Patent number: 8100095

Combustion devices for powdered fuels and powdered fuel dispersions

Inventors:

  • McKnight; James K.
  • Bacorn; Edward
  • White; Ken W.

Field of technology: Industrial Machinery and Processes, Vehicles, Engines and Transportation

Patent granted on: Tue, 24 Jan 2012

Patent drawing

Abstract

An engine includes at least one cylinder, an intake valve, a conduit, a positive displacement powdered fuel dispensing device, and an oxidizing gas source supplying an oxidizing gas to the conduit. The cylinder is defined by a cylinder block having a bore, a cylinder head coupled to the top of the cylinder block, and a piston received in the bore of the cylinder block. The intake valve is communicatively coupled with the cylinder head. The conduit is communicatively coupled with the intake valve. The positive displacement powdered fuel dispensing device is communicatively coupled with the conduit. The positive displacement powdered fuel dispensing device meters a supply of a powdered fuel including a substantially explosible powder such that the intake valve admits a powdered fuel dispersion including the substantially explosible powder dispersed in the oxidizing gas at an explosible ratio such that the powdered fuel dispersion is explosible.