JP6807627B2 - Propulsion device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a propulsion device, and more particularly to a propulsion device that continuously generates a propulsive force in a controllable manner while eliminating the need for a rotary drive unit, a propulsion shaft for power transmission, and a screw or a propeller.

From steam engines, which conventionally had a large amount of power loss, to reciprocating engines such as current gasoline engines or diesel engines, power is obtained by converting linear motion into rotary motion. However, in this method, in the case of a reciprocating engine, power loss occurs regardless of the difference in conversion efficiency, such as the contact resistance between the piston and the cylinder and the rotational resistance of each part.

In addition, in reciprocating engines that use fossil fuels, not only air pollution due to exhaust gas but also underwater pollution due to discharged oil is caused. Moreover, the fossil fuels used are expensive, with few remaining, but the reality is that they have to be used in large quantities.

Patent Document 1 is an invention in which the reciprocating engine is used for a hull. In paragraph [0002] of Patent Document 1, there is a description that "in a conventional hull, a combustible gas in which air is mixed with fuel is burned in a cylinder to generate a driving force".

On the other hand, as a propulsion device that generates propulsive force while eliminating the need for screws, a hull engine that eliminates contact resistance and rotational resistance to reduce power loss, as well as reducing carbon dioxide emissions and the amount of fossil fuel that remains low. Are known. Specifically, a water bottle is placed in the center, an explosion chamber is provided in the upper part of the front via a check valve, an injection port is arranged in the lower part of the front via a check valve, and an earth leakage detection device is provided in the water bottle. Is provided with an ignition chamber having a mixed gas injection port in the explosion chamber (Patent Document 2).

In addition, there is also known a hull propulsion engine that can navigate the hull even in shallow water, is less likely to break down, and can be made smaller. Specifically, liquid hydrogen is injected from the liquid hydrogen injection pipe into the combustion chamber, and liquid oxygen is injected from the liquid oxygen injection pipe into the combustion chamber, and the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are brought into contact with each other in the combustion chamber to ignite and burn. It is provided with a vessel and a propellant supply system that supplies liquid hydrogen to the liquid hydrogen injection pipe of the combustor and supplies liquid oxygen to the liquid oxygen injection pipe (Patent Document 3).

Further, there is also known a propulsion device which has a simple structure with few friction points with the main drive mechanism, causes less water pollution and noise, and is easy to handle. Specifically, it is a propulsion device that generates propulsive force by the reaction of injecting jet water from a nozzle, and is located in a combustion chamber made of a tubular container arranged below the waterline of the hull and at the rear end of the combustion chamber. Contains oxygen and fuel after an opening outlet, a check valve located at the front end of combustion that allows only inflow, and a combustion chamber filled to a specified amount with fluid injected through the check valve. Combustible gas press-fit valve that press-fits combustible gas so that at least the ignition position of the combustion chamber is covered, ignition plug that can ignite the combustible gas that covers the ignition position, and combustible gas press-fit valve and ignition plug function in a specified sequence. It is provided with a control unit for making the device (Patent Document 4).

JP-A-2007-69791 JP-A-2010-52503 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-150998 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-107665

However, as described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that air and water pollution occurs in conventional internal combustion engines such as reciprocating engines and gas turbines. Further, in the case of the hull engine described in Patent Document 2, two check valves are required, and there is room for improvement such as simplifying the structure.

Further, in the case of the hull propulsion engine described in Patent Document 3, since it is substantially a rocket, a valve mechanism that quietly continuously burns without exploding and an advanced technique for its operation are required and are widely used. It was difficult to get it done.

Further, in the case of the ship propulsion device described in Patent Document 4, since a spark type spark plug is adopted, a high voltage application means for applying a high voltage to the gap at an appropriate timing and a discharge by the high voltage application means. A spark plug that can apply a voltage to ensure stable and reliable creeping discharge is indispensable, and there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of smaller size, lighter weight, and simplification. Further, there has been a demand for a propulsion device that can be applied not only to applications of underwater operation as in Patent Document 4, but also to applications of air operation.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to simplify the spark plug to a non-spark type and to ensure each combustion to be more powerful and stable. The purpose is to provide a propulsion device that enables continuous operation.

The present invention has been made to achieve such an object, and the invention according to claim 1 repeatedly continues the combustible gas (13, 13A, 13B) press-fitted into the combustion chamber (1, 1a). It is a propulsion device (100, 110, 111, 200) that generates a propulsion force (A) by the expansion force of a fluid generated by exploding the object.
Least hydrogen fuel and gas containing oxygen (13, 13A, 13B) combustible gas injection valve for press-fitting can be opened and closed in the combustion chamber (1, 1a) to (5),
A control unit (80) that controls the press-fitting amount of the combustible gas press-fitting valve (5) and the timing of intermittent press-fitting,
Said combustion chamber (1, 1a) in or near by the combustible gas is disposed ignitable located (13) glow plug with an electric heater (9) (6, 6A, 6B) and,
An energizing means (60) capable of energizing the electric heater (9) only at the heat timing for forcibly generating heat to ignite the glow plugs (6, 6A, 6B).
The discharge port (2) that draws out the fluid that expands and overflows due to the explosion in the combustion chamber (1,1a) to the outside,
With
The heat timing for energizing the glow plugs (6, 6A, 6B) is only a predetermined time (T) from immediately after the start to the repeated continuous stable state.
The electric heater (9) that receives the heat of combustion of the combustible gas (13, 13A, 13B) by continuous operation even after the elapse of the predetermined time (T) is in a reddish state at a temperature that can be ignited even after the energization is stopped. is maintained,
A pipe crossing space (11) is formed inside the combustion chamber (1,1a), which communicates above the combustion chamber (1,1a) and where the branch paths intersect.
The glow plug (6) is arranged at the apex of the pipe intersection space (11).
The pipe cross-space (11) an oxygen source to one end (18) of the horizontal line constituting (17) (40) is connected, the hydrogen supply source to the other end (19) (20) so that is connected It was done.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2, in the propulsion device (100, 110, 111, 200) according to claim 1, the electric heater (9) is a metal containing at least one of platinum, tungsten, and nichrome. It is composed of.

The invention according to claim 3 is the propulsion device (100, 110, 111, 200) according to claim 1, wherein the electric heater (9) contains platinum in a weight ratio of 50% or more. It is a thing.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4, in the propulsion device (100, 110, 111, 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the electric heater (9) is a U-shaped heater (90). It is composed of.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 is configured such that the oxygen is supplied by compressed air in the propulsion device (100, 110, 111, 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 4. It is a thing.

Further, in the invention according to claim 6, in the propulsion device (100, 110, 111, 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the oxygen is supplied from the oxygen cylinder (47). It is composed.

Further, the invention according to claim 7 is a flow velocity amplifier that amplifies the flow velocity of the combustion gas (15) due to the expansion force in the propulsion device (100, 110, 111) according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Further equipped with (70)
The flow velocity amplifier (70)
A conduit (72) that sucks in and discharges an external fluid (71),
An ejector injection unit (73) that injects the combustion gas (15) in a direction that promotes the flow of the fluid (71) inside the conduit (72).
It is formed with.

Further, in the invention according to claim 8 , in the propulsion device (100, 110, 111) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , the object to which the propulsive force (A) is applied is the hull.
A gas-liquid replacement chamber (21) that communicates downward from the combustion chamber (1) and is arranged below the waterline (B) of the hull.
A check valve (4) arranged at the front end of the gas-liquid replacement chamber (21) and capable of only inflow.
A full water detecting means (69) for detecting that the gas-liquid replacement chamber (21) is filled to a specified amount by the filled water (W) injected through the check valve (4), and
A waterproof and heat insulating region (50, 50A, 50B) having a bottleneck in which the electric heater (9) of the glow plug (6, 6A, 6B) is not flooded or splashed and covered with a heat insulating member (10).
With more
After the full water detection means (69) detects the arrival of full water in the gas-liquid replacement chamber (21), the control unit (80) sets the combustible gas (13, 13A, 13B) at least in the waterproof and heat insulating region (50). , 50A, 50B) to explode the combustible gas (13), and the reaction of injecting the jet water (31) from the nozzle (3) attached to the discharge port (2) causes the propulsion force (A). ) Is generated.

Further, the invention according to claim 9 is the propulsion device (110, 111) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the pipe intersection space (12) is provided.
A hydrogen cylinder (57) interposed with the first control valve (32) and
A liquefied propane gas cylinder (46) with a second control valve (33) interposed therebetween.
An oxygen cylinder (47) or a compressed air tank (56) interposed with a third control valve (34, 34A, 34B) is connected to the oxygen cylinder (47).
The control unit (80) has the first to third control valves (32, 33, 34, 34A) so that hydrogen is press-fitted before the propane gas while containing at least oxygen for each combustion. , 34B) is designed to open and close.

Further, in the invention according to claim 10 , in the propulsion device (111) according to claim 9 , the glow plugs (6A, 6B) are
With the first glow plug (6A) to ignite the combustible gas (13A) containing hydrogen that is press-fitted through the first control valve (32).
A second glow plug (6B) and a second glow plug (6B) for igniting a combustible gas (13B) containing propane gas that is press-fitted through the second control valve (33).
It is designed to have two of them.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a propulsion device capable of more powerful and stable continuous operation by simplifying the spark plug to a non-spark type and ensuring each combustion.

It is a partial cross-sectional view which shows the outline of the propulsion apparatus (hereinafter, also referred to as "this apparatus") which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is an external view of the glow plug used in this apparatus, FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a coil-shaped electric heater, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing a U-shaped electric heater. Is. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating each process in operation of this apparatus shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3A is a full water standby process, FIG. 3B is a combustible gas press-fitting process, and FIG. 3C is. The ignition process, FIG. 3 (d) shows an expansion injection process, FIG. 3 (e) shows a combustion completion process, and FIG. 3 (f) shows a water injection process. It is schematic explanatory drawing which shows the main part of this apparatus which concerns on Example 2 which included the additional element of the hybrid combustion system in Example 1 of FIG. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the main part of this apparatus which concerns on Example 3 which included the additional element of the 2nd glow plug in Example 2 of FIG. It is a partial cross-sectional view which shows the outline of the propulsion apparatus (hereinafter, also referred to as "this apparatus") which concerns on Example 4 of this invention.

[Example 1]
Hereinafter, the propulsion device (this device) according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an outline of this device. The device 100 applies propulsive force A to a hull (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1, the propulsion device 100 mainly includes a pipe crossing space 11, a gas-liquid replacement chamber 21, a hydrogen supply source 20, an oxygen supply source 40, and a control unit 80. There is.

The pipe crossing space 11 is a space formed inside the branch path communicating with the combustion chamber 1. The pipe line connecting the pipe intersection space 11 and the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 forms the combustion chamber 1. The gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 includes a discharge port 2, a nozzle 3, a check valve 4, and a full water sensor 22. The full water sensor 22 is connected to the control unit 80 via the full water detection means 69.

In the pipe crossing space 11, an oxygen supply source 40 is connected to one end 18 of the horizontal pipeline 17 via an air press-in valve 51 and an oxygen supply pipe 52. Further, a hydrogen supply source 20 is connected to the other end 19 of the horizontal pipeline 17 via a hydrogen press-in valve 53 and a hydrogen supply pipe 54. The oxygen supply source 40 and the hydrogen supply source 20 are controlled to open / close communication to the pipe crossing space 11 by the combustible gas press-in valve 5. The horizontal pipeline 17 is a name for convenience for specifying the pipeline, and may not be horizontal.

The pipe crossing space 11 is formed so as to communicate with the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 above, and a glow plug 6 is arranged at the apex of the pipe crossing space 11. Further, an oxygen supply source 40 is connected to one end 18 of the horizontal pipeline 17 constituting the pipe intersection space 11 via an air press-in valve 51 and an oxygen supply pipe 52. A hydrogen supply source 20 is connected to the other end 19 of the horizontal pipeline 17 via a hydrogen press-in valve 53 and a hydrogen supply pipe 54.

The hydrogen supply pipe 54 is connected to the pressure regulator 58 and the hydrogen cylinder 57. The oxygen supply pipe 52 is connected to the compressed air tank 56 and the air compressor 55. If the apparatus 100 is large, oxygen is supplied by compressed air, but if it is small, oxygen may be supplied from an oxygen cylinder 47 instead of compressed air. If the oxygen cylinder 47 and the pressure regulator 48 are switched and connected so as to be used, not only the drive of the air compressor 55 becomes unnecessary, but also the output of the present device 100 can be increased. In that case, the air press-fit valve 51 will allow only oxygen to pass through, regardless of its name.

The check valve 4 is arranged at the front end of the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 and can only flow in. The check valve 4 secures a flow rate capable of filling the volume of the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 in a short time (for example, within 5 seconds). The check valve 4 not only passively opens and closes the valve by the pressure difference between the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 and the external water Wa, but is also appropriate based on the control signal intermittently output by the control unit 80. A shutter (not shown) that actively opens and closes at various timings may be adopted.

The flammable gas press-fitting valve 5 includes an air press-fitting valve 51, an oxygen supply pipe 52, a hydrogen press-fitting valve 53, and a hydrogen supply pipe 54. The combustible gas press-in valve 5 opens and closes the combustible gas 13 containing hydrogen fuel and oxygen so as to be press-fitted into the combustion chamber 1 at an appropriate timing based on a control signal intermittently output by the control unit 80. The glow plug 6 arranged at the apex of the pipe crossing space 11 inside or near the combustion chamber 1 is kept in a closed state with respect to the outside. A waterproof heat insulating region 50, which will be described later, is formed in the vicinity of the glow plug 6. The glow plug 6 is controlled by the control unit 80 between the energization and the stop state from the energization means 60, but the energization can be turned on / off by a manual switch (not shown).

The air press-fit valve 51 press-fits the compressed air supplied from the oxygen supply pipe 52 into the combustion chamber 1 at an appropriate timing (FIG. 3 (b)). The hydrogen press-fitting valve 53 press-fits hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen supply pipe 54 into the combustion chamber 1 at an appropriate timing (FIG. 3B).

The combustible gas press-in valve 5 adjusts hydrogen and compressed air (or oxygen) to an optimum mixing ratio that makes it easy to ignite and obtains a large expansion force based on the control signal output from the control unit 80. 13 is generated and press-fitted into the combustion chamber 1 at an appropriate timing. As described above, the combustible gas 13 as used herein refers to a fluid in which hydrogen added to compressed air or oxygen is mixed in an optimum mixing ratio to obtain a maximum expansion force after ignition. The mixing ratio is realized by the output pressure of the air compressor 55 and the valve opening / closing control. The air press-fit valve 51 and the hydrogen press-fit valve 53 may be collectively controlled so as to open and close at the same time without particularly distinguishing the opening / closing timing.

The flammable gas press-fitting valve 5 uses only a predetermined ratio (for example, 15%) of the filled water W in the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 when the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 is full (the full water standby step shown in FIG. 3A) with respect to the volume of the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21. The opening / closing timing of each valve is set so that compressed air (or oxygen) and combustible gas 13 can be press-fitted while being replaced and eliminated in a short time (for example, within 1 second).

The glow plug 6 has a coil-shaped electric heater 9 at a position where the combustible gas 13 can come into contact with the glow plug 6, and is arranged at the apex of the pipe crossing space 11. The electric heater 9 rises to a temperature at which it can be ignited if a current sufficient to make it red is applied. At this time, if there is a combustible gas 13 that touches the heat heater 9, the combustible gas 13 is ignited to generate an ignition flame 14 (see FIG. 3C). The glow plug 6 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 is a tubular container made of stainless steel, steel, or aluminum, and the combustion gas 15 (FIGS. 3 (d) and (e)) burned (exploded) in the combustion chamber 1 expands at a high speed. It has enough rigidity and heat resistance to withstand impact and high heat. The gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 communicates downward from the combustion chamber 1 and is arranged below the waterline B of the hull. The combustion gas 15 generated by repeatedly and continuously exploding the combustible gas 13 (FIG. 3B) press-fitted into the combustion chamber 1 expands in the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 each time it explodes, and overflows with the expansion force. Propulsion force A is generated by injecting the fluid.

A discharge port 2 is open at the rear of the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21. A funnel-shaped injection nozzle 3 that communicates inside and outside the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 from the discharge port 2 extends rearward. The discharge port 2 leads out the fluid of the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 overflowing due to the expansion force generated by the explosion of the combustion chamber 1 to the outside. The overflowing fluid is mainly filled water W, and some combustion gas 15 is also mixed and discharged (FIGS. 3 (d) and 3 (e)).

The injection nozzle 3 has a function of strengthening the forward propulsive force A by adjusting the flow in which the filled water W filled in the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 is injected backward through the discharge port 2. By providing a function such as a check valve (not shown) in the path of the discharge port 2 and the injection nozzle 3, only the injection water 31 to the rear is passed, and the outside water Wa is inside the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21. The valve may be closed in the direction of being sucked into.

The control unit 80 includes a microcomputer (not shown), a sequencer using a computer program or the like, a time-series pulse generator, or the like, and has a specified sequence control function. The control unit 80 generates a control signal in which a predetermined delay time is set between each signal. The control signal output from the control unit 80 controls each unit at a predetermined timing.

The sequence control function by the control unit 80 will be described later with reference to FIG. That is, after the filled water W injected into the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 via the check valve 4 is filled to a specified amount, the combustible gas press-fitting valve 5 presses the combustible gas 13 into the combustion chamber 1 by a specified amount. The press-fitted combustible gas 13 touches the red-hot heater 9 of the glow plug 6 and ignites. The ignition timing is immediately after the combustible gas press-in valve 5 is opened in response to the valve opening signal intermittently output by the control unit 80.

2A and 2B are external views of a glow plug used in this device. FIG. 2A is a coil-shaped electric heater, and FIG. 2B is a U-shaped electric heater. It is a perspective view which shows each. As shown in FIG. 2A, the glow plugs 6, 6A and 6B (hereinafter collectively referred to as “glow plugs 6”) are the first electrode 61 supported by the insulator 63 and the second electrode 61. It is configured to include an electrode 62 and a coil-shaped electric heater 9 that is conductively bridged between the electrodes 61 and 62. The positive voltage of the heater power supply 64 is applied to the first electrode 61 via the heater energization switch 65, and the negative voltage of the heater power supply 64 is applied to the second electrode 62 via the metal portion of the apparatus 100.

The heater energization switch 65 is opened and closed manually by the control unit 8. The electric heater 9 is a metal containing at least one of platinum, tungsten, and nichrome. Further, the electric heater 9 preferably contains 50% or more of platinum by weight. Further, although the electric heater 9 has a coil shape, it may be replaced with the U-shaped heater 90 shown in FIG. 2 (B). However, "glow plug 6" and "electric heater 9" are generic terms for heaters of both shapes.

Even when the U-shaped heater 90 is used as the coil-shaped electric heater 9, if platinum is used as the constituent material, the effect that the high temperature state can be maintained by the catalytic action of platinum as described later can be obtained. The catalytic action of platinum is an action that facilitates the combustion reaction of hydrogen and oxygen by platinum. As a familiar example using the catalytic action of platinum, "Hakukin Cairo (platinum body warmer)" is known. Hakukin Cairo is a body warmer that can maintain a high temperature state by slowly oxidizing and generating heat of vaporized benzine and sustaining oxidation around the platinum catalyst.

In the case of Hakukin Cairo, oxygen molecules adsorbed on the platinum catalyst are activated (destabilized) and react with the vaporized benzine of the fuel even at room temperature to generate heat. The platinum catalyst promotes the oxidation reaction between volatile oil such as benzine and oxygen. Carbon dioxide and water generated and diffused by the progress of the oxidation reaction attract and activate the next oxygen molecule. This activated oxygen is adsorbed on platinum to form a weak bond between the oxygen and the platinum atom.

On the other hand, the bond between oxygen weakens and becomes a state close to an oxygen atom. Oxygen in this state is more reactive than normal oxygen molecules, making it easier to oxidize other things. Platinum is chemically stable and maintains a strong catalytic action especially for hydrogen, so that reliable ignition is possible. Further, one of the reasons why the glow plug 6 is suitable is that it does not oxidize even in a red hot state and has high durability even in a harsh environment.

The waterproof heat insulating region 50 has a structure in which a bottleneck is formed so that at least the electric heating heater 9 of the glow plug 6 is not flooded or splashed, and is covered with the heat insulating member 10. Further, the electric heater 9 arranged so as to be exposed at the apex of the pipe crossing space 11 is covered with the residual gas 16 that balances the water pressure near the water line B even when the operation of the apparatus 100 is stopped.

The residual gas 16 remaining in the combustion chamber 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A occupies a certain volume. The volume of the residual gas 16 prevents the filling water W from infiltrating the pipe intersection space 11. Therefore, even if external water Wa such as seawater rushes into the electric heater 9, the gas layer is stably maintained, so that the electric heater 9 is not submerged in water, is less likely to get wet, and can maintain a dry state. Further, the waterproof / heat insulating region 50 has a heat insulating member 10 interposed between the metal wall surface and the external water Wa.

Therefore, the electric heater 9 whose temperature has once risen to a red-hot state is difficult to rapidly cool even when the energization for electric heating is stopped, and forms a hot spot. This hot spot maintains a high temperature enough to ignite when the combustible gas 13 approaches the hot spot. Further, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 4 in Example 2, by interposing the check valve 24 between the waterproof heat insulating region 50 and the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21, it is possible to prevent the glow plug 6 from getting wet. As a result, the combustible gas 13 can be reliably ignited even if the electric power required for forcibly generating heat of the glow plug 6 is reduced.

The energizing means 60 obtains a heat timing for forcibly generating heat of the combustible gas 13 so that it can be ignited by energizing the electric heating heater 9 of the glow plug 6. The energization for obtaining the heat timing is sufficient only when the device 100 is started by controlling the control unit 80 or manually. That is, it is only a predetermined time T from the start of the explosion of the apparatus 100 until the state becomes stable repeatedly and continuously, and after the lapse of the predetermined time T, the temperature at which the electric heater 9 can be ignited by the heat of the explosion. To form a hotspot.

Therefore, the heat timing of the glow plug 6 is only a short time immediately after the start of the apparatus 100. Therefore, it is sufficient that the energizing means 60 has a power feeding capacity of about T = about 60 seconds. Therefore, the heater power supply 64 can be applied to a dry battery or a weak AC power supply (not shown) and can be simplified. Depending on the operation of the target to which the propulsion force A is applied, the energizing means 60 may be separated after the start of the apparatus 100. As described above, since the present device 100 uses the glow plug 6 instead of the spark ignition type spark plug, the high voltage generating means required for the spark ignition is unnecessary.

In recent years, small gas cylinders for cassette stoves or simple oxygen cylinders for breathing support for climbers and the like have been seen. These disposable cans tend to make fuel gas, hydrogen, and oxygen readily available. Therefore, it is assumed that a disposable hydrogen cylinder 57 or oxygen cylinder 47 will be used. If the apparatus 100 is for a large size, it is conceivable to prepare a considerable cylinder at all times and fill it with a hydrogen stand or the like.

The control unit 80 controls the press-fitting amount of the combustible gas press-fitting valve 5 and the timing of intermittent press-fitting. The full water detection means 69 detects that the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 is filled to a specified amount by the filled water W injected through the check valve 4 based on the detection output of the full water sensor 22. The control unit 80 controls the full water detecting means 69 to press-fit the combustible gas 13 into at least the waterproof heat insulating region 50 after detecting the arrival of full water in the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21.

There is a glow plug 6 that can be maintained at a high temperature in the back of the waterproof / heat insulating region 50, and as a result of contact of the combustible gas 13 with the glow plug 6, the combustible gas 13 explodes and expands in the combustion chamber 1. This expansion force extends to the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 communicating with the combustion chamber 1, and since the filled water W overflows from the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21, the jet water 31 is injected from the nozzle 3 attached to the discharge port 2. Due to the reaction of the injection, the apparatus 100 generates a propulsive force A.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining each process during operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, in which (a) a full water standby process, (b) a combustible gas press-fitting process, (c) an ignition process, and (d). ) Expansion injection step, (e) combustion completion step, and (f) water injection step are shown. Here, it will be described from FIG. 3 (f). First, as shown in the water injection step of FIG. 3 (f), the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 was filled to a specified amount by the filled water W injected by passing through the check valve 4 in the forward direction. It becomes the full water standby process of a).

Next, in the combustible gas press-fitting step of FIG. 3B, the press-fitting valve 5 is opened and closed so as to momentarily open and close based on the control signal output by the control unit 80. By adjusting the opening and closing of the press-fit valve 5, the hydrogen fuel and compressed air are adjusted to a mixing ratio that is easy to ignite and burn to become combustible gas 13, and are press-fitted into the combustion chamber 1 at an appropriate timing. The combustible gas 13 is press-fitted into the combustion chamber 1 so as to cover at least the electric heater 9. A check valve (not shown) for preventing flashback may be installed between the valve and the compressed gas or between the valve and the combustion chamber.

In the ignition step of FIG. 3C, the flammable gas 13 touches the electric heating heater 9 of the glow plug 6 and ignites to form an ignition flame 14. In the expansion injection step of FIG. 3D, the ignition flame 14 rapidly expands and expands, leading to the combustion completion step of FIG. 3E. In the ignition step of FIG. 3C, the combustible gas 13 occupies only a predetermined ratio (for example, 15%) to the volume of the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 in the combustion completion step of FIG. 3E in an extremely short time. The filled water W is replaced and eliminated until it occupies the entire volume of the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21.

As shown in the expansion injection step of FIG. 3D and the combustion completion step of FIG. 3E, the filled water W left in the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 is 100% or more of the volume of the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21. It is replaced and eliminated by the combustion gas 15 that expands to the volume of. The replacement-excluded filled water W becomes the jet water 31 prepared rearward by the jet nozzle 3 through the discharge port 2 and is strongly jetted rearward. Due to the reaction of the injection, the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 positively generates a strong propulsive force A. The propulsive force due to the reaction of such a fluid injection is as known in rockets.

In the combustion completion step of FIG. 3E, 100% of the filled water W is replaced and eliminated by the high-temperature and high-pressure combustion gas 15. After that, as shown in the water injection step of FIG. 3 (f), the combustion gas 15 remaining inside the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 is cooled and shrunk to room temperature to generate a low-pressure portion V close to vacuum.

As a result, in the water injection step of FIG. 3 (f), the filled water W that flows inward from the outside due to the valve action of the check valve 4 having a relatively large diameter and the external water that slightly flows in from the discharge port 2. With Wa, most of the internal volume of the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 is filled with water in a short time of, for example, several seconds or less. In the full water standby step of FIG. 3A, the process proceeds to the next combustible gas press-fitting step in a state where some gas such as residual gas 16 remains inside the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21.

It is preferable that the device 100 has a multi-cylinder configuration in which a plurality of the devices 100 are provided for one hull. By configuring the present device 100 in multiple cylinders and shifting the operation timings of the combustible gas press-fitting process, the ignition process, and the expansion injection process, it is possible to reduce pulsation and obtain a smoothly continuous propulsive force. It is also possible to change the direction of the hull by making a difference in injection force for each of a plurality of cylinders.

The apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention does not require a piston, a crankshaft, a rotating shaft, a screw, or the like. Therefore, it provides a propulsion device that has few friction points with the main drive mechanism, has a simple structure, is less likely to cause water pollution such as leakage of lubricating oil, and is less likely to stop the engine due to a misfire, and is easy to handle. It is possible to do. In particular, the present device 100 simplifies the spark plug to a non-spark type, and ensures each combustion to enable more powerful and stable continuous operation.

Further, even when the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 is filled with external water Wa such as fresh water or seawater, the electric heater 9 of the glow plug 6 is located at a high position in the back of the bottleneck, so that it is prevented from getting wet. , It always holds a gas layer and is easy to maintain a dry state. In order to maintain the high temperature state of the electric heater 9, the apparatus 100 can maintain a gas layer and maintain a state in which ignition is easy by utilizing the above-mentioned catalytic action of platinum.

Therefore, the explosion continues smoothly only by the control unit 80 controlling the valve opening so that the combustible gas press-fitting valve 5 is intermittently press-fitted at an appropriate timing. As a result, the propulsive force A can be continuously generated. If the control unit 80 controls the opening and closing of the combustible gas press-fitting valve 5 so as to lengthen the intermittent press-fitting interval, the output of the apparatus 100 is reduced, and the combustible gas press-fitting valve 5 must be closed and opened. Can be stopped.

[Example 2]
FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory view showing a main part of the present device according to the second embodiment including the additional element of the hybrid combustion method in the first embodiment of FIG. The members and fluids having the same effect as those described with reference to FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and the differences between FIGS. 1 and 4 will be mainly described. As shown in FIG. 4, the pipe intersection space 12 is an internal space of a pipeline in which two T-shaped intersections are connected around a cross intersection in which two straight pipes intersect at right angles and communicate with each other. A branch path branched from the pipe intersection space 12 into a plurality of branches is configured.

The apparatus 110 interposed the hydrogen cylinder 57 in which the first control valve 32 was interposed and the second control valve 33 in order from the position closest to the apex of each branch path and higher in the piping intersection space 12. The liquefied propane gas cylinder 46 is connected to an oxygen cylinder 47 or a compressed air tank 56 having a third control valve 34 interposed therebetween. However, these orders may be arbitrary. Further, the control unit 80 (FIG. 1) of the present apparatus 110 includes the first to third control valves 32, so that hydrogen is press-fitted before the propane gas while containing at least oxygen for each combustion. It is possible to control the opening and closing of 33 and 34. The first control valve 32 and the third control valve 34 have the same structure as the hydrogen press-in valve 53 and the air press-in valve 51 described above using FIG. 1, and their operations are performed by using the control unit 80. And more tightly controlled.

In addition, the branch road located at the apex of the branch road is a dead end without any connection. On the contrary, the gas mixer 23 and the check valve 24 are connected in this order so as to intervene between the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 and the branch path at the opposite pole of the apex of each branch path. Further, a glow plug 6 is connected to a branch path located between the gas mixer 23 and the check valve 24. The glow plug 6 is composed of a U-shaped heater 90 that can be used up to a hairpin curve-shaped heating element.

The gas mixer 23 is configured by a space capable of appropriately mixing fuel gas, oxygen, and the like press-fitted from each branch path to generate a combustible gas 13. The check valve 24 circulates from the pipe crossing space 12 only in the direction of the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 to prevent the flow in the reverse direction. Therefore, the infiltration of water from the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 is prevented with respect to the waterproof and heat insulating region 50 formed in the vicinity of the glow plug 6. Therefore, the glow plug 6 will not be submerged or wet. The gas mixer 23 may be omitted.

According to the above configuration, the apparatus 110 is provided with hydrogen, propane gas, oxygen or compressed air mixed in the waterproof and heat insulating region 50 at an appropriate mixing ratio so as to form the combustible gas 13. Here, the glow plug 6 is arranged in the back of the waterproof heat insulating region 50, and if the high-temperature red-hot state is maintained, the provided combustible gas 13 is ignited.

As mentioned above, hydrogen ensures ignition by the catalytic action of platinum. On the other hand, propane gas has a higher energy density per volume than hydrogen stored in the current technology, and therefore has good loading efficiency on ships. In view of these facts, the present apparatus 110 is configured to perform combustion by a hybrid method, that is, a combustion method in which hydrogen and propane gas are appropriately mixed.

In the present device 110, hydrogen and oxygen, which are easier to ignite, are press-fitted into the pipe crossing space 12 at an earlier timing for each combustion, and these flammable gases touch the glow plug 6 which glows red and ignite and burn. To start. In order to follow this flame, the propane gas injected at a timing slightly later than the injection of hydrogen touches and ignites, and it is possible to generate a stronger jet. As described above, the present device 110 performs initial ignition with hydrogen and oxygen, and then performs additional propulsion by burning propane gas and oxygen or an air mixed gas ignited by the flame.

The apparatus 110 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 has the advantages of both hydrogen having good ignitability and propane gas that can be easily mounted on a ship, so to speak, a hybrid type propulsion apparatus. Is forming. That is, the combination of hydrogen as a fuel and the glow plug 6 made of platinum or the like ensures each combustion in which the combustible gas 13 is press-fitted. As a result, more powerful and stable continuous operation is possible.

As described above, according to the present invention, the spark plug is simplified to a non-spark type, and the propulsion device 100 enables more powerful and stable continuous operation by ensuring each combustion. , 110 can be provided. Further, in the present device 100, since the exhaust component generated as a result of burning hydrogen as a fuel is only water vapor, there is no air or water pollution in this respect as well. In recent years, social infrastructure capable of providing hydrogen and oxygen more efficiently, inexpensively and safely has been developed, and it is expected that an environment suitable for the present device 100 can be realized.

[Example 3]
FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view showing a main part of the present device according to the third embodiment including the additional element of the second glow plug in the second embodiment of FIG. Members, fluids, and the like having the same effect as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and the differences between FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIG. 5 will be mainly described. .. The propulsion device 111 shown in FIG. 5 includes two glow plugs 6A and 6B. The first glow plug 6A ignites hydrogen that is press-fitted through the first control valve 32. The second glow plug 6B ignites the propane gas press-fitted via the second control valve 33.

As shown in FIG. 5, the pipe intersection spaces 12A and 12B are internal spaces of a pipeline in which two T-shaped intersections are connected between two cross intersections in which two straight pipes intersect at right angles and communicate with each other. .. A branch path branched into a plurality of pipe intersection spaces 12A and 12B is configured. The gas mixer 23 is interposed at the substantially central position of the pipe intersection spaces 12A and 12B. A check valve 24 is interposed between the gas mixer 23 and the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21.

The check valve 24 prevents water from entering the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 with respect to the waterproof heat insulating region 50B formed in the vicinity of the glow plug 6B. Therefore, the glow plug 6B arranged at a relatively low position will not be submerged or wet. Further, as described above, the present device 111 is also configured to be capable of combustion by a hybrid method, that is, a combustion method in which hydrogen and propane gas are appropriately mixed.

In the apparatus 111, a hydrogen cylinder 57 having a first control valve 32 interposed therein, a first glow plug 6A, and a third control are provided for a pipe intersection space 12A located near the apex and at a high position in each branch path. An oxygen cylinder 47 or a compressed air tank 56 with a valve 34A interposed therebetween is connected. On the other hand, the second glow plug 6B and the second control valve are provided in the lower branch path of each branch path, that is, the branch path located between the gas mixer 23 and the check valve 24. A liquefied propane gas cylinder 46 having a 33 interposed therebetween is connected to an oxygen cylinder 47 or a compressed air tank 56 having a third control valve 34B interposed therebetween.

Further, the third control valves 34A and 34B are controlled to open and close at the same timing as the first and second control valves 32 and 33, respectively. That is, the third control valve 34A is controlled to open and close at the same timing as the first control valve 32 to generate a mixed gas such as hydrogen and oxygen. Further, the third control valve 34B is controlled to open and close at the same timing as the second control valve 33 to generate a mixed gas such as propane gas and oxygen.

The control unit 80 (FIG. 1) of the apparatus 111 also includes the first to third control valves 32, 33, so that hydrogen is press-fitted before the propane gas while containing at least oxygen for each combustion. It is possible to control the opening and closing of 34A and 34B. In some cases, the distribution of hydrogen and propane gas may be adjusted as appropriate. That is, if good ignition is required, a large amount of the first combustible gas 13A containing hydrogen may be distributed, and if not, a large amount of the second combustible gas 13B containing propane gas may be distributed.

According to the above configuration, the apparatus 111 is provided to the waterproof and heat insulating region 50A by being mixed with hydrogen and oxygen or compressed air at an appropriate mixing ratio so as to form a first combustible gas 13A. Here, the glow plug 6A is arranged in the back of the waterproof heat insulating region 50A, and if the high temperature red heat state is maintained, the provided first combustible gas 13A is ignited.

Similarly, the waterproof and heat insulating region 50B of the apparatus 111 is provided by being mixed with propane gas and oxygen or compressed air at an appropriate mixing ratio so as to form a second combustible gas 13B. Here, the glow plug 6B is arranged in the back of the waterproof heat insulating region 50B, and if the high temperature red heat state is maintained, the provided second combustible gas 13B is ignited.

The apparatus 111 includes, for example, a first glow plug 6A for igniting a first combustible gas 13A containing a large amount of hydrogen, and a second glow plug 6A for igniting a second combustible gas 13B containing a large amount of propane gas, for example. The glow plugs 6B of No. 2 are arranged respectively, and the first and second combustible gases 13A and 13B are intermittently press-fitted at different timings so as to have better propulsion performance. That is, the first combustible gas 13A containing hydrogen having good ignition performance with platinum and the second combustible gas 13B containing propane gas having relatively inferior ignition performance but excellent portability are appropriately used. There is. That is, the first combustible gas 13A can be easily ignited, and the flame can stably and reliably ignite the second combustible gas 13B.
[Example 4]

While the apparatus 100 shown in the first embodiment was limited to ship use, that is, underwater operation, the propulsion apparatus (this apparatus) 200 of the fourth embodiment mainly consists of an air vehicle operating in the air. Applicable. Hereinafter, Example 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In each diagram including the first embodiment, the members and fluids having the same effect are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and the differences between the first embodiment and the fourth embodiment will be mainly described.

The propulsive force A of the device 100 is based on the law of action / reaction and the law of conservation of momentum. Therefore, the reaction (thrust) acting on the propulsion device 100 is proportional to the mass (weight) and velocity of the injected fluid (water or air). From this point of view, the apparatus 100, which is limited to underwater use, can easily obtain the propulsive force A even when the injection speed of the large-mass injection water 31 is relatively low.

On the other hand, when the apparatus 200 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied to an air vehicle moving in the air, a large amount of air having a mass much smaller than water is applied at high speed in order to obtain a considerable thrust. Need to be sprayed on. Therefore, the present device 200 uses a flow velocity amplifier 70, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 6, to inject a large amount of low-mass air at high speed. The apparatus 200 is suitable for aerial operation, but can also be operated underwater.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an outline of the present apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 6 is obtained by replacing the gas-liquid replacement chamber 21 of Example 1 shown in FIG. 1 with a flow velocity amplifier 70. The flow velocity amplifier 70 communicates with and is connected to the combustion chamber 1a located below the pipe crossing space 11. That is, the lower end of the pipe crossing space 11 is connected so as to intersect the conduit 72 of the flow velocity amplifier 70 at a right angle. The conduit 72 has a tubular shape, and the lower end of the pipe crossing space 11 is planted in the radial direction on the outer periphery of the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction thereof.

The flow velocity amplifier 70 amplifies the flow velocity due to the expansion force of the combustion gas 15. The flow velocity amplifier 70 is composed of a conduit 72 and an ejector injection slit 73. The conduit 72 sucks in the external fluid 71 mainly from the front and discharges it from the rear. The discharged ejector injection 74 attracts the fluid 71 around the tail of the conduit 72 to become a larger ejector injection 75 and strongly injects the fluid backward. If the device 200 is applied to an air vehicle moving in the air, the fluid 71 is air. Further, if the apparatus 200 is used underwater, the fluid 71 is water.

The ejector injection slit 73 opens the discharge port 2 in the direction of accelerating the fluid 71 sucked into the conduit 72, and the combustion gas 15 is injected backward from the discharge port 2. The "ejector injection slit 73" of the present device 200 is the "ejector injection section 73" in the present invention, and has an effect of amplifying the flow velocity or the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the flow velocity amplifier 70. That is, combustion gas 15 + fluid 71 = ejector injection 74, and further increase to ejector injection 74 + fluid 71 = ejector injection 75. The flow rate of the final ejector injection 75 is amplified 10 to 20 times that of the combustion gas 15. In this way, the apparatus 200 can obtain a desired propulsive force A by injecting a large amount of low-mass air at high speed.

Regardless of whether the apparatus 200 is operated in the air or underwater, it is not necessary to wait for several seconds until the filled water W is made to flow in and then ignite. Therefore, the full water sensor of the apparatus 100 shown in the first embodiment does not need to be ignited. 22 and the full water detection means 69 are unnecessary. Further, if the apparatus 200 is operated in the air, there is no constraint that the ignition process cannot be proceeded unless the device 200 is fully filled for several seconds, and the output can be increased by increasing the frequency of explosion. Therefore, the combustible gas press-in valve 5 is opened. The control unit 80 is set so as to shorten the intermittent cycle.

In the present device 200, similarly to the present device 100 of the first embodiment, a glow plug 6 is arranged at the apex of the pipe crossing space 11, and an oxygen supply source is provided at one end 18 of the horizontal pipeline 17 constituting the pipe crossing space 11. It is common in that 40 is connected and the hydrogen supply source 20 is connected to the other end 19. However, the target to which the propulsion device 200 gives the propulsion force A is not limited to the flying object but can be applied to a ship.

The propulsion device according to the present invention may be applied to a ship or an air vehicle. In the case of ships, it may be used for various hulls regardless of whether the water depth is deep or shallow, or the size or use of the hull. In particular, since a screw is not required, it is suitable for applications in shallow water routes.

1,1a Combustion chamber, 2 Discharge port, 3 nozzles, 4,24 check valve, 5 Combustible gas press-in valve, 6,6A, 6B glow plug, 9 Electric heater, 10 Heat insulation member, 11,12 Piping intersection space, 13 , 13A, 13B Combustible gas, 14 Ignition flame, 15 Combustion gas, 16 Residual gas, 17 Horizontal pipeline, 18 One end (of horizontal pipeline), 19 Other end (of horizontal pipeline), 20 Hydrogen source, 21 Q Liquid replacement chamber, 22 fullness sensor, 23 gas mixer, 31 jet water, 32 first control valve, 33 second control valve, 34, 34A, 34B third control valve, 40 oxygen supply source, 46 liquefied propane Gas cylinder, 47 oxygen cylinder, 48,58 pressure regulator, 50, 50A, 50B waterproof insulation area, 51 air press-in valve, 52 oxygen supply pipe, 53 hydrogen press-fit valve, 54 hydrogen supply pipe, 55 air compressor, 56 compression Air tank, 57 hydrogen cylinder, 60 energizing means, 61 1st electrode, 62 2nd electrode, 64 heater power supply, 65 heater energizing switch, 69 full water detection means, 70 flow velocity amplifier, 73 ejector injection slit, 74,75 ejector injection, 80 Control unit, 90 U-shaped heater, 100, 110, 111, 200 Propulsion device (this device), A propulsion force, B (of the hull) water line, V low pressure part, W filled water, Wa outside water

Claims (10)

A propulsion device that generates propulsive force by the expansion force of a fluid generated by repeatedly and continuously exploding a combustible gas that is press-fitted into a combustion chamber.
A combustible gas injection valve for press-fitting able to open and close the gas into the combustion chamber comprising at least hydrogen fuel and oxygen,
A control unit that controls the press-fitting amount of the combustible gas press-fitting valve and the timing of intermittent press-fitting,
A glow plug having an electric heater arranged inside or near the combustion chamber at a position where the combustible gas can be ignited.
An energizing means capable of energizing the electric heater only at the heat timing for forcibly generating heat to ignite the glow plug.
An outlet that draws out the fluid that expands and overflows due to the explosion in the combustion chamber to the outside,
With
The heat timing for energizing the glow plug is only a predetermined time from immediately after the start to the repeated continuous stable state.
The electric heater that receives the heat of combustion of the combustible gas by continuous operation even after the lapse of the predetermined time is maintained in a reddish state at a temperature that can be ignited even after the energization is stopped .
A piping intersection space is formed inside the combustion chamber where the branch paths intersect while communicating with the upper part of the combustion chamber.
The glow plug is arranged at the apex of the pipe intersection space, and the glow plug is arranged.
The pipe cross-oxygen supply to one end of the horizontal pipe constituting the space is connected, propulsion device hydrogen supply source was so that connected to the other end. The propulsion device according to claim 1, wherein the electric heater is a metal containing at least one of platinum, tungsten, and nichrome. The propulsion device according to claim 1, wherein the electric heater contains 50% or more of platinum by weight. The propulsion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electric heater is composed of a U-shaped heater. The propulsion device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the oxygen is supplied by compressed air. The propulsion device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the oxygen is supplied from an oxygen cylinder. A flow velocity amplifier that amplifies the flow velocity due to the expansion force of the combustion gas is further provided.
The flow velocity amplifier
A conduit that sucks in and discharges external fluid,
An ejector injection unit that injects the combustion gas in a direction that promotes the flow of the fluid inside the conduit.
The propulsion device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , which is formed by the above. The object to which the propulsion force is given is the hull.
A gas-liquid replacement chamber that communicates downward from the combustion chamber and is arranged below the waterline of the hull.
A check valve located at the front end of the gas-liquid replacement chamber and allowing only inflow.
A full water detection means for detecting that the gas-liquid replacement chamber is filled to a specified amount by the filled water injected through the check valve, and
A waterproof and heat insulating area having a bottleneck in which the electric heater of the glow plug is not flooded or splashed and covered with a heat insulating member.
With more
The control unit is attached to the discharge port by press-fitting the combustible gas into at least the waterproof heat insulating region and exploding the combustible gas after the full water detecting means detects the arrival of full water in the gas-liquid replacement chamber. The propulsion device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the propulsive force is generated by the reaction of injecting the jet water from the nozzle. In the piping intersection space,
A hydrogen cylinder with a first control valve in between,
A liquefied propane gas cylinder with a second control valve in between,
Connect to an oxygen cylinder or compressed air tank with a third control valve interposed therebetween.
Claims 1 to 8 control the opening and closing of the first to third control valves so that hydrogen is press-fitted before propane gas while containing at least oxygen or air for each combustion. The propulsion device according to any one of the above items. The glow plug
A first glow plug to ignite a combustible gas containing hydrogen that is press-fitted through the first control valve.
A second glow plug to ignite a combustible gas containing propane gas that is press-fitted through the second control valve.
The propulsion device according to claim 9 , further comprising two of the above.

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