BIOLOGICAL ENGINE

Abstract

A biological engine is configured to transfer mechanical energy from a biological actuator. The biological engine has an enclosure containing a biological feedstock. A cylinder opening is arranged on a bottom side of the enclosure. A turbine hole is arranged on the bottom side of the enclosure. A turbine is arranged in the turbine hole with a turbine seal. A crankshaft assembly has a crankshaft joined to the turbine. A piston is joined to the crankshaft assembly. A cylinder surrounds the piston and connected to the cylinder opening. A biological actuator joins the piston and a cylinder head with an artificial tendon. An electrode pad touches the biological actuator and connected to a current source with a wire and an electrode connector. Electrical current from the current sources causes the biological actuator to expand and contract, moving the piston, turning the crankshaft and transferring the mechanical energy.

Claims

1. A biological engine, configured to transfer mechanical energy from a biological actuator; the biological engine comprising: an enclosure containing a biological feedstock; a cylinder opening, arranged on a bottom side of the enclosure; a turbine hole, arranged on the bottom side of the enclosure; a turbine, arranged in the turbine hole with a turbine seal; a crankshaft assembly, further comprising, a crankshaft, joined to the turbine, a piston, joined to the crankshaft assembly; a cylinder, surrounding the piston and connected to the cylinder opening; a biological actuator, joining the piston and a cylinder head with an artificial tendon; an an electrode pad, touching the biological actuator and connected to a current source with a wire and an electrode connector; wherein electrical current from the current sources causes the biological actuator to expand and contract, moving the piston, turning the crankshaft and transferring the mechanical energy.

2. The biological engine of claim 1, wherein the biological actuator further comprises an artificial muscle.

3. The biological engine of claim 2, wherein the biological feed stock further comprises a mixture of aquatic cyanobacteria in a nutrient rich water.

4. The biological engine of claim 3, wherein the turbine further comprises; turbine blades, joined to a turbine shaft a shaft seal, connecting the turbine shaft to a turbine housing; a spring arranged within the turbine housing, connected to the turbine shaft and a spring housing; a flywheel shaft, joined to the turbine shaft and a flywheel;

5. The biological engine of claim 4, a plurality of connecting rods, joined to the crankshaft with a pin;

6. The biological engine of claim 4, wherein the piston is joined to the pin with a connecting rod.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008] The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 3 shows a front view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 4 shows a detail view of the cylinder of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the synthetic tendon and electrodes of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of the synthetic tendon and electrodes of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 6 shows a front view of one embodiment of the turbine of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the turbine of the present invention; and

[0017] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the turbine of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

[0018] By way of example, and referring to FIGS. 1-8, one embodiment of a biological engine is configured to transfer mechanical energy from a biological actuator. The biological engine has an enclosure 10 further comprising a biological feedstock. At least one cylinder opening 12 is arranged on a bottom side of the enclosure 10. A turbine hole 14 is also arranged on the bottom side of the enclosure 10.

[0019] A turbine 16 is arranged in the turbine hole 14 with a turbine seal 18. A crankshaft assembly has a crankshaft 48 joined to the turbine. A piston 42 is joined to the crankshaft assembly. A cylinder 20 surrounds the piston 42 and is connected to the at least one cylinder opening 12. The cylinder is filled with the biological feedstock which can be drained by removing a plug 30.

[0020] A biological actuator joins the piston 42 and a cylinder head with an artificial tendon 32. An electrode pad 40 touches the biological actuator and is connected to a current source with a wire 38 and an electrode connector 34. The electrode connector 34 further comprises an electrode seal 36 which prevents the biological feedstock from leaking from the cylinder 20. Electrical current from the current sources causes the biological actuator to expand and contract, moving the piston 42, turning the crankshaft 48 and transferring the mechanical energy. A user can adjust the speed of the turbine 16 by manipulating the electrical current with an accelerator 56.

[0021] In some embodiments, the biological actuator further comprises an artificial muscle 32 joined to a synthetic tendon 22. The synthetic tendon 22 further comprises individual fibers 24 joined to a tendon anchor 26 and covered in a tendon sheath 28. In some embodiments, the tendon sheath 28 can be a removable silicone sheath.

[0022] The biological feedstock further comprises a mixture of aquatic cyanobacteria 52 in a nutrient rich water 54.

[0023] In some embodiments, the turbine 16 further comprises turbine blades 58 joined to a turbine shaft. A shaft seal 60 connects the turbine shaft to a turbine housing 62. A spring 64 is arranged within the turbine housing 62, connected to the turbine shaft and a spring housing 66. A flywheel shaft 68 joins to the turbine shaft and a flywheel 70. A plurality of connecting rods 44 join to the crankshaft 48 with a pin 46. The piston 42 joins to the pin 46 with a connecting rod 44.

[0024] As used in this application, the term “a” or “an” means “at least one” or “one or more.”

[0025] As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number.

[0026] As used in this application, the term “substantially” means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value and especially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein.

[0027] All references throughout this application, for example patent documents including issued or granted patents or equivalents, patent application publications, and non-patent literature documents or other source material, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, as though individually incorporated by reference, to the extent each reference is at least partially not inconsistent with the disclosure in the present application (for example, a reference that is partially inconsistent is incorporated by reference except for the partially inconsistent portion of the reference).

[0028] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

[0029] Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specified function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶ 6. In particular, any use of “step of” in the claims is not intended to invoke the provision of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶ 6.

[0030] Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.