Fluid Engine with Enhanced Efficiency

Abstract

An engine provides torque by transmitting power in a fluid using optimally positioned lift-to-drag ratio blades with air-foil shape sections. The fluid may be liquid or gas. Various considerations of engine configuration, fluid density, fluid pressure and fluid temperature are design parameters that can be tuned to achieve high performance. The fluid flow created can be used to drive rotary motion of an output axle, for example.

1 . An engine, comprising:
 a housing including an interior space divided into a first portion and a second portion that are connected with each other;   a working fluid filling the interior space which flows, during operation, between the first portion and the second portions; and   one or more airfoils positioned within the interior space in the circulation path of the fluid flow.   
   
   
       2 . An engine as in  claim 1  wherein, during operation, a temperature difference is created between the first portion and the second portion, such that the working fluid flows between the first portion and the second portion. 
   
   
       3 . An engine as in  claim 2 , wherein the temperature difference is to achieve a fluid flow velocity within the interior space. 
   
   
       4 . An engine as in  claim 1  wherein, during operation, a propeller drives the working fluid between the first portion and the second portion. 
   
   
       5 . An engine as in  claim 1 , wherein the airfoils are positioned relative to the fluid flow to creates torque. 
   
   
       6 . An engine as in  claim 1 , wherein a fluid structure drives the working fluid between the first portion and the second portion. 
   
   
       7 . An engine as in  claim 6 , wherein the fluid structure is driven by a power source. 
   
   
       8 . An engine as in  claim 6 , wherein the fluid structure comprises blades positioned to increase fluid pressure in the fluid flow. 
   
   
       9 . An engine as in  claim 8 , wherein the blades comprise reaction blades. 
   
   
       10 . An engine as in  claim 8 , wherein the blades comprise aerodynamic blades. 
   
   
       11 . An engine as in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion is connected by a central portion and a peripheral portion. 
   
   
       12 . An engine as in  claim 11 , wherein the airfoils are positioned at the peripheral portion. 
   
   
       13 . An engine as in  claim 1 , wherein airfoils are positioned to create a lift force in a predetermined direction. 
   
   
       14 . An engine as in  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined direction is a direction of rotational motion resulting from the lift force. 
   
   
       15 . An engine as in  claim 1 , wherein the airfoils comprise axial blades. 
   
   
       16 . An engine as in  claim 1 , further comprising support structure securing airfoils to the housing. 
   
   
       17 . An engine as in  claim 16 , wherein the airfoils further comprise axial blades. 
   
   
       18 . An engine as in  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the airfoils form the support structures. 
   
   
       19 . An engine as in  claim 1 , wherein the airfoils comprise radial blades. 
   
   
       21 . An engine as in  claim 1 , wherein the airfoils are provided on interior walls of the housing, such that the lift force puts the housing into rotation motion, 
   
   
       22 . An engine as in  claim 11 , wherein the peripheral portion opens into a plurality of extension chambers, wherein a portion of the airfoils is placed in the extension chambers to provide torque. 
   
   
       23 . An engine as in  claim 24 , wherein each extension chamber includes a nozzle through which the working fluid leaves the extension chamber. 
   
   
       24 . An engine as in  claim 22 , wherein the fluid flow over the portion of the airfoils placed in the extension chambers create torque that drives a rotational motion of the housing to drive an output axle. 
   
   
       25 . An engine as in  claim 23 , wherein the working fluid leaving the extension chamber is directed towards a set of objects provided on a rotatable structure, such that the working fluid flowing over the set of the objects provides torque to the engine. 
   
   
       26 . An engine as in  claim 11 , wherein each extension chamber has a first opening and a second opening into the peripheral portion, and wherein fluid flow from the peripheral portion into the extension chamber through the first opening and from the extension chamber into the peripheral portion through the second opening. 
   
   
       27 . An engine as in  claim 26 , wherein fluid circulates between each extension chamber and the peripheral portion. 
   
   
       28 . An engine as in  claim 22 , wherein the torque provided by airfoils in the extension chamber sets the housing into rotational motion to drive an output axle. 
   
   
       29 . An engine as in  claim 1 , wherein the lift-to-drag ratio of an airfoil is greater than one. 
   
   
       30 . An engine as in  claim 1 , wherein an angle of attack of an airfoil, relative to the working fluid flow, is adjustable. 
   
   
       31 . An engine as in  claim 30 , wherein the angle of attack is adjustable to achieve a better torque. 
   
   
       32 . An engine as in  claim 1 , wherein an angle of attack of an airfoil is adjustable. 
   
   
       33 . An engine as in  claim 1 , wherein the airfoils comprise spiral blades. 
   
   
       34 . An engine as in  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a tubular portion rotatable about an axis. 
   
   
       35 . An engine as in  claim 1 , wherein the working fluid comprises a gas. 
   
   
       36 . An engine as in  claim 35 , wherein the gas is pressurized.