WO2019115855A1

WO2019115855A1 - Gvr engine

Info

Publication number: WO2019115855A1
Application number: PCT/FI2017/000018
Authority: WO
Inventors: Veikko Rantala
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-12-11
Filing date: 2017-12-11
Publication date: 2019-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 2020-06-11

Abstract

A GVR engine utilizes the pressure, centrifugal and propulsion as well as the vacuum forces of mediums. In addition to other features, a GVR engine can simultaneously use fluids, vapours and gases as the mediums. A GVR engine comprises a rotatably bearing-mounted cylinder group (3) and a head (4) of the cylinder group, inside which are several lever pistons (10, 11, 12) articulated (16, 17, 18) to the cylinder group, which are from their other ends articulated by shafts (27, 28, 29) to the cylinder group (3) and the head (4).

Description

GVR engine

This invention relates to a GVR engine. A GVR engine is included in the field of mechanical engineering, comprising, in addition to the machine or engine, also a pump or the like as a power device. A GVR engine utilizes pressure, centrifugal and propulsion as well as vacuum forces of the mediums. In addition to its other features, it may use simultaneously several fluids, vapours and gases as a medium.

The known engines included in this technical field are in their operating principle i.a. engines and devices based on the closed expansion of a medium, such as steam turbines and steam-operated machines as well as hot-air engines. In engines of above said type, heat energy is converted into mechanical energy such that the gaseous medium is caused to pass through a closed thermodynamic circulation. Steam turbines and steam- operated machines have advantages, of which let mention be made that there are many fuels suitable for use, and that, for overall efficiency, an exceptionally good result can be obtained when also condensation heat can be utilized. Disadvantages are the expense of the investment, the large size of the device configurations, the required constant monitoring and maintenance of operation, among other things . Motors according to the open thermodynamic principle are the most common type in use. In these, the piston generally moves back and forth and the reciprocating motion of the piston is converted by the crankshaft into a rotary motion. However, the torque of the crankshaft changes constantly and is, at its best, for only a very short time in the work stage, which is for its part only a small part of the functional entity. Similarly, the efficiency is decreased by the ratio of effective (piston) surface area to ineffective (the inside surface of the cylinder as well as its head) surface area, and this results in a high consumption of medium. Partially due to these reasons, in the combustion engines used in automobiles, a substantial portion of the energy is lost as waste heat and only a small portion is able to be utilized as kinetic energy. In rotary piston engines and other similar inventions, the piston does not perform a reciprocating motion, instead it rotates, performing work as it rotates. Generally, in these machines, the pressure effect of the medium is transferred though various eccentric mechanisms to the power drive shaft, but these machines as well suffer from above said disadvantages. The best known representative of this type is a Wankel engine, which is, due to the slow progression of development work, also known in particular for great difficulties in relation to the sealing of pistons. In utilizing the pressure force of fluids, the most common method is utilizing the hydropower of rivers by building a dam and/or reservoir to raise the falling height of the water. The advantage of traditional water turbines is their pollution-free status and long service life, but the disadvantages are the large size, the expense of the investment, the need to build dams and reservoirs, among other things. The disadvantages of modern devices are the air pollution, the poor efficiencies of traditional energy production and combustion engines as well as the difficulty of speedily switching to alternative and renewable forms of energy and to new and better technologies, among other things .

The object of the invention is to obviate above said disadvantages and to provide a device, which utilizes the energy of various energy sources with good efficiency and possibly decreases the polluting of nature. The object of the invention is further to provide for its own part an improvement in energy use and to provide a machine, engine or pump working on the lever piston and propulsion principle and/or under vacuum, which is powerful, because it may utilize the entire pressure difference of the medium and, at the same time, it contains relatively few moving components, the trajectories of which are small, and their sealing is to be easily arranged, also the friction is mainly the rolling friction of the bearing components and, in its structure, the device is multifunctional, simple and lightweight. The torque range of a GVR engine according to the invention is broad, and the effective surface area of the pistons is large in relation to the volume of the cylinder and the required amount of medium. Using a solution according to the invention, it is further possible to utilize a diversity of energy sources by the same apparatus. Using a GVR engine according to the invention, it is possible to utilize in particular also renewable energy resources and such residual energy, which other devices are not able to utilize. Using an apparatus according to the invention, it is possible to utilize also low-temperature energy (cf. the refrigerants of heat pumps as a medium) . A GVR engine also does not generally require external cooling when using a residual energy source of high temperature or of some other device, rather it may itself function as an evaporator, cooler and/or condenser and, at the same time, increase overall efficiency. When using a device according to the invention as an engine, the pollution load it creates is low and, by means of it, it may even be possible to decrease the polluting effect of the exhaust gases of some other engine. These features broaden the use of the engine also into given specific applications.

This object can be achieved according to the invention by arranging an engine, pump or the like formed from a cylinder group and a head rotating on shafts, which cylinder group and head are manufactured from any material usually suitable for this purpose and which are suitably attached to each other, for example, by screws. The machine is of such a type that, therein, a rotary motion is achieved such that, in the work stage, the pistons inside the rotating cylinder group and head function under the pressure of the mediums (fluids, vapours and gases) and, in the discharge stage, under vacuum. The pressure of the work space "pushes" and the vacuum of the discharge space "pulls", i.e. they simultaneously twist the lever piston by the force according to its pressure surface area in the rotation direction of the cylinder group. At the end of the work stage, the pressure discharges as propulsion assisted by the centrifugal force of the fluid through the propulsion and/or vacuum device outside the cylinder group into the gas, vapour or fluid space under vacuum of the frame, twisting for their part the cylinder group in the direction of rotation. During the discharge space, the propulsion and/or vacuum device of the cylinder group rotates, depending on the process and the use, into the gas, vapour or fluid space of the frame and creates under the influence of the propulsion and/or vacuum device a vacuum in the discharge space, wherein the lever pistons twist the cylinder group in the direction of rotation for approximately a one-half rotation, until the discharge space has contracted to a smaller volume. The machine functions thus such that it suctions mediums as well as discharges them forcibly as the cylinder group rotates, regardless of momentary pressure changes. Because the machine has several cylinders inside the cylinder group and the head, it simultaneously has always parallel power-producing functions running. The cylinder group can be generally flat in shape as seen along the plane of the paper in the figure. Other components in a GVR engine according to the invention are naturally the frame with its medium spaces, the bearing-mountings of the shafts, seals, piping connected to various inlet and outlet channels, valves, medium heaters, pumps, filters etc., as well as elements for transferring power from the engine. In order to illustrate operation, these components and technical solutions are not designated in their full extent specifically in the figures and descriptions, rather various modifications and possible accessories as well as devices corresponding to each requirement are obvious to the person skilled in the art on the basis of the description and figures. Inside the cylinder group and head of a device according to the invention are several cylinders with their work and discharge spaces. Through these work and discharge spaces, the shafts of the lever pistons extend perpendicularly in the figures against the surface of the paper of Figs. 1-5 in the outer edge of the inside of the cylinder group and are bearing-mounted, for example, such that the ends of the shafts above the paper in Figs. 1-5 are bearing-mounted to the bearings in the head, and the ends of the shafts below the plane of the paper in Figs. 1-5 extend into the cylinder group and are bearing- mounted to it. The other shafts of the lever piston are articulated and/or bearing-mounted to the devices functioning as the joints of the rotary piston, which are in close contact with each other, but able to rotate into the frame around a fixedly connected cam, functioning as a mobile support point for the lever pistons. The lever piston is a substantially cylindrical unit, which is curved on its outer side and particularly shaped such that the pressure directed to it provides the maximum possible torque, presses tightly against the outer edge of the inside of the cylinder group, when the work and discharge spaces are at their smallest volume and, at the same time, the inner side of the lever piston is pressed tightly against the devices functioning as mobile support points, as can be observed from the figures. The lever pistons rotate, one at a time, during each rotation into the drilling of the lever piston of the cylinder group and, at this time, the discharge space has almost entirely disappeared, and also the mediums have emptied into the outlet channel and the propulsion and/or vacuum device functioning on the jet pump principle. The discharge valve means as well as its operating time are shown by the dashed circular arc between the arrows, and it may be a single uniform opening or it may be composed of separate openings, wherein, in the discharge stage, the operation of the propulsion and/or vacuum device is periodic. The outlet channels of the frame may be led, for example, to suction pumps operated by the flow of the river water, the refrigerant compressor etc., depending on the use as well as the process. The object of the invention may also be implemented with other comparable devices producing or utilizing pressure or gravity.

More precisely, a device according to the invention for utilizing pressure, centrifugal, propulsion and vacuum forces is characterized by that, which is specified in the claims.

In the following, the invention is described in more detail by means of reference to the accompanying drawings, which show the operational principle and the general structure of a device according to the invention as a sectional view. The description of the operation of the device according to the invention is given by going through a one-third rotation of the device step-by-step according to Figs. 1 - 4, progressing in their numerical order .

Figs. 1-4 show the operational principle of one cylinder according to the invention during a one-third rotation. In a three-cylinder engine, this operation is repeated three times during one rotation.

Figs. 5 and 6 show a device according to the invention in more detail and also as a lateral sectional view .

In Fig. 1, inside the work space 14 of the GVR engine, a pressure-operated work stage is beginning when, inside the cylinder group 3, the lever piston 10 and the rotary piston 38 are subjected to a medium 44 flowing inside under pressure through the open valve 51 from the inlet opening 41. The pressure of the work space 15 twists the lever piston 11, because the discharge space 13 has the discharge stage and vacuum ongoing due to the propulsion and/or vacuum device 25 and discharge valve means 21, and the outlet opening 34 is open into the medium gas space 62 under vacuum of the frame 1.

In Fig. 2, into the work space 14 is introduced more of the same or a different medium 45 through the open valves 52 and/or 53 and the inlet opening 41. Under the influence of pressures, the lever pistons 10 and 11 as well as the rotary pistons 38 and 39 twist the cylinder group 3 in the direction of rotation clockwise. In the discharge space 13, the vacuum effect continues due to the propulsion and/or vacuum device 25, because the discharge valve means 21 as well as the outlet opening 34 are open into the medium fluid space 61 under vacuum. As the cylinder group 3 rotates clockwise, the flow of the fluid 61 through the vacuum device 25 creates a vacuum in the discharge space 13.

In Fig 3, into the work space 14 is introduced more of the same or a different medium 46 through the open valves 53 and/or 54 and the inlet opening 41. Under the influence of higher pressures, the lever piston 10 and the rotary piston 38 twist the cylinder group 3 in the direction of rotation. In the work space 15, the pressure of the medium discharges simultaneously under the influence of centrifugal force affecting the fluid through the propulsion device 24 into the medium gas space 62 of the frame 1, because the discharge valve means 21 as well as the outlet opening 34 are open, causing for their part the motion of the cylinder group 3 in the direction of rotation clockwise. The propulsive effect is increased by the filling in the previous stages of the propulsion and/or vacuum device 24 with medium fluid 61 and discharging into the gas space 62, wherein also the recoil effect is directed in the direction of rotation. In the discharge space 13, the vacuum effect continues due to the propulsion/vacuum device 25, because the discharge valve means 21 as well as the outlet opening 34 are open into the medium fluid space 61 under vacuum. As the cylinder group 3 rotates clockwise, the flow of the fluid 61 though the vacuum device 25 creates a vacuum in the discharge space 13.

In Fig 4, the work space 14 further has a significant medium pressure effect ongoing when the valve 54 has shut and, under the influence of the discharge stage continuing in the space 15, the lever piston 10 and the rotary piston 38 together along with the propulsion device 24 twist the cylinder group 3 in the direction of rotation clockwise. The filling of the propulsion and/or vacuum device 26 with the medium fluid 61 flowing through it increases the upcoming recoil effect of the discharge stage. The discharge space 13 has contracted to nearly its smallest volume and the discharge valve means 21 as well as the discharge valve 34 are closing and the vacuum function is ending. A new work stage has not yet begun because the inlet valve 51 is shut and the space 13 has not begun to expand, i.e. transform from the discharge space into the work space.

A device according to the invention comprises a rotatably bearing-mounted cylinder group 3 and a head 4 of the cylinder group, inside which are several lever pistons 10, 11, 12 articulated 16, 17, 18 to the cylinder group and which are articulated 27, 28, 29 from the other end by shafts to the devices 7, 8, 9. Inside the cylinder group 3 and the head 4, parallel to the shaft 2 is bearing-mounted a shaft 5, which is fastened to the frame 1 and to which is fastened an eccentric means 6, to which are separately rotatably bearing-mounted and, being tightly in contact with each other, devices 7, 8, 9, to each of which are fastened rotary pistons 37, 38, 39 and which also seal for their part the variable-volume work and discharge spaces 13, 14, 15. Into these spaces can be introduced medium (s) 44 through the valves 51, 52, 53, 54 and opening inlet openings 41, 42, 43. As the work spaces of the cylinders transform into discharge spaces 13, 14, 15, the medium(s) discharge, one at a time, through the outlet opening (s) 34 of the valve means 21 into the propulsion and/or nozzle devices 24, 25, 26, and further into the spaces 61, 62. The outlet channels 58, 59, 60 of the frame 1 can be led, for example, to suction pumps operating by the flow of the river water, a refrigerant compressor, heat exchangers or other devices, which create a vacuum in the spaces 61 and 62. Pistons, shafts, valves etc. are sealed, as is usual in these types of devices, and some of these are described, by way of example, using the common reference numeral 30. Also described are the devices 31 (for example, the wedge grooves and wedges), by which the shaft 5 and the eccentric device 6 are fastened to the frame 1.

In the following, the invention is described by means of examples in various uses.

Herein, only a small portion of the uses and possibilities are described, but the person skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be used in a significantly greater scope.

While operating by thermal energy as an engine, the operation of a device according to the invention is based on one or more transformations of state of the medium, from a fluid into a gas or vapour, and vice- versa, i.e. in general on the heat expansion or contraction of the mediums.

The operation may be based on a closed and/or open thermodynamic principle, as well as generally on utilization of pressures, vacuums and centrifugal force/propulsion effects of the mediums.

In a process according to a closed thermodynamic principle, one or more heat source mediums may be introduced through their own circuits into a common heat exchanger having, closed as its own circuit, a device according to the invention. As thermal energy sources may be used, in the daytime, the direct heat of the sun and, at night, heat stored e.g. in a "heat accumulator" or other heat source.

In heat pumps, in a process according to a closed thermodynamic principle, a device according to the invention may be used as an evaporator, wherein extremely low heat levels may also be utilized.

In the process, after the compressor, pressurized medium is led into the work space of a device according to the invention, from which it, through a rapid increase in volume as well as the vacuum process of the discharge stage, discharges and, at the same time, produces mechanical work as well as vaporizes, after which it may be led into recirculation through a heat exchanger and/or compressor.

If there are several mediums in use simultaneously, the introduction of thermal energy into the device can be performed by heating only some of the mediums . A device according to the invention may function as a utilizer of some of the waste heat created in the process, for example, the exhaust gases of a combustion engine and a catalytic water mixture (as a fluid and/or mist) may be introduced directly into the work space of the device, wherein the water mixture vaporizes and utilizes the heat energy of the exhaust gases.

The process continues through propulsion into a catalytic and/or water mixture (or gas space) and, due to the rotary motion, the propulsion and/or vacuum devices provide a significant increase in power and, at the same time, by various known methods, a purification is achieved of i.a. carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions as well as the soot particles of exhaust gases.

The invention seems to also be compatible with technologies which are the subject of new research, by which it may be possible to achieve the collection as well as the recycling of emissions and substances created in various processes.

This technology is also widely suitable for utilizing industrial and bioenergy resources. In various production processes, it is possible with this device to liquefy gases, add new substances or separate them, use catalysts, pressurize, heat, cool etc. according to each requirement. A portion of the heat is converted into kinetic energy and further into electricity, as well the rest into district heat.

The features of the invention may also be utilized in exploiting hydropower, due to the low water consumption and the large effective pressure surface area of the pistons as well as the power provided by the propulsion and two-stage vacuum process, wherein a great falling height is not required.

A river power plant according to the invention does not need a dam, instead water is led into the power plant by an inlet pipe from the "upstream flow" of the river in order to achieve the required height of fall. Suction pumps functioning on the jet pump principle and utilizing the flow of the river lie on the bottom of the river, wherein at least one suctions water as well as therein-mixed air from the fluid space of the power plant and the other suction pump suctions air from the topmost space of the frame of the power plant.

The process functions such that water and air are guided from the inlet pipe into a volume-expanding work space of the engine, in which the pressure causes, via the pistons, the rotary motion of the cylinder group. A further increase in the pressure can be implemented by compressed air (a small portion of the volume) .

As the work stage transforms into the discharge stage, the water-air mixture passes, under the influence of pressure and centrifugal force through the propulsion and/or vacuum device, through the discharge valve into the air and water space of the frame, from which the water-air mixture is drained by the discharge pipes back to the suction pumps in the river, wherein the flow of the river water creates a suction effect.

The discharge space of the cylinders is thus subjected to a two-stage vacuum, which causes, in the volume-decreasing discharge stage, by the lever pistons a significant increase in power and, at the same time, also increases for its part the pressure effect of the pistons in the work space. The water and air mixture enters the river, oxygenating it and, at the same time, eutrophication of the waterway decreases.

The power plants can be delivered factory-ready to the vicinity of the river and to them are just connected the water inlet and outlet equipment as well as the electrical connection.

Electricity distribution companies can connect a power plant directly to the distribution network, which is in the vicinity of the river.

These features create an entirely new economic and technological advantage in the production of clean energy .

Claims

1. A power device comprising, rotatably bearing-mounted to a frame (1) by a shaft (2), a cylinder group (3) and a head (4) of the cylinder group, inside which are several lever pistons (10, 11, 12) articulated

(16, 17,18) to the cylinder group, which lever pistons (10, 11, 12) are from one end articulated (27, 28,

29) to the devices (7, 8, 9) and the devices (7, 8,

9) further to an eccentric means (6), which means (6) is integral with a shaft (5) and bearing-mounted to the cylinder group (3) and to the head (4), and the combination formed by the means (6) and the shaft (5) being fixedly but adjustably fastened to the frame (1); around the eccentric means (6), devices (7, 8,

9) parallel and separately rotatably bearing-mounted and being tightly in contact with each other, to each of which devices (7, 8, 9) are fastened rotary pistons (37, 38, 39), which rotary pistons (37, 38, 39) also seal for their part the variable-volume work spaces (13, 14, 15), into which work spaces (13, 14, 15) are introduced medium (s) through the valves (51, 52, 53, 54) and opening inlet openings (41, 42, 43) from the discharge space (13, 14, 15 ) of the cylinder, wherein the cylinder group (3) turns according to the process into a position, in which the discharge valve (21) and outlet openings (34) /mediums discharge into the nozzle devices (24, 25, 26) and further into the spaces (61) or (62) and create a propulsion vacuum process, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that inside the rotatably bearing-mounted cylinder group (3) and the head (4) of the cylinder group are included the lever pistons (10, 11, 12) for forming the variable- volume work and discharge spaces (13, 14, 15) .

2. A power device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that inside the cylinder group (3) and the head (4) of the cylinder group (3) are included lever pistons (10, 11, 12) articulated (16, 17,18) to the outer edge of the inside of the cylinder group (3), in which lever pistons (10, 11, 12) the pressures directed from the work space side and the vacuums directed from the discharge space side create a parallel torque in the rotation direction of the cylinder group (3) .

3. A power device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that, inside the cylinder group (3) and the head (4) of the cylinder group, the shaft (5) and thereto fixedly fastened eccentric means (6) have a fixed, but adjustable connection to the frame (1) .

4. A power device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the devices (7, 8, 9) , rotatably bearing-mounted around the eccentric means (6) fastened to the frame (1), function as articulated (27, 28, 29) mobile support points of the lever pistons (10, 11, 12) .

5. A power device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the combined effective surface area of the rotary pistons (37, 38, 39) and lever pistons (10, 11, 12) inside the cylinder group (3) and the head (4) of the cylinder group is large in relation to the volume of the work spaces (13, 14, 15), wherein the medium amounts required are as small as possible and this results in the high efficiency and low fuel consumption of the engine.

6. A power device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that into the work spaces (13, 14, 15) are introduced medium(s) through the opening inlet openings (41, 42, 43) of the valves (51, 52, 53, 54) and they are preferably disposed on the side of the shafts (2 and/or 5) in relation to the frame ( 1 ) .

7. A power device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the work spaces (13, 14, 15) transform, one at a time, into discharge spaces as the outlet openings (34) of the rotating cylinder group (3) and the discharge valve means (21) open in order to discharge the mediums into the propulsion and/or nozzle devices (24, 25, 26) and via that route further into the spaces (61, 62) .

8. A power device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the discharge valve means (21) is a single uniform opening or, alternatively, it is composed of several separate openings, wherein, in the discharge stage, the operation of the propulsion and/or vacuum and nozzle device (24, 25, 26) is periodic.

9. A power device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that in the power device are simultaneously used one or more fluids, vapours and/or gases as the mediums, which mediums are introduced through the opening inlet openings (41, 42, 43) of the valves (51, 52, 53, 54) into the work and discharge spaces (13, 14, 15) and propulsion and/or nozzle devices (24, 25, 26) creating kinetic energy, after which the process is followed by the transfer of the mediums into the space (61), in which condensing gases and/or vapours liquefy and non condensing gases rise into the space (62) .

10. A power device according to claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that, as the cylinder group (3) rotates, heavier medium sinks under the influence of centrifugal force and the pressures of the mediums, discharging into the propulsion and/or nozzle devices (24, 25, 26) and via this route into a space (62), which may be under vacuum depending on the process used.

11. A power device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the outlet channels (58, 59, 60) of the frame (1) are led to suction pumps operated by the flow of the river water, a refrigerant compressor, heat exchangers or other devices, which create vacuum in the spaces (61 and 62) .

12. A power device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that there are several suction pumps operated by the flow of the river water and they are connected parallel.

13. A power device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that, after the vacuum stage, the propulsion and/or nozzle devices (24, 25, 26) fill with fluid medium (61), which devices rotate, one at a time, by the force of the recoil effect the cylinder group (3) in the direction of rotation, as the pressures of the work spaces discharge into the gaseous medium space (62) .

14. A power device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that, in addition to the eccentric means (6), adjustable are the devices relating to the inlet and outlet of medium, as well as fluid, vapour, the level and ratio of medium to the gaseous medium, wherein the propulsion and/or vacuum process takes place according to each use.

15. A power device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that, as the cylinder group (3) rotates, the fluid flow directed to the nozzle devices (24, 25, 26) in the fluid space (61) creates a vacuum, in which the pressure in the work space "pushes" and the vacuum in the discharge space "pulls", i.e. they twist the lever pistons (10, 11,

12) simultaneously in the same direction by the force of their pressure surface areas in the rotation direction of the cylinder group (3) .

16. A power device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that, because the engine has several work spaces (13, 14, 15), rotary pistons (37, 38, 39) and lever pistons (10, 11, 12) inside the cylinder group (3) and the head (4), it has simultaneously during one rotation always several parallel power-producing functions running.

17. A power device according to claims 1 and 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that, using the same apparatus, it is possible to utilize the residual energy of other devices, renewable energy resources and low-temperature energy.

18. A power device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that to the power device are to be connected processes and devices, by which the environmental pollution load is decreased and by which the collection and the recycling of emissions and substances created in various processes can possibly be achieved.

19. A power device according to claim 9, chara c t e r i z e d in that, in various production processes, it is possible with this device to liquefy gases, add new substances or separate them, use catalysts, pressurize, heat, cool etc. according to each requirement.