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US 8,863,520 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for an external combustion engine having a steam generator
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorsKevin P. Bowen, Kenneth C. Holmboe, Kurt Stiffel, William E. Komm
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for a power and/or propulsion system comprising an external combustor, a steam generator, and a radial piston engine. In one embodiment, an undersea vehicle is powered by a propulsion system including a steam generator having a series of coiled tubes in which water is heated to generate steam by combustion of a monopropellant fuel ignited in the external combustor.
Claims18
A system, comprising:
- a steam generator, comprising:
- a series of coiled tubes each having a respective inlet to receive water and a respective outlet to discharge superheated steam to a radial piston engine;
- a housing having a first end configured for coupling to a combustor and a second end, the housing containing the coiled tubes;
- and
- a cover coupled to the second end of housing and to the tubes, the cover having a series of apertures to allow drainage of water in exhaust generated by a monopropellant fuel ignited in the combustor.
2 more elements
A vehicle, comprising:
- an external combustion rotary piston engine that is air independent;
- a combustor coupled to the rotary piston engine and configured to ignite a monopropellant fuel;
- and
- a steam generator coupled to the combustor and the rotary piston engine, the steam generator comprising:
- a series of coiled tubes having a respective inlet to receive water and a respective outlet to discharge superheated steam to drive pistons in the rotary piston engine;
- a housing having a first end configured for coupling to the combustor and a second end, the housing containing the coiled tubes;
- and
- a cover coupled to the second end of housing and to the tubes, the cover having a series of apertures to allow drainage of water from exhaust generated by the monopropellant fuel ignited in the combustor.
5 more elements
A method, comprising:
- employing a vehicle, comprising:
- an external combustion rotary piston engine that is air independent;
- a combustor coupled to the rotary piston engine and configured to ignite a monopropellant fuel;
- and
- a steam generator coupled to the combustor and the rotary piston engine, the steam generator comprising:
- a series of coiled tubes having a respective inlet to receive water and a respective outlet to discharge superheated steam to drive pistons in the rotary piston engine;
- a housing having a first end configured for coupling to the combustor and a second end, the housing containing the coiled tubes;
- and
- a cover coupled to the second end of housing and to the tubes, the cover having a series of apertures to allow drainage of water from exhaust generated by the monopropellant fuel ignited in the combustor.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.