WO2009146497A1

WO2009146497A1 - Reciprocating piston engine powered by pressure differentials

Info

Publication number: WO2009146497A1
Application number: PCT/AU2009/000704
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eamon Bergin
Original assignee: Eamon Bergin
Priority date: 2008-06-03
Filing date: 2009-06-03
Publication date: 2009-12-10

Abstract

There is an engine having at least one piston (2) which is slidable in a cylinder (11) against a spring bias (6) from a first relatively high pressure area (5) to a second relatively low pressure area (3). There is a valve means (9) operable in accordance with position of said piston (2) to cyclically alter a pressure differential between said first and second areas (5, 3) to thereby effect reciprocal movement of said piston (2) to produce mechanical energy.

Description

RECIPROCATING PISTON ENGINE POWERED BY PRESSURE DIFFERENTIALS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improvements in engines or mechanical energy generators. More particularly, although not exclusively, it discloses improvements in such devices which are powered by pressure differentials across a reciprocating piston mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The accepted laws of physics appeal" to limit the output of engines or mechanical energy generators to a fraction of the input energy required for their operation. This results in wasted heat emissions and other pollutants which reduce performance, detract from the environment and increase costs. It is therefore an object of this invention to produce through the ingenious use of pressure differentials within adjacent areas above and below a reciprocating piston to provide a novel form of non-polluting engine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly the invention discloses an engine or mechanical energy generator having at least one piston slidable in a cylinder against a bias from a first area of relatively high pressure to a second area of relatively low pressure and valve means operable in accordance with position of said piston to cyclically alter a pressure differential between said first and second areas to thereby effect reciprocal movement of said piston to produce mechanical energy. Preferably said area of relatively low pressure is at a partial vacuum and said area of high pressure is at atmospheric pressure.

ft is further preferred that said bias comprises a coil spring which acts upwardly against a base of said piston.

It is further preferred that said valve means comprises one or more calibrated holes through a side of said piston.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

One currently preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached figure 1 which shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the engine or generator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT There is a cylinder block 1 with a piston 2 slidable therein between an upper internal chamber 3 containing a partial vacuum from reservoir 4 and an area 5 below which is open to atmospheric pressure. There is also a bias acting on the bottom of the piston 2 in the form of a coil spring 6. A cog wheel or gear arrangement 7 is further provided to transmit reciprocal motion of the piston rod 8. Calibrated holes 9 through the side of the piston 2 interact with seals 10 in the cylinder bore 11 to function as a valve operable in accordance with piston position.

In operation of the device the chamber 3 is charged with a partial vacuum from reservoir 4. This causes the piston 2 to initially rise upward to the position shown at which the calibrated holes 9 clear the seals 10 in the cylinder bore. The atmospheric pressure from the open area 5 below then enters the chamber 3 through said holes so that the piston moves down to a lower position under the bias of coil spring 6. The holes 9 then reseal and the pressure in chamber 3 is again reduced by the low pressure reservoir 4 to cause the piston to rise upward and initiate a fresh cycle of reciprocal piston, movement. With this embodiment the movement is transmitted via a set of cog or gear wheels 7 into rotational motion of output shafts 12.

It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiment disclosed provides a novel and useful form of reciprocating piston engine or generator. Clearly however the example described is only the currently preferred form of the invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the number of cylinders, the shape and configuration of the cylinder block/chamber housing and the output gear and shaft arrangement may all be changed according to design preference.

Claims

- A -The claims:

1. An engine or mechanical energy generator having at least one piston slidable in a cylinder against a bias from a first relatively high pressure area to a second relatively low pressure area and valve means operable in accordance with position of said piston to cyclically alter a pressure differential between said first and second areas to thereby effect reciprocal movement of said piston to produce mechanical energy.

2. The engine or mechanical energy generator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first area is at atmospheric pressure and said second area is at partial vacuum during at least part of said reciprocal movement.

3. The engine or mechanical energy generator as claimed in claim 2 wherein said bias is a coil spring which acts against a base of said piston.

4. The engine or mechanical energy generator as claimed in claim 3 wherein said valve means is one or more calibrated holes through a side of said piston.

5. The engine or mechanical energy generator as claimed in claim 4 wherein at one position of said piston said one or more calibrated holes clear seals in said cylinder to reduce said pressure differential between said first and second areas.

6. The engine or mechanical energy generator as claimed in claim 5 wherein at another position of said piston said one or more calibrated holes are closed by said seals to maintain said pressure differential between said first and second areas.

7. The engine or mechanical energy generator as claimed in claim 6 wherein said one position of the piston is toward said first area of relatively high pressure and said another position of the piston is toward said second area of relative low pressure.

8. The engine or mechanical energy generator as claimed in claim 7 wherein said second area is formed by a chamber in communication with a low pressure reservoir.

9. The engine or mechanical energy generator as claimed in claim 8 wherein said piston includes a piston rod extending from the underside thereof. Said piston rod operatively connecting with gear wheels to effect mechanical movement of an output shaft.

10. The engine or mechanical energy generator as claimed in claim 9 wherein said engine or mechanical energy generator includes two or more pistons.