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Title: Harmonic uniflow engine

Abstract

A reciprocating-piston uniflow engine includes a harmonic oscillator inlet valve capable of oscillating at a resonant frequency for controlling the flow of working fluid into the engine. In particular, the inlet valve includes an inlet valve head and a spring arranged together as a harmonic oscillator so that the inlet valve head is moveable from an unbiased equilibrium position to a biased closed position occluding an inlet. When released, the inlet valve head undergoes a single oscillation past the equilibrium position to a maximum open position and returns to a biased return position close to the closed position to choke the flow and produce a pressure drop across the inlet valve causing the inlet valve to close. In other embodiments, the harmonic oscillator arrangement of the inlet valve enables the uniflow engine to be reversibly operated as a uniflow compressor.

Inventors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1243331
Patent Number(s):
9,291,056
Application Number:
14/243,729
Assignee:
Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (Livermore, CA)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC52-07NA27344
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 2014 Apr 02
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS; 42 ENGINEERING

Citation Formats

Bennett, Charles L. Harmonic uniflow engine. United States: N. p., 2016. Web.
Bennett, Charles L. Harmonic uniflow engine. United States.
Bennett, Charles L. 2016. "Harmonic uniflow engine". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1243331.
@article{osti_1243331,
title = {Harmonic uniflow engine},
author = {Bennett, Charles L.},
abstractNote = {A reciprocating-piston uniflow engine includes a harmonic oscillator inlet valve capable of oscillating at a resonant frequency for controlling the flow of working fluid into the engine. In particular, the inlet valve includes an inlet valve head and a spring arranged together as a harmonic oscillator so that the inlet valve head is moveable from an unbiased equilibrium position to a biased closed position occluding an inlet. When released, the inlet valve head undergoes a single oscillation past the equilibrium position to a maximum open position and returns to a biased return position close to the closed position to choke the flow and produce a pressure drop across the inlet valve causing the inlet valve to close. In other embodiments, the harmonic oscillator arrangement of the inlet valve enables the uniflow engine to be reversibly operated as a uniflow compressor.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1243331}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Mar 22 00:00:00 EDT 2016},
month = {Tue Mar 22 00:00:00 EDT 2016}
}

Works referenced in this record:

Pump
patent, March 2002


Controlled direct drive engine system
patent, October 2002


Pneumatic motor
patent, September 2003


Harmonic engine
patent, October 2009


Harmonic engine
patent, August 2014