The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 29, 1981
Filed:
Sep. 11, 1978
Alexander Goloff, East Peoria, IL (US);
Caterpillar Tractor Co., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
Power output of a compound engine is increased and fuel consumption per unit of output power is reduced by eliminating the blowdown losses heretofore associated with opening of exhaust valves or ports. Exhaust gases of a positive displacement engine stage drive a turbine or other gas-expansion stage, the two stages being mechanically coupled to jointly contribute to power output. The turbine stage may also drive a compressor to supercharge the positive displacement stage. Flow-regulating means in the exhaust gas passage between the two stages maintain exhaust gas passage pressure at a level corresponding to that which exists in the combustion chambers of the positive displacement stage at the time that exhaust valves or ports open. This avoids exhaust gas expansion between stages and reduces or eliminates the blowdown losses which would otherwise occur. Power losses at the positive displacement stage from the high back pressure are compensated for by the additional power recovered by the turbine stage as a result of the high expansion ratio at the turbine. Automatic control means may adjust the flow-regulating means in response to changes of engine operating conditions in order to maintain the optimum exhaust gas pressure.