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

Abstract

A STIRLING-FRANCHOT type heat engine comprising a reciprocating cylindrical piston (101) and another reciprocating cylindrical piston (107). A fixed quantity of working gas oscillates in a first circuit composed successively of the portion 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 portion 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 additional regenerators can be removed or added in whole or in part to achieve the configuration that optimizes the efficiency or power of each application (engine, heat pump, or refrigerator). Figure for the abbreviation: FIG10.

Description

Title of the invention: Thermal machine functioning as an engine, 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 STIRLING-FRANCHOT type heat engine operating as a motor, heat pump, or refrigerator with cylindrical pistons and with or without additional regenerators. The technical field is specifically that of these STIRLING-FRANCHOT type heat engines, and it is sought to determine whether additional regenerators increase efficiency (when used as a motor) or coefficient of performance (when used as a heat pump or refrigerator), as well as power output.

[0002] “Prior art”

[0003] The STIRLING heat engine is part of the state of the art. A particular type of STIRLING engine, the FRANCHOT heat engine, is also part of the state of the art. Furthermore, 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 effectiveness of these additional regenerators by RABALLAND (FR3017212). These last two patents by RABALLAND are part of a less well-known state of the art. The test bench proposed by RABALLAND (FR3017212) allows for quick and easy selection, using valves, of the circuits through which the working fluid of the heat engine will pass. This test bench allows for 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 build.

[0004] “Description of the invention”

[0005] The guiding principle is to design a STIRLING-FRANCHOT heat engine that will serve, in particular, as an easy-to-build test bench. However, this test bench will be more difficult to use. Indeed, it will be necessary to disassemble and then reassemble certain parts of the heat engine in order, in the meantime, to add or remove all or part of one or more additional regenerator(s). To limit assembly and disassembly, when a given configuration of additional regenerators is used, measurements of efficiency, coefficient of performance, or other factors will be carried out. The rotational speed of the flywheel or the power output for different applications of the heat engine (engine, heat pump, and refrigerator) will determine the most suitable configuration for a given use. Theoretically, the engine requires additional regenerators on both 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 features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and variants given by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying 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 almost 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 scheme of [Fig.3] [Fig.3]

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

[0014] [Fig.6], according to the invention, is a cross-sectional drawing BB having a cylindrical piston in reciprocating translation in its cylindrical chamber connecting two parallelepiped-shaped elements and also having 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 cross-sectional drawing AA having a parallelepiped-shaped element through which the working gas flows from or to a piston and also from or to a heater. In addition, this parallelepiped-shaped element guides the piston rod by means of a tube.

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

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

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

[0019] [Fig.81], according to the invention, is a drawing presenting 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 having an element in the shape 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 entire assembly of the invention, this in transparency.

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

[0028] Figure 1, according to the prior 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 parts of the expansion chamber (102). A heater (1030) heats the expansion chamber. The compression-side piston (107) is located between the upper and lower parts 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 include 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] Figure 2, according to the prior 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 expansion side heater (103), into the upper part of the conventional regenerator (104), into the upper part of the compression side cooler (105), into the upper part of the compression chamber (106) and back to the compression side piston (107).

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

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

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

[0034] Figure 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 additional regenerator upper part of the expansion-side (120), into the heater upper part of the expansion-side (103), into the conventional regenerator upper part (104), into the cooler upper part of the compression-side (105), into the additional regenerator upper part of the compression-side (160), into the upper part of the compression chamber (106) and back to the compression-side piston (107).

[0036] Secondly, the working fluid goes 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 back 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] Figure 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 are mirror images of the piston rod (31), pivot (32), and connecting rod (33) kinematics. These two kinematics are linked to the same left crankpin of the crankshaft (3). The piston rod (21), pivot (22) and connecting rod (23) kinematics is mirrored by the piston rod (41), pivot (42) and connecting rod (43) kinematics. These two kinematics are linked to the same right crankpin of the crankshaft (3).This machine has four conventional regenerators (104), (204) in its upper part and (304), (404) in its lower part, and 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 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 goes 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 expansion-side part (220), in the heater lower expansion-side part (203), in the conventional regenerator lower part (204), in the cooler lower compression-side part (205), in the additional regenerator lower compression-side part (260), in the lower part of the compression chamber (106) and up to the compression-side piston (107).

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

[0043] Fourthly the working fluid goes back and forth in the lower part from the expansion-side piston (307), in the lower part of the expansion chamber (406), in the additional regenerator lower expansion-side part (360), in the heater lower expansion-side part (305), in the conventional regenerator (304), in the cooler upper compression-side part (303), in the additional regenerator upper compression-side part (320), in 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] Thirdly: (307), (406), (460), (405), (404), (403), (420), (302), (301)

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

[0048] Figure 3 represents the chosen technological option, which is detailed in the figures 5 to 12 that follow.

[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 lids fitted with a tube (703), (803), (805) and (705) and four others not visible in the figure except the tube of the lid 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] Figure 6, according to the invention, is a cross-sectional drawing BB showing the cylindrical piston (101) in reciprocating motion within its associated expansion block (501), which connects two parallelepiped-shaped elements (103) and (203) and also features two removable covers (1103) and (1203) allowing the addition or removal of all or part of two additional regenerator(s) (120) and (220). Furthermore, this parallelepiped-shaped element guides the piston rod (11) via a tube (200). The conventional regenerators (104) and (204) are partially visible. The piston (101), piston rod (11), pivot (12), and connecting rod (13) kinematics are linked to the crankshaft (3) by a crankpin.

[0051] Figure 7.1, according to the invention, is a cross-sectional drawing AA showing the element in The parallelepiped-shaped element (203) through which the working gas flows from or to the piston (101) and also from or to the heater formed by a hole at the other end of the parallelepiped-shaped element (203). Note that in the upper part there is the cover with a tube (803) which has its equivalent (903) in the lower part.

[0052] Figure 7.2, according to the invention, is a cross-sectional drawing DD showing the heater formed by drilling in 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 in 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 to house the possible additional regenerator (220), passages to 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) for the rod (11) of the expansion piston (101).

[0057] Figure 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 portions of the expansion chamber (102) are located on either side of the expansion piston (101), and the upper and lower portions of the compression chamber (106) are located on either side of the compression piston (107). There are no additional regenerators.

[0058] Figure 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... part and other 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] Figure 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 on the compression side (160), (260).

[0060] Figure 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] Figure 13, according to the invention, is a top view and shows parts including the perforated oblong covers (603) and (703), (803) and (903) on the heater side and the perforated oblong covers (605) and (705), (805) and (905) on the cooler side. Heat is supplied to or removed from the proposed heat engine through these perforated covers.

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

[0063] The tubes (200) and (208) must limit leakage and friction at the rods (11) or (21). They must also be heat-resistant and have low deformation to ensure proper centering of the pistons in their respective chambers. Finally, they are wear parts.

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

[0065] The machine has on the expansion side four oblong covers, each fitted with a vertical tube carrying a heat transfer fluid, which 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 has on the compression side four other oblong covers, each fitted with a vertical tube carrying a heat transfer fluid, which 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.

[0066] The machine comprises, on the expansion side, four oblong covers, each fitted with a horizontal tube carrying 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 fitted with a horizontal tube carrying a heat transfer fluid, the first two of which are located 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.

Claims

Demands

1. A STIRLING-FRANCHOT type volumetric heat engine operating as a motor, heat pump or refrigerator, having at least one rectangular structure, in which the working fluid oscillates, with two cylindrical pistons (101) and (107) on the widths and their associated expansion (501) and compression (507) blocks, with four parallelepiped-shaped elements (103), (203), (205), (105) at the four corners and with two conventional regenerators (104), (204) on the lengths 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 heater, has in its second half a cylindrical hole in the extension of and connected to the cooler or heater to house an additional regenerator and also has each in its second half a network of holes connected to the expansion block (501) or 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 through and through 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. A machine according to claims 1 to 3 characterized in that, on either the expansion or compression side, there is a pressurization and depressurization valve on each of the two parallelepiped-shaped elements. These valves are (700) and (900).

5. A machine according to claims 1 to 4 characterized in that, on the expansion side, four oblong covers, each equipped with 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 (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, equipped 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 equipped with a horizontal tube carrying 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 equipped with a horizontal tube carrying 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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