Patent ID: 7992386
Filing Date: 2011-08-09
Classification: F01B

Abstract:
1. An engine comprising: a plurality of cylinders arranged in a radial configuration surrounding a central area, and each of said cylinders having a reciprocating piston assembly that is operably moveable through a downward power stroke and an upward returning exhaust stroke, and each piston assembly including a piston moveably disposed within the cylinder and a connecting rod pivotally linked at a first end to said piston and extending from the cylinder and terminating at an opposite second end within the central area; a crankshaft extending axially through said engine along a longitudinal central rotational axis and including an upper end portion and a lower end portion and said crankshaft being rotatable about said central longitudinal axis; a crank disk drivingly linked to the upper end portion of the crankshaft and moveable about a central pivot axis of said crank disk that is offset relative to the central rotational axis of the crankshaft so that said crank disk moves in an orbital motion about said central rotational axis as the crankshaft rotates; a steam distribution assembly including a manifold for receiving a supply of steam and a plurality of steam inlet valve assemblies connected to said manifold for controllably injecting pressurized steam into the cylinders, and each of said plurality of steam inlet valve assemblies including a steam inlet valve at each of said plurality of said cylinders, and said stem inlet valve at each cylinder including a valve member operable between an open position and a closed position relative to a valve seat, and an inlet port extending between the valve seat and an interior of the cylinder above the piston, and each of said steam inlet valves further including a valve stem extending from the valve member to an inboard end, and said inboard and having a spring urged cam follower fitted thereto; a cam roller moveable about a circular path upon rotation of said crank disk and the crankshaft to sequentially engage the spring urged cam followers on the inboard ends of the valve stems and momentarily urge the valve member away from the valve seat, thereby opening the inlet valve and allowing injection of the steam into the cylinder in order to force the piston through the downward power stroke and move the crank disk in the orbital motion, thereby rotating the crankshaft; a reed valve flap fastened to a top of the piston in each of said plurality of cylinders and defining an exhaust valve, and said reed valve flap being moveable between a closed position against the top of the piston and an open position defined by said reed valve flap at least partially lifted away from the top of the piston; a valve lifter on each of said connecting rods, said valve lifter being structured and disposed to engage said reed valve flap as said piston approaches a top of the upward returning exhaust stroke, to thereby lift and open said reed valve flap and allow steam within a top portion of the cylinder to exhaust through the cylinder and into the central area; a condenser including a condenser chamber communicating with the central area for receiving the exhaust steam; a blower structured and disposed to direct a cooling airflow over an exterior surface of the condenser, thereby condensing the steam within the condenser into liquid; a pump operably driven by rotation of said crankshaft for pumping the liquid from the condenser to an external steam generating source; and an electric power generator device operably linked to the crankshaft and operated by rotation of the crankshaft to thereby produce electric power.