Low cost heat engine which may be powered by heat from a phase change thermal storage material

Abstract

This invention is an engine where the working fluid may be in either a closed circuit or an open circuit. The engine may be powered by heat stored in an easily rechargeable high temperature phase change system or by heat of combustion directly. Also disclosed is a portable device incorporating the engine optionally as a) an electrical generator b) a source of refrigeration in remote environments c) a source of rotating mechanical power in remote environments. Also disclosed is a stationary device incorporating the engine and phase change thermal storage system as a co-generating heating and refrigeration system for widespread application. Also disclosed is a vehicle catalytic converter pre-heater incorporating a phase change thermal storage system and engine.

I claim:  
     
         1 ) A gerotor machine having 
 the outer rotor supported by two journal bearings surrounding the outer rotor    
     
     
         2 ) A gerotor machine as in  claim 1  where 
 lubricant to the journal bearings is oil pumped by a purpose-built additional gerotor pump which is driven from the common shaft of the main gerotor machine.  
 
     
     
         3 ) A gerotor machine as in  claim 2  where 
 Coolant passages are provided between any lubricated element and any hot gas chambers of the gerotor machine for the purpose of cooling the lubricant.  
 
     
     
         4 ) A gerotor machine as in  claim 1  where 
 lubricant to the journal bearings is an engine fuel pumped by a purpose-built additional gerotor pump which is driven from the common shaft of the main gerotor machine.  
 
     
     
         5 ) A gerotor machine as in  claim 1  where 
 lubricant to the journal bearings is a gaseous working fluid pumped by a gerotor compressor which is driven from the common shaft of the gerotor machine.  
 
     
     
         6 ) A gerotor machine as in  claim 5  where 
 lubricant to the journal bearings is further compressed by a purpose-built additional gerotor pump which is driven from the common shaft of the main gerotor machine.  
 the lubricant is compressed to a pressure above its critical point pressure to become a supercritical fluid.  
 
     
     
         7 ) A gerotor machine as in  claim 1  where 
 the outer rotor is substantially surrounded be a sealable case  
 the sealable case is separated into two or more chambers by fixed seals  
 provision is made to pressurize the resulting several chambers to differing pressures to reduce unbalanced loads on the journal bearings  
 
     
     
         8 ) A gerotor machine as in  claims 1  to  7  where 
 thermal energy to operate the gerotor machine as a heat engine derives substantially from a phase change Thermal Store.  
 the heat storage phase change material is one of aluminum, zinc, copper, lead, barium, tin, silver, silicon, boron oxide, lithium iodide or any alloy composed substantially of one or more of these.  
 
     
     
         9 ) A heat engine as in  claim 8  where 
 the engine drives an electrical generator as its primary load  
 provision is made for the engine to drive other loads mechanically  
 the thermal storage container is attached to the engine by one or more insulated structural shafts said shafts are designed to house and protect the conduit tubes which transport the engine working fluid to and from the said thermal storage.  
 said shafts are designed to allow the thermal storage container to be suspended over a substantially open fire or other general purpose heat source for collection of heat.  
 the thermal storage container is shaped to provide for additional thermal storage containers to be placed in close thermal contact with it to provide additional thermal storage capacity.  
 
     
     
         10 ) A heat engine as in  claim 9  where 
 the engine working fluid is air  
 the engine working fluid operates in an open cycle with additional heat energy supplied by a burner oxidizing part of the working fluid.  
 
     
     
         11 ) A heat engine as in  claim 8  where 
 the engine working fluid operates in a closed cycle  
 the thermal storage is part of a stationary space conditioning electrical co-generation system  
 
     
     
         12 ) A heat engine as in  claim 8  where 
 heat is provided by a solid fuel burning system disposed to supply heat primarily to the thermal storage  
 
     
     
         13 ) A heat engine as in  claim 8  where 
 heat is provided by a sollar collector system disposed to supply heat primarily to the thermal storage  
 
     
     
         14 ) A heat engine as in  claim 8  where 
 heat is provided by the fuel burner of a second heat engine as in  claim 8  with the working fluid operating in an open circuit  
 the fuel burner is disposed to supply heat primarily to the thermal storage  
 the exhaust of the fuel burner drives the second engine  
 
     
     
         15 ) A heat engine as in  claim 13  where 
 heat is provided by a decorative fireplace  
 
     
     
         16 ) A heat engine as in  claim 8  where 
 the thermal storage surrounds the catalytic converter of a motor vehicle  
 the thermal store is normally heated by the exhaust of the vehicle engine  
 the heat engine working fluid operates in a closed cycle  
 the heat engine drives an auxiliary compressor to operate a refrigeration circuit providing space cooling to the vehicle cabin  
 
     
     
         17 ) A heat engine as in  claim 16  where 
 an auxiliary fuel burner is disposed to provide heat to the thermal store  
 
     
     
         18 ) A heat engine as in  claim 17  where 
 the thermal store or engine exhaust is also used to provide space heating to the vehicle cabin  
 
     
     
         19 ) A heat engine as in  claim 17  where 
 the thermal store or engine exhaust is also used to provide heating to the engine prior to startup of the vehicle engine