Water-injected steam engine
AssigneeEnexsys Research Inc.
InventorJames Henke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A steam engine (10) has an engine case (14), a stator (20) with a radially-inner surface (52) with a plurality of recesses (54), a steam generator (12) and a rotor 5 (22) that has a steam distribution chamber (44) arranged to receive steam from the generator and a plurality of steam distribution channels (46) having outlets (50) for the flow of steam into the stator recesses (54). The rotor has pressure relief ports (60) for the flow of steam from the recesses (54) into the engine case (14) and then to a condensation circuit (66). The engine operates without a boiler and produces 0 steam by injecting water into the generator (12) where it is rapidly vapourized. The rotor (22) is the only moving part and the engine can produce a wide range of power outputs.
Claims13
A steam engine comprising:
- (a) an engine case comprising a first section and a second section;
- (b) a stator between and affixed to the first section and the second section of the engine case, the stator having a radially-inner surface defining a plurality of recesses;
- (c) a steam generator comprising a hollow generator body having a water injection port for entry of water into the generator body and an open outlet end for the release of steam from the generator body, the outlet end being affixed to the first section of the engine case, the steam generator having heating means for generating steam from water in the generator body;
- (d) a rotor rotatably supported by the engine case, the rotor comprising:
- (i) a rotor shaft having a hollow section therein comprising a steam distribution chamber, the steam distribution chamber being arranged to receive steam from the outlet end of the steam generator;
- (ii) a plurality of steam distribution channels extending radially outward from the steam distribution chamber, each channel having an inlet to receive steam from the steam distribution chamber and an outlet for the flow of steam into the stator recesses, the channels being oriented to direct steam into the stator recesses at an angle from the normal;
- (iii) a plurality of pressure relief ports at a radially outer perimeter of the rotor arranged for the flow of steam from the stator recesses into the engine case;
- and
- (e) one or more condensation circuit ports in the engine case for the flow of steam from the engine case to a steam condensation circuit.
A steam engine comprising:
- (a) an engine case;
- (b) a stator affixed to the engine case, the stator having a radially-inner surface defining a plurality of recesses;
- (c) a steam generator comprising a hollow generator body having a water injection port for entry of water into the generator body and an open outlet end for the release of steam from the generator body, the outlet end being affixed to the engine case, the steam generator having heating means for generating steam from water in the generator body;
- (d) a rotor rotatably supported by the engine case, the rotor comprising:
- (i) a steam distribution chamber arranged to receive steam from the outlet end of the steam generator;
- (ii) a plurality of steam distribution channels extending radially outward from the steam distribution chamber, each channel having an inlet to receive steam from the steam distribution chamber and an outlet for the flow of steam into the stator recesses;
- (iii) a plurality of pressure relief ports at a radially outer perimeter of the rotor arranged for the flow of steam from the stator recesses into the engine case;
- and
- (e) one or more condensation circuit ports in the engine case for the flow of steam from the engine case.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.