Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
A SHIP LIQUID AIR ROTARY ENGINE POWER SYSTEM
by CRAIG ANTROBLIS
Antrobus Consulting Ltd.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0001] Not applicable.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that is
subject to copyright protection by the author thereof. The copyright owner has
no
objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or
patent
disclosure for the purposes of referencing as patent prior art, as it appears
in patent file or
records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE RELEVANT PRIOR ART
[0003] One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to a
power
system. More particularly, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a
marine vessel
ship power system.
[0004] The following background information may present examples of
specific
aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or
common wisdom)
that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to
additional aspects of
the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or
any embodiments
thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
[0005] Typically, conventional Ship power may be powered by combustion.
Conventional combustion motors may include a combustible liquid such as
diesel,
wherein an expansive force from heating the liquid may cause a piston of the
engine to
move, and thus creating work. This work may prorogate through a multiplicity
of gears
1
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-31
and axels, typically known as a drivetrain, to a propeller shaft and may
deliver the work
to the shaft in a form of torque which may cause the shaft to turn. Some other
conventional ship may be powered by electricity. Conventional electric motors
may
include current supplied to a stator from a battery, wherein the stator may
then become
energized to create a rotating magnetic flux. The flux may generate a magnetic
field
which may result in a current being produce in a rotor position within the
stator. The
rotating flux and the current may produce a force wherein that force may
propagate
torque to a coupled wheel. The following is an example of a specific aspect in
the prior
art that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to
additional aspects
of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or
any
embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred
thereupon. By
way of educational background, another aspect of the prior art generally
useful to be
aware of is that with conventional combustion motors, an exhaust, after a
combustible
liquid has gone through combustion, may need to be expelled. Typically, the
exhaust
may be expelled into the atmosphere. Furthermore, much of the power created by
the
combustion may be used to move moving parts of the drivetrain before torque
may be
delivered to a coupled shaft. With conventional electric motors, a cost to
produce such a
system may typically be more expensive than the conventional combustion motor.
Moreover, the battery which supplies current to the electric motor may only be
recharged
by plugging the battery into a power supplying station.
[0006] In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional
techniques are not
perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not
by way of
limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like
reference
numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a liquid air rotary
engine
power systems architecture of a marine ship, in accordance with an embodiment
of the
present invention.
2
Date recue / Date received 2021-12-20
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a liquid air rotary
engine, in
accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily
drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS
[0010] The present invention is best understood by reference to the
detailed figures
and description set forth herein.
[0011] Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference
to the
Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
detailed
description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory
purposes as the
invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be
appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of
the present
invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches,
depending upon
the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any
given detail
described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the
following
embodiments described and shown. That is, there are modifications and
variations of the
invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope
of the
invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and
masculine as
feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not
necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
[0012] It is to be further understood that the present invention is not
limited to the
particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses,
and
applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood
that the
terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments
only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must
be noted that
as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and
"the" include
the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for
example, a
reference to "an element" is a reference to one or more elements and includes
equivalents
thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a
reference to "a
3
Date recue / Date received 2021-12-20
step" or "a means" is a reference to one or more steps or means and may
include sub-
steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the
most
inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word "or" should be understood as having
the
definition of a logical "or" rather than that of a logical "exclusive or"
unless the context
clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be
understood also to
refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be
construed to
express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly
dictates
otherwise.
[0013] Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to
particular
combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the
disclosure of the
present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of
features
disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization
thereof, whether or
not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and
whether or not
it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present
invention.
[0014] Features which are described in the context of separate
embodiments may
also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various
features
which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may
also be
provided separately or in any suitable sub combination. The Applicants hereby
give
notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations
of such
features during the prosecution of the present Application or of any further
Application
derived therefrom.
[0015] References to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "example
embodiment," "various embodiments," "some embodiments," "embodiments of the
invention," etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so
described may
include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every
possible
embodiment of the invention necessarily includes the particular feature,
structure, or
characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase "in one embodiment," or
"in an
exemplary embodiment," "an embodiment," do not necessarily refer to the same
embodiment, although they may. Moreover, any use of phrases like "embodiments"
in
connection with "the invention" are never meant to characterize that all
embodiments of
4
Date recue / Date received 2021-12-20
the invention must include the particular feature, structure, or
characteristic, and should
instead be understood to mean "at least some embodiments of the invention"
includes the
stated particular feature, structure, or characteristic.
[0016] Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be
taken as
limiting the disclosure in any way.
[0017] The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of
the items
are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0018] It is understood that the use of specific component, device
and/or parameter
names are for example only and not meant to imply any limitations on the
invention. The
invention may thus be implemented with different nomenclature/terminology
utilized to
describe the mechanisms/units/structures/components/devices/parameters herein,
without
limitation. Each term utilized herein is to be given its broadest
interpretation given the
context in which that term is utilized.
[0019] It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions or
particular
construction materials indicated herein are solely provided as examples of
suitable
configurations and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Depending on
the needs of
the particular application, those skilled in the art will readily recognize,
in light of the
following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation
details.
[0020] Numerous conventional teachings for marine ships and related
systems have
been generally provided above. They may differ from many embodiments of the
present
invention in that they may not teach a liquid air rotary engine power system
for a marine
ship, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention of which will
be
described in some detail below.
[0021] It may be contemplated that in many embodiments, a cost to
manufacture,
use, and maintain a marine ship in accordance with an embodiment of the
present
invention, may be far less than conventional combustion marine ships. In many
embodiments, greenhouse gas emissions will be far less than with combustion
marine
ships. In many embodiments, the liquid air rotary engine power system may be
much
safer than conventional combustion marine ships.
Date recue / Date received 2021-12-20
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a liquid air rotary
engine
power systems architecture of a marine ship, in accordance with an embodiment
of the
present invention. In the present embodiment, the liquid air rotary engine
power system
architecture may include a refueling station attachment 100, an Liquid Air
storage tank
102, liquid air injectors 104, propulsion rotary engines 106, outside ambient
air supply
108, heating unit 110, propulsion gearbox system 112, propellers 114, an
electrical
generating system 116, an electrical storage system 118, freezing and
refrigerating
systems 120, an air conditioning system 122 exhaust 124, auxiliary engine 126,
auxiliary
gearbox 128.
[0023] In the present embodiment liquid air is transferred to the ship
through a
refueling station attachment 100 to the liquid air storage tank 102 may be
operably
coupled to liquid air injectors 104 which inject liquid air into the rotary
engine's
combustion chamber area in devices 106 and 126. In the present embodiment in
the
combustion chamber the liquid air is injected over the heating element to
cause expansion
of the liquid air.
[0024] Exhaust air from the rotary engines 106 and 126 will flow to the
electrical
generating 116. In the present embodiment, the electrical generating system
116 may be
operably coupled to an electrical storage system 118, wherein the system may
receive the
charge produced by each generating system.
[0025] In the present embodiment exhaust air electrical generating
system 116,
flows to freezing and refrigerating systems 120, and may be operably coupled
to the
cooling coil 122 to cool recirculated air to the ship cabin for air
conditioning or direct
cool air to ship compaitments.
[0026] In the present embodiment electrical power from the electrical
power
system 118, may supply power to Liquid Air injectors 104, and heating unit
110.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a liquid air rotary
engine
systems architecture, in accordance an embodiment of the present invention. In
the
present embodiment, the liquid air rotary engine system architecture may
include a
heating unit 200, an intake port 202, air chambers 204, a stator housing 206,
an eccentric
shaft 208, liquid air injection ports 210, crown gear 212, a rotor 214, a
pinion 216, an
6
Date recue / Date received 2021-12-20
exhaust port 218, freezers/refrigerators/air-conditioning/generator/exhaust
220, and an
electrical heating element 222.
[0028] In the present embodiment, the expansion of the liquid air in the
combustion
chamber causes the rotor 214 to rotate causing the eccentric shaft 208 to
rotate and turn.
[0029] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, air may be directed from
the
exhaust chamber 204 through the exhaust port 218 and into
freezers/refrigerators/air-
conditioning/generator/exhaust 220.
[0030] In the present embodiment the electrical energy generated by the
electrical
generating system 220 may be used to power the heating unit 200, the liquid
air heating
element 222 and on-board electrical systems.
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates operation component diagrams of an exemplary
liquid air
rotary engine power systems 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present
invention, wherein FIG. 2 illustrates operational air flow components, in
accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the
mechanical
operation of the rotary engine is similar to the conventional rotary engine
with the
exception being the fuel source for the present invention is liquid air and
not a petroleum
product.
[0032] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and
in accordance
with the teachings of the present invention, that any of the foregoing steps
may be
suitably replaced, reordered, removed and additional steps may be inserted
depending
upon the needs of the particular application. Moreover, the prescribed method
steps of
the foregoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/or
hardware
system that those skilled in the art will readily know is suitable in light of
the foregoing
teachings. For any method steps described in the present application that can
be carried
out on a computing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriately
configured or designed, serve as a computer system in which those aspects of
the
invention may be embodied.
[0033] All the features disclosed in this specification, including any
accompanying
abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the
same,
equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless
expressly
7
Date recue / Date received 2021-12-20
stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic
series of
equivalent or similar features.
[0034] Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present
invention,
other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a liquid air rotary
engine power
system according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in
the art.
Various aspects of the invention have been described above by way of
illustration, and
the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to
the
particular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of the liquid air
rotary engine
power system may vary depending upon the particular context or application. By
way of
example, and not limitation, the liquid air rotary engine power system
described in the
foregoing were principally directed to providing a liquid air rotary engine
power system
and direct powertrain powering system to a ship implementation; however,
similar
techniques may instead be applied to providing a similar direct powertrain
powering
system to motorcycles, boats, airplanes, and trains, which implementations of
the present
invention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The
invention is
thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within
the spirit and
scope of the following claims. It is to be further understood that not all of
the disclosed
embodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarily satisfy or achieve
each of the
objects, advantages, or improvements described in the foregoing specification.
[0035] Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or
lettered
solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and
lettering in
itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of
elements
and/or steps in the claims.
[0036] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of
all means
or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any
structure,
material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements
as specifically claimed.
[0037] The description of the present invention has been presented for
purposes of
illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited
to the
invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be
apparent to
8
Date recue / Date received 2021-12-20
those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit
of the
invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain
the
principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable
others of ordinary
skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with
various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
[0038] The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to ascertain the
nature and gist
of the technical disclosure. That is, the Abstract is provided merely to
introduce certain
concepts and not to identify any key or essential features of the claimed
subject matter. It
is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or
interpret the scope
or meaning of the claims.
9
Date recue / Date received 2021-12-20
