US1739749A

US1739749A - cabell

Info

Publication number: US1739749A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1929-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 1946-12-17

Description

Dec. 17, 1929. F. M. CABELL 1,739,749

APPARATUS FDR SUPPLYING STEAM TO INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Original Filed y 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aw ATTORNEY F. M. CABELL Dec, 17, 1929.

APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING STEAM TO INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed May 2 INVENTOR 3 A ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 17, 1929 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PHILIP MASON CABELL, OF NEW YORK, N.

APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING STEAM TO IN'TERNAL-COIVIBUSTION ENGINES Substitute for application Serial No. 27,422, filed May 2, 1925. This application filed March 20, 1929. Serial No. 348,677.

This invention relates to apparatus for explosive mixture is supplied through an supplyin steam to internal combustion enintake pipe 11 from a carbureter l2, and gines, and theinvention aims to provide imhwing an exhaust manifold 13, shown by proved apparatus for this purpose by which dotted lines, from which the exhaust gases steam for mixing with the carbureted air or pass through an exhaust pipe 14. At a suit- 55 other explosive gaseous mixture supplied to able point in the exhaust pipe 14: there is the engine cylinders may be supplied at a connected the casing of a boiler 15 from desired constant pressure and at a desired which steam passes through a pipe 16 to rate, and which apparatus shall be automatic be supplied to the engine cylinders. The

10 in operation, supplying steam when the ensteam supply pipe 16 is shown as connected 6 0 gine is in operation, and the generation and to supply steam to the intake pipe 11 adjasupply of steam being automatically stopped cent the intake manifold 10.

when the engine is not in operation. An The boiler or steam generator is of the advantage of my apparatus is that the steam, flash boiler type formed by means providsupplied at any desired pressure, which may ing an extended heating surface mounted 65.

be a very low pressure, may be superheated within a boiler easing so that the extended and supplied to the engine at a high temheating surface will be maintained at a temperature, perature materially above the boiling point The invention has been made especially of water by the combustion gases passing 20 with the idea of providing apparatus for sup through the casing. As shown, and most de- '10 plying steam to the engines of motor vesirably, the boiler is formed by a suitably hicles, but the invention is, 0 course, adapt Coiled pipe 20 arranged to provide a relativeable to internal combustion engines used for ly long downwardly inclined passage or conth PHI-poses, duit within a suitable casing 21 connected A full understanding of the invention can in the exhaust pipe 14 so that the exhaust 75 best be given by a detailed description of gases will pass through the heating cham- M an approved form of apparatus embodying ber 22 within the casing in contact with the the same, and such a description will now boiler pipe 20. The casing may be hung be given in connection with the accompanyfrom a member 23 of the chassis frame of ing drawings showing such an approved the car and is desirably provided with a so form of apparatus. In said drawings heat insulating covering 24. The steam pipe Fig. 1 is a view showing somewhat diagram- Y 16 is also desirably provided with an insulatmatically the internal combustion engine and ing covering ater is supplied to the boiler other parts of a motor vehicle equipped with from a tank 25 through a pipe 26 connected apparatus for supplying steam to the engine to the upper end of the boiler tube 20, and 85 in accordance with the invention; steam passes from the lower end of the boiler Q i a i i l ation on a larger tube through a pipe 27 to an equalizing scale of the boiler or steam generator and chamber 28 and thence to the engine through water supply parts of the apparatus, the the pipe 16. The water is caused to flow boiler casing being shown in section on line from the tank 25 to the boiler coil by he 9 2-2 of Fig. 3; ing maintained under pressure in the tank Fi 3 i 21 p i f th art h wn by air forced into the tank through a pipe in Fig. 2, with the boiler casing sectioned 30, as by means of an air pump 31 shown on line 33 of Fig. 2; and in Fig. 1. The pressure under which the 4 is a central sectional view on a still ater is supplied to the boiler coil deter- 9.5

larger scale of the thermostatically controlled mines the pre ure under which steam is water supply valve. supplied from the boiler. As the amount Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows of water required for maintaining the desired an internal combustion engine A having a rate of supply of steam to the engine is relmixture or intake manifold 10 to which the atively small, a Water tank of a size which may be conveniently mounted on the car will hold suflicient water for operation over a relatively long period, and the maintaining of a substantially constant air pressure in the tank will require only infrequent operation of the air pump. The water supply pipe is provided with means whereby the flow of water therethrough to the boiler may be prevented by an opposing steam pressure. For this purpose in the construction shown the pipe includes an up-flow portion 35.

The equalizing chamber 28 is most desirably located within the boiler casing 21, so that the steam will be kept subject to the heat of the exhaust gases until it leaves the equalizing chamber. For convenience, the equalizing chamber is l ormed by a plurality of cylindrical tanks 36 which may he formed of short lengths of suitable sized tubing. A shut-ott valve 37 is provided in the water supply pipe 26, and a valve 38 is provided in the steam supply pipe 16 for regulating the rate of supply of steam to the engine.

The operation of the apparatus as so far described is as follows :-lVhen the engine is in operation the boiler pipe 20 is maintained by the hot gases passing through the chamber 22 at a temperature materially above the boiling point of water. The 'water under the pressure maintained in the tank 25 tends to flow through the pipe 26 into the upper end of the boiler pipe. lVhenever the steam pressure is below the water supply pressure, water will enter the boiler and be immediately converted into steam which will flow to the chamber 28 and thence through the pipe 16 to the intake manifold of the engine at a rate dependent on the adjustment of the steam valve 38. lVhen the steam pressure is equal to, or if it should become greater than. the water supply pressure, the steam acting on the water in the up-tlow portion 35 of the Water supply pipe prevents water from entering the boiler. When the steam pressure again falls below the water supply pressure, water will again enter the boiler and be immediately converted into steam and restore the steam pressure. The pressure in the boiler will thus be maintained approximately crinstant, and this is so regardless of the rate, within the capacity of the boiler, at which the steam is allowed to pass to the engine. The rate of supply of steam to the engine at a desired predetermined pressure may thus be varied as desired by adjusting the steam valve 38 and for any given setting ot the valve 38, the rate of supply of steam may be varied by varying the steam pressure. The pressure at which the steam is supplied may be varied as desired by varying the pressure maintained in the water tank 25, that is. the pressure under which the water is supplied to the boiler. The pump 31 and a relief valve 39 serve as means for controlling the water supply pressure, and a pressure gage a0 is provided for indicating the pressure. The rate at which steam is supplied to the engine is best etermined by adjustment and trial. To aid in such adjustment, a three-way valve 41 is provided in the steam pipe 16 between the valve 38 and the engine by which the steam may be discharged into the atmosphere for observation.

In order that the steam shall be superheated and supplied to the engine at a high temperature, the boiler pipe desirably made of such length that steam generated in the upper part of the pipe'will in passing on through, the pipe be heated to approximately the temperature or the exhaust gases. The equalizing tank being located within the boiler casing and the supply pipe 16 being suitably insulated, the steam will be delivered to the intake manifold with but little drop in temperature. The first or upper portion of the boiler pipe should best have a considerable inclination as shown. The inclination ol the portion in which the steam is superheated is not of importance.

It would, of course, be undesirable to permit water to enter the boiler when the boiler is not heated to the proper ten'iperature "for converting the water into steam, or that there should be any possibility of water flowing through the steam pipe to enter the intake n'iani't'old ot' the engine or the intake pipe 11 and so reach the carlmreter. Instead of depending on the shutting oltof the valve 37 for preventing such flow of water when the engine not in operation or before the boiler has become properly heated, I provide means for automatically controlling the flow oi water through the pipe 26. Such means as shown, and most desirable, consists ot a thermostatically controlled valve connected in the pipe 26 and having its thermostatic element mounted to be influenced to open the valve by heat from the exhaust gases.

The device shown comprises a valve casing 50 having inlet and outlet ports 51 and 52, respectively, to which parts of the pipe 26 are connected and having the chamber within the casing divided between said ports by a partition which is ported and formed to serve as a valve seat for a valve which when seated prevents the flow of water from the inlet port to the outlet port. The valve is pressed toward its seat and normally held closed by a spring 54:. The end of the valve casing toward which the valve closes has adjust-ably secured thereto a part 55 which serves a seattor a thern'iostatie element 56. The part 55 and the end of the valve casing are formed with telescoping flanges so 'as to provide a casing tor the thermostatic element, and the part 55 is secured to the valve casing by a threaded connecting sleeve 57 internally threaded with right and left hand threads which extend inward from its two ends respectively, and which threads take on to exthe end of the valve casing, and by turning the sleeve in the other direction the part may be moved ofi' away from the end of the valve casing.

The thermostatically controlled valve device is desirably mounted on the exhaust pipe 14: as shown with the wall of the part 55 which forms the seat for the thermostatic element resting against the pipe. This wall is shaped to fit against the pipe and is formed with a central opening 58 through which heat from the pipe wall has direct access to the end of the thermostatic element. The thermostatic element, which may be of any usual or suitable form, and which as shown is of a wellknown form consisting of an expansible container having a corrugated cylindrical wall and containing a fluid which will expand when heated, is seated on the part 55 over the opening 58 and has connected to its opposite end a rod 60 which extends through an opening in the end of the valve 'asing provided with a suitable stufling box. lVhen the thermostatic element expands the rod 60 acts to push the valve 53 away from its seat against the pressure of the spring 54L, and when the thermostatic element contracts, the spring again closes the valve. As shown, the rod 60 presses against the end of a rod 61 extending from the valve.

When the exhaust pipe is cold the thermostatic element will be contracted and the valve 53will be closed. lVhen the engine is in operation. the exhaust pipe becomes heated and heat is transmitted to the thermostatic element, causing the same to expand, and when sutficiently expanded, to open the valve 53 to ermit water to flow to the boiler. Adjustment of the sleeve 57 and thereby of the position of the thermostatic element with relation to the valve, will determine the degree to which the thermostatic element must be heated in order to open the valve and hold he va ve open. The adjustment should be such that after the engine has been started the valve 53 will notbe opened until the boiler has been heated to a sufficient degree to cause the entering water immediately to be converted into steam, and that when the en- 7 gine is stopped, the valve will be closed before the boiler has cooled below such flash temperature.

By this automatically controlled valve the flow of water to the boiler is prevented except when the boiler is heated to a suflicient temperature for immediately converting entering water into steam, and the operator is relieved from all care in this respect. ing the boiler it is desirable that water should be admitted slowly until a steam pressure corresponding to the water supply pressure In starthas once been established. The automatic shut-ofl valve, because of the relatively slow and gradual action of the thermostatic element, operates to give this desired restricted slow flow of water in starting up the boiler.

In addition to the improvement in operation of the engine and the economy of operation resulting from supplying steam, and especially superheated steam, to the engine cylinders, and the advantages of the automatic control features as hereinbefore pointed out, my apparatus has the further important advantage that, because of the way in which the steam pressure is automatically maintained constant, the explosion hazard is eliminated. In this connection, it may be pointed out that, before any considerable excess pressure could be created in the boiler, water in the supply pipe 26 would be forced back by the pressure of the steam and the steam coming in contact with water in the pipe 26 or in the tank 25 would be condensed, thus preventing any substantial increase in pressure even under conditions which might otherwise result in a very great increase in pressure.

This application is a continuation of and substitute for my application Serial No. 27,422, filed Way 2, 1925.

IVhat is claimed is:

1. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a flash boiler heated by waste heat from the engine, means for supplying water to the boiler under pressure, means for preventing the flow of water to the boiler when the steam pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure and thereby maintaining a constant steam pressure, a connection for sup-- plying steam for the boiler to the engine cylinder, and adjustable means for controlling the rate of delivery of steam to the engine cylinder.

2. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a flash boiler heated by waste heat from the engine, means for supplying water to the boiler under pressure, means for preventing the flow of water to the boiler when the steam pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure and thereby maintaining a constant steam pressure, a connection for supplying steam from the boiler to the engine ,cylinder, and an adjustable restriction in the steam supply passage between the boiler and the engine cylinder for controlling the rate of delivery of steam to the engine cylinder.

3. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a flash boiler heated by waste heat from the engine, means for supplying water to the boiler under pressure, means for preventing the flow of water to the boiler when the steam pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure and thereby maintaining a constant steam pressure, a connection for supplying steam from the boiler to the engine cylinder, means for controlling the rate of delivery of steam to the engine cylinder, and meansfor varying the water supply pressure to vary the pressure at which the steam is maintained.

at. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a flash boiler, means tor supplying water to the boiler under pressure, means for preventing the flow of water to the boiler when the steam pressure eXceeds a pre determined pressure and thereby maintaining a constant steam pressure, a connection for supplying steam "from the boiler to the engine cylinder, adjustable means for controlling the rate of delivery ot steam to the engine cylinder, and heat-responsive means subject to the heat'ot a part of the engine system for preventing flow of water to the boiler when the ten'iperature of said part is below a predetermined temperature.

5. In combination with an internal com bustion engine, a flash boiler heated by waste heat from the engine, means for supplying water to the boiler at a predetermined pressure, means for preventing flow of water to the boiler when the steam pressure exceeds the water supply pressure and thereby maintaining the steam pressure equal to the water supply pressure, a connection for supplyingsteam from the boiler to the engine cylinder, means for controlling the rate of delivery of: steam to the engine cylinder, and means for automatically preventing flow of water to the boiler when the engine is not in operation.

6. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a flash boiler heated by waste heat from the engine, means for supplying water to the boiler at a predetermined pressure, means for preventing flow of water to the boiler when the steam pressure exceeds the water supply pressure and thereby maintaining the steam pressure equal to the water supply pressure, a connection for supplying steam from the boiler to the engine cylinder, means for controlling the rate of delivery of steam to the engine cylinder, and heat responsive means operative to prevent flow of water to the boiler when the boiler is not heated to a suitable operating temperature.

7. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a flash boiler heated by waste heat from the engine, means for supplying water to the boiler at a predetermined pressure, means For preventing flow of water to the boiler when the steam pressure exceeds the water supply pressure and thereby maintaining the steam pressure equal to the water supply pressure. a connection for supplying steam from the boiler to the engine cylinder, means for controlling the rate of delivery of steam to the engine cylinder, and heat-responsive means subject to heat from the exhaust gases and operative to prevent flow 0t ater to the boiler when the amount of heat passing off in the exhaust gases is below a certain minimum.

8. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a flash boiler heated by waste heat from the engine, means for supplying water to the boiler at apredetermined pressure, means for preventing flow of Water to the boiler when the steam pressure exceeds the water supply pressure and thereby maintaining the steam pressure equal to the water supply pressure, a connection for supplying steam from the boiler to the engine cylinder having a restriction for controlling the rate of delivery of steam to the engine cylinder, means for automatically preventing flow of water to the boiler when the engine is not in operation, and means for varying the water supply pressure.

9. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a flash boiler heated by waste heat from the engine, means for supplying water to the boiler under pressure, means for preventing the flow of water to the boiler when the steam pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure and thereby maintaining a constant steam pressure, a connection tor supplying steam from the boiler to the engine cylinder, a valve in the steam supply connection for controlling the rate of delivery of steam to the engine cylinder, and a two-way valve bet *een said valve and the engine cylinder operable to divert the steam for observati on of the rate of delivery of the steam.

10. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a flash boiler heated by waste heat from the engine, a source of supply of water under pressure, a conduit connecting said source of supply and the boiler formed to prevent flow of steam and water therethrough in opposite directions, a connection tor supplying steam from the boiler to the engine cylinder having a restriction for controlling the rate of delivery of steam to the engine cylinder, a valve in said water supply conduit, means for opening and closing said valve including a thermostat, and means adjustable for varying the degree of temperature at which the valve is opened and closed.

11. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a flash boiler formed by a tortuous and continuously downwardly inclined pipe mounted within a chamber forming part of the exhaust conduit of the engine, aclosed water tank, means for forcing air into said tank to maintain a desired pressure pressure therein, a pipe leading from said tank to the intake manifold of the engine and including an up-floW portion and a downfiow portion beyond the up-flow portion, the down-flow portion being located to be heated to a temperature materially above the boiling point of Water by exhaust gas from the engine, a valve in said pipe beyond said down-flow portion for controlling the rate of flow of the steam to the engine, a valve in said pipe between said tank and said downfiovv portion of the pipe, and means for opening and closing said valve including a thermostatic element mounted to receive heat from the exhaust gas.

18. In combination With an internal conibustion engine, a flash boiler heated by Waste heat from the engine, a source of supply of Water under pressure, a Water supply conneetion from said source of supply to the boiler having an up-fioW portion, a steam supply connection for supplying steam from the boiler to the engine cylinder, a valve in said Water supply connection, and automatic means for opening said valve gradually after the engine has been started and the boiler has been heated.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

PHILIP MASON CABELL.