Engines driven by laser kinetic cooling
US6282894A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 2, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 4, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 2, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF02C1/10
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A confined gaseous mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen is irradiated with a carbon dioxide laser which excites a significant portion of the gas to vibrational energy levels, thereby reducing the translational energy and therefore the temperature of the gas. The gas is adiabatically compressed, and then allowed to relax so that the temperature of the compressed gas increases. The high temperature, compressed gas is then expanded through a turbine or in a cylinder which drives an external device, such as vehicle propulsion apparatus or an electric generator, thereby to perform work. The process may occur in engines having one or more closed cylinders, or in turbocompressors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.