GB2173260A

GB2173260A - A radial flow turbine for utilizing energy in exhaust gases from an engine

Info

Publication number: GB2173260A
Application number: GB08508433A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tode Stojicic
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-02-17
Filing date: 1985-04-01
Publication date: 1986-10-08
Also published as: DE3503829A1; FR2559839B1; GB8508433D0; FR2559839A1; YU29284A

Abstract

Exhaust gas from, an engine for example, an internal combustion engine (not shown) is passed into a rotor (5) which is lined with thermally insulating material (27) and exhausts through tangentially arranged peripheral nozzles, constructed as venturis, so causing the rotor (5) to rotate. The rotation of the rotor (5) is transmitted by a pulley (13) to the output shaft of the engine. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A device for utilizing energy in exhaust gases This invention relates to a device for utilizing energy in exhaust gases of a heat engine, such as an internal combustion engine.

In the energy balance of an internal combustion piston engine, the greater part of the total available energy is wasted. Out of all energy losses the greater part comprises the energy in the exhaust gases discharged to the environment. Attempts have been made to utilize this energy, for example by means of a turbine which drives a compressor for pressurizing the gases supplied to the engine (turbo charging), or which drives the engine output shaft. Because the turbine utilization or efficiency is relatively low, the latter possibility is seldom used, for the gain is negligible taking into consideration the complicated construction which is required.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for utilizing energy in exhaust gases of a heat engine, the device comprising a rotor having a nozzle disposed at a position away from the axis of the rotor, and directed so that gas flowing through the nozzle causes the rotor to rotate, an inlet duct being provided for conveying engine exhaust gases to the nozzle, the rotor being drivingly connected to the engine output shaft.

The present invention thus provides, instead of the known turbine, an in principle completely new solution. A rotation expander device for an internal combustion engine's exhaust gases, in accordance with the present invention, may offer approximately double the rate of utilization of a turbine. A piston engine including a device in accordance with the present invention would have several advantages, for example: (a) economy improved by 13 to 25 per cent (depending upon the level of optimization and the adaptation to the engine); (b) considerably more favourable driving characteristics; (c) more uniform operation; (d) lower noise; and (e) lower environmental pollution.

Series production of a standard model of the proposed expander device would be cheaper than that of the known exhaust turbine.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view of an exhaust gas expander device; and Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line ll-ll in Fig. 1.

As shown in Fig. 1, an exhaust pipe 1 of an internal combustion engine is connected to a housing 2 of the device and communicates with the interior of a rotor 5. Exhaust gases flowing into the rotor 5 exit therefrom through outlet chambers 24 and nozzles 25. The nozzles are carefully profiled to constitute venturis or Laval nozzles in order to diminish the gas flow resistance and to increase the outflow speed. The increase in the outflow speed through the nozzles is accelerated also by the effect of the action of the centrifugal force upon the gases in the rotor 5. The gas jets flowing from the nozzles 25 create reaction thrust forces which apply a torque to the rotor 5. Thus torque is transmitted from the rotor 5 to a shaft 19, on which the rotor is secured by nuts 21 and a washer 22, the rotor being prevented from rotation on the shaft by keys 20.Drive is transmitted from the shaft 19 by a belt pulley 13 or another type of transmission to the engine output shaft. Metal sealing rings 4 and 10, the clearance of which can be regulated by means of a nut 3 are provided between the rotor 15 and the housing 6. If manufacturing procedures are sufficiently accurate, so that smaller clearances are achieved between the rotor 5 and the housing 6, the sealing ring 3 and nut 4 can be left out.

The shaft 19 is supported by bearings 18 in the housing 6. The bearings 18 are illustrated as ball bearings, but could comprise other types of bearing, such as plain bearings. The housing 6 is provided with an end plate 14, with a sealing ring 16 acting between the end plate 14 and the shaft 19. A spacer ring 15 is disposed between the end plate 14 and the adjacent bearing 18. Lubricating oil is normally supplied from the engine through a union 12 and an apertured sleeve 17. The rotor 5 is secured to the shaft 19 by a nut 8 and washer 7, which are enclosed by a protective cover 9.

A clamp 11 secures the entire expander device to a support 23 in a manner which permits dispiacement to adjust the belt tension.

After expansion through the nozzles 25, the exhaust gases flow from the housing 6 through an outlet duct 26 into the exhaust duct.

The flow cross sections of the exhaust pipe connection 1, the rotor 5, the outlet chambers 24 and the nozzles 25 are adjusted to suit the characteristics of the engine. In order to increase the efficiency of the expander device, a layer of thermally insulating material is applied to the internal surfaces of the exhaust pipe connection 1 and the rotor 5.

It will be appreciated that the drawing shows a construction suitable for a prototype model; for a series construction modifications may be desirable.

The invention has been developed with particular reference to the "St-5" internal combustion engine, but it suitable for use, with appropriate modification, with other types of heat engine, such as gas or steam engines.

Claims

1. A device for utilizing energy in exhaust gases of a heat engine, the device comprising a rotor having a nozzle disposed at a position away from the axis of the rotor, and directed so that gas flowing through the nozzle causes the rotor to rotate, an inlet duct being provided for conveying engine exhaust gases to the nozzle, the rotor being drivingly connected to the engine output shaft.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the rotor defines a chamber into which opens the inlet duct and the nozzle.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the inlet duct and the chamber are bounded by a layer of thermally insulating material.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the nozzle is one of a plurality of nozzles distributed about the axis of the rotor.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the rotor is mounted on a shaft which is connected by a pulley and belt transmission to the output shaft of the engine.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the rotor is accommodated in a housing which is provided with an outlet duct for exhaust gases.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the or each nozzle comprises a venturi.

8. A device for utilizing energy in exhaust gases of a heat engine substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

9. A heat engine provided with a device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

10. A heat engine as claimed in claim 9, which is an internal combustion engine.

CLAIMS Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows:

1. A device for utilizing energy in exhaust gases of a heat engine, the device comprising: a rotor in the form of a disk having a rotatingly-symmetrical hollow interior into which in use gases from the heat engine are conveyed via a lateral inlet duct of the rotor; compression chambers which are disposed tangentially to the periphery of the rotor and in which in use compression of the exhaust gases takes place; nozzles in a modified Laval form, which are positioned on outlets of the compression chambers so that their outlets are tangential to their own circle of rotation and which are directed so that the thrust forces thereof cause the rotor to rotate; a housing having an outlet duct for the tangential discharge of the exhaust gases; ; a layer of thermally-insulating material on the interior of the rotor and the inlet duct; and means for the transmission of the torque from the rotor to the heat engine.