Patent · US Expired

Clean air engines transportation and other power applications

US5680764A · kind A · utility

153Cited by
14References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 7, 1995
Grant dateOct 28, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 7, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T10/70
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A low or no pollution engine is provided for delivering power for vehicles or other power applications. The engine has an air inlet which collects air from a surrounding environment. The air is compressed through multiple stages of compression with intercoolers between the compressors. The air is then purged of any constituents which have a relatively high freezing point in a scrubber and then expanded in a turboexpander which causes the air to be cooled down to near air liquifaction temperatures. The air is then passed through a rectifier, where nitrogen is removed from the air. The remaining air is substantially entirely oxygen, which is then compressed and routed to a gas generator. The gas generator has an igniter and inputs for the high pressure oxygen and a high pressure hydrogen containing fuel, such as hydrogen or methane. The fuel and oxygen are combusted within the gas generator, forming water and possibly carbon dioxide. Water is also delivered into the gas generator to control a temperature of the combustion products. The combustion products are then expanded through a power generating device, such as a turbine or piston expander to deliver output power for operation of…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.