GB1337629A - Steam propulsion system - Google Patents

Abstract

1337629 Steam boilers and propulsion system SCIENTIFIC ENERGY SYSTEMS CORP 23 Dec 1971 [29 Jan 1971] 59979/71 Heading F4A In a steam propulsion system for use in winter conditions, there is provided a first water storage tank 42 having a capacity to contain water frozen therein without damage, and a second water storage tank 32 with, e.g. a sump heater in order to give sufficient water to charge the boiler 14 through a start-up pump 48. When the boiler 14 is fired by a burner 16 fed from a fuel supply tank 24 the steam produced passes through valve 58, steam throttle 18 to an adiabatic expander 20 linked to drive a vehicle, and a feed pump 83 takes over from the startup pump 48 to continue the cycle. Steam also passes to a condenser 22 and thence water is fed back to the storage tank 32. Fig. 2 illustrates the sump heater 60 in the form of a wick-type burner 64 supplied with fuel from the tank 24 through an auxiliary fuel line 68 under the control of a temperature sensitive solenoid control 74 which operates, in turn, a valve 70 and an igniter (not shown) for the burner 64. A sealed pipe 76 contains a charge of water, or other vaporizable fluid, and the pipe has a bulb 78 at its lower end 78 and the pipe 76 extends into a water-filled open-ended shroud 80 located in the storage tank 32. As the entire system warms up, oil cycling through a coil 88 in the tank 42 will thaw the water therein to provide the necessary make-up water for the tank 32 as required. Other embodiments are described in the Specification (Fig. 12, not shown) wherein the sump heater is replaced by a shut-down sump container (152) and an insulated recirculating sump container (154) and an anti-freeze solution is used in the system. In a further embodiment (Fig. 9, not shown) the sump heater is replaced by an electric water heater. Fig. 5A shows a water storage tank in which is placed a resiliently compressible core 92 to prevent damage when the contents of the tank freeze.