EP1915515A2

EP1915515A2 - Method and device for producing mechanical energy

Info

Publication number: EP1915515A2
Application number: EP06742365A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lutz Giechau
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-02
Filing date: 2006-05-22
Publication date: 2008-04-30
Also published as: US20080128188A1; WO2006128423A3; DE102006021928A1; WO2006128423A2

Abstract

The aim of the invention is to provide a method and device for producing mechanical energy by means of a rotating heat engine (1) which requires less thermal energy in order to guarantee a thermodynamic cycle and in order to perform usable mechanical work. This aim is substantially attained by using a first liquid working medium (6) and at least one additional liquid working medium (7). The at least one additional working medium (7) has a lower boiling point than the first. When it is combined with the first working medium (6) that is enriched with thermal energy, it changes to a gaseous state or expands and produces an excess pressure and performs work in such a manner that a torque is applied to the rotating element (3; 3.1-3.6) of the heat engine (1).

Description

Method and device for generating mechanical energy

The invention relates to a method and a device for generating mechanical energy by means of a rotary heat engine according to the preamble of claim 1 or 5.

Heat engines or thermal power plants, which in turn realize thermodynamic cycles for performing mechanical work and subsequent generation of electrical current have long been known. In that regard, reference is made to Dubbel "Paperback for Mechanical Engineering", 20th Edition, Springer Verlag, p. D18-D21. After that, mainly gas turbine and steam power plants are used.

In closed gas turbine plants, a gas is compressed in a compressor, heated in a heat exchanger or gas heater to a high temperature, then relaxed in a turbine while performing work and in the

Heat exchanger and the subsequent cooler back to the

Cooled initial temperature, after which the gas is sucked in again by the compressor.

As working media, air, but also helium and nitrogen can be used. As a disadvantage u. a. the relatively high energy costs to

Ensuring process ensured.

In contrast, steam power plants are operated with a working medium, usually water, which is vaporized and recondensed during the process. The working process is carried out in its simplest form in such a way that in a boiler the working medium (water) isobarically heated up to the boiling point at high pressure, evaporated and subsequently overheated in a so-called superheater. The steam is then adiabatically expanded in a turbine while performing work and liquefied in a condenser with heat release. The liquid is then brought to boiler pressure by a water pump and returned to the boiler. Again, significant amounts of energy are required to maintain said cycle. Further, from DE 196 51 645 A1 discloses a method for the use of solar energy in a gas and steam power plant known. In essence, it is proposed here to supply thermal energy to the heat carrier or working medium in the gas turbine cycle by means of solar radiation.

Finally, from US 3,972,195 a method for generating mechanical energy by means of a rotary heat engine, comprising a housing part with an inlet and an outlet channel and a rotor part arranged in the housing part, wherein thermal energy is converted into mechanical energy by two initially liquid Working media undergo such a working process that a first working media is enriched with thermal energy and the second working fluid has a lower boiling temperature than the first, so that the second evaporatable working fluid passes into contact with the first, enriched with thermal energy working fluid into a gaseous state of matter. The two working media are combined within a nozzle, so that as a result, a "two-phase jet", ie, a high-velocity flow, consisting of a liquid and a gaseous working medium, is generated, which hits rotor blades of the rotor and the same due to the increased flow energy drives.

The object of the invention is to provide a method for generating mechanical energy by means of a rotating heat engine, which requires in view of the prior art lower amounts of thermal energy to ensure a thermodynamic cycle for performing useful mechanical work. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a suitable device for carrying out the method.

The solution of this problem arises from the features of the independent claims 1 and 5, while advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention the respective subordinate claims are removable.

Thereafter, the object is first by a method for generating mechanical energy by means of a rotating heat engine, with a housing part having at least one inlet and an outlet channel and at least a rotating in the housing part, wherein thermal energy is converted into mechanical work and used working media undergo a cycle, solved such that in a closed, initially equipped with a certain negative pressure system following steps are performed sequentially: a) a first liquid working medium is thermal Energy supplied b) said, enriched with thermal energy first working fluid is supplied in the liquid state at least one formed by the housing part and the housing part rotating part working chamber, c) immediately before and / or within the at least one working chamber is the first liquid working medium supplied at least one further liquid working fluid having a lower boiling temperature to the first liquid working fluid, wherein the at least one further working fluid due to the union with the first, with thermal energy enriched working medium in a gaseous state passes or expands and generates an overpressure and work done so that on the rotating part of a torque is applied, d) after a defined revolution of the rotating part which consists of the first and the at least one other working fluid

Working medium mixture as a result of a pressure applied to the outlet channel of the at least one working chamber through said outlet passage in the housing part and subsequently cooled, whereby a constant pressure gradient in the system for taking a subsequent working medium mixture and ensuring a continuous cycle is maintained, e) the Working media are spatially separated from each other and returned to the cycle or separate cycles.

The inventive use of at least two different boiling temperatures having working media allows in a particularly advantageous manner a selective production of gaseous working fluid in the immediate area of the heat engine, in comparison with conventional Heat engines the required thermal energy to ensure the continuous cycle is substantially minimized.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention it is provided that the thermal energy for said first working medium of one or more, thermal energy-providing facilities in the form of

Solar collectors, electric energy generating photovoltaic cells in conjunction with electrically operated heating elements, heat storage, electrical

Heating elements per se, heat pumps, incinerators, heat exchangers, internal combustion engines and / or the like. Is provided more.

As the invention further envisages, the first and / or the at least one further working medium are fed via an injection valve to the working chamber, whereby for ensuring a continuous cycle, for example, temperature and / or pressure fluctuations in the system, but also in the environment of the device Can be considered.

Accordingly, it may be appropriate to computer-controlled the volume of the working media supplied to the at least one working chamber as a function of the sensed current outlet temperature and / or the sensed current outlet pressure in the working chamber and / or the current outlet temperature of the first and / or at least one further working medium ,

The device for generating mechanical energy by means of a rotating heat engine, with a housing part having at least one inlet and an outlet channel and at least one rotating part in the housing part, wherein thermal energy is converted into mechanical work and used working media undergo a cycle, characterized essentially by in that the device forms a closed system initially equipped with a certain negative pressure, a first and at least one further working medium have a liquid state of aggregation at least at the beginning of the cycle or directly before entry into the heat engine and are guided in different circuits, the circuits and accordingly, the working media immediately before and / or within at least one are formed by the housing part and the rotary member formed therein working chamber of the heat engine temporarily merged directly and at least one other working fluid has a lower boiling temperature than the first working fluid.

In this case, the heat engine can be charged with working medium from radially outside and / or radially inward.

The first liquid working medium is provided for receiving thermal energy and the at least one further liquid working medium for performing work, wherein the at least one further liquid working medium is formed by a low-boiling working medium, which is suitable in contact with the first liquid and with thermal Energy-enriched working fluid to go into a gaseous state.

According to a preferred embodiment, the rotating part of the heat engine is rotatably mounted on a non-rotatable shaft in the form of a hollow shaft, said hollow shaft having at least two axially extending media supply lines, one of the at least two media supply lines for the first working medium and the other for the at least one further working medium is provided, each media supply line is connected to at least one inlet channel in the lateral surface of the hollow shaft and the inlet channels are fluidly connectable by rotation of the rotating member having at least one opening of each formed by the housing part and the rotary member working chamber of the heat engine.

Preferably, the at least two media supply lines are formed by an axial division of the hollow shaft cavity.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the inlet channels of the media supply lines and the corresponding openings of the working chambers are arranged to each other such that when circulating the rotating Part of the relevant working chamber can be acted upon in chronological succession or simultaneously with the working media.

Furthermore, the media supply lines can be subjected to an overpressure.

To increase the efficiency of the device or the heat engine thereof may be provided in the housing part of the heat engine, at least one opening for additional loading of the working chambers with the first working fluid from the outside radially.

Furthermore, it may prove to be expedient to arrange at least one vent valve in the housing part, from which excess first working medium can escape during the charging of the relevant working chamber with the first and / or further working medium.

Likewise, at least one opening for additional charging of the respective already filled with two working media working chamber with the at least one other working fluid may be provided in the housing part, whereby also one or a further increase in the efficiency of the device respectively the heat engine thereof can be effected.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the heat engine of the device in question are two or more coaxially arranged and rotatably connected to each other and largely identically formed rotating parts rotatably mounted on a common non-rotatable hollow shaft with media supply lines.

The rotating parts may be so arranged angularly offset relative to each other about the central axis, that an imbalance in the formed rotating system is avoided due to expansion of the working medium mixture.

As the invention still provides, the circulation of the first working medium one or more, thermal energy providing facilities in the form of Solar collectors, electric energy generating photovoltaic cells in conjunction with electrically operated heating elements, heat accumulators, electrical heating elements per se, heat pumps, incinerators, heat exchangers, internal combustion engines and / or the like. More assigned.

In addition, pumping pumps integrated into the circuits of the working media have proven to be advantageous, which certainly easily support a continuous circular process.

According to a further advantageous measure, a means for the spatial separation of the working media and assignment of the same is arranged on the respective circuit in the flow direction of the working media or the working medium mixture seen immediately behind the heat engine.

The means for the spatial separation of the working media is formed by a condensation part, wherein at the bottom thereof the first liquid working fluid can be discharged and in the upper part of the condensation part, the at least one further, located in the gaseous state working fluid sucked and condensation by cooling can be supplied.

In particular, to assist the separation of the working media and the generation of a defined negative pressure in the system, the condensation part has an integrated and externally driven piston-cylinder arrangement.

In a further development of the invention is also proposed to include in the circulation of the first working medium, a heat pump whose evaporator is connected to the cooling of the extracted in the upper part of the condensation part and in the gaseous state working medium with said condensation part for the spatial separation of the working media.

Furthermore, the heat engine can at least one sensor for determining the current output temperature and / or the current output pressure in the be associated with at least one working chamber and / or for determining the output temperature of the first and / or at least one further working medium.

The at least one sensor is electrically or contactlessly with a computer unit, which in turn generates control signals, at least one arranged in the circulation of the first working medium and the inlet channel thereof associated injection valve, preferably with one in the circulation of the first and at least one further working medium and the same the inlet channel associated injection valve connected.

As the invention finally provides, the device can be used as a drive for a vehicle, in particular also as a drive in a hybrid vehicle and / or by means of at least one generator connected to the rotating part of the heat engine for generating electrical energy.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments schematically illustrated in the drawings. Show it:

1 very schematically the device for generating mechanical energy by means of a rotating heat engine,

2 is a very schematic radial section through the heat engine of the apparatus of FIG. 1 according to a first possible embodiment variant, FIG. 3 is a piston-cylinder arrangement of a condensation part of the device according to FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is the heat engine of the device according to FIG. 1 in a longitudinal section, FIG. 5 shows the heat engine according to FIG. 4 in a radial section, FIG. 6 shows the perspective view of the rotating part of the heat engine according to FIG. 4 in a partial longitudinal section,

7 is a perspective view of the fully assembled heat engine of FIG. 4 in a partial longitudinal section, and 8 shows the perspective view of the completely assembled heat engine according to FIG. 4.

1 and 2 show a rotary heat engine 1, with a housing part 2 and a rotating part in the same part 3, which in the present case by a plurality on a shaft 4 fixedly arranged rotor blades 5 is formed. The heat engine 1 shown corresponds, so to speak, in its basic structure of a known turbine with a turbine housing and a turbine wheel revolving therein.

According to the invention, the heat engine 1 is operated with a first and at least one further working medium 6, 7. The working media 6, 7 are guided in different circuits 8, 9 and have at the beginning of each cycle respectively immediately before entering the heat engine 1 to a liquid state of matter.

The entire device, consisting in particular of the heat engine 1, the connected circuits 8, 9 and ancillaries, thereby forms a largely closed system, which is ensured by known per se comprehensive sealing measures.

In the present case, the heat engine 1 for the entry of the working media 6, 7 in the same two inlet channels 10, 11 and an outlet channel 12 for guiding the working medium mixture 13 from the heat engine 1 out assigned.

By this measure, the two working media 6, 7 and their circuits 8, 9 thus at least within the heat engine 1, so to speak temporarily merged directly.

Of course, it may also be indicated and is detected by the invention to provide only one inlet channel, in which case the working media 6, 7 immediately before the heat engine 1 and / or can be merged within the same (not shown in detail). To realize now a continuous cycle of the heat engine 1, liquid working media 6, 7 are provided with different boiling temperatures in the initial state, wherein the at least one further working fluid 7 has a lower boiling temperature than the first working medium 6 and in turn is suitable, in contact with the first to pass with a correspondingly high thermal energy enriched working fluid 6 in a gaseous or vaporous state.

In essence, the first liquid working medium 6 for receiving thermal energy and the at least one further liquid working medium 7 for performing work are thus provided.

The thermal energy can in this case the first working medium 6 by means of one or more suitable devices 14, for example in the form of solar collectors, electric energy generating photovoltaic cells in conjunction with electrically operated heating elements, heat storage, electrical heating elements per se, which are for example mains operated, heat pumps, incinerators, Heat exchangers, internal combustion engines, in which the residual heat from the fuel combustion can be used, and / or the like. More, are provided via an integrated into the circuit 8 of the first working medium 6 heat exchanger 14 a.

In order to support said circuits 8, 9 a known feed pump 15 is arranged in each of these. This can be operated electrically, but also mechanically, for example via a per se known belt or gear transmission with the shaft 4 of the heat engine 1 operatively connected (not shown in detail).

The invention will be further described below with reference to the method according to the invention.

As already stated above, the entire system is first equipped with a certain negative pressure in order, as described in more detail below, to accomplish a start of the same can. Following this, the first liquid working medium 6 is supplied with thermal energy to the abovementioned devices 14.

According to a preferred embodiment, the thermal energy-enriched working medium 6 is formed by a viscous, non-inflammable or flame-retardant, corrosion-inhibiting and high thermal energy or heat-absorbing substance. In this respect provides for this purpose such as a 1, 2 or 1, 3-propanediol-water mixture, commercially known as "solar fluid L" or "Tyfocor ^® LS" on.

However, the invention is not limited to the aforementioned substance, but covers all known and suitable substances, the above features largely take into account and have a melting point below -30 ⁰ C and a boiling point above 180 ° C and not in the heat chemically connect another working medium 7.

As appropriate, it is further considered when said working medium 6 is heated to a working temperature of about 140 ⁰ C to just below boiling.

The first working medium 6 enriched with thermal energy is now, as shown in FIG. 2, due to the line pressure established by the feed pump 15 of the relevant circuit 8 at a time "ti" from radially outside by means of an injection valve 17 via a first inlet channel 10 of the housing part 2 of the heat engine 1 injected into a formed by the rotating part 3 (turbine wheel) and the rotor blades 5 and the housing part 2 working chamber 16i.

When starting the system while the rotational movement of the rotating part 3 is first accomplished by means of an external drive, not shown, for example, not shown in detail electric drive. Likewise, the first inlet channel 10 of the housing part 2 may also be arranged such that gravity acting on the working medium 6 injected into the working chamber 16i already causes a certain desired rotational movement of the rotating part 3. If said working chamber 16 _{1 has} reached the second inlet channel 11 at a time "t ₂ ", the working chamber 161 (160 and accordingly the first working medium 6 enriched with thermal energy is likewise at least one further from the outside radially via an injection valve 18 under high pressure, initially supplied liquid working medium 7, which in turn has a lower boiling temperature than the first working medium. 6

Here are liquid alkanes, such as hexane, with a boiling point of about 68.7 ⁰ C, or heptane, with a boiling point of 98.4 ⁰ C offer. Likewise, 1-valent alcohols, such as. B. 2-propanol, with a boiling point of 82.3 ⁰ C, propanol, having a boiling point of 97 ⁰ C, or ethanol, find a boiling point of 78.3 ⁰ C use. Also conceivable are alicyclic compounds of the cycloalkanes, such as. B. cyclopentane, hexane, heptane, having a boiling point of about 70 ⁰ C to about 100 ⁰ C. Finally, other known inert, low-boiling liquids, such as azeotropic mixtures, alkenes or, Metylalkane conceivable.

For the skilled person certainly easy to understand, the above preferred substances are given by way of example only. Certainly, a variety of other known and suitable substances are conceivable instead, such as e.g. also water, which, however, would go beyond the scope of this invention.

With regard to the conceivable combinations of suitable working media 6, 7, care must be taken in each case that the working media 6, 7 enter into no chemical compound and the further working medium 7 requires a low heat of vaporization.

As a result of the union of the two working media 6, 7, the low-boiling working medium 7 passes under the performance of work in a gaseous or vaporous state. It expands and thus generates an overpressure "P ₁ ", which in turn applies a torque to the rotating part 3 of the heat engine 1, which moves the working chamber I 6 ₁ (160 ^{in the} direction of the outlet channel 12 of the heat engine 1. It goes without saying that for the realization of a uniform rotational movement of the rotating part 3 of the heat engine and the subsequent working chambers 16 _2-n as described above with working media 6, 7 are charged.

If the working chamber 16i (16i ') at a time "t _3" reaches the exhaust port 12, the generated working fluids mixture 13, consisting of still liquid first working medium 6 and gaseous working medium 7, applied due to the initially set to the system and accordingly the Outlet channel 12 adjacent negative pressure "p ₂ " of the working chamber ^ 6 ^ (ϊQ- \ ^" ) of the heat engine 1 taken, so to speak sucked out of the same, and finally cooled.

A suitable means for cooling the working medium mixture 13 and for the spatial separation of the working media 6, 7 is presently formed by a condensation part 19, in which the at least one low-boiling working medium 7 is converted by condensation of the same back into the liquid initial state.

As a result of the cooling of the working medium mixture 13, in particular of the low-boiling working medium 7 and its condensation, the initially set negative pressure "p ₂ " or the pressure gradient "pi>P2" in the system for taking out subsequent working medium mixtures 13 and ensuring the continuous cycle process is maintained receive.

Fig. 1 shows very schematically such a condensation part 19, wherein at the bottom 19a thereof the first liquid working medium 6 dischargeable and in an upper bell-shaped portion 19b of the condensation part 19, the at least one further, located in the gaseous state working medium 7 sucked and said condensation by cooling can be fed.

For cooling, in the present case, cooling coils 20 of an evaporator of a per se known heat pump, not shown here in detail, are provided, which in turn is integrated in the circuit 8 of the first working medium 6. Certainly, too Other known cooling measures conceivable, such as air cooling. The dissipated heat energy can be used for renewed heating of the first working medium 6 and / or serve for heating a third working medium and / or a domestic water heating.

In order to control any air supply from the outside due to leakage in the system and to assist the separation of the working media 6, 7 and the generation of a defined negative pressure in the system, can be in the upper part of the condensation part 19 for condensation and cooling of the other and in the gaseous state Working medium 7 a externally driven and cooled piston-cylinder arrangement 32 may be provided (Fig. 3).

The piston-cylinder arrangement 32 essentially comprises an upper and a lower piston 33, 34, which in turn are fixedly connected to one another by means of a rigid, elongate rod part 35 and axially guided in each case in a cylinder 36, 37.

The two cylinders 36, 37 are interconnected via a bore, in which the rod member 35 is sealingly guided.

The upper piston 33 defines an upper working chamber 38 towards the lower piston 34, whereas the lower piston 34 delimits a lower working chamber 39 towards the upper piston 33.

The composite of pistons 33, 34 and rod member 35 is axially movable within the cylinder 36, 37 by means of a known per se and not shown in detail foreign drive 40, which may be operated electrically, mechanically or electro-mechanically.

The mode of operation of the piston-cylinder arrangement 32 here is as follows:

Gaseous working medium 7 and any leakage of air into the same through leakage of the system is passed through a valve 41, which may be a one-way opening ball valve, into the lower working space 39 Vacuum sucked in the same. In this case, the pressure "p ₂ " (negative pressure) in the condensation part (19)> the pressure "p ₃ " (negative pressure) of the working space 39.

Subsequently, the lower piston 34 is moved by means of the external drive 40 to a top dead center, wherein a compression of the gaseous working medium 7 together with any air, accompanied by a certain warming, is recorded. The valve 41 is closed.

If a certain distance has been covered, a media exchange can be recorded via a working channel 42 incorporated into the outer contour of the rod part 35, since the upper piston 33 has been displaced upwards to produce a negative pressure. The working fluid 7 and any air flow under relaxation and cooling in the upper working chamber 38, the working fluid condenses 7, possibly supported by an additional cooling from the outside.

If the composite of pistons 33, 34 and rod member 35 moved back down, the working channel 42 of the rod member 35 is moved down from its working position and accordingly the bore of the rod member 35 sealed again on the one hand. Any air can pass through a flow channel 43 with valve 44 due to pressure build-up in the lower region of the upper cylinder 36 in an upper region of said cylinder 36, wherein the movement of the upper piston 33 and said valve 44, the flow channel 43 is closed and opened.

On the other hand, arranged on the upper working chamber 38 valve 45, which is sensory or mechanical and can also be a one-sided opening ball valve, opened in the lower third of the downward piston movement and the condensed working fluid 7 passed to the associated media circuit 9. Any air is discharged or removed from the system via a valve 46 during the next upward movement of the piston unit, ie, when the upper piston 33 reaches the top dead center. It goes without saying for the person skilled in the art that the movement of the composite of pistons 33, 34 and rod part 35 in direct dependence on the rotational speed of the heat engine 1 and accordingly the provision of working medium mixture 13 takes place continuously under computer control as required.

In contrast, it may also be appropriate to use a per se known vacuum pump with cooling instead of the piston-cylinder arrangement 32, wherein the pump is a cooler forward and / or downstream. In this case, the condensate of the working medium 7 must be recycled under exclusion of air in the system. Such an arrangement is thus covered by the invention (not shown in detail).

Both working media 6, 7 are finally returned in the liquid state by means of the feed pumps 15 back into the cycle respectively in the respectively associated separate circuit 8, 9.

The person skilled in the art will certainly easily recognize that the working media 6, 7 are also to be selected depending on the respective site of use, so that the state of aggregation required in the system according to the method is maintained or attained for all the expected temperature ranges at said site of use.

Furthermore, it is indicated, the volume of the at least one working chamber 16i- _n supplied working media 6, 7 in dependence on the sensed current output temperature and / or the sensed current output pressure in the working chamber 16i- _n and / or the current output temperature of the first working medium. 6 and / or the at least one further working medium 7 to be determined computer-controlled.

In this respect, at least one suitable, per se known pressure and / or temperature sensor 21 is provided, which in turn is electrically or contactlessly connected to a computer unit 22 (FIG. 1).

This computer unit 22 in turn generates in dependence on the signals 21 a provided by the at least one sensor 21 and using Pre-determined comparison values control signals 22a for at least one of the two injectors 17, 18 of the circuits 8, 9, preferably for both injectors 17, 18 of the circuits 8, 9, whereby the injection volume of the working media 6, 7 or the optimal amount of evaporating liquid (working medium 7) can be advantageously controlled to ensure a continuous cycle and a high efficiency of the heat engine 1.

If more thermal energy is provided than required by means of the device 14, for example a solar collector, providing at least one thermal energy, then it can be used and / or stored for heating purposes. For example, so-called long-term latent heat stores with a suitable storage medium, such as a salt solution or a paraffin influenced in the melting point, are available as storage.

As is further apparent from FIG. 1, a known generator 23 for generating electrical energy is expediently connected to the rotating part 3 of the heat engine 1 or to the shaft 4 thereof.

The above embodiment essentially relies on a heat engine 1 in the manner of a known turbine with a turbine housing and a rotating turbine wheel, wherein the working media 6, 7 exclusively from radially outside through inlet channels 10, 11 in the housing part 2 of the heat engine 1 through the working chambers 16i - _{n be} supplied.

However, it is also conceivable and is covered by the invention to use a heat engine 1 in the manner of an engine with motor housing and based on a rotary engine with a rotating piston, wherein instead of the conventional fuel combustion, the thermal reaction of a liquid working medium 7 in the sense only a change in the state of matter, namely from the liquid to the gaseous out, and a resulting expansion of the same, along with the performance of work, is used. The embodiment variant of a heat engine 1 of the device for generating mechanical energy shown in FIGS. 4 to 8 differs essentially from the one described above in that a common stationary housing part 2 and a plurality of, in the present case, six co-rotating and rotationally fixed rotating parts 3.1 to 3.6 with formed by the housing part 2 and the rotating parts 3.1 to 3.6 working chambers 16i- _n , which in the present case in each case by a plurality on a common hollow shaft 4.1 fixedly arranged and uniformly distributed over the circumference rotor blades 5 are provided.

The clockwise rotating according to Fig. 5 parts 3.1 to 3.6, respectively, their common hollow shaft 4.1 is rotatably supported via roller bearings 24 on the inner circumferential surface of the housing part 2 and on the other hand on the outer surface of a rotatably connected to the housing part 2 shaft 4.2, wherein the radial Spacing between the rotating parts 3.1 to 3.6 and the stationary housing part 2 and the fixed shaft 4.2 is minimized such that, although a relative movement allows, but formed by the housing part 2 and the rotating parts 3.1 to 3.6 working chambers 16i _-n at least largely liquid-tight, preferably, however, are gas-tight.

This heat engine 1 is likewise operated with a first and at least one further working medium 6, 7 of the type described above in different circuits 8, 9.

The working media 6, 7 are fed into the circuits 8, 9 integrated media supply lines 25, 26 of the housing part 2 fixed shaft 4.2, which is presently designed as a hollow shaft.

The shaft 4.2 in the form of a hollow shaft, according to a preferred embodiment, an axial division, which in turn is realized by a partition wall 27. The partition wall 27 preferably has a thermal insulation, not shown here, in order to avoid a heat exchange between the two working media 6, 7 within the shaft 4.2 as far as possible. By means of the above measures, the media supply lines 25, 26, in the present case the media supply line 25 for the first working medium 6 and the media supply line 26 for the at least one further working medium 7, are simply and cost-effectively guided axially as far as the rotating parts 3.1 to 3.6.

Of course, it may also be indicated, and is detected by the invention accordingly, instead of an axial division of the shaft 4.2 / hollow shaft said media supply lines 25, 26 split and sub-lines to the axially successively arranged rotating parts 3.1 to 3. 6 lead (not closer ) shown.

Each rotating part 3.1 to 3.6 are each assigned an inlet channel 10 for the first working medium 6 and one inlet channel 11 for the at least one further working medium 7 in the lateral surface of the non-rotatable shaft 4.2 / hollow shaft.

Said inlet ducts 10, 11 are in turn fluidically connectable by presently to be performed in the clockwise rotation of the respective associated rotating part 3.1 to 3.6 successively each with an opening 28 formed by the housing part 2 and the corresponding rotating part 3.1 arranged therein working chamber 16 _1-n (see in particular Fig. 5).

The openings 28 of all rotating parts 3.1 to 3.6 are presently introduced into the shell of the common hollow shaft 4.1 of the rotating parts 3.1 to 3.6 and preferably fluidically designed as a nozzle, not shown in detail, whereby the flow rate of the working media 6, 7 can be increased advantageously.

Contrary to the first described embodiment variant of the heat engine 1, the working media 6, 7 are now supplied primarily from radially inward, ie, via the centrally arranged, stationary shaft 4.2 to the working chamber 16i- _n . Furthermore, the rotating parts 3.1 to 3.6 of the heat engine 1 each associated with an outlet channel 12 in the wall of the housing part 2 for guiding the working medium mixture 13 from the heat engine 1 out.

The working media 6, 7 and their circuits 8, 9 are, as already demonstrated above, within the heat engine 1 directly merge.

In order to realize a continuous cycle of the heat engine 1, liquid working media 6, 7 are provided with different boiling temperatures here in the initial state, wherein the at least one further working fluid 7 has a lower boiling temperature than the first working medium 6 and in turn is suitable upon contact with the first, enriched with correspondingly high thermal energy working medium 6 in a gaseous or vaporous state.

The first liquid working medium 6 is then also provided for receiving thermal energy and the at least one further liquid working medium 7 for performing work.

With regard to the measures for enriching the first working medium 6 with thermal energy and ensuring the cycle or the circuits 8, 9 has already been shown in detail above.

Referring to FIG. 5, in such a heat engine 1, the first working medium 6 enriched with thermal energy is formed at a point of time V with overpressure via the inlet duct 10 into a rotating part 3.1 to 3.6 or its rotor blades 5 and the housing part 2 Working chamber 16i injected via the opening 28.

To start the system, the flow energy of the injected first working medium 6 can be used in the working chamber 16i. Also, the inlet channel 10 may be arranged such that the acting gravity of the working medium 6 causes a certain rotational movement of the rotating parts 3.1 to 3.6. Likewise, the desired rotational movement for starting the system, be accomplished by an external drive, not shown, for example, an electric drive.

If said working chamber 16i has reached the downstream second inlet channel 11 at a point in time "t ₂ ", the working chamber 16i (160 and thus the first working medium 6 enriched with thermal energy likewise receives the at least one further initially liquid working medium 7 through the opening 28 with overpressure fed, which in turn has a lower boiling temperature than the first working medium. 6

As a result of the union of the two working media 6, 7, the low-boiling working medium 7 passes under the performance of work in a gaseous or vaporous state. It expands and thus generates an overpressure "pΛ which in turn applies a torque to the rotating parts 3.1 to 3.6 of the heat engine 1, which moves the working chamber 16i (16O) in the direction of the outlet channel 12 of the heat engine 1. It goes without saying that for the realization a uniform rotational movement of the rotating part 3.1 to 3.6 of the heat engine 1, the respective subsequent working chambers 16 ₂ - _π as described above with working media 6, 7 are charged.

In this context, it should also be noted that the fact that the working media 6, 7 are initially introduced with overpressure into the work system, has an advantageous effect with respect to an increased temperature control, in particular of the second working medium 7 in the work system.

Has the working chamber 16i (16 / ^' ) at a time "t ₃ " reaches the outlet channel 12, the produced working mixture mixture 13, consisting of still liquid first working medium 6 and gaseous working medium 7 due to the initially applied to the system and accordingly on Outlet channel 12 adjacent negative pressure "p ₂ " of the working chamber 16i (16 / ^' ) of the heat engine 1 taken, so to speak sucked out of the same, and finally cooled. As described above, the inlet channels 10, 11 of the media supply lines 25, 26 and the corresponding openings 28 of the working chambers 16- _n are arranged to each other such that when rotating the rotating part 3.1 to 3.6, the relevant working chamber 16i. _n temporally successively with the working media 6, 7 is acted upon.

In contrast, however, it may also be appropriate to apply the respective working chamber 16-in at the same time as the working media 6, 7 and is therefore also covered by the invention (not shown in greater detail).

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 5, the housing part 2 a each rotating part of 3.1 to 3.6 associated opening 29 for additional feed to the working chambers 16I _n with first working medium 6 radially from the outside with simultaneous feed with first working medium 6 from radially inside to , whereby the efficiency of the heat engine 1 can be further increased.

A defined volume of the first working medium 6 in the respective working chamber j _16-n to ensure 7 excess first working medium 6, during the feed of the first and / or further working medium 6, to escape via a vent valve 30 in the wall of the housing part. 2

In order to increase the efficiency of the heat engine 1 even further, at least one opening 31 is provided in the housing part 2 for additional charging of the respective already filled with both working media 6, 7 working chamber 16i _-n with the at least one other working medium 7.

However, the charge requires an overpressure that is above the internal pressure in the respective working chamber 16i- _n at this time as a result of expansion of the low-boiling working medium 7. As appropriate, a per se known and accordingly not shown injection nozzle is considered here. As appropriate, it is further estimated that the rotating parts 3.1 to 3.6 are arranged angularly offset relative to each other about the central axis, that during operation of the heat engine 1 an imbalance in the rotating system formed thereof is avoided due to expansion of the working medium mixture 13 (not shown in detail ).

This embodiment provides for a plurality, i. h., On two or more coaxial with each other and with each other rotatably connected and largely identically formed rotating parts 3.1 to 3.6, which are rotatably mounted on a common rotationally fixed shaft 4.2 in the form of a hollow shaft with media supply lines 25, 26 from.

Of course, a heat engine 1 with a single rotating part 3.1 of the type described above is included in the scope of the invention and is accordingly covered by the invention (not shown in detail).

As particularly designed for the first described embodiment variant of the heat engine 1, this may be formed in the manner of a turbine known per se with turbine housing and a turbine wheel rotating therein, wherein the generation of electrical energy is proposed as a special application.

Hierneben it also offers, in particular due to the special compact design of the heat engine 1 also to use the same as a drive for a vehicle.

For example, the heat engine 1 can also be used as a drive in a hybrid vehicle, wherein the required thermal energy can be provided, for example, from the residual heat of an internal combustion engine or other suitable internal or external heat sources, such as solar energy.

Due to the fact that the heat engine 1 according to the invention in view of the prior art and depending on the selected Working media 6, 7 has relatively low working temperatures, no high-strength materials must be used. Thus, it is conceivable that suitable light metals or plastics can be used, which is associated with a reduced weight and thus with a further increase in the efficiency as a result. There are thus significant cost savings to conventional heat engines recorded.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 heat engine

2 housing part

3 rotating part

3.1 -3.6 rotating parts

4 wave

4.1 Hollow shaft (rotating parts 3.1 -3.6)

4.2 wave

5 rotor blades

6 first working medium

7 additional working medium

8 circulation (first working medium 6)

9 cycle (further working medium 7)

10 inlet channel (first working medium 6)

11 inlet channel (further working medium 7)

12 exhaust duct

13 working media mixture

14 thermal energy providing device

14a heat exchanger

15 feed pumps

16i-n working chambers

17 injection valve

18 injection valve

19 condensation part

19a bottom (condensation part 19)

19b upper area (condensation part 19)

20 cooling coils

21 sensor

21 a signals

22 computer unit

22a control signals

23 generator

24 rolling bearings 25 media supply line (first working medium 6)

26 media supply line (further working medium 7)

27 partition

28 opening (hollow shaft 4.1) 29 opening (housing part 2)

30 bleed valve

31 opening

32 piston-cylinder arrangement

33 upper piston 34 lower piston

35 rod part

36 upper cylinder

37 lower cylinder

38 upper working space 39 lower working space

40 Third-party drive

41 valve

42 working channel

43 flow channel 44 valve

45 valve

46 valve

Claims

P atent claims

1. Method for generating mechanical energy by means of a rotating

Heat engine (1), with a housing part! (2) with at least one inlet and one outlet channel (10,11; 12) and at least one in

Housing part (2) rotating part (3; 3.1-3.6), whereby thermal energy is converted into mechanical work and the working media (6, 7) used go through a circular process, characterized in that in a closed system initially equipped with a certain negative pressure, the following Process steps are carried out one after the other: a) thermal energy is supplied to a first liquid working medium (6), b) said first one enriched with thermal energy

Working medium (6) in the liquid state is fed to at least one working chamber (16i- _n ) formed by the housing part (2) and the rotating part (3; 3.1-3.6) arranged in the housing part (2), c) immediately in front of and/or within At least one further liquid working medium (7) with a lower boiling temperature than the first liquid working medium (6) is supplied to the first liquid working medium (6) in the at least one working chamber (16i _-ri ), the at least one further working medium (7) as a result of the combination with the first working medium (6) enriched with thermal energy, it changes into a gaseous state or expands and generates an excess pressure and performs work in such a way that a torque is applied to the rotating part (3; 3.1 -3.6), d) according to a defined Revolution of the rotating part (3; 3.1-3.6), the working medium mixture (13) consisting of the first and at least one further working medium (6, 7) is as a result of an on

The negative pressure present in the outlet channel (12) of the at least one working chamber (16i _-n ) is removed through said outlet channel (12) in the housing part (2) and subsequently cools down, resulting in a constant pressure gradient (pi > p ₂ ) in the system for removal a subsequent working media mixture (13) and is maintained to ensure a continuous cycle, e) the working media (6, 7) are spatially separated from each other and returned to the cycle or into separate circuits (8, 9).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermal energy for said first working medium (6) from one or more thermal energy-providing devices (14) in the form of solar collectors, photovoltaic cells generating electrical energy in conjunction with electrically operated heating elements, heat accumulators , electrical heating elements themselves, heat pumps, combustion systems, heat exchangers, internal combustion engines and / or the like.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and / or the at least one further working medium (6, 7) are supplied to the at least one working chamber (16i _-n ) in a controlled manner via an injection valve (17, 18).

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the volume of the working media (6, 7) supplied to the at least one working chamber (16i _-n ) depends on the sensed current output temperature and / or the sensed current output pressure in the work chamber (16i _{- n} ) and/or the current output temperature of the first and/or at least one further working medium (6, 7) is determined under computer control.

5. Device for generating mechanical energy by means of a rotating heat engine (1), with a housing part (2) with at least one inlet and one outlet channel (10, 11; 12) and at least one part (3; 3.1) rotating in the housing part (2). -3.6), whereby thermal energy is converted into mechanical work and the working media (6, 7) used go through a circular process, characterized in that the device forms a closed system initially equipped with a certain negative pressure, a first and at least one further working medium ( 6, 7) at least at the beginning of the cycle or immediately before entering the heat engine (1) have a liquid state of aggregation and are guided in different circuits (8, 9), the circuits (8, 9) and accordingly the working media (6, 7 ) immediately in front of and / or within at least one working chamber (16 _1-n ) of the heat engine (1) formed by the housing part (2) and the rotating part (3; 3.1-3.6) arranged therein are temporarily brought together directly and at least one further Working medium (7) has a lower boiling temperature than the first working medium (6).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the heat engine (1) can be charged with working medium (6, 7) from radially outside and / or radially inside.

7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the first liquid working medium (6) is provided for absorbing thermal energy and the at least one further liquid working medium (7) is provided for carrying out work, the at least one further liquid working medium ( 7) is formed by a low-boiling working medium (7), which is suitable for changing into a gaseous state upon contact with the first liquid working medium (6) enriched with thermal energy.

8. Device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the rotating part (3; 3.1 -3.6) of the heat engine (1) is rotatably mounted on a rotationally fixed shaft (4.2) in the form of a hollow shaft, said hollow shaft being at least two in axial direction extending

Has media supply lines (25, 26), one of the at least two media supply lines (25, 26) being provided for the first working medium (6) and the other for the at least one further working medium (7), each media supply line (25, 26). at least one inlet channel (10, 11) in the lateral surface of the hollow shaft is connected and the inlet channels (10,

11) by rotating the rotating part (3; 3.1-3.6) with at least one opening (28) of each working chamber (16i _-n ) formed by the housing part (2) and the rotating part (3; 3.1-3.6) arranged therein Heat engine (1) can be fluidly connected.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least two media supply lines (25, 26) are formed by an axial division of the cavity of the hollow shaft.

10. The device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the inlet channels (10, 11) of the media supply lines (25, 26) and the openings (28) of the working chambers (16i- _n ) corresponding to these are arranged in relation to one another in such a way that Rotation of the rotating part (3;

3.1-3.6) the working chamber (16i _-n ) in question can be acted upon with the working media (6, 7) one after the other or simultaneously.

11. Device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the media supply lines (25, 26) are subjected to excess pressure.

12. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that at least one opening (29) is provided in the housing part (2) for additional loading of the working chambers (16i. _n ) with the first working medium (6) from the radial outside.

13. Device according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that in the housing part (2) at least one vent valve (30) is arranged, from which excess first working medium (6) during loading of the relevant working chamber (16-ι _-n ) can escape with the first and/or further working medium (6, 7).

14. Device according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that in the housing part (2) there is at least one opening (31) for additional loading of the respective working chamber (16i- _n ) already filled with both working media (6, 7) with the at least another working medium (7) is provided.

15. Device according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that two or more rotating parts (3.1 -3.6) which are arranged coaxially to one another and are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner and are designed in the same way are rotatably mounted on a common rotationally fixed hollow shaft with media supply lines (25, 26). .

16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that the rotating parts (3.1 -3.6) are arranged angularly offset relative to one another about the central axis in such a way that an imbalance in the rotating part formed

System is avoided due to expansion of the working media mixture (13).

17. Device according to one of claims 5 to 16, characterized in that the circuit (8) of the first working medium (6) has one or more thermal energy-providing devices (14) in the form of solar collectors, photovoltaic cells generating electrical energy

Connection with electrically operated heating elements, heat accumulators, electrical heating elements themselves, heat pumps, combustion systems, heat exchangers, internal combustion engines and/or the like. assigned.

18. Device according to one of claims 5 to 17, characterized in that at least one feed pump (15) is arranged in the circuit (8, 9) of each working medium (6, 7).

19. Device according to one of claims 5 to 18, characterized in that, seen in the flow direction of the working media (6, 7) or the working media mixture (13), immediately behind the heat engine (1) there is a means for spatially separating the working media (6, 7) and assignment of the same to the respective circuit (8, 9).

20. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that the means for the spatial separation of the working media (6, 7) by a

Condensation part (19) is formed, the first liquid working medium (6) being able to be removed at the bottom (19a) of the same and the at least one further working medium (7) in the gaseous state being sucked off in the upper region (19b) of the condensing part (19) and condensation can be caused by cooling.

21. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that the condensation part (19) has an integrated and externally driven piston Cylinder arrangement (32) at least for the defined support of the separation of the working media (6, 7) and defined generation of a constant negative pressure in the condensation part (19).

22. The device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that a heat pump is integrated into the circuit (8) of the first working medium (6), the evaporator of which is used to cool the suction in the upper region (19b) of the condensation part (19) and is in the Gaseous state working medium (7) is connected to said condensation part (19) for spatial separation of the working media (6, 7).

23. Device according to one of claims 5 to 22, characterized in that the heat engine (1) has at least one sensor (21) for determining the current output temperature and / or the current output pressure in the at least one working chamber (16i _-n ) and / or is assigned to determine the initial temperature of the first and / or at least one further working medium (6, 7).

24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that the at least one sensor (21) is connected electrically or contactlessly to a computer unit (22), which in turn generates control signals (22a), at least with one in the circuit (8) of the first

Working medium (6) arranged and assigned to the inlet channel (10) of the same injection valve (17), preferably with an injection valve arranged in the circuit (8, 9) of the first and at least one further working medium (7) and assigned to the inlet channel (10, 11) of the same (17, 18) is connected.

25. Device according to one of claims 5 to 24, characterized in that it acts as a drive for a vehicle and / or by means of at least a generator (23) connected to the rotating part (3; 3.1-3.6) of the heat engine (1) is used or can be used to generate electrical energy.

26. Device according to claim 25, characterized in that it is used or can be used as a drive in a hybrid vehicle.