Gerotor apparatus for a quasi-isothermal brayton cycle engine

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a cam plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 538,747, entitled “QUASI-ISOTHERMAL BRAYTON CYCLE ENGINE,” filed Jan. 23, 2004.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a gerotor apparatus that functions as a compressor or expander. The gerotor apparatus may be applied generally to Brayton cycle engines and, more particularly, to a quasi-isothermal Brayton cycle engine.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]For mobile applications, such as an automobile or truck, it is generally desirable to use a heat engine that has the following characteristics: internal combustion to reduce the need for heat exchangers; complete expansion for improved efficiency; isothermal compression and expansion; high power density; high-temperature expansion for high efficiency; ability to efficiently “throttle” the engine for part-load conditions; high turn-down ratio (i.e., the ability to operate at widel...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]Embodiments of the invention provide a number of technical advantages. Embodiments of the invention may include all, some, or none of these advantages. One technical advantage is a more compact and lightweight Brayton cycle engine having simpler gas flow paths, less loads on bearings, and lower power consumption. Some embodiments have fewer parts then previous Brayton cycle engines. Another advantage is that the present invention introduces a simpler method for regulating leakage from gaps. An additional advantage is that the oil path is completely separated from the high-pressure gas preventing heat transfer from the gas to the oil, or entrainment of oil into the gas. A further advantage is that precision alignment between the inner and outer gerotors may be achieved through a single part (e.g., a rigid shaft). A still further advantage is that drive mechanisms disclosed herein have small backlash and low wear.

Problems solved by technology

The Otto Cycle engine is an inexpensive, internal combustion, low-compression engine with a fairly low efficiency.

In practice, a perfect Erickson cycle is difficult to achieve because isothermal expansion and compression are not readily attained in large, industrial equipment.

It features low power density, mechanical complexity, and difficult-to-achieve constant-temperature compressor and expander.

It has a higher power density than the Carnot cycle, but it is difficult to perform the heat exchange, and it is difficult to achieve constant-temperature compression and expansion.

In practice, real engines have “irreversibilities,” or losses, associated with friction and temperature / pressure gradients.

These devices are generally suitable for aviation in which aircraft operate at fairly constant speeds; they are generally not suitable for most transportation applications, such as automobiles, buses, trucks, and trains, which must operate over widely varying speeds.

Further, the Otto and Diesel cycle engines lose efficiency because they do not completely expand high-pressure gases, and simply throttle the waste gases to the atmosphere.

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