GB511639A - A motor for the conversion of heat to power - Google Patents

Abstract

511,639. Vapour engines. NOBLE, P. W., and NOBLE, H. June 13, 1938, No. 17463. [Classes 110 (iii) and 122 (iii)] [Also in Group XXVIII] Comprises a motor for the conversion of heat into power wherein an air-free rotor comprising a vapour generator and a condenser either of which surrounds a rotary or reciprocating engine coaxial therewith operated by steam or other vapour.. The torque distributed is balanced by a pendulum. ' A vapour generator 2 rotates in a refractory enclosure 3 supported by a sheetmetal structure 4 on a stationary frame 5. Fuel is supplied to a burner 6; burnt gases exhaust at 8. A condenser 9, a pump 10, and the generator 2 comprise a sealed rotor carried in bearings 11, 12. The motor is freely suspended within; a pendulum mass 16 balances its torque. Vapour passes from the generator to the motor through the crankshaft passages 19, 20, 21. Liquid passes from the pump through grooves 25, 24 to the generator. Oscillating cylinders 26 with terminal exhaust ports 28 are mounted on the crank pin and on trunnions on the casing 13. The exhaust passes through a perforated plate 29 to the condenser vanes 30 comprising hair-pin like strips. A cooling, corrugated band of perforated metal 33 is secured to the shell 31. Cooling-air inlet and outlet ports are shown at 34, 35, 36. The pump plungers 38 are reciprocated by a scotch-yoke 39 which engages an eccentric 37 on the motor casing 13. The induction ports 41 are fed from the walls of the rotor 31. Delivery passes by valves 43 to passages 44 connected to the groove 25. A non-ferrous disc 46 rotates between the poles of a magnet 47 which is attached to a shaft 48 supported in bearings 49 in the casing. A slidable burner tube 60 therein is connected to the shaft 48 by a lever 50. The drag on the magnet due to eddy currents adjusts with change of speed the burner and the gas supply. The rotor is preferably initially evacuated by filling it with liquid, vaporizing it and then hermetically sealing it. Alcohol, petrol, ether, water, carbon tetrachloride, may be used as working medium. Waste heat from other sources of power may be used. The condenser may be water cooled. The apparatus shown is operated by town gas. The cylinder cut-off or turbine nozzle change may be made dependent upon the displacement of the pendulum.