Patent GB-204132-A (GB)
Title: Method of and apparatus for setting a liquid in motion with the object of raising it or for producing kinetic energy
IPC: F04F1/04
Filed: 1922-06-23
Abstract: 204,132. Merz, F. June 23, 1922. Actuated by steam &c. pressure ; diaphragm and flexible-chamber pumps.-Power is obtained and a liquid set in motion by alternately evaporating and condensing a fluid in deformable, connected, closed evaporators and condensers, around which pass periodically hot and cold liquids respectively. The working medium may consist of water, alcohol, ethylic ether benzol, ethylchloride, methychloride, sulphurous-anhydride, ammonia, carbonic-anhydride &c. The chambers may comprise flexible walls on adjacent parallel frames, or frames arranged in the form of a crown wheel may be used. The engine, Fig. 4, comprises chambers 5, 5<1>, 7, 7<1> containing evaporators and condensers 6, 8 connected by tubes 3. Passages 14, 14<1>, 15, 15<1>, 17, 17<1>, 18, 18<1> are provided for the inlet and outlet of warm and cold liquid respectively. A power cylinder 10 is connected at its ends to chambers 5, 5' and cylinders 13, 13<1> containing cam-actuated pistons which are connected at 12, 12<1>, 16 to the chambers 5, 5<1>, 7, 7<1> to produce alternately an increase and decrease of pressure therein to effect the to and fro motion of the working medium. The alternate dilation and contraction of the vessels 6 in chambers 5, 5<1> effect the reciprocation of the power piston 19. If the heating and cooling liquids are circulated under .high pressure, a working medium having a low boiling-point, such as carbonic anhydride, may be used. In a modification, the contraction and dilation of the evaporators and condensers are produced automatically. The parts 6, 8 are contained in valved chambers connected bv a regenerator through which liquid is circulated, the chamber containing parts 6 being heated. An irrigation pump actuated by solar heat and provided with a deformable evaporator 6 and a telescopic condenser formed of closed tubes 31, 30 secured to the upper and lower surfaces of the part 6 is shown in Fig. 8. The evaporator 6 is enclosed within a rigid chamber 32, 33 containing a flexible diaphragm 34 secured to the tube 30. Valved suction and discharge pipes 26, 35 are provided. Starting with the chamber above and below the diaphragm filled with water and the evaporator contracted and containing liquid ethylic ether, the water heated by the sun causes dilation of the evaporator, liquid is forced out through 35, and the tubes 30 and 31 are moved to provide a free bottom space in which collects the liquid that was previously in the annular space and into which the vapour now passes to be condensed by the cold liquid raised in the pipe 26. When the evaporator contracts, the movement of the tubes forces therein a fresh charge of liquid. A modification of the apparatus is described wherein the deformation of the condenser is effected by the evaporator through a toothed-rod connection which oscillates a flywheel. In the apparatus shown in Fig. 10, the evaporators 6 and condensers 8 are contained in chambers 5, 7 separated by a chamber 5<11> provided with a perforated plate 43 at the top. The inlet and outlet of hot liquid to chamber 5 is controlled by valves 57, 58, and the passage of cold liquid from chamber 7 to chamber 5<11> is controlled by a valve 52. Cylinders 47, 45 communicate at the top and bottom respectively with the chambers 7 and 5, and their connected pistons operate a power shaft 50. An inlet and an outlet for cold liquid are shown at 55. On turning the flywheel 65, the piston 47 rises, the condensers 8 are compressed and liquid injected into the evaporators 6 which dilate, force liquid through the partition 43 into the passage 56, and force up the piston 46 to complete its stroke. When piston 47 descends, the condensers 8 dilate and draw in the vapour from the evaporators 6 which contract and draw in water through the valve 53, the valve 52 being open. The machine thus acts as a pump and motor. Means other than water may be used for cooling the condensers.