Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
A LIQUID AIR ROTARY ENGINE
by CRAIG ANTROBUS
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 the Patent
and Trademark Office, 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 an
Engine
system. More particularly, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a
Liquid Air
Rotary Engine 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] Relevant prior art is the original Petroleum Wankel Rotary Engine
patent
expired. This invention is mechanically similar, however, this invention has
several major
differences from the original Wankel Rotary Engine being the fuel source is
Liquid Air
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unlike Petroleum in the original Wankel Engine. The Liquid Air expansion as it
transforms into a gas state from a liquid, powers the present invention
whereas the
petroleum exploding in the original Wankel Rotary Engine powers its system.
The power
in the present invention is accomplished by the combination of highly
compressed air in
the combustion chamber and an electrical power heating element whereas the
original
Wankel Engine uses a spark ignition. The intake air being drawn into the
engine for the
present invention is outside air that has been turbocharged and heated
electrically. The
exhaust air from the present invention generates electricity for engine and
auxiliary use.
The present invention requires a water heating system whereas the original
Wankel
engine required water cooling for the system.
[0006] A second relevant prior art is the Dearman Engine patent active.
This
invention, however, has several major differences from the Dearman Engine
being the
Dearman Engine is a Piston Engine whereas this invention is a Rotary Engine
which has
major operational differences. The Dearman engine uses Liquid Nitrogen as its
fuel
source whereas this invention uses Liquid Air. The Dearman Engine does not pre-
heat the
intake air as this invention does. The Dearman Engine utilizes Water as an
ignition for its
fuel source whereas this invention utilizes compressed air and Electrical
Heat. The energy
transfer medium in the Dearman Engine is water whereas this invention uses
air. These
differences make this invention operationally different.
[0007] Typically, conventional engine power may be powered by
combustion.
Conventional combustion motors may include a combustible liquid such as
diesel,
gasoline, or propane wherein an expansive force from heating the combustible
liquid until
it explodes may cause a piston of the engine to move, or a rotor to turn and
thus creating
work. 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 and explodes, may need to be expelled. Typically, the exhaust
contains
Greenhouse Gas Emissions that are expelled into the atmosphere.
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[0008] 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
[0009] 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:
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a section through
one rotor
of a Liquid Air Rotary Engine power system, in accordance with an embodiment
of the
present invention;
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily
drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS
[0011] The present invention is best understood by reference to the
detailed figure
and description set forth herein.
[0012] The present invention is similar to an existing conventional
Wankel Rotary
Engine in its mechanical operation, with the major difference being the fuel
source is
Liquid Air.
[0013] The present invention produces no greenhouse gas emission as its
supply
fuel source is Liquid Air and its exhaust is clean atmospheric air.
[0014] Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference
to the
Figure. 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
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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.
[0015] 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
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.
[0016] References to a "device," an "apparatus," a "system," etc., in
the preamble of
a claim should be construed broadly to mean "any structure meeting the claim
terms"
exempt for any specific structure(s)/type(s) that has/(have) been explicitly
disavowed or
excluded or admitted/implied as prior art in the present specification or
incapable of
enabling an object/aspect/goal of the invention. Furthermore, where the
present
specification discloses an object, aspect, function, goal, result, or
advantage of the
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invention that a specific prior art structure and/or method step is similarly
capable of
performing yet in a very different way, the present invention disclosure is
intended to and
shall also implicitly include and cover additional corresponding alternative
embodiments
that are otherwise identical to that explicitly disclosed except that they
exclude such prior
art structure(s)/step(s), and shall accordingly be deemed as providing
sufficient disclosure
to support a corresponding negative limitation in a claim claiming such
alternative
embodiment(s), which exclude such very different prior art
structure(s)/step(s) way(s).
[0017] From reading the present disclosure, other variations and
modifications will
be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications
may involve
equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which
may be used
instead of or in addition to features already described herein.
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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 subcombination. 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.
[0020] 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
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-15
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
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.
[0021] Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be
taken as
limiting the disclosure in any way.
[0022] The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of
the items
are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0023] 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.
[0024] As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful
considerations and
compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture
of a
commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of
the
present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit
and
teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of
the particular
application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s),
component(s),
approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment
of the
present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and
matched, or
improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average
skills and
known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the
needs of the
particular application.
[0025] 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
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the particular application, those skilled in the art will readily recognize,
in light of the
following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation
details.
[0026] Numerous conventional teachings for engines 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
in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention of which will be
described in
some detail below.
[0027] There are no measurements/dimensions or particular construction
materials
indicated herein as the size of the engine will change as required. 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.
[0028] In some embodiments, the Liquid Air Rotary Engine power system
may also
work in conjunction with a generator and electrical heater. The generator may
provide
electricity to components used in the Liquid Air Rotary Engine power system
such as the
electrical heating for the incoming outside Air and the Liquid Air combustion.
This
feedback functionality may make the Liquid Air Rotary Engine powering system
more
efficient and thus the cost of system operation may be quite inexpensive as
compared to
conventional combustion systems.
[0029] It may be contemplated that in many embodiments, a cost to
manufacture,
use, and maintain a Liquid Air Rotary Engine system in accordance with an
embodiment
of the present invention, may be far less than conventional combustion
systems.
[0030] In many embodiments, greenhouse gas emissions will be far less
than with
conventional combustion systems. In many embodiments, the Liquid Air Rotary
Engine
power system may be much safer than conventional engine systems.
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a Liquid Air Rotary
Engine
power system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In
the present
embodiment, the Liquid Air Rotary Engine power system may include an intake
port 102
that draws electrically heated outside ambient air from a Turbocharger and
Heating Unit
100. Engine exhaust air is exhausted through the exhaust port 118 to Freezers,
Refrigerators, Air-conditioning and an electrical generating system 120 to
generate
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electricity. In the present invention the outer engine stator housing 106
houses the rotary
system including components the stator 114, the crown gear 112, the pinion
116, liquid
air fuel injectors 110, and an imbedded electrical heating element 122 for
each rotor
assembly. Hot water is pumped through the housing to keep the engine in a
proper
operating temperature. Multiple rotor assemblies can be connected in line and
the ends
covered with end plates and seals not shown.
[0032] In many embodiments the Liquid Air Rotary Engine power system may
be,
for example, and without limitation, a power system, wherein outside air is
drawn into
and through an Turbocharger and Heating Unit 100 into the intake chamber 104
through
the intake port 102. The air in the intake chamber 104 is compressed to a high
pressure in
the combustion chamber 104 where multiple liquid air injectors 110 inject
liquid air being
heated by an imbedded electrical element 122. The liquid air expands causing
the rotor
114 to rotate and the expanded air is exhausted through the exhaust chamber
104 through
the exhaust port 118 and into Freezers, Refrigerators, Air-conditioning and on
to an
Electrical Generator 120. The exhausting air generates electricity for the
system operation
and other systems as well. The air exhausting from the Electrical Generator
will be
exhausted to the environment. The location of Liquid Air Injectors 110 may be
located
towards the exhaust side of the combustion chamber.
[0033] The present invention will utilize water chambers in the original
Wankel
Engine but the water circulation will be with Heated water to heat the housing
106 and
not cold water as in the original Wankel Engine design.
[0034] 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
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configured or designed, serve as a computer system in which those aspects of
the
invention may be embodied.
[0035] 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
stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic
series of
equivalent or similar features.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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. 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 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.
[0039] The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)
requiring
an abstract that will 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
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with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the
scope or meaning
of the claims.
[0040] The
following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description,
with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-15
