Multiple regenerators
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorsNorman D. Postma, David W. Barton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hot gas engine of the Stirling type is disclosed. The engine has a heater head assembly provided with a plurality of separated regenerators connected in series in the heater tube labyrinth. The regenerators may be cascaded in size and mass to meet predetermined heat exchange design conditions. The temperature of exhaust gases exiting directly from the heater head assembly can be optimized at less than 800.degree.F, but more practically at about 1,000.degree.-1,200.degree.F.
Claims8
In a hot gas engine having at least one high temperature space and at least one low temperature space, a high pressure gas in said spaces, and means for reciprocally displacing said high pressurized gas between said spaces, apparatus for transferring heat to said high pressure gas and for isolating the heat content thereof to one zone of displacement of said gas, comprising:
- a. heat source means effective to generate a heated medium within a first location, and
- b. means defining heat conductive passages interconnecting said spaces and through which said high pressurized gas passes for displacement, said passage means having at least first and second heat accumulators disposed in a series therein with portions of said passages which are particularly disposed between said accumulators and portions which are disposed in advance of the first accumulator, said portions being directed through said first location for exposure to said heated medium.
A method of operating a hot gas engine of the Stirling type having a working element, the steps comprising:
- a. providing at least one high temperature space and at least one low temperature space interconnected by a closed passage means having at least first and second and third separated heat accumulators, said passage means and spaces defining a closed high pressure system within which is contained hydrogen, providing a constant heat source,
- b. compressing said closed gas within the low temperature space while at a temperature in the range of
- c. exposing portions of said passage means in advance of said third heat accumulator to said constant heat source,
- d. displacing said compressed gas while at generally constant volume from said low temperature space to said high temperature space, said compressed gas being passed through each of said heat accumulators,
- e. expanding said gas in said high temperature space at an elevated temperature of about 1,450.degree.F for driving said working element of the engine, and
- f. displacing said expanded gas back through said passage means at generally constant volume while releasing heat content to said accumulators.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.