DE202007018776U1 - Steam engine with rotating steam inlet and outlet pipes - Google Patents

Abstract

Steam engine, in particular reciprocating engine, with at least one cylinder, in which a piston is movably arranged and connected by a connecting rod with a crankshaft, with at least one steam inlet and steam outlet opening and with at least one associated with the cylinder, synchronizable with the piston position steam inlet and steam outlet characterized in that the steam inlet means comprises a rotatable steam inlet tube having on the periphery at least one vapor opening, which can be brought into coincidence with the steam inlet opening of the cylinder, for introducing steam into the cylinder.

Description

The Invention describes a steam engine, which is characterized by a novel Supply of steam to the working cylinders distinguished and via optimized control to much better Performance data and efficiencies leads. The essentials at the invention of this steam engine is the supply and Dissipation of the steam by rotating cylinders that are located above or below the cylinder. By sliding seals and openings in the region of the cylinder and a drive This rotating cylinder over the crankshaft becomes the Feed of steam to the individual cylinders regulated.

The widely known and more modern steam engines were already developed by Stanley, Doble, Schwander, Spilling etc. and work according to the following principles:

Function of the steam engine:

Of the Live steam alternately drives the piston from each side her (Piston steam engine with double-acting cylinder - countercurrent principle), the exhaust steam leaves the cylinder after the work is done. This is at every half turn (ie at each power stroke) generates a torque. However, this machine can be simpler too still operated as a two-stroke engine, d. H. at top dead center Fed live steam and at the next upward movement the spent steam is expelled (at each full Turn, a torque is generated). The machine works with reduced back pressure and with condensation as possible multi-stage, the enthalpy of steam largely complete to use. The exhaust steam is no longer with modern steam engines to fire in the air, since thereby the water consumption and the Energy losses are too high and no acceptable efficiencies can be achieved. That's why condensation machines were used designed in which the cylinder is a condenser (radiator) is followed (in which the exhaust steam is reflected). This can create a vacuum in the condenser and also in the cylinder that will further increase the performance of the machine. The condensed water is pumped into the steam generation system pumped back.

The Piston rod is in a straight line through a crosshead on a slideway Kept moving. At the crosshead is the push or crank rod connected. This displaces the crankshaft (with or without flywheel) in a rotary motion and provides the desired energy to disposal.

The Feeding the steam was done by additional Cylinders or supply lines controlled by valves. These Valves were in turn replaced by additional connecting rods from the Crankshaft controlled.

Principle of the invention Steam engine:

In 1 the principle of the steam engine according to the invention is shown as 1Zylinderf 2Takt engine in the front view:
In this new engine, steam is introduced into the cylinder (s) via a rotating tube. On 1 is illustrated how the cylinder ( 1 ) with steam from the steam inlet tube ( 6 ) and the piston ( 2 ) is pressed down. About the crosshead and the connecting rod ( 4 ) is the crankshaft with the drive wheel ( 5 ) in a rotating motion and subsequently drives the timing belt ( 3 ) the steam inlet tube for the superheated steam supply ( 6 ) and the steam outlet pipe for the exhaust steam discharge ( 7 ) at. Thus, the position of the bores (slit openings) in the rotating steam guide pipes is controlled by a timing belt or chain from the crankshaft. The size and shape of the openings for the steam supply and discharge are in

2 (Supervision of the 1-cylinder 2-stroke engine) can be seen. When the opening in the steam inlet pipe ( 8th ) the opening in the cylinder head ( 9 ), steam is forced into the cylinder and the piston is set in motion (usually downwards). The slot openings for the hot steam supply (opening in the rotating tube: 8th ; Opening in the cylinder head: 9 ) are designed so that they have the largest possible cross-section (for a quick filling of the cylinder with steam), but on the other hand, the steam supply only from top dead center (0 °) to about 60 ° (clockwise rotation) is released to a To realize the highest possible expansion of the steam. However, the range of the steam supply can be varied easily and in larger ranges, depending on which vapor pressure is preferably available (at high vapor pressures, the opening angle is preferably reduced, at low rather increased). An additional, significantly smaller drill hole, which preferably reestablishes the live steam supply to the cylinder at 90 °, can be introduced for an increase in performance and for a significantly quieter running of the engine. As the piston moves down, it provides an opening (especially if this motor is in the lower pressure range) worked) in the lower part of the cylinder for a certain pressure equalization.

When the piston moves upwards, one or more slot openings (covering the openings 10 - Steam outlet pipe and 11 - Cylinder head) the way of Abdampfes released to the exhaust pipe. Preferably, an opening angle of 180 to 360 ° is to be used with a large cross section, so that virtually no back pressure is built up. If a vacuum is additionally generated in the condenser (radiator), the motor can be operated with high efficiency.

On 3 is the function of the liner visible. This exterior steam-tight liner ( 12 ) serves as a holder for the rotating tubes and as a vapor seal. To ensure that no steam escapes to the outside, the rotating tubes are sealed against the bushing with ring-shaped plastic seals (eg made of EPDM in the temperature range up to 150 ° C, made of Viton in the temperature range up to 200 ° C). 15 ). Between the two annular plastic gaskets, the steam outlet pipe must be fitted very precisely into the bushing to obtain an efficient engine. For this purpose, the rotating tube can also be coated in this area with temperature-resistant plastics or ceramic ( 20 ), on the one hand to achieve a high sealing effect with maximum sliding action and on the other hand to produce no corrosion problems. In this case, the diameter of the rotating tubes in this area must be slightly tapered.

in the Trap of the 1-cylinder 2-stroke steam engine can be the two rotating tubes for the steam supply and discharge also to a single tube are united. In this case, the tube is in the Middle spatially separate and then on the one Side of the steam supply and on the other side of the steam outlet. For this purpose, the rotating tube is preferably in the middle of the cylinder to position.

The rotating tubes are also against the stationary hot steam pipe ( 2 . 13 ) and stationary exhaust pipe ( 2 . 14 ) seal. Details are in the 4 can be seen where an annular, heat-resistant plastic seal in U-shape ( 16 ), acts as a vapor barrier. The vapor flowing through the gaps between stationary pipe ( 13 ) and rotating tube ( 6 ) to the seal ( 16 ), pushes the seal in the direction of stationary tube upwards and thus contributes to a better seal.

There the rotating tubes usually work against high pressures If they need to be sealed, they must be stably constructed. The drive control wheels of the tubes are to be stored separately and the drives so that no additional Pressure influences in the axial as well as in the vertical direction take effect and therefore have no negative impact on the position the rotating tubes arise. The vapor-proof liner can at the same time as plain bearing for the rotating steam inlet and -auslassrohre be used. However, that is additional Storage of these rotating tubes when using multiple cylinders and in the higher pressure range with precision bearings.

There in the past, such sealing systems with high temperature resistant Plastics or ceramic coatings are not available complicated lubrication systems caused considerable problems in long-term operation. This problem was only recently by the company Spilling through the use of high-performance plastics be solved. But further improvements are through this Invention possible, since the proportion of moving parts an absolute minimum is reduced.

In 5 is exemplified a two-stage 4-cylinder countercurrent steam engine. The two working cylinders 2 and 3 are filled with fresh steam from the steam inlet pipes both from above and from below ( 6 ) respectively. ( 18 ) provided. In the example, the piston of the cylinder 2 is pressed down, the cylinder 3 is filled from below (via the steam inlet pipe 18 ) and the piston thereby led upwards. At the same time escapes in this process steam from the cylinder 2 in the steam outlet pipe ( 19 ) or from the cylinder 3 into the outlet pipe ( 7 ). The rotating tubes 7 and 19 are larger in diameter and thus in volume than the steam inlet pipes and in volume also larger than the individual cylinders, so that a significant pressure reduction takes place. The pressure reduction is enhanced by a cooling effect. After the steam has left each of the first cylinder, it is pressed with reduced pressure from this outlet pipe back into another cylinder. In a multi-stage engine so that outlet pipe has a dual function. On 6 can be seen as the steam from the steam outlet pipe 7 in the cylinder is pressed and how ultimately the steam through the outlet pipe 19 reaches the condenser. When the steam is condensed, it is returned to the steam cycle by a pump. As already mentioned, the condensation leads to a vacuum, which makes the second cylinder stage even more efficient.

In earlier publications and the company Spilling be 2- and multi-stage steam engines be in which the subsequent stage (cylinder) in volume, ie in the cross-sectional area are increased in order to better exploit the torque at the lower pressures prevailing there and to easily dissipate the vapor volume (so that builds up after the first stage, not too high back pressure) , This second (or even further) stage can be carried out in the same dimension in this invention, as influenced by the size of the openings to the steam outlet pipe out the length of the opening time and thus sufficient vapor volume can be dissipated. According to the invention simplifies the construction of the engine considerably. Furthermore, by controlling the inlet and outlet openings via a timing belt, it is possible to optimize the positions thereof.

With a 2-cylinder countercurrent steam engine (and more cylinders) can according to the invention by skillful arrangement the inlet openings and by additionally smaller Drill holes make the drive so that it always in started the same direction and without any additional help can be. These additional smaller drill holes also lead to an increase in performance and to quieter the engine. Cover in this case the steam inlet openings each at an angle of about 90 °, which is the case with 2 working cylinders working in countercurrent a workspace of over 360 ° means - stands the engine is constantly under pressure and can be used without additional Start help. In the smaller inventive Engines are used to start an auxiliary drive or a additional pneumatic or steam-driven mechanics, which are well known.

Of the Motor can be in its size according to the requirements Modular adapted: The machine can be very easy on Half the size can be reduced as well single-stage steam engine work or even more cylinders be extended. For simplicity and small sizes To achieve, can also be worked with the two-stroke principle. However, the four-cylinder concept leads to an optimal Very quiet running engine with a wide working range for many applications. The engine is also conceivable with a three-stage equipment. Increased by the two-step operation the efficiency of the engine and reduced according to the invention itself by the rotating tubes, the proportion of mechanically movable Parts considerably, allowing additional vibrations, such as they through the valve controls by means of connecting rods in older Constructions have arisen, largely avoided.

These Type of flexible design of the steam engines was not previously possible Since these previously exclusively via connecting rod-controlled Valves were driven (Stanley, Doble, Schwander, Spilling Etc.). The invention makes it possible by simply changing the inlet and outlet angle (similar to the timing belt of internal combustion engines) to optimize the performance of the engine. Furthermore, the steam inlet and outlet pipes are relatively simple exchange, so that also different opening geometries can be used. This is another quick Optimization with regard to the respective application feasible.

Steam:

The steam engine according to the invention works using water preferably with a vapor pressure between 3 and 23 bar (which corresponds to when using water a temperature between 144 to 220 ° C), Of course, however, may also be preferred in stationary steam engine systems with an even larger or higher pressure range to be worked. Further optimization of steam drive performance may also be achieved through the use of organic compounds (solvents) having a lower boiling temperature than water and / or a lower heat and vaporization enthalpy. It is also possible to prepare certain mixtures with water to achieve this effect (eg with ethanol, methanol, glycols etc.). This possibility is already covered by older and later by the patent of Hoetger, Michael in the summary of US2006277910 demonstrated. The table below shows the boiling temperatures and evaporation enthalpies of water and alcohols: water methanol ethanol Enthalpy dH (kJ / mol) 43.98 37.43 42.32 Boiling point (° C) 100 64.6 78.3

at The use of solar panels is likely the possibility the use of solvents as a vapor medium very be interesting, since in these cases mostly from stationary Can run out of systems that have improved tightness Be as there are no mechanical shocks as in mobile gives. At the same time this is the problem of the formation of ice crystals stopped in the cold season.

Solar power:

This steam engine according to the invention can also be powered by solar energy, since this steam engine already operates at low pressures and relatively low temperatures. This requires solar cells, which have to be available or adapted as different systems on the market (see article by W. D Steinmann, M. Eck: Buffer storage for direct steam generation, available online 14th of July 2005 ) and various systems have already been tried and tested in practice. On 7 the principle of steam generation via solar collectors for the steam engine according to the invention is shown. As solar collectors for steam generation, vacuum tubes, lens systems, parabolic mirrors etc. can be used (s. 7 ; 21 ) and for the storage of the vapor one can use an insulated pressure vessel ( 23 ), which simultaneously performs the function of a steam separator. For the reheating of the steam, in turn, the already mentioned solar collectors ( 22 ) be used. The superheated steam then drives the following steam engine ( 24 ) at.

hybrid drive

Various such hybrid systems have already been described and implemented by many engineers (in particular, they relate to conventional internal combustion engines in combination with electric drives), but also hybrid systems in combination with steam engines have already been mentioned (eg in the Swedish patent SE8903987 : The electric generator both drives the engine and charges the energy and effect balancing battery. The primary engine effect is via the generator and drive motor to move the vehicle in normal traffic conditions ... The primary drive engine can be a Stiri, Otto, Wankel, diesel, steam or turbine type).

• • Das Fahrzeug kann sofort starten und wenn der Dampferzeuger einen bestimmten Mindestdruck aufweist, steht sofort ein hohes Drehmoment zur Verfügung
• • Die Kraftübertragung vom Dampfmotor erfolgt ohne zusätzliches Getriebe (teilweise Gewichtseinsparung möglich). Für Rückwärtsfahrten kann der Elektroantrieb benutzt werden (kein Wechselgetriebe erforderlich).
• • Der Elektro-Antrieb macht einen Anlasser ebenso überflüssig
• • Der Hybrid-Antrieb ist extrem leise und laufruhig
• • Das erfindungsgemäße Antriebssystem ist sehr einfach zusammengesetzt
• • In schwierigen Situationen steht ein 4-Rad-Antrieb zur Verfügung und der elektrische Antrieb kann zusätzlich mobilisiert werden
• • Verbesserte Effizienz und reduzierter Brennstoffverbrauch insbesondere durch Abschalten des Brenners bei unvorhergesehenen Haltevorgängen und Staus in urbanen Gebieten (Dampfdruck bleibt eine gewisse Zeit bis zur Wiederanfahrt des Fahrzeugs erhalten, Elektro-Energie ist ebenso verfügbar) und dadurch niedrigere Emissionen (auch durch verbesserte Brenntechnologien im Dampferzeuger im Vergleich zu Verbrennungsmotoren)
• • Bei Talfahrten oder beim Abbremsen kann mehr Elektro-Energie generiert werden als mit Verbrennungsmotoren, da beim Dampfmotor keine Kompression stattfindet und damit ein geringerer Bremseffekt durch den Motor selbst entsteht
• • Zum Vorheizen des Fahrzeugs kann im Winter einfach der Brenner/Dampferzeuger verwendet werden
• • Niedrige Betriebstemperaturen im Motorbereich lassen lange Laufzeiten erwarten
• • Deutlich minimierter Anteil von beweglichen Teilen vereinfacht Reparaturen und reduziert Unterhaltungskosten

The electric drive can act both via a differential gear on an axle (Favor rear axle) and attached to each individual wheel. This allows the vehicle to be started ad hoc from scratch. The performance of the accumulators and the electric drive should bridge at least a journey time of about 10 minutes, then the full power of the steam generator is usually reached and the vehicle fully maneuverable. The steam generation takes place by rotary burners in the counterflow principle or fuel cells, etc., where the emissions are significantly lower than those of conventional diesel or gasoline internal combustion engines. Furthermore, regenerative fuels are used and thus the emission potential of such drives is significantly lower than in the currently conventional internal combustion engines (see also US2007107433 ). The first very efficient burners and ignition systems for steam generation in cars were developed by Doble in the late 1920s in the last century (see Doble Steam Car, Wikipedia). The hybrid combines a steam and electric motor with an accumulator (for example, a nickel-metal hydride battery) in said invention to a completely new drive concept:

• • The vehicle can start immediately and if the steam generator has a certain minimum pressure, a high torque is immediately available
• • The power transmission from the steam engine takes place without additional gearbox (partial weight saving possible). For reversing the electric drive can be used (no change gear required).
• • The electric drive also makes a starter superfluous
• • The hybrid drive is extremely quiet and smooth
• The drive system according to the invention is composed very simply
• • In difficult situations, a 4-wheel drive is available and the electric drive can be additionally mobilized
• • Improved efficiency and reduced fuel consumption, in particular by switching off the burner in case of unforeseen stops and congestion in urban areas (vapor pressure remains for a certain time until the vehicle gets back on the road, electric energy is also available) and thus lower emissions (also due to improved combustion technologies in the steam generator in comparison to internal combustion engines)
• • When driving down or braking, more electric energy can be generated than with internal combustion engines, as there is no compression in the steam engine, resulting in less braking effect by the engine itself
• • To pre-heat the vehicle, simply use the burner / steam generator in winter
• • Low operating temperatures in the engine area lead to long runtimes
• • Significantly minimized share of moving parts simplifies repairs and reduces maintenance costs

Other applications:

For the areas of power generation (generator drive), irrigation systems, Agriculture, marine and marine propulsion, water and wastewater treatment, Air conditioners, compressors, pumps etc.

1

cylinder

2

piston

3

timing belt

4

pleuel

5

crankshaft with steering wheel (drive for rotating tubes)

6

Steam inlet pipe

7

steam outlet pipe

8th

opening in the steam inlet tube for superheated steam

9

opening in the cylinder head for superheated steam

10

openings in the steam outlet pipe for exhaust steam

11

Öfffnungen in the cylinder head for exhaust steam

12

vapor density liner

13

stationary Steam pipe

14

stationary exhaust pipe

15

annular Plastic seal (eg EPDM, Viton)

16

annular Plastic seal in U-shape (or similar)

17

Pressure effect direction of the steam

18

Steam inlet pipe (below)

19

steam outlet pipe (below)

20

coating for improved sealing and against corrosion (dashed line shown)

21

collectors for water evaporation

22

collectors for steam overheating

23

Water-steam separator (Steam accumulator)

24

steam engine

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2006277910 [0019]
• - SE 8903987 [0022]
• US 2007107433 [0023]

Cited non-patent literature

• - W. D Steinmann, M. Eck: Buffer storage for direct steam generation, available online 14th of July 2005 [0021]

Claims (25)

Steam engine, in particular reciprocating engine, with at least one cylinder in which a piston is movably arranged and connected by a connecting rod with a crankshaft, with at least one steam inlet and steam outlet opening and with at least one associated with the cylinder, synchronizable with the piston position steam inlet and steam outlet characterized in that the steam inlet means comprises a rotatable steam inlet tube which at the circumference has at least one vapor opening, which can be brought into coincidence with the steam inlet opening of the cylinder, for introducing steam into the cylinder. Steam engine according to claim 1, characterized that the steam inlet pipe at least in the peripheral region of the steam opening a vapor-tight, sleeve-shaped retaining element having. Steam engine according to claim 2, characterized that the sleeve-shaped holding element as a vapor-tight Bushing is designed, extending over the entire Length of the steam inlet pipe extends and with a steam supply Is provided. Steam engine according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in an arrangement with standing Cylinders the steam inlet device at the top of the cylinder is arranged and provided the steam supply from the top of the piston is. Steam engine according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that on the cylinder an additional Steam inlet device for the counterflow operation of the piston is arranged. Steam engine according to claim 5, characterized in that that the additional steam inlet means a rotatable Steam inlet tube, the circumference at least one with a Steam inlet opening of the cylinder in overlap bringable steam opening, for introducing steam into the Cylinder has. Steam engine according to claim 6, characterized that the additional steam inlet pipe at least in the peripheral region the steam opening is a vapor-tight, sleeve-shaped Has holding element. Steam engine according to claim 7, characterized that the sleeve-shaped holding element as a vapor-tight Bushing is designed, extending over the entire Length of the steam inlet pipe extends and with a steam supply Is provided. Steam engine according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the additional steam inlet device arranged at the opposite or lower end of the cylinder is and the steam supply is provided from below on the piston. Steam engine according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the vapor openings of the Steam inlet devices are arranged so that steam alternately in the one and the other piston stroke direction of the cylinder can be introduced is. Steam engine according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that on the cylinder at least one Steam outlet is arranged. Steam engine according to claim 11, characterized in that that the steam outlet means a rotatably mounted steam outlet pipe having at the periphery at least one with a steam outlet opening of the Cylinder overlapping steam opening having. Steam engine according to claim 12, characterized in that that the steam outlet pipe at least in the peripheral region of the steam opening a vapor-tight, sleeve-shaped retaining element having. Steam engine according to claim 13, characterized that the sleeve-shaped holding element as a vapor-tight Bushing is designed, extending over the entire Length of the steam inlet pipe extends and with a steam discharge Is provided. Steam engine according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the steam outlet pipe a larger diameter than the steam inlet tube. Steam engine according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the steam inlet direction with connected to a capacitor. Steam engine according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that for a multi-stage Operation associated with at least one cylinder at least one secondary cylinder is and the steam in a steam series circuit each of a Cylinder is passed to the next cylinder. Steam engine according to one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that at least one cylinder at least an auxiliary cylinder is assigned and that the steam openings in the steam outlet pipe are arranged so that the steam outlet a cylinder with the steam inlet opening of the slave cylinder is connectable. Steam engine according to one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that the steam engine at least having two cylinders each having at least one secondary cylinder. Steam engine according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the steam acted upon parts made of high-temperature-resistant plastic, for example PTFE, ETFE, EPDM (Teflon, Viton), a fiber reinforced plastic or a functional ceramic (eg tungsten carbide) or are coated. Steam engine according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the steam engine for a Operation in the pressure range of 3 to 23 bar is provided. Steam engine according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that for the operation of the steam engine Steam or vapors of organic solvents such as ethanol or methanol can be used. Steam engine according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that a rotating drive of the rotatable Steam inlet and / or steam outlet pipes, in particular via a transmission device from the crankshaft, provided is. Steam engine according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the steam openings in are essentially round or oval. Steam engine according to one of claims 17 to 22, characterized in that by additional smaller Holes in the steam inlet devices an independent Starting the engine (without additional starting devices) is possible.