WO1992022740A1 - Electricity generator - Google Patents
Electricity generator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1992022740A1 WO1992022740A1 PCT/GB1992/001050 GB9201050W WO9222740A1 WO 1992022740 A1 WO1992022740 A1 WO 1992022740A1 GB 9201050 W GB9201050 W GB 9201050W WO 9222740 A1 WO9222740 A1 WO 9222740A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- rotor
- resonance tube
- gas
- generator unit
- pulse combustor
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02C—GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
- F02C3/00—Gas-turbine plants characterised by the use of combustion products as the working fluid
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01D—NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES
- F01D1/00—Non-positive-displacement machines or engines, e.g. steam turbines
- F01D1/30—Non-positive-displacement machines or engines, e.g. steam turbines characterised by having a single rotor operable in either direction of rotation, e.g. by reversing of blades
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a generator of electricity, particularly, although not exclusively suited to use as a self-contained generator for medium sized buildings such as apartment or office blocks or supermarkets.
- European Patent specification EP-A-0 368 650 describes a gas resonance device comprising a pulsed combustor located in the middle of a substantially spherical resonance chamber.
- the device incorporates a zeolite bed gas separator for oxygen enrichment.
- it may incorporate a plurality of diaphragms each attached to a transducer for converting the mechanical energy of the resonant gas oscillations into electrical energy, which would be AC, single phase, at the resonant frequency of the device.
- EP-A-0 267 727 describes another gas resonance device comprising a resonance tube at the top end of which is located a pulsed combustor. This device also incorporates a molecular sieve gas separator. A heat pump to provide a low-grade source of heat may also be included but there is no disclosure of incorporating a transducer to convert the mechanical energy of the gas oscillations into electrical energy.
- the present invention provides a device for generating electricity which device comprises a resonance tube and a pulse combustor for causing oscillations in a gas in the resonance tube, wherein the device further comprises a rotor with an associated electrical generator unit positioned remote from the pulse combustor so that the gas oscillations cause the rotor to rotate and drive the electrical generator unit.
- the rotor is a self-rectifying turbine, that is to say it will rotate in the same direction, regardless of the direction from which moving air is incident upon it. This enables it to execute uni-sense rotational motion when subject to the oscillations in the gaseous medium (usually although not exclusively, air) within the resonance tube.
- the gaseous medium usually although not exclusively, air
- One known self-rectifying turbine is described in UK Patent GB 1 595 700. It is especially preferred for the self-rectifying turbine to be a multi-bladed (eg. 4-blade) zero incidence rotor.
- a multi-bladed eg. 4-blade
- the resonance tube is in the form of a housing with the pulse combustor and the electrical generator unit with associated rotor are situated at substantially opposite ends of the column.
- the air column defined by the resonance tube may be of any convenient shape but preferably is overall substantially paraboloidal, although the paraboloid may be truncated. This enables the oscillations set-up by the pulse burner to be maintained as a standing wave with a pressure null point at approximately 0.63 x the length of column from the paraboloidal focus.
- the incremental density/pressure ratio in the air column is oscillatory with amplitude given by the zero-order Bessel Function of the first kind:
- the axial displacement amplitude in the column is given by the first order Bessel function of the first kind
- the pulse combustor is situated at the top of the air column and is gas fired, eg. using natural (methane) gas, or operates by vaporising oil.
- a regenerator preferably comprising a plurality of plates, is situated substantially immediately below the burner jet of the pulse combustor, inside the top of the air column.
- the ideal thermal efficiency is determined by lower and upper limits of temperature T and T as shown in Figure 2.
- the Stirling cycle is defined by fixed volume limits, and the requirement for the ste ⁇ > T to T , and the corresponding expansion stroke, is that no heat shall be exchanged through the containing walls, heat exchanges being confined to extremes of stroke. If not adiabatic, the compression/expansion strokes can be isothermal with the aid of a regenerator. The latter is suitable for low pressure ratios, and therefore low adiabatic temperatures, in order to obtain high values of the ratio T /T .
- the ideal efficiency is the Carnot value
- T ⁇ 1 - , where T ⁇ and To are absolute values.
- T The virtue of a large value of T is simply explained in terms of the inverse ratio between density and absolute temperature at given pressure.
- T the temperature at given pressure.
- the function of the regenerator is to act as an axial heat flow filter without impeding gas flow, and it preferably consists of a stack of closely spaced thin plates with axial alignment. It possesses, in general, a large temperature gradient in the axial direction, but conveys negligible heat by solid conduction in this direction, even if made of metal.
- the gas inside it takes up the same temperature gradient, increasing in temperature during the leftward compressive oscillation, and vice versa. The rate of heat transfer under these circumstances, again in general, intermittently exceeds the power input and output.
- the closely spaced plates perform another function, which is to constrain axial heat exchange in the gas by limiting the extent of eddy diffusion. Under these circumstances the heat pumping action maintains the temperature gradient at an equilibrium value which may readily be calculated if the amplitudes of gas displacement and adiabatic temperature change are known. It is preferred for the generator plates to be arranged in a substantially involute configuration in radial section, adjacent involute plates having substantially constant separation.
- the generator unit may be any suitable dynamo/alternator and possible types will be apparent to those skilled in the art, eg. an alternator or dc shunt generator.
- the preferred embodiment utilises an asynchronous (preferably three phase) generator unit. That is to say, in particular an induction motor coupled to the power source (rotor) mechanically driven beyond synchronous speed. That enables the electrical output to have a frequency corresponding to any power supply it is boosting.
- the rotor should be attached to the generator unit in such a position as to be driven efficiently by the oscillating air column. Normally, this is best achieved by mounting the rotor on the generator unit drive shaft, directly above the unit and axially symmetric in the housing.
- a heat exchange trickle bed in a cavity in the housing of the resonance tube.
- the exhaust air from the column can be conducted into the bottom cavity to rise against a counter-current of coolant, for example water, before exiting through an exhaust port at or near the top of the structure.
- coolant for example water
- the heated coolant can then be pumped away for use.
- the heated coolant can be used for central heating and, if water, as the hot water supply for the building.
- Figure 1 shows plots of the incremental density/pressure ratio and axial displacement amplitude in a parabaloidal air column of a generator according to the present invention
- Figure 2 shows a pressure vs volume regenerating cycle of a regenerator utilised in a generator according to the present invention
- Figure 3 shows a generator according to the present invention.
- Figure 4 shows a radial cross-section through the zero incidence rotor of the generator shown in Figure 3;
- Figure 5 shows the shape of the rotor depicted in Figure 4, when viewed from the underside.
- Figure 6 shows a cross-section VI-VI through a blade of the rotor depicted in Figure 5, viewed in the direction of the arrows;
- Figure 7 shows a radial cross-section through the regenerator plates of the generator depicted in Figure 3.
- a generator 1 according to the present invention comprises a housing 3 defining an air column 5.
- the shape of the wall 7 of the housing is such that the air column is a truncated paraboloid.
- a pulse burner 9 is situated at the top end 11 of the housing.
- At the bottom end 13 of the housing there is an asynchronous three-phase squirrel cage generator unit 15 with an associated four-blade zero incidence rotor 17.
- a rotor shaft 19 connecting the rotor to the generator unit lies along the axis of symmetry of the air column.
- the blades 21, 23 of the rotor are substantially perpendicular to this axis.
- Figure 4 shows the zero incidence rotor in radial section.
- the blades are supported on a collar 25 and capped with a hemispherical spinner 27.
- the blade tips 29, 31 have angled peripheral surfaces and clear the wall of the housing by approximately by 1 mm.
- Figure 5 shows the shape of the rotor .in radial cross-section, showing all four blades 21, 23, 33, 35. The blade tips 29, 31, 37, 39 are curved.- The blades narrow progressively inwards towards the collar, in approximately linear fashion.
- the blade profile is shown i ⁇ n Figure 6.
- the thickness at each fractional chord as marked in Figure 6 is as follows: -
- the overall characteristics of the rotor are a ⁇ follow ⁇ : -
- the pulse burner has a Bunsen-type gas mixing valve 41 and is mounted on top of the housing. Regenerator plates 43 below the burner and mixing valve are located immediately inside the top of the housing. Figure 7 shows the involute shape of these plates in radial cross -section. A gas igniter 45 and a metering disc 47 for monitoring gas consumption are located between the mixing valve and the regenerator plates .
- the gas emerging from mixing valve is ignited and through the agency of the regenerator plates, work is done setting-up a standing oscillatory standing-wave in the column.
- the air movement causes the rotor to spin which drives the asynchronise generator unit to produce electricity.
- the housing wall is provided with a cavity 49.
- Hot exhaust air enters the cavity through a plurality of openings 51, 53 etc situated towards the lower end of the air column near the rotor.
- the cavity is filled with pea gravel 57 to act as a heat exchange trickle bed.
- pea gravel 57 to act as a heat exchange trickle bed.
- This generator as described is suitable as an electricity supply unit for many medium sized buildings such as apartment blocks, schools, hospitals, factories, supermarkets and the like. Typically, it has a rated power capacity of about 50W-50KW although the design would be scaled-up quite easily to produce 200W-200KW.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Connection Of Motors, Electrical Generators, Mechanical Devices, And The Like (AREA)
- Saccharide Compounds (AREA)
- Control Of Eletrric Generators (AREA)
- Fluidized-Bed Combustion And Resonant Combustion (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU19721/92A AU659845B2 (en) | 1991-06-11 | 1992-06-11 | Electricity generator |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB919112537A GB9112537D0 (en) | 1991-06-11 | 1991-06-11 | Generator |
GB9112537.7 | 1991-06-11 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1992022740A1 true WO1992022740A1 (en) | 1992-12-23 |
Family
ID=10696462
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB1992/001050 WO1992022740A1 (en) | 1991-06-11 | 1992-06-11 | Electricity generator |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0588874A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU659845B2 (en) |
GB (1) | GB9112537D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1992022740A1 (en) |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR1252585A (en) * | 1960-04-04 | 1961-01-27 | Egerspacher J | Turbine installation, in particular heating device, comprising an oscillating burner |
US3819318A (en) * | 1973-04-24 | 1974-06-25 | Babcock & Wilcox Ltd | Pulsating combustors |
GB1595700A (en) * | 1976-11-13 | 1981-08-12 | Univ Belfast | Fluid driven rotary transducer |
DE3222347A1 (en) * | 1981-06-15 | 1983-01-20 | Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo | VIBRATION BURNER WITH PRE-MIX |
EP0267727A2 (en) * | 1986-11-06 | 1988-05-18 | The Haser Company Limited | Gas resonance device |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH0671851A (en) * | 1992-08-31 | 1994-03-15 | Toppan Printing Co Ltd | Picture recorder |
-
1991
- 1991-06-11 GB GB919112537A patent/GB9112537D0/en active Pending
-
1992
- 1992-06-11 WO PCT/GB1992/001050 patent/WO1992022740A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1992-06-11 EP EP19920911919 patent/EP0588874A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1992-06-11 AU AU19721/92A patent/AU659845B2/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR1252585A (en) * | 1960-04-04 | 1961-01-27 | Egerspacher J | Turbine installation, in particular heating device, comprising an oscillating burner |
US3819318A (en) * | 1973-04-24 | 1974-06-25 | Babcock & Wilcox Ltd | Pulsating combustors |
GB1595700A (en) * | 1976-11-13 | 1981-08-12 | Univ Belfast | Fluid driven rotary transducer |
DE3222347A1 (en) * | 1981-06-15 | 1983-01-20 | Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo | VIBRATION BURNER WITH PRE-MIX |
EP0267727A2 (en) * | 1986-11-06 | 1988-05-18 | The Haser Company Limited | Gas resonance device |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 9, no. 213 (M-408)30 August 1985 & JP,A,60 071 851 ( OSAKA GAS ) 23 April 1985 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU659845B2 (en) | 1995-06-01 |
AU1972192A (en) | 1993-01-12 |
GB9112537D0 (en) | 1991-07-31 |
EP0588874A1 (en) | 1994-03-30 |
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