U.S. patent application number 11/827846 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-08 for clearance volume valves in a heat regenerative engine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cyclone Technologies, LLLP. Invention is credited to Harry Schoell.
Application Number | 20070256415 11/827846 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38957329 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070256415 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schoell; Harry |
November 8, 2007 |
Clearance volume valves in a heat regenerative engine
Abstract
A clearance volume valve for controlling cylinder compression at
varying engine speeds in a steam engine. At the injector of each
cylinder, a clearance volume valve is hydraulically operated in
response to changes in engine RPMs to thereby control opening and
closing of an inlet to a sealed tube that extends from each
cylinder of the engine. At lower engine RPMs, the clearance volume
valve opens the tube inlet to increase the volume of the cylinder,
thereby lowering compression and relieving back pressure against an
incoming change of super-heated steam. At higher engine RPMs, the
clearance volume valve is hydraulically operated to close the tube
inlet, thereby reducing the total clearance volume and raising the
cylinder compression for greater efficiency at higher engine
speeds.
Inventors: |
Schoell; Harry; (Pompano
Beach, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT M. DOWNEY, P.A.
6751 N. FEDERAL HWY., SUITE 300
BOCA RATON
FL
33487
US
|
Assignee: |
Cyclone Technologies, LLLP
|
Family ID: |
38957329 |
Appl. No.: |
11/827846 |
Filed: |
July 13, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11489335 |
Jul 19, 2006 |
|
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|
11827846 |
Jul 13, 2007 |
|
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|
11225422 |
Sep 13, 2005 |
7080512 |
|
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11489335 |
Jul 19, 2006 |
|
|
|
60609725 |
Sep 14, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
60/645 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02B 75/222
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
060/645 |
International
Class: |
F01K 13/00 20060101
F01K013/00 |
Claims
1. A valve assembly for use in a steam engine having at least one
cylinder and a reciprocating piston with a piston head within an
interior of the cylinder, wherein steam is injected under pressure
into an area within the interior of the cylinder above the piston
head, defining a clearance volume, to forcibly drive the piston
through a power stroke, said valve assembly comprising: a chamber
extending from the cylinder and communicating with the interior of
the cylinder above the piston head; a valve between said chamber
and the interior of the cylinder, and said valve being operable to
a closed position to close said chamber so that said chamber is
sealed and isolated from the interior of the cylinder, and said
valve being operable to an open position to open said chamber to
the interior of the cylinder, thereby increasing the clearance
volume for receiving the injected steam; and said valve being
operably controlled by the speed of the engine, wherein said valve
is operated to said open position at lower engine speeds to
increase the clearance volume and to said closed position at higher
engine speeds to reduce the clearance volume.
2. The valve assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said chamber is
defined by a hollow sealed tube extending from the cylinder.
3. The valve assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said tube
includes an inlet communicating with the area defining the
clearance volume within the cylinder.
4. The valve assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said valve is
hydraulically operated between said open position and said closed
position as the speed of the engine changes.
5. The valve assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said valve is
structured and disposed to be hydraulically operated from said open
position to said closed position as the engine speed changes from
lower RPMs to higher RPMs, and said valve being further structured
and disposed to be hydraulically operated from said closed position
to said open position as the engine speed changes from higher RPMs
to lower RPMs.
6. The valve assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said tube is
structured and disposed to extend within a combustion chamber of
the steam engine.
7. A valve assembly for use in a steam engine having at least one
cylinder and a reciprocating piston with a piston head within an
interior of the cylinder, wherein steam is injected under pressure
into an area within the interior of the cylinder above the piston
head, defining a clearance volume, to forcibly drive the piston
through a power stroke, said valve assembly comprising: a chamber
extending from the cylinder and communicating with the interior of
the cylinder above the piston head; and a valve between said
chamber and the interior of the cylinder, and said valve being
operable to a closed position to close said chamber so that said
chamber is sealed and isolated from the interior of the cylinder,
and said valve being operable to an open position to open said
chamber to the interior of the cylinder, thereby increasing the
clearance volume for receiving the injected steam.
8. The valve assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said valve is
structured and disposed to be operably controlled by the speed of
the engine, wherein said valve is operated to said open position at
lower engine speeds to increase the clearance volume and to said
closed position at higher engine speeds to reduce the clearance
volume.
9. The valve assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said chamber is
defined by a hollow sealed tube extending from the cylinder.
10. The valve assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said tube
includes an inlet communicating with the area defining the
clearance volume within the cylinder.
11. The valve assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said valve is
hydraulically operated between said open position and said closed
position as the speed of the engine changes.
12. The valve assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein said valve is
hydraulically operated between said open position and said closed
position as the speed of the engine changes.
13. The valve assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said valve is
structured and disposed to be hydraulically operated from said open
position to said closed position as the engine speed changes from
lower RPMs to higher RPMs, and said valve being further structured
and disposed to be hydraulically operated from said closed position
to said open position as the engine speed changes from higher RPMs
to lower RPMs.
14. The valve assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein said tube is
structured and disposed to extend within a combustion chamber of
the steam engine.
15. A method for controlling cylinder compression at varying engine
speeds in a steam engine having at least one cylinder and a
reciprocating piston with a piston head within an interior of the
cylinder, said method comprising the steps of: providing a chamber
extending from the cylinder and communicating with the interior of
the cylinder above the piston head; providing a valve between said
chamber and the interior of the cylinder; operating said valve to
an open position at lower engine speeds to increase clearance
volume above the piston head; injecting steam under pressure into
the interior of the cylinder and filling the clearance volume under
compression to forceably drive the piston through a power stroke;
operating the valve to a closed position at higher engine speeds to
reduce the clearance volume; injecting steam under pressure into
the reduced clearance volume within the cylinder under compression
to forceably drive the piston through a power stroke; and wherein
cylinder compression within the clearance volume is reduced when
said valve is open and cylinder compression within the clearance
volume of the cylinder is increased when said valve is closed.
16. The method as recited in claim 15 further comprising the step
of: relieving back pressure against an incoming charge of steam
being injected into said cylinder by opening said valve to increase
the clearance volume.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional patent application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/489,335 filed on Jul. 19, 2006 which
is a continuation patent application of patent application Ser. No.
11/225,422 filed on Sep. 13, 2005 and now issued U.S. Pat. No.
7,080,512 B2 and which claims the benefit of provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/609,725 filed on Sep. 14, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is directed to a valve device in a
steam engine and, more particularly, to a clearance volume valve
for controlling cylinder compression at varying engine speeds in a
steam engine.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] Environmental concerns have prompted costly, complex
technological proposals in engine design. For instance, fuel cell
technology provides the benefit of running on clean burning
hydrogen. However, the expense and size of fuel cell engines, as
well as the cost of creating, storing, and delivering fuel grade
hydrogen disproportionately offsets the environmental benefits. As
a further example, clean running electric vehicles are limited to
very short ranges, and must be regularly recharged by electricity
generated from coal, diesel or nuclear fueled power plants. And,
while gas turbines are clean, they operate at constant speed. In
small sizes, gas turbines are costly to build, run and overhaul.
Diesel and gas internal combustion engines are efficient,
lightweight and relatively inexpensive to manufacture, but they
produce a significant level of pollutants that are hazardous to the
environment and the health of the general population and are fuel
specific.
[0006] The original Rankin Cycle Steam Engine was invented by James
Watt over 150 years ago. Present day Rankin Cycle Steam Engines use
tubes to carry super heated steam to the engine and, thereafter, to
a condenser. The single tubes used to pipe super heated steam to
the engine have a significant exposed surface area, which limits
pressure and temperature levels. The less desirable lower pressures
and temperatures, at which water can easily change state between
liquid and gas, requires a complicated control system. While Steam
Engines are generally bulky and inefficient, they tend to be
environmentally clean. Steam Engines have varied efficiency levels
ranging from 5% on older model steam trains to as much as 45% in
modern power plants. In contrast, two-stroke internal combustion
engines operate at approximately 17% efficiency, while four-stroke
internal combustion engines provide efficiency up to approximately
25%. Diesel combustion engines, on the other hand, provide as much
as 35% engine efficiency.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0007] With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the
present invention to provide a clearance volume valve in a steam
engine that is compact and which operates at high efficiency.
[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
clearance volume valve for use in a compact and highly efficient
steam engine which provides for heat regeneration.
[0009] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a clearance volume valve for controlling cylinder
compression at varying engine speeds in a highly efficient and
compact engine which is environmentally friendly, using external
combustion, a cyclone burner and water lubrication.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention are more readily apparent with reference to the detailed
description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention is directed to a clearance volume
valve for use in a highly efficient steam engine which uses water
as the working fluid, as well as the lubricant. The engine consists
primarily of a condenser, a steam generator and a main engine
section having valves, cylinders, pistons, pushrods, a main
bearing, cams and a camshaft. Ambient air is introduced into the
condenser by intake blowers. The air temperature is increased in
two phases before entering a cyclone furnace. In the first phase,
air enters the condenser from the blowers. In the next phase, the
air is directed from the condenser and through heat exchangers
where the air is heated prior to entering the steam generator. In
the steam generator, the preheated air is mixed with fuel from a
fuel atomizer. The burner burns the fuel atomized in a centrifuge,
causing the heavy fuel elements to move towards the outer sides of
the furnace where they are consumed. The hotter, lighter gasses
move through a small tube bundle. The cylinders of the engine are
arranged in a radial configuration with the cylinder heads and
valves extending into the cyclone furnace. Temperatures in the tube
bundle are maintained at 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. The tube bundle,
carrying the steam, is directed through the furnace and exposed to
the high temperatures. In the furnace, the steam is super heated
and maintained at a pressure up to approximately 3,200 lbs.
[0012] A clearance volume valve is provided at the injector of each
cylinder for controlling cylinder compression at varying engine
speeds. At lower engine speeds, the steam injection valves are
partially closed and each clearance volume valve opens to release
steam from the respective cylinder and into a sealed tube extending
from the cylinder. This has the effect of increasing the volume of
the cylinders which consequently lowers compression in the
cylinders. At higher RPMs, the clearance volume valves are operated
to close off the tubes, thereby reducing the total clearance volume
and raising the cylinder compression for efficient higher speed
engine operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present
invention, reference should be made to the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a general diagram illustrating air flow through
the engine of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a general diagram illustrating water and steam
flow through the engine;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, shown in cross-section
illustrating the principal components of the engine;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a top plan view, in partial cross-section, taken
along the plane of the line 4-4 in FIG. 3;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a top plan view, in partial cross-section, taken
along the plane of the line 5-5 in FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 6 is an isolated top plan view of a crank disk
assembly;
[0020] FIG. 7 is an isolated cross-sectional view showing a
compression relief valve assembly, injection valve assembly and
cylinder head;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a power stroke diagram;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a throttle control and
engine timing control assembly engaged in a forward direction at
low speed;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the throttle control
and engine timing control assembly engaged in a forward direction
at high speed;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the throttle control
and engine timing control assembly engaged in a reverse
direction;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a splitter valve;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the splitter valve
taken along line 13-13 in a FIG. 12 illustrating a flow control
valve in the splitter; and
[0027] FIG. 14 is a top plan view, in partial cut-away, showing a
poly-phase primary pump and manifold for the lower and high
pressure pump systems of the engine.
[0028] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] The present invention is directed to a clearance volume
valve in a radial steam engine. Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and
2, an example of the steam engine 10 includes a steam generator 20,
a condenser 30 and a main engine section 50 comprising cylinders
52, valves 53, pistons 54, push-rods 74, crank cam 61 and a
crankshaft 60 extending axially through a center of the engine
section.
[0030] In operation, ambient air is introduced into the condenser
30 by intake blowers 38. The air temperature is increased in two
phases before entering a cyclone furnace 22 (referred to hereafter
as "combustion chamber"). The condenser 30 is a flat plate dynamic
condenser with a stacked arrangement of flat plates 31 surrounding
an inner core. This structural design of the dynamic condenser 30
allows for multiple passes of steam to enhance the condensing
function. In a first phase, air enters the condenser 30 from the
blowers 38 and is circulated over the condenser plates 31 to cool
the outer surfaces of the plates and condense the exhaust steam
circulating within the plates. More particularly, vapor exiting the
exhaust ports 55 of the cylinders 52 passes through the pre-heating
coils surrounding the cylinders. The vapor drops into the core of
the condenser where centrifugal force from rotation of the
crankshaft drives the vapor into the inner cavities of the
condenser plates 31. As the vapor changes phase into a liquid, it
enters sealed ports on the periphery of the condenser plates. The
condensed liquid drops through collection shafts and into the sump
34 at the base of the condenser. A high pressure pump 92 returns
the liquid from the condenser sump 34 to the coils 24 in the
combustion chamber, completing the fluid cycle of the engine. The
stacked arrangement of the condenser plates 31 presents a large
surface area for maximizing heat transfer within a relatively
compact volume. The centrifugal force of the crankshaft impeller
that repeatedly drives the condensing vapor into the cooling plates
31, combined with the stacked plate design, provides a multi-pass
system that is far more effective than conventional condensers of
single-pass design.
[0031] The engine shrouding 12 is an insulated cover that encloses
the combustion chamber and piston assembly. The shroud 12
incorporates air transfer ducts 32 that channel air from the
condenser 30, where it has been preheated, to the intake portion of
air-to-air heat exchangers 42, where the air is further heated.
Exiting the heat exchangers 42, this heated intake air enters the
atomizer/igniter assemblies in the burner 40 where it is combusted
in the combustion chamber. The shroud also includes return ducts
that capture the combustion exhaust gases at the top center of the
combustion chamber, and leads these gases back through the exhaust
portion of the air-to-air heat exchangers 42. The engine shrouding
adds to the efficiency and compactness of the engine by conserving
heat with its insulation, providing necessary ductwork for the
airflow of the engine, and incorporating heat exchangers that
harvest exhaust has heat.
[0032] Water in its delivery path from the condenser sump pump to
the combustion chamber is pumped via through one or more main steam
supply lines 21 for each cylinder. The main steam line 21 passes
through a pre-heating coil 23 that is wound around each cylinder
skirt adjacent to that cylinder's exhaust ports. The vapor exiting
the exhaust ports gives up heat to this coil, which raises the
temperature of the water being directed through the coil toward the
combustion chamber. Reciprocally, in giving up heat to the
preheating coils, the exhaust vapor begins the process of cooling
on its path through these coils preparatory to entering the
condenser. The positioning of these coils adjacent to the cylinder
exhaust ports scavenges heat that would otherwise be lost to the
system, thereby contributing to the overall efficiency of the
engine.
[0033] In the next phase, the air is directed through heat
exchangers 42 where the air is heated prior to entering the steam
generator 20 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In the steam generator 20, the
preheated air is mixed with fuel from a fuel atomizer 41 (See FIG.
8). An igniter 43 burns the atomized fuel in a centrifuge, causing
the heavy fuel elements to move towards the outer sides of the
combustion chamber 22 where they are consumed. The combustion
chamber 22 is arranged in the form of a cylinder which encloses a
circularly wound coil of densely bundled tubes 24 forming a portion
of the steam supply lines leading to the respective cylinders. The
bundled tubes 24 are heated by the burning fuel of the combustion
nozzle burner assembly 40 comprising the air blowers 38, fuel
atomizer 41, and the igniter 43 (see FIG. 4). The burners 40 are
mounted on opposed sides of the circular combustion chamber wall
and are aligned to direct their flames in a spiral direction. By
spinning the flame front around the combustion chamber, the coil of
tubes 24 is repetitively `washed` by the heat of this combustion
gas which circulates in a motion to the center of the tube bundle
24. Temperatures in the tube bundle 24 are maintained at
approximately 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. The tube bundle 24 carries
the steam and is exposed to the high temperatures of combustion,
where the steam is superheated and maintained at a pressure of
approximately 3,200 psi. The hot gas exits through an aperture
located at the top center of the round roof of the cylindrical
combustion chamber. The centrifugal motion of the combustion gases
causes the heavier, unburned particles suspended in the gases to
accumulate on the outer wall of the combustion chamber where they
are incinerated, contributing to a cleaner exhaust. This cyclonic
circulation of combustion gases within the combustion chamber
creates higher efficiency in the engine. Specifically, multiple
passes of the coil of tubes 24 allows for promoting greater heat
saturation relative to the amount of fuel expended. Moreover, the
shape of the circularly wound bundle of tubes permits greater
lengths of tube to be enclosed within a combustion chamber of
limited dimensions than within that of a conventional boiler.
Furthermore, by dividing each cylinder's steam supply line into two
or more lines at entry to the combustion chamber (i.e. in the tube
bundle), a greater tube surface area is exposed to the combustion
gases, promoting greater heat transfer so that the fluid can be
heated to higher temperatures and pressures which further improves
the efficiency of the engine.
[0034] As the water exits the single line 21 of each individual
cylinder's pre-heating coil on its way to the combustion chamber,
it branches into the two or more lines 28 per cylinder forming part
of the tube bundle which consists of a coiled bundle 24 of all
these branched lines 28 for all cylinders, as described above. As
seen in FIG. 3, these multiple lines 28 are identical in cross
sectional areas and lengths. While such equalization of volumes and
capacities between the single `feeder` line 21 and the branched
lines 28 would be balanced under static conditions, under the
dynamic conditions of super-critical high temperatures and high
pressures, comparative flow in the branch lines can become
unbalanced leading to potential overheating and possible wall
failure in the pipe with lower flow. The splitter valve 26, located
at the juncture of the single line 21 to the multiple lines 28,
equalizes the flow between the branch lines (see FIGS. 3, 12 and
13). The splitter valve 26 minimizes turbulence at the juncture by
forming not a right angle `T` intersection, but a `Y` intersection
with a narrow apex. The body of this `Y` junction contains flow
control valves 27 that allow unimpeded flow of fluid towards the
steam generator 20 through each of the branch lines 28, but permit
any incremental over-pressure in one line to `bleed` back to the
over pressure valve (pressure regulator) 46 to prevent
over-pressuring the system.
[0035] As best seen in FIG. 5, the cylinders 52 of the engine are
arranged in a radial configuration with the cylinder heads 51 and
valves 53 extending into the cyclone furnace. A cam 84 moves
push-rods 74 (see FIG. 5) to control opening of steam injection
valves 53. At higher engine speeds, the steam injection valves 53
are fully opened to inject steam into the cylinders 52, causing
piston heads 54 to be pushed radially inward. Movement of the
piston heads 54 causes connecting rods 56 to move radially inward
to rotate crank disk 61 and crankshaft 60. As shown in FIG. 6, each
connecting rod 56 connects to the crank disk 61. More specifically,
the inner circular surface of the connecting rod link is fitted
with a bearing ring 59 for engagement about hub 63 on the crank
disk 61. In a preferred embodiment, the crank disk 61 is formed of
a bearing material which surrounds the outer surface of the
connecting rod link, thereby providing a double-backed bearing to
carry the piston load. The connecting rods 56 are driven by this
crank disk 61. These rods are mounted at equal intervals around the
periphery of this circular bearing. The lower portions of the
double-backed bearings joining the piston connecting rods to the
crank disk 61 are designed to limit the angular deflection of the
connecting rods 56 so that clearance is maintained between all six
connecting rods during one full rotation of the crankshaft 60. The
center of the crank disk 61 is yoked to a single crankshaft journal
62 that is offset from the central axis of the crankshaft 60. While
the bottom ends of the connecting rods 56 rotate in a circle about
the crank disk 61, the offset of the crank journal 62 on which the
crank disk 61 rides creates a geometry that makes the resultant
rotation of these rods travel about an elliptical path. This unique
geometry confers two advantages to the operation of the engine.
First, during the power stroke of each piston, its connecting rod
is in vertical alignment with the motion of the driving piston
thereby transferring the full force of the stroke. Second, the
offset between the connecting rods 56 and the crank disk 61, the
offset between the crank disk and the crank journal 62, and the
offset of the crank journal 62 to the crankshaft 60 itself, combine
to create a lever arm that amplifies the force of each individual
power stroke without increasing the distance the piston travels. A
diagram showing this unique power stroke is shown in FIG. 8.
Accordingly, the mechanical efficiency is enhanced. This
arrangement also provides increased time for steam admission and
exhaust.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 7, at lower engine speeds the steam
injection valves 53 are partially closed and a clearance volume
compression release valve 46 is opened to release steam from the
cylinders 52. The clearance volume valves 46 are controlled by the
engine RPM's. The clearance volume valve 46 is an innovation that
improves the efficiency of the engine at both low and high speeds.
Minimizing the clearance volume in a cylinder 52 is advantageous
for efficiency as it lessens the amount of super-heated steam
required to fill the volume, reduces the vapor contact area which
absorbs heat that would otherwise be used in the explosive
expansion of the power stroke, and, by creating higher compression
in the smaller chamber, further raises the temperature of the
admitted steam. However, the higher compression resulting from the
smaller volume has the adverse effect at low engine RPM of creating
back pressure against the incoming charge of super-heated steam.
The purpose of the clearance volume valve 46 is to reduce the
cylinder compression at lower engine RPMs, while maintaining higher
compression at faster piston speeds where the back pressure effect
is minimal. The clearance volume valve 46 controls the inlet to a
tube 47 that extends from the cylinder into the combustion chamber
22. It is hydraulically operated by a lower pressure pump system of
engine-driven primary poly-phase water pump 90. At lower RPM, the
clearance volume valve 46 opens the tube 47. By adding the
incremental volume of this tube 47 to that of the cylinder 52, the
total clearance volume is increased with a consequent lowering of
the compression. The vapor charge flowing into the tube is
additionally heated by the combustion chamber 22 which surrounds
the sealed tube 47, vaporizing back into the cylinder 52 where it
contributes to the total vapor expansion of the low speed power
stroke. At higher RPM, the pump system of the engine-driven pump 90
that hydraulically actuates the clearance volume valve develops the
pressure to close the clearance volume valve 46, thereby reducing
the total clearance volume and raising the cylinder compression for
efficient higher speed operation of the engine. The clearance
volume valves 46 contribute to the efficiency of the engine at both
low and high speed operation.
[0037] Steam under super-critical pressure is admitted to the
cylinders 52 of the engine by a mechanically linked throttle
mechanism acting on the steam injection needle valve 53. To
withstand the 1,200.degree. Fahrenheit temperatures, the needle
valves 53 are water cooled at the bottom of their stems by water
piped from and returned to the condenser 30 by a water lubrication
pump 96. Along the middle of the valve stems, a series of labyrinth
seals, or grooves in the valve stem, in conjunction with packing
rings and lower lip seals, create a seal between each valve stem
and a bushing within which the valve moves. This seals and
separates the coolant flowing past the top of the valve stem and
the approximate 3,200 lbs. psi pressure that is encountered at the
head and seat of each valve. Removal of this valve 53, as well as
adjustment for its seating clearance, can be made by threads
machined in the upper body of the valve assembly. The needle valve
53 admitting the super-heated steam is positively closed by a
spring 82 within each valve rocker arm 80 that is mounted to the
periphery of the engine casing. Each spring 82 exerts enough
pressure to keep the valve 53 closed during static conditions.
[0038] The motion to open each valve is initiated by a
crankshaft-mounted cam ring 84. A lobe 85 on the cam ring forces a
throttle follower 76 to `bump` a single pushrod 74 per cylinder 52.
Each pushrod 74 extends from near the center of the radially
configured six cylinder engine outward to the needle valve rocker
80. The force of the throttle follower 76 on the pushrod 74
overcomes the spring closure pressure and opens the valve 53.
Contact between the follower, the rocker arm 80, and the pushrod 74
is determined by a threaded adjustment socket mounted on each
needle valve rocker arm 80.
[0039] Throttle control on the engine is achieved by varying the
distance each pushrod 74 is extended, with further extension
opening the needle valve a greater amount to admit more
super-heated fluid. All six rods 74 pass through a throttle control
ring 78 that rotates in an arc, displacing where the inner end of
each pushrod 74 rests on the arm of each cam follower (see FIG. 5).
Unless the follower 76 is raised by the cam lobe 85, all positions
along the follower where the pushrod 74 rests are equally `closed`.
As the arc of the throttle ring 78 is shifted, the resting point of
the pushrod 74 shifts the lever arm further out and away from the
fulcrum of the follower. When the follower 76 is bumped by the cam
lobe 85, the arc distance that the arm traverses is magnified,
thereby driving the pushrod 74 further, and thus opening the needle
valve 53 further. A single lever attached to the throttle ring 78
and extending to the outside of the engine casing is used to shift
the arc of the throttle ring, and thus becomes the engine
throttle.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 9-11, timing control of the engine is
achieved by moving the cam ring 84. Timing control advances the
moment super-heated fluid is injected into each piston and shortens
the duration of this injection as engine RPMs increase. `Upward`
movement of the cam ring 84 towards the crankshaft journal 62
alters the timing duration by exposing the follower 76 to a lower
portion of the cam ring 84 where the profile of the lobe 85 of the
cam is progressively reduced. Rotating this same cam ring 84 alters
the timing of when the cam lobe triggers steam injection to the
cylinder(s). Rotation of the cam ring is achieved by a sleeve cam
pin 88 that is fixed to the cam sleeve 86. The cam pin 88 extends
through a curvilinear vertical slot in the cam ring 84, so that as
the cam ring 84 rises, by hydraulic pressure, a twisting action
occurs between the cam ring 84 and cam sleeve piston 86 wherein the
cam ring 84 and lobe 85 partially rotate. These two movements of
the cam ring are actuated by the cam sleeve piston 86 that is
sealed to and spins with the crankshaft 60. More specifically, a
crankshaft cam pin 87 that is fixed to the crankshaft 60 passes
through an opening in the cam ring and a vertical slot on the cam
sleeve piston. This allows vertical (i.e. longitudinal) movement of
the cam ring 84 and the cam sleeve 86 relative to the crankshaft,
but prevents relative rotation between the cam sleeve 86 and
crankshaft 60 (due to the vertical slot), so that the cam sleeve 86
spins with the crankshaft. A crankshaft driven water pump system
provides hydraulic pressure to extend this cam sleeve piston 86. As
engine RPMs increase, the hydraulic pressure rises. This extends
the cam sleeve piston 86 and raises the cam ring 84, thereby
exposing the higher RPM profiles on the lobe 85 to the cam
follower(s) 76. Reduced engine speeds correspondingly reduce the
hydraulic pressure on the cam sleeve piston 86, and a sealed coil
spring 100 retracts the cam sleeve piston 86 and the cam ring 84
itself.
[0041] The normal position for the throttle controller is forward
slow speed. As the throttle ring 78 admits steam to the piston, the
crank begins to rotate in a slow forward rotation. The long
duration of the cam lobe 85 allows for steam admission into the
cylinders 52 for a longer period of time. As previously described,
the elliptical path of the connecting rods creates a high degree of
torque, while the steam admission into the cylinder is for a longer
period of time and over a longer lever arm, into the phase of the
next cylinder, thereby allowing a self starting movement.
[0042] As the throttle ring 78 is advanced, more steam is admitted
to the cylinder, allowing an increase in RPM. When the RPM
increases, the pump 90 supplies hydraulic pressure to lift the cam
ring 84 to high speed forward. The cam ring 84 moves in two phases,
jacking up the cam to decrease the cam lobe duration and advance
the cam timing. This occurs gradually as the RPM's are increased to
a pre-determined position. The shift lever 102 is spring loaded on
the shifting rod 104 to allow the sleeve 86 to lift the cam ring
84.
[0043] To reverse the engine, it must be stopped by closing the
throttle. Reversing the engine is not accomplished by selecting
transmission gears, but is done by altering the timing. More
specifically, reversing the engine is accomplished by pushing the
shift rod 104 to lift the cam sleeve 86 up the crankshaft 60 as the
sleeve cam pin 88 travels in a spiraling groove in the cam ring
causing the crank to advance the cam past top dead center. The
engine will now run in reverse as the piston pushes the crank disk
at an angle relative to the crankshaft in the direction of reverse
rotation. This shifting movement moves only the timing and not the
duration of the cam lobe to valve opening. This will give full
torque and self-starting in reverse. High speed is not necessary in
reverse.
[0044] Exhaust steam is directed through a primary coil which also
serves to preheat the water in the generator 20. The exhaust steam
is then directed through the condenser 30, in a centrifugal system
of compressive condensation. As described above, the cooling air
circulates through the flat plates, is heated in an exhaust heat
exchanger 42 and is directed into the burner 40. This reheat cycle
of air greatly adds to the efficiency and compactness of the
engine.
[0045] The water delivery requirements of the engine are served by
a poly-phase pump 90 that comprises three pressure pump systems.
One is a high pressure pump system 92 mounted adjacently within the
same housing. A medium pressure pump system 94 supplies the water
pressure to activate the clearance volume valve and the water
pressure to operate the cam timing mechanism. A lower pressure pump
system 96 provides lubrication and cooling to the engine. The high
pressure unit pumps water from the condenser sump 34 through six
individual lines 21, past the coils of the combustion chamber 22 to
each of the six needle valves 53 that provide the super-heated
fluid to the power head of the engine. This high pressure section
of the poly-phase pump 90 contains radially arranged pistons that
closely resemble the configuration of the larger power head of the
engine. The water delivery line coming off each of the water pump
pistons is connected by a manifold 98 that connects to a regulator
shared by all six delivery lines that acts to equalize and regulate
the water delivery pressure to the six pistons of the power head.
All regulate the water delivery pressure to the six pistons of the
power head. All pumping sub units within the poly-phase pump are
driven by a central shaft. This pump drive shaft is connected to
the main engine crankshaft 60 by a mechanical coupler. When the
engine is stopped, an auxiliary electric motor pumps the water,
maintaining the water pressure necessary to restarting the
engine.
[0046] While the present invention has been shown and described in
accordance with a preferred and practical embodiment thereof, it is
recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are
contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
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