Vacuum motor

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (100) comprising a piston engine (110) which is designed for combustion-free operation and a vacuum chamber (130) in which a reduced air pressure as compared to the atmosphere (A) surrounding the piston engine (110) can be generated, wherein: a) the piston engine (110) has at least one cylinder (111), which is closed by a cylinder head (110) and in which a piston (112) is movable, the piston (112), on the side remote from the cylinder head (118), being coupled via a connecting rod (115) to a crankshaft (116) of the piston engine (110), the connecting rod (115) and the crankshaft (116) being integrated in a crankcase (117a) of the piston engine (110); b) the at least one cylinder (111) has, at the cylinder head (118), at least one inlet valve (119a) and at least one outlet valve (119b), the vacuum chamber (130) being fluidically connectable via the outlet valve (119b) to a working space (113) of the at least one cylinder (111) in order to generate a vacuum in the working space (113) and being fluidically connectable via the inlet valve (119a) of the working space (113) to the atmosphere (A) surrounding the piston engine (110) in order to generate ambient pressure in the working space (113); c) a valve controller (120) is provided, which actuates the inlet valve (119a) and the outlet valve (119b) during operation in such a way that the piston (112) is moved back and forth in the at least one cylinder (111) by alternate application of ambient pressure and a vacuum; d) and the piston engine (110) is designed in such a way that, during operation, a substantially constant pressure, in particular an atmospheric pressure (A) surrounding the piston engine (110), is always present in a region (114) of the piston remote from the cylinder head (118).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a reciprocating piston engine designed for combustion-free operation, as well as a vacuum chamber in which a reduced air pressure can be generated compared to the atmosphere surrounding the reciprocating piston engine. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such an arrangement and the use of the arrangement for driving a mechanical machine and / or for generating electrical power. State of the art

[0002] Energy technology is constantly searching for solutions for the most efficient, safe, environmentally friendly, and economical generation, conversion, storage, and use of energy in various forms. The current focus is strongly on solutions based on renewable energies or those that harness them.

[0003] In this context, engines are known which generate mechanical work by utilising negative pressure. EP 3 249 155 A1 (Benkendil), for example, describes an air engine which, unlike a conventional heat engine, does not convert heat into mechanical work, but instead operates through the effect of negative pressure. This engine uses a cylinder which is closed at both ends and divided into two chambers by a movable piston. Each of the two chambers is provided with an inlet valve and an outlet valve, whereby each chamber can be connected to a vacuum generator via its outlet valve and to the ambient air via its inlet valve. When the outlet valve of one chamber is open, the inlet valve of this chamber is closed. <ammer geschlossen, während in der anderen Kammer das Einlassventil geöffnet und das Auslassventil geschlossen ist.By alternately opening and closing the valves, the piston can be moved back and forth in the cylinder.

[0004] Via a push rod attached to the piston and leading out of the cylinder, its translational movement can be converted into a rotational movement by means of a corresponding mechanism, so that, for example, a generator can be operated.

[0005] To generate the required negative pressure, EP 3 249 155 A1 (Benkendil) proposes a Venturi tube, which is inserted into a water stream, for example. For example, the Venturi tube can be installed in a watercourse, near a weir, or at the outlet of a dam.

[0006] However, it has been shown that the previously known I <raftmaschinen, welche durch Nutzung von Unterdruck mechanische Arbeit leisten, nicht vollständig zu überzeugen vermögen. Im Besonderen ist der Wirkungsgrad bekannter Maschinen relativ gering und es ergeben sich in konstruktiver Hinsicht Probleme. Es besteht daher nach wie vor Bedarf nach verbesserten Lösungen. Description of the invention

[0007] The object of the invention is therefore to provide improved solutions that enable the use of negative pressure as a form of energy. In particular, devices based on power machines are to be provided that utilize negative pressure to generate mechanical work, which can then be converted into other forms of energy if necessary.

[0008] The solution to the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. The core of the invention is therefore an arrangement comprising a reciprocating piston engine, which is designed for combustion-free operation, and a vacuum chamber in which a reduced air pressure can be generated compared to the atmosphere surrounding the reciprocating piston engine, wherein: a) the reciprocating piston engine has at least one cylinder closed by a cylinder head, in which a piston is movable, and wherein the piston is coupled to a crankshaft of the reciprocating piston engine via a connecting rod on the side facing away from the cylinder head, wherein the connecting rod and the crankshaft are integrated in a crankcase of the reciprocating piston engine; b) the at least one cylinder has at least one inlet valve and at least one separate outlet valve on the cylinder head, wherein the vacuum chamber is fluidly connectable to the working chamber of the at least one cylinder via the outlet valve in order to generate a vacuum in the working chamber, and the working chamber is fluidly connectable to the atmosphere surrounding the reciprocating piston engine via the inlet valve in order to generate ambient pressure in the working chamber;c) wherein a valve control is provided which, during operation, controls the intake valve and the exhaust valve such that the piston in at least one cylinder is moved back and forth by alternately applying ambient pressure and negative pressure; d) and the reciprocating piston engine is designed such that, during operation, a substantially constant pressure, in particular an atmospheric pressure surrounding the reciprocating piston engine, is always present in a region of the piston facing away from the cylinder head.

[0009] The arrangement according to the invention has proven to be extremely advantageous and efficient. Without being bound by theory, it is assumed that, due to the essentially constant pressure on the side of the piston facing away from the cylinder head, a smoother piston movement is achieved compared to approaches such as those described in EP 3 249 155 A1.

[0010] In this case, a substantially constant pressure means in particular that during operation the pressure in the area of ​​the piston facing away from the cylinder head does not change by more than 50 mbar, in particular by no more than 10 mbar.

[0011] Furthermore, no sealing of the connecting rod or connecting rod is required when exiting the cylinder. Such seals are usually complex to implement and have relatively high leak rates. Overall, higher speeds can be achieved without excessive mechanical stress, and the interplay between negative pressure and atmospheric pressure in the working chamber can be controlled more precisely.

[0012] The additional integration of the connecting rod and the crankshaft in the crankcase ensures that the moving parts of the reciprocating engine are optimally protected from damage and weather influences, and the pressure ratios in this area can be optimally controlled.

[0013] It's also important to note that the inlet and outlet valves are two separate valves, with the outlet valve designed exclusively to exhaust air from the working chamber, while the inlet valve is designed exclusively to supply air into the working chamber. This separation allows for extremely precise control of the air supply and exhaust. If the air supply and exhaust occur via the same inlet or outlet, efficiency decreases significantly.

[0014] The use of a vacuum chamber in the arrangement according to the invention further ensures a substantially constant vacuum during operation of the reciprocating engine, largely independent of the speed. This cannot be achieved by simply extracting the air from the working chamber with a fan or the like.

[0015] The vacuum chamber has a volume that is larger than the displacement of the reciprocating piston engine. Specifically, the volume of the vacuum chamber corresponds to at least ten times, in particular at least one hundred times, and especially at least one thousand times, the displacement of the reciprocating piston engine. The displacement of the reciprocating piston engine defines the volume displaced by the total stroke of all pistons.

[0016] The functional interaction of the elements of the inventive arrangement enables a surprisingly advantageous and efficient use of negative pressure and its conversion into mechanical energy. In other words, the individual elements of the inventive arrangement work together synergistically.

[0017] A further advantage is that reciprocating piston engines used according to the invention can be implemented by converting conventional internal combustion engines, e.g., gasoline or diesel engines. Depending on the engine type, it is sufficient, for example, to adapt the valve control so that the engine can be operated with negative pressure. This allows the arrangement according to the invention to be implemented in a relatively simple and cost-effective manner. According to an advantageous embodiment, the reciprocating piston engine is therefore an internal combustion engine with modified valve control.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the reciprocating piston engine has at least two cylinders, in particular four, five, six, eight, ten, or twelve cylinders. This allows the advantages of the invention to be particularly effective. However, it is also possible in principle to provide a reciprocating piston engine with a single cylinder.

[0019] Specifically, the reciprocating piston engine is a V-engine, a radial engine, or an in-line engine. However, other engine geometries are also possible.

[0020] The valve control is implemented in particular via at least one, for example two, camshaft(s) and / or cam disk(s) coupled to the crankshaft. The crankshaft is coupled in particular purely mechanically to the at least one camshaft and / or cam disk. The intake and exhaust valves are preferably opened and closed via tappets, rocker arms and / or rocker arms interacting with the at least one camshaft and / or cam disk. This enables particularly precise and rapid opening and closing of the valves, which is particularly advantageous for operating the reciprocating piston engine with negative pressure. The coupling is implemented in particular via a timing chain or a toothed belt.

[0021] In principle, however, the valve control can also be implemented differently. According to another possible embodiment, the valve control is a pneumatic, hydraulic, and / or electromechanical valve control.

[0022] The at least one camshaft and / or cam disc is coupled to the crankshaft with a gear ratio of 2:1, so that during operation, the at least one camshaft and / or cam disc has half the speed of the crankshaft. This allows the valves to open and close precisely. However, other gear ratios are also feasible.

[0023] According to a further preferred embodiment, an engine block, the piston, the connecting rod, the crankshaft, the at least one camshaft and / or the crankcase of the reciprocating piston engine, in particular the entire mechanical structure of the reciprocating piston engine, are made of plastic, ceramic and / or a composite material. Depending on the material used, this can reduce the weight of the reciprocating piston engine, simplify production and / or reduce the costs for production and spare parts. Since only little frictional heat is generated during operation of the reciprocating piston engine, the reciprocating piston engine hardly heats up. Cooling is not required. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture the engine or components thereof from less heat-resistant and less expensive materials than conventional internal combustion engines. A further advantage of the materials mentioned is that they, for example,can be produced using additive manufacturing processes such as 3D printing with almost any shape and structure, so that even specially designed engine shapes can be realized.

[0024] According to another advantageous embodiment, the engine block, the piston, the connecting rod, the crankshaft, the at least one camshaft, and / or the crankcase of the reciprocating piston engine, in particular the entire mechanical structure of the reciprocating piston engine, are made of metal. This allows for the realization of particularly robust reciprocating piston engines.

[0025] The valve control is designed in particular such that when the maximum piston stroke in at least one cylinder is reached, the exhaust valve is opened and the intake valve is closed, thus reducing the air pressure in the working chamber. When the minimum piston stroke in at least one cylinder is reached, the intake valve is opened, thus increasing the air pressure in the working chamber. This occurs in particular in regular cycles during operation of the reciprocating engine.

[0026] The maximum stroke height of the piston is reached when the working space in the cylinder has the maximum volume, while the minimum stroke height of the piston is reached when the working space in the cylinder has the minimum volume.

[0027] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the valve control is designed such that: in a first stroke in which the piston moves towards the cylinder head, the exhaust valve is open and the inlet valve is closed, so that the piston is pulled towards the cylinder head by the negative pressure; in a subsequent second stroke in which the piston moves away from the cylinder head, a first time period the exhaust valve is closed and the inlet valve is open and in a subsequent second time period both valves are closed, so that in the second time period the piston moving away from the cylinder head creates a negative pressure in the working chamber.

[0028] A stroke is defined as the complete movement of the piston from one dead center to the other. Specifically, one stroke occurs during half a revolution of the crankshaft. Both strokes together occur during one complete revolution of the crankshaft.

[0029] The first and second time periods in the second measure each correspond to 40-60%, and more specifically, 50%, of the duration of the entire second measure. Specifically, the first and second time periods each correspond to half a measure.

[0030] The two cycles are executed one after the other during operation, particularly in a continuous process.

[0031] The valve controls described above have proven to be particularly preferred.

[0032] With more than one cylinder, the crankshaft and valve timing are designed such that the pistons in the respective cylinders move at least partially out of phase during operation. This is analogous to conventional combustion engines.

[0033] The vacuum chamber is fluidly connected to a vacuum generating device, in particular a vacuum pump, so that the vacuum chamber can be evacuated by the vacuum generating device without vibration. The arrangement according to the invention can be operated by a wide variety of vacuum generating devices and is therefore extremely flexible in its use.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the vacuum generation device includes a Venturi tube. A Venturi tube can be used as a pump, which is simple in design and has no moving parts. Accordingly, Venturi tubes are robust, low-maintenance, and versatile. According to one possible embodiment, the Venturi tube is installed in a watercourse, e.g., near a weir or at the outlet of a dam. This allows hydropower to be converted into mechanical energy using the arrangement according to the invention and, if necessary, further into electrical energy, e.g., via a generator.

[0035] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the vacuum generating device comprises an electrically operated vacuum pump, in particular a rotary vane pump. The electrically operated vacuum pump can be present as an additional or sole vacuum generating device. This makes it possible, for example, to compensate for fluctuations in other vacuum generating devices. Likewise, with an electrically operated vacuum pump, the arrangement according to the invention can be operated entirely by electrical energy, e.g., by solar energy or surplus energy from the electricity grid.

[0036] However, other vacuum generation devices are also conceivable, such as mechanically operated pumps, which can be powered by wind energy, for example.

[0037] According to a further preferred embodiment, the vacuum generating device, in addition to the electrically operated vacuum pump, also includes a vacuum booster connected between the vacuum chamber and the electrically operated vacuum pump. The vacuum booster is, in particular, electrically operated.

[0038] Vacuum boosters increase the pumping speed and ultimate pressure of vacuum pumps. They increase the performance of vacuum systems by a factor of up to ten. Vacuum boosters operate according to the Roots principle: Two Roots pistons rotate synchronously within a housing. They neither touch each other nor the housing. This eliminates the need for lubricants or operating fluids in the process chamber. As the Roots pistons rotate, gas is transported between the Roots pistons and the housing into the downstream vacuum pump.

[0039] During operation, the pressure in the vacuum chamber is preferably at least 0.2 bar, in particular at least 0.4 bar, and especially at least 0.7 bar, lower than the atmospheric pressure surrounding the reciprocating piston engine. Specifically, the pressure in the vacuum chamber is in the range of 0.05 - 0.8 bar, in particular 0.1 - 0.5 bar, and especially 0.1 - 0.3 bar. At such pressures, the arrangement according to the invention operates particularly effectively. However, other pressure ratios are also possible in special configurations.

[0040] It is further preferred if the reciprocating piston engine has a turbocharger, wherein the turbocharger is driven by the air flowing from the exhaust valve and compresses the ambient air supplied via the intake valve. A turbocharger consists of a turbine that uses the energy of the expelled air to drive a compressor that compresses the supplied ambient air. The air supply is thus increased to achieve faster volume filling.

[0041] It is also advantageous if the crankcase has an I <urbelgehäusentlüftung, insbesondere eine offene I<urbelgeäusentlüftung verfügt. Diese ist so ausgestaltet, dass das innere Volumen des Kurbelgehäuses und / oder der dem Zylinderkopf abgewandte Bereich des Kolbens fluidleitend mit der umgebenden Atmosphäre kommuniziert. Dadurch kann in einfacher Art und Weise ein im wesentlichen konstanter Druck auf der dem Zylinderkopf abgewandten Bereich des Kolbens aufrechterhalten werden und zugleich Pleuel und Kurbelwelle vor äusseren Einflüssen geschützt werden.

[0042] In a further preferred embodiment, the crankshaft of the reciprocating piston engine is coupled to a power generator, so that power can be or is generated through the work of the reciprocating piston engine. The power can be used, for example, to operate external consumers and / or temporarily stored in a power storage unit.

[0043] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for operating an arrangement as described above, wherein negative pressure and ambient pressure are alternately applied via the inlet valve and the outlet valve in the working chamber, so that the piston in at least one cylinder is moved back and forth, so that the crankshaft is driven.

[0044] In particular, when the maximum stroke height of the piston in at least one cylinder is reached, the exhaust valve is opened and the inlet valve is closed so that the air pressure in the working chamber is reduced, and when the minimum stroke height of the piston in at least one cylinder is reached, the exhaust valve is closed and the inlet valve is opened so that the air pressure in the working chamber is increased.

[0045] Further preferably, the valves are controlled by the valve control in such a way that: in a first stroke in which the piston moves towards the cylinder head, the exhaust valve is open and the inlet valve is closed, so that the piston is pulled towards the cylinder head by the negative pressure; in a subsequent second stroke in which the piston moves away from the cylinder head, a first time period the exhaust valve is closed and the inlet valve is open and in a subsequent second time period both valves are closed, so that in the second time period the piston moving away from the cylinder head creates a negative pressure in the working chamber.

[0046] Both strokes together occur during one complete revolution of the crankshaft.

[0047] The two cycles are executed one after the other during operation, particularly in a continuous process.

[0048] During operation, the vacuum chamber is continuously evacuated, in particular by means of a fluid-conducting vacuum generating device, in particular a vacuum pump. Possible vacuum generating devices are described above.

[0049] During operation, the pressure in the vacuum chamber is preferably maintained at at least 0.2 bar, in particular at least 0.4 bar, and especially at least 0.7 bar, below the atmospheric pressure surrounding the reciprocating engine. Specifically, the pressure in the vacuum chamber is maintained in the range of 0.05 - 0.8 bar, in particular 0.1 - 0.5 bar, and especially 0.1 - 0.3 bar.

[0050] Further preferably, the air flowing from the exhaust valve is used to drive a turbocharger, which compresses the ambient air before it is fed through the intake valve. This further improves efficiency.

[0051] It is also advantageous if the crankcase is equipped with an I <urbelgehäusentlüftung, insbesondere eine offene I<urbelgeäusentlüftung entlüftet wird.

[0052] An additional aspect of the present invention relates to the use of an arrangement as described above for driving a mechanical machine and / or for generating electrical power.

[0053] Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention emerge from the following detailed description and the entirety of the patent claims. Short description of the drawings

[0054] The drawings used to explain the embodiment show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement according to the invention with a combustion-free driven reciprocating piston engine and a vacuum chamber in which a reduced air pressure can be generated compared to the atmosphere surrounding the reciprocating piston engine; Fig. 2 shows a first type of control of the valves of the reciprocating piston engine from Fig. 1 .

[0055] In principle, identical parts in the figures are provided with identical reference symbols. Ways to implement the invention

[0056] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement 100 according to the invention. This comprises a reciprocating piston engine 110 designed for combustion-free operation, which in Fig. 1 shown in a cross-section perpendicular to the crankshaft and includes, for example, six cylinders arranged in series. In Fig. 1 The first cylinder 111 is visible, while the other five cylinders are located behind the first cylinder and in the view of Fig. 1are not visible. The entire mechanical structure of the reciprocating engine 110, for example, is made entirely of metal.

[0057] The first cylinder 111 of the reciprocating piston engine 110 is arranged in the engine block 117 and closed by a cylinder head 118, with a piston 112 movably mounted in the cylinder 111. On the side of the piston 112 facing away from the cylinder head 118, the piston is coupled to the crankshaft 116 of the reciprocating piston engine 110 via a connecting rod 115. The connecting rod 115 and the crankshaft 116 are integrated in a crankcase 117a. The crankcase 117a is an integral part of the engine block 117 and also has an open crankcase ventilation 117a.1 in the form of an opening, which ensures that, during operation, a substantially constant pressure, or the atmospheric pressure surrounding the reciprocating piston engine 110, is always present in a region 114 of the piston 112 facing away from the cylinder head 118.

[0058] The cylinder head 118 has an inlet valve 119a and an outlet valve 119b. Via the inlet valve 119a, the inner working volume 113 of the cylinder 111 can be fluidly connected to the atmosphere surrounding the reciprocating piston engine 110 (when the valve 119a is open as shown in Fig. 1 shown is open) to supply ambient air LZ to the cylinder or the working chamber 113 in order to generate ambient pressure. The exhaust valve 119b (in Fig. 1 shown in the closed position) makes it possible to fluidically connect the working chamber 113 of the cylinder 111 to a vacuum chamber 130 in order to discharge exhaust air LA and to generate a vacuum in the working chamber 113 (for this purpose, the outlet valve 119b can be opened and the inlet valve 119a can be closed).

[0059] Furthermore, the reciprocating piston engine 110 has a valve control 120 in the form of two parallel camshafts 120a, 120b, which are coupled to the crankshaft 116, for example, via a toothed belt 121 (symbolically represented as connecting arrows). The camshafts 120a, 120b are coupled to the crankshaft 116 with a gear ratio of 2:1, for example, so that during operation, the camshafts 120a, 120b have half the speed of the crankshaft 116.

[0060] The valve control 120 is designed such that the inlet valve 119a and the outlet valve 119b are controlled during operation such that the piston in the cylinder 111 is moved back and forth by alternately applying ambient pressure and negative pressure. Possible controls to achieve this are described in connection with the Fig. 2and 3. The control of the valves of the other cylinders is analogous, with the pistons in cylinders 1 and 6 running in phase, cylinders 2 and 5 running in phase with each other but out of phase with cylinders 1 and 6, while cylinders 3 and 4 running in phase with each other but out of phase with the other cylinders.

[0061] During operation, the air flowing out of the exhaust valve 119b can be used LA to drive an optional turbocharger 122, which compresses the ambient air before being supplied via the intake valve (indicated by a broken connecting line).

[0062] The reciprocating piston engine 110 is connected via the outlet valve 119b to the vacuum chamber 130, which has a pressure of, for example, 0.2 bar. The pressure in the vacuum chamber 130 is thus approximately 0.8 bar lower than the ambient pressure or atmospheric pressure in which the reciprocating piston engine 110 is located. The negative pressure in the vacuum chamber 130 can be measured with a pressure gauge 131.

[0063] The vacuum chamber 130 is fluidly connected to a vacuum generation device 132. This can be an electrically operated vacuum pump 132a, such as a rotary vane pump, which is operated in combination with an electrically operated vacuum booster 132b, which is connected between the vacuum chamber 130 and the electrically operated vacuum pump. The air conveyed from the vacuum chamber 130 is released into the atmosphere A. Additionally or alternatively, a second vacuum generation device 133 can be present in the form of a Venturi tube, which is installed, for example, in a watercourse and also evacuates air from the vacuum chamber 130 and releases it into the atmosphere.

[0064] The electrically operated vacuum pump 132a and the vacuum booster 132b can be supplied with electrical energy (shown as a dot-dash line) via an optional power storage device 150, e.g. an accumulator, which is charged by an external power source 160, e.g. a solar cell and / or the power grid.

[0065] During operation, the pressure in the vacuum chamber is maintained in the range of 0.1 - 0.3 bar.

[0066] The crankshaft 116 of the reciprocating piston engine 110 is further connected via a gear 141 (in Fig. 1 indicated by a connecting arrow) is coupled to a power generator 140, so that useful electrical energy E can be generated by the work of the reciprocating piston engine 110.

[0067] It is also possible to supply a portion of the energy generated in the generator to the power storage unit 150. For example, electrical energy generated using the Venturi tube can be temporarily stored in the form of electricity in the power storage unit 150 and used at a later time to operate the vacuum motor 110.

[0068] The crankshaft 116 can optionally be coupled to a mechanical machine M via a second gear 142 in order to drive it directly.

[0069] Fig. 2shows a first type of control of the valves of the first cylinder 111 of the reciprocating piston engine 110. The valves of the other cylinders are controlled analogously, but they are controlled in such a way that the phase relationships described above are maintained. Specifically, the intake valve 119a (left horizontal arrow) and the exhaust valve 119b (right horizontal arrow) are controlled as described below. The closed position is marked as ("X") and the open position as "O."

[0070] In a first stroke 201, in which the piston 112 moves towards the cylinder head (indicated by the upward-pointing arrow), the exhaust valve 119b is open (O) and the intake valve 119a is closed (X), so that the piston is pulled towards the cylinder head by the negative pressure.

[0071] In a subsequent second stroke 202, in which the piston 112 moves away from the cylinder head (indicated by the downward-pointing arrow), in a first time period (left side) the exhaust valve is closed (X) and the intake valve is open (O) and in a subsequent second time period (right side) both valves are closed (X / X), so that in the second time period the piston moving away from the cylinder head generates a negative pressure in the working chamber.

[0072] In the subsequent cycle 203, the valves are switched as in the first cycle 201, while in the following cycle 204, the valves are switched as in the second cycle. The cycle then begins again.

[0073] In the illustrated cycle, each of the strokes corresponds to half a revolution of the crankshaft 116, so that after one cycle, the crankshaft has completed exactly two revolutions. The camshafts 120a, 120b rotate exactly once.

[0074] The embodiment shown is to be understood merely as an example, which can be modified as desired within the scope of the invention.

[0075] For example, it is possible to use a radial or V-engine instead of a 110-inch inline engine. The engine can also have more or fewer than six cylinders.

[0076] The valve timing can also be configured differently. For example, the closing and opening times can be adjusted, or the control can be provided by a single camshaft.

[0077] It is also possible to manufacture individual components or the entire mechanical structure of the reciprocating piston engine 110 from a material other than metal, e.g. from plastic, ceramic and / or a composite material.

[0078] The power storage unit 150 can also be omitted. In this case, the electrically operated vacuum pump 132a and the vacuum booster 132b can be connected directly to the external power source 160, for example.

[0079] In summary, it can be stated that a particularly advantageous arrangement comprising a reciprocating piston engine and a vacuum chamber has been provided, which can be used for the economical generation, conversion, storage and use of energy in various forms.

Claims

1. Arrangement (100) comprising a reciprocating piston engine (110), which is designed for combustion-free operation, and a vacuum chamber (130), in which a reduced air pressure can be generated relative to the atmosphere (A) surrounding the reciprocating piston engine (110), wherein: - the reciprocating piston engine (110) has at least one cylinder (111) which is closed by a cylinder head (118) and in which a piston (112) can be moved, and the piston (112) being coupled to a crankshaft (116) of the reciprocating piston engine (110) via a connecting rod (115) on the side facing away from the cylinder head (118), the connecting rod (115) and the crankshaft (116) being integrated in a crankcase (117a) of the reciprocating piston engine (110); - wherein a valve control (120) is provided which controls at least one inlet valve (119a) and at least one outlet valve (119b) in operation such that the piston (112) in the at least one cylinder (111) is moved back and forth by alternately applying ambient pressure and negative pressure; characterized in that - the at least one cylinder (111) on the cylinder head (118) has the at least one inlet valve (119a) and the at least one outlet valve (119b), the vacuum chamber (130) being connectable via the outlet valve (119b) to a working chamber (113) of the at least one cylinder (111) in a fluid-conducting manner, to generate a negative pressure in the working chamber (113), and the working chamber (113) being fluid-conductively connectable to the atmosphere (A) surrounding the reciprocating piston engine (110) via the inlet valve (119a) to generate ambient pressure in the working chamber (113); - and the reciprocating piston engine (110) is designed in such a way that during operation there is always a substantially constant pressure, in particular an atmospheric pressure (A) surrounding the reciprocating piston engine (110), in a region (114) of the piston facing away from the cylinder head (118).

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the reciprocating piston engine (110) has at least two cylinders, in particular four, six, eight, ten or twelve cylinders.

3. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve control (120) is realized via at least one camshaft (120a, 120b) coupled to the crankshaft (116).

4. Arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one camshaft (120a, 120b) is coupled to the crankshaft (116) with a gear ratio of 2:1, so that in operation the at least one camshaft (120a, 120b) has half the speed of the crankshaft (116).

5. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve control (120) is designed such that: - in a first stroke, in which the piston (112) moves towards the cylinder head (118), the outlet valve (119b) is open and the inlet valve (119a) is closed so that the piston (112) is pulled towards the cylinder head (118) by the negative pressure; - in a subsequent second stroke, in which the piston (112) moves away from the cylinder head (118), in a first time period the outlet valve (119b) is closed and the inlet valve (119a) is open and in a subsequent second time period both valves (119a, 119b) are closed, so that in the second time period the piston (112) moving away from the cylinder head (118) generates a negative pressure in the working chamber (113).

6. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an engine block (117), the piston (112), the connecting rod (115), the crankshaft (116), the at least one camshaft (120a, 120b) and / or the crankcase (117a) of the reciprocating piston engine (110), in particular the entire mechanical structure of the reciprocating piston engine (110), consists of plastic, ceramic and / or a composite material.

7. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vacuum chamber (130) is connected in a fluid-conducting manner to a vacuum-generating device (132, 133), in particular a vacuum pump, so that the vacuum chamber (130) can be or is evacuated by the vacuum-generating device (132).

8. Arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the vacuum generating means (133) includes a venturi tube.

9. Arrangement according to at least one of claims 7 - 8, characterized in that the vacuum generating device (132, 133) includes an electrically operated vacuum pump (132a), in particular a rotary vane pump, and wherein optionally the vacuum generating device, in addition to the electrically operated vacuum pump (132a), additionally includes a vacuum booster (132b) which is connected between the vacuum chamber (130) and the electrically operated vacuum pump (132a).

10. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reciprocating piston engine (110) has a turbocharger (122), the turbocharger (122) being configured to be driven by the air flowing out of the outlet valve (119b) and to compress the ambient air supplied via the inlet valve (119a).

11. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the crankshaft (116) of the reciprocating piston engine (110) is coupled to an electric generator (140) so that electric current (E) can be or is generated by the work of the reciprocating piston engine (110).

12. A method of operating an arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein negative pressure and ambient pressure are alternately applied in the working chamber (113) via the inlet valve (119a) and the outlet valve (119b), so that the piston (112) is moved back and forth in the at least one cylinder (111).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the pressure in the vacuum chamber (130) is at least 0.2 bar, in particular at least 0.4 bar, in particular at least 0.7 bar, lower than the atmospheric pressure (A) surrounding the reciprocating engine (110).

14. Use of an arrangement according to any one of claims 1 - 11 for driving a mechanical machine (M) and / or for generating electric current (E).

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