US1313698A - House electric - Google Patents

Description

A. T. KASLEY.

METHOD OF GENERATING PRESSURE.

APPLICATION HLED MAR. 31. I917- 1,313,698. Patented Aug; 19, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A. T. KASLEY.

METHOD OF GENERATING PRESSURE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31. 1911.

1,313,698. Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W1 TNESSES; JNVEN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

A. T. KASLEY.

METHOD OF GENERATING PRESSURE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31,1917.

Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES:

IN V EN TOR.

ORM 5. ML,

, %zzw l1 TTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER T. KASLEY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VAN IA.

METHOD OF GENERATING PRESSURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

Application filed March 31, 1917. Serial No. 158,868.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER T. KAsLnY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Swissvale, in the county of Allegheny and crating pressure and has for an object to produce a new and improved method of pressure generation, which is well adapted to be employed with power developing and power transforming apparatus.

A further object is to produce a method of generating pressure, which consists in unlting a fuel and a decomposable oxygenbearing material and in heating the mlxture until combustion takes place.

A further object is to produce a method of generating pressure in which an oxygen bearing material and a fuel are chemlcally unlted in a closed chamber, and in which a part of the heat generated by the chemical action is employed to heat the fresh materlal and fuel to the temperature necessary for chemical combination.

A further object of the invention is to produce a method of generating pressure, which is especially adapted to be employed with power developing apparatus and in which the heat of combustion is utilized in continuously maintaining combustion.

A further object is to produce a method of generating pressure which is independent of an external supply of oxygen, and is therefore well adaptedto be employed in submarines, torpedoes, mines, or in any apparatus or place 'where a supply of oxygen, such as that contained in the air, is not available.

These and other objects, which will be made apparent throughout the further description, are attained by the method of encrating pressure herein described and ilustrated.

In the drawings forming a part hereof; Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of an apparatus by means of which the method of pressure generation constituting my invention may be carried out.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view along the line 2.2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic sectional view of another form of apparatus for carrying out my invention. a

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a simplified form of apparatus which may be employed in carrying outmy invention.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

The method constituting my invention is preferably carried out independently of the supply of oxygen in the ail and it is, therefore, especially adapted to be employed 1n submarines, or in any other apparatus which is not always in communication with the atmosphere. In carryingout this invention, I employ an oxygen bearing material, such as ammonium nitrate for supporting combustion, and a fuel, such as alcohol. These materials are cheap, especially the ammonium nitrate, and contain all the elements necessary for combustion. I desire to call attention to the fact that I employ the term fuel in its broad sense, that is, to indicate an element or reagent which unites with oxygen in such a way that the reaction develops and gives off heat.

Ammonium nitrate is explosive when hot and dry, but it is not explosive when wet, therefore I preferably employ ammonium nitrate dissolved in water. This solution is mixed with a fuel, such as alcohol, either before or after bein admitted to the combustion chamber. ere the mixture is heated until chemical action takes place, resulting in the formation or liberation of gases, such as nitrogen, oxygen, carbon monoxid and dioxid, and steam. These gases are under pressure and are capable of doing work, therefore they are preferably passed through a power developing apparatus, such as a pump, engine or turbine. Combustion ammonium nitrate, water and alcohol, the

final combustible mixture may be .in approximately the following proportions: ammonium nitrate 35 per cent; alcohol 8 per .cent. and water 57 per cent. It is evident that this is a very inexpensive mixture, as relatively little of the most expensive material, alcohol, is employed, and more than half of the whole is water.

In Fig. 1, I have illustrated an apparatus for carrying out my invention, and in which the ammonium nitrate, the water and the al to the incoming material. These plates are 7 preferably arranged so as to ofl'er a mlnh mum of resistance to the flow of fluids through the combustion chamber 5.

When starting up, it is necessary to initially heat the plates 10 so that the mix-v ture entering the combustion chamber 5 willbe heated to the combustion temperature. T have illustrated a branch conduit 11 adapted to establish communication between the interior of the casing 6 and the conduit 8 and hence the combustion chamber 5. This conduit is provided with a check valve 12. In starting up an explosive mixture is admitted into the casing 6 through the inlet 7. This mixture is ignited by some suitable igniter, such as a spark plug 7*, and the products of combustion pass through the check valve 12, the conduit 11, and a small portion of the conduit 8 into the combustion chamber 5. The hot productsof combustion heat up the plates 10 so that they become not enough to cause the combustion of the material subsequently admitted through the conduit 8.

In operation, combustion will take place in the upper part of the spaces between plates 10. This will beat the upper part of the metal plates 10, and as the plates have a high rate of conductivity, they will transmit the heat to the incoming mixture in the bottom of the spaces between them. The products of combustion pass 0E through the conduit 9 to an engine or to any other apparatus.

In Fig. 3, T have illustrated a modified form of apparatus for carrying out-my invention. In this apparatus T preferably pump or deliver the ammonium nitrate solution and the alcohol separately to the combustion chamber. As illustrated, the combustion chamber13 is divided vertically by a partition wall 14. The partition wall 14 divides the upper part of the combustion chamber 13 into two chambers, but allows open communication between them near the bottomof the chamber 13. As shown. these two chambers are filled with a carbon checker work or a checker work of some similar substance.

Ammonium nitrate is delivered to the combustion chamber on both sides of the partition wall 14 by means of a conduit 16,

nuance having a valved branch 17 enteri on one side of the partition, and a valve branch 18 enterin on the other side of the partition. TntTi ber 13 and opening into it on each side of the partition wall It is a conduit 19 for carrying off the products of combustion.

T have illustrated a valve 20, provided with four disks, for automatically shutting off communication between the conduit 19 and the side of the combustion chamber 13 served by the ammonium nitrate inlet 18 and for simultaneously closing the ammonium nitrate inlet 17 and establishing communication between the conduit 19 and the other side of the combustion chamber 13. When-the valve is shifted to the other extremit of its travel, the ammonium nitrate inlet 1 is open and the conduit 19 is simul-' taneously shut off from that side of the come center of the combustion chambustion chamber. This action automatically closes the ammonium nitrate inlet 18 and bustion chamber 13.

In this embodiment of my invention I introduce the fuel, or alcohol, at the bottom of the chamber 13 through an inlet 21'.

Tn the bottom of the combustionchamber 13, T have shown two carbon electrodes 22 and 23, which project through the bottom of the chamber and are connected to some source of electrical energy, such as the line 24.

The operation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 3 is as follows: In starting up, the electrodes 22 and 23 are connected to the source of electrical energy causing current to flow from one electrode to the other through the carbon checker work which surrounds the electrodes and fills the chamber 13. This current heats the carbon checker Work so as to start the chemical action between the alcohol and the ammonium nitrate. With the valve 20 in the position shown, the ammonium nitrate solution is introduced through the inlet 18 and the products of combustion rise up through the checker work in thezother side of the combustion chamber 13 and pass out through the conduit 19 to the engine. The electric circuit is then broken, as the heat stored in the checker work is sufficient to cause combustion. The direction of flow through the combustion chamber is reversed as soon as the heat of combustion has heated up one side of the chamber 13, so that the incoming materials will pass through the portion of the combustion chamber which has been thoroughly heated. As .the direction of flow is now reversed, the other side of the chamber gradually grows hotter while the first side grows colder. When the side which was previously heated becomes too cool to properly heat the incoming materials, the direction of flow through the chamber 13 is reversed by shifting the valve20. This is the familiar regenerative process and needs no further explanation.

In Fig. 4, I have shown a simple form of apparatus for carrying out the method which constitutes my invention. In this embodiment of my invention, the ammonium nitrate and the alcohol are also separately pumped or delivered to the combustion chamber. I have shown the combustion chamber as consisting of a rectangular box 25, provided with an ammonium nitrate inlet 26 and an outlet 27 which may be connected with an engine. In the center of the combustion chamber 25 are a series of sheet metal plates 28 for storing heat and transmitting it to the incoming materials. The direction of flow through the chamber 25 is indicated by arrows. Alcohol may be introduced to the combustion chamber 25 at each end by means of pipes or conduits 29 and 30. The metal 7 plates 28 are preferably formed in one corrugated sheet, as shown, for simplicity and cheapness of construction. In operation the ammonium nitrate solution is admitted through the inlet 26 and is heated by the lower part of the plates 28. As it flows toward the ends of the combustion chamber 25 it meets the alcohol introduced through the inlets 29 and 30 and combustion takes place, the products of combustion in passing off through the outlets 27 to the engine, heat the plates 28. Any means may be employed for initially heating the plates.

The gases resulting from the combustion in the devices described may be employed in any manner, for example, for the purposes for which steam or compressed air are employed. The advantages of the method of pressure generation as described andv illustrated are of special importance to submersible marine vessels, as the combustion and generation of power is entirely independent of a supply of air or compressed oxygen.

While I have described and illustrated three embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, additions and omissions may be made in the apparatus illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. The method of generatin fluid pressure which consists in initial y heating a carbonaceous heat storing and transmitting material in a closed chamber in which the pressure is to be generated, in delivering an oxygen bearing liquid and fuel to said chamber and in contact with said material, storing within said chamber the vapors and gases evolved by the combustion taking place within the chamber and subjecting the heat storing material to the heat of combustion within said chamber.

2. The method of generating fluid pressure which consists in initially heating a carbonaceous heat storing and transmitting material contained within a closed chamber in which the pressure is to be generated, in delivering an oxygen bearing liquid and fuel to said chamber, so as to subject the liquid to the heat of said material, in storing the gases and vapors resulting from combustion within said chamber and in subjecting said material to the heat of combustion within said chamber. a

3. The method of generating fluid pressure which consists in initially heating a carbonaceous heat storing and transmitting agent contained within a closed chamber in whichthe pressure is to be generated, delivering an aqueous solution of oxygen bearing material and a fuel into said chamber and into contact with said agent, storing the vapors and gases evolved by the combustion within said chamber, and subjecting said agent to the heat of said combustion.

4. The method of enerating pressure, which consists in initially heating a porous body of heat storing material, then in passing an oxygen bearing material and a fuel into and through the heat storing material and then in periodically reversing the direction of flow through the heat storing material so that the incoming materials initially pass through substantially the hottest part of the heat storing materials and are chemically united with each other.

5. In an apparatus for generating pressure, a combustion chamber from which air is excluded during operation, mean for delivering oxygen bearing'material and a fuel to the combustion chamber, a carbonaceous heat storing and transmitting means inclosed by the combustion chamber for trans mitting a part of the heat of combustion to incoming fuel and oxygen bearing material,

and means for initia y heating the heat storing and transmitting means.

6. An apparatus for generating pressure, com rising a regenerative heat storing combustion chamber, from which air is excluded during operation, means for delivering an oxygen bearing solution to the combustion chamber, means for delivering a fuel to the combustion chamber, means for reversing the direction of flow of fluids through the combustion chamber, and means for initially heating the heat storing material in the combustion chamber.

7. In an apparatus for generating ressure, a combustion chamber provided w1th a fluid delivery port and from which air is excluded during the operation of generating heat, means for delivering oxygen bearing material and a fuel to the chamber, a car bonaceous heat storing and transmitting means inclosed within the combustion chamber for transmitting heat of combustion within the chamber to the oxygen bearing material entering the chamber, and means for initially heating the heat storing and transmitting means.

8. In an apparatus for generating pressure, a combustion chamber provided with a fluid delivery port and from which atmospheric air is excluded during operation, a carbonaceous heat storing and transmitting material located within said chamber, means for initially heating said material, and means for delivering an oxygen bearing liquid and a fuel into said chamber and into contact with said material.

9. The method of enerating pressure, which consists in initiaTly heating a porous body of heat storing material, then in passing an oxygen bearing material into and through the heat storing material, in injecting fuel into and through the heat storing material at an intermediate point and then in periodically reversing the direction of flow of the oxygen bearing material through the heat storing material so that the incoming material initially passes through substantially the hottest art of the heat storing materials and is c emically united with the fuel.

. 10. in an apparatus for generating ressure, a sealed combustion chamber rom which air is excluded durin operation, a porous heat. absorbing material within the chamber, and means for injecting an oxygen bearing material and a fuel into the porous heat absorbing material, and a means for initially heating the heat absorbing material to cause chemical unition of the oxygen bearing material and the fuel.

11. In an apparatus for generating pres sure, a sealed combustion chamber from which air is excluded during 0 eration, a porous carbonaceous heat absor ing material within the chamber, and means for injecting an oxygen bearing material and a fuel into the porous heat absorbing material, and a means for initially heating the emme heat absorbing material to cause'chemical unition of the oxygen bearing material and the fuel.

12. The method of generating fluid pressure which consists in initially heatin 'a porous heat transmitting agent containe within a closed chamber in which the pressure 7 material,

13. The method of generating fluid pressure which consists in initially heatin a porous heat transmitting agent containe within a closed chamber in'which the pressure is to be generated and from which air isexeluded, injecting an oxygen bearing mate rial into said chamber and through the porous material, and passing a fuel through the porous material so that it chemically unites with the oxygen bearing material within the pores of the heat transmitting material whereby part of the heat of combustion is imparted to the heat transmitting material.

14. in an apparatustor generating pres-' sure, a sealed combustion chamber from which air is excluded during operation,

means for delivering oxygen bearing material and a fuel to the combustion chamber, a porous heat storing and transmitting means inclosed by the combustion chamber for transmitting a part of the heat of combustion to the incoming oxygen bearing material, and means for initially heating the heat storing and transmittin materia in testimony whereof, I ave hereunto subscribed my name this 30th day of March, 1917.

ALEXAER T. KASLEY,

Witnesses:

G. W. MoGnan, B. Goanono

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