Two-tank working gas storage system for heat engine

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:866205

Hindes, Clyde J ^[1]

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1. Troy, NY

A two-tank working gas supply and pump-down system is coupled to a hot gas engine, such as a Stirling engine. The system has a power control valve for admitting the working gas to the engine when increased power is needed, and for releasing the working gas from the engine when engine power is to be decreased. A compressor pumps the working gas that is released from the engine. Two storage vessels or tanks are provided, one for storing the working gas at a modest pressure (i.e., half maximum pressure), and another for storing the working gas at a higher pressure (i.e., about full engine pressure). Solenoid valves are associated with the gas line to each of the storage vessels, and are selectively actuated to couple the vessels one at a time to the compressor during pumpdown to fill the high-pressure vessel with working gas at high pressure and then to fill the low-pressure vessel with the gas at low pressure. When more power is needed, the solenoid valves first supply the low-pressure gas from the low-pressure vessel to the engine and then supply the high-pressure gas from the high-pressure vessel. The solenoid valves each act as a check-valve when unactuated, and as an open valve when actuated.

• DOE Contract Number: DEN3-32
• Assignee: Mechanical Technology Incorporated (Latham, NY)
• Patent Number(s): US 4655036
• OSTI ID: 866205
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

two-tank
gas
storage
heat
engine
supply
pump-down
coupled
hot
stirling
power
control
valve
admitting
increased
releasing
decreased
compressor
pumps
released
vessels
tanks
provided
storing
modest
pressure
half
maximum
solenoid
valves
associated
line
selectively
actuated
couple
time
pumpdown
fill
high-pressure
vessel
low-pressure
check-valve
unactuated
low-pressure gas
high-pressure gas
storage vessels
gas supply
power control
heat engine
pressure gas
pressure vessel
hot gas
stirling engine
control valve
maximum pressure
gas engine
gas storage
selectively actuated
increased power
engine power
high-pressure vessel
gas line
storage vessel
solenoid valve
/60/