Patent GB-1340288-A (GB)
Title: Auxiliary power unit for use with internal combustion engines
IPC: F02C1/06
Filed: 1972-06-15
Abstract: 1340288 Internal-combustion engine auxiliary power units; treating exhaust gases; gas turbine plant FORD MOTOR CO Ltd 15 June 1972 [21 July 1971] 27944/71 Headings F1B, FIG and F1Q Electrical power is supplied to the starteralternator assembly 40 to begin rotation of the turbine wheel 34. Electrical power is also supplied to the motor 124 to begin rotation of the regenerator 122. Hot exhaust gases from an internal combustion reciprocating engine enter the inlet 110 of the mixer burner assembly 108 and pass through the right sector of the regenerator 122 where the gases give up heat to the regenerator. Rotation of turbine wheel 34 begins drawing air through the air induction passage 56, space 74, passage 76, passage 126, the left sector of the regenerator 122, space 132 and past turbine blades 36. The air flows through the diverging portion of the nozzle 102 and passes through inlets 112 into the assembly 108. Rotating regenerator 122 transfers sufficient heat to the air passing through the left sector of the regenerator for the heated air passing the turbine blades 36 to impart self sustaining power to the turbine wheel 24. When the self sustaining power is achieved the electrical power is cut off from the starter alternator assembly. When the exhaust gases from the reciprocating engine are insufficient to provide self sustaining power supplementary fuel is introduced into the mixer burner assembly 108 to mix with the exhaust gases and the air entering the inlets 112. The mixture is combusted in the mixer-burner assembly and the regenerator 122 transfers heat from the combustion products to the air passing through the left sector of the regenerator. Starting assistance also can be provided by injecting fuel into the passage 126 and combusting the fuel air mixture as it emerges from the left sector of the regenerator 122. Alternatively the starting fuel can be supplied to a conventional combustion chamber that receives air from the lower surface of the left sector of the regenerator 122. The turbine wheel 34 drives the rotor of the alternator assembly 40. To operate the air conditioning cycle the electric motor 86 is started to rotate the regenerator 84 and a supplementary fan (not shown) capable of moving a fluid such as air from a passenger compartment through the right sector of the regenerator 84 also is started. Turbine wheel 42 is rotated at the speed of the turbine wheel 34 and the compressor blades 44 on the right surface of the turbine wheel 42 draw air into the air inlet 24 through the passage 28 passage 88 the right sector of the regenerator 84 and the passage 66. Air entering the inlet 24 is expanded by the turbine blades 46 expansion lowers the temperature of the air and the cool air passes through the passage 28 and passage 88 to the regenerator where regenerator rotation transfers the heat from the fluid passing through its right sector to the cool air passing through its left sector. Air leaving the left sector of the regenerator passes through the passage 66, past turbine blades 44 and finally exhausts through the opening 82. The regenerator 122 may be impregnated with a catalyst capable of reducing oxides of nitrogen. The power unit may be used with an internal-combustion turbine to produce power for driving vehicle accessories.