Abstract:
An engine comprises a rotor disposed within a housing having a side wall, a top portion, and a bottom portion. The housing includes at least one energy burst ignition chamber and electrical device that introduces an electric charge into at least one energy burst ignition chamber. The rotor is constructed and arranged to spin within the housing by action of a force. At least one energy burst ignition chamber is constructed and arranged to electrically react with the gas disposed in at least one chamber such that the gas expands and drives the rotor. A control system is used for introducing electric charges into at least one energy burst ignition chamber at a controlled time interval.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 13/949,487 filed Jul. 24, 2013 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/675,568, filed Jul. 25, 2012. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This invention relates to an engine powered by a burst of energy initiated by passing an electrical charge through a combination of gases. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The combustion engine has utilized volatile fluids in order to create explosions to create mechanical power. The combustion engine loses efficiency by creating heat and other energy drains; the heat can also result in material fatigue and requires lubrication in order to perform acceptably. Additionally, the combustion engine requires fuel that is often imported from other countries. There exists a need for an engine that delivers power and efficiency that is powered from sources fully available domestically. 
         [0005]    The instant invention as disclosed within this application, provides an engine that fills this need. The art referred to and/or described within this application is not intended to constitute an admission that any patent, publication or other information referred to herein is “prior art” with respect to this invention. In addition, this section should not be construed to mean that a thorough search has been made or that no other pertinent information as defined in 37 C.F.R. §1.56(a) exists. 
         [0006]    All US patents and applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
         [0007]    Without limiting the scope of the invention, a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In at least one embodiment of the invention, a rotor is disposed within a housing having side wall(s), a top portion, and a bottom portion. The housing includes an energy burst ignition chamber which contains a mixture of gases. Some mixtures include noble gases. An electrical device that introduces an electric charge into the energy burst ignition chamber can form an energy burst. The rotor is designed to spin when hit by the energy burst. The spinning of the rotor can perform useful work. 
         [0009]    In at least one embodiment the invention can include at least one nozzle with one end passing into the interior of the housing. The nozzle can be used to create a vacuum within the energy burst ignition chamber and/or to introduce a mixture of gas into the energy burst ignition chamber. 
         [0010]    In at least one embodiment the rotor has a notch, notched portion, or groove such that the energy burst can strike the surface of the notch or groove in order to direct the energy of the burst in a way that creates greater rotation about the shaft. Notch, notched portion, or groove: all generally describe the area on the rotor that is designed to receive the energy burst. In a circular or oval rotor this can appear to be a notched out area. In more specific instances the area might be an actual groove that is rounded or cupped. Within the notched area. 
         [0011]    In at least one embodiment the rotor has multiple notches/grooves. 
         [0012]    In at least one embodiment the invention includes a timing mechanism such that the energy burst is timed to strike the surface of the notch(es) or groove(s) as the rotor spins about the shaft. 
         [0013]    In at least one embodiment the invention includes multiple ignition chambers. In some embodiments the multiple ignition chambers work to rotate the rotor in the same direction. In some embodiments one or more ignition chambers are designed to create an energy burst that turns the rotor in the opposite direction that another ignition chamber turns the rotor. This can be used as a brake and/or as a reverse. 
         [0014]    These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for further understanding of the invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0015]    A description of the invention is hereafter described with specific reference being made to the drawing. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an energy burst engine rotor with a single groove or notch. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional top view of a housing. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a schematic exploded perspective view of the bottom plate, housing, rotor, and top plate. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional top view of a housing with a grooved rotor illustrating the energy burst ignition chamber and the energy burst expansion chamber. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional top view of a housing having multiple energy burst ignition chambers and a rotor having multiple grooves. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional top view of a housing having multiple energy burst ignition chambers and a pressure valve and line. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein specific preferred embodiments of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated. The term groove or notch refers to any design of the rotor that creates a leading edge for the energy burst wave to strike. 
         [0023]    Either that burst of energy or one similar can be created with an electrical charge inside of a sealed cylinder (or housing) containing a single or a combination of gases. To make the engine run, an electrical charge can be introduced into the gases and can produce a discharge that is similar to lightning. That discharge causes an increase in pressure, which can cause the engine to spin. The discharge could be a plasma burst, a small fission release in the gases, a small fusion release in the gases or a small release of atomic energy from the gases or could be any combination of these. 
         [0024]    That chamber will be called the Energy Burst Ignition Chamber in this invention. This burst of energy produces a large wave of pressure which then immediately collapses and returns to the starting pressure of the gas and produces little to no heat or exhaust gases. This invention can take advantage of the pressure wave and the immediate collapse that follows. 
         [0025]    The energy burst is designed to happen in the Energy Burst Ignition Chamber which can then drive or push against one or more of the leading edges in the Energy Burst Expansion Chamber, thus causing the rotor to turn. The turning motion from the rotor can be used for work. 
         [0026]    The gases that can be used within the energy burst ignition chamber can be regular air. Higher levels of nitrogen in the gas are also effective. A noble gas mixture and/or a halogen can also be used. A high content of chlorine gas has been seen to be effective. Uranium and/or plutonium gases can also be used. 
         [0027]    The housing can be made of any material durable enough to run the engine. Plastics, polymers, ceramics, metals and all alloys of these can be used separately or in combination. Stainless steel can be used to good effect. Non-aluminum metals or alloys have also been used to good effect for the housing. 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 1  a circular or elliptical rotor  10  with a shaft  20  there through is shown. Also shown is a cut-out section  30  that can be a portion of an energy burst expansion chamber  45  (see  FIG. 2 ). Shown here, the cut out section  30  includes a trailing edge  33  and a leading edge  35 . As designed the leading edge  35  provides a surface or shape that can be modified to capture a maximum amount of energy from the movement of the pressure wave coming out of the energy burst ignition chamber  45 . The trailing edge  33  here is designed to capture as little of the energy coming out of the energy burst ignition chamber as possible. Though in some embodiments, it may be desirable for the trailing edge to capture more energy. Note, the “cut out section” is not meant to imply or teach a method on forming the cut out section. It is only describing the appearance of the finished product. 
         [0029]    Either of the two edges may be flat, straight, curved, or grooved. It is up to the user or builder as to the shapes of the edges that can be used to achieve the desired effects. Multiple cut-out sections  30  facilitating multiple energy burst expansion chambers can be added as well.  FIG. 5  illustrates this multiplicity of sections. In some embodiments the rotor is not circular and is star shaped. In some embodiments the rotor  10  is bar or blade shaped; the rotor is not oval but rather is straight and elongated, akin to a blade within a mower housing. A burst would strike the blade or bar such that it rotates. The control system  52  ( FIG. 2 ) would then communicate with the electrical device  51  to deliver another electrical spark, charge, or impulse that delivers a burst directed to the outer end of the bar or blade (or some other location of the bar or blade) as it is spinning; the location can be adjusted by adjusting the angle  46  of the housing about the expansion chamber  45 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  illustrates an energy burst engine block  40  with a single energy burst ignition chamber  45 . The rotor  10  of  FIG. 1  is designed to fit into the hole  47  of the engine block  40 . The nobs  50  are shown here disposed within the energy burst ignition chamber  45 . These knobs  50  can carry an electric spark or charge into the ignition chamber. These knobs can include radio frequency transmitters, electrodes, and spark plugs. The charge is sent by an activation device  51  (e.g. an electrical device) capable of sending a large number of charges in a short period of time and capable of being acted on and adjusted by a programmable control device  52  that can deliver control to the activation device  51  in a preferred manner. Electrical devices and controllers capable of this are known in the art. The charge or spark can cause the energy burst and expansion. In some embodiments, the charge is highly intermittent and the capability of providing multiple charges per second is not necessary. In some embodiments the charge is only given once. In other embodiments only several to a dozen times a minute. There is a nozzle  54  that can be used to vacuum out the entire engine and to charge or fill it with the gases. The nozzle can be placed anywhere, as the builder would desire. The angle  46  and/or shape of the energy burst ignition chamber  45  can be changed or configured so that it can direct the energy burst to interact with the rotor to achieve a desired effect. 
         [0031]    It should be noted that there are other ways than electrical means in which to activate the gas expansion within an energy burst ignition chamber  45 . In some embodiments the activation device  51  initiating the gas expansion can be created using an activation device  51  that creates an initiator that can be an electric charge, an electric impulse, an electromagnetic frequency, heat, a spark, a flame, a magnetic impulse, high pressure, or any combination that is delivered to the knobs  50 . 
         [0032]    The energy burst chamber  45  can have a narrower opening  48  than that shown in  FIG. 2  such that the force of the burst is more localized to a specific location on the rotor  10 . The chamber  45  can be designed such that the force of the burst strikes the rotor  10  just inside the radial edge in order increase the work that is done. The more the energy burst pushes against the leading edge, the more power that can be produced. Multiple Energy Burst Ignition Chambers can be configured as shown in  FIG. 5 . In some embodiments the chamber  45  can have an adjustable opening  48  that can be used to adjust the force and direction of the burst. 
         [0033]    The Energy Burst Ignition Chamber  45  could be bolted or added on to an opening in the housing rather than it being a part of the block as shown. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  shows a partially exploded illustration of an embodied engine  5 : a bottom plate  42 , a block or housing  40 , a rotor  10  with a shaft  20 , and a top plate  43 . The shaft as shown passing through the rotor can connect the four components of  FIG. 3 . In some embodiments the shaft  20  does not pass all the way through. In some embodiments the shaft is only attached to a single plate  42  or  43 . It should be pointed out that the rotor  10  can also have an elliptical or oval shape. While  FIG. 3  is a perspective view, figure can also be used to illustrate a rotor  10  that has this shape in a flat view. Thus the rotor  10  would be oval and/or non-circularly elliptical but could be housed in a circular housing as in  FIG. 2  or other shaped housing. 
         [0035]    In order to preserve the gases the engine housing should be sealed airtight once it is put together. Sealing is well-known in the art. The bottom plate  42  has a hole for one side of the shaft  20  which goes through the rotor  10 . Bearings can be used as needed. The block  40  and rotor  10  can reside against the bottom plate  42 . The top plate  43  can then be placed over the block  40  and rotor  10 . The top plate  43  also has a hole for the other side of the shaft  20  which goes through the rotor  10 . The plates  42 , 43  and housing  40  then can be bolted or welded together or the like to hold them in place and to seal them. The rotor  10  can now spin between the plates and inside the housing. The bottom plate  42  and the housing  40  could be all one machined piece if desired. The top plate  43  and housing  40  could be as well. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  illustrates the energy burst engine block  40  and rotor  10  with a single energy burst ignition chamber  45  and a single energy burst expansion chamber  46 ′. As shown here the energy burst ignition chamber  45  is in fluid communication with the energy burst expansion chamber  46 ′. In some embodiments the energy burst ignition chamber  45  is considered a part of the energy burst expansion chamber  46 ′ as shown. In some embodiments the energy burst ignition chamber  45  is partially separated with addition housing  40  from the energy burst expansion chamber  46 ′ while remaining in fluid communication. In other embodiments, the energy burst ignition chamber  45  is not in fluid communication with the energy burst expansion chamber  46 ′. In some embodiments there is an expandable material or device that extends across the opening  48  that is stretched or expanded by the energy burst and strikes the leading edge  35 . This could be done to help preserve some of the gas. 
         [0037]    The nozzle  60  can be used to vacuum out the engine and/or fill it with the gas mixture. The electronics can be hooked up or connected in their appropriate locations.  FIG. 4  illustrates the electronics simply as the knobs  50 . 
         [0038]    The energy burst  54  is illustrated in the energy burst ignition chamber  45  by the asterisk between the two knobs  50 . In order to produce more work the ignition could be timed to when the energy burst expansion chamber  46  is oriented such that the position of the rotor presents a leading edge  35  that when struck by the expanding gases produced by the energy burst  52  results in an optimal rotation of the rotor  10  and thereby producing the most work. As the rotor  10  rotates around, additional energy burst  52  can be produced to continue the process. The shaft could be used to drive an alternator or generator to charge any type of electronic device as needed. The turning shaft could also perform other work as is known in the art. 
         [0039]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5  an energy burst engine  1  with multiple energy burst ignition chambers  45  and multiple energy burst expansion chambers  46  is embodied. In this figure, the energy bursts  52  can strike the rotor  10  at more locations as there are more leading edges  35  to strike. Position of the rotor  10  in this embodiment may not be as important for some applications as with rotors  10  having only a single leading edge  35  as in  FIG. 4 . A timing device may also not be as important in some applications as there is always a leading edge(s) that can be struck with any energy burst within the ignition chamber  45 . 
         [0040]    Also as illustrated, the invention may also include multiple energy ignition chambers  45 / 45 ′. The opposing energy ignition chamber  45 ′ is constructed such that the energy burst  52  coming from that ignition chamber strikes the rotor  10  on what has been called the trailing edge. This can result in the rotor reversing, stopping, or just slowing. A different amplitude of energy burst can be present in each of the ignition chambers  45 . Without the opposing ignition chamber  45 ′ the two energy burst expansion chambers  45  can be used to increase the power if desired. This design shows the flexibility of this engine in size, shape, thickness, number of ignition chambers and number of expansion chambers. Different angles  57  can also be used to minutely adjust the desired performances. 
         [0041]    As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a pressure valve  70  and line  75  in fluid communication with ignition chamber  45  and/or expansion chamber can be used to receive a portion of the expanding gas from the energy burst and send it back to the ignition chamber  45 . Though shown on an engine having multiple ignition chambers  45 , one or more pressure valves  70  (can also be pressure balancing valves) and lines  75  can be used in an engine having only one ignition chamber. Likewise, one or more valves and lines can also be used in an engine having multiple ignition chambers  45 . In some embodiments, some ignition chambers  45  may have no pressure valves  70  or lines  75  while other ignition chambers  45  have  1  or more pressure valves  70  or lines  75  feeding back to it. All of this applies to opposing ignition chambers  45 ′ as well. The valves and lines may improve the loss of gas mixture within the engine. In some embodiments multiple sets of pressure valves  70  and lines  75  carry the gasses to a single chamber  45 . In some embodiments one or more sets of pressure valves  70  and lines  75  carry gases to an outside chamber to then be distributed to multiple chambers  45  or to a single chamber  45 . 
         [0042]    It should be noted that there are other ways than electrical means in which to activate the gas expansion within an energy burst ignition chamber  45 . In some embodiments the activation device the activation of the gas expansion can be created using an activation device that utilizes an electric charge, an electric impulse, an electromagnetic frequency, heat, a spark, a flame, a magnetic impulse, high pressure, or any combination of initiators thereof. 
         [0043]    For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated. 
         [0044]    The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description can suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art. The various elements shown in the individual figures and described above may be combined or modified for combination as desired. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to”. 
         [0045]    Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim  1  should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below. 
         [0046]    This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.