Turbine drive system

A system for operating a vehicle, comprising:

• a. vehicle drive means for propelling the vehicle;
• b. compression means operative by said vehicle drive means for supplying a fluid under pressure;
• c. storage means for receiving and storing the fluid under pressure;
• d. turbine means having a vane rotor responsive to the fluid under pressure from said storage means for operating said vehicle drive means;
• e. a return flow path from said turbine means to said compression means for returning the fluid to said compression means;
• f. said vehicle drive means including a common drive shaft coupled to drive wheels of the vehicle, said compression means and said turbine means being coupled to said drive shaft;
• g. said turbine means including a support structure defining an enclosure space, said drive shaft extending through said enclosure space and being mounted on the support structure, said enclosure space being divided into a first section and a second section substantially isolated from each other;
• h. a first rotary turbine of a predetermined small radius mounted within said first section on a first portion of said drive shaft, said first turbine being rotatable within said first section;
• i. a second rotary turbine of a predetermined large radius substantially larger than said predetermined small radius being mounted within said second section on a second portion of said drive shaft, said second turbine being rotatable within said second section;
• j. said first and second turbines respectively being adapted for driving said common drive shaft and for working in series flow relationship with said fluid under pressure;
• k. said support structure defining a first inlet through which said fluid under pressure can enter and drive said first rotary turbine, said support structure further defining a first outlet from said first section and a second inlet to said second section;
• and
• l. a spiral conduit section interconnecting said first outlet and said second inlet, and said support structure defining a second outlet from said second section, whereby residual energy from the fluid from said first section is utilized in said second section.