Optimal heat engine
AssigneeFsnc, LLC
InventorFrank Tinker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A conservative force coupled to the piston of a reciprocating-piston engine, refrigerator, or compressor acts to counter the pressure force on the piston that arises from the change of volume of the working substance accompanying a change in the piston position. As a result, the efficiency of the engine, refrigerator, or compressor is improved to approach the theoretical thermodynamic limit of the underlying process.
Claims82
In a reciprocating-piston engine that includes a gas exerting a conservative force on a piston resulting from a change in volume of the gas arising from a change in position of the piston, the improvement comprising a mechanism adapted to counter said conservative force with a counterforce acting on the piston, said counterforce being produced by a position-dependent force acting on the mechanism.
In a reciprocating-piston refrigerator that includes a gas exerting a conservative force on a piston resulting from a change in volume of the gas arising from a change in position of the piston, the improvement comprising a mechanism adapted to counter said conservative force with a counterforce acting on the piston, said counterforce being produced by a position-dependent force acting on the mechanism.
In a reciprocating-piston compressor that includes a gas exerting a conservative force on a piston resulting from a change in volume of the gas arising from a change in position of the piston, the improvement comprising a mechanism adapted to counter said conservative force with a counterforce acting on the piston, said counterforce being produced by a position-dependent force acting on the mechanism.
A machine comprising:
- a reciprocating piston;
- a gas exerting a conservative force on the piston as a result of a change of volume in the gas as the piston moves along a predetermined path of motion;
- means for producing a position-dependent force;
- and
- means for coupling said position-dependent force to the piston to counter said conservative force with a counterforce as the piston moves along said path of motion.
A mechanism for coupling to a reciprocating-piston machine wherein a change in position of a piston produces a change in volume of a gas and a corresponding conservative force acting on the piston, comprising:
- a source of a position-dependent force;
- and
- a coupler converting said position-dependent force into a counterforce opposing said conservative force acting on the piston.
A method for improving the efficiency of a heat engine that includes a gas exerting a conservative force on a piston resulting from a change in volume of the gas arising from a change in position of the piston, the method comprising the step of countering said conservative force with a counterforce acting on the piston, wherein said counterforce is produced by a position-dependent force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.