Working fluid generator with induction heating coil

Abstract

A working-fluid generator comprising an electrically conductive vessel that is surrounded by an inductive coil and has conductive, longitudinal members that extend through the vessel. A fluid inlet passes through a one-way valve. Fluid heated by the interaction between the inductive coil and the combination of conductive vessel and conductive, longitudinal members is converted to working fluid in the form of a gas that builds pressure in the air-filled space inside the vessel. Air in the pressurized gas is released through a valve, leaving a working fluid. This fluid is controllably released through a solenoid valve and into a conduit leading to a working-fluid-driven machine. A renewable-energy resource may be used to preheat the fluid to be introduced to the working-fluid generator.

Claims

1. A working fluid generator comprising: An electrically conductive vessel having an inlet and an outlet, and; said electrically conductive vessel, having at least a left side and a right side, fixedly engaged with at least two electrically conductive members that pierce at least one side of said electrically conductive vessel; and said electrically conductive members each having a left end and a right end, fixedly engaged with said left side and said right side, respectively, of said electrically conductive vessel; and said two electrically conductive members being a first member and a second member; and said electrically conductive vessel further engaged with an inlet conduit fixedly engaged with said inlet, for filling the electrically conductive vessel; and said electrically conductive vessel fillable with a fluid at least part way; and the remaining part of said electrically conductive vessel filled with air; and said first member residing in the liquid within the electrically conductive vessel and said second member residing in the space above said liquid; and said inlet conduit fluidly engaged with a one-way valve, proximal to the electrically conductive vessel inlet; and said electrically conductive vessel fixedly engaged with a conduit that is fluidly engaged with a solenoid valve; and said solenoid valve is fluidly engaged with an interior of an outlet conduit, which is in turn, fluidly engaged with, said electrically conductive vessel outlet; and said electrically conductive vessel further engaged with an air release valve that is fixedly engaged with at least one wall of said vessel and is in fluid communication with the interior of said vessel; and in combination, the electrically conductive vessel and at least two electrically conductive members are surrounded by an induction coil that is structurally engaged proximal to the outer surface of said electrically conductive vessel; and an induction emitter structurally engaged with and coupled with said induction coil for the purpose of emitting a rapidly alternating magnetic field through the induction coil and in turn through the electrically conductive vessel and the at least two electrically conductive members; and said rapidly alternating magnetic field producing heat when meeting resistance in the electrically conductive vessel and the at least two electrically conductive members; and said heat transferring through said electrically conductive vessel and the at least two electrically conductive members and to said fluid, thus converting said fluid to a working fluid in the form of a gas that builds inside the vessel; and said second member providing heat to said working fluid; and said air in said vessel, allowed to escape through said air release valve; and said working fluid controllably released through said solenoid valve through said outlet conduit for the purpose of providing a working fluid to a working fluid driven machine.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inner surface of said electrically conductive vessel has an interior surface that is textured.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein 1 ounce of liquid is converted to between 250 and 350 psi in between 25 and 65 seconds when said heat is transferred to said liquid.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conduit for filling the electrically conductive vessel is engaged with an insulated fluid storage tank; and said insulated fluid storage tank is engaged with a heating element; and said heating element is electrically coupled with a renewable energy source; wherein said renewable energy source provides heat to the fluid in said insulated fluid storage tank for the purpose of raising the temperature of fluid entering said electrically conductive vessel and reducing the energy required to convert said fluid to a working fluid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) To assist those of skill in the art in making and using the disclosed working fluid generator and associated methods, reference is made to the accompanying figures, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective, semi-cross section view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective, semi-cross section of an example steam engine;

(5) FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of an example system of the embodiment;

DESCRIPTION

(6) Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a vessel 110 contains an amount of fluid in liquid state. The vessel 110 is filled with fluid approximately to a fill line 134. The vessel 110 is comprised of an electrically conductive material. Cross-members, referred to as heat-transfer rods 130, extend through the vessel, with each of their ends touching the outer surface of the vessel 110. The ends of the heat-transfer rods 130 are shown on the outer surface of the vessel 110 in FIG. 1, and are shown extending through the interior of the vessel 110 in FIG. 2. At least a portion of the interior surface of the vessel 110 is textured for the purpose of increasing the surface area of the vessel interior that is in contact with the fluid on the interior of the vessel 110. A texture 119 may be fabricated by threading the inner walls of the vessel 110 to create a pipe-thread texture 119. One skilled in the art understands that textures including an array of ribs, fins or tubes may also be fabricated to create a texture 119 on the interior of the vessel 110. A solenoid valve 124 pierces the vessel 110 via a standard plumbing fitting. An air-release valve 128 and a one-way/check valve 122 also pierce the vessel via standard plumbing fittings.

(7) A conduit 120 is intended to be connected to a source of fluid for filling the vessel 110. The conduit 120 has a check valve 122 to prevent back-flow from the vessel 110 back into the conduit 120, wherein, an increase in pressure inside the vessel 110 is not lost through the conduit 120.

(8) An exit tube 123 connects to a solenoid valve 124. The solenoid valve 124 has an electrical input 126 and a fluid outlet 121. Electrical charge through the input 126 opens the normally closed valve and allows working fluid to exit the vessel 110 and pass through the outlet 121.

(9) The upper surface of the vessel 110 has an air-release valve 128 that allows air to escape without allowing working fluid to escape.

(10) An induction emitter 112 comprises electrical inputs 114 and 116 and a continuous induction loop, referred to as the induction coil 118, which is comprised of electro-magnetically conductive material that is coiled about an area proximal to the outer surface of the vessel 110. The induction emitter 112 employs an electromagnet and an electric oscillator. A high-frequency alternating current (AC) is sent through an electromagnet, producing a rapidly alternating magnetic field. Induction emitters are well known in the art; its interior is therefore not shown here for the purpose of clarity. The rapidly alternating magnetic field is directed through the induction coil 118 and is in turn directed toward the electrically conductive vessel 110 and the heat-transfer rods 130. Electric eddy currents produced by the induction emitter flow through the induction coil 118 into the vessel and also through the heat-transfer rods 130, producing heat upon encountering resistance in the materials of each.

(11) The combined surface area of the vessel 110 and the heat-transfer rods 130 rapidly heats the fluid in the vessel 110, thus converting it to a working fluid in a gaseous state. The now-gaseous working fluid is then further heated by the upper-most heat-transfer rods 130. Air is released through the ARV 128 and the working fluid is controllably released by the solenoid valve 124 through the outlet 121.

(12) Referring to FIG. 3, an example steam engine is illustrated. One skilled in the art understands that there are numerous variations on a steam engine and the example is shown to illustrate a means of converting a working fluid to mechanical energy. One skilled in the art also understands that mechanical energy may be used for any number of mechanical functions, including electricity generation. The example steam engine comprises at least one piston, at least one linkage and at least one flywheel.

(13) In the example illustrated, a first piston block 240 has a working fluid inlet 256 and drives a first flywheel 250. The first piston block is identical to a second piston block 242, which houses a piston 244. The piston 244 is moved when a working fluid is injected into the working fluid port 254 and enters the piston chamber through working fluid port 260. The working fluid entering the working fluid port 260 drives the piston 244 along the chamber until the piston 244 passes the working fluid exhaust port 258 where the working fluid travels out of the exhaust conduit 262. As the piston is driven by the working fluid, the linkage 246 moves in a linear motion that is transferred to a rotational motion to drive flywheel 248. A linkage chain drive 252 maintains timing between the two pistons and flywheels.

(14) Referring to FIG. 4, an example system and method of the present embodiment is illustrated. Energy from renewable resources is accumulated as hot water in a hot water storage tank 572. Energy is collected by renewable energy sources including solar energy capture device 300 or wind energy device 400. Energy from renewable resources is transferred as heat or electricity by heat-transfer/electrical conduit 575 to a hot water storage tank 572.

(15) Hot water from the hot water storage tank 572 is transferred by conduit 520 to a first working-fluid generator 100 where it is stored in the working fluid generator tank 510. An induction emitter 512 heats the water to steam so as to provide a working-fluid as described in FIG. 1.

(16) The controller 529 controls the flow of power to the working fluid production system 500. A first solenoid valve 524 and a second solenoid valve 525 are electrically connected with a controller 529. The flow of working fluid to the pistons of the steam engine 200 are controlled by the controller by switching the solenoid valves 524 and 525 by an appropriate timing to drive the two pistons of the steam engine 200. The controller also controls the flow of energy to induction coils 533 (in the first working fluid generator) and coil 531 in the second working fluid generator 100. In the disclosed example, one working fluid generator provides working fluid to a piston in a steam engine while a second working fluid generator is heating fluid to provide working fluid to a second piston subsequently. One skilled in the art understands that more or fewer working fluid generators may be used depending on the steam engine timing and number of pistons. In other words, a functioning system may be achieved with one working-fluid generator and a steam engine with one piston, while another functioning system may be achieved with four working fluid generators and two pistons and so on.

(17) An example of the function and timing is as follows: an induction emitter 512 is controlled by the controller 529 and sends induction energy through induction coil 533. The induction coil 533 heats water in the working-fluid generator tank 510 sufficiently to convert the hot water to a working fluid. In some embodiments one ounce of liquid is converted to 250-350 psi of working fluid in between 25-65 seconds. The working fluid is released by solenoid valve 524 and is transferred along conduit 556 to drive piston 540 in the steam generator 200. The controller 529 then switches the distribution of power such that the induction emitter 512 sends induction energy along coil 531 to secondary working-fluid generator 100 to tank 511 where the hot water from the hot water storage tank 572 that is fed along conduit 521 to tank 511, is heated to a working fluid. The solenoid valve 525 is opened by a signal from the controller 529 such that it releases the working fluid through conduit 554 to piston 542 to turn the steam engine 200.

(18) A steam engine 200 having a first piston block 240 and second piston block 242 is driven by working fluid provided by at least one working fluid generator 500. The present example illustrates a two-piston 540/542 steam engine and two working fluid generators 510 and 511.

(19) One skilled in the art understands that renewable energy includes more example embodiments than have been illustrated. Renewable energy collected in the form of electrical energy or heat energy may be converted to heat used to heat water in a storage tank 572.