Abstract:
A power plant that outputs energy in the form of heated, compressed gas functions as a gas compressor, a motor, or a heater. The compression is accomplished by combusting a gas in a chamber and selectively diverting the high pressure exhaust to a container or conduit and selectively sealing the combustion chamber from the chamber when the chamber is reloaded with combustible gas.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     To the full extent permitted by law, the present non-provisional patent application claims priority to and the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application entitled “Apparatus for Compressing Gas,” filed on 7 Sep. 2005, having assigned Ser. No. 60/714,718. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates generally to power generation, and more particularly, to methods and systems for generating power through compressed gas. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A great number of modern devices rely on energy produced from one type of power plant or another—from coal, wind, or nuclear power plants to combustion engines to hydraulic or pneumatic pumps. Such systems are used to power modern devices through the generation of electricity or mechanical force. In numerous applications, it is advantageous for the system to output energy in the form of a mechanical force. 
     According to one such system, a combustion engine is used to burn fuel, which releases energy in the form of rapidly expanding gas. The gas expansion is used to drive a piston and, in turn, a shaft to which the piston is connected. The rotation of the shaft can be used to generate electricity through a generator, or can be mechanically coupled to a wheel or other tool. 
     Although such a system is capable of producing large amounts of power, the use of moving parts introduces inherent inefficiencies which increase the cost of using such a system to create electricity or mechanical force. In addition to introducing waste, the moving parts undergo wear and therefore require maintenance and eventual replacement, which further increases the cost of such a system. Finally, such systems require manufacture and assembly according to exacting specifications which increase the cost of the system and any replacement parts. 
     According to another such system, a boiler is used to burn fuel. The combustion of the fuel releases a large amount of energy in the form of heat. The heat is used to boil water, and thereby form steam. The steam is produced at high pressure, and is used to drive a turbine by allowing the high pressure steam to escape to a lower pressure environment, creating a fluid flow. The turbine converts the fluid flow into mechanical rotation of a shaft. The mechanical rotation of the shaft can be used to generate electricity through a generator, or can make use of mechanical force by direct attachment to a mechanical system, such as a flywheel. 
     While such a system has fewer moving parts than the combustion engine, the system depends on a supply of water to create steam. In a design where the steam is released to an external environment, a large supply of water is needed to replenish the water in the boiler as it is depleted. In an alternative design, the large water supply is eliminated by reclaiming the exhaust steam and condensing it back to water. The condenser system, however, introduces additional cost and complexity. 
     Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide a power plant that eliminates the problems described above by eliminating moving parts and by using a pneumatic fluid readily available from an external environment that is capable of outputting energy in an efficient manner. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a gas compressor comprising a sealed combustion chamber enclosing a fixed volume, an igniter coupled to the combustion chamber such that the igniter provides an ignition source to an interior of the combustion chamber, an input port in the combustion chamber, which input port selectively allows a fluid to flow into the interior of the combustion chamber, and an exhaust port in the combustion chamber, which exhaust port selectively allows a fluid to flow out of the interior of the combustion chamber. 
     The present invention further provides a method of compressing gas comprising opening an input port connected to a combustion chamber having a fixed interior volume, allowing fluid flow into an interior of the combustion chamber, introducing a combustible gas into the interior of the combustion chamber at a pressure above an atmospheric pressure outside the combustion chamber, closing the input port, preventing fluid flow out of the interior of the combustion chamber through the input port, providing an ignition source at the interior of the combustion chamber, igniting the combustible gas, opening an exhaust port connected to the combustion chamber, allowing fluid flow out of the interior of the combustion chamber through the exhaust port, and closing the exhaust port, preventing fluid flow into the interior of the combustion chamber through the exhaust port. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention further provides the steps of selectively opening at least one feedback port, allowing gas to flow out of the interior of the combustion chamber, determining characteristics of the gas in the interior of the combustion chamber by determining characteristics of gas that flows out of the interior of the combustion chamber through the feedback port, and controlling at least one of the introduction of the combustible gas into the interior of the combustion chamber, the ignition of the combustible gas in the interior of the combustion chamber, and the storage of the gas that flows out of the interior of the combustion chamber through the exhaust port. 
     These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reading the following Detailed Description and Claims in light of the accompanying drawing Figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Accordingly, the present invention will be understood best through consideration of, and reference to, the following Figures, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment referring thereto, in which like reference numbers throughout the various Figures designate like structure and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a gas compressor according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a control unit for use in association with the gas compressor of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  a schematic view of the gas compressor of  FIG. 1  in association with the control unit of  FIG. 2  and connected to a storage tank. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating the method of operation of the gas compressor of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the configuration of  FIG. 3  including additional components. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of a vehicle incorporating the configuration of  FIG. 4  as a power plant. 
         FIG. 7  is an alternative system incorporating the configuration of  FIG. 4  as a power plant. 
     
    
    
     It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the Figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
     In that form of the preferred embodiment of the present invention chosen for purposes of illustration,  FIG. 1  shows a gas compressor  100  defining an interior space  101  enclosed thereby, which interior space  101  functions as a combustion chamber. The interior space  101  has a fixed volume. The interior space  101  communicates with the outside of the gas compressor  100  by way of ports. Illustrated in  FIG. 1  are fuel intake ports  110  and exhaust ports  120 . Fuel intake ports  110  and exhaust ports  120  are preferably one way ports, which allow fluid flow in only one direction, as indicated by the arrows associated with each port, such as check valves or one-way valves. In this case, the fuel intake ports  110  and the exhaust ports  120  are preferably controllable to selectively allow fluid flow through the ports, either into or out of the gas compressor  100 . Alternatively, at least one of each, or either, of the fuel intake ports  110  and the exhaust ports  120  could be a two way port, such as a two way valve, that is selectively controllable such that the fuel intake ports  110  only allow fluid flow into the gas compressor  100  and exhaust ports  120  only allow fluid flow out of the gas compressor  100 . The selective control of the direction and amount of fluid flow through the fuel intake ports  110  and the exhaust ports  120  can be accomplished manually by conventional valve means, or automatically using mechanical means such as springs or servos or by using electromechanical means such as a solenoid. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 1  is an igniter  130  attached to an exterior of the combustion chamber  100  and having at least a portion thereof in communication with the interior space  101 . The igniter  130  provides an ignition source to the interior space  101  of the gas compressor  100 . The ignition source can be a spark, similar to that supplied by an automotive spark plug, a heating element, similar to that provided by an automotive glow plug, or such ignition sources known to those skilled in the art. 
       FIG. 1  further illustrates feedback ports  140 . Feedback ports  140  are a type of exhaust port, and serve to allow fluid to flow out of the interior space  101  of the gas compressor  100  so that characteristics of the gas within the interior space  101  of the gas compressor  100  can be determined. Characteristics of gas which can be determined include, for example, the temperature of the gas, the pressure of the gas either before or after combustion, and the chemical composition of the gas. The characteristics determined can be evaluated and used to control the functioning of the gas compressor  100  as will be described in more detail below. 
     In addition,  FIG. 1  shows air intake ports  150 . Air intake ports  150  are optional intake ports that can be used when fuel and air are mixed in the combustion chamber instead of at some other location at a time prior to delivery to the interior space  101 . Another optional feature for fuel intake ports  110 , feedback ports  140 , and air intake ports  150  are filters (not shown) which can be included in a supply line connected to the port, attached directly to the port, or integrally included in the port. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a control unit  200  is shown which can be used with the gas compressor  100  of  FIG. 1 . Control unit  200  has a plurality of inputs  210  and outputs  220 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , input  210   a  is connected to a DC input, input  210   b  is connected to a fuel supply, an input  210   c  is connected to a fluid pressure source, an input  210   d  is connected to feedback ports  140 , and input  210   e  is connected to an air supply. The DC input provides electrical power to the control unit which contains electrical circuitry including a processor. The DC power input further provides power so that the control unit can output electrical signals which can be used to operate mechanical servos or electromechanical controllers such as solenoids. The fuel supply can be any combustible fluid, such as an alcohol, and is preferably a combustible gas. The fluid pressure source is used to propel the fuel into the gas compressor, and can be a fuel pump. As described above, the feedback ports  140  allow selective determination of various characteristics of the gas within the gas within the interior space  101  of the gas compressor  100 . Optionally, one or both feedback ports can be used to supply fluid pressure to drive a fuel pump, an air pump, a generator, or other device associated with the gas compressor  100 . 
     Output  220   a  is connected to the fuel intake ports  110  and transmits fuel from the control unit to the fuel input ports  110  whereby fuel can be selectively introduced into the interior space  101  of the gas compressor  100 . Optionally output  220   a  additionally carries air which is mixed with the fuel, such that output  220   a  provides an air and fuel mixture to intake ports  110 . Output  220   b  is connected to the igniter  130  and provides a controllable electrical current to the igniter  130  to selectively operate the igniter  130  and ignite the fuel. Output  220   c  is connected to the output ports  120  and provides one of a pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric signal that opens or closes the exhaust ports  120 . In this way, exhaust ports  120  can selectively be operated to allow fluid to flow out of the interior space  101  of the gas compressor  100 . Additional outputs (not shown) can optionally be connected to fuel intake ports  110  to provide one of a pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric signal to selectively open and close fuel intake ports  110 . In this way, a constant supply of pressurized fuel can by supplied to the fuel intake ports  110  and can be selectively introduced into the interior space  101  of the gas compressor  100 . Output  220   d  is connected to air intake ports  150  and provides one of a pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric signal that selectively opens or closes air intake ports  150  to supply air to mix with fuel in the interior space  101 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the control unit  200  is connected to the gas combustor  100  of  FIG. 1  as described above. In addition, storage tank  300  is shown connected to exhaust ports  120 . Storage tank  300  is used to store high pressure and high temperature gas, which enters an interior space  301  of the storage tank  300  through the exhaust ports  120 . For the purposes of this disclosure, high pressure is intended to mean any pressure higher than a prevailing atmospheric pressure of an environment in which gas compressor  100  is used, but is preferably between 10 and 300 PSI, and is more preferably between 50 and 200 PSI, and is most preferably between 80 and 150 PSI. Similarly, high pressure is intended to mean any temperature higher than a prevailing temperature of an environment in which gas compressor  100  is used, and is preferably between 30 and 4000 degrees Celsius, and is more preferably between 100 and 2000 degrees Celsius, and is most preferably between 150 and 500 degrees Celsius. 
     According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the gas compressor  100  is operated to the method illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In the first step  401 , fuel is introduced into the interior space  101  of the gas compressor through the fuel intake ports  110 . As described above, this step may optionally include the selective opening and/or closing of fuel intake ports  110 , controlled by connections to the control unit  200 . Step  401  may further include step  401   a , introducing air into the interior space either through the air intake ports  150  or along with the fuel in an air and fuel mixture. In the second step  402 , an ignition source is provided at the interior space  101  of the gas compressor  100  by the igniter  130 . The ignition source ignites the fuel in the interior space  101  of the gas compressor  100 , causing a release of energy in the form of heat, rapidly expanding the gas, causing an increase in fluid pressure in the interior space  101  of the gas compressor  100 . The provision of the ignition source is optionally controlled by the control unit via a control signal, which in a preferred embodiment is an electronic control signal. In the third step  403 , the high pressure in the interior space  101  of the gas compressor  100  forces the gas out the interior space  101  through the exhaust ports  120 , and into the interior space  301  of the storage tank  300 . Optionally, the exhaust ports  120  may be opened and/or closed by the control unit  200  via control signals. 
     In addition, one or more of exhaust ports  120  may be diverted from storage tank  300 , and used to pressurize an air supply, a fuel supply, or both. One system for accomplishing such pressurization is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . According to the system, a gas exchanger  500  draws fluid pressure from storage tank  300  by way of valve  501  and fluid pressure regulator R and uses the fluid pressure to drive a piston  510   a . Piston  510   a  travels in cylinder  510  forcing air through valve  511  and into air storage tank  520 . Also shown in FIG.  5  is fuel storage tank  530  which may optionally be pressurized by a gas exchanger. 
     By repetition of the steps described above, the storage tank can be filled with high pressure, high temperature gas. The storage tank containing the high temperature, high pressure gas can then be used in combination with various systems to provide mechanical, thermal, or electrical energy to the system. One such system is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . System  600  is a vehicle, such as an automobile or other vehicle. The system  600  comprises a plurality of wheels  610 , at least one of which receives a rotational force to drive the vehicle. Preferably, the rotational force is applied to the wheels  610  by at least one drive motor  611  by way of a mechanical linkage  612 . Additionally, the system includes a plurality of controls  620 , such as an accelerator  621  and brakes  622 . The controls  620  can be operated by a user to input control signals to the control unit  630 . Control unit  630 , additionally receives as an input, an output from the storage tank  300 , preferably in the form of high pressure, high temperature gas. Control unit  630  can selectively distribute the output of the storage tank  300  to power the at least one drive motor  611 . The drive motor can convert the high pressure, high temperature gas to the rotational force using a turbine, a piston, or other conventional means for converting fluid pressure to mechanical force. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a return system which allows the gas to return from the drive motor  611  to the controller  200 . The returned gas can be used to pressurize the fuel system or to drive an electric motor, thereby increasing the overall efficiency of the system. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 6  is controller  640  which can optionally be included to further regulate the distribution of the output of the storage tank  300  to the at least one drive motor  611 . The controller  640  may also be associated with sensors or other equipment for determining characteristics of the system  600 . In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a flywheel  650  connected to at least one wheel  610  which receives the rotational force. In such an embodiment, controller  640  receives as inputs signals indicative of characteristics of the flywheel  650 , such as rotational speed or rotational acceleration. The controller  640  transmits the signals indicative of characteristics of the flywheel to the control unit  630 , which allows the control unit  630  to regulate distribution of the output from the storage tank  300  according to the inputs from the controls  620 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , another system  700  is shown incorporating the gas compressor  100 , control unit  200 , storage tank  300 , and gas exchanger  400 . System  700  comprises a solar panel  710 , batteries  720 , control unit  730 , motor  740 , flywheel  750 , AC generator  760 , and pneumatic generator  770 . System  700  provides an AC power source as an output of AC generator  760 , which can be used to provide power where it is needed, such as at a remote location where other sources of AC power are not available, or can be used as a back-up system providing power when a primary AC power source fails. AC generator  760  is mechanically driven by flywheel  750  which stores angular momentum to and acts as a reservoir of mechanical energy to ensure a consistent amount of mechanical force is provided to drive the AC generator  760 . Flywheel  750  is driven by motor  740  which is preferably a DC electric motor. Power to drive motor  740  is selectively provided by control unit  730  which can monitor characteristics of the flywheel or the load on the AC generator to determine when to supply power to motor  740 . Control unit  730  derives power from multiple sources, such as solar panel  710 , batteries  720 , and pneumatic generator  770 . The pneumatic generator outputs DC power by using fluid pressure supplied by the storage tank  300 . 
     Having, thus, described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.