JPH11257154A - External combustion-type heat gas engine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect the presence or absence of the rotation of a crank shaft at low cost and at high accuracy. SOLUTION: In an external combustion-type heat engine 1, a high-temperature side displacer piston 2 and a low-temperature side displacer piston 3 are respectively housed in a high-temperature side pressure container 40 and a low-pressure side pressure container 41 so as to be reciprocated, both displacer pistons 2, 3 are connected to each other by a crank shaft 10, and operating gas is filled in both pressure containers 40, 41. A strain gauge 46 for detecting pressure fluctuation in the pressure container is installed outside the low-temperature side pressure container 41.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an external combustion type hot gas engine suitable as a cooling / heating heat source for a cooling / heating device, a hot water supply device and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as a device for cooling, heating and hot water supply,
A heat pump (Vuilleumier Cycle Heat Pump) using a Vilmier cycle as an external combustion type heat gas engine has been developed. This external-combustion hot gas engine causes a pressure change only by a change in the temperature distribution of He (helium) gas as a sealed medium (working gas), thereby enabling direct cooling / heating / hot water supply (for example, Fairness 5-65777
Or JP-A-4-113170).

In this external combustion type hot gas engine, a high temperature side displacer piston is housed in a high temperature side pressure vessel, and a low temperature side displacer piston is housed in a low temperature side pressure vessel so as to be reciprocally movable. It is connected to a crankshaft via a rod and a connecting rod, and both pressure vessels are filled with working gas.

In this type of external combustion type hot gas engine, when the operation is started, the crankshaft is forcibly rotated by a starter motor, whereby the high temperature side displacer piston and the low temperature side displacer piston are reciprocated. Is ignited, the heater connected to the high temperature chamber in the high temperature side pressure vessel is heated, and the external combustion type hot gas engine operates independently.

[0005] The external combustion type hot gas engine is started as described above. For example, it is not preferable that the combustor is ignited while the rotation of the crankshaft is stopped for some reason. For this reason, it is necessary to detect whether or not the crankshaft rotates, especially when the external combustion type hot gas engine is started.

Conventionally, the rotation of a crankshaft is performed by installing a photoelectric sensor, a magnetic sensor, or a proximity switch in a crankcase housing the crankshaft, or installing a rotary encoder at an end of the crankshaft.
Detection is performed by these sensors.

[0007]

However, the above-described photoelectric sensors, magnetic sensors, proximity switches, rotary encoders, and the like are expensive in themselves.

Further, the inside of the crankcase is a place where a high pressure acts like the high-temperature side pressure vessel and the low-temperature side pressure vessel.
The reliability of the sensor may be impaired.

Further, when the above-described sensor is installed in the crankcase, the external combustion type hot gas engine must be disassembled when the sensor is adjusted or replaced, and the maintainability of the sensor is reduced.

Further, when the above-mentioned sensor is installed in the crankcase, the wiring connected to the sensor has to be penetrated through the crankcase or the like and taken out to the outside. There are cases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an external combustion type hot gas engine capable of detecting the presence or absence of rotation of a crankshaft at low cost and with high accuracy.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
Each of the high-temperature side displacer piston and the low-temperature side displacer piston is reciprocally housed in each of the high-temperature side pressure vessel and the low-temperature side pressure vessel. In an external combustion type hot gas engine filled with working gas, a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure fluctuation of the working gas in these pressure vessels is provided outside at least one of the high temperature side pressure vessel and the low temperature side pressure vessel. It was installed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the high-temperature side displacer piston and the low-temperature side displacer piston are respectively reciprocally accommodated in the high-temperature side pressure vessel and the low-temperature side pressure vessel, respectively. In an external combustion type hot gas engine connected by a shaft and filled with working gas in both pressure vessels, the high temperature side pressure vessel and the low temperature side pressure vessel are connected to move the working gas in both pressure vessels. A pressure sensor for detecting a pressure change of the working gas in the high-temperature side pressure vessel and the low-temperature side pressure vessel is provided outside the conductive portion that can be made.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the pressure sensor corresponds to a low-temperature regenerator disposed outside the low-temperature side pressure vessel and disposed in the low-temperature side pressure vessel. It was installed at a location.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the pressure sensor is a high-pressure side pressure vessel, a low-temperature side pressure vessel, or a conduction section based on a pressure fluctuation of a working gas. This is a strain gauge for detecting strain.

The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4 has the following effects.

A pressure sensor is provided outside at least one of the high-temperature side pressure vessel and the low-temperature side pressure vessel, or outside the conducting portion connecting the high-temperature side pressure vessel and the low-temperature side pressure vessel. Or, by detecting the pressure fluctuation of the working gas in the conducting portion, the presence or absence of reciprocation of the high-temperature displacer piston and the low-temperature displacer piston causing the pressure fluctuation of the working gas, that is, the crankshaft connected to these displacer pistons The presence or absence of rotation can be detected.

The presence or absence of rotation of the crankshaft is determined by using a high-cost sensor such as a photoelectric sensor, a magnetic sensor, or a proximity switch installed in a crankcase, or a rotary encoder installed at an end of the crankshaft. Detection using a low-cost pressure sensor installed outside the low-temperature side pressure vessel, etc., so if the pressure sensor is a strain gauge in particular, the presence or absence of crankshaft rotation can be detected at low cost. it can.

Further, since the pressure sensor is disposed outside at least one of the high-temperature side pressure vessel and the low-temperature side pressure vessel or outside the conduction portion, the pressure sensor is installed in the pressure vessel or the crankcase. Since the reliability of the sensor can be ensured without lowering the reliability in a high-pressure environment, the presence or absence of rotation of the crankshaft can be detected with high accuracy.

Further, since the pressure sensor is disposed outside at least one of the high-temperature side pressure vessel and the low-temperature side pressure vessel, or outside the conduction portion, when the sensor is replaced, the working gas is extracted or the external combustion type is removed. There is no need to disassemble the hot gas engine, and good maintainability such as adjustment and repair of the sensor can be maintained.

When the pressure sensor is installed inside the high temperature side pressure vessel, the low temperature side pressure vessel or the crankcase, the wiring connected to the sensor is taken out through the above crankcase and the like, Although it is necessary to apply a gas seal to the penetrating portion, in the above invention, since the pressure sensor is disposed outside at least one of the high-temperature side pressure vessel and the low-temperature side pressure vessel or outside the conduction section, the pressure vessel There is no need to apply the above-described gas seal to the crankcase or the crankcase, and the gas seal of the pressure vessel or the crankcase can be reliably ensured.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a cold / hot water supply circuit of a heat pump type air conditioner to which an embodiment of an external combustion type hot gas engine according to the present invention is applied.

The external combustion type hot gas engine 1 includes a high temperature side displacer piston 2 and a low temperature side displacer piston 3 which are arranged orthogonally to each other, and these are housed in a container described later in which a working gas such as helium is sealed. I have. The interior of the container includes a high-temperature chamber 12, medium-temperature chambers 13 and 14, and a low-temperature chamber 1.
5 is divided. Further, a heater 16 is provided at an end of the high temperature chamber 12, and the heater 16 is heated by the combustor 11.

The displacer pistons 2 and 3 are connected to the crankshaft 10 via piston rods 2a and 3a, respectively, so as to operate with a phase shift of 90 ° from each other. When the high-temperature side displacer piston 2 and the low-temperature side displacer piston 3 operate, the sealed working gas passes through the high-temperature regenerator 4 and the low-temperature regenerator 7 and passes through the high-temperature chamber 12, the medium-temperature chamber 13, the medium-temperature chamber 14, and the low-temperature chamber 15 Move between. The working gas is heated or cooled when passing through the regenerators 4 and 7, so that the pressure in the closed vessel is increased or reduced.

For example, when the working gas in the high-temperature chamber 12 moves to the middle-temperature chamber 13 through the high-temperature regenerator 4, the heat energy of the working gas is stored in the high-temperature regenerator 4, and the pressure of the working gas decreases. . Conversely, when the working gas recirculates from the medium temperature chamber 13 to the high temperature chamber 12, the thermal energy stored in the high temperature regenerator 4 is released to the working gas, and the pressure of the working gas increases. When the working gas in the low-temperature chamber 15 moves to the medium-temperature chamber 13 through the low-temperature regenerator 7, the working gas is supplied with the heat energy of the low-temperature regenerator 7, and the pressure of the working gas also increases. Conversely, when the working gas recirculates from the medium temperature chamber 13 to the low temperature chamber 15, the heat energy of the working gas is
And the pressure of the working gas decreases.

The exchange of heat energy with the outside is performed by the heater 16, the medium-temperature heat exchangers 5 and 6 connected to the medium-temperature chambers 13 and 14, respectively, and the low-temperature heat exchanger 8 connected to the low-temperature chamber 15. And do.

For example, when the heater 16 gives thermal energy to the working gas in the high temperature chamber 12, the working gas in the medium temperature chambers 13 and 14 emits thermal energy to the external heat medium via the medium temperature heat exchangers 5 and 6. At the same time, the working gas in the low-temperature chamber 15 absorbs heat energy from the external heat medium via the low-temperature heat exchanger 8.

That is, in the external combustion type hot gas engine 1 of the present embodiment, the low temperature heat exchanger 8 and the low temperature chamber 15 constitute a heat absorbing portion, while the medium temperature heat exchangers 5 and 6 and the medium temperature chambers 13 and 14 are provided. Constitute a heat radiating portion, and the air conditioner 100 is configured using the low-temperature heat exchanger 8 and the medium-temperature heat exchangers 5 and 6 of the external combustion type heat gas engine 1. The air conditioner 100 includes an external combustion type hot gas engine 1, an indoor unit 200, and an outdoor unit 300.

An indoor heat exchanger 201 is provided in the indoor unit 200, and an outdoor heat exchanger 301 is provided in the outdoor unit 300. 203 is an indoor fan and 303 is an outdoor fan. The low-temperature heat exchanger 8 and the indoor heat exchanger 201 are connected by a pipe 21, a four-way valve 36 and a pipe 22, and the indoor heat exchanger 201 and the low-temperature heat exchanger 8 are further connected by a pipe 23 and a four-way valve 37. It is connected to a pipe 24.

Further, the intermediate temperature heat exchanger 5 and the outdoor heat exchanger 30
1 is connected by a pipe 31, a four-way valve 36 and a pipe 32, and the outdoor heat exchanger 301 and the medium temperature heat exchanger 6 are connected by a pipe 33, a four-way valve 37 and a pipe 34. The intermediate-temperature heat exchangers 5 and 6 are connected by a pipe 35. Water (hereinafter, referred to as liquid refrigerant) is used as an external heat medium circulating in the pipeline.

Here, reference numeral 9 denotes a starter motor,
When the external combustion type hot gas engine 1 is started, the crankshaft 10 is forcibly rotated to forcibly reciprocate the high temperature side displacer piston 2 and the low temperature side displacer piston 3. External combustion type hot gas engine 1 using this starter motor 9
During the start of the combustion, the combustor 11 is ignited and the external combustion type hot gas engine 1
Is operated independently, and then the starter motor 9 is stopped.

At the time of cooling operation, the hot gas engine 1 is operated by the ignition of the combustor 11, and the heat energy of the working gas is released to the liquid refrigerant via the medium temperature heat exchangers 5, 6, while the low temperature heat exchanger is used. The heat energy of the liquid refrigerant is absorbed by the working gas through the pipe 8. At this time, the four-way valves 36 and 37 are switched as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, and the liquid refrigerant that has released the heat energy in the low-temperature heat exchanger 8 is supplied to the pipeline 21 and the four-way valve 3.
6. It flows to the indoor heat exchanger 201 via the pipe 22.
In the indoor unit 200, the indoor heat exchanger 201 which has become low temperature
Is blown from the indoor fan 203, cool air is blown into the room (cooling is performed), and the liquid refrigerant that has absorbed the heat energy of the indoor unit 200 flows through the pipe 23, the four-way valve 37, and the pipe 2
The refrigerant is returned to the low-temperature heat exchanger 8 via 4.

At this time, the liquid refrigerant having absorbed the heat energy in the intermediate-temperature heat exchanger 5 is supplied to the pipe 31, the four-way valve 36, and the pipe 32.
Through the outside fan 303, where it is cooled by the air blown from the outdoor fan 303, flows through the pipe 33, the four-way valve 37, and the pipe 34 to the middle-temperature heat exchanger 6, and further through the pipe 35 to exchange medium-temperature heat. Reflux to vessel 5.

Also, during the heating operation, the hot gas engine 1 is operated by the ignition of the combustor 11, and the heat energy of the working gas is absorbed by the liquid refrigerant via the medium-temperature heat exchangers 5 and 6, while the low-temperature The heat energy of the liquid refrigerant is released to the working gas via the heat exchanger 8, and at this time, the four-way valves 36 and 37 are switched as shown by the dotted lines in FIG.

In this case, the liquid refrigerant having absorbed the heat energy in the intermediate temperature heat exchangers 5 and 6 flows to the indoor heat exchanger 201 via the pipe 31, the four-way valve 36 and the pipe 22.

In the indoor unit 200, air is blown from the indoor fan 203 to the indoor heat exchanger 201, which has become relatively hot, and hot air is blown into the room (heating is performed). The liquid refrigerant that has released energy is connected to line 2
3, the intermediate temperature heat exchanger 5 via the four-way valve 37 and the pipe 34
Reflux to 6.

At this time, the liquid refrigerant that has released heat energy in the low-temperature heat exchanger 8 is supplied to the pipe 21, the four-way valve 36, and the pipe 32.
Then, after flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 301 through the outdoor fan 303 to absorb the heat energy of the outside air, the air flows back to the low-temperature heat exchanger 8 via the pipe 33, the four-way valve 37, and the pipe 24.

Here, the structure of the external combustion type hot gas engine 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

The high temperature side displacer piston 2 is accommodated in the high temperature side pressure vessel 40, and the low temperature side displacer piston 3 is accommodated in the low temperature side pressure vessel 41 so as to be able to reciprocate as described above. Also, the crankshaft 1
0 is connected to the high temperature side displacer piston 2 and the low temperature side displacer piston 3 via the piston rods 2a, 3a and the connecting rods 2b, 3b, respectively, as described above, and is rotatably housed in the crank chamber 47 of the crank case 42. You. The high temperature side pressure vessel 40 and the low temperature side pressure vessel 41 are bolted to the crankcase 42 in an orthogonal state.

The high temperature side pressure vessel 40 includes a high temperature side cylinder 43 for reciprocating the high temperature side displacer piston 2 by slidingly contacting the high temperature side displacer piston 2, and the high temperature regenerator 4 and the medium temperature heat exchanger 5 are disposed outside the high temperature side cylinder 43. Is done. The high-temperature side cylinder 43 and the high-temperature side pressure vessel 40 have a high-temperature side displacer piston 2 inside the high-temperature side chamber 12 and the middle-temperature side chamber 1.
It is divided into three.

The low-temperature side pressure vessel 41 includes a low-temperature side cylinder 44 for reciprocating the low-temperature side displacer piston 3 by slidingly contacting the low-temperature side displacer piston 3. A medium-temperature heat exchanger 6 and a low-temperature heat exchanger 8 are respectively disposed on both sides of a low-temperature regenerator 7 outside the above. The low-temperature side cylinder 44 and the low-temperature side pressure vessel 41 have a low-temperature side displacer piston 3.
The compartment is divided into a medium temperature room 14 and a low temperature room 15.

The above-mentioned high temperature room 12, medium temperature room 13, medium temperature room 1
4, the low-temperature chamber 15, the high-temperature regenerator 4, the medium-temperature heat exchanger 5, the medium-temperature heat exchanger 6, the low-temperature regenerator 7, and the low-temperature heat exchanger 8 are filled with working gas. Medium temperature chamber 1 of high temperature side pressure vessel 40
The working gas in the middle-temperature room 13 and the middle-temperature heat exchanger 5 and the working gas in the middle-temperature room 14 and the middle-temperature heat exchanger 6 are connected by a connection duct 45 as a conduction portion connecting the third side and the low-temperature side pressure vessel 41 to the middle-temperature room 14 side. The movement with the working gas in the inside is enabled.

The low-temperature side pressure vessel 41 is provided with a strain gauge 46 as a pressure sensor outside a position corresponding to the low-temperature regenerator 7. During operation of the external combustion type hot gas engine 1, the low temperature side displacer piston 3 reciprocates in conjunction with the rotation of the crankshaft 10, thereby
The working gas in the low temperature side pressure vessel 41 periodically fluctuates in pressure. The strain gauge 46 detects the distortion of the low-temperature side pressure vessel 41 caused by the pressure fluctuation of the working gas in the low-temperature side pressure vessel 41. By detecting the distortion, the reciprocating movement of the low-temperature side displacer piston 3, ie, The presence or absence of rotation of the crankshaft 10 can be detected.

The strain gauge 46 is provided outside the connection duct 45 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 to detect a distortion of the connection duct 45 based on a pressure fluctuation of the working gas in the connection duct 45. Thus, the reciprocating movement of the high temperature side displacer piston 2 and the low temperature side displacer piston 3, that is, the presence or absence of rotation of the crankshaft 10 may be detected.

Therefore, according to the external combustion type hot gas engine 1 of the above embodiment, the following effects are obtained.

The strain gauge 46 is disposed outside the low-temperature side pressure vessel 41 or outside the connection duct 45 connecting the high-temperature side pressure vessel 40 and the low-temperature side pressure vessel 41, and is connected to the low-temperature side pressure vessel 41 or the connection duct. Since the pressure fluctuation of the working gas in the working gas 45 is detected, the presence or absence of the reciprocating movement of the high temperature side displacer piston 2 and the low temperature side displacer piston 3 causing the pressure fluctuation of the working gas, that is, the high temperature side displacer piston 2 and the low temperature side Crankshaft 1 connected to displacer piston 3
The presence or absence of zero rotation can be detected. As a result, the presence or absence of rotation of the crankshaft 10 when the starter motor 9 starts the external-combustion hot gas engine 1 or the presence or absence of rotation of the crankshaft 10 during ignition of the post-startup combustor 11 by the starter motor 9 are satisfactorily determined. Can be detected.

The presence or absence of rotation of the crankshaft 10 is determined by
A photoelectric sensor, a magnetic sensor or a proximity switch installed in the crankcase 42, or the crankshaft 10
It was not detected using an expensive sensor such as a rotary encoder installed at the end of the sensor, but was detected using an inexpensive strain gauge 46 installed outside the low-temperature side pressure vessel 41 or the connecting duct 45. Then, the presence or absence of rotation of the crankshaft 10 can be detected.

Since the strain gauge 46 is provided outside the low temperature side pressure vessel 41 or outside the connection duct 45,
The strain gauges 46 are the high temperature side pressure vessel 40 and the low temperature side pressure vessel 4
1 or in the crank chamber 47 without causing a decrease in reliability under a high-pressure environment.
6, the reliability of the rotation of the crankshaft 10 can be detected with high accuracy.

Since the strain gauge 46 is provided outside the low temperature side pressure vessel 41 or outside the connection duct 45,
There is no need to extract working gas or disassemble the external combustion type hot gas engine 1 when replacing the strain gauge 46, and it is possible to maintain good maintainability such as adjustment and repair of the strain gauge 46.

When the strain gauge 46 is installed inside the high-temperature side pressure vessel 40, the low-temperature side pressure vessel 41 or the crank chamber 47, the wiring connected to the strain gauge 46 is passed through the crankcase 42 or the like. It is necessary to take it out and apply a gas seal to the penetration. However, in the present embodiment, since the strain gauge 46 is disposed outside the low temperature side pressure vessel 41 or outside the connection duct 45, the high temperature side pressure vessel 40, the low temperature side pressure vessel 41 or the crankcase 4
2 does not need to be provided with the above-mentioned gas seal, and the high-pressure side pressure vessel 40, the low-temperature side pressure vessel 41 or the crankcase 4
2 can surely secure the gas sealing property.

Although the present invention has been described based on one embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, the strain gauge 46 is not limited to the outside of the low-temperature regenerator 7 or the outside of the connecting duct 45 in the low-temperature side pressure vessel 41, but is also provided outside the low-temperature side cylinder 44 at the medium-temperature heat exchanger 6 or the low-temperature heat exchanger 8. May be installed at a position corresponding to.

When the strain gauge 46 is a sensor having excellent heat resistance, the strain gauge 46 having excellent heat resistance is installed at a position corresponding to the high temperature regenerator 4 outside the high temperature side pressure vessel 40. The high temperature side displacer piston 2 based on the pressure fluctuation of the working gas in the high temperature side pressure vessel 40
, That is, whether or not the crankshaft 10 rotates.

Furthermore, although the case where the pressure sensor is the strain gauge 46 has been described, another pressure sensor such as a semiconductor pressure sensor may be used.

[0056]

As described above, according to the external combustion type hot gas engine of the present invention, at least the high temperature side pressure vessel accommodating the high temperature side displacer piston and the low temperature side pressure vessel accommodating the low temperature side displacer piston are provided. On one outside,
Since the pressure sensor for detecting the fluctuation of the pressure of the working gas in the pressure vessel is provided, the presence or absence of the rotation of the crankshaft can be detected at low cost and with high accuracy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a cold / hot water supply circuit of a heat pump type air conditioner to which an embodiment of an external combustion type hot gas engine according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway perspective view showing the external combustion type hot gas engine of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 External combustion type hot gas engine 2 High temperature side displacer piston 3 Low temperature side displacer piston 10 Crankshaft 40 High temperature side pressure vessel 41 Low temperature side pressure vessel 45 Connecting duct (conduction part) 46 Strain gauge (pressure sensor)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A high temperature side pressure vessel, wherein each of a high temperature side displacer piston and a low temperature side displacer piston
In an external-combustion hot gas engine in which each of the displacer pistons is connected by a crankshaft and is filled with a working gas, each of the low-pressure side pressure vessels is reciprocally housed inside each of the low-temperature side pressure vessels. An external combustion type hot gas engine, characterized in that a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure fluctuation of the working gas in the pressure vessel is provided outside at least one of the pressure vessel and the low temperature side pressure vessel. 2. The high temperature side displacer piston and the low temperature side displacer piston each include a high temperature side pressure vessel,
In an external-combustion hot gas engine in which each of the displacer pistons is connected by a crankshaft and is filled with a working gas, each of the low-pressure side pressure vessels is reciprocally housed inside each of the low-temperature side pressure vessels. Pressure fluctuations of the working gas in the high-temperature side pressure vessel and the low-temperature side pressure vessel are provided outside the conducting portion that connects the pressure vessel and the low-temperature side pressure vessel and makes the working gas in both the pressure vessels movable. An external combustion-type hot gas engine characterized by comprising a pressure sensor for detecting pressure. 3. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is provided outside the low-temperature side pressure vessel at a position corresponding to a low-temperature regenerator disposed in the low-temperature side pressure vessel. External combustion type hot gas engine. 4. The external pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is a strain gauge for detecting a strain in the high-temperature side pressure vessel, the low-temperature side pressure vessel, or the conduction portion based on a pressure fluctuation of the working gas. Combustible hot gas engine.