Plasma engine

Abstract

To provide a plasma engine capable of moving away from fossil fuel and reducing greenhouse effect gases in the atmosphere.SOLUTION: A plasma engine has a plasma generation unit that converts supplied pre-reaction substrates, including at least air, into plasma, and is powered by high pressure generated by the plasma generation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plasma engine that generates power by plasmaizing air or the like.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology of a plasma engine.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a plasma engine capable of eliminating dependence on fossil fuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The plasma engine according to the first aspect of the present invention has a plasma generation unit that plasmaizes reaction precursors including at least supplied air, and uses the high pressure generated by this plasmaization as power.

[0006] Preferably, it has a compression unit that generates compressed air.

[0007] Preferably, an automotive plasma engine having a piston unit that converts the high pressure generated by plasmaization into power by a piston.

[0008] Preferably, an aircraft plasma engine having a turbine unit that converts the high pressure generated by plasmaization into power by a turbine.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] The plasma engine in the present invention makes it possible to provide a plasma engine that can eliminate fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] <First Embodiment>

[0012] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a plasma engine using a piston according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the system of the plasma engine can be used (the combustion method part is replaced) in an engine with an existing piston. For example, a gasoline engine (reciprocating engine). Of course, it is also applicable to a diesel engine (reciprocating engine), a rotary engine, a hybrid engine, a Stirling engine, etc. Furthermore, it is applicable to a hydrogen engine using plasma. It is also applicable to various engines that generate water plasma and steam plasma. Hereinafter, although a gasoline engine will be described by way of example, it goes without saying that the present invention is applicable not only to the above-described engines but also to other engines.

[0014] Hereinafter, the plasma engine 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The plasma engine 101 includes a piston head 104, a rod 115, a crank 105, a crankshaft 102, a cylinder 103, a combustion chamber 107, an intake valve 112, an exhaust valve 113, an air supply pipe 111, an exhaust pipe 114, a magnetron 109, and a magnetron antenna 109a. Note that FIG. 1 shows expansion air 106 and electromagnetic waves 110. As shown in FIG. 1, it can be used in a gasoline engine that requires a piston (piston head 104) that slides up and down in the cylinder 103. In the case of a gasoline engine, it has a combustion chamber 107 formed by the cylinder 103 and the piston. An air supply pipe 111 for supplying air is connected to the combustion chamber 107. An intake valve 112 is provided between the air supply pipe 111 and the combustion chamber. By closing and opening the intake valve 112, the supply of air can be controlled (restricted). Further, the intake valve 112 also serves as a check valve to prevent backflow. Furthermore, an exhaust pipe 114 for exhausting the expanded air is connected to the combustion chamber 107. An exhaust valve 113 is provided between the exhaust pipe 114 and the combustion chamber.

[0015] By closing and opening the intake valve 112, the supply of air can be controlled (restricted). Further, the intake valve 112 also serves as a check valve to prevent backflow.

[0016] The magnetron 109 is driven by electric power or the like. Electromagnetic waves (microwaves) or the like generated by the magnetron 109 are irradiated onto the compressed air in the combustion chamber 107 through the magnetron antenna 109a. The air irradiated with the electromagnetic waves (microwaves) is turned into plasma. Since this plasmaized air is at a high temperature, it naturally expands in volume compared to mere compressed air, generating high pressure within the sealed combustion chamber 107. This creates a force that pushes the piston head 104 downward. This force is converted into the rotational force of the crankshaft 102 via the rod 115 and the crank 105. After that, the piston head 104, which has been machined to the bottom dead center, starts to rise again. At this time, the exhaust valve 113 is opened, and the plasmaized air is discharged into the exhaust pipe 114 as the piston head 104 rises. Next, after the piston head 104 has risen to the top dead center, the exhaust valve 113 is closed and the intake valve 112 is opened. Then, as the piston head 104 descends, air is sucked in from the air supply pipe 111. Furthermore, when the piston head 104 reaches the bottom dead center, the intake valve 112 is closed. And as the piston head 104 rises again, the air in the combustion chamber 107 is compressed. Finally, immediately before and after the piston head 104 reaches the top dead center, it is plasmaized by the aforementioned magnetron 109 to obtain high-temperature and high-pressure plasma.

[0017] An engine using plasma can be manufactured by the above method. In the above example, only air was plasmaized, but for example, air containing water, etc. can also be plasmaized. It is considered that by vaporizing a liquid into a gas, the volume can be expanded more efficiently due to the expansion of the volume.

[0018] The above description was for a gasoline engine, but it is obvious that it can also be used in other engine types such as diesel engines.

[0019] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of a plasma engine using the piston shown in Figure 1 when installed in an automobile.

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates the case where the plasma engine 1 described above is mounted on an automobile. As shown in FIG. 1, the automobile can be driven by loading the plasma engine 101 into the automobile. In the plasma engine 101 of FIG. 1, the magnetron 109, the magnetron antenna 109a, and the exhaust pipe 114 are shown as components of the plasma engine 101 in FIG. 1, but are described as separate members in FIG. 2.

[0021] In FIG. 2, in addition to the plasma engine 101, there are an air intake 203, a compressor 202, a wind power generation unit 204, a battery unit 205, a magnetron 109, a magnetron antenna 109a, an exhaust pipe 114, an ultraviolet irradiation device 206, a second battery 207, a charging port 208, and a muffler 210. Moreover, it is preferable that there is a charging stand 1001 for charging through the charging port 208. It is preferable that the charging stand 1001 has a connection terminal 1002 for insertion into the charging port 208.

[0022] The automobile in FIG. 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, air is taken into the automobile from the air intake 203 and sent to the compressor 202. The air is compressed by the compressor 202. Here, various pumps of positive displacement type and non-positive displacement type can be used as the compression method. The air compressed by the compressor 202 is sent to the plasma engine 101 having a structure as shown in FIG. 1, for example. In the plasma engine 1, the magnetron 109 is driven by the power from the battery unit 205 in which power is stored, and through the magnetron antenna 109a, the air etc. in the combustion chamber of the plasma engine 1 (as described above, a liquid such as water may be included. The same applies hereinafter and will be omitted.) is heated to be turned into plasma.

[0023] The exhaust gas is discharged from the exhaust pipe 114 through the muffler 210. The muffler 210 is provided with, for example, an ultraviolet irradiation device 206 for purifying nitrogen oxides (NOx) that are likely to be generated when air is plasmaized.

[0024] Also, the electric power charged from the charging port 208 may be used to charge the second battery 207 as shown in FIG. 2, separately from the battery unit 205. Also, a wind power generation unit 204 may be provided to supplement the power even slightly. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a plasma engine using a turbine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] The engine using plasma can also be applied to a gas turbine engine as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the plasma engine 301 for a gas turbine has an air intake port 303, a compression unit 302, a magnetron antenna 309a, a magnetron 309, a battery unit 305, a turbine unit 310, an ultraviolet irradiation device 311 for irradiating ultraviolet rays, and an exhaust port 312. It may also have a wind power generation unit 304. The following description is omitted because there is no particular change except that the gasoline engine is replaced with a gas turbine engine.

[0026] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a plasma engine using a turbine according to a third embodiment of the present invention is used in a drone.

[0027] In FIG. 3, an application example of the plasma engine to a gas turbine engine was described. Particularly, the application example and further improvement points when used in a drone will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the gas turbine engine described in FIG. 3 can also be used in a drone. For a drone with wings, as shown in FIG. 4, a gas turbine engine as shown in FIG. 3 can be used in the wing portion 402 of the aircraft body 403.

[0028] Moreover, even if it is not such a drone configuration, it may be a drone in a shape that directly attaches wings to the gas turbine engine 301.

[0029] Hereinafter, in addition to the content described with reference to FIG. 3, the improvement points of the gas turbine engine in FIG. 4 will be described. In FIG. 3, the energy for plasma generation was the electric power from the battery. However, in FIG. 4, an energy supply device 405 provided on the ground is further provided. This energy supply device 405 is configured to follow the antenna portion (and the second plasma antenna 406a) of the gas turbine engine 301 mounted on the drone and continue irradiation at a predetermined location. Note that the energy supply device 405 may have a ground antenna 405a for radiating energy. Thereby, the gas turbine engine 301 can be supplied with energy infinitely. In particular, it is more effective for drones that often fly within a limited range in a relatively narrow area. Finally, when including such an energy supply device 405, it is called a plasma engine system.

[0030] In FIG. 4, energy is directly sent to the second plasma antenna 406a provided in the gas turbine engine 301 (for example, electromagnetic waves (microwaves), lasers, etc.), but there may be a dedicated member for receiving other energy. The energy may be in a form stored in the battery unit 305 at one end, or can be directly supplied to the gas turbine engine 301.

[0031] Furthermore, if the energy can be stably supplied by this method, the battery unit 305 becomes unnecessary.

[0032] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of using a plasma engine using a turbine in an airplane according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The mechanism of the gas turbine engine 301 described with reference to FIG. 4 is not only applicable to small airplanes such as drones. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, it can also be applied to large airplanes. When moving like an aircraft, it can be used by arranging a plurality of energy supply devices 405 at regular intervals on its flight path. Furthermore, it can also be applied to satellites (geostationary satellites, low-earth orbit satellites, etc.) (in that case, instead of taking in air etc. from the outside, it is common to use what is installed on the satellite). In addition, it can also be applied to things like balloons. Furthermore, it can also be applied to trains (diesel trains, etc.). It can be used not only for trains but also for linear motor cars etc. Especially in the case of a linear motor car, for moving to a predetermined position, supply of external energy (such as the energy supply device 405) is appropriate. Also, this method can be used for machine tools in factories, various machines, and other operating power sources.

[0034] As described above, the engine is not limited to gasoline engines. Specifically, it can operate on the same principle for diesel engines as well. This is simply because instead of burning fossil fuels, it is to be made into plasma with microwaves to obtain expansion force (pressure). Therefore, it goes without saying that it can naturally be used for all things using diesel engines. For example, it can be used for ships etc. Such as passenger ships, fishing boats, cargo ships, patrol boats, military boats, etc. In particular, an energy supply device 405 etc. can be provided on a lighthouse to supply energy. It will be able to operate within the range where energy can be supplied from the lighthouse. If this energy supply device 405 is provided on a plurality of lamp posts, islands, artificial floating islands, etc., it is possible to operate in a wide range by sequentially switching them. Also, by providing the energy supply device 405 at regular intervals on sea routes, etc., it is possible to cope with long-distance navigation.

[0035] Furthermore, additionally, plasma power generation is also possible if a generator is installed in connection with a turbine. Power generation by this method is also possible by installing a generator not only in a turbine but also in a gasoline engine, a diesel engine, etc.

[0036] <Effect of the Invention (Embodiment)> As described above, since it does not use fossil fuels like conventional engines, it is possible to transform the society of excessive consumption of fossil fuels. Also, since it does not use fossil fuels, SOx is not generated. Regarding NOx, although it is generated, for example, there is no problem if a device such as the ultraviolet irradiation device 206 is provided (as another option, it is of course possible to use a muffler of an automobile or the like using an existing catalyst).

[0037] <Configuration and Effect of the Embodiment> The plasma engine according to the first aspect of the present invention has a plasma generation unit that generates plasma from at least a reaction precursor containing supplied air, and uses the high pressure generated by this plasma generation as power. Since it has such a configuration, it is possible to provide a plasma engine that can eliminate dependence on fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere.

[0038] Preferably, it has a compression unit (compression by a compressor, piston) that generates compressed air. Since it has such a configuration, the efficiency of the plasma engine can be increased.

[0039] Preferably, it is an automotive plasma engine having a piston section that converts the high pressure generated by plasma formation into power by means of a piston. Since it has such a configuration, a plasma engine can also be used for an automobile.

[0040] Preferably, it is an aircraft plasma engine having a turbine section that converts the high pressure generated by plasma formation into power by means of a turbine. Since it has such a configuration, it can be used for various devices driven by a gas turbine engine.

[0041] The structure, system, connection of each member, etc. of the present invention can be variously changed without changing the gist of the present invention. For example, it is possible to combine two or more members into one, or conversely, to configure and connect one member from two or more other members. Also, the above-described embodiment is merely one of the best forms at present.

Explanation of Signs

[0042] 1 Plasma engine 101 Plasma engine 102 Crankshaft 103 Cylinder 104 Piston head 105 Crank 106 Expanded air 107 Combustion chamber 109 Magnetron 109a Magnetron antenna 110 Electromagnetic wave 111 Intake pipe 112 Intake valve 113 Exhaust valve 114 Exhaust pipe 115 Rod 202 Compressor 203 Air intake 204 Wind power generation section 206 Ultraviolet irradiation device 207 Second battery 208 Charging port 210 Muffler 301 Plasma engine for gas turbine 301 Gas turbine engine 302 Compression section 303 Air intake 304 Wind power generation section 305 Battery section 309 Magnetron 309a Magnetron antenna 310 Turbine section 311 Ultraviolet irradiation device 312 Exhaust port 402 Wing part 403 Aircraft body 405 Energy supply device 405a Ground antenna 406a Second plasma antenna 1001 Charging stand 1002 Connection terminal

Claims

1. The device has a plasma generating unit that converts the supplied pre-reaction material, which includes at least air, into plasma, and uses the high pressure generated by the plasma generation as a power source. Plasma engine.

2. It has a compression section that generates compressed air 2. The plasma engine according to claim 1.

3. The plasma engine according to claim 2 comprises: It has a piston part that converts the high pressure generated by plasma generation into power by using a piston. Plasma engine for automobiles.

4. The engine according to claim 2 comprises: The high pressure generated by the plasma is converted into power by a turbine. Plasma engine for airplanes.

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