Operation of an engine
US7490468B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 2004 |
| Grant date | Feb 17, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 17, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF02G2280/20
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
This invention relates to a method of operating an engine and, particularly to a method of determining the pressure of a working gas within a Stirling engine of a domestic combined heat and power unit relative to a pre-defined pressure. The present invention provides a method of determining the pressure of a gas within an engine relative to a pre-defined pressure of the gas, comprising measuring the power factor of electricity generated by the engine, comparing the measured power factor with a power factor determined to correspond to the power factor of electricity generated by the engine when operating at the pre-defined pressure and determining whether the measured power factor is less than the determined power factor. Variations in measured power factors may also be used to indicate faults in the engine.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.