WO2010009035A1 - Système pour produire une énergie mécanique à partir d’une énergie électrique - Google Patents

Système pour produire une énergie mécanique à partir d’une énergie électrique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010009035A1
WO2010009035A1 PCT/US2009/050374 US2009050374W WO2010009035A1 WO 2010009035 A1 WO2010009035 A1 WO 2010009035A1 US 2009050374 W US2009050374 W US 2009050374W WO 2010009035 A1 WO2010009035 A1 WO 2010009035A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
steam
engine
vapor
liquid
power
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PCT/US2009/050374
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English (en)
Inventor
Eric Francis
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Zero Fuel Technologies, Llc
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Application filed by Zero Fuel Technologies, Llc filed Critical Zero Fuel Technologies, Llc
Priority to CN2009801329333A priority Critical patent/CN102131665A/zh
Publication of WO2010009035A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010009035A1/fr

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F22—STEAM GENERATION
    • F22B—METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS
    • F22B1/00—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method
    • F22B1/28—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method in boilers heated electrically
    • F22B1/30—Electrode boilers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01K—STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES
    • F01K15/00—Adaptations of plants for special use
    • F01K15/02—Adaptations of plants for special use for driving vehicles, e.g. locomotives

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of engine power, specifically to a dielectric steam hybrid engine system.
  • Blau US Patent 6,397,962 describes a steam engine where the steam is produced by high-frequency radio wave energy and a battery electric drive system for a motor vehicle.
  • the motor vehicle drive system comprises, in part, a steam engine, non-combustion high-frequency radio wave generation means, principally radio microwaves from a magnetometer, for heating water to create steam to supply said steam engine; an electric supply means for providing power to said non-combustion high- frequency radio wave heating means; and an additional electric engine drive means providing initial propulsion for said motor vehicle prior to propulsion by said steam engine.
  • the method proposed by Blau has significant time lags between its start-up and the point where it can provide sufficient "working steam" to the steam engine and so it requires the use of the supplemental electric motor to fill those gaps.
  • Fasanello US patent application publications 2003/0230446 Al and 2004/0065499A1, describes an electric-steam propulsion system. Fasanello employed what he referred to as a 'flash' -type heating element boiler for boiling liquid.
  • the 'flash' -type boilers described by Fasanello comprise a coiled tube system, and have inherent limitations and hazards that are not limitations of the present invention. For example, these 'flash' -type boilers rely entirely upon the use of resistive heating elements, which must utilize heat transfer surfaces at a temperature substantially higher than the desired steam temperature, which is undesirable.
  • the present invention provides systems by which the superior characteristics of the steam engine - updated with modern materials, manufacturing techniques, and the engine innovations of the intervening years - can be harnessed and used in an energy efficient and practical manner to serve to power modern vehicles, such as automobiles and trucks.
  • the present invention provides a unique combination of the advantages to provide a practical and efficient dielectric-steam hybrid engine.
  • the present invention involves a novel and unobvious design, which combines elements of three disparate technologies in order to produce a dielectric-steam hybrid engine with improved properties over earlier automotive steam engine designs.
  • the present invention eliminates pollution from vehicles because it does not require the use of fossil fuels, is highly efficient, and is highly versatile.
  • the present invention provides a solution to the main problems that confounded steam car development in the 1920s and early 1930s: the inherent fuel inefficiencies and the technical maintenance difficulties associated with both the "burner” and “boiler” assemblies in steam vehicles.
  • the present invention provides a dielectric-steam hybrid engine, which is vastly improved over the approach described by Fasanello, providing safer, cleaner and more efficient means for generating steam.
  • the present invention makes possible for the first time the practical use of steam engine assemblies to power useful modern vehicles, such as automobiles, transit buses, heavy commercial trucks, and construction equipment.
  • the engine design of the present invention is intended to replace existing internal combustion engines in a wide variety of different applications, but the primary commercial value is most likely its use for automotive engines.
  • the dielectric-steam hybrid described in the present invention will allow most or all of the normal performance characteristics of a regular car or truck to be maintained, yet eliminate the need for gasoline or other fossil fuels to run the engine.
  • the elimination of fossil fuels can be accomplished by putting a closed-loop water condensing and recirculating automotive steam engine (for example, an engine of the Doble-type, which were briefly but very successfully manufactured in the late 1920s and 1930s) into a vehicle powered by a rechargeable battery or battery array (such as is used to power a "plug-in hybrid” like the latest modified Toyota Prius).
  • a closed-loop water condensing and recirculating automotive steam engine for example, an engine of the Doble-type, which were briefly but very successfully manufactured in the late 1920s and 1930s
  • a rechargeable battery or battery array such as is used to power a "plug-in hybrid” like the latest modified Toyota Prius.
  • Open-loop steam engines could also be used.
  • the present invention inserts an electrical current inverter (converting battery DC-to-AC) and an electric steam generator device between the battery pack and the steam engine.
  • the electric steam generator employs the principle of using AC passed directly through a dipolar conductive liquid (dielectric heating) to rapidly boil water in order to produce working amounts of steam by causing rapid molecular dipole rotation amongst individual molecules of water, or any other dipolar molecular fluid capable of producing working "steam-like" hot vapor, such that steam is instantly available and continuously produced in a manner capable of sustaining the operation of a practical steam engine.
  • dipolar conductive liquid dielectric heating
  • Dielectric heating is caused by dipole rotation.
  • an electrolyte When using water in an electric steam generator, an electrolyte must be added because pure water does not conduct electricity.
  • Molecular dipole rotation occurs in materials containing polar molecules having an electrical polar moment, which align themselves in the presence of an electric field by rotating. As the electric field caused by the AC alternates, the molecules reverse direction and further accelerate the motion of individual molecules. Heat is quickly created by the friction of the molecules rotating against each other.
  • dielectric heating device at present is the device immediately contemplated in the scheme of this invention, which is any dielectric electrode-electrolyte-type "electric steam generator” unit, which produces steam using "dielectric heating” based upon electric current alternating between electrodes immersed in water that has been saturated in electrolytes such as minerals salts or other dipolar working fluids, to heat the working fluid to the boiling point.
  • the dielectric electric steam generator is run from the electrical power provided by the vehicle's rechargeable battery pack.
  • a dielectric heating device such as a dielectric electrode-electrolyte type "electric steam generator” allows the dielectric-steam hybrid system of the present invention to solve major design and efficiency issues that have plagued this otherwise excellent automotive engine concept for the past 90 years.
  • the electric steam generator used in a preferred embodiment of the invention has several inherent characteristics which improve on the boiler safety, efficiency, and suitability for vehicular steam engines.
  • the steam output for any given voltage is proportional to the current flow between the portions of the electrodes that are immersed in the water. So, if the water level is raised so that twice as much electrode is covered by water, the amount of steam being produced at that moment will double as well.
  • the ESG is a complete water-and-steam handling pressure vessel system that not only generates the steam but also contains that steam in a safe standby reserve situation until the steam engine needs it (in other, older designs of automotive engines this function was performed by a separate piece of equipment called a "hot well”).
  • the ESG accomplishes this because its pressure vessel contains two inner chambers - one nested inside the other but open on the bottom - known as the "generating chamber” and the "regulating chamber”.
  • the ESG automatically balances the amount of steam being generated and the amount of water being fed to the electrodes and keeps the situation in equilibrium even as it constantly adjusts to the increases and decreases in demand for steam on the output side.
  • the ESG automatically maintains a constant self-regulating steam pressure, stable temperature, and automatically balanced electrical input to the unit.
  • the ESG cools and restarts faster than other boiler types, reducing maintenance downtime.
  • ESGs are simpler than other boiler types and minimize the number of controls and safety devices required.
  • ESGs are quick to react to sudden load changes as there is no delay, like in flash boilers, in transferring the heat to the water to produce additional steam.
  • ESGs are designed to be inherently self-regulating and have several redundant safety features to insure that sudden changes to water or steam pressure - or even catastrophic breaches of the pressure vessel itself - result in the immediate cut-off of electricity, heating of surfaces, and steam generation.
  • the present invention has a great many potential uses, it is contemplated that the most significant advantage of the present invention lies in the elimination of the need for gasoline, or any other liquid fuel, from vehicle engines.
  • the value of reducing or eliminating the dependence upon fossil fuels for power and transportation is impossible to overstate under existing geopolitical, economic and environmental conditions.
  • the unique combination of elements in the present invention produces a dielectric-steam hybrid engine system without any internal combustion and eliminates the need for fossil fuels to drive automobiles or other vehicular systems that use internal combustion engines. Therefore, it also eliminates the deadly threat of carbon monoxide poisoning associated with all fossil fuel internal combustion engines.
  • the ESG or other steam generator for the invention can be powered by any source of electrical energy, such as a combination of on-board batteries, shore power charging (for example, overnight charging, as utilized in the "Prius Plus” available through www.CalCars.orR), and newly developed power generation technologies (for example: solar cells on the car or truck roof).
  • Vehicles using the inventive system may also be equipped with accumulator devices to recover additional mechanical energy and regeneratively feed it back to the batteries, a scheme which is readily available to those who are skilled in the art of automotive engineering, and presently such devices can be installed in existing gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle designs.
  • This invention allows a relatively lightweight and small engine system to replace the comparatively large and heavy engine, transmission and exhaust systems associated with internal combustion. It also provides tremendous amounts of torque in a small package. Those factors serve to overturn the current design paradigm that has been trending toward smaller and smaller vehicles in order to take advantage of "alternative fuel” sources. Even as the world's cars have been getting smaller and smaller, it is clear that when given the chance the public has consistently shown a strong preference for larger vehicles - large cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks. This public preference has drawn a lot of criticism from parts of the environmental movement in recent decades but studies have shown that larger cars are safer cars and that when vehicles get smaller a disproportionate amount of injuries and deaths occur.
  • the inventive dielectric-steam hybrid engine system makes it possible to once again build large cars, SUVs, and trucks with real desirable road power characteristics without having to worry about damaging the immediate environment.
  • the invention will facilitate a return to full-size vehicles in terms of both driver and passenger space and trunk and cargo capacity.
  • the present invention thus provides technology which is extremely versatile and can be scaled from small engines, such as those which might be used to power a push-type lawn mower or snow blower, to automotive vehicles, right up to trucks, tractor trailers, construction vehicles, lawn tractors, buses, motorcycles and scooters, farm machinery, forklifts, industrial and mining equipment, military vehicles, and even to train locomotives, light rail trolleys, boats and beyond by simply increasing the number and/or size of the steam engine cylinders and/or the number and/or size of the electric steam generator, and/or increasing the capacity of electrical input - for example, by increasing the number or size of batteries, capacitors, fuel cells, or other sources of electrical input.
  • the electrical input can include newly developed technologies such as solar power in some embodiments, especially for those vehicles which have large surface areas that would lend themselves to being covered with solar cells such as large trucks, trains, ships, and some types of manned or unmanned aircraft, such as drones or dirigibles.
  • this invention also allows for the elimination from vehicles of some or all of a host of gasoline- associated systems such as the ignition, timing system, carburetor, cooling system, clutch, transmission, muffler and catalytic converter.
  • gasoline-associated systems such as the ignition, timing system, carburetor, cooling system, clutch, transmission, muffler and catalytic converter.
  • the present invention will be useful for retrofitting many existing vehicles and many other systems of varied uses that presently use internal combustion engines.
  • the inventive dielectric-steam hybrid engine system of the invention is sufficiently small that it can be accommodated within the body and chassis of many existing vehicles.
  • Such retrofitting would be relatively simple to perform, and such a retrofitting process could be performed using tools, methods and knowledge that are readily available to one skilled in the art.
  • one would remove the internal combustion systems, fuel tanks, etc. and install the steam engine with its unique drive mechanisms, a dielectric steam generator to run it, and the electrical system and/or battery packs necessary to run the dielectric steam generator.
  • adaptation of the vehicle's chassis and/ or body may be necessary to accommodate the different retrofitted system. Again, methods, tools and knowledge to perform such adaptations are readily available to one skilled in the art.
  • One other clear advantage of the present invention is that steam engines, such as Doble- style steam engines are quite small, simple, relatively light weight, and extremely durable (Doble engines have been known to last for several hundred thousand miles, often with only normal engine maintenance).
  • the technology and materials useful in the present invention can be accommodated so that the engines of the present invention may be capable of being manufactured in relatively standard facilities or manufacturing plants, such as those manufacturing plants presently operated by car manufacturers, with relatively modest adaptations and modifications.
  • the present invention may provide significant economic and ecological advantages in allowing the re-use and re-cycling of engines, bodies and other components, rather than the current practice of replacing entire vehicles, oftentimes ultimately resulting in the entire vehicle body and/or engine being sent to a scrap yard all at once, when one or the other is still useable.
  • the present invention can be applied to systems where the power input is directly connected to a live electrical source - such as a steam-electric hybrid motor running some piece of equipment on a factory floor. Accordingly, the present invention can be used in non-vehicular applications, such as providing mechanical torque to factory and industrial equipment or related compressed air or hydraulically powered systems.
  • This invention features a system for producing mechanical energy from electrical energy, comprising a source of electrical current, a boiler device for producing hot vapor from an electrically-conductive liquid directly from the electrical current, the boiler device comprising at least two electrodes that are electrically coupled to the source of electrical current and boil the liquid into a vapor by passing the current between the electrodes through the liquid, and an engine that produces mechanical energy from the hot vapor.
  • the engine preferably takes in the hot vapor from the boiler device and discharges vapor at a lower temperature.
  • the engine may be a steam engine.
  • the steam engine may be used to power a vehicle.
  • the vehicle may be an automobile or a truck.
  • the system may further comprise an accumulator system that recovers mechanical energy from the vehicle.
  • the system may be part of a device of the type that can use an internal combustion engine.
  • the system may further comprise a recirculating condenser that takes in the lower temperature vapor that has been discharged by the engine, condenses the vapor into liquid, and stores the liquid so it can be returned to the boiler device.
  • the electrically-conductive liquid may define an electrolytic conductor.
  • the electrolytic conductor may comprise water containing an electrolyte.
  • the electrically-conductive liquid may comprise dipolar molecules.
  • the source of electrical current may comprise an electrical power storage system.
  • the source of electrical current may further comprise a device for creating alternating current (AC) from the stored power.
  • the electrical power storage system may comprise one or more of rechargeable batteries and capacitors.
  • the source of electrical current may provide alternating current (AC).
  • the inventive system may further comprise a system that recovers energy from the vapor or the engine; this system may generate electricity.
  • the inventive system may further comprise a secondary heater for heating the vapor to a higher temperature.
  • the secondary heater may be electrically operated.
  • the system may further comprise a system for adding lubricant to the hot vapor, in which case the system may further comprise a system for removing lubricant from the vapor that is discharged by the engine.
  • the system may further comprise a tank for holding the liquid that is supplied to the boiler device.
  • the system may further comprise a hot well for holding hot vapor before it is supplied to the engine.
  • the system may further comprise a liquid heater comprising a pipe or tube carrying the liquid, the pipe or tube exposed to the hot vapor.
  • a system for powering a vehicle using electrical energy comprising one or more of rechargeable batteries or capacitors for storing power, a device for creating alternating current (AC) from the stored power to accomplish a source of AC, an electrically- conductive liquid comprising water containing an electrolyte, a boiler device for producing hot vapor from the electrically-conductive liquid directly from the AC, the boiler device comprising at least two electrodes that are electrically coupled to the source of AC and boil the liquid into a vapor by passing the current between the electrodes through the liquid, and a steam engine that produces mechanical energy from the hot vapor, wherein the engine takes in the hot vapor from the boiler device and discharges vapor at a lower temperature, wherein the steam engine is used to power a vehicle.
  • AC alternating current
  • a system for powering a vehicle using electrical energy comprising one or more rechargeable batteries or capacitors for storing power, a device for creating alternating current (AC) from the stored power to accomplish a source of AC, an electrically- conductive liquid comprising water containing an electrolyte, a boiler device for producing hot vapor from the electrically-conductive liquid directly from the AC, the boiler device comprising at least two electrodes that are electrically coupled to the source of AC and boil the liquid into a vapor by passing the current between the electrodes through the liquid, a steam engine that produces mechanical energy from the hot vapor, wherein the engine takes in the hot vapor from the boiler device and discharges vapor at a lower temperature, wherein the steam engine is used to power a vehicle, a recirculating condenser that takes in the lower temperature vapor that has been discharged by the engine, condenses the vapor into liquid, and stores the liquid so it can be returned to the boiler device, an accumulator system that recovers mechanical energy from the vehicle, and a system that
  • Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a simplified version of an embodiment of a hybrid electric-steam engine system of the invention
  • FIG 2 is a more detailed schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of a hybrid electric-steam engine system of the invention.
  • Figures 3 A and 3B are simplified schematic cross-sectional views of electric steam generators for certain embodiments of the invention.
  • initial power is provided by electrical means, such as shore power and/or solar energy and used to charge a rechargeable battery and/or capacitor array.
  • electrical means such as shore power and/or solar energy and used to charge a rechargeable battery and/or capacitor array.
  • the stored DC power is fed through an inverter which converts it to AC current in order to power a dielectrical heating means, such as a dielectric steam generator.
  • the dielectric steam generator provides hot pressurized steam to power the steam engine, which in turn produces mechanical power to propel the automobile.
  • mechanical energy may be used to provide some regenerative power for the electrical means, and/or may be stored in an optional mechanical energy accumulator and used later.
  • Steam from the steam engine is condensed, and then either collected as water in a holding tank for return to the dielectric steam generator for re-use or immediately piped back to the steam generator.
  • the present invention comprises an electric-steam hybrid engine system comprising an electrical heating means comprising two or more electrodes submerged in electrolyte-containing fluid, with electric current passed between electrodes. The current rapidly boils liquid to produce steam.
  • a source of electricity provides the initial energy used to provide power for running the dielectric-steam hybrid engine of the present invention.
  • Power sources useful in the present invention may comprise any known system which is capable of generating and/or storing sufficient electric power to provide initial energy to the steam generator.
  • one or more batteries, capacitors, fuel cells, fly wheels, generators, electrical catenaries, shore power connections, solar cells or other systems, including combinations of the above may be used, so long as the power sources are capable of providing sufficient energy to operate the steam generator used in the invention.
  • the power source may comprise any direct input, such as an AC or DC electrical connection, or other generation source.
  • the invention further comprises an externally powered device or system for dielectrically producing working steam.
  • the device is electrically powered.
  • the device produces steam by energizing water molecules (or another working fluid comprising dipolar molecules), to instantly produce and continuously sustain working steam sufficient to power the steam-utilizing engine.
  • the dielectrical device for the present invention preferably comprises an electrode-electrolyte electric steam generator.
  • the dielectrical device will rapidly heat water or other fluid to produce steam.
  • the dielectrical device of the present invention must be capable of rapidly producing enough steam to power the steam-utilizing engine.
  • Examples of preferred dielectric devices include electric steam generators, such as those manufactured by the Electric Steam Generator Corporation of Buchanan, Michigan, such as an ESG Automatic Balance SPEED YLECTRICTM (See, e.g., www.esgcorp.con ⁇ ).
  • the source of electricity such as batteries or capacitors
  • the source of electricity may be positioned such that it or they may be easily removed and replaced with newly charged batteries or capacitors.
  • a spare electrical source such as additional batteries or capacitors, which can be carried with the automobile in transit, as one might maintain a spare tire or a can of gasoline.
  • the dielectrical device or steam-utilizing engine may be equipped with a closed loop circuit which can be used to re-charge the spare electrical source.
  • the steam-utilizing engine useful in the invention may comprise any engine which is capable of being powered by steam or another hot vapor.
  • Steam engines are remarkably versatile and powerful, and can be produced in a wide range of sizes and arrangements including reciprocating and turbine configurations.
  • Some examples of steam engines that have been used to power automobiles and vehicles are further described in the book Oldtime Steam Cars, by John Bentley; Arco Handi-Books Publishing/Fawcett Publications, Inc., New York (1953). The disclosure of this publication is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the 1926 Convertible Doble had a four-cylinder, double-acting, compound, horizontal engine with two high-pressure cylinders (two-and- five-eighths inches by five inches) and two low-pressure cylinders (four-and-a-half by five inches) with 3,490 cc of displacement putting out 120 hp at 937 rpm.
  • Working pressure in the boiler was 710 psi and that would send a car that weighed 4,256 pounds down the road at 60 mph at just 900 rpm.
  • the engine was geared directly to the rear axle and the maximum speed was over 95 mph.
  • torque is delivered in a smooth analog flow of increasing speed to the axle, either reducing or completely eliminating the need for transmissions, automatic or otherwise; rendering obsolete shifting and grinding down gears.
  • a two-cylinder, double action steam engine with fewer than forty moving parts provides as many power impulses per crankshaft revolution as an eight-cylinder combustion engine cluttered with a mass of bewildering gadgets; and the steam engine requires neither clutch nor torque converter of any kind. It can be geared direct to the axle of an automobile or vehicle.
  • the first is the magic figure of 300 bhp per ton weight, and this (with an unsupercharged engine) is rarely achieved with combustion engines.
  • the second is an output of 100 bhp per liter (61 cu. in.) displacement, not so far attained by any normally aspirating internal combustion engine.
  • Condenser and/or Condensing means will further comprise condensing means such as a steam condenser to harness the steam after it powers the engine and cools, so that the fluid can be re-used.
  • condensing means such as a steam condenser to harness the steam after it powers the engine and cools, so that the fluid can be re-used.
  • AU of Doble's steam engine designs from 1918 onward had a recirculating steam condenser and so the term "Doble- type" engine as used may comprise condensing means as an optional element which is present in preferred embodiments of the present invention.
  • Condensing means may also include insulation as a method for retaining the engine heat and keeping it in the steam cycle (with certain early engine designs, insulation may have been ineffective or, as with a Venturi gas burner, it would have been pointless overkill). With modern materials, however, insulating means may be used effectively at several points throughout the steam cycle and contribute to making the system of the invention more efficient.
  • the present invention may comprise one or more containers or chambers containing water and/or other fluids for steam generation.
  • one or more single chambers comprising electrolyte-containing media may be used, especially electrolyte- containing fluid.
  • the electrolyte-containing fluid will be dielectrically energized within the chamber, such that at least some of the fluid will rapidly and continuously be converted into steam.
  • the steam will provide energy for operation of the steam engine.
  • the steam will be condensed and will be returned for re-use within the chamber.
  • the chamber may be continuously supplied with new fluid to replace any fluid lost as steam.
  • the electrolyte-containing media may comprise non-liquids, such as viscous gels, gases and solids, suspensions and mixtures of liquid, gas and solid media, in addition to or in place of the fluid as the electrolyte-containing media.
  • multiple containers or chambers will be used, including: (a) at least one first container or chamber containing electrolyte-containing fluid which is dielectrically energized, and will generate heat or energy that is provided to (b) at least one second container or chamber containing water or other fluid which will be converted into steam.
  • a first chamber will contain electrolyte-containing fluid, which is dielectrically energized and will thereby become hot.
  • the heated electrolyte-containing fluid (or its hot vapor) will contact the surface of a second chamber of fluid, preferably distilled or pure water or a working solution with a lower boiling point such as water mixed with ammonia, which will thereby be converted into the steam that is provided to the steam engine.
  • a second chamber of fluid preferably distilled or pure water or a working solution with a lower boiling point such as water mixed with ammonia
  • the steam would then be condensed and returned to the second chamber for re-use.
  • one or more second chambers with distilled or pure water may be 'nested' within one or more first chambers such that the pure water will pass continuously through the second chamber(s).
  • a coiled tube of pure water may run through the electrolytic chamber.
  • the temperature of steam or water being utilized by different stages of the overall electric-steam hybrid engine system could be selectively raised at certain points in the loop by passing the pipe through either the steam or the water zones of either the regulating or the generating chambers within the dielectric steam generator in order to pick up the additional heat energy.
  • the pipe or pipes could also be coiled or bent into different configurations that would allow it to pass through some or even all of the different zones and chambers within the steam generator's interior.
  • this method could also be used to pre-heat water that was about to be returned either to the optional water holding tank or directly to the interior of the dielectric steam generator itself.
  • the steam engine instead of connecting directly to a driveshaft which is directly putting mechanical power out to the vehicle, could instead employ its pistons to pressurize hydraulic fluid or similar accumulator schemes which could in turn employ hydraulic motors to power the actual driveshaft or other mechanical output of the engine as demand requires.
  • This staged accumulator technique using methods like hydraulics and compressed air to power either the main propulsion means of a vehicle and/or other on-board equipment is well known to those skilled in the art of heavy vehicle and construction equipment manufacture and would be desirable in certain embodiments.
  • Auxiliary turbines and other Alternator-like Devices In some embodiments it may be desirable to place small motors or turbines in the path of the steam between the point where it is generated and the condenser that turns it back into fluid in order to provide power to ancillary devices. This was done in the antique steam cars with small turbines to provide power to feed water pumps and run alternator-like devices to power headlamps and other functions of the vehicle. Although it is likely that such functions will largely be engineered to run directly from the large battery supply on the vehicles that are envisioned in embodiments of this invention, it is anticipated that in some configurations it would be desirable to power such auxiliary turbines and other devices using the steam in the steam loop.
  • the present invention may comprise one or more back-up electrical/capacitance systems, such as a spare battery, which may be utilized if the initial energy means runs low.
  • Other embodiments may comprise means for attaching the electrical and/or dielectrical means of the present invention to an external power source, such as an AC electrical outlet, or a DC voltage source such as an external battery or generator. These components may be used to allow for more efficient or rapid start-up of the engine or for recharge of the power means of the present invention.
  • figure 1 schematically depicts a simplified version of an embodiment of a hybrid electric-steam engine system of the invention.
  • the main input to this hybrid electric-steam engine system is electricity which can come from any source of electricity 20 supplying power now or in the future.
  • a power cord 22 or similar charging means is plugged into the electricity source 20 and electricity flows in and charges the rechargeable batteries and/or capacitors in the power storage array 24 and in some embodiments that could include swapping batteries or capacitors that have already been separately charged into the array - such as in an emergency or other situation requiring an immediate quick change of battery.
  • the inverter 26 converts it (with a slight loss) from direct current to alternating current that can be used by the dielectric steam generator 30.
  • the dielectric steam generator 30 utilizes the AC current to rapidly boil water by sending the electric current from one submerged electrode directly through the water that has been mixed with an electrolyte (usually a mineral salt) to a receiving electrode.
  • the electrical field between the two (or more) electrodes causes the molecules of water, due to the presence of the electrolyte and the dipolar nature of the water molecules themselves, to react in an excited manner that creates molecular friction and heat to the point that the water - or other suitable dipolar working chemical solution with a lower boiling point - boils into steam or a similar working vapor.
  • the dielectric steam generator 30 also uses the AC current supplied by the inverter 26 to operate its small water feed pump and any other auxiliary electrical equipment depending on the model and design.
  • the working steam is piped out through at least one valve 40 that is operated in response to throttle inputs from the driver of the vehicle 70 and is also regulated according to vapor pressure safety and the demand conditions of the automotive steam engine 50 depending on how it is being driven at the moment.
  • the steam engine 50 can be any of the previous, existing, and potential designs of steam engines reciprocating, turbine, hybrid-hydraulic or otherwise that would be capable of providing mechanical motive power directly to any type of vehicle 70 especially those which currently use internal combustion engines.
  • the steam engine design is one cylinder, twelve cylinder or no cylinder at all - once the prime movers in the engine 50 have made use of the hot steam or other working vapor it is exhausted out a pipe 55 to a condenser unit 60 which accomplishes the remaining temperature drop to bring it back to a liquid which is then routed either to an optional water holding tank 62 or directly back to the dielectric steam generator 30.
  • a "hot well” 33 steam tank could be added to the system to allow extra working steam to be built up for immediate use when demanded by whoever is operating the throttle valve 40 or other engine controls.
  • the ability to have this contingency steam available in the hot well 33 could also allow vehicle designers to use smaller more efficient dielectric steam generators in some designs without sacrificing safety margins in an emergency.
  • the preferred embodiment operates at relatively low temperatures using saturated steam
  • a lubrication injection device 58 will have to be added and a lubrication sump device 57 will also have to be added in order to remove the lubricant before the steam or vapor is re-condensed into a liquid.
  • FIGS. 3 A and 3 B are cut-away views showing the core functions of the dielectric steam generator - a number of the pipes, valves, gauges, safety devices, and the pressurized water feed pump that make up the actual commercial versions of these devices have been removed for the sake of clarity.
  • AC electric current 26 is supplied to the electrodes 90 which are contained within a nested interior chamber 91 that is partially filled with re-circulating water 62 mixed with electrolytes 94 or some similar chemical solution that will directly boil into a working vapor in the presence of an electric field when current passes between the submerged tips of the electrodes 93 and causes the fluid to boil into steam or vapor 92. That working vapor is then contained in the upper sections of the various nested chambers 92 until it is piped off at the demand of the throttle 40 system and other inputs from the driver and engine.
  • the embodiment shown in Figure 3 B is the same dielectric steam generator with a pipe 99 or pipes passing completely through the vessel in order to allow steam or liquid water (or vapor of another working fluid depending on the particular design embodiment) to be re-heated before either continuing on to some stage within the engine (for instance, steam being looped back and reheated as it passes between cylinders or exhaust steam being briefly re-heated before it passes through the auxiliary turbines 80 shown in Figure 2) or as a pre-heating method for the re-condensed water or other working fluid being returned to the optional water tank 62 or directly to the inlet of the dielectric steam generator 30 itself as part of the re-circulating water or fluid loop embodied in this system.
  • the pipe 99 or pipes in these embodiments could be run straight through either the steam or water zones of just one interior chamber of the dielectric steam generator 30 or through both the inner and outer chambers or it could be coiled even more densely than in shown in Figure 3 B through both the steam and water zones of multiple interior chambers depending on the reheating requirements and the particular design being undertaken.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Arrangement Or Mounting Of Propulsion Units For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Electric Propulsion And Braking For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Hybrid Electric Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

L’invention concerne un système pour produire une énergie mécanique à partir d’une énergie électrique. Le système comprend une source de courant électrique (24, 26), un dispositif de type chaudière (30) pour produire de la vapeur chaude à partir d’un liquide conducteur d’électricité (94) et directement par le biais du courant électrique, le dispositif de type chaudière comprenant au moins deux électrodes (90) qui sont électriquement couplées à la source de courant électrique (24, 26) et font bouillir le liquide (94) et le transforme en vapeur (92) en faisant passer le courant entre les électrodes (90) et à travers le liquide (94), et un moteur (50) qui produit une énergie mécanique à partir de la vapeur chaude (92).
PCT/US2009/050374 2008-07-14 2009-07-13 Système pour produire une énergie mécanique à partir d’une énergie électrique WO2010009035A1 (fr)

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US20110265479A1 (en) * 2011-04-27 2011-11-03 Sam Mihailoff System for steam production for electric power generation
KR101245088B1 (ko) * 2012-08-13 2013-03-18 서영호 전기로를 이용한 발전장치
US10017053B2 (en) 2015-09-30 2018-07-10 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. Fluid turbine systems for harnessing light radiant energy, thermal energy and kinetic energy in vehicles and methods of operating thereof
CN106195977A (zh) * 2016-08-19 2016-12-07 石家庄吉瑞节能技术有限公司 一种用水流控制电流的电热转换系统
CN106080215B (zh) * 2016-08-23 2019-05-21 中车青岛四方机车车辆股份有限公司 一种轨道交通制动能回收利用系统及混合动力轨道交通
CN106274516B (zh) * 2016-09-05 2018-06-15 北京新能源汽车股份有限公司 一种动力发电系统及增程式电动汽车
CN107804152A (zh) * 2017-10-17 2018-03-16 徐吉林 一种新能源汽车的热能储能装置
US20190162081A1 (en) * 2017-10-24 2019-05-30 John Edward Vandigriff Steam generator turbine
CN107782164A (zh) * 2017-11-21 2018-03-09 无锡市洗选设备厂 一种冶金熔炉废热回收装置
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