US20080072596A1

US20080072596A1 - Nunley steam engine

Info

Publication number: US20080072596A1
Application number: US11/525,157
Authority: US
Inventors: Darwin Clayton Nunley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-09-22
Filing date: 2006-09-22
Publication date: 2008-03-27

Abstract

Steam engine operable in all temperature environments without constant heating of the water, working as a self-contained steam generator and condenser, using liquid alcohol and explosive gas to increase power, and internally air cooled to reduce noise pollution.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

None

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Steam engines have existed for over 200 years. Historically they have relied on external steam generation with few exceptions (flash steam within engine) along with external condensation of expended steam. Continual heating of water has been necessary in freezing conditions. The need to create a steam engine that can be used in freezing conditions without the necessity of heating the water along with an engine that in one unit functions as a steam generator without pre-heating and a condenser/cooler for steam and heated gases exists.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention is an engine injected with water mixed with ethanol and/or methanol to prevent freezing and enhance steam generation function. The engine also injects an explosive gas such as (but not limited to) butane and/or propane and/or natural gas and/or hydrogen mixed with air as appropriate for the gas or gasses used. At the end of the piston travel compressed air is injected into the cylinder behind the piston to condense the steam and provide sound suppression through cooling of heated vapor. Exhaust water may be recovered or exhausted with gas/air vapor into an exhaust pipe without the need for a muffler, back pressure to the engine, or pollution controls under current regulations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VIEW OF ENGINE

One drawing is attached showing the side view of the engine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ENGINE

Engine is a horizontal, single piston engine (1 on drawing) with power rods (2 on drawing) extending from the sides of the piston through the ends of the engine (although one rod may be used if desired for a special purpose). The ends of the engine are bolted to the flanged master cylinder. Piston has compression rings on each side with lubrication grooves circling the piston between the compression rings. At one end of the cylinder the water methanol and/or ethanol mix is injected via a electronic injector (5 on the drawing) along with the explosive gas or gasses and air mix via an electronically controlled valve (6 on the drawing). Note injector and valve are shown both above and below the cylinder for the purpose of demonstrating they may be located in various places as to the desire of the manufacturer and the purpose intended for the engine. The explosive gas or gasses are ignited via an electric spark from a source (7 on the drawing). Exploding gas converts the water/alcohol mix to steam vapor with the gas, steam, and alcohol powering the piston toward the other end of the cylinder. At the center of the engine the piston passes under an electronically controlled lubrication injector (8 on the drawing). A sensor trips the injector. Note the lubrication may either come from the top down or the bottom up depending on the size of the engine and the lubricant choice of the lubrication engineer. Opposite of the lubrication injector is an electronically controlled drain valve (8 a on the drawing). The piston passes beyond the electronically controlled air injector (3 on the drawing) and the electronically controlled exhaust valve (4 on the drawing). When it passes the sensor for the air injector the air injector near the piston and the electronically controlled exhaust valve on the opposite end of the engine open. The cylinder area behind the piston is flooded with fresh air to condense the steam and hot gasses. This cools the engine and provides noise pollution control by creating a cooled (non expanding) gas to enter the exhaust pipe. The power cycle then repeats itself with the air injector closing prior to the piston return and the exhaust valve on the opposite end of the engine closing immediately before the arrival of the piston. Again, this is done via sensors embedded in the piston and the cylinder. Sequence control of the electronic injectors, valves, and input from sensors is per code developed and operated within computer chip and related components operating as the master electronic control.
On larger engines the exhaust valve may also drain out some lubricant which may be collected in a commercial oil/water separator then recycled while the cooled gas or gasses flow out through the exhaust system. The water may be recycled or pumped out as per the desires of the manufacturer. Lubrication of the power rods is as the lubrication of the piston with compression rings either located closely within the extension or connected to the power rod and separated by a distance equal to the journey of the piston. Multiple engines may be used as deemed necessary by the manufacturer of the product to be powered.

Claims

1. I claim the use and amount of methanol and/or ethanol alcohol in the water tank provides anti-freeze protection per the operating environment of the engine freeing the water tank, water feed lines, water pump, and injector from being heated.

I claim the use of methanol and/or ethanol in the water provides additional power lessening the need for larger amounts of explosive gas or gasses thus minimizing air pollution from the exhaust.

I claim the flexibility of injecting lubricant from either above or below the piston and power rod(s) as per the desires of the lubrication engineer facilitates a new application in field of steam engines.

I claim the injection of fresh air behind the piston and into the cylinder makes the engine a self-contained steam generator and condenser.

I claim the injection of fresh air behind the piston and into the cylinder cools the engine.

I claim the injection of fresh air behind the piston and into the cylinder cools and condenses the steam and exploded gas or gases thus reducing noise pollution generally eliminating the need for further noise suppression outside the engine in the form of mufflers.

I claim any or all of the injectors, valves, and electric ignition may be (along with computerized electronic control element) duplicated on the engine to meet requirements for certification as an aviation engine.