EP3947949A1

EP3947949A1 - Articulated plenum

Info

Publication number: EP3947949A1
Application number: EP20725871.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Vianney Rabhi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-03-29
Filing date: 2020-03-11
Publication date: 2022-02-09
Also published as: CN113677883A; CA3134437A1; FR3094416A1; AU2020255311A1; FR3094416B1; JP2022528661A; KR20210141669A; WO2020201649A1

Abstract

The articulated plenum (1) forms an intake pipe (3) that that ends with sealed ball-joints (16) held by contention means (17), the plenum (1) connecting a heat source (39) to an expansion cylinder (32) and comprising a plenum intake opening (4), a plenum outlet opening (6) that receives a valve seat (9), and an actuator opening (8) that receives an intake valve actuator (50) that controls a valve (10), the latter cooperating with the valve seat (9) to close the intake pipe (3).

Description

1

WO 2020/201649 PCT / FR2020 / 050497

Description

Title of the invention: ARTICULATED PLENUM

The present invention relates to an articulated plenum intended in particular to improve the heat engine with transfer-expansion and regeneration, the subject of patent WO2016 / 120560 belonging to the applicant, said patent resulting from the French patent published on August 5, 2016 under the No. FR 3032236.

[0002] More precisely, the articulated plenum which is the subject of the present invention can be favorably combined with the double-acting pressure reducing cylinder with adaptive support which is the subject of patent WO2017 / 046479 which also belongs to the applicant.

[0003] Patent WO2017 / 046479 allows the rigid assembly formed by a cylinder barrel, a lower cylinder head and an upper cylinder head that comprises the transfer-expansion and regeneration engine, the subject of patent WO2016 / 120560 to expand freely under the effect of temperature relative to a transmission housing to which it is fixed, without compromising the proper functioning of a piston which moves in said cylinder barrel.

[0004] In addition to patents WO2016 / 120560 and WO2017 / 046479, the articulated plenum which is the subject of the present invention is of great interest in combination with the invention which is the subject of patent WO2018 / 154214, which consists of a regenerative cooling system. Said system - which also improves the thermal engine with transfer-expansion and regeneration, the subject of patent WO2016 / 120560 - makes it possible in particular to manufacture the rigid assembly formed by the cylinder barrel, the lower cylinder head and the upper cylinder head of said engine in cast iron or stainless steel, this because said system keeps said assembly at a maximum temperature of the order of seven hundred degrees Celsius which remains compatible with these materials.

[0005] The articulated plenum relating to the present invention is also advantageously combined with the subject of French patent application No. 1759206 of October 2, 2017, which belongs to the applicant. This application describes a hydraulic valve actuator with regeneration which is advantageously applied to the transfer-expansion and regeneration engine covered by patent WO2016 / 120560, preferably in its version improved by the subject of patent WO2017 / 046479.

[0006] French patent application No. 1759206 discloses in particular that the lower cylinder head of the expansion cylinder and the upper cylinder head of the expansion cylinder can each receive actuator cartridges which are plated - via plate stops on the cylinder head with which they cooperate - on the one hand, a lower cartridge retaining plate as regards the lower cylinder head of the expansion cylinder and on the other hand, an upper cartridge retainer plate as regards the upper cylinder head of the expansion cylinder, said plates tending to be brought together by plate tie rods.

[0007] However, patent WO2017 / 046479 and French patent application No. 1759206 suggest that the intake ducts of the transfer-expansion and regeneration engine which convey gases at high temperature are integrated into the lower and upper cylinder heads of said cylinder head. motor, which are advantageously made - according to patent WO2018 / 154214 - in cast iron or stainless steel maintained at a temperature of the order of seven hundred degrees Celsius.

[0008] It is noted that it would be advantageous for the engine intake ducts to

transfer-expansion and regeneration can be brought to a higher temperature because they convey gases at high temperature which must be avoided to cool. Obviously, this temperature should be as close as possible to that of said gases, that is, for example, one thousand three hundred degrees Celsius. Indeed, if the temperature of said conduits is equivalent to those of the gases which they convey, said gases cannot give up heat to said conduits. Minimizing the heat transfer between gas and ducts is favorable to the final energy efficiency of the transfer-expansion and regeneration engine.

We also note that patent WO2017 / 046479 allows the rigid assembly formed of the cylinder barrel, the lower cylinder head and the upper cylinder head of the transfer-expansion and regeneration engine to expand freely relative to the crankcase transmission to which it is attached. However, said patent does not specify how the intake ducts of said engine are connected to its heat source which may for example consist of a burner. However, the distance between the respective intake ducts of the lower and upper cylinder heads of said engine is likely to vary significantly due to the expansion of the rigid assembly formed of the cylinder barrel, the lower cylinder head and the upper cylinder head.

[0010] Likewise, French patent application No. 1759206 which describes a regenerative valve hydraulic actuator provides an actuator cartridge which is mounted on the expansion cylinder assembly of the transfer-expansion and regeneration heat engine, said cartridge comprising a valve cage housed either in the lower cylinder head of the expansion cylinder, or in the upper cylinder head of the expansion cylinder. In this context, the valve which makes it possible to open or close the intake duct can be guided directly or indirectly in said cage which accommodates a valve seat, the latter and / or the part of the valve cage which guides said valve being able to be cooled by a valve cooling circuit in which a coolant circulates.

[0011] The cage thus maintained at low temperature offers a heat exchange surface for the gases which circulate in the inlet duct and which are brought to high temperature. This configuration thus promotes the cooling of said gases and therefore, harms the final energy efficiency of the transfer-expansion and regeneration engine.

[0012] It is on the basis of these findings and to correct the drawbacks inherent in the various inventions and combinations of inventions which have just been described that the hinged plenum according to the present invention allows:

To decouple mechanically, in a sealed manner, and along the three axes of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, the intake ducts of the transfer-expansion and regeneration engine with respect to the lower or upper cylinder head with which they cooperate in a on the one hand, and relative to the heat source on the other hand, this so that the rigid assembly formed of the cylinder barrel, the lower cylinder head and the upper cylinder head of said engine on the one hand, and the heat source d 'on the other hand, can freely expand relative to each other without said intake ducts preventing them, and without mechanically constraining said ducts;

To achieve the intake ducts of the transfer-expansion and regeneration engine in a material compatible with high temperatures, said material advantageously being able to be different from that which constitutes the cylinder barrel and the lower and upper cylinder heads of said engine, this strategy making it possible to reduce as much as possible the cooling of the hot gases circulating in said intake ducts;

To accommodate, contain and thermally insulate and in a sealed manner an actuator cartridge similar to that described in French patent application No. 1759206, without resorting to a valve cage which is likely to cooling the hot gases flowing in said intake ducts;

[0016] To house an intake valve operating at high temperature, which makes it possible to minimize the cooling of the hot gases circulating in said intake ducts;

To allow the intake valve to remain fully operational and sealed regardless of the relative position of the actuator cartridge which controls said valve relative to the intake duct, said position being variable depending on the expansion of said valve with respect to that of said cartridge, and with respect to that of said intake duct.

[0018] It is understood that the articulated plenum according to the invention is primarily intended for the transfer-expansion and regeneration heat engine, the subject of patent WO2016 / 120560 belonging to the applicant.

[0019] However, said plenum can also be applied without restriction to any gas duct brought to high temperature, the opening and closing of said duct being controlled by a valve, and said duct connecting together components liable to expand. or move relative to each other.

The articulated plenum according to the present invention is provided for a heat engine with transfer-expansion and regeneration, the double-acting piston of the pressure reducing valve moves in an expansion valve cylinder, the latter constituting, with an upper cylinder head of the expansion valve and a lower cylinder head of the expansion valve, a cylinder-cylinder head assembly for an expansion valve, said engine comprising a compressor which compresses a working gas before expelling it into a regeneration heat exchanger in which said gas is preheated while on leaving said exchanger, said gas is superheated by a heat source before being introduced - via a burner outlet duct then an inlet duct and by an inlet valve controlled by a Intake valve actuator - into the expansion valve cylinder to be relaxed there and produce work on a power output shaft, said gas then being expelled from the expansion valve cylinder before being re-introduced into the heat exchanger of regeneration to be cooled there by releasing part of its heat to the working gas which enters said exchanger to be preheated therein, said plenum comprising:

A hollow plenum body which forms the inlet duct and which comprises a plenum inlet port which communicates with the heat source, a plenum outlet port which opens into the regulator cylinder via either the cylinder head upper regulator is the lower cylinder head of the regulator, and an actuator port which receives the inlet valve actuator;

A troncospheric end on the burner side provided at the level of the plenum inlet, said end forming a sealed ball joint with a complementary troncospheric surface on the burner side provided on the outside of the burner outlet duct;

A troncospheric end on the cylinder head side arranged at the level of the plenum outlet orifice, said end forming a sealed ball joint with a complementary troncospheric surface on the cylinder head side arranged on the outside of the upper cylinder head of the regulator or of the lower cylinder head regulator;

[0024] A valve seat arranged in the vicinity of the plenum outlet opening, the

inlet valve capable of resting on said seat to close off said orifice;

Containment means which on the one hand keep the troncospheric end on the burner side pressed against the complementary troncospheric surface on the burner side, and which on the other hand keep the troncospheric end on the cylinder head side pressed against the complementary troncospheric surface on the side cylinder head.

[0026] The articulated plenum according to the present invention comprises a valve seat which has a complementary troncospheric surface on the seat side which cooperates with a troncospheric bearing on the valve side provided at the end of the valve

inlet, said surface and said bearing surface forming a sealed ball joint when they are in contact with each other.

The articulated plenum according to the present invention comprises an intake valve which comprises a valve stem which can translate along its longitudinal axis in or with a valve stem upper guide ball housed in the intake valve actuator, said ball allowing said valve to orient at a limited angle relative to said actuator.

The articulated plenum according to the present invention comprises a valve stem which can translate along its longitudinal axis in a position memory valve stem seal holder which is housed in the inlet valve actuator, said door - seal able to move radially relative to said actuator and comprising a valve stem seal which forms a seal between said seal carrier and the valve stem while said seal carrier also comprises a seal door seal which forms a seal between said seal carrier and G inlet valve actuator.

The hinged plenum according to the present invention comprises a valve stem seal holder with position memory which is held pressed against the inlet valve actuator G by a valve stem seal holder spring.

The hinged plenum according to the present invention comprises a plenum body which receives the inlet valve actuator via a thermal decoupling spacer which seals and centers with the plenum body of on the one hand, and with the inlet valve actuator on the other hand.

The articulated plenum according to the present invention comprises restraining means which consist of at least one actuator restraining plate held pressed against the inlet valve actuator by at least one plate tie rod and by the 'via at least one plate stopper, so that said actuator is in turn kept pressed against the plenum body by means of an actuator bearing face presented by the actuator orifice, and so that the frusto-spherical end on the burner side is kept pressed against the complementary troncospheric surface on the burner side and / or the troncospheric end on the cylinder head side is kept pressed against the complementary troncospheric surface on the cylinder head side.

The articulated plenum according to the present invention comprises restraining means which consist of at least one plenum restraining vise on the burner side which directly or indirectly supports - in the vicinity of the plenum inlet opening and in the direction of the latter - on the plenum body by means of at least one vice support surface.

The description which follows with reference to the accompanying drawings and given by way of

of non-limiting examples will provide a better understanding of the invention, the characteristics that it has, and the advantages that it is likely to provide:

[0034] [fig.l] is a schematic sectional view of the articulated plenum according to the invention, implemented on the heat engine transfer-expansion and regeneration object of patent WO2016 / 120560 belonging to the applicant, said plenum housing an actuator Regenerative valve hydraulics whose valve is made compatible with said _plé num by various arrangements provided by the articulated plenum according to the invention, a plenum contention vice on the burner side being shown as restraining means.

[0035] [Fig.2] is a three-dimensional view of the articulated plenum according to the invention, implemented on the heat engine with transfer-expansion and regeneration object of patent WO2016 / 120560 belonging to the applicant, said plenum housing a hydraulic actuator of regeneration valve, the valve of which is made compatible with said plenum by various arrangements provided by the articulated plenum according to the invention.

[0036] [fig.3] is an overall three-dimensional view of a thermal engine with transfer-expansion and regeneration, the subject of patent WO2016 / 120560 belonging to the applicant, which comprises two cylinder-cylinder head assemblies of the expansion valve, each assembly receiving two plenums articulated according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

It has been shown in Figures 1 to 3 the articulated plenum 1, various details of its components, its variants, and its accessories.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the articulated plenum 1 is particularly intended for a heat engine transfer-expansion and regeneration 30 whose double-acting regulator piston 31 moves in a regulator cylinder 32, the latter constituting with an upper regulator cylinder head 33 and a lower pressure regulator cylinder head 34, a cylinder-cylinder head assembly 35.

We see in Figure 3 that the heat transfer-expansion and regeneration engine 30 comprises a compressor 36 which compresses a working gas 37 before expelling it into a regeneration heat exchanger 38 in which said gas 37 is preheated while that leaving said exchanger 38, said gas 37 is superheated by a heat source 39.

On leaving the heat source 39, the working gas 37 is introduced via a burner outlet duct 46 then an inlet duct 3 and by an inlet valve 10 controlled by an inlet valve actuator 50 in the expansion valve cylinder 32 to be relaxed there and produce work on a power output shaft 40.

The working gas 37 is then expelled from the expansion valve cylinder 32 before being again introduced into the regeneration heat exchanger 38 to be cooled there by relinquishing part of its heat to the working gas 37 which enters said exchanger 38 to be preheated therein.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the articulated plenum 1 according to the invention

has a hollow plenum body 2 which can advantageously be made of a hard material resistant to high temperatures such as silicon carbide.

Said plenum body 2 forms the intake duct 3 of the heat engine to transfer-expansion and regeneration 30 and includes a plenum inlet 4 which communicates with the heat source 39, a plenum outlet 6 which opens into the expansion valve cylinder 32 via either the upper valve cylinder head 33 or the regulator lower cylinder head 34, and an actuator port 8 which receives the inlet valve actuator 50.

As particularly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the following articulated plenum 1

the invention also has a troncospheric end on the burner side 5 arranged at the level of the plenum inlet 4, said end 5 forming a sealed ball joint 16 with a complementary troncospheric surface on the burner side 14 arranged outside the duct of burner outlet 46, the latter possibly being made of a hard material resistant to high temperatures such as silicon carbide.

It should be noted that advantageously, either the troncospheric end on the burner side 5 or the complementary troncospheric surface on the burner side 14 may have a conical shape and not a spherical shape, so as to promote a line of contact rather than a contact area. between said end 5 and said surface 14. It is noted that in this case, it is the female part which must have a conical shape.

Figures 1 and 2 also illustrate that the articulated plenum 1 according to the invention also has a troncospheric end on the cylinder head side 7 provided at the level of the plenum outlet opening 6, said end 7 forming a sealed ball joint 16 with a complementary troncospheric surface on the cylinder head side 15 arranged on the outside of the upper valve cylinder head 33 or the lower valve cylinder head 34.

[0047] It is noted that advantageously, the troncospheric end on the cylinder head side 7 or the

complementary troncospheric surface on the yoke side 15 may have a conical shape and not a spherical shape, so as to promote a contact line rather than a contact area between said end 7 and said surface 15. It is noted that in this case, it is is the female part which must have a conical shape.

The articulated plenum 1 according to the invention also comprises a valve seat 9 which is particularly visible in Figures 1 and 2, said seat 9 being arranged in the vicinity of the plenum outlet 6 while the valve of inlet 10 may rest on said seat 9 to close off said orifice 6 in order to prevent the working gas 37 from the heat source 39 from entering the regulator cylinder 32.

[0049] It is noted that advantageously, the inlet valve 10 can be made of a hard material resistant to high temperatures such as silicon nitride.

Finally and as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the articulated plenum 1 according to the invention comprises restraining means 17 which on the one hand, maintain the troncospheric end on the burner side 5 pressed against the complementary troncospheric surface on the burner side 14, and which, on the other hand, maintain the troncospheric end on the breech side 7 pressed onto the complementary troncospheric surface on the cylinder head side 15.

According to a particular embodiment of the articulated plenum 1 according to the invention, the valve seat 9 may have a complementary troncospheric surface on the seat side 18 which cooperates with a troncospheric bearing on the valve side 19 provided at the end of the valve d 'admission 10.

In this case, said surface 18 and said bearing surface 19 form a sealed ball joint 16 when they are in contact with each other so that the inlet valve 10 can be oriented relative to the plenum articulated 1 at a limited angle, while in all cases providing a seal with the valve seat 9 with which it cooperates.

[0053] It is noted that advantageously, the complementary troncospheric surface on the seat side 18 can be conical and not spherical so as to promote a line of contact rather than a contact area between itself and the troncospheric bearing on the valve side 19.

As clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2, the intake valve 10 may include a valve stem 11 which can translate along its longitudinal axis in or with an upper valve stem guide ball 66 housed in the inlet valve actuator 50, said ball 66 allowing said valve 10 to orient at a limited angle with respect to said actuator 50.

According to this variant embodiment, the valve stem 11 can translate along its longitudinal axis in a position memory valve stem seal holder 67 shown in Figures 1 and 2. Said seal holder 67 is housed in the inlet valve actuator 50 and can move radially relative to said actuator 50.

Said seal carrier 67 may advantageously include a valve stem seal 74 which forms a seal between said seal carrier 67 and the valve stem 11 while said seal carrier 67 may also include a seal door seal 75 which forms a seal between said seal carrier 67 and the inlet valve actuator 50.

We note in Figures 1 and 2 that the valve stem seal holder position memory 67 can be kept pressed against G inlet valve actuator 50 by a valve stem seal holder spring 68 which may consist of a stack of elastic washers, a helical spring, or any other type of spring known to those skilled in the art.

Note that the plating force exerted by said spring 68 on said seal carrier 67 tends to maintain the latter in position relative to G inlet valve actuator 50 by friction, this without preventing it from moving when the valve stem 11 gives it a radial force of sufficient intensity.

As a variant of the hinged plenum 1 according to the invention, it has been shown in Figures 1 to 3 that the plenum body 2 can receive the inlet valve actuator 50 via a spacer thermal decoupling 13 which provides a seal and a centering with the plenum body 2 on the one hand, and with the inlet valve actuator 50 on the other hand.

Advantageously, the thermal decoupling spacer 13 is made of a material with low thermal conductivity such as zirconium oxide.

It is noted - particularly in Figures 1 and 2 - that the lower part of

the thermal decoupling spacer 13 may form a spacer heat shield 20 which protects the intake valve actuator 50 from heat emitted by the working gas 37, the latter circulating at high temperature in the intake duct 3 formed by the plenum body 2.

Note that the thermal protection of the intake valve actuator 50 that constitutes the spacer heat shield 20 can be added to or replace an actuator body cooling circuit 69 particularly visible in Figures 1 and 2, which may include the inlet valve actuator 50 in its lower part.

In Figures 1 to 3, it has been shown that the restraint means 17 can be

consisting of at least one actuator retainer plate 41 held pressed against the intake valve actuator 50 by at least one plate tie rod 43 and through at least one plate stopper 42.

Thus, the inlet valve actuator 50 is kept pressed against the plenum body 2 by means of an actuator bearing face 12 which the actuator orifice 8 has, this while that the troncospheric end on the burner side 5 is kept pressed against the complementary troncospheric surface on the burner side 14 and / or that the troncospheric end on the cylinder head side 7 is kept pressed against the complementary troncospherical surface on the cylinder head side 15.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, it is noted that the plate stop 42 can be fixed or articulated, and consist of one or more interposed or juxtaposed parts. Note also in Figure 3 that two actuator retention plates 41 can be connected to each other by plate tie rods 43, the first said plate 41 now pressed a first inlet valve actuator 50 on a first plenum articulated 1 cooperating with the upper cylinder head of the regulator 33 while the second said plate 41 keeps a second inlet valve actuator 50 pressed against a second articulated plenum 1 cooperating with the lower cylinder head of the regulator 34.

Figure 1 shows that the restraint means 17 can also be

made up of at least one plenum containment vice on the burner side 71 which directly or indirectly bears - in the vicinity of the plenum inlet 4 and in the direction of the latter - on the plenum body 2 by means of d 'at least one vice support surface 65.

It is noted that it can be provided that the same plenum containment vice on the burner side 71 simultaneously plates the respective troncospheric ends on the burner side 5 of two articulated plenums 1 on the complementary troncospheric surfaces on the burner side 14 with which they cooperate, the first articulated plenum 1 cooperating with the upper valve cylinder head 33 while the second articulated plenum 1 cooperates with the lower regulator cylinder head 34.

As shown in particular in Figure 1, it is noted that the contention force exerted by the plenum contention vice on the burner side 71 on the articulated plenum or plenums 1 with which it cooperates can advantageously be adjusted. by means of a vice force adjustment nut 73 which compresses a plenum containment vice spring 72.

OPERATION OF THE INVENTION:

[0069] The operation of the articulated plenum 1 according to the invention is easily understood from the view of Figures 1 to 3.

To detail said operation, the articulated plenum 1 is shown in Figures 1 to 3 as it can be implemented on the heat engine transfer-expansion and regeneration 30 subject of patent WO2016 / 120560 belonging to the applicant, which is here improved in that it consists of a double-acting regulator cylinder with adaptive support as described in patent WO2017 / 046479 which also belongs to the applicant and which allows the cylinder-cylinder heads assembly of said engine 30 to expand freely under the effect of temperature.

It is also noted in Figures 1 to 3 that the transfer-expansion and regeneration heat engine 30 receives the regenerative cooling system object of patent WO2018 / 154214 also belonging to the applicant, provided as an improvement of said engine 30.

Thus, it will be noted in Figures 1 to 3 the presence of a cooling chamber 47 and a gas circulation space 44, these members 47, 44 being characteristic of the regenerative cooling system object of patent WO2018 / 154214 .

[0073] Figure 3 is an overview of the heat engine transfer-expansion and regeneration 30 as it may be provided to receive the hinged plenum 1 according to the invention.

In said Figure 3, we see the double-acting regulator piston 31 which can move in longitudinal translation in a regulator cylinder 32, the upper end of which is closed by an upper cylinder head 33 while its lower end is closed by a lower valve head 34. Thus, said cylinder 32 forms with said heads 33, 34 a cylinder-cylinder head assembly 35.

It is noted in Figure 3 that the heat transfer-expansion and regeneration engine 30 comprises a compressor 36 which compresses a working gas 37. Said gas 37 is intended to be expanded in the expansion valve cylinder 32 after having been preheated in a regeneration heat exchanger 38, then superheated by a heat source 39 which, in this case and according to the non-limiting example presented here to illustrate the operation of the articulated plenum 1 according to the invention is a burner known per se.

By expanding, the working gas 37 produces on the double-acting regulator piston 31 a mechanical work which is transmitted to a power output shaft 40 housed in a transmission housing 45.

It is noted that the working gas 37 is routed from the heat source 39 to the expansion valve cylinder 32 successively via a burner outlet duct 46 then via the inlet duct 3 which constitutes the plenum body 2 of the articulated plenum 1 according to the invention.

Note in Figures 1 to 3 the intake valve actuator 50 which controls the intake valve 10 and which is none other than a hydraulic actuator of regeneration valve 51 as described in the application for French patent N ° 1759206 of October 2, 2017 which belongs to the applicant. In FIG. 3, we can see the hydraulic motor for closing and regeneration 70 referred to in said patent application.

Particularly in Figures 1 and 2, we recognize the main constituents of

G regenerative valve hydraulic actuator 51 described in French patent application No. 1759206. Among these components, there is an actuator cylinder 52 which comprises an actuator cylinder piston 53 to form a hydraulic actuator chamber 54. The introduction of a hydraulic fluid into said hydraulic chamber 54 or its expulsion from said said component. chamber 54 is operated according to this non-limiting example of embodiment by means of tubular hydraulic valves 55 controlled by a solenoid valve actuator 56.

Note that the actuator cylinder piston 53 acts on the valve stem 11 of the intake valve 10 by means of a valve lift cam lever 57 which is connected to said valve stem. valve 11 by a cam pivot linkage lever 58.

The valve lift cam lever 57 rests on a cam lever bearing-sliding plate 59 with which it reacts to lift or refit the intake valve 10.

It is noted that a cam lever orientation arch 60 can advantageously

keep its orientation to the valve lift cam lever 57 along an axis parallel to the valve stem 11.

Figures 1 and 2 also show the valve return cylinder 61 which recalls the intake valve 10 to its seat, said cylinder 61 being in particular constituted by a valve return cylinder piston 62 to form a chamber hydraulic valve return cylinder 63. Under the cam-lever bearing-sliding plate 59, we also notice the play take-up cylinder 64 which compensates for the deformations and the expansions of the various components which constitute the hydraulic actuator of the regeneration valve 51, this to to give the latter an adequate operation whatever the mechanical and thermal stresses to which it is subjected.

We will assume here that the cylinder-cylinder head assembly of the expansion valve 35 is maintained at a temperature of seven hundred degrees Celsius by the cooling chamber 47 provided for by the regenerative cooling system which is the subject of patent WO2018 / 154214, while the Working gas 37 exits from heat source 39 at a temperature of one thousand three hundred degrees Celsius.

We will also assume that advantageously and thanks to said regenerative cooling system, the cylinder-head assembly of the regulator 35 is made of cast iron, a material commonly used in motorization, whether the latter is for example intended for an automobile, for a truck or a ship.

We will also assume here that the burner outlet duct 46 and the plenum body 2 of the articulated plenum 1 according to the invention are made of silicon carbide, the operating temperature of which is equal to that of the working gas 37 exiting from the heat source 39, that is to say one thousand three hundred degrees Celsius according to the example taken here without limitation.

The intake valve 10 for its part is here made of silicon nitride.

as regards its part closest to the valve seat 9 with which it cooperates, and of steel as regards the part of its valve stem 11 which penetrates inside the inlet valve actuator 50 and which cooperates with the valve lift cam lever 57.

It will be noted that the part of the intake valve 10 which is made of silicon nitride is brought in operation to a temperature mainly close to one thousand three hundred degrees Celsius, while the part of the valve stem 11 which is made of steel is brought in operation to a temperature mainly close to one hundred degrees Celsius. It can be specified here that the part of the valve stem 11 made of steel is advantageously mounted hooped on the part of said stem 11 made of silicon nitride.

It is understood that when the cylinder-cylinder head assembly of the expansion valve 35 expands under the effect of its operating temperature which is close to seven hundred degrees Celsius, and that the plenum body 2 and the burner outlet duct 46 do the same when they are subjected to a temperature of the order of one thousand three hundred degrees Celsius, the distance which separates the troncospheric end on the burner side 5 from the frustoconical end on the cylinder head side 7 of the same articulated plenum 1 increases.

This applies to each articulated plenum 1 as shown in Figure 3. We deduce easily from this increase in distance and from the different expansions which have just been mentioned that the orientation of said articulated plenums 1 varies with respect to the upper valve cylinder head 33 or the lower valve cylinder head 34 with which they cooperate on the one hand, and relative to the burner outlet duct 46 to which they are connected in a sealed manner on the other hand.

This variation of relative orientation of said plenums 1 is made possible by the articulated plenum 1 according to the invention thanks to the troncospheric end on the burner side 5 which forms a first sealed ball joint 16 with the complementary troncospheric surface on the burner side 14 which faces him. Said variation is also made possible thanks to the troncospheric end on the yoke side 7 which forms a second sealed ball joint 16 with the complementary troncospheric surface on the yoke side 15 which also faces it.

Thus, the articulated plenum 1 according to the invention automatically adapts to variations in the distance between the upper cylinder head of the regulator 33 and the lower cylinder head of the regulator 34, and between said cylinder heads 33, 34 and the outlet duct burner 46 to which they are connected via the plenum body 2 with which they cooperate.

We note in Figure 3 that the four intake valve actuators 50 that comprises the heat transfer-expansion and regeneration engine 30 are each carried by a plenum body 2 on which said actuators 50 each rest by the intermediate of an actuator bearing face 12 presented by the actuator orifice 8 with which they cooperate.

We note in Figures 1 to 3 that a thermal decoupling spacer 13

is advantageously interposed between the inlet valve actuator 50 and the plenum body 2 which carries it.

The thermal decoupling spacer 13 is according to this non-limiting example made of a material with low thermal conductivity such as zirconium oxide, while its lower part forms a spacer thermal screen 20 which protects the inlet valve actuator 50 of the heat emitted by the working gas 37 which circulates at high temperature in the inlet duct 3 formed by the plenum body 2.

We note in Figures 1 and 2 that the thermal protection of the actuator

inlet valve 50 formed by the spacer heat shield 20 is supplemented by an actuator body cooling circuit 69 in which circulates a coolant such as a mixture of water and glycol maintained at a constant temperature. temperature close to one hundred degrees Celsius.

In Figures 1 to 3, we have shown the containment means 17 which make it possible, on the one hand, to maintain the inlet valve actuator 50 sealed against the plenum body 2 with which it cooperates, and on the other hand, to keep the troncospheric end on the yoke side 7 pressed against the complementary troncospheric surface on the yoke side 15 with which said end 7 cooperates, this while maintaining the troncospheric end on the yoke side burner 5 with the complementary troncospheric surface on the burner side 14 with which said end 5 cooperates.

In Figures 1 to 3, we note that the restraining means 17 which keep the inlet valve actuator 50 pressed against the plenum body 2 on the one hand, and the troncospheric end on the cylinder head side 7 on the complementary troncospheric surface on the cylinder head side 15 on the other hand, take the form of an actuator retainer plate 41 which exerts a clamping force on the intake valve actuator 50 in the direction of the plenum body 2 through the 'Intermediate of a plate stop 42 which is here articulated and consists of several interposed parts.

[0100] Note in Figure 3 that two actuator retention plates 41 are interconnected by plate tie rods 43, the first said plate 41 now pressed an inlet valve actuator 50 on an articulated plenum 1 which cooperates with the upper cylinder head of the regulator 33 while the second said plate 41 keeps another inlet valve actuator 50 pressed against another articulated plenum 1 which cooperates with the lower cylinder head of the regulator 34.

In Figure 1, it can be seen that the containment means 17 also include a plenum containment vice on the burner side 71 which presses - in the vicinity of the plenum inlet opening 4 and in the direction of the latter - on the plenum body 2 by means of at least one vice support surface 65 which here takes the form of a ball joint.

Advantageously, the same plenum containment vice on the burner side 71 simultaneously plates the respective troncospheric ends on the burner side 5 of the two articulated plenums 1 that a same cylinder-cylinder head assembly 35 comprises on the complementary troncospheric surfaces on the burner side 14 with which they cooperate, the first articulated plenum 1 cooperating with the upper regulator cylinder head 33 while the second articulated plenum 1 cooperates with the lower regulator cylinder head 34.

[0103] As illustrated in Figure 1, the compression force exerted by the plenum containment vise on the burner side 71 on the articulated plenums 1 with which it cooperates is here and according to this non-limiting example adjustable by means a vice force adjustment nut 73, the latter compressing a plenum containment vice spring 72 which guarantees a small variation in the plating force exerted by the plenum containment vice on the burner side 71 on the articulated plenums 1 with which it cooperates regardless of the expansion of the various components which the said clamp 71 encloses.

[0104] In the same way as the cylinder-head assembly of the regulator 35, the plenums

articulated 1 and the burner outlet duct 46 with which said assembly 35 cooperates is dilate, thermal decoupling spacer 13 and the end made of silicon nitride of the inlet valve 10 expand in all directions, even deform under the effect of mechanical and thermal stresses.

[0105] In addition, the manufacturing tolerances of the various components 35, 1, 46, 13, 10 which have just been enumerated mean that the positioning of the inlet valve actuator 50 relative to that of the valve seat 9 fitted at the level of the plenum outlet 6 varies according to the operating conditions of the transfer-expansion and regeneration heat engine 30.

[0106] However, it must be ensured that the intake valve 10 always rests properly and in a sealed manner on the valve seat 9 which is - according to the non-limiting example taken here to illustrate the operation of the articulated plenum 1 according to the invention - produced inside the plenum body 2.

[0107] The relative position of the inlet valve actuator 50 relative to that of the valve seat 9 being variable, the articulated plenum 1 according to the invention provides that the valve seat 9 has a complementary troncospheric surface on the seat side. 18 which is here provided conical, said surface 18 cooperating with a troncospheric bearing on the valve side 19 arranged at the end of the intake valve 10 so that the latter can be oriented relative to the articulated plenum 1 at a limited angle, while in all cases providing a seal with the valve seat 9 with which it cooperates.

It is for this reason that the valve stem 11 of the intake valve 10 cooperates with an upper valve stem guide ball 66 arranged in the inlet valve actuator 50, said stem 11 being able to translate along its longitudinal axis in said ball 66 while the latter allows said valve 10 to be oriented at a limited angle with respect to the inlet valve actuator 50 which controls it.

[0109] Furthermore, FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the valve stem 11 can translate along its longitudinal axis in a position memory valve stem seal holder 67 which is fitted in the intake valve actuator 50 .

[0110] The position memory valve stem seal holder 67 can move radially with respect to said actuator 50 when the valve stem 11 exerts a radial force on it. It is noted in Figures 1 and 2 that said seal carrier 67 comprises on the one hand, a valve stem seal 74 which forms a seal between itself and the valve stem 11 and on the other hand, a door seal seal 75 which forms a seal between said seal carrier 67 and the inlet valve actuator 50.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the position memory valve stem seal holder 67 is held pressed against the inlet valve actuator 50 by a valve stem seal holder spring 68 which here consists of a stack spring washers.

It is noted that the plating force exerted by said spring 68 on said seal carrier 67 tends to maintain the latter in position relative to the inlet valve actuator 50 by friction, this without preventing it from being move when the valve stem 11 gives it a radial force of sufficient intensity.

The device for reorienting the inlet valve 10 that constitutes the set of means which has just been described allows the plenum body 2 to deform and expand, at the end made of silicon nitride. of the intake valve 10 to lengthen, and the clearances found on the one hand between the thermal decoupling spacer 13 and the intake valve actuator 50 and on the other hand between said spacer 13 and the actuator orifice 8 to be caught without ever compromising the seal formed by the intake valve 10 with the valve seat 9 with which it cooperates.

[0114] In fact, when due to expansions, deformations or take-up of clearances, the intake valve 10 after having opened is no longer found exactly in the axis of the valve seat 9 with which it cooperates, to the closing of said valve 10 only one side of its frustoconical bearing on the valve side 19 first abuts on the valve seat 9 which in this case is conical.

[0115] As the intake valve 10 continues to close, the cone formed by the valve seat 9 brings the troncospheric bearing on the valve side 19 back to the center of said seat 9 as the intake valve 10 closes.

[0116] In doing so, the valve stem 11 exerts a radial force on the position memory valve stem seal holder 67 so that the latter moves radially with respect to the inlet valve actuator 50, what the upper valve stem guide ball 66 allows.

[0117] On the next opening of the intake valve 10, as the plating force exerted by the valve stem seal holder spring 68 on the position memory valve stem seal holder 67 brakes the latter relative to the inlet valve actuator 50, said seal carrier 67 retains the orientation of the inlet valve 10 relative to said actuator 50 until the next closure of said valve 10.

[0118] Thus, the intake valve 10 is kept step by step always in the axis of the valve seat 9 with which it cooperates, this without preventing the various constituent parts of the articulated plenum 1 according to the invention or of the engine. thermal transfer-expansion and regeneration 30 to deform and / or expand freely, depending on the operating constraints of said engine 30.

[0119] It should also be noted that this strategy of maintaining the correct orientation of the intake valve 10 is advantageously combined with the play take-up operated by the play take-up cylinder 64, said play take-up being precisely described in French patent application No. 1759206 of October 2, 2017 belonging to the applicant.

[0120] The possibilities of the articulated plenum 1 according to the invention are not limited to the applications which have just been described and it should also be understood that the above description has been given only as a 'example and that it in no way limits the field of said invention which would not be departed from by replacing the details of execution described by any other equivalent.

Claims

[Claim 1] Articulated plenum (1) provided for a heat engine with transfer-expansion and regeneration (30) of which the double-acting pressure-reducing piston (31) moves in a pressure-reducing cylinder (32), the latter constituting with a cylinder head regulator upper (33) and a regulator lower cylinder head (34) a cylinder-valve regulator assembly (35), said engine (30) comprising a compressor (36) which compresses a working gas (37) before expel into a regeneration heat exchanger (38) in which said gas (37) is preheated while leaving said exchanger (38) said gas (37) is superheated by a heat source (39) before being introduced - via a burner outlet duct (46) then an inlet duct (3) and by an inlet valve (10) controlled by an inlet valve actuator (50) - in the expansion valve cylinder (32) for y being relaxed and producing work on a power output shaft (40), said gas (37) then being expelled from the expansion valve cylinder (32) before being re-introduced into the regeneration heat exchanger (38) to be cooled there by releasing part of its heat to the working gas (37) which enters said exchanger (38) ) to be preheated therein, said plenum (1) being characterized in that it comprises:

• A hollow plenum body (2) which forms the duct

inlet (3) and which comprises a plenum inlet port (4) which communicates with the heat source (39), a plenum outlet port (6) which opens into the expansion valve cylinder (32) via either the upper regulator cylinder head (33) or the lower pressure regulator cylinder head (34), and an actuator port (8) which receives the intake valve actuator (50);

• A troncospheric end on the burner side (5) fitted at the level of the plenum inlet opening (4), said end (5) forming a sealed ball joint (16) with a complementary troncospheric surface on the burner side (14) fitted to the outside of the burner outlet duct (46);

• A troncospheric end on the cylinder head side (7) fitted at the level of the plenum outlet opening (6), said end (7) forming a sealed ball joint (16) with a complementary troncospheric surface on the cylinder head side (15) fitted to the outside of the upper regulator cylinder head (33) or the lower regulator cylinder head (34);

• A valve seat (9) arranged in the vicinity of the plenum outlet (6), the inlet valve (10) being able to rest on said seat (9) to close said orifice (6);

• Contention means (17) which on the one hand keep the troncospheric end on the burner side (5) pressed against the complementary troncospheric surface on the burner side (14), and which on the other hand keep the troncospheric end on the cylinder head side (7) pressed onto the complementary troncospheric surface on the cylinder head side (15).

[Claim 2] Articulated plenum according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve seat (9) has a complementary troncospheric surface on the seat side (18) which cooperates with a troncospheric bearing on the valve side (19) arranged at the end of the inlet valve (10), said surface (18) and said bearing surface (19) forming a sealed ball joint (16) when they are in contact with one another.

[Claim 3] An articulated plenum according to claim 2, characterized in that the inlet valve (10) comprises a valve stem (11) which can translate along its longitudinal axis in or with an upper valve stem guide ball joint (66) housed in the intake valve actuator (50), said ball joint (66) allowing said valve (10) to orient at a limited angle relative to said actuator (50).

[Claim 4] Articulated plenum according to claim 3, characterized in that the valve stem (11) can translate along its longitudinal axis in a position memory valve stem seal holder (67) which is housed in the actuator. inlet valve valve (50), said seal carrier (67) movable radially relative to said actuator (50) and having a valve stem seal (74) which forms a seal between said seal carrier (67) and the valve stem (11) while said seal carrier (67) also has a seal door seal (75) which forms a seal between said seal carrier (67) and the inlet valve actuator (50). ).

[Claim 5] An articulated plenum according to claim 4, characterized in that the position memory valve stem seal carrier (67) is held pressed against G inlet valve actuator (50) by a valve stem seal carrier spring (68).

[Claim 6] Articulated plenum according to claim 1, characterized in that the plenum body (2) receives the inlet valve actuator (50) by means of a thermal decoupling spacer (13) which provides a seal and a centering with the plenum body (2) on the one hand, and with the inlet valve actuator (50) on the other hand.

[Claim 7] Articulated plenum according to claim 1, characterized in that the retention means (17) consist of at least one actuator retention plate (41) held pressed against the inlet valve actuator ( 50) by at least one plate tie rod (43) and via at least one plate stopper (42), so that said actuator (50) is in turn kept pressed against the plenum body (2 ) via an actuator bearing face (12) presented by the actuator orifice (8), and so that the troncospheric end on the burner side (5) is kept pressed against the troncospheric surface complementary to the burner side (14) and / or that the troncospheric end on the cylinder head side (7) is kept pressed against the complementary troncospheric surface on the cylinder head side (15).

[Claim 8] Articulated plenum according to claim 1, characterized in that the restraining means (17) consist of at least one burner side plenum restraint vise (71) which directly or indirectly presses - in the vicinity of the plenum inlet opening (4) and in the direction of the latter - on the plenum body (2) via at least one vice bearing surface (65).