Power plants – Combustion products used as motive fluid – External-combustion engine type
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-20
2002-06-25
Nguyen, Hoang (Department: 3748)
Power plants
Combustion products used as motive fluid
External-combustion engine type
C126S09100A, C431S278000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06408613
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates in general to self-powered vehicles and more particularly to non-electric commuter rail cars, regional rapid transit cars, long distance inter-city passenger and express mail trains.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The majority of the non-electric powered transit systems of the world use the internal combustion Diesel engine to provide the motive force to propel the driving wheels of the vehicle for travel in either direction.
In modern inter-city and regional light rail passenger coaches, the Diesel engine is attached to a transmission housing containing a hydraulic torque amplifier, a set of reversible reduction gears, and a hydraulic retarder. This combination drives the wheels through axle mounted final reduction gears.
These engines and their drive systems are heavy, costly, and require frequent and expensive maintenance procedures. Their exhaust gases also contribute to atmospheric contamination.
Thus there is a need for a multiple-cylinder reciprocating vapor-expansion engine that can develop its maximum torque at rotational start up and whose work-power output per pound of weight is greater by using an external-combustion source of high pressure vapor energy. Such an engine is disclosed in applicant's co-pending application Ser. No. 09/757,974.
Furthermore, there is a need for an engine and vaporizer combination that has a computer system that integrates all variable operating conditions to digitally actuate the valves and the vaporizer combustion modulation for the most efficient fuel consumption and maximum power output.
Lastly, there is a need for an engine-vaporizer-computer combination that is reversible and performs equally well in either clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation and that can direct-drive the traction wheels of the vehicle.
None of the known prior art disclose such an engine-vaporizer-computer combination as set forth herein.
The present invention as delineated meets these needs.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides the combination of basic devices that are utilized to produce a high pressure, high temperature flow of a gas/vapor energy stream to an expansion engine for the production of rotating shaft work.
It is an object of this invention to provide an efficient combination of the products of fuel combustion and water vaporization to develop a high-energy stream flow to an expansion engine driving a transport vehicle without creating significant environmental pollution.
It is a further object of this invention to utilize a digital computer to integrate all variables of pressure, temperature and volume by the many recording, analyzing instruments and control devices needed to regulate the energy required for the most efficient operation of the total combined mechanism.
It is also a further object of this invention to construct the total mechanism with easily replaceable standardized elements that are subject to attrition and wear without requiring a major back-shop hiatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention advances the practice of obtaining from a minimum of heat energy the most work output with the least atmospheric pollution by storing and transporting of fuel gas, hydrogen and oxygen gasses at very high pressures. The gasses are individually and controllably metered for injection into the high pressure combustion chamber. The metering of the pressurized water into the flame vortex vaporizes and desuperheats the combined gasses sent to the engine. Thus the water reduces the combined vapor temperature to the optimum consistent within the limits of its containment, transmission to, and the safe operation of the expansion engine. By the elimination of compressed air in this device, the nitrogen contaminants and particulates are eliminated.
The production of the gasses in large quantities in stationary plants operating continuously, stores large quantities of potential energy for periodic disbursment to the traveling vehicles at the beginning of their daily assignment, which puts the major investments and equipment weights in their appropriate areas of usefulness.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3890088 (1975-06-01), Ferri
patent: 5368474 (1994-11-01), Welden
patent: 5426940 (1995-06-01), Tomoiu
patent: 221206 (1962-05-01), None
patent: 405039908 (1993-02-01), None
patent: 405039909 (1993-02-01), None
McGue Frank J.
Nguyen Hoang
LandOfFree
High temperature, high pressure vaporizer to power a... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with High temperature, high pressure vaporizer to power a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and High temperature, high pressure vaporizer to power a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2896452