US2190957A

US2190957A - Method and apparatus for generating power

Info

Publication number: US2190957A
Application number: US176506A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward T Turner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1937-11-26
Filing date: 1937-11-26
Publication date: 1940-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 1957-02-20

Description

Feb. 20, 1940. v E. T. TIMER 2,190,957

. METHOD APPARATUS FOR GENERATING POWER Filed Nov. 26, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VE N TUE.

E .D WAELD 7'. TURNER- hi5 A TTUE'NE FeB. 20 i E. T. TURNER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING POWER Filed Nov. 26, 19:57 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 c aoownw oq /NVE/V TUE. EDWA/EU Z TURNER.

li k- I IIIIlillltilllrlllllllfllifllifltiil'lll I175 ATTUFTNEK Feb 1940.

E. T. TURNER minor). AND APPARATUS 1 0a GENERATING POWER Filed Nov. 26, 19:57

3 Sheets-Sh 3 by I W5 A TUFP/VE K Patented Feb. 20, 1940 METHOD AN APPARATUS FOR GENERAT- HING POWER 1 Edward T. Turner, Dayton, Ohio Application November 26, 1937, Serial 176,506

35 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for generating power and is designed more particularly for converting heatenergy into mechanical energy. The invention is a further development of, and in some respects an improvement on, the method and apparatus described and illustrated in my Patent No. 2,151,949, issued March 28, 1939. I

One object of the invention is to provide. a

simple method of converting heat energy into mechanical energywhich will have a high degree of efiiciency.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a method in which steam is expanded in a propellant to convert pressure energy into velocity energy and is then separated from the propellant in a manner and at a time which will result in the minimum loss in eiiicienoy.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a method by which the pressure energy of the propellant will be greatly increased after the propellant has acted on a powerelement.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method of generating steam and utilizing the same to convert pressure energy into velocity energy. l H

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and efi'icient apparatus for performing the aforesaid method. l

A further object of the invention is to. provide an improved compression nozzle for converting fluid velocity energy into pressureenergy.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device for mixing steam and ameans for utilizing a highly heated propellant to generate steam in a closed circuit and for mixin the steam with said propellant.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the same is described in detail. i In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation, partly in section, of an apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is .a longitudinal section of the steam generator and expansion nozzle; 4 is a longitudinal section of theap- I paratus for separating propellant from the steam and for increasing the pressure oi the propellant;

Fig. 5 is. a section taken on the lines 5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the supplemental separator and the condenser; Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a complete installation embodying my invention; partly in section; and Fig. 8 is a g sectional view of a modified form of that part of the apparatus which separates the steam from the propellant and imparts increased pressure to the latter.

In carrying out my invention a highly. heated 1O propellant under pressure is circulated through a closed circuit and relatively small quantities of water are introduced into the propellant in one part of said circuit and converted into steam by the heat of the propellant. timately mixed with the propellant and is expanded within and about the same to convert the pressure energies of the steam and propellant into propellant velocity energy. The propellant at high velocity is caused to act on a power ele- 20 ment to generate power and after the propellant and steam have acted on the power element the steam [is again caused to expand within and about the propellant to convert the pressure energies of the steam and propellant into velocity 25 energy. If desired, the steam and propellant may be separated after they pass the power element and are at relatively low pressures and then] again intimately mixed one with the other before expanding the same and converting pressure 30 is then compressed to convert its velocity energy 40 into pressure energy and is returned under relatively high pressure to the first mentioned part of the circuit, where water is again mixed with the same. The propellant is maintained at its high temperature by applying heat thereto, pref- 4,5 erably while it is being returned from the separator to the first mentioned part of the circuit.

. The steam which is separatedfrom the propellant is condensed and returned to the propellant circult but the condensate is preferably first pre- 50 heated to expedite its conversion into steam by the propellant.

The method maybe performed by any suitable apparatus and the propellant may be of any suitable character, such as an oil. The term .5

This steam is in- 15 water as herein used is intended to include any suitable liquid which may be vaporized by the application of heat thereto, and the term steam as herein used is intended to include any Vapor which may be generated by heating such liquid. In that particular embodiment of the apparatus here illustrated the propellant is heated in a heater M, which will be hereinafter specifically described, and-is delivered from said heater, at a high'temperature, to a combined steam generat ing and expanding device. As here shown, that device is in the form of a tubular element comprising three sections, and is mounted in a vertical position but obviously itmay be arranged in any suitable position. The uppermost: section ii is provided with a relatively large chamber I? which is connected with a propellant supply pipe 53 leading from the heater. Arranged in the chamber l2 beneath the pipe I3 is a nozzle it having its smaller end directed downwardly and of a diameter substantially less than the diameter of the chamber l2. The second section iii of this element is provided with a longitudinal passageway it substantially smaller in diameter than the chamber l2 and arrangedin line with the lower end of the nozzle 14, the upper end of the passageway being preferably slightly flared. A water pipe ll extends through the upper section H and nozzle M into the passageway I6 of the second section and is provided near the upper end of said passageway with a series of relatively small apertures 28. The pip-e is closed at a point below the apertures but, in the present instance it extends to a point near the bottom of the section 95 and forms a support for a conical element IS, the shank Bil of which is inserted in the pipe and extends to a point just below the apertures H8. The water pipe i7 is connected with a suitable source of water supply, as will be hereinafter described, and water is supplied thereto under sufficient pressure to cause the same to be discharged from the apertures 18 and 'into the body of highly heated propellant, which is directed downwardly in close contact with the pipe by the nozzle M, and the water thus discharged into the propellant is very quickly converted into steamwhich is intimately mixed with the propellant. This mixture of steam and propellant is discharged from the lower end of section l into the third or lowermost section 2| of the tubu lar element which constitutes an expansion nozzle and is so shaped that the steam will be caused 1 element may take various forms. As shown in Fig. 1 it comprises a relatively small upper portion 24 and the Pelton wheel 22 is mounted on a shaft 25 journaled in the side walls of this part of the casing, the shaft projectingbeyond one side of the casing where it may be connected with a device to be operated. The lower portion 26 of the casing is of a size considerably larger than the upper portion thereof and constitutes a receptaclewhich receives the steam and propellant after they have passed the power element and confines the same at a relatively low pressure. In the arrangement here shown a burner 21 is associated with the receptacle 26 for the purpose of providing preliminary heat when the apparatus is first placed in operation and for maintaining the propellant at the desired temperature during intervals between operations.

After the steam and propellant have passed the power element they are delivered to a low pressure expansion nozzle 28in which the steam is again expanded within and about the propellant to convert the pressure energies of the steam and propellant into propellant velocity energy. When the casing is of the type shown in Fig. l the propellant will separate from the steam, the latter rising to the top of the receptacle due to its lower specific gravity, and it is therefore desirable to provide meansfor again mixing the steam with the propellant before delivering the same to this low pressure expansion nozzle. For this purpose I have provided a mixer which, in the form illustrated, comprises a cylindrical shell 29 supported at its lower end in a hollow structure 38 whichis connected by a pipe 3i with the lower which is provided with restricted orifice shown at- 35. The inner member 32 has a rearwardly tapered passageway 35 which opens into the hollow member 30 and the upper portion of this inner member is provided with a plurality of relatively small apertures 3'1, through which the steam passes from the annular chamber 33 to the passageway 36. Arranged in the smaller rear portion of the passageway 36 is a spreader 38, the rear'end of'which is tapered, as shown at and serves to spread the incoming propellant and cause the same toflow through the passageway 36 in close contact with the wall thereof, so that the steam entering the passageway through the apertures 21 will be intimately mixed with the propellant; 'This spreader is in the present instance supported by a'rod '46 which is mounted in the hollow member 30, and the forward end of the spreader is tapered, as shown at 4!, to prevent the formation of eddies or swirls within the passageway; The intimately mixed propellant andfsteam are discharged from this mixer into the lower end of the low pressure expansion nozzle 28 and the pressure energies thereof are converted into propellant velocity energy.

The steam and propellant, which are discharged from the low pressure expansion nozzle at high velocity, are delivered to a separator where the steam is separated from the propellant.

This separator is preferably of such a character that the high velocity of the propellant will cause the same to be separated from the steam by centrifugal force. For this purpose the separator comprises a curved tubular element 42, the lower end of which is connected with the discharge end of the expansion nozzle 28, and it is provided in that side thereof having the shorter radius with an opening 43. This opening is enclosed by an exhaust chamber 44 which is here shown as a short sleeve extending entirely about the tubular element 42, and provided with an outlet amass while thesteam will separate from the propellant and escape through the opening to the exhaust chamber.

1 The propellant which has been separated from through the nozzle has its intermediate portion 'll of reduced diameter and the passagewayflares both forwardly and rearwardly from this intermediate constriction. The circumferential wall of the forwardly flared portion of the passageway, as shown at M, is curved about a relatively short radius. A cone-shapedelement 49. is inserted in this flared forward end of the passageway with its apex adjacent to the constricted intermediate portion of that passageway; The surface of this cone-shaped-element is curved to conform to the. curvature of the wall. of thepassageway and is spaced from that wall a substantially uniform distance throughout its circumference, thus forming betweenthe wall of the passageway and thecone-shaped element an annular channel fill which rapidly increases in diameter from the apex of the cone to the discharge end of the channel. In this particular arrangement the cone-shaped element 49 has a transverse flange forming a continuation of the annular channel.

Thus the crosssectional area of the channel 50 at its discharge end is very much greater than the cross; sectional area thereof adjacent the apex of: the cone d9, thus effecting a reduction in the velocity of the fluid and an increase .in the pressure thereof. The cone-shaped element may be supported in any suitable, manner and, as hereshown, it is carried by a plug 52. mounted in the, end wall of a hollow member 53 into which the annular channel 56 of the compression nozzle discharges and which thus constitutes a pressure chamber. This chamber is provided with an outlet 54 which is connected by a pipe 55 with the heater l0. i

The heater may be of any suitable character and is here shown as of an upright construction and as comprising a propellant receptable 56 through which extend flues Bl for products of combustion arising from the combustion chamber lit. Arranged about the upper portion of the propellant receptacle 56 is an exterior circumferential channel 59 which communicates with the interior of the receptacle through a series of apertures, one of which is shown at 60, and

. thepipe 55, which returns the propellant under one of which is shown at BZ. The channel 6! is provided with an :outlet which is connected by the pipe lli with the section I I of thesteam generating and expanding device. The circumferential channel 6| extends below the bottom of the propellant receptacle 56 and surroundsa substantialpart of the combustion chamber 58 and the flow of thepropellant through this chan- 'riel'6l1 serves. as a cooling medium to prevent the overheating of the Wall of the combustion chamber.

. fThe heateris provided with a suitable burner which, as here shown, is located below the com- ;bustion'chamber, the bottom of the latter having acentral opening 63 through which the fuel mixture may enter the combustion chamber and "be burned therein. In. the particular construction illustrated thisburner comprises a tubular element 64: supported beneath the combustion chamber and in line with the opening 63 in any suitablemanner, as by suspension rods Which are carriedby a ring 66 secured tothe bottom ofI-the combustion chamber. This tubular element constitutes a mixing chamber and arranged beneath and spaced from the lower end thereof is a. hollow fuel inlet element 61 which is connected by a pipe 68 with a suitable source of fuel supply and is provided in its top wall with a series of apertures 69 arranged to discharge the fuel into the tubular element 64. The spacing of this inlet element from the tubular element permits a certain amount of air to enter the tubular element along with the gas or other fuel and to mix therewith. A substantially conical spreader ID is arranged in the upper end of the tubular element to spread'the fuel into a diverging annular jet which is projected through the opening 63 into the combustion chamber. The upper end of the tubular member or mixing chamber 64 being spaced from the ring 66 enables additional airto enter the combustion chamber along with the fuel mixture which is discharged from the tubular element 64 and thus provides air in the proper quantity for efficient combustion. The spreader H1 may be supported in any suitable manner and, as here shown, it

is provided with 'arod H which is mounted on ;the fuel inlet element 61.

The steam that is separated from the propellant by the separator 42 is condensed and repower element; as shown in Fig. 7. The steam is removed from the separator 13 by a pipe 76 which communicates therewith, preferably above the lower end of the pipe l2, and is conducted to a condenser 11.. The condensate is taken from thecondenserby a pipe l8 and is returned to the.

water pipebymeans of a pump 19. It is preferable, however, that this condensate should be preheated before it is returned to the water pipe 11 so as to expedite the vaporization thereof. For this purpose a heating element 80 is interposed between the condenser. and the water pipe. .As here shown, this; heater is supported above the propellant heater and is provided with lines through which the products; of combustion pass a from the flues 5"! of the propellantheater to,the

Stack mp: 1 is c nected with. this 'heater'by a pipe 82 andtheheateris connected I with the'water pipe by a. pipe 83.

If desired the steam, after having'been isothermallyexpanded and separated from the propellant and prior to its condensation, may be further utilized to perform useful work, such as operatsteam may be so used and, asthere shown, the

construction and operation are the same as above described down to the point where the steam is delivered from the supplemental separator 13 to the condenser H. In Fig. 7 there are interposed between the supplemental separator and the condensercertain devices to be operated by the adiabatic expansion of the low pressure steam from the separator, these devices being typical of various devices which may be so operated. In the arrangement illustrated the pipe 16, which connects the supplemental separator 13 with the condenser is provided with a valve 84 and a pipe 85 leads from the pipe 16 in advance of the valve 84 110 a fluid operated device 86 which is here shown in connection with they evaporator 81 of a refrigerating apparatus and comprises a nozzle 88 through which the steam is discharged to a compression device 89, preferably of the type shown at 41- 58, said nozzle causing the steam to draw vapor from the Water in the evaporator 81 through the pipe 90. The steam entering the nozzle tilt is expanded adiabatically to a pressure below the pressure in the evaporator and the steam and withdrawn vapor are then compressed in the compressor 89 to condenser pressure. The pipe 9i leads from the compressor 89 to the pipe 16 between the valve 84- and the condenser, thus carrying the steam back to the condenser.

H The installation here shown also comprises a second fluid operated devicewhich may be oper ated alternately with the device 86, and which is shown conventionally as a turbine 92 which is connected by a pipe 93 with thepipe 85 and by a pipe 8 with a pipe 9i. Thepipe 9| is provided with a valve 95 in advance of its connection with the pipe 94 and the pipe93 is provided with a valve 96. The steam is expanded adiabatically in the turbine to a pressure approximating condenser pressure.

Consequently by a proper adjustment of the valves the steam may be taken directly from the supplemental separator to the condenser or it maybe taken to the condenser through either one .of the two fluid operated devices. It will be obvious that when the steam is to be utilized to operate an auxiliary device, as above described, the apparatus must be designed to maintain in the'supplemental separator 13 a pressure somewhat higher than condenser pressure. When the device 36 is used a portion of the condensate from the condenser ll may conveniently be used toreplenish the water in the evaporator. For that purpose the pipe l8 which leads from the condenser is connected with a receptacle 91 which in turn is connected by a pipe 98 with the pump 19, the inner end of the pipe 98 extending .Patent, is:

, In some installations it may not-be desirable to separatethe low. pressure steam and propellant prior to expanding the steam in the low pressure expansion nozzle. Under suchcircumstances the receptacle 26 may be omitted and the casing for the power element may take the form shown at l0! in Fig. 8, in which it converges downwardly andis'connected directly with the intake end of theflow pressure expansion nozzle I02 which is modification thereof, I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details 1 thereof as various modifications may occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having now fully described my invention, what I-claim as new and desire to secure by Letters 1. A method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy which comprises heating a liquid propellant to a high temperature, subjecting the heated'propellant to pressure in a conduit, introducingwater into said propellant in such quantity that the water will be converted into steam '-by the heat of the propellant, expanding said steam within and about said propellant and converting the steam and propellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy, utilizing said propellant velocity energy to actuate a power element; and then separating the steam from the propellant and utilizing the separated steam for restoring said propellant to its initial pressure.

2. A method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy which comprises heating a liquid troducing water into said propellant in such er element, again expanding the steam within and about the propellant to convert pressure energy into velocity energy, then separating the steam from the propellant, and converting the velocity energy of said propellant into pressure energy.

3. A method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy which comprises heating a liquid propellant to a high temperature, subjecting the heated propellant to pressure in a conduit, introducing water into said propellantin such quantity that the water will be converted into steam by the heat of the propellant, expanding said steam within and about said propeilant and converting. the steam and propellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy, utilizing said propellant velocity energy to actuate a power element, again expanding said steam Within and about said propellant to convert pressure energy into velocity energy, then separating the steam from the propellant, converting the propellant velocity energy into propellant pressure energy, and again heating said propellant.

4. A method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy which comprises heating a liquid propellant to a high temperature, subjecting the heated propellant to pressure in a conduit,

introducing water into said propellantin such quantity that the water will be converted into steam by the heat of the propellant, expanding said steam Within and about said propellant and converting the steam and propellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy, utilizing said propellant velocity energy to actuate a power element, again expanding said steam witbin and about said propellant to convert pres- "sure energy into velocity energy, utilizing a pormechanical energy which comprises subjecting into propellant velocity energy, utilizing said pro mechanical energy which compsises sub ecting a heated liquid propellant to pressure in an endtion of said propellant velocity energy to separate the propellant from the steam by centrifugal force, and converting the remaining velocity energy of said propellant into pressure energy.

5. A method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy which comprises heating a liquid propellant to a high temperature, subjecting the heated propellant to pressure in a conduit, introducing water into, said propellant in such quantity thatthe water will be converted into steam by theheat of the propellant, expanding said steam within and about said propellant and converting the steam and propel lant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy, utilizing said propellant velocity energy to actuate a power element, separating steam from the propellantat relatively low pressure, again mixing the steam with the propellant, expanding the steam within and about the propellant and'converting pressure energy into propellant velocity energy, separating the propellant from the steam, and converting the velocity energy of the propellant into pressure energy.

6. A methodof converting heat energy into a heated liquid propellant to pressure inan endless circuit, expanding steam withinand about said propellant in a part of said circuit and converting steam and propellant pressure energies pellant velocity energy in the production of me; chanical energy, again expanding said steam within and about said propellant in another part i of said, circuit and converting the steam and propellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy, separating the propellant from the steam and converting propellantvelocity energy into propellant pressure energy.

'7. A method of converting heat energy into less circuit, expanding steam Within and about said propellant in a part of said circuit and converting steam and propellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy, utilizing said pro.-

pellant velocity energy in the production of me chanical energyand separating the steam from the propellant at a relatively low pressure, again mixing said steam with said propellant in another part of said circuit, expanding said steam within and about said propellant and converting steam and propeliantpressure energies into propellant velocity energy, separating the propellant from the steam and converting propellant velocity energy into propellant pressure energy.

8. The method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy which comprises subjecting a highly heated liquid propellant to pressure in an endless circuit, mixing water with said propellant in one part of said circuit and convertingthe water into steam, expanding said steam Within and about said propellantand converting steam and propellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy, utilizing said propellant velocity energy in the production of mechanical energy, then separating the steam from the propellant, converting propellant velocity energy into propellant pressure energy, condensing the separated steam and returning the condensate to said circuit.

9. The method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy which comprises subjecting a highly heated liquid propellant to pressure in an endless circuit, mixing Water with said proing the water into steam, expanding said steam within and about said propellant and converting steam and propellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy, utilizing said propellant velocity energy in the production of mechanical energy, then separating the steam from the pm pellant, converting propellant velocity energy into propellant pressure energy, condensing the separated steam', heating the condensate and returning the same to said circuit.

10 pellantin one part of said circuit and convert,-

10. The method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy which comprises subjecting a highly heated liquid propellant to pressure in an endless circuit, mixing water with said propellant in one part of said circuit and converting the Water into steam, expanding said steam within and about said propellant and converting steam and propellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy, utilizing said propellant velocity energy in the production of mechanical energy, expanding said steam within and about said propellant in another part of said circuit and converting steam and propellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy, separating the steam from the propellant, converting propellant velocity energy into propellant pressure energy,

condensing the separated steam and returning the same to said circuit. p I i 11. The method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy which comprises subjecting a highly heated liquid propellant to pressure in an endless circuit, mixing water with said propellant in one part of said circuit and converting the water into steam, expanding said steam within and about said propellant and converting steam and propellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy, utilizing said propellant velocity energy in the production of mechanical energy, expanding said steam'withinand about said propellant in" another part of said circuit and converting steam and propellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy, separating the steam fromthe propellant, convertingpropellant velocity energy into propellant pressure energy, utilizing the separated steam to actuate a fluid operated device, then condensing said steam and returning the same to said circuit.

12. In a power apparatus, a conduit including a casing, a power element in said casing, means for delivering a heated liquid propellant under pressure to one partof said conduit, means for introducing Water into said heated propellant 6 7 into propellant velocity energy,"said lastfmentioned part of said conduit also having means 1 for separating said propellant from said steamand for converting propellant velocity energy into propellant pressure energy, and means for returning the propellant under pressuretothe first mentioned part of said conduit, and means associated with said conduit to maintain said propellant at a high temperature. j

13. In a power apparatus, a casing, a power element in said casing, means for mixing steam under pressure with a highly heated liquid propellant under pressureand expandingsaid steam within and about said propellant to convert the "pressure energies of said steam and said propellant into velocity energy and for delivering the mixture of steam and propellant to said power element at high'velocity, .means beyond said casing for separating said p'ropellant'irom said steam, and means for converting velocity energy of the separated propellant into pressure energy and returning the propellant under pressure to the first mentioned means.-

14. Ina power apparatus, a power element,

means for introducing water, into a highly heated liquid propellant under-pressure and converting said water into steam, means for expanding said steam within and about said propellant and converting the pressure energiesfof said. steam and said propellant into propellant velocity" energy and for delivering saidpropellant to saidpower element at high velocity, a separator arranged beyond said power element to separate steamv ,from propellant, means interposed between said power element and said separator to again ex pandsaid steam within and about said pro-' pellant and convert the pressure energies thereof into propellant velocity energy and w deliver said propellant and said steam to said separator, and means beyond said separator to receive said propellant, convert the velocity energy thereof into pressure energy and toreturn said propellant to the first mentioned means.

15. In a powerlapparatusga power element,

means for introducing water into a highly, heated 5 liquid propellant under pressure and converting said water into steam, means for expanding said steam within and about saidpropellant and converting the pressure energiesof said steam and said propellant into propellant velocity energy and for delivering said propellant to said powerelement at high velocity, a separator arranged beyond said power element to separate steam from propellant, means interposed between said power element' and said separatorto againexpand said steam withinand about said propellant and convert the pressure energies thereof into propellant velocity energy and to deliver said propellant and saidsteam to said I separator, means beyond said -separatorto receive said propellant, convertthe velocity energy 7 thereof into pressure energy and :to return said propellant to the first mentioned means, a con denser to receive steam from said separator, and

"meansto return the condensate to the first mentioned means.

'16. In a power apparatus,-a power element, means for introducing water into aihighlyheated liquid propellant under pressure and converting said water into steam, means for expanding said steam within and about said propellant and converting the pressure energies of said steam and said propellant into propellant velocity energy and for delivering said propellant to said power element at high velocity, a separator arranged beyond said power element to separate steam from propellant, means interposed between said power element and said'lseparator to again expand said steam within and about said propellant and convert the pressure energies thereof into propellant velocity energy and to deliver said propellant and said steam to said separator, means beyond said separator to receive said propellant, and convert the velocity energy'thereof into pressureenergy, and a' heater connected with the'last mentioned means toreceive said 1 propellant therefrom and connected .with the first mentioned meansatodeliver heated propellant thereto. a

17. In apower apparatus, a casing, a power element mounted in said casing, said casing having a part below said power element forming a fluid receptacle, means for introducing water into a highly heated liquid propellant under pressure and converting said water into steam, means for expanding said steam within and about said propellant and converting the pressure energies of said steam and said propellant into propellant velocity energy and for .deliveringsaid propellant to said power element athigh velocity, a mixer, to receive said steam and said propellant from, said receptacle, means connected with said mixerto expand said steam within and about said propellant and convert the pressure energies thereof Iinto propellant velocity energy-means to separate said propellant from said steam, to con-' vert propellant velocity energy into propellant pressure energy and to return said propellant I under pressure to the first mentioned means.

'18. I n a power apparatus, a casing,,a power element mounted in said casing, said casing having a part below said power element forming a fluid receptacle, means for introducing water into a highly heated liquid propellant under pressure and converting said water into steam, means for expanding said steam within and about said propellant and converting the pres-. sure energies of said steam and said propellant intopropellant velocity energy and for delivering said propellant to said powerelement at high velocity, a mixer comprising inner and outer tubular members spaced apart to form an annular chamber between them, said inner member having a rearwardly tapered passageway and havinga series of apertures in its forward portion, means fordelivering propellant from said receptacle to the rear end of said inner member, means for delivering steam from said receptacle to said chamber, means connected with the forward end of said passageway to expand said steam within and about, said propellant and convert pressure energies thereof into propellant velocity energy, means to separate said propellant -from .the steam, to convert propellant velocity energy into propellant pressure energy andto return said propellantunder pressure to the first mentioned means. H

19.'In a power apparatus, a casing, a power,

element mounted in' said casing, said casing having a part below saidpower'element forming a I fluid receptacle, means for introducing water into a highly heated liquid propellant under pressure and converting said water into steam, means for expanding said steam within and about said propellant and converting the pressure energies of said steamiandsaid propellant into propellant velocity energy and for delivering said propellantv to said power element at high velocity,

a mixer comprising inner and outer tubular members spaced apart to form an annular chamin the rear portionof said passageway to cause said propellant to flow along the apertured wall of said inner member, mean for delivering steam from said receptacle to said chamber, means connected with the forward end of said passageway to expand said steam within and about said propellant and convert pressure energies thereof into propellant velocity energy, means to separate said propellant from the steam, to convert propellant velocity energy into propellant pres: sure energy and to return said propellant under pressureto the first mentioned means.

20. In a power apparatus, a casing, a power element mounted in said casing, said casing having a part below said power element forming a fluid receptacle, means for introducing water into a highly heated liquid propellant under pressure and converting said water into steam, means for expanding said steam withinand about said propellant and converting thepressure energies of said steam and said propellant into propellant velocity energy and for delivering said propellant to said power element at high velocity, a mixer to receive said steam and said propellant from said receptacle, means connected with said mixer to expand said steam withinland about said propellant and convert the pressure energies thereof into propellant velocity energy, a centri fugal separator to separate said propellant from said steam, and means to convert the velocity energy of the separated propellant into pressure energy and to return saidpropellant to the first mentioned means.

21.,In a power apparatus, a power element,

means for mixing steam under pressure with 'a highly heated liquid propellant under pressure and expanding said steam within and about said propellant to convert the pressure energies of said steam and said propellant into propellant,

velocity energy and for delivering the mixture of steam and propellant to said power element at high velocity, means for again imparting velocity energy to said mixture of steam and propellant after it has acted on said power element, a centrifugal separator to separate said propellant from said steam, and means to convert propellant velocity energy into pressure energy and return said propellant to the first mentioned means.

22. In a power apparatus, a power element,

" means for introducing water into a highly heated and about said propellant and convert steam and propellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy, a separator comprising awcurved tubular element connected with said expanding means and having an opening in that side thereof which has the shorter radius, and a casing enclosing said opening and providedwith an outlet, and means toconvert propellant velocity energy into pressure energy and return said propellant to the first mentioned means.

23. In a power apparatus, a power element, means for introducing water into a highly heated liquid propellant under pressure and converting said water into steam, means for expanding said steam within and about said propellant and converting the pressure energies or said steam and said propellant into propellant velocityenergy and for delivering said propellant to said power element at high velocity, means beyond said.- power element to again expand said steamwithin and about said propellant and convert steam and propellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy, a separator to separate, the propellant from the steam, an expanding device connected with said separator and having in its forward portion an annular passageway of,

gradually increasing diameter and means for connecting said annular passageway with the first mentioned means.

24. In a power apparatus, a power element, means for introducing water into a highly heated liquid propellant under pressure and converting said water into steam, means for expanding said steam within and about said propellant and con verting the pressure energies of said steam and said propellant into propellant velocity energy and for delivering said propellant to said power element at high velocity, a heater comprising a propellent receptacle, a combustion chamber beneath said receptacle, an exterior channel extending about and communicating with said receptacle and overlapping said combustion chamber, an outlet conduit leading from said, channel to the first mentioned means, and means beyond said power element for separating the propellant from the steam and for delivering the separated propellant under pressure to; the propellant receptacle of said heater.

25. In a power apparatus, a power element,

means for introducingwater into a highly heated liquid propellant underpressure and converting said water into steam, means for expanding said steam within and about said propellant and converting the pressure energies of said steam. and

said propellant into propellant velocity energy,

said power element for separating the propellant from the steam and for delivering the propellant, to said receptacle, and a burner beneath said receptacle including an upright tubular element, a fuel inlet element beneath and spaced from said tubular element and provided with aper tures arranged to discharge fuel into said tubular element, and a spreader at the upper end of said tubular element. l f

26. A method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy which comprises circulating a heated liquid propellant, through a conduit, isothermally expanding steam within and. about said propellant and converting steam and pro pellant pressure energiesinto propellant velocity energy, utilizing said propellantvelocity energy to perform work, separating the steam from'the propellant, and adiabatically expanding the separated steam and utilizing form work.

2'7. In a power apparatus, a power element, means for mixing steam under pressure with a highly heated propellant under pressure and ex panding the same in and about said propellant to convert pressure energies of saidsteam and said propellant into velocity energy and fordelivering the same to perseparating said propellant lfroini v compression nozzle arranged toreceiv'e the separat'ed propellant and having a longitudinal passageway, the intermediate'portion of which is ofreduced diameter and the forward portion of which isannular in form and gradually increases in diameter from the intermediate portion to the discharge end thereof to convert velocity energy of said propellant intopressure energy, and a conduit-connecting'the discharge end of said compression nozzle with said first mentioned means.

28. Ina powerapparatus, a power element means for mixing steam under pressure with a highly heated liquid propellant under pressure and expanding said steam in and about said propellant to convert pressure energies of said steam'and. said propellant into velocity energy and for delivering said propellant to said power element at high velocity, meansjbeyond said power element for separating said propellant from said steam, and a compression nozzlehaving a longitudinal passageway the intermediate portion of which is of reduced diameter, one "end of said passageway being arranged to receive the separated propellant and the other end portion of said passageway being flared, a substantial cone-shaped element inserted in said flared portionof said passageway and spaced a substantially uniform distance from all parts of the.

wall thereof to convert velocityvenergy of said propellant into pressure energy, and a conduit connecting the discharge end of said compression nozzle withsaid first mentioned means. 29. In a power apparatus, a' casing, a power. element mounted in said casing, said casing having a part below said power element forming a liquid receptacle, means for mixing steam under pressure with a highly heated liquid propellant under pressureand expanding said steam within and about said propellant to convert pressure energies of said steam and propellant to propellant velocity energy and for delivering said propellant to said power element at a high velocity, a mixer to receive said steam and pro.-

pellant, from said receptacle, means connected with saidmixer to expand said steam within and about said propellantand convert the pressure energies thereof into propellant velocity energy; 'means to separate said propellant fromsaid steam, and means to convert propellant velocity energy into propellant pressure energy and to return said propellant under pressure to the first mentioned means.

30. In a power apparatus, 'a conduitincluding acasing, a power element in said casing, means for mixing steam under pressure .with a heated liquid propellant under pressure in one part of said conduit and expanding said steam within and about said propellant to convert propellant and steam pressure energies into propellant velocity energy and to deliver said propellant at high velocity tosaid power element, another part of said conduit being arranged to receive said steam and propellant from said casing and having means to again expand said steam within and about said propellant to convert steam and pro pellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy, said last mentioned part of said cone duit also, having means for separating said propellant from said steam and for converting propellant velocity energy into propellant pressure energy, means for returning the propellant under pressure to the first mentioned part of said conduit, and means associated with said conduit to maintain said 'p'rtteniiit atfa high temperature,

31. In apower apparatus, apower element,

means for mixing steam under pressure wltha' highly heated liquid propellant under pressure and expanding said steam within and about said propellant to convertsteam and propellant pres; sure energies into propellant velocity energy and for delivering said propellant to said power ele-l ment at high velocity, a separator arranged be f yond said power element to separate steam irorn thepropellant, means interposed between said power element andsaid separator to again expand said steam within and about said propellant and convert the pressure energies thereof into propellant velocity energy'ancl to deliver said propellant and said steam to said separator,

and means beyond saidseparator to receive said propellant, convert the velocity thereof into pres sure, energy andto return'said propellant to the first mentioned means. J

32. In a power apparatus, a casing, a power element mountedin said casing, said casing having a part below said power element-forming a liquid receptacle, means for mixing steam under pressure with a highly heated liquid propellant under pressureand expandingsaid steam within and about said propellant to convert steam and propellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy and to deliver said propellant to,

said power elementlat high'velocity, a mixer comprising inner and outer tubular members spaced apart to form an annular chamber between them, said inner member having a' rearwardl y tapered passagewayand' havingja series of apertures in its forward portion, means for delivering propellant from said receptacleto the rear end of said inner member, means for delivering steam from said casing to saidchamber, means connected with the forward end of said. passageway to expand said steam within andabout said pro pellant and. convert. pressure, energies thereof into propellant velocity energy, means to separate said propellant from the steam, convert propellant velocity energyinto propellant pressure energy and return said propellant under pressure to the first mentioned means.

33. In a power apparatus, a

power element,

means forflmixing steam under pressure with a highly heated liquid propellant under pressure and expanding said steam within and about said propellant'to convert steam and propellant pres- I sure energies into propellant velocity; energy and to deliver said propellant to said power element at high. velocity, means beyond said power ele- I ment to again expand said steam within and about said propellant and convert the steam and propellant energies into propellant velocity energy, a separator comprising a curved tubular element connected with said expanding means and having'an opening in that side thereof which has the shorter radius, and a casing enclosing said opening and, provided with an outlet, and

means to convert propellant velocity energy into pressure energy and return said propellant to the first mentioned means. 7

34. The method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy which comprises steam under pressure with a highly heated liquid propellant, expanding said steam Within and about said propellant to convert steam and pro-- pellant pressure energies into propellant velocity energy, utilizing said propellant velocity energy to actuate a power element, again expanding the steam within and about propellant to convert pressure energy into-velocity energy; then sepamixing rating the steam from the propellant and converting the velocity energy of said propellant into pressure energy.

35. The method of converting heat energy into mechanical energy which comprises mixing steam under pressure with a highly heated liquid propellant under pressure, expanding the steam in and about said propellant to convert steam and propellant energies into propellant velocity 10 energy, utilizing said propellant velocity energy to actuate a power element, separating steam from the propellant at relatively low pressure, again mixing the steam with the propellant, expanding the same within and about the propellant and converting pressure energy into propellant velocity energy, separating the propellant from the steam and converting the velocity energy of the propellant into pressure energy.