US20080190392A1 - Peristaltic engine - Google Patents
Peristaltic engine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080190392A1 US20080190392A1 US11/770,776 US77077607A US2008190392A1 US 20080190392 A1 US20080190392 A1 US 20080190392A1 US 77077607 A US77077607 A US 77077607A US 2008190392 A1 US2008190392 A1 US 2008190392A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- conduit
- members
- sectional area
- peristaltic
- rollers
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
- F02B75/00—Other engines
- F02B75/36—Engines with parts of combustion- or working-chamber walls resiliently yielding under pressure
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Combustion Methods Of Internal-Combustion Engines (AREA)
Abstract
A peristaltic engine including two members and a conduit with a varying cross-sectional area disposed on the outer surface of one of the two members in the form of a helix. Each member has an axis and an outer surface in close proximity of each other forming a pinch point therebetween. The conduit has a combustible fluid disposed therein. The pinch point causes the combustible fluid within the conduit to compress. Then, the combustible fluid expands when the cross-sectional area of the conduit increases, thereby causing the two members to rotate and produce torque along their axis.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/817,320, filed Jun. 29, 2006, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
- This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 10/972,661, filed Oct. 25, 2004 entitled “HELICAL FIELD ACCELERATOR”, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
- In the drawings:
-
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a peristaltic engine comprising two parallel cylindrical rollers with a conduit that varies in cross-sectional area and in which the helical pitch increases along the axis of the peristaltic engine. -
FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of a peristaltic engine comprising two parallel cylindrical rollers with a conduit that does not vary in cross-sectional area and in which the helical pitch increases along the axis of the peristaltic engine. -
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a peristaltic engine comprising two parallel cylindrical rollers located inside a cylindrical structure having a conduit. -
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a peristaltic engine comprising a single roller and a conduit placed around a flat disk. - In general, the principle of the peristaltic engine of the invention comprises two parallel
cylindrical rollers FIG. 1 . A heat resistant,collapsible conduit 10 is arranged around one of the rollers in a helical pattern in such a way that it makes one or more turns around the roller. “Pinch points” are created within theconduit 10 where it passes between the tworollers conduit 10. As the rollers rotate, segments of fluid are drawn into the conduit and become trapped between successive pinch points. These segments travel forward along the rollers' axis until the fluid reaches the end of theconduit 10, where it is expelled. - The cross sectional area of the
conduit 10 is made to vary along its length in a specific manner, so that at some points on the roller, theconduit 10 has a large cross section and at others it has a quite small cross section. Specifically, the cross sectional area of theconduit 10 is large at its entrance and gradually decreases along the rollers' axis. Since the interior volume of theconduit 10 is related to its cross sectional area, the volume of theconduit 10 likewise decreases along the rollers' axis as well. Consequently, as the rollers rotate, the section ofconduit 10 between any two pinch points undergoes a progressive reduction in volume. When theconduit 10 contains a compressible fluid, this reduction in volume compresses the segment of fluid trapped between the pinch points. - If the fluid within the conduit is combustible, for example suppose that it consists of a mixture of air and gasoline, and if this mixture is ignited, this compression enables combustion of the mixture. In fact, if the ratio between maximal cross sectional area of the conduit and minimal cross sectional area is great enough (e.g., 70:1), then photodetonation, or spontaneous ignition, of the air-fuel mixture will occur within the
conduit 10. - Suppose that after the point of maximal compression, the cross sectional area of the
conduit 10 is made to increase. This will cause the volume between the two pinch points to also increase, thereby allowing the fluid within the trapped segment to expand. However, since this fluid has gained energy in the form of heat after combustion, the fluid itself aids in its expansion, pushing against the walls of the conduit as though to inflate it. This inflation force acts directly against the pinch point formed between therollers rollers rollers - The helical pitch of the
conduit 10 determines the rate at which the device uptakes air relative to the rotating speed. For example, if the helical pitch of the conduit is 5:1 and the surface speed of the rollers is 60 m/s, then air would flow into the device at 300 m/s, near the transonic regime. This enables the device to operate at lower rotating speeds for a given power output. With conventional gas turbines, the air intake speed generally does not exceed the tip speed. - In aerospace applications, this would also allow the device to uptake air without first decelerating it, even when traveling at supersonic speeds. For example, with a rotating speed of 300 m/s and a helix pitch of 5:1, the device would be able to create vacuum in its intake even when traveling at 1500 m/s.
- The helical pitch could be made to increase along the rollers' axis, as in
FIG. 1 , causing the ingested air to accelerate as it passes through the device. This would be useful in which it is desirable to produce thrust with the device. - Note that varying the helix pitch will also change the volume of the crescents of conduit that are trapped between pinch points. In effect, varying the helical pitch could be used to cause compression and expansion without varying the cross sectional area of the
conduit 16, as illustrated inFIG. 2 . This would possibly reducing manufacturing costs. - Note that the helical pitch of the conduit may also be zero, meaning that the
conduit 16 forms a loop around therollers - Note that in some applications, it may be desirable to place two
occlusion rollers conduit 24, as inFIG. 3 . This configuration would reduce the amount of space used by the device. Note that inFIG. 3 , although there are twoocclusion rollers - In another realization of the device, the
conduit 28 may be placed around aflat disk 30, as inFIG. 4 . - Unlike conventional engines, the peristaltic engine of the invention does not employ sliding seals. This enables the peristaltic engine to operate at greater compression levels than a piston or turbine engine. The lack of sliding seals also reduces sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances and dimensional changes due to changes in temperature while the device is in operation. Furthermore, since sliding seals are typically a primary wear component, this design would enable greater service life and allow higher rotational speeds.
- The peristaltic engine of the invention would contain no reciprocating parts and would be perfectly balanced. The peristaltic engine also allows an arbitrarily long burn time for the fuel-air mixture, regardless of rotation speed or engine scale. This is accomplished simply by increasing the length of the rollers, thereby increasing the length of time that the combusting mixture remains within the engine. This results in more complete combustion even at very high rotating speeds. This would allow the device to maintain high efficiency even at very small scales, such as those used in experimental “micro engines”.
- While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.
Claims (6)
1. A peristaltic engine, comprising:
two members, each member having an axis and outer an surface in close proximity of each other forming a pinch point therebetween; and
a conduit with a varying cross-sectional area disposed on the outer surface of one of the two members in the form of a helix, the conduit having a combustible fluid disposed therein,
wherein the pinch point causes the combustible fluid within the conduit to compress, and wherein the combustible fluid expands when the cross-sectional area of the conduit increases, thereby causing the two members to rotate and produce torque along their axis.
2. The peristaltic engine according to claim 1 , wherein a ratio of maximal cross-sectional area and minimal cross-sectional area of the conduit is approximately 70:1.
3. The peristaltic engine according to claim 1 , wherein a pitch of the conduit is directly related to a rate of air intake with respect to a rotational speed at the outer surface of the two members.
4. The peristaltic engine according to claim 3 , wherein the pitch of the conduit is approximately 5:1.
5. The peristaltic engine according to claim 3 , wherein the rotational speed at the outer surface of the two members is approximately 60 m/s.
6. The peristaltic engine according to claim 3 , wherein the rotational speed at the outer surface of the two members is approximately 300 m/s.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/770,776 US20080190392A1 (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2007-06-29 | Peristaltic engine |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US81732006P | 2006-06-29 | 2006-06-29 | |
US11/770,776 US20080190392A1 (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2007-06-29 | Peristaltic engine |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20080190392A1 true US20080190392A1 (en) | 2008-08-14 |
Family
ID=39684774
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/770,776 Abandoned US20080190392A1 (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2007-06-29 | Peristaltic engine |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20080190392A1 (en) |
Citations (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2700839A (en) * | 1950-09-09 | 1955-02-01 | Remington Arms Co Inc | Pattern control device for shotguns |
US3175359A (en) * | 1962-04-02 | 1965-03-30 | Szlechter Isaac | Rotary combustion engine |
US3535057A (en) * | 1968-09-06 | 1970-10-20 | Esper Kodra | Screw compressor |
US3732042A (en) * | 1971-06-03 | 1973-05-08 | W Buchholz | Power module |
US4447975A (en) * | 1981-03-18 | 1984-05-15 | Ljutic Albert V | Gun with reduced recoil |
US4576242A (en) * | 1983-10-26 | 1986-03-18 | Shell Oil Company | Peristaltic down-hole drilling motor |
US4878622A (en) * | 1988-06-17 | 1989-11-07 | Ransburg Corporation | Peristaltic voltage block |
US4982903A (en) * | 1988-06-17 | 1991-01-08 | Ransburg Corporation | Peristaltic voltage block |
US5054464A (en) * | 1987-08-07 | 1991-10-08 | Young William G | Rapid fire gas powered projectile gun |
US5605124A (en) * | 1995-11-06 | 1997-02-25 | Morgan; Christopher K. | Rotary screw internal combustion engine |
US5851361A (en) * | 1996-11-25 | 1998-12-22 | Hogan; Jim S. | Apparatus for processing an organic solid |
US6702558B2 (en) * | 2000-07-25 | 2004-03-09 | Ateliers Busch Sa | Twin screw rotors and displacement machines containing the same |
US7484358B2 (en) * | 2005-06-17 | 2009-02-03 | Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. | Continuous reforming of diesel fuel for NOx reduction |
US7530217B2 (en) * | 2005-12-16 | 2009-05-12 | General Electric Company | Axial flow positive displacement gas generator with combustion extending into an expansion section |
-
2007
- 2007-06-29 US US11/770,776 patent/US20080190392A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2700839A (en) * | 1950-09-09 | 1955-02-01 | Remington Arms Co Inc | Pattern control device for shotguns |
US3175359A (en) * | 1962-04-02 | 1965-03-30 | Szlechter Isaac | Rotary combustion engine |
US3535057A (en) * | 1968-09-06 | 1970-10-20 | Esper Kodra | Screw compressor |
US3732042A (en) * | 1971-06-03 | 1973-05-08 | W Buchholz | Power module |
US4447975A (en) * | 1981-03-18 | 1984-05-15 | Ljutic Albert V | Gun with reduced recoil |
US4576242A (en) * | 1983-10-26 | 1986-03-18 | Shell Oil Company | Peristaltic down-hole drilling motor |
US5054464A (en) * | 1987-08-07 | 1991-10-08 | Young William G | Rapid fire gas powered projectile gun |
US4878622A (en) * | 1988-06-17 | 1989-11-07 | Ransburg Corporation | Peristaltic voltage block |
US4982903A (en) * | 1988-06-17 | 1991-01-08 | Ransburg Corporation | Peristaltic voltage block |
US5605124A (en) * | 1995-11-06 | 1997-02-25 | Morgan; Christopher K. | Rotary screw internal combustion engine |
US5851361A (en) * | 1996-11-25 | 1998-12-22 | Hogan; Jim S. | Apparatus for processing an organic solid |
US6702558B2 (en) * | 2000-07-25 | 2004-03-09 | Ateliers Busch Sa | Twin screw rotors and displacement machines containing the same |
US7484358B2 (en) * | 2005-06-17 | 2009-02-03 | Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. | Continuous reforming of diesel fuel for NOx reduction |
US7530217B2 (en) * | 2005-12-16 | 2009-05-12 | General Electric Company | Axial flow positive displacement gas generator with combustion extending into an expansion section |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |