteracts said retarding force and also in the first step of the process, the thrust, which propels the system, is generated by the reaction of momentum of the fluid issuing from said converging duct whereby in the second step of the process the fluid, which possesses said momentum, enters said diverging duct along which the flowing fluid gives up its heat and converts it directly into its mechanical energy which equals the sum of the work performed by said thrust and the kinetic energy of the fluid issued from the diverging duct resulting that the fluid issues from the system correspondingly cooled.