Member Info for observer842

You're better off ignoring/filtering trolls IMHO @oldblue - responding only feeds them...

You know the more I look at this:

"Product Update" (26th Apr 2019)
https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/INSP/product-update-wokuuge4igv0i2t.html
===[
The above improvements and efficiencies have provided the Charger with peak electrical output in excess of 6.4kW of electricity during a running cycle of 2,000 hours against the unit's previous output of 3.0kW, whist maintaining 15kW thermal output and a 20% reduction in the size of the appliance to below 800mm.
]===

the more I think they must have found a way to burn more gas in a smaller footprint - perhaps through improved precision manufacturing technologies as suggested earlier. i.e. The input flow of gas has increased from 20kW to something more like 22-3kW, and the 6.4kWe and 15kWt are indeed simultaneous off this increased maximum gas intake?

Didn't @crh1 say he had a theory? Come on then? Let's be 'aving it! ;-)

Ob.

@Phimx. You might be thinking along the right lines, who knows? - it's all speculation of course, which is what these boards are good for IMHO. I personally think the gain in electrical output from 3.2kW to 6.4kW will turn out to be internal to the engine - not related to diverting the liquid which is taking away the heat (water in your example) back to the hot end. I'm not sure you understood what I was getting at regarding platelets and combustion chambers: the 3.2kW version had a certain number/density of them: and I'm suggesting that advances in precision manufacturing technology may have allowed for this number to be increased, as presumably has been demonstrated in the new prototype.

By the way, what's your take on this?

"Update on product application and the mCHP Boiler" (13th Nov 2019)
https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/INSP/update-on-product-application-and-the-mchp-boiler-olibj62bboje70e.html
===[
Regarding the next stage in the manufacturing process of the 6.4kW mCHP with a 15kW thermal output boiler, the Company has continued with focusing on the improvements to the design of the Company's Inspirit Charger that incorporates the Stirling engine technology; accordingly we have successfully created a smaller prototype of the Stirling engine casting using modern 3 D printing methods with our partners in Poland.
]===

Rather annoyingly they BoD have done themselves no favours regarding ambiguity!

An optimistic reasonable person might conclude that by "smaller prototype" they are referring to the new reduced size anticipated in the final model (which fits in the reduced 850mm to less than 800mm outer biodegradable casing). A pessimistic (but still reasonable IMHO) person might conclude that this prototype is a scaled down version of the engine, and in fact the 6.4kWe is an estimate.

I'm personally of the opinion that because of:

"Product Update" (26th Apr 2019)
https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/INSP/product-update-wokuuge4igv0i2t.html
===[
The above improvements and efficiencies have provided the Charger with peak electrical output in excess of 6.4kW of electricity during a running cycle of 2,000 hours against the unit's previous output of 3.0kW, whist maintaining 15kW thermal output and a 20% reduction in the size of the appliance to below 800mm.
]===

it is a full sized prototype and importantly to which the PD 5500/2018 applies: i.e. it doesn't leak and won't rapidly and uncontrollably disassemble itself under high operating pressures! ;-)

Ob.

Indeed @EyeGuy. Increased my stake this morning - didn't think I'd get another chance to do that. :-) Imminent they say? Eyes to the horizon! ;-)

Why use my memory, when I can use google's? ;-)

"Stirling engine having platelet heat exchanging elements" (2003-01-13 - filing date)
https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2003076766A1/en
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/76/da/fb/9bbe7f4fdf2340/WO2003076766A1.pdf
===[
The industrial applicability of this invention shall be demonstrated through discussion of the following objects of the invention. This platelet construction advantageously permits precision fabrication of the conduits and combustion chamber in the manifold. This results in more efficient heat transfer to the working gas as the overall size of each individual combustion chamber and each working gas circuit is substantially reduced in comparison with conventional manifolds due to the design of the present invention. More specifically, instead of having one large burner device with one combustion chamber and 36 or so working gas circuits (heater tubes) per piston cylinder, the manifold of the present invention has a substantially greater number of individual combustion chambers, e.g., over 100 and preferably over 200 per piston cylinder, as well as over 100 hundred working gas circuits. As a result, the dimensions of each combustion chamber and each working gas circuit are substantially reduced and may be precisely tailored using platelet technology. This results in a reduction of dead volume in each working gas circuit, improved heat transfer from the combustion chamber to the working gas, and improved efficiency of the combustion process performed in the combustion chamber.

In another aspect of the present invention, platelet technology is used to incorporate the internal region of the Stirling displacer cylinder head end into a platelet stack, which provides multiple heat exchangers. In a first aspect, the cylinder head end has working gas channels and ports formed therein to permit the working gas to flow to and from the cylinder head end region. By forming the working gas channels in the head end, an even more effective and efficient heat transfer surface area is provided and this results in a more compact and lighter weight Stirling engine. In another aspect, the present invention provides an integrated structure in which all of the major parts of the head end of the Stirling cycle engine are integrated into one cylindrical platelet device. The use of very small platelet coolant passageways makes possible small, yet highly efficient heat exchangers. In other words and according to one embodiment, channeled platelet members are annularly arranged to form a piston chamber and also provide all of the heat exchangers for the head end.
]===

Thanks @Phimx. I agree. LSE is so much more pleasant when the discussion is conducted cordially in good humour and light banter.

On the topic of increasing from 3.2 kWe to 6.4kWe, I'm of the opinion it's likely something which modern day technology has afforded, something that would be inline with the current patent. e.g. something like doubling the number of platelets or combustion chambers or such like. If the number of combustion chambers had increased from of the order 200 or so (if I recall correctly) to something like 500 or 1000, then I really couldn't say how that might increase the efficiencies - but doubling wouldn't be out of the question: so long as the laws of thermodynamics hadn't been busted! LoL.

I'd love to know how they pulled it off as I'm sure so would our competitors! ;-)

On the display/control side of things, I'm not sure if this is the latest on the matter, but this partly answers your question:

"Product Update" (26th Apr 2019)
https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/INSP/product-update-wokuuge4igv0i2t.html
===[
Single interface on the boiler that will provide greater ease of use
]===

Filtered.

I'm not sure what you mean @Thordon. What I wrote is a very brief aide memoire from the November RNS. I've quoted the relevant bits below:

"Update on new product application and the mCHP Boiler." (13 November 2019)
https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/INSP/update-on-product-application-and-the-mchp-boiler-olibj62bboje70e.html
===[
Regarding the next stage in the manufacturing process of the 6.4kW mCHP with a 15kW thermal output boiler, the Company has continued with focusing on the improvements to the design of the Company's Inspirit Charger that incorporates the Stirling engine technology; accordingly we have successfully created a smaller prototype of the Stirling engine casting using modern 3 D printing methods with our partners in Poland. This has passed PD 5500/2018 and as a result, has provided a favourable outcome at reduced cost and greater efficiencies. In 2020 we expect to produce our first unit with the assistance of our engineering partner in Poland. The success of the unit will allow us to have a unit ready for batch production.

Paul Booker -Design & Development Director comments as follows:

"Inspirit Energy is at a pivotal point in its direction as an R&D company. The development of the Charger with an output of over 6 kW has been a long journey but has been well worth the effort. In the development of the charger, the Inspirit team identified a large range of applications and industry's where our core technology could transpose into and this makes the next phase of Inspirit's development very exciting to be a part off.

The journey with Inspirit has not been as straight forward as we would have liked, but we have learned so much and developed a technology which has many diverse applications. Its core attributes are that it can run on many different fuel types and be incorporated into a variety of applications and industries"
]===

Presumably you realise how critically important it was to the future of the Inspirit Boiler that it passed PD 5500/2018? And that it's highly unlikely someone would claim it has when it hasn't... HIGHLY unlikely IMHO.

Ob.

Updated and trimmed to fit on a page!

13 Jun 2016: Align: http://www.alignresearch.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Inspirit-Energy-Align-Research-13th-June-2016-Final.pdf
16 Aug 2016: CIBSE collaboration
3 May 2017: Argentarius discussions to raise up to £2m (asset backed bonds)
18 Jul 2017: 3.0kWe to 3.2kWe
21 Aug 2017: Argentarius apparently falls through
06 Feb 2018: Inspirit Energy Consultancy Incorporated
29 Mar 2018: Increased efficiency in the regenerator allows use of commodity grade stainless steel derivative
12 Apr 2018: CIBSE ongoing
04 May 2018: £845k CLN's
29 Mar 2019: Continued discussions with a European company that may carry out the certification process; CIBSE collaboration not mentioned and assumed to have concluded
26 Apr 2019: Facilities moved from Sheffield to Poland in collaboration with a European engineering group. Collaboration with a UK based University on new applications. New composite materials awaiting classification. Cost savings. Can start off grid. Peak electrical output doubled to @6.4kWe, same @15kWt during a running cycle of 2,000 hours. Height reduced to 80cm. Schematics for new applications: Inspirit Marine - currently in discussion with a large car/marine engine manufacturer to develop a unit for the shipping industry with current output of 11.68kW; Inspirit Solar; Inspirit Cooler; Inspirit Motor/ Generator
16 Jul 2019: Inspirit Energy Consultancy Dissolved
13 Nov 2019: Polish PARTNER collaboration. Marine manufacturer is Swedish. Demonstrating a 3D model of the redesigned engine and application during January 2020. Paul confirms > 6kWe. Passed PD 5500/2018! In 2020 expect to produce first unit. If successful, batch production will follow. Good quote from PB.
25 Nov 2019: £804k converted @0.07p rest converted in Dec. No mention of £422.5k worth of warrants presumably issued at @0.07p and lapsing on 25 Nov 2020.
23 Dec 2019: "delays have brought about vast improvements and efficiencies". Looking at licensing the Stirling technology. Drawdown facility ($2.6m) lapsed. Offer to extend. Will consider this offer if trial unit successful. Setting up automotive division to charge EV's.
30 Mar 2020: Set up manufacturing and testing site in Poland at start of year for charger & developing technology. Very favourable discussions with large marine engine manufacturer. Interest from waste recycling companies. Working on a large standalone unit. 300kW!
8 Jun 2020: European partner soon able to re-assist testing boiler. Ongoing discussions with marine PARTNER to adapt Charger engine to two of their engines. Over 50% compatible meaning considerable reduction in research and development time.
14 Aug 2020: Chris Heminway (6%) considering General Meeting Requisition: https://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/2323W_1-2020-8-14.pdf

Phimx. Good idea searching for Disenco too! As I said, I think it quite unlikely that 3.2kWe to 6.4kWe will be patentable, as it's likely something as simple as doubling up key aspects of the units at the expense of less thermal power. In terms of timelines and employees, I presume you saw my recent history summary? I've extracted some key events, trimmed so as to reduce clutter, I thought I'd draw your attention to in the context of key employees - which I comment on below:

===[
13 Jun 2016: Align report: http://www.alignresearch.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Inspirit-Energy-Align-Research-13th-June-2016-Final.pdf
16 Aug 2016: Collaboration agreement with CIBSE
3 May 2017: Discussions with Argentarius to raise up to £2m through asset backed bonds
18 Jul 2017: Electrical efficiency improved from 3.0kW to 3.2kWe
21 Aug 2017: Argentarius arranged funding apparently falls through
14 Nov 2017: Accelerated redemption of all securities related to Argentarius by year end
06 Feb 2018: Inspirit Energy Consultancy Incorporated
26 Apr 2019: Peak electrical output doubled to @6.4kWe
16 Jul 2019: Inspirit Energy Consultancy Dissolved
]===

In 2016 we were preparing for production, and this appeared to continue into 2017 whilst also improving the efficiency slightly from 3kW to 3.2kW. For whatever reason, it appears we decided to stop production, this could be because we had our "eureka" moment and realised we could double the output from 3.2kWe to 6.4kWe, or perhaps because the collaboration with the CIBSE demonstrated the demand wasn't there or the finances no longer worked. I wonder if it was a combination of these. On balance I'm tending towards the latter, but I could be wrong!

Anyway, you'll see that shortly after this Inspirit Energy Consultancy was formed, which IMHO was a vehicle to give our Sales Director (Paddy Thompson) and Marketing Director (Nick Stevenson) something to do whilst Paul Booker concentrated on the 6.4kWe version.

Eventually that side venture appeared not to pan out and the two left the team and we moved down the partnership route instead, bringing us to the current time.

Now this is only my take on what has transpired. But I'd say it's a reasonable guess given the (very limited!) evidence available.

The main point is that I'm quite comfortable we let staff related to sales go rather than keep them on paying them a retainer/salary if we recognised it would be a few years before we could use their skills subsequent to the (potential) eureka moment. Quite comfortable indeed. ;-) I'm sure some on here would be giving the BoD a hard time if they hadn't! LoL :-)

Ob.

@Phimx. Now you are asking! LoL. I'm not certain of this, but from what I remember the order of events is to get patents applied for in key countries using intermediaries where necessary on your behalf, and then ultimately supersede some (all?) with a world patent (which is the one I linked to). If you click around you'll see the same patent in multiple countries. By the way, I remembered how to easily find the others! LoL:

https://patents.google.com/?assignee=Somemore

As I said, I'm not certain on any of this, additionally google also makes mistakes, it's completely possible that it turns out that key patents we thought we had, we don't, and it is *us* that are stalling until they expire. LoL! ;-)

Ob.

@oldblue. Have you got a link for it starting off at 1kW? As far as I am aware this tech started out at 3kW.

I suppose what I'm getting at is the "commercial reasons" card can be played for pretty much all of the reasons why the market hasn't been fully disclosed of progress. For instance, if we'd published all the trial data and schematics and reports by third parties, this would have given competitors confidence to copy the patent, to start working on it now, knowing that in a few years time they can safely use it (assuming my understanding of patent expiration is correct). As it stands, with the market not being properly informed, leading many to believe it's fairy dust, perhaps even a con, I doubt a competitor is going to invest the effort to have a go at reproducing the tech with such uncertainty?

On balance I believe the story we are told. I'd love a video update though!

Ob.

@crh1. I understand your frustration, I truly do. However it's easy to get drawn in by all the negative comments abound. However, if you take a step back and imagine for a moment that it's mostly under control, and progressing along a trajectory to partnership, production, new tech implementations etc, albeit more slowly than anticipated, then you can probably understand why we've not disclosed to the market HOW we got to 6.4kWe: for commercial reasons. The patents are visible for all to see, which I believe expire soon, we don't also want to give competitors a heads up on how to improve these until we really have to. You know I've not taken a look to see if we've patented how to get from 3.2kWe to 6.4kWe, mainly because I suspect it's not something you'd patent... But I could be wrong! Did you find the other patents?

By the way, I like to play devils advocate - if there was no one on here being negative I'd probably be letting rip! ;-)

Thought I'd dig this out - this is a combination of a post of mine on 25 Oct 2019 and 13 Nov 2019. I'll curate and update with recent news if I continue to post here!

13 Jun 2016: Align report: http://www.alignresearch.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Inspirit-Energy-Align-Research-13th-June-2016-Final.pdf
16 Aug 2016: Collaboration agreement with CIBSE
3 May 2017: Discussions with Argentarius to raise up to £2m through asset backed bonds
18 Jul 2017: Electrical efficiency improved from 3.0kW to 3.2kWe
21 Aug 2017: Argentarius arranged funding apparently falls through
14 Nov 2017: Accelerated redemption of all securities related to Argentarius by year end
28 Dec 2017: CIBSE ongoing collaboration confirmed
06 Feb 2018: Inspirit Energy Consultancy Incorporated
29 Mar 2018: Increased efficiency in the regenerator allows commodity grade stainless steel derivative to be used
12 Apr 2018: CIBSE ongoing collaboration confirmed
04 May 2018: Issue of £845k of Convertible Loan Notes raising £530k in cash, the balance converting existing debt
28 Dec 2018: In discussions with a European company that may carry out the certification process; CIBSE collaboration not confirmed; $2,600,000 of debt facility available
29 Mar 2019: Continued discussions with a European company that may carry out the certification process; CIBSE collaboration not mentioned [now assumed to have concluded]
26 Apr 2019: Facilities moved from Sheffield to Poland in collaboration with a European engineering group. Collaboration with a UK based University on new applications. New composite materials awaiting classification. Cost savings. Can start off grid. Peak electrical output doubled to @6.4kWe, same @15kWt [unknown steady state system efficiencies] during a running cycle of 2,000 hours. Height reduced to 80cm. Schematics for new applications: Inspirit Marine - currently in discussion with a large car/marine engine manufacturer to develop a unit for the shipping industry with current output of 11.68kw; Inspirit Solar; Inspirit Cooler; Inspirit Motor/ Generator
08 Jun 2019: Compulsory strike-off action discontinued for Inspirit Energy LTD as "Cause has been shown why the above company should not be struck off the register"
16 Jul 2019: Inspirit Energy Consultancy Dissolved
13 Nov 2019: Partner is Polish. Marine manufacturer is Swedish. Demonstrating a 3D model of the redesigned engine and application during January 2020. Paul confirms > 6kWe. Passed PD 5500/2018! In 2020 expect to produce first unit. If successful, batch production will follow. CLN conversion imminent as all resolutions passed.

By the way @Phimx, were you aware that the first we heard the output was greater than 3.2kWe was when it appeared in the 2018 final accounts? I was adamant that it was obviously a typo! until it was ratified in the 26th Apr 2019 Product Update RNS - to my surprise! I'm still ever so slightly suspicious of this - I suspect whoever wrote the accounts forgot the market hadn't been notified of recent improvements and would have stuck to 3 kilowatts in the paragraph below if they had remembered. ;-)

"Audited results for the year ended 30 June 2018 " (28th Dec 2018)
https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/INSP/final-results-8xqmjpopqj8awfx.html
===[
Inspirit Energy's new "British Engineered" mCHP boiler is one of the industry's most powerful and energy efficient mCHP appliances for its size with simultaneous generation of up to 15 kilowatts of thermal output and up to 6 kilowatts of electrical output. The mCHP boiler has been designed to be low maintenance and can be installed by a certified gas-safe tradesman. The appliance's patented engine takes the waste heat from the boiler and converts it efficiently into electricity, first supplying the property where it is installed and then feeding surplus electricity into the National Grid.
]===

"pre heating" is ambiguous. I meant "before heating"

(something odd with the other thread)

@Phimx. I'm thinking more of an internal feedback loop, not an external one: pre heating of the water. Anyway, a question best answered by Paul Booker (Design & Development Director) not John Gunn! Unless it truly is a simple explanation. LoL.

Perhaps you can interview INSP's chairman and CEO John Gunn? You did a great job in your BCN interview which I commented on at the time:

observer842@22 Jul '20
===[
Nice interview @CruxInvestor, I liked the line of questioning along with the tone of the interviewer and style of the production.
]===

https://www.lse.co.uk/profiles/CruxInvestor/

Now how do I get this message delivered? LoL. Never a courier when you need one! Anyone? ;-)

Ob.

I mean it's a simple enough question: "How did you increase the electrical output power from 3.2kW to 6.4kW?" There couldn't be an easier one to ask! LoL.