US20060093977A1 - Recuperator and combustor for use in external combustion engines and system for generating power employing same - Google Patents

Recuperator and combustor for use in external combustion engines and system for generating power employing same Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20060093977A1
US20060093977A1 US10/883,511 US88351104A US2006093977A1 US 20060093977 A1 US20060093977 A1 US 20060093977A1 US 88351104 A US88351104 A US 88351104A US 2006093977 A1 US2006093977 A1 US 2006093977A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
dome
recuperator
exhaust
heater head
heat
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/883,511
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Roberto Pellizzari
Peter Loftus
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tiax LLC
Original Assignee
Chrysalis Technologies Inc
Tiax LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Chrysalis Technologies Inc, Tiax LLC filed Critical Chrysalis Technologies Inc
Priority to US10/883,511 priority Critical patent/US20060093977A1/en
Assigned to CHRYSALIS TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED reassignment CHRYSALIS TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PELLIZZARI, ROBERT, LOFTUS, PETER
Assigned to PHILIP MORRIS USA INC. reassignment PHILIP MORRIS USA INC. MERGER (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CHRYSALLS TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
Assigned to TIAX LLC reassignment TIAX LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.
Publication of US20060093977A1 publication Critical patent/US20060093977A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02G—HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINE PLANTS; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02G1/00—Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants
    • F02G1/04—Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants of closed-cycle type
    • F02G1/043—Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants of closed-cycle type the engine being operated by expansion and contraction of a mass of working gas which is heated and cooled in one of a plurality of constantly communicating expansible chambers, e.g. Stirling cycle type engines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02G—HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINE PLANTS; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02G1/00—Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants
    • F02G1/04—Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants of closed-cycle type
    • F02G1/043—Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants of closed-cycle type the engine being operated by expansion and contraction of a mass of working gas which is heated and cooled in one of a plurality of constantly communicating expansible chambers, e.g. Stirling cycle type engines
    • F02G1/053—Component parts or details
    • F02G1/055—Heaters or coolers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02G—HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINE PLANTS; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02G1/00—Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants
    • F02G1/04—Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants of closed-cycle type
    • F02G1/043—Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants of closed-cycle type the engine being operated by expansion and contraction of a mass of working gas which is heated and cooled in one of a plurality of constantly communicating expansible chambers, e.g. Stirling cycle type engines
    • F02G1/053—Component parts or details
    • F02G1/057—Regenerators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02G—HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINE PLANTS; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02G5/00—Profiting from waste heat of combustion engines, not otherwise provided for
    • F02G5/02—Profiting from waste heat of exhaust gases
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M21/00—Apparatus for supplying engines with non-liquid fuels, e.g. gaseous fuels stored in liquid form
    • F02M21/02—Apparatus for supplying engines with non-liquid fuels, e.g. gaseous fuels stored in liquid form for gaseous fuels
    • F02M21/06—Apparatus for de-liquefying, e.g. by heating
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M31/00—Apparatus for thermally treating combustion-air, fuel, or fuel-air mixture
    • F02M31/02—Apparatus for thermally treating combustion-air, fuel, or fuel-air mixture for heating
    • F02M31/16—Other apparatus for heating fuel
    • F02M31/18—Other apparatus for heating fuel to vaporise fuel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02G—HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINE PLANTS; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02G2254/00—Heat inputs
    • F02G2254/10—Heat inputs by burners
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02G—HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINE PLANTS; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02G2254/00—Heat inputs
    • F02G2254/50—Dome arrangements for heat input
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02G—HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINE PLANTS; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02G2254/00—Heat inputs
    • F02G2254/60—Heat inputs using air preheaters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23C—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR COMBUSTION USING FLUID FUEL OR SOLID FUEL SUSPENDED IN  A CARRIER GAS OR AIR 
    • F23C2900/00—Special features of, or arrangements for combustion apparatus using fluid fuels or solid fuels suspended in air; Combustion processes therefor
    • F23C2900/03001—Miniaturized combustion devices using fluid fuels
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
    • Y02T10/12—Improving ICE efficiencies
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
    • Y02T10/30—Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to external combustion engines. More particularly, the invention relates to an external combustion engine, such as a Stirling cycle engine, having a combustor/recuperator assembly design adapted to have improved heat transfer characteristics.
  • an external combustion engine such as a Stirling cycle engine, having a combustor/recuperator assembly design adapted to have improved heat transfer characteristics.
  • the Stirling cycle engine was originally conceived during the early portion of the nineteenth century by Robert Stirling. During the middle of the nineteenth century, commercial applications of this hot gas engine were devised to provide rotary power to mills. The Stirling engine was ignored thereafter until the middle of the twentieth century because of the success and popularity of the internal combustion engine.
  • Stirling cycle machines including engines and refrigerators, are described in detail in Walker, Stirling Engines, Oxford University Press (1980), incorporated herein by reference.
  • the principle underlying the Stirling cycle engine is the mechanical realization of the Stirling thermodynamic cycle: 1) isovolumetric heating of a gas within a cylinder, 2) isothermal expansion of the gas (during which work is performed by driving a piston), 3) isovolumetric cooling and 4) isothermal compression. Additional background regarding aspects of Stirling cycle machines and improvements thereto are discussed in Hargreaves, The Phillips Stirling Engine (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1991), incorporated herein by reference.
  • the high theoretical efficiency of the Stirling engine has attracted considerable interest in recent years.
  • the Stirling engine adds the additional advantages of easy control of combustion emissions, potential use of safer, cheaper, and more readily available fuels and quiet running operation, all of which combine to make the Stirling engine a highly desirable alternative to the internal combustion engine for many applications.
  • Some of the more acute problems include the need to seal the working gas at a high pressure within the working space, the requirement for transferring heat at high temperature from the heat source to the working gas through the heater head, and a simple, reliable and inexpensive means for modulating the power as the load changes.
  • the free-piston Stirling engine uses a displacer that is mechanically independent of the power output member. Its motion and phasing relative to the power output member is accomplished by the state of a balanced dynamic system of springs and masses, rather than a mechanical linkage.
  • Stirling engines have been proposed for use in a wide range of applications. Examples include automotive applications, refrigeration systems and applications in outer space. The need to power portable electronics equipment, communications gear, medical devices and other equipment in remote field service presents yet another opportunity, as these applications require power sources that provide both high power and energy density, while also requiring minimal size and weight, low emissions and cost.
  • batteries have been the principal means for supplying portable sources of power.
  • the time required for recharging batteries has proven inconvenient for continuous use applications.
  • portable batteries are generally limited to power production in the range of several milliwatts to a few watts and thus cannot address the need for significant levels of mobile, lightweight power production.
  • the drive to maximize engine efficiency has stimulated the introduction of several modifications to make the Stirling engine more suitable for a broader range of applications.
  • the basic Stirling engine employs a continuous combustion system that can waste considerable energy via exhaust gases released to the atmosphere.
  • heavy steel heat exchangers were devised to return a proportion of the exhaust heat energy to the inducted air to facilitate combustion.
  • the heavy steel heat exchangers were replaced by rotary ceramic pre-heaters of the type, which earlier found utility in gas turbine engine applications.
  • the rotary preheater functioned to expose hot gases through a crescent shaped opening to a rotating ceramic wheel, and separately exposed inducted air to the heated wheel at an independent crescent shaped opening.
  • Small free-piston Stirling engines have provided their own unique challenges in the quest to improve engine efficiency, since inherent size restrictions limit the available options.
  • a combustor/recuperator assembly for use in an external combustion engine.
  • the assembly includes a plurality of substantially hemispherical domed members positioned in nested uniaxial spaced relation, the plurality of substantially hemispherical domed members forming at least a first flow chamber and a second flow chamber, the first flow chamber for passing an incoming charge of air therethrough and the second flow chamber for passing an outgoing charge of combustion exhaust gases therethrough, wherein the second chamber is positioned to be effective to heat the incoming charge of air.
  • the burner includes a combustor/recuperator assembly for use in an external combustion engine having a heater head, the combustor/recuperator assembly including a plurality of substantially hemispherical domed members positioned in nested uniaxial spaced relation, the plurality of substantially hemispherical domed members forming at least a first flow chamber and a second flow chamber, the first flow chamber for passing an incoming charge of air therethrough and the second flow chamber for passing an outgoing charge of combustion exhaust gases therethrough, a fuel vaporizing device, the fuel vaporizing device including at least one capillary flow passage, the at least one capillary flow passage having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end in fluid communication with a source of liquid fuel; and a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat the liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to change at least a portion
  • the method includes the steps of inducing a flow of air of through an intake system, supplying liquid fuel to at least one capillary flow passage, causing a stream of substantially vaporized fuel to pass through an outlet of the at least one capillary flow passage by heating the liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage, combusting the air and vaporized fuel in a combustion chamber, exhausting a stream of combustion gases through an exhaust, exchanging heat from the stream of combustion gases exhausted to the flow of air induced for combustion through a recuperator; and converting heat produced by combustion of the vaporized fuel in the combustion chamber into mechanical and/or electrical power using an external combustion engine.
  • the recuperator includes a plurality of substantially hemispherical domed members positioned in nested uniaxial relation, the plurality of substantially hemispherical domed members forming at least a first flow chamber and a second flow chamber, the first flow chamber for passing an incoming charge of air therethrough and the second flow chamber for passing an outgoing charge of combustion exhaust gases therethrough and the second chamber is positioned to be effective to heat the incoming charge of air.
  • FIG. 1 presents a schematic view of a fuel-vaporizing device, combustion chamber and exhaust heat recuperator
  • FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a combustor/recuperator assembly in cross-section, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 3 presents a cross-sectional view of a combustor/recuperator assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of a combustor/recuperator assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 5 presents a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a combustor/recuperator assembly, in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an apparatus for generating power in accordance with the invention wherein an external combustion engine is used to generate electricity in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS. 1-6 wherein like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout.
  • the present invention provides a combustor/recuperator design suitable for use in external combustion engines, particularly Stirling engines.
  • the design provides an arrangement of combustion air and exhaust flow passages, together with low-mass thermal insulation to ensure maximal transfer of high-quality heat to a load, such as an external combustion engine heater head and efficient transfer of low-quality heat in the recuperator to preheat the combustion air. This results in the transfer of heat to the load with maximum efficiency in a compact, lightweight and cost-effective design.
  • the Stirling engine is an external combustion engine, employing an external continuous combustion system for heating.
  • this continuous combustion system is comprised of an induction system, an exhaust and a combustion chamber.
  • the burning of fuel to supply heat to the heater head is constrained in many ways. For example, heat must be supplied at between approximately 500° C. and 750° C.
  • the surface area available on the heater head requires that either very high heat flux rates must be generated from the combustion heat source or an extended heater head surface must be provided, or both.
  • combustion air should be used.
  • the air is preheated in a recuperator.
  • the high combustion air temperature significantly increases the potential for forming NO x emissions from the combustor.
  • the combustor should be operated at as low a level of excess air as possible, to minimize stack losses and maximize system efficiency.
  • high-quality heat that is the heat directly available from combustion
  • the lower quality heat that is the heat of the exhaust stream
  • FIG. 1 a schematic view of a Stirling engine combustor/recuperator section 10 is shown.
  • the temperature at which combustion products make final contact with the outer surface of the expansion exchanger 14 must be above the nominal source temperature, T E .
  • T E nominal source temperature
  • Fuel is introduced at outlet 26 of fuel delivery device 28 at a temperature T 0 .
  • it may be injected by entrainment with a source of high-pressure air 30 at a rate of m′ ap .
  • fuel and air may be premixed.
  • a particularly preferred capillary-based fuel-vaporizing device for use in the practice of the present invention is disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/143,463, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety.
  • combustion takes place in combustion chamber 12 , yielding temperature T 2 .
  • Combustion for this example is taken to be complete before the products pass over the expansion exchanger 14 , where they exit at T 3 . This is the temperature at which the products enter the exhaust inlet 32 of exhaust passage 22 of recuperator 20 .
  • the exhaust products leave at T 4 after exchanging heat with incoming air.
  • the present invention seeks to efficiently transfer heat to the heater head of a Stirling engine with maximum efficiency in a compact, lightweight and cost-effective design.
  • the combustor housing/recuperator assembly is formed from a nested set of four substantially hemispherical domes.
  • the four domes include an intake dome 150 , which may be fabricated from stainless steel or one of the well-known super alloys having a wall thickness of from about 0.5 to about 1 mm, a recuperator dome 152 , which may also be fabricated from stainless steel having a wall thickness of from about 0.5 to about 1 mm, an exhaust dome 154 , which again may be fabricated from stainless steel having a wall thickness of about 1 mm, and an inner dome 156 , which again may be fabricated from stainless having a wall thickness of about 1 mm.
  • an intake dome 150 which may be fabricated from stainless steel or one of the well-known super alloys having a wall thickness of from about 0.5 to about 1 mm
  • a recuperator dome 152 which may also be fabricated from stainless steel having a wall thickness of from about 0.5 to about 1 mm
  • an exhaust dome 154 which again may be fabricated from stainless steel having a wall thickness of about 1 mm
  • an inner dome 156 which again may be fabricated from stainless having a wall thickness of about 1
  • Refractory material 160 is affixed to inner dome 156 to further insulate intake dome 150 , recuperator dome 152 and exhaust dome 154 from the heat of combustion and enhance the ability to transfer the highest amount of heat to the outer surface of Stirling engine heater head 170 (see FIG. 3 ).
  • heater head 170 which may be constructed from stainless steel, can be further clad with a layer of copper. As shown in FIG. 4 , nested stainless steel domes are set in a spaced relation to form the passages discussed below. The stainless steel domes may be joined by welds or brazing, with a full round or half-tube welded to the ceramic shell to position same.
  • combustion air is introduced into an inlet 180 and into upper manifold 182 , where it flows down through a plurality of manifold runners 184 , through an outer shell passage 186 formed by the combination of the intake dome 150 and recuperator dome 152 .
  • the combustion air then picks up heat by convective heat transfer from the exiting combustion products flowing through exhaust shell passage 190 formed by the combination of the exhaust dome 154 and the inner dome 156 .
  • the air is passes through a plurality of circumferentially arranged slots 194 and is re-directed upwards through an inner shell passage 192 , formed by the combination of the recuperator dome 152 and the exhaust dome 154 , and heats further, finally passing via the upper manifold 182 into the central combustion zone 200 , where it is mixed with fuel and is ignited.
  • the combustor can be operated in either diffusion flame mode, by introducing fuel along the central axis through the manifold 182 , or in a premixed mode, by introducing fuel into the recuperator passages or the manifold 182 .
  • the combustion zone heats the Stirling engine heater head 170 by a mixture of convection and radiation.
  • the combustion products exit at the bottom of the heater head and flow upwards through the exhaust shell passage 190 formed by the combination of the exhaust dome 154 and the inner dome 156 , which is located behind lightweight refractory insulation 160 .
  • Preferred refractory materials include lightweight, high-purity, alumina-silica fiber, having a duty rating of at least about 2300° F., with a more preferred range of duty ratings of at least about 2600 to about 2800° F. Such materials have characteristically low thermal conductivity, low specific heat, high thermal-shock resistance and very good durability.
  • the refractory materials appropriate for use in the present invention possess an approximate thermal conductivity (ASTM C-201) value of at least about 0.8 BTU In/Hr/Ft 2 at a mean temperature of 1000° F.
  • a source for such materials is Refractory Specialties Incorporated, of Sebring, Ohio, which markets them under the GemcoliteTM brand.
  • the location of the insulation adjacent to the flame zone increases efficiency by not allowing the high quality heat to be transferred via the cold recuperator walls to the incoming air and the outside environment.
  • the combustor may be fueled using a source of gaseous fuel or may be fitted with a fuel system capable of providing a vaporized high energy density liquid fuel for combustion.
  • Suitable fuels that exist as gases at standard temperatures and pressures (ambient conditions) include such hydrocarbon fuels as methane, ethane, propane and butane.
  • FIG. 3 a fuel vaporizer suitable for use in the present invention is shown schematically in FIG. 3 .
  • the combustor/recuperator assembly of the present invention may be fitted with a fuel vaporizer, which may include at least one capillary sized flow passage 300 for connection to a fuel supply (not shown).
  • a heat source is arranged along the flow passage 300 to heat liquid fuel in the flow passage sufficiently to deliver a stream of vaporized fuel from an outlet of the flow passage into the combustion zone 200 , wherein the vaporized fuel is combusted.
  • the flow passage 300 can be a capillary tube heated by a resistance heater, a section of the tube heated by passing electrical current therethrough.
  • the capillary flow passage should have a low thermal inertia, so that capillary passage 300 can be brought up to the desired temperature for vaporizing fuel very quickly, e.g., within 2.0 seconds, preferably within 0.5 second, and more preferably within 0.1 second.
  • the capillary sized fluid passage is preferably formed in a capillary body such as a single or multilayer metal, ceramic or glass body.
  • the passage has an enclosed volume opening to an inlet and an outlet either of which may be open to the exterior of the capillary body or may be connected to another passage within the same body or another body or to fittings.
  • the heater can be formed by a portion of the body such as a section of a stainless steel tube or the heater can be a discrete layer or wire of resistance heating material incorporated in or on the capillary body.
  • FIG. 5 presents a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a combustor/recuperator assembly, in accordance with another aspect of the invention.
  • the combustor housing/recuperator assembly is formed from a nested set of four substantially hemispherical domes, although the outer three domes are flared-out, as shown, to accommodate manifolding.
  • the four domes include an intake dome 550 , which may be fabricated from stainless steel having a wall thickness of from about 0.5 to about 1 mm, a recuperator dome 552 , which may also be fabricated from stainless steel having a wall thickness of from about 0.5 to about 1 mm, an exhaust dome 554 , which again may be fabricated from stainless steel having a wall thickness of about 1 mm, and an inner dome 556 , which again may be fabricated from stainless steel having a wall thickness of about 1 mm.
  • an intake dome 550 which may be fabricated from stainless steel having a wall thickness of from about 0.5 to about 1 mm
  • a recuperator dome 552 which may also be fabricated from stainless steel having a wall thickness of from about 0.5 to about 1 mm
  • an exhaust dome 554 which again may be fabricated from stainless steel having a wall thickness of about 1 mm
  • an inner dome 556 which again may be fabricated from stainless steel having a wall thickness of about 1 mm.
  • Refractory material 560 is affixed to inner dome 556 to further insulate intake dome 550 , recuperator dome 552 and exhaust dome 554 from the heat of combustion and enhance the ability to transfer the highest amount of heat to the outer surface of a Stirling engine heater head (not shown).
  • nested stainless steel domes are set in a spaced relation to form intake and exhaust passages. The stainless steel domes may be joined by welds or braising.
  • inner dome 560 may be spring loaded against exhaust dome 554 , rather than rigidly fixed thereto, to provide flexibility during the heating of the assembly and thermal growth of exhaust dome 554 . This also prevents the grinding away over time of the inner dome 560 , which results from vibratory motion of the Stirling engine.
  • Another suitable arrangement includes the use of a ceramic/metal felt of the type employed in gas turbine engines, as those skilled in the art will recognize.
  • combustion air is introduced into an inlet 580 , where it flows down through outer shell passage 586 formed by the combination of the intake dome 550 and recuperator dome 552 .
  • the combustion air picks up heat by convective heat transfer from the exiting combustion products flowing through exhaust shell passage 590 formed by the combination of the exhaust dome 554 and the inner dome 556 .
  • the air passes through a plurality of circumferentially arranged slots 594 and is re-directed upwards through an inner shell passage 592 , formed by the combination of the recuperator dome 552 and the exhaust dome 554 , and heats further, finally passing via the upper manifold 582 , through a plurality of exit slots 588 into the central combustion zone 600 , where it is mixed with fuel and is ignited.
  • the combustion air passing though the plurality of exit slots 588 serves to impart a swirling motion to the combustion air.
  • the swirling air serves to create a more homogenous mixture of air and fuel for combustion, producing a more stable flame.
  • the combustion zone heats the Stirling engine heater head (not shown) by a mixture of convection and radiation.
  • the combustion products exit at the bottom of the heater head and flow upwards through the exhaust shell passage 590 formed by the combination of the exhaust dome 554 and the inner dome 556 , which is located behind lightweight refractory insulation 560 .
  • preferred refractory materials include lightweight, high-purity, alumina-silica fiber, having a duty rating of at least about 2300° F., with a more preferred range of duty ratings of at least about 2600 to about 2800° F.
  • the refractory materials appropriate for use in the present invention possess an approximate thermal conductivity (ASTM C-201) value of at least about 0.8 BTU In/Hr/Ft 2 at a mean temperature of 1000° F.
  • a source for such materials is Refractory Specialties Incorporated, of Sebring, Ohio, which markets them under the GemcoliteTM brand.
  • the location of the insulation adjacent to the flame zone increases efficiency by not allowing the high quality heat to be transferred via the cold recuperator walls to the incoming air and the outside environment.
  • FIG. 6 shows a schematic of a power system 400 in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.
  • Power system 400 includes an external combustion engine 430 , such as a kinematic Stirling engine or a free-piston Stirling engine, a combustion chamber 434 wherein heat at 550-750° C. is converted into mechanical power by a reciprocating piston which drives an alternator 432 to produce electrical power.
  • the assembly also includes a capillary flow passage/heater assembly 436 , a controller 438 , a rectifier/regulator 440 , a battery 442 , a fuel supply 444 , a combustor/recuperator assembly 446 , of the type disclosed above and depicted in FIGS.
  • the controller 438 is operable to control delivery of fuel to the capillary 436 and to control combustion of the fuel in the chamber 434 such that the heat of combustion drives a piston in the Stirling engine 430 such that the engine outputs electricity from the alternator 432 .
  • the Stirling engine 430 /alternator 432 can be replaced with a kinematic Stirling engine (not shown) which outputs mechanical power.
  • the air-fuel mixture can be confined in an ignition zone in which an igniter such as a spark generator ignites the mixture.
  • the igniter can be any device capable of igniting the fuel such as a mechanical spark generator, an electrical spark generator, resistance heated ignition wire or the like.
  • the electrical spark generator can be powered by any suitable power source, such as a small battery.
  • the battery can be replaced with a manually operated piezoelectric transducer that generates an electric current when activated.
  • current can be generated electro-mechanically due to compression of the transducer.
  • a striker can be arranged so as to strike the transducer with a predetermined force when the trigger is depressed.
  • the electricity generated by the transducer can be supplied to a spark generating mechanism by suitable circuitry. Such an arrangement could be used to ignite the fuel-air mixture.
  • Some of the electrical power generated can be stored in a suitable storage device such as a battery or capacitor, which can be used to power the igniter.
  • a manually operated switch can be used to deliver electrical current to a resistance-heating element or directly through a portion of a metal tube, which vaporizes fuel in the flow passage and/or the electrical current can be supplied to an igniter for initiating combustion of the fuel-air mixture delivered to the combustion chamber.
  • the output of the power system could be used to operate any type of device that relies on mechanical or electrical power.
  • electricity generated could be used for portable electrical equipment such as telephone communication devices (e.g., wireless phones), portable computers, power tools, appliances, camping equipment, military equipment, transportation equipment such as mopeds, powered wheelchairs and marine propulsion devices, electronic sensing devices, electronic monitoring equipment, battery chargers, lighting equipment, heating equipment, etc.
  • the power system could also be used to supply power to non-portable devices or to locations where access to an electrical power grid is not available, inconvenient or unreliable. Such locations and/or non-portable devices include remote living quarters and military encampments, vending machines, marine equipment, etc.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Air Supply (AREA)
  • Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)
US10/883,511 2003-07-01 2004-07-01 Recuperator and combustor for use in external combustion engines and system for generating power employing same Abandoned US20060093977A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/883,511 US20060093977A1 (en) 2003-07-01 2004-07-01 Recuperator and combustor for use in external combustion engines and system for generating power employing same

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US48450803P 2003-07-01 2003-07-01
US10/883,511 US20060093977A1 (en) 2003-07-01 2004-07-01 Recuperator and combustor for use in external combustion engines and system for generating power employing same

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20060093977A1 true US20060093977A1 (en) 2006-05-04

Family

ID=33563998

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/883,511 Abandoned US20060093977A1 (en) 2003-07-01 2004-07-01 Recuperator and combustor for use in external combustion engines and system for generating power employing same

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20060093977A1 (zh)
EP (1) EP1644628A1 (zh)
JP (1) JP2007527478A (zh)
KR (1) KR20070012305A (zh)
CN (1) CN1846051A (zh)
TW (1) TW200502482A (zh)
WO (1) WO2005003542A1 (zh)

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD749505S1 (en) 2014-03-07 2016-02-16 VMR Products, LLC Charger for a vaporizer
USD750320S1 (en) 2014-08-05 2016-02-23 VMR Products, LLC Vaporizer
USD752280S1 (en) 2014-03-07 2016-03-22 VMR Products, LLC Cartomizer for a vaporizer
USD752278S1 (en) 2014-03-07 2016-03-22 VMR Products, LLC Battery portion of a vaporizer
US9326549B2 (en) 2004-04-14 2016-05-03 Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. Electronic cigarette
CN105673260A (zh) * 2016-03-29 2016-06-15 成都科力夫科技有限公司 一种用于双燃料汽车的供气方法
USD763502S1 (en) 2014-03-04 2016-08-09 Vmr Products Llc Cartomizer for a vaporizer
USD788697S1 (en) 2014-03-04 2017-06-06 VMR Products, LLC Battery portion for a vaporizer
US9781953B2 (en) 2013-11-15 2017-10-10 Vmr Products Llc Vaporizer with cover sleeve
USD804090S1 (en) 2014-04-08 2017-11-28 VMR Products, LLC Vaporizer with indicators
US10039321B2 (en) 2013-11-12 2018-08-07 Vmr Products Llc Vaporizer
US10219548B2 (en) 2006-10-18 2019-03-05 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Tobacco-containing smoking article
US10300225B2 (en) 2010-05-15 2019-05-28 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Atomizer for a personal vaporizing unit
US10349684B2 (en) 2015-09-15 2019-07-16 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Reservoir for aerosol delivery devices
US10492542B1 (en) 2011-08-09 2019-12-03 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Smoking articles and use thereof for yielding inhalation materials
US10704447B2 (en) * 2015-12-14 2020-07-07 Volvo Truck Corporation Internal combustion engine system
US11241044B2 (en) 2018-07-23 2022-02-08 Juul Labs, Inc. Airflow management for vaporizer device
US11344683B2 (en) 2010-05-15 2022-05-31 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Vaporizer related systems, methods, and apparatus
US11659868B2 (en) 2014-02-28 2023-05-30 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Control body for an electronic smoking article
US12058786B2 (en) 2018-10-08 2024-08-06 Juul Labs, Inc. Heating element

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2477425C2 (ru) * 2008-12-10 2013-03-10 АйЭйчАй КОРПОРЕЙШН Камера сгорания
RU2482394C2 (ru) * 2008-12-10 2013-05-20 АйЭйчАй КОРПОРЕЙШН Камера сгорания
DE102010020325B4 (de) 2010-05-12 2012-09-06 Christian Daublebsky von Eichhain Wärmekraftmaschine
WO2011157662A1 (en) 2010-06-14 2011-12-22 Bekaert Combustion Technology B.V. Combustion engine with air-cooled bottom gasket
CN103261648B (zh) * 2010-12-21 2016-08-10 艾莫股份公司 自推进气体系统中的气化和减压器装置
KR101243420B1 (ko) * 2011-07-08 2013-03-13 주식회사 경동나비엔 공명실을 구비한 연소기기
GB201310449D0 (en) * 2013-06-12 2013-07-24 Microgen Engine Corp Holding Bv A Stirling Engine
CN104564418A (zh) * 2015-01-16 2015-04-29 宁波华斯特林电机制造有限公司 一种斯特林电机驱动方法
CN105841185B (zh) * 2015-12-18 2018-03-20 浙江大学 斯特林发动机外燃系统的进排气及空气预热结构

Citations (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2557607A (en) * 1948-03-30 1951-06-19 Shell Dev Hot gas engine with finned cylinder head
US3717993A (en) * 1970-11-02 1973-02-27 Gen Motors Corp Preheater assembly for stirling engine
US3835648A (en) * 1971-12-11 1974-09-17 Philips Corp Heater for hot-gas engine
US3861146A (en) * 1973-01-02 1975-01-21 Philips Corp Hot-gas reciprocating engine
US4077215A (en) * 1976-04-05 1978-03-07 Ford Motor Company Compact ceramic recuperator preheater for stirling engine
US4085588A (en) * 1976-04-05 1978-04-25 Ford Motor Company Concentric crossflow recuperator for stirling engine
US4277942A (en) * 1979-02-28 1981-07-14 Kommanditbolaget United Stirling Exhaust gas recirculation apparatus
US4352269A (en) * 1980-07-25 1982-10-05 Mechanical Technology Incorporated Stirling engine combustor
US4384457A (en) * 1980-10-30 1983-05-24 Harvey Roger O Hot gas engine convertor
US4392350A (en) * 1981-03-23 1983-07-12 Mechanical Technology Incorporation Stirling engine power control and motion conversion mechanism
US4478042A (en) * 1982-10-29 1984-10-23 United Stirling Ab Cylinder liner-regenerator unit for a hot gas engine
US4677825A (en) * 1986-06-12 1987-07-07 Fellows Oscar L Thermomotor
US4774808A (en) * 1987-07-06 1988-10-04 Otters John L Displacer arrangement for external combustion engines
US5590526A (en) * 1995-05-08 1997-01-07 Lg Electronics Inc. Burner for stirling engines
US5794444A (en) * 1995-05-05 1998-08-18 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method for utilizing waste-gas heat from heat-generating and refrigerating machines
US5918463A (en) * 1997-01-07 1999-07-06 Stirling Technology Company Burner assembly for heater head of a stirling cycle machine
US6029449A (en) * 1995-01-25 2000-02-29 Robert Bosch Gmbh Heat and cold-generating machine
US6220030B1 (en) * 1998-02-05 2001-04-24 Whisper Tech Limited Stirling engine burner
US6293275B1 (en) * 1999-04-28 2001-09-25 WüNNING JOACHIM High-temperature gas heater
US6338248B1 (en) * 1999-02-06 2002-01-15 Robert Bosch Gmbh Heating and refrigerating machine, especially a vuilleumier heat pump or a stirling engine
US20020029567A1 (en) * 1997-07-15 2002-03-14 Kamen Dean L. Stirling engine thermal system improvements
US20020059798A1 (en) * 2000-08-03 2002-05-23 Mehos Mark S. Dish/stirling hybrid-receiver
US6393824B1 (en) * 1999-10-06 2002-05-28 Robert Bosch Gmbh Gas powered thermal generator
US20020084065A1 (en) * 2001-01-04 2002-07-04 Tamin Enterprises Fluid heat exchanger
US6430925B2 (en) * 1997-10-23 2002-08-13 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method and device for operating a heating and cooling machine functioning on the basis of a regenerative gas cyclic process
US20020152750A1 (en) * 2001-03-14 2002-10-24 Masahiro Asai Stirling engine

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL7705363A (nl) * 1977-05-16 1978-11-20 Philips Nv Heetgasmotor.
US6526750B2 (en) * 1997-11-15 2003-03-04 Adi Thermal Power Corp. Regenerator for a heat engine
GB0130380D0 (en) * 2001-12-19 2002-02-06 Bg Intellectual Pty Ltd A heat appliance

Patent Citations (27)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2557607A (en) * 1948-03-30 1951-06-19 Shell Dev Hot gas engine with finned cylinder head
US3717993A (en) * 1970-11-02 1973-02-27 Gen Motors Corp Preheater assembly for stirling engine
US3835648A (en) * 1971-12-11 1974-09-17 Philips Corp Heater for hot-gas engine
US3861146A (en) * 1973-01-02 1975-01-21 Philips Corp Hot-gas reciprocating engine
US4077215A (en) * 1976-04-05 1978-03-07 Ford Motor Company Compact ceramic recuperator preheater for stirling engine
US4085588A (en) * 1976-04-05 1978-04-25 Ford Motor Company Concentric crossflow recuperator for stirling engine
US4277942A (en) * 1979-02-28 1981-07-14 Kommanditbolaget United Stirling Exhaust gas recirculation apparatus
US4352269A (en) * 1980-07-25 1982-10-05 Mechanical Technology Incorporated Stirling engine combustor
US4384457A (en) * 1980-10-30 1983-05-24 Harvey Roger O Hot gas engine convertor
US4392350A (en) * 1981-03-23 1983-07-12 Mechanical Technology Incorporation Stirling engine power control and motion conversion mechanism
US4478042A (en) * 1982-10-29 1984-10-23 United Stirling Ab Cylinder liner-regenerator unit for a hot gas engine
US4677825A (en) * 1986-06-12 1987-07-07 Fellows Oscar L Thermomotor
US4774808A (en) * 1987-07-06 1988-10-04 Otters John L Displacer arrangement for external combustion engines
US6029449A (en) * 1995-01-25 2000-02-29 Robert Bosch Gmbh Heat and cold-generating machine
US5794444A (en) * 1995-05-05 1998-08-18 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method for utilizing waste-gas heat from heat-generating and refrigerating machines
US5590526A (en) * 1995-05-08 1997-01-07 Lg Electronics Inc. Burner for stirling engines
US5918463A (en) * 1997-01-07 1999-07-06 Stirling Technology Company Burner assembly for heater head of a stirling cycle machine
US20020029567A1 (en) * 1997-07-15 2002-03-14 Kamen Dean L. Stirling engine thermal system improvements
US6430925B2 (en) * 1997-10-23 2002-08-13 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method and device for operating a heating and cooling machine functioning on the basis of a regenerative gas cyclic process
US6220030B1 (en) * 1998-02-05 2001-04-24 Whisper Tech Limited Stirling engine burner
US6338248B1 (en) * 1999-02-06 2002-01-15 Robert Bosch Gmbh Heating and refrigerating machine, especially a vuilleumier heat pump or a stirling engine
US6293275B1 (en) * 1999-04-28 2001-09-25 WüNNING JOACHIM High-temperature gas heater
US6393824B1 (en) * 1999-10-06 2002-05-28 Robert Bosch Gmbh Gas powered thermal generator
US20020059798A1 (en) * 2000-08-03 2002-05-23 Mehos Mark S. Dish/stirling hybrid-receiver
US20020084065A1 (en) * 2001-01-04 2002-07-04 Tamin Enterprises Fluid heat exchanger
US6715285B2 (en) * 2001-01-04 2004-04-06 Mandi Company Stirling engine with high pressure fluid heat exchanger
US20020152750A1 (en) * 2001-03-14 2002-10-24 Masahiro Asai Stirling engine

Cited By (42)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9326549B2 (en) 2004-04-14 2016-05-03 Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. Electronic cigarette
US10045564B2 (en) 2004-04-14 2018-08-14 Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. Electronic cigarette
US10238144B2 (en) 2004-04-14 2019-03-26 Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. Electronic cigarette
US9717278B2 (en) 2004-04-14 2017-08-01 Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. Electronic cigarette
US11925202B2 (en) 2006-10-18 2024-03-12 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Tobacco-containing smoking article
US11641871B2 (en) 2006-10-18 2023-05-09 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Tobacco-containing smoking article
US11647781B2 (en) 2006-10-18 2023-05-16 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Tobacco-containing smoking article
US11805806B2 (en) 2006-10-18 2023-11-07 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Tobacco-containing smoking article
US10219548B2 (en) 2006-10-18 2019-03-05 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Tobacco-containing smoking article
US11980220B2 (en) 2006-10-18 2024-05-14 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Tobacco-containing smoking article
US11785978B2 (en) 2006-10-18 2023-10-17 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Tobacco-containing smoking article
US10231488B2 (en) 2006-10-18 2019-03-19 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Tobacco-containing smoking article
US10226079B2 (en) 2006-10-18 2019-03-12 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Tobacco-containing smoking article
US11758936B2 (en) 2006-10-18 2023-09-19 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Tobacco-containing smoking article
US11986009B2 (en) 2006-10-18 2024-05-21 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Tobacco-containing smoking article
US11849772B2 (en) 2010-05-15 2023-12-26 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Cartridge housing and atomizer for a personal vaporizing unit
US10300225B2 (en) 2010-05-15 2019-05-28 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Atomizer for a personal vaporizing unit
US11344683B2 (en) 2010-05-15 2022-05-31 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Vaporizer related systems, methods, and apparatus
US10744281B2 (en) 2010-05-15 2020-08-18 RAI Startegic Holdings, Inc. Cartridge housing for a personal vaporizing unit
US11779051B2 (en) 2011-08-09 2023-10-10 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Smoking articles and use thereof for yielding inhalation materials
US10492542B1 (en) 2011-08-09 2019-12-03 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Smoking articles and use thereof for yielding inhalation materials
US10085481B2 (en) 2013-11-12 2018-10-02 VMR Products, LLC Vaporizer
US10039321B2 (en) 2013-11-12 2018-08-07 Vmr Products Llc Vaporizer
US10980273B2 (en) 2013-11-12 2021-04-20 VMR Products, LLC Vaporizer, charger and methods of use
US9781953B2 (en) 2013-11-15 2017-10-10 Vmr Products Llc Vaporizer with cover sleeve
US11659868B2 (en) 2014-02-28 2023-05-30 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Control body for an electronic smoking article
US11864584B2 (en) 2014-02-28 2024-01-09 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Control body for an electronic smoking article
USD846492S1 (en) 2014-03-04 2019-04-23 VMR Products, LLC Battery for a vaporizer
USD788697S1 (en) 2014-03-04 2017-06-06 VMR Products, LLC Battery portion for a vaporizer
USD763502S1 (en) 2014-03-04 2016-08-09 Vmr Products Llc Cartomizer for a vaporizer
USD800383S1 (en) 2014-03-07 2017-10-17 VMR Products, LLC Cartomizer for a vaporizer
USD749505S1 (en) 2014-03-07 2016-02-16 VMR Products, LLC Charger for a vaporizer
USD752278S1 (en) 2014-03-07 2016-03-22 VMR Products, LLC Battery portion of a vaporizer
USD752280S1 (en) 2014-03-07 2016-03-22 VMR Products, LLC Cartomizer for a vaporizer
USD825835S1 (en) 2014-04-08 2018-08-14 VMR Products, LLC Vaporizer with indicators
USD804090S1 (en) 2014-04-08 2017-11-28 VMR Products, LLC Vaporizer with indicators
USD750320S1 (en) 2014-08-05 2016-02-23 VMR Products, LLC Vaporizer
US10349684B2 (en) 2015-09-15 2019-07-16 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Reservoir for aerosol delivery devices
US10704447B2 (en) * 2015-12-14 2020-07-07 Volvo Truck Corporation Internal combustion engine system
CN105673260A (zh) * 2016-03-29 2016-06-15 成都科力夫科技有限公司 一种用于双燃料汽车的供气方法
US11241044B2 (en) 2018-07-23 2022-02-08 Juul Labs, Inc. Airflow management for vaporizer device
US12058786B2 (en) 2018-10-08 2024-08-06 Juul Labs, Inc. Heating element

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1846051A (zh) 2006-10-11
JP2007527478A (ja) 2007-09-27
TW200502482A (en) 2005-01-16
KR20070012305A (ko) 2007-01-25
WO2005003542A1 (en) 2005-01-13
EP1644628A1 (en) 2006-04-12
WO2005003542A8 (en) 2006-08-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20060093977A1 (en) Recuperator and combustor for use in external combustion engines and system for generating power employing same
CA2480220C (en) Method and apparatus for generating power by combustion of vaporized fuel
US5918463A (en) Burner assembly for heater head of a stirling cycle machine
US8479508B2 (en) Catalytic burner apparatus for stirling engine
US20140069354A1 (en) Hybrid System for Generating Power
US6345666B1 (en) Sublouvred fins and a heat engine and a heat exchanger having same
US6293101B1 (en) Heat exchanger in the burner cup of a heat engine
US6286310B1 (en) Heat engine
US6336326B1 (en) Apparatus for cooling a heat engine
US6279319B1 (en) Heat engine
CA1038632A (en) Vapor generator
US6279318B1 (en) Heat exchanger for a heat engine
US6269639B1 (en) Heat engine
US6226990B1 (en) Heat engine
US11362254B2 (en) Thermoelectric power generator and combustion apparatus
US6311490B1 (en) Apparatus for heat transfer within a heat engine
US6332319B1 (en) Exterior cooling for a heat engine
US20030121259A1 (en) Heat engine
US3899031A (en) Vapor generator
TWI341901B (en) Apparatus for generating power and hybrid fuel vaporization system therefor
EP1238192A1 (en) Heat engine
JP2013170454A (ja) スターリングエンジン用加熱装置及び加熱方法
CA2513315C (en) Hybrid system for generating power
WO2003046347A1 (en) Two-stroke recuperative engine
RU2197054C1 (ru) Термоэлектрический генератор (варианты)

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: CHRYSALIS TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED, VIRGINIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:PELLIZZARI, ROBERT;LOFTUS, PETER;REEL/FRAME:015263/0054;SIGNING DATES FROM 20041008 TO 20041018

AS Assignment

Owner name: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC., VIRGINIA

Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:CHRYSALLS TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED;REEL/FRAME:016846/0634

Effective date: 20050101

AS Assignment

Owner name: TIAX LLC, MASSACHUSETTS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.;REEL/FRAME:017232/0526

Effective date: 20051202

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION