Thermal machine operating as a motor, heat pump or refrigerator of the STIRLING-FRANCHOT type

Abstract

Heat engine of the STIRLING - FRANCHOT type comprising a reciprocating cylindrical piston (101) and comprising another reciprocating cylindrical piston (107). A fixed quantity of working gas oscillates in a first circuit composed successively of the part of the chamber (102) located above the piston (101), an additional regenerator (120), a heater (103), a conventional regenerator (104), a cooler (105), an additional regenerator (160) and finally the part of the chamber (106) located above the piston (107). A second equivalent fixed quantity of working gas oscillates in a second parallel circuit.In four parallelepiped-shaped elements, plugs (1103), (1203), (1205) and (1105) are easily removable and the additional regenerators can be removed or added in whole or in part to deduce the configuration which optimizes the efficiency or the power of each of the uses (engine, heat pump or refrigerator). Figure for the abstract: FIG10.

Description

Title of the invention: Thermal machine operating as a motor, heat pump or refrigerator of the STIRLING-FRANCHOT type with cylindrical pistons and with or without additional regenerators "Technical field of the invention"

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal machine operating as a motor, heat pump or refrigerator of the STIRLING - FRANCHOT type with cylindrical pistons and with or without additional regenerators. The technical field is in particular that of these thermal machines of the STIRLING - FRANCHOT type, of which it is desired to know whether additional regenerators make it possible to increase the efficiency (use as a motor) or the coefficient of performance (use as a heat pump or refrigerator) as well as the power.

[0002] “State of the prior art”

[0003] The STIRLING heat engine is part of the state of the art. A particular type of STIRLING machine, the FRANCHOT heat engine, is also part of the state of the art. Then, STIRLING heat engines can be equipped with additional regenerators as proposed by RABALLAND (FR3017161). Finally, a test bench has been proposed for these heat engines to test the merits of these additional regenerators by RABALLAND (FR3017212). These last two patents by RABALLAND are part of a lesser-known state of the art. The test bench proposed by RABALLAND (FR3017212) allows a quick and simple selection, thanks to valves, of the circuits where the working fluid of the heat engine will pass and re-pass. This test bench allows testing several configurations of additional regenerators as proposed by RABALLAND (FR3017161).For a given application (engine, heat pump or refrigerator), there should be an optimal configuration of additional regenerators. This test bench is easy to use. However, it is complicated to implement.

[0004] “Statement of the invention”

[0005] The guiding idea is to design a STIRLING - FRANCHOT thermal engine which will serve in particular as an easy-to-build test bench. On the other hand, this test bench will be more difficult to use. Indeed, it will be necessary to dismantle and then reassemble certain parts of the thermal engine in order, in the meantime, to place or remove all or part of one or more additional regenerators. To limit the assembly and disassembly, when we have a given configuration of additional regenerators, we will carry out measurements of efficiency, coefficient of performance or flywheel rotation frequency or power for different uses of the thermal machine (engine, heat pump and refrigerator). This will determine the configuration best suited to a given use. Theoretically, the engine requires additional regenerators on the expansion and compression sides, the heat pump only on the expansion side and the refrigerator only on the compression side. “Brief presentation of the different figures”

[0006] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description of a preferred embodiment and variants given as non-limiting examples with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0007] [Fig-1] to [Fig.4] are diagrams showing various FRANCHOT engines

[0008] [Fig. 1], according to the state of the art, is a diagram showing a FRANCHOT machine with two conventional regenerators.

[0009] [Fig.2], according to the state of the art, is a diagram showing a FRANCHOT machine with two conventional regenerators and with two suitable heaters and two suitable coolers.

[0010] [Fig.3], according to the invention, is a diagram showing a FRANCHOT machine with two conventional regenerators and with two suitable heaters and two suitable coolers and with four additional regenerators.

[0011] [Fig.4], according to the invention, is a diagram showing a FRANCHOT machine double and quasi-symmetrical with four conventional regenerators and with four suitable heaters and two suitable coolers and with eight additional regenerators.

[0012] [Fig.5] to [Fig.12] are industrial drawings detailing the diagram of [Fig.3] [Fig.3]

[0013] [Fig.5], according to the invention, is a three-dimensional drawing showing a FRANCHOT machine with incomplete kinematics comprising four parallelepiped-shaped elements as well as four cylinder-shaped chambers.

[0014] [Fig.6], according to the invention, is a sectional drawing BB showing a cylindrical piston in reciprocating translation in its cylindrical chamber connecting two parallelepiped-shaped elements and also showing two removable covers allowing the addition or removal of all or part of two additional regenerator(s).

[0015] [Fig.71], according to the invention, is a sectional drawing AA showing a parallelepiped-shaped element through which the working gas circulates from or to a piston and also from or to a heater. In addition, this parallelepiped-shaped element guides, by means of a tube, the piston rod.

[0016] [Fig.72], according to the invention, is a sectional drawing DD showing a heater.

[0017] [Fig.73], according to the invention, is a side view drawing CC showing an element in the shape of a parallelepiped.

[0018] [Fig.74], according to the invention, is a top view drawing EE, showing a heater cover.

[0019] [Fig.81], according to the invention, is a drawing showing in three dimensions an element in the shape of a parallelepiped pierced within it with holes forming a heater, passage to the expansion piston and guide.

[0020] [Fig.82], according to the invention, is a side view G showing an element in the form of parallelepiped with a guide tube for the expansion piston rod.

[0021] [Fig.9], according to the invention, is a drawing showing the two cylindrical pistons and their associated chambers, the four parallelepiped-shaped elements and the two conventional regenerators in their respective chambers. There are no additional regenerators

[0022] [Fig. 10], according to the invention, is a drawing showing the two cylindrical pistons and their associated chambers, the four parallelepiped-shaped elements and the two conventional regenerators in their respective chambers. There are four additional regenerators, two on the expansion side and two on the compression side.

[0023] [Fig. 11], according to the invention, is a drawing showing the two cylindrical pistons and their associated chambers, the four parallelepiped-shaped elements and the two conventional regenerators in their respective chambers. There are two additional regenerators, both on the compression side.

[0024] [Fig. 12], according to the invention, is a drawing showing the two cylindrical pistons and their associated chambers, the four parallelepiped-shaped elements and the two classic regenerators in their respective chambers. There are two additional regenerators, both on the expansion side.

[0025] [Fig. 13], according to the invention, is a top view drawing of the assembly of the invention, this in transparency.

[0026] [Fig. 14], according to the invention, is a three-dimensional drawing of the assembly of the invention, this in transparency.

[0027] “Detailed description of at least one embodiment”

[0028] [Fig.l] according to the state of the art, is a diagram showing a FRANCHOT machine with two conventional regenerators (104) and (204). The expansion side piston (101) is located between the upper and lower part of the expansion chamber (102). A heater (1030) heats the expansion chamber. The compression side piston (107) is located between the upper and lower part of the compression chamber (106). A cooler (1050) cools the compression chamber. The expansion side piston (101) is centered in its associated chamber by the piston rod (11) which is connected to the pivot (12) which is connected to the connecting rod (13). The compression side piston (107) is centered in its associated chamber by the piston rod (21) which is linked to the pivot (22) which is linked to the connecting rod (23). The kinematics contains a flywheel (1), a bearing attached to the frame (2) and a crankshaft (3) which is linked at its two ends to the two connecting rods (13) and (23) via a crankpin at each end.

[0029] [Fig.2] according to the state of the art, is a diagram showing a FRANCHOT machine with two conventional regenerators (104) and (204), with two suitable heaters (103) and (203) on the expansion side, and two suitable coolers (105) and (205) on the compression side. There are two fluid circuits:

[0030] Firstly the working fluid goes back and forth from the expansion side piston (101), into the upper part of the expansion chamber (102), into the upper part heater on the expansion side (103), into the upper part conventional regenerator (104), into the upper part cooler on the compression side (105), into the upper part of the compression chamber (106) and to the compression side piston (107).

[0031] Secondly, the working fluid flows back and forth from the expansion side piston (101), into the lower part of the expansion chamber (102), into the lower part heater expansion side (203), into the lower part conventional regenerator (204), into the lower part cooler compression side (205), into the lower part of the compression chamber (106) and to the compression side piston (107).

[0032] First: (101), (102), (103), (104), (105), (106), (107)

[0033] Second: (101), (102), (203), (204), (205), (106), (107)

[0034] [Fig. 3] according to the invention, is a diagram showing a FRANCHOT machine with two conventional regenerators (104) and (204) and with two suitable heaters (103) and (203) on the expansion side and two suitable coolers (105) and (205) on the compression side and with four additional regenerators (120) and (220) on the expansion side and (160) and (260) on the compression side. There are two fluid circuits:

[0035] Firstly the working fluid goes back and forth from the expansion side piston (101), into the upper part of the expansion chamber (102), into the upper expansion side supplemental regenerator (120), into the upper expansion side heater (103), into the upper conventional regenerator (104), into the upper compression side cooler (105), into the upper compression side supplemental regenerator (160), into the upper part of the compression chamber (106) and to the compression side piston (107).

[0036] Secondly, the working fluid flows back and forth from the expansion side piston (101), into the lower part of the expansion chamber (102), into the additional regenerator lower part of the expansion side (220), into the heater lower part of the expansion side (203), into the conventional regenerator lower part (204), into the cooler lower part of the compression side (205), into the additional regenerator lower part of the compression side (260), into the lower part of the compression chamber (106) and up to the compression side piston (107).

[0037] First: (101), (102), (120), (103), (104), (105), (160), (106), (107)

[0038] Second: (101), (102), (220), (203), (204), (205), (260), (106), (107)

[0039] [Fig.4] according to the invention, is a diagram showing a double and quasi-symmetrical FRANCHOT machine with respect to the crankshaft. The aim is to obtain a quasi-uniform torque on the crankshaft. The piston rod (11), pivot (12) and connecting rod (13) kinematics has the piston rod (31), pivot (32) and connecting rod (33) kinematics as symmetrical. These two kinematics are linked to the same left crankpin of the crankshaft (3). The kinematics of the piston rod (21), pivot (22) and connecting rod (23) are symmetrical to the kinematics of the piston rod (41), pivot (42) and connecting rod (43). These two kinematics are linked to the same right crankpin of the crankshaft (3).There are in this machine four classic regenerators (104), (204) in its upper part and (304), (404) in its lower part and with four heaters (103), (203) in its upper part and (305), (405) in its lower part and four suitable coolers (105), (205) in its upper part and (303), (403) in its lower part and with eight additional regenerators (120), (220), (160), (260) in its upper part and (320), (420), (360) and (460) in its lower part. There are four fluid circuits: .

[0040] Firstly the working fluid goes back and forth in the upper part from the expansion side piston (101), in the upper part of the expansion chamber (102), in the additional regenerator upper part of the expansion side (120), in the heater upper part of the expansion side (103), in the conventional regenerator upper part (104), in the cooler upper part of the compression side (105), in the additional regenerator upper part of the compression side (160), in the upper part of the compression chamber (106) and up to the compression side piston (107).

[0041] Secondly, the working fluid flows back and forth in the upper part from the expansion side piston (101), in the lower part of the expansion chamber (102), in the additional regenerator lower part expansion side (220), in the heater lower part expansion side (203), in the conventional regenerator lower part (204), in the cooler lower part compression side (205), in the additional regenerator lower part compression side (260), in the lower part of the compression chamber (106) and up to the compression side piston (107).

[0042] Thirdly the working fluid goes back and forth in the lower part from the expansion side piston (307), in the upper part of the expansion chamber (406), in the additional regenerator upper part expansion side (460), in the heater upper part expansion side (405), in the conventional regenerator (404), in the cooler lower part compression side (403), in the additional regenerator lower part compression side (420), in the part in lower part of the compression chamber (302) and up to the compression side piston (301).

[0043] Fourthly, the working fluid flows back and forth in the lower part from the expansion side piston (307), into the lower part of the expansion chamber (406), into the lower expansion side supplementary regenerator (360), into the lower expansion side heater (305), into the conventional regenerator (304), into the upper compression side cooler (303), into the upper compression side supplementary regenerator (320), into the upper part of the compression chamber (302) and up to the compression side piston (301).

[0044] First: (101), (102), (120), (103), (104), (105), (160), (106), (107)

[0045] Second: (101), (102), (220), (203), (204), (205), (260), (106), (107)

[0046] Third: (307), (406), (460), (405), (404), (403), (420), (302), (301)

[0047] Fourth: (307), (406), (360), (305), (304), (303), (320), (302), (301)

[0048] [Fig.3] represents the technological choice made and the latter is detailed in the Figures 5 to 12 below.

[0049] [Fig. 5] according to the invention, is a three-dimensional drawing showing a FRANCHOT machine with incomplete kinematics where only the piston rods (11) and (21) are visible and comprising four parallelepiped-shaped elements (103), (203), (205), (105) as well as four cylinder-shaped chambers (501), (507), (104) and (204). Four covers provided with a tube (703), (803), (805) and (705) and four others not visible in the figure except the tube of the cover and tube assembly (905) located below allow the supply or removal of heat depending on whether the four parallelepiped-shaped elements form two heaters pierced in two of these elements (103), (203) or form two coolers pierced in two of these elements (105), (205).Four plugs (1103), (1203), and two others not visible in the figure, can be easily removed or fixed, this to add or subtract all or part of the additional regenerators located in the parallelepiped-shaped elements (103), (203), (205) and (105).

[0050] [Fig.6] according to the invention, is a sectional drawing BB showing the cylindrical piston (101) in reciprocating translation in its associated expansion block (501) connecting two parallelepiped-shaped elements (103) and (203) and also having two removable covers (1103) and (1203) allowing the addition or removal of all or part of two additional regenerator(s) (120) and (220). In addition, this parallelepiped-shaped element guides, by means of a tube (200), the piston rod (11). The conventional regenerators (104) and (204) are partially visible. The piston (101), piston rod (11), pivot (12) and connecting rod (13) kinematics is linked to the crankshaft (3) by a crankpin.

[0051] Figure 7.1, according to the invention, is a sectional drawing AA showing the element in parallelepiped shape (203) through which the working gas circulates from or to the piston (101) and also from or to the heater formed by drilling at the other end of the parallelepiped-shaped element (203). It will be noted that in the upper part we find the cover with tube (803) which has its equivalent (903) in the lower part.

[0052] Figure 7.2, according to the invention, is a sectional drawing DD showing the heater formed by drilling into the parallelepiped-shaped element (203).

[0053] Figure 7.3, according to the invention, is a side view drawing CC showing the parallelepiped-shaped element (203).

[0054] Figure 7.4, according to the invention, is a top view drawing EE, showing the cover (803) of the heater formed by drilling into the parallelepiped-shaped element (203).

[0055] Figure 8.1, according to the invention, is a drawing showing in three dimensions the parallelepiped-shaped element (203) pierced within it with holes forming a heater, a space for housing the possible additional regenerator (220), passages towards the expansion piston (101) and a guide tube (200) for the piston rod (11).

[0056] Figure 8.2, according to the invention, is a side view G showing the parallelepiped-shaped element (203) with a guide tube (200) of the rod (11) of the expansion piston (101).

[0057] [Fig. 9], according to the invention, is a drawing showing the two cylindrical pistons (101), (107) and their associated expansion (501) or compression (507) blocks, the four parallelepiped-shaped elements (103), (203), (205), (105) and the two conventional regenerators (104), (204) in their respective chambers. The drawing also shows the two piston rods (11) and (21), the covers (1103), (1203), (1205) and (1105) and the guide tubes (200) and (208). The upper and lower parts of the expansion chamber (102) are located on either side of the expansion piston (101) and the upper and lower parts of the compression chamber (106) are located on either side of the compression piston (107). There are no additional regenerators.

[0058] [Fig. 10], according to the invention, is a drawing showing the two cylindrical pistons (101), (107) and their associated expansion (501) or compression (507) blocks, the four parallelepiped-shaped elements (103), (203), (205), (105) and the two conventional regenerators (104), (204) in their respective chambers. The drawing also shows the two piston rods (11) and (21), the covers (1103), (1203), (1205) and (1105) and the guide tubes (200) and (208). The upper and lower parts of the expansion chamber (102) are located on either side of the expansion piston (101) and the upper and lower parts of the compression chamber (106) are located on either side of the expansion piston (101). part and others of the compression piston (107). There are four additional regenerators, two on the expansion side (120), (220) and two on the compression side (160), (260).

[0059] [Fig. 11], according to the invention, is a drawing showing the two cylindrical pistons (101), (107), the four parallelepiped-shaped elements (103), (203), (205), (105) and the two conventional regenerators (104), (204) in their respective chambers. There are two additional regenerators, compression side (160), (260).

[0060] [Fig. 12], according to the invention, is a drawing showing the two cylindrical pistons (101), (107), the four parallelepiped-shaped elements (103), (203), (205), (105) and the two conventional regenerators (104), (204) in their respective chambers. There are two additional regenerators, on the expansion side (120), (220).

[0061] [Fig. 13], according to the invention, is a top view and shows parts including the pierced oblong covers (603) and (703), (803) and (903) on the heater side and the pierced oblong covers (605) and (705), (805) and (905) on the cooler side. Through these pierced caps, heat is supplied or removed to the proposed heat engine.

[0062] [Fig. 14], according to the invention, is a three-dimensional view and gives an overall overview.

[0063] The tubes (200) and (208) must limit leaks and friction at the rods (11) or (21). They must also be heat-resistant and not very deformable in order to properly center the pistons in their respective chambers. Finally, they are wear parts.

[0064] The machine has on the expansion side or on the compression side a pressurization and depressurization valve on each of the two parallelepiped-shaped elements. These valves are (700) and (900).

[0065] The machine comprises on the expansion side four oblong covers, each provided with a vertical tube transporting a heat transfer fluid, the first two of which are located on the top of each of the two parallelepiped-shaped elements (103, 203) and the last two on the bottom of each of the same two elements and comprises on the compression side four other oblong covers, each provided with a vertical tube transporting a heat transfer fluid, the first two of which are located on the top of each of the two parallelepiped-shaped elements (105, 205) and the last two on the bottom of each of the same two elements.

[0066] The machine comprises on the expansion side four oblong covers, each provided with a horizontal tube transporting a heat transfer fluid, the first two of which are located on the outer side of each of the two parallelepiped-shaped elements (103, 203) and the last two on the inner side of the same two elements and comprises on the compression side four other oblong covers, each provided with a horizontal tube transporting a heat transfer fluid, the first two of which are located on the outer flank of each of the two parallelepiped-shaped elements (105, 205) and the last two on the inner flank of each of the same two elements.

Claims

Claims

1. Thermal machine of the STIRLING-FRANCHOT volumetric machine type operating as an engine, heat pump or refrigerator, having at least one rectangular structure, in which the working fluid oscillates, with on the widths two cylindrical pistons (101) and (107) and their associated expansion (501) and compression (507) blocks, with at the four corners four parallelepiped-shaped elements (103), (203), (205), (105) and with on the lengths two conventional regenerators (104), (204) in their respective chambers characterized in that removable covers (1103), (1203), (1205) and (1105) fixed to the four parallelepiped-shaped elements allow all or part of additional regenerators (120), (220), (260) and (160) to be removed or added.

2. Machine according to claim 1 comprising four parallelepiped-shaped elements (103), (203), (205), (105) characterized in that each element has in its first half a network of perpendicular holes to form a cooler or a heater, has in its second half a cylindrical hole in the extension of and connected to the cooler or the heater to house an additional regenerator and also each has in its second half a network of holes connected to the expansion block (501) or to the compression block (507).

3. Machine according to claims 1 to 2 characterized in that a tube (200) or (208), placed transversely in a horizontal hole from one side to the other in the second half of a parallelepiped-shaped element, guides a rod (11) or (21) in order to center the pistons (101) or (107) in their respective blocks (501) or (507).

4. Machine according to claims 1 to 3 characterized in that on the expansion side or on the compression side there is a pressurization and depressurization valve on each of the two parallelepiped-shaped elements. These valves are (700) and (900)

5. Machine according to claims 1 to 4 characterized in that on the expansion side four oblong covers, each provided with a vertical tube transporting a heat transfer fluid, are located for the first two on the top of each of the two parallelepiped-shaped elements (103, 203) and the last two on the bottom of each of the same two elements and on the compression side four other oblong covers, provided each of a vertical tube carrying a heat transfer fluid, are located for the first two on the top of each of the two parallelepiped-shaped elements (105, 205) and the last two on the bottom of each of the same two elements.

6. Machine according to claims 1 to 4 characterized in that on the expansion side four oblong covers, each provided with a horizontal tube transporting a heat transfer fluid, are located for the first two on the outer side of each of the two parallelepiped-shaped elements (103, 203) and the last two on the inner side of the same two elements and on the compression side four other oblong covers, each provided with a horizontal tube transporting a heat transfer fluid, are located for the first two on the outer side of each of the two parallelepiped-shaped elements (105, 205) and the last two on the inner side of each of the same two elements.

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