Energy conversion and associated apparatus
OwnerRichard McMahoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus (10) for providing mechanical energy. The apparatus (10) for providing mechanical energy comprises a motor (11) for providing mechanical energy. The motor (11) comprises a chamber (17, 117, 217, 317, 417) for receiving a fluid to be heated. An amplified stimulated emission radiation source (e.g. a laser and/or a maser) (36, 436) is provided for supplying radiation to the chamber (17, 117, 217, 317, 417).
Claims60
An apparatus for providing mechanical energy, the apparatus comprising
- a motor for providing mechanical energy, the motor comprising at least one chamber for receiving a fluid to be heated and/or combusted and/or compressed and/or expanded;
- and
- an amplified stimulated emission radiation source for supplying radiation to the chamber.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is configured to heat the fluid in the chamber with the radiation from the amplified stimulated emission radiation source.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is configured to preheat the fluid in the chamber with the radiation from the amplified stimulated emission radiation source.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is configured to heat the chamber with the radiation from the amplified stimulated emission radiation source.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is configured to supply radiation to the chamber prior to and/or upon start-up.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is configured to ignite the fluid in the chamber with the radiation from the amplified stimulated emission radiation source.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is configured to maintain the chamber with the radiation from the amplified stimulated emission radiation source.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the fluid comprises an inert fluid.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the fluid comprises water and/or steam.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the motor comprises an internal combustion engine.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the motor comprises an external combustion engine.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the motor is configured to provide the amplified stimulated emission radiation to the chamber for a predetermined interval.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the motor is configured to provide the amplified stimulated emission radiation to the chamber at a predetermined phase or stage of a chamber cycle.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the motor comprises a cylinder defining the chamber, and a piston defining an end wall of the chamber.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the motor comprises a control system such that the radiation source and/or a radiation guide and/or a radiation inlet is activated at a predetermined piston position.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the radiation comprises a wavelength configured to heat the fluid.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the radiation comprises a wavelength configured to clean the chamber.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the radiation comprises multiple wavelengths.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the radiation is divergent.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the radiation comprises pulsed radiation and/or scanned radiation.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the motor comprises the radiation source.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the motor comprises a plurality of chambers, and each chamber comprises a discrete radiation source.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the motor comprises a hydrogen burner.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the motor is configured to supply an exhaust fluid from an external combustion compartment to the fluid chamber.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the motor is configured to recirculate the fluid.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the motor is configured to distribute radiation throughout the chamber.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the motor is configured to distribute the radiation in the chamber according to a distribution of fluid in the chamber.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the motor is configured to sequentially radiate fluid in different portions of the chamber.
The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the motor is configured to radiate fluid within the chamber according to a change in volume of fluid in the chamber.
A method of providing mechanical energy, the method comprising:
- supplying radiation from an amplified stimulated emission radiation source to a chamber of a motor;
- heating and/or igniting and/or pressurising a fluid in the chamber with the radiation ;
- and/or
- heating and/or maintaining the chamber with the radiation.
A motor chamber for providing mechanical energy, the chamber being for receiving a fluid to be heated and/or combusted and/or compressed and/or expanded, wherein the chamber is configured to distribute radiation from an amplified stimulated emission radiation source to heat and/or combust and/or pressurise the fluid;
- and/or to radiate the chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.