Abstract:
A torque transferring device is provided having a rotating drive shaft and planetary gear sets that are linked to a rotating chamber, keyed to the drive shaft, to turbomachinery within the chamber. Fluid is fed to the chamber through an axial passage in the drive shaft and is compressed by a number of mechanisms, including set of pump blades, turbine and reaction blades initially driven by the drive shaft and its starter motor. Bubbles within the fluid are subjected to high pressures causing combustion to occur within the bubbles. Additional pressure created by the combustion of the bubbles drives the fluid to exert a torque on the drive shaft through the gearing mechanism, thereby generating power.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/748,361, filed Dec. 30, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/3047,200, filed Nov. 26, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/059,507, filed Jan. 29, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/176,481 Oct. 21, 1998, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/955,590, filed Oct. 22, 1997, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable  
       REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
       [0003]     Not applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0005]     The present invention relates generally to an engine that produces energy through a process known as Cavitation and Associated Bubble Dynamics, and specifically to a method and apparatus for a combustion engine that uses bubbles within a fluid as the combustion chamber and for providing the combustion thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to combustion-type engines that require compression and not spark ignition as part of the combustion process. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved combustion engine that uses a fuel source in the form of a combustible fluid material having been mechanically influenced to provide gas bubbles that are rather small and which bubbles contain a combination of oxygen, water and the burnable fuel matter in vapor form. The term “micro-combustion chamber” as used herein is referring to such small gas bubbles. The bubble combustion process creates an expansion that produces force for driving a pair of rotating members within the chamber. These members have vanes that are so positioned that expansion of the combusting matter contained within the bubbles causes these two particular rotating members to rotate in opposite directions relative to one another, therefore, generating torque that is transmitted to a shaft through a gearing arrangement.  
         [0006]     2. General Background of the Invention  
         [0007]     Combustion engines are well known devices for powering vehicles, generators and other types of machinery. Some engines require a spark ignition. Some engines such as diesel type engines only require compression for combustion to occur.  
         [0008]     Combustion diesel engines use one or more reciprocating pistons to elevate the pressure within a corresponding cylinder in order to achieve combustion.  
         [0009]     Among the disadvantages of such engines are inefficiencies caused by heat losses, frictional losses and unharnessed (wasted) work due to the reciprocation of each piston. For example, in a eight cylinder engine, only one cylinder is producing power at any given moment while all eight cylinders are constantly contributing to frictional losses. The reciprocation of each piston also results in unwanted vibration and noise. In addition, due to the relatively low combustion temperatures in such reciprocating piston engines, excessive pollutants such as particulates and carbon monoxide are produced by these engines.  
         [0010]     Furthermore, reciprocating piston engines require refined fuel such as gasoline made from cracking of oil that is performed in refineries and costly to produce. Such engines also require complex fuel injection or carbureation systems, camshafts, electrical systems and cooling systems that can be expensive and difficult to maintain.  
         [0011]     Accordingly, there is a need for more efficient, smoother running and lower emission alternative fuel engines for use in vehicles, generators, and other machinery.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     It is an object of the present invention to overcome one or more of the problems described above.  
         [0013]     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method for increasing the pressure of a fluid in a combustion engine is provided. The method comprises the steps of: creating a bubble of gaseous material within a fluid; elevating the pressure within the bubble to a level such that the temperature inside the bubble reaches a flash point; and obtaining combustion within the bubble.  
         [0014]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for generating torque on a rotating shaft is provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing a chamber connected to the shaft for rotation therewith, the chamber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; feeding a fluid into the chamber, the fluid including at least one gaseous bubble; elevating the pressure within the bubble to a level such that the temperature inside the bubble reaches a flash point; and producing combustion within the bubble to elevate the pressure of fluid in the chamber, thereby driving fluid through certain member vanes producing torque and then out through the chamber fluid outlet.  
         [0015]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a combustion engine comprises a pump, a fluid reservoir, a drive shaft having a passage therein, and a high pressure chamber fixedly attached to the drive shaft for rotation therewith.  
         [0016]     The high pressure chamber contains a compression drive unit including one or more compression drives blades fixedly attached on the drive shaft, a combustion channel unit rotatably journalled on the drive shaft and containing one or more combustion channels, an impulse drive unit including one or more impulse drives blades rotatable journalled on the drive shaft, and a planetary gear set.  
         [0017]     The planetary gear set includes a ring gear fixedly attached to one of two end plates that are fixedly attached to the drive shaft for rotation therewith, a sun gear fixedly attached to the impulse drive unit for rotation therewith, and one or more planet gears. Each planet gear is rotatable journalled on the combustion channel unit at a location radially intermediate the sun gear and the ring gear and in meshing engagement with the sun gear and the ring gear.  
         [0018]     Therefore, the present invention provides a combustion engine of improved configuration that burns matter contained within small bubbles of a fluid stream, combust these bubbles and produces torque on the shaft.  
         [0019]     The apparatus includes a housing with an interior for containing fluid in a reservoir section. A rotating drive shaft is mounted in the housing and includes a portion that extends inside the housing interior above the fluid reservoir.  
         [0020]     A chamber is mounted on the drive shaft within the housing interior for rotation therewith.  
         [0021]     The chamber includes a power generating system or unit that is positioned within the chamber interior for rotating the drive shaft when fluid flow and bubble combustion take place within the chamber interior. Fluid is provided to the power generating unit via circulation conduit that supplies fluid from the reservoir to the chamber power generating system preferably via a bore that extends longitudinally through the drive shaft and then transversely through a port and into the chamber.  
         [0022]     Within the chamber, the fluid follows a circuitous path through various rotating and non-rotating parts. These parts include at least three rotating members each with vanes thereon, the respective vanes being closely positioned with a small gap therebetween so that when the rotating members are caused to rotate in a given rotational direction, the bubbles are compressed and combustion of the material in the small bubbles occurs and torque is produced.  
         [0023]     A starter is used to preliminarily rotate the shaft and initiate fluid flow. The fluid flow centrifugally causes the respective internal chamber members to rotate. The respective rotating members are so configured and geared, that when they are rotated, they will rotate at different speeds and in relative opposite rotational directions due to the force cause by the fluid flow, however, they will try to rotate in the same direction due to the force cause by the gearing. These conflicting forces configure a fluid flow design that provides a high pressure zone and produces bubble compression. Bubble combustion occurs when two things happen. First, the bubble critical compression produces a sufficiently high temperature in the bubble nucleus to initiate burn. Second, the bubble pressure is lowered. These two steps define one complete combustion cycle. The bubble high pressure and low pressure points occur at the interface between two of the rotating members. The bubble combustion occurs just before the bubble leaves the compression pressure zone. The bubble combustion will apply force in two different fields of direction. This combustion process produces a net expansion force that causes the blades of the two interfacing members to separate and, thereby, causes the two interfacing members proper to rotate in opposite rotational directions.  
         [0024]     A gear mechanism is used to transfer the rotary power from both of the two rotating members to the drive shaft.  
         [0025]     It is to be understood that both the foregoing generally description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. Additional features and advances of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the apparatus and method particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as, the appended drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]     For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:  
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a partially cutaway front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a partial top view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the chamber, flinger plate, and drive shaft;  
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ;  FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken along lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 9  is a fragmentary enlarged view of the vane and combustion interface, an enlargement of a portion of  FIG. 7  that is encircled in phantom lines;  
         [0035]      FIG. 10  is a partial perspective exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the combustion channels unit and impulse drive unit portions thereof;  
         [0036]      FIG. 11  is a perspective fragmentary view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the compression drive unit;  
         [0037]      FIG. 12  is a perspective exploded partially cutaway view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the working parts mounted on the drive shaft;  
         [0038]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0039]      FIG. 14  is another perspective view of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0040]      FIG. 15  is a partially cut away front elevational view of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0041]      FIG. 16  is a partial top view of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the chamber, flinger plate, and drive shaft;  FIG. 17  is a sectional view taken along lines  17 - 17  of  FIG. 16 ;  
         [0042]      FIG. 18  is a sectional view taken along lines  18 - 18  of  FIG. 17 ;  
         [0043]      FIG. 19  is a sectional view taken along lines  19 - 19  of  FIG. 17 ;  
         [0044]      FIG. 20  is a sectional view taken along lines  20 - 20  of  FIG. 17 ;  
         [0045]      FIG. 21  is a sectional view taken along lines  21 - 21  of  FIG. 17 ;  
         [0046]      FIG. 22  is a sectional view taken along lines  22 - 22  of  FIG. 17 ;  
         [0047]      FIG. 23  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing an enlargement of a portion of  FIG. 20  and combustion that takes place at an interface between the torque drive blades and combustion channel blades;  
         [0048]      FIG. 24  is a partial exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0049]      FIG. 25  is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating fluid flow and combustion at the interface between torque drive blades and combustion channel blades;  
         [0050]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0051]      FIG. 27  is another perspective view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0052]      FIG. 28  is a partially cut away front elevation view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0053]      FIG. 29  is a schematic view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0054]      FIG. 30  is a partial, sectional view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0055]      FIG. 31  is a sectional view taken along lines  31 - 31  of  FIG. 30 ;  
         [0056]      FIG. 32  is a sectional view taken along lines  32 - 32  of  FIG. 30 ;  
         [0057]      FIGS. 33-33A  are sectionals view taken along lines  33 - 33  of  FIG. 30 ,  FIG. 33A  being a partial enlargement of  FIG. 33 ;  
         [0058]      FIG. 34  is an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0059]      FIG. 35  is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0060]      FIG. 36  is a sectional view taken along lines  36 - 36  in  FIG. 35 ;  
         [0061]      FIG. 37  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0062]      FIG. 38  is another perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0063]      FIG. 39  is a partial sectional elevation view of the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention taken along lines  39 - 39  of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0064]      FIG. 40  is a fragmentary elevation view of the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0065]      FIG. 41  is a sectional view of the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0066]      FIG. 42  is a sectional view taken along lines  42 - 42  of  FIG. 41 .  
         [0067]      FIG. 43  is a partial sectional view of the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0068]      FIG. 44  is a fragmentary view of the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0069]      FIG. 45  is a sectional view taken along lines  45 - 45  of  FIG. 41 ;  
         [0070]      FIG. 46  is a sectional view taken along lines  46 - 46  of  FIG. 41 ; and  
         [0071]      FIG. 47  is an exploded, partial perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0072]      FIGS. 1-4  show generally the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  10  in  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3 . Combustion engine  10  has an enlarged housing  11  with an interior  14 . The housing  11  is comprised of upper and lower sections including a lower reservoir section  12  and an upper cover section  13 .  
         [0073]     Fluid  15  is contained in the lower portion of reservoir section  12  as shown in  FIG. 3 , the fluid  15  having a fluid level  16  that is well below chamber  28  and drive shaft  24 . The fluid can be most any combustible fluid including automatic transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, vegetable oil, corn oil, peanut oil, for example. A plurality of feet  17  can be used to anchor housing  11  to a pedestal, mount, concrete base, or like structural support. A pair of sealing mating flanges  18 ,  19  can be provided respectively on housing sections  11 ,  12  to form a closure and seal that prevents leakage during use.  
         [0074]     A pair of spaced apart transversely extending beams  20 ,  21  such as the I-beams shown, can be welded to housing reservoir section  12  providing structural support for supporting drive shaft  24  and its bearings  22 ,  23 . The drive shaft  24  is to be driven by a rotating member contained within chamber  28  as will be described more fully hereinafter. For reference purposes, drive shaft  24  has a pair of end portions including starter end portion  25  and fluid inlet end portion  26 . Drive shaft  24  carries chamber  28  and flinger plate  27 .  
         [0075]     In  FIG. 4 , the chamber  28  including its cylindrically-shaped wall portion  50  and its circular end walls  51 ,  52  is mounted integrally to and rotates with shaft  24 . Similarly, flinger plate  27  is connected integrally to and rotates with shaft  24 . The flinger plate  27  is used to aerate the liquid  15  after it has been transmitted to chamber  28  and exists therefrom through a plurality of jets  90  (see  FIG. 5 ). The fluid exits via jets  90  and  15  strikes the flinger plate  27  which is rotating with shaft  24  during use. Plate  27  throws the fluid  15  radially away from plate  27  due to the centrifugal force of plate  27  as it rotates with shaft  24 .  
         [0076]     The circulation of fluid  15  through the apparatus  10  begins at reservoir section  12  wherein a volume of liquid  15  is contained below fluid surface  16  as shown. The complete travel of fluid  15  through the apparatus  10  is completed when fluid exits chamber  28  and strikes flinger plate  27 , being thrown off flinger plate  27  as shown by arrow  61  in  FIG. 5  to strike housing  11  and then drain to reservoir section  12  of housing  11 . This exiting of fluid  15  from chamber  28  so that it strikes flinger plate  27  creates very small bubbles in fluid  15  that will be the subject of combustion when that aerated fluid  15  again enters chamber  28  via shaft  24  bore  55  as will be described more fully herein.  
         [0077]     In  FIGS. 1-3 , fluid  15  from reservoir section  12  is first pumped with pump  33  to flow outlet line  32 . This is accomplished initially with a starter motor  42  that rotates shaft  24 . The rotating shaft  24  then rotates pump  33  using power take off  36 .  
         [0078]     Fluid is transferred from reservoir section  12  via outlet port  35  to suction line  34 . Fluid flows from suction line  34  to pump  33  and then to flow outlet line  32 . The fluid then flows through control valve  31  to flow inlet line  30 . A bypass line  40  enables a user to divert flow at control valve  31  so that only a desired volume of fluid enters flow inlet line  30  and hollow bore  55  of shaft  24  at rotary coupling  29 . Once fluid  15  is transmitted to bore  55 , it flows into the interior  71  of chamber  28  for use as a source of combustion as will be described more fully hereinafter. Shaft  24  is connected to flow inlet line  30  with a rotary fluid coupling  29 . Power take off  36  can be in the form of a pair of sprockets  37 ,  38  connected to pump  33  and drive shaft  24  respectively as shown in  FIG. 2 . A chain drive  39  can be used to connect the two sprockets  37 ,  38 . Rotation of the drive shaft  24  thus effects a rotation of the pump  33  so that fluid will be pumped from reservoir section  12  of housing  11  via lines  30 ,  32  to bore  53  of shaft  24  once starter motor  42  is activated. If fluid  15  is to be bypassed using bypass  40 , it is simply returned to reservoir section  12  via bypass line  40  and port  41 .  
         [0079]     Starter motor  42  can be an electric or combustion engine for example. The motor  42  is mounted upon motor mount  43 . Shaft  24  provides a sheave  44 . Motor drive  42  has a sheave  45 . A sheave  46  is provided on clutch  53 . The sheaves  44 ,  45 ,  46  are interconnected with drive belt  49 . Clutch  53  also includes a sheave support  47  and a lever  48  that is pivotally attached to mount  43  and movable as shown by arrow  54  in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0080]     In order to initiate operation, fluid is pumped using pump  33  and motor  42  from reservoir  15  into bore  55  of shaft  24  and then into transverse port  56 . Fluid  15  is picked up by compression drive blades  76  and is centrifugally thrown around and across to combustion channel blades  83  (see arrows  80 ,  81 ). Fluid at arrow  81  strikes combustion channel blades  83  and rotates them clockwise in relation to starter  24  end of drive shaft  24 . Continued fluid flow in the direction of arrow  81  causes fluid  15  to hit vanes  63  of impulse drive unit  60 , rotating unit  60  counter clockwise in relation to the starter end  24  of shaft  24 .  
         [0081]     Fluid then returns along the impulse drive unit  60  to exit channels  101  (see arrow  84 ). Since there are only two channels  101 , some fluid  15  recirculates to blades  76 . Fluid exiting channels  101  enters reservoir  102  and then exits chamber  28  at outlet jets  90  to strike flinger plate  27 . At plate  27  the liquid  15  is thrown by centrifugal force to housing  11  where it drains into reservoir section  12 .  
         [0082]     In order to start the engine  10 , the user cranks the starter motor  42  until drive shaft  24  rotates to a desired RPM. On an actual prototype apparatus  10 , the starter motor  42  is cranked until the drive shaft  24  reaches about 1600 RPM&#39;s. At that time, the small air bubbles (containing oxygen and vapor from the fluid  15 ) begin to burn at the combustion site designated as  62  in  FIG. 9  so that the shaft  26  is driven. When the matter in these bubbles begins to burn, the bubbles expand. In  FIG. 9 , vanes  63 ,  83  on two rotary parts  60 ,  65  capture this expansion. The vanes  63 ,  83  are so positioned and shaped that the rotary parts  60 ,  65  rotate in opposite directions. These two rotary parts are the impulse drive unit  60  and the combustion channels unit  65 . These rotary parts  60  and  65  are part of a mechanism contained within chamber  28 .  
         [0083]     The inner workings of chamber  28  are shown more particularly in  FIGS. 4-8 . Shaft  24  supports chamber  28 . The chamber  28  end plates  51 ,  52  are rigidly fastened to shaft  24  and rotate therewith. In  FIG. 5 , the starter end  25  of shaft  24  has an externally threaded portion  66  that accepts lock nut  67 . Lock ring  68  bolts to end plate  52  at bolted connections  69 . Key  70  locks lock ring  68  and thus end plate  52  to shaft  24 . Such a lock ring  68  and lock nut  67  arrangement is used to affix end plate  51  to the fluid inlet end portion  26  of shaft  24 .  
         [0084]     The combination of end plates  51 ,  52  and cylindrical canister  50  define an enclosure with an interior  71  to which fluid is transmitted during use for combustion. Fluid that enters shaft bore  55  passes through transverse passageway  56  in the direction of arrow  57  to interior  71  of chamber  28 . Bearing  72  is mounted on shaft  24  in between end plates  51 ,  52 . Sleeve  73  is mounted on bearing  72 . Transverse openings through shaft  24 , bearing  72  and sleeve  73  define transverse flow passage  56 .  
         [0085]     Impulse drive unit  60  ( FIGS. 5 and 10 ) is rotatably mounted with respect to shaft  24 , being journalled on shaft  24  at transverse passageway  56 . A plurality of preferably four radially extending flow outlet openings  74  enable flow to continue on a path extending radially away from shaft  24  as shown by arrows  75  in  FIG. 5 . The flow the passes through blades or vanes  76  of compression drive unit  77 , a part that is affixed to end plate  51  at bolted connections  78 . Bearings  79  can form a load transfer interface between compression drive unit  77  and sleeve  73 . The fluid  15  passes over vanes  76  of compression drive unit  77  and radially beyond vanes  76  as shown by arrow  80  in  FIG. 5  due to centrifugal force as shaft  24  and chamber  28  are rotated (initially by starter motor  42 ). Bearing  96  rotatably mounts compression channels unit  65  to sleeve  59 .  
         [0086]     Fluid  15  travels from compression drive blades  76  across cavity  82  in the direction of arrows  80 ,  81  to combustion channel blades  83  of combustion channels unit  65 . Continued fluid flow brings fluid  15  to and through the blades or vanes  63  of impulse drive unit  60 .  
         [0087]     Combustion occurs at the interface of combustion channel blades  83  and the impulse drive blades  63 . These respective blades  63  and  83  are very close together (see  FIGS. 7 and 9 ) so that severe turbulence causes rapid compression of these bubbles  79  and combustion of their contents (fluid  15  vapor and oxygen). The combustion of the matter within these bubbles  79  causes rapid expansion. This combination of expansion and the shapes of the blades  63 ,  83  drives the impulse drive unit  60  and combustion channel unit in opposite rotary directions (see  FIG. 9 ).  
         [0088]     When viewed from the starter end  25  of shaft  24  (see  FIGS. 7 and 9 ) the impulse drive unit  60  rotates counter clockwise and the combustion channels unit  65  rotates counter clockwise. A mix of incoming fluid (arrow  76  in  FIG. 5 ) and outgoing fluid (arrow  84  in  FIG. 5 ) occurs at  85  before fluid  15  exits chamber  28  at fluid outlet jets  90  in plate  51  as shown by arrows  91 .  
         [0089]     Combustion channel unit  65  is bolted to combustion channel inner housing  84  and rotates with it. This assembly of unit  65  and housing  84  are bolted to planet gear mounting plate  85  and rotates therewith. Bolted connection  86  affixes planet gear mounting plate  85 , combustion unit inner housing  84  and combustion channels unit  65  together.  
         [0090]     A plurality (preferably four) planet gears  87  are rotatably mounted ninety degrees (90°) apart to planet gear mounting plate at rotary bushings  95 . Ring gear  89  is bolted at connections  94  to end plate  52  and rotates therewith.  
         [0091]     When viewed from the starter end  25  of shaft  24 , the planet gear mounting plate  85  rotates clockwise (see  FIG. 12 ) during combustion as do the combustion channel unit  65  and combustion channel inner housing  84  all bolted together as an assembly. However, because of the planetary gearing  87 ,  88 ,  89  these parts  65 ,  84 ,  85  rotate slower than shaft  24 .  
         [0092]     Sun gear  88  is mounted to impulse drive unit  63  with sleeve  59 . Sun gear  88  can connect to sleeve  59  at bolted connections  92 . A splined connection  93  can connect sleeve  59  to impulse drive unit  63 . Thus, combustion at the impulse drive unit blades  63  (see  FIG. 9 ) rotates the impulse drive unit  60  counter clockwise (relative to shaft  24  starter end  25 ) and sleeve  59  connects that counter clockwise rotation to sun gear  88 .  
         [0093]     Power to drive shaft  24  is generated as follows. Rotational directions are in relation to the starter end  25  of shaft  24  (see  FIG. 12 ). Impulse drive unit  60  and combustion channels unit  65  rotate in opposite rotational directions once the starter motor generates rotation of shaft  24  and initiates fluid flow to a rotational speed of about 1600 rpm. Fluid pumped with pump  33  enters shaft bore  57  and chamber  28  interior via transverse passageway  56 . Fluid  15  flow travels over blades  76  of compression drive unit  77  (see arrows  79 ,  80 ,  81 ) to the interface between blades  63  and  83  (see  FIG. 9 ). Initially, fluid flow generated by pump  33  causes fluid  15  flow in the direction of arrows  81  ( FIGS. 5, 8 , and  9 ) to rotate impulse drive unit  60  in a counter clockwise direction and combustion channels unit  65  in a clockwise direction. Once rotational speed of shaft  24  reaches about 1600 rpm, the material in bubbles  79  in between blades  63  of impulse drive unit  60  and blades  83  of combustion channel unit  65  burns.  
         [0094]     Compression of the bubbles  79  at this interface  62  between blades  63  and  83  causes combustion of the fluid vapor-oxygen mixture inside each bubble  79  much in the same way that compression causes ignition and combustion in diesel type engines without the necessity of a spark. In  FIG. 9 , the gap  100  in between blades  63  and  83  is very small, being about 40 mm.  
         [0095]     Fluid  15  return to reservoir section  12  is via flow channels  101  in drive unit  60  and then to annular reservoir  102  that communicates with jets  90 . Reservoir  102  is defined by generally cylindrically shaped receptacle  103  bolted at  104  to end wall  51 . A loose connection is made at  105  in between receptacle  103  and impulse drive unit  60 . Arrows  106  show fluid flow through impulse drive unit  60  flow channels  101  to reservoir  102 .  
         [0096]     If impulse drive unit  60  and sun gear  88  rotate counter clockwise and the planet gears  87  (and the attached planet gear mounting plate  85 , combustion unit inner housing  84  and combustion channels unit  65 ) rotate clockwise, the ring gear  89  and right end plate  52  (mounted rigidly to shaft  24 ) rotate clockwise at a faster rotary rate than impulse drive unit  60  and sun gear  88  due to the planetary gear ( 87 ,  88 ,  89 ) arrangement. This can be a 3-1 gear ratio.  
         [0097]     The engine  10  of the present invention is very clean, not having an “exhaust” of any appreciable amount. Residue of combustion is simply left behind in the fluid  15 .  
         [0098]      FIGS. 13-25  show a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  110  in  FIGS. 13, 14 , and  15 . Combustion engine  110  has an enlarged housing  111  with an interior  114 . The housing  111  is comprised of upper and lower sections including a lower reservoir section  112  and an upper cover section  113 .  
         [0099]     Fluid  115  is contained in the lower portion of reservoir section  112  as shown in  FIG. 15 , the fluid  115  having a fluid level  116  that is well below chamber  128  and drive shaft  124 . The fluid can be any combustible fluid including automatic transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, vegetable oil, corn oil, or peanut oil, for example. A plurality of feet  117  can be used to anchor housing  111  to a pedestal, mount, concrete base, or like structural support. A pair of sealing mating flanges  118 ,  119  can be provided respectively on housing sections  112 ,  113  to form a closure and seal that prevents leakage during use.  
         [0100]     A pair of spaced apart transversely extending beams  120 ,  121  such as the I-beams shown, can be welded to housing reservoir section  112  providing structural support for supporting drive shaft  124  and its bearings  122 ,  123 . The drive shaft  124  is to be driven by a rotating member contained within chamber  128  as will be described more fully hereinafter. For reference purposes, drive shaft  124  has a pair of end portions including starter end portion  125  (right end portion) and fluid inlet end portion  126  (left end portion). Drive shaft  124  carries chamber  128  and flinger plate  127 .  
         [0101]     In  FIGS. 15-16 , the chamber  128  including its cylindrically-shaped wall portion  150  and its circular end walls  151 ,  152  is mounted integrally to and rotates with shaft  124 . Similarly, flinger plate  127  is connected integrally to and rotates with shaft  124 . The flinger plate  127  is used to aerate the liquid  115  after it has been transmitted to interior  171  of chamber  128  and exits therefrom through a plurality of jets  190  (see  FIGS. 15, 16 ,  17 ). The fluid  115  exits via jets  190  and strikes the flinger plate  127  which is rotating with shaft  124  during use. Plate  127  throws the fluid  115  radially away from plate  127  due to the centrifugal force of plate  127  as it rotates with shaft  124 .  
         [0102]     The circulation of fluid  115  through the apparatus  110  begins at reservoir section  112  wherein a volume of liquid  115  is contained below fluid surface  116  as shown. The complete travel of fluid  115  through the apparatus  110  is completed when fluid exits chamber  128  and strikes flinger plate  127 , fluid  115  being thrown off flinger plate  127  as shown by arrows  161  in  FIG. 17  to strike housing  111  and then drain to reservoir section  112  of housing  111 . This exiting of fluid  115  from chamber  128  so that it strikes flinger plate  127  creates very small bubbles in fluid  115  that will be the subject of combustion when that aerated fluid  115  again enters chamber  128  via shaft  124  bore  155  as will be described more fully herein.  
         [0103]     In  FIGS. 13-15 , fluid  115  from reservoir section  112  is first pumped with pump  133  to flow outlet line  132 . This pumping is accomplished initially with a starter motor  142  that rotates shaft  124 . The rotating shaft  124  then rotates pump  133  using power take off  136 .  
         [0104]     Fluid is transferred from reservoir section  112  via outlet port  135  to suction line  134 . Fluid flows from suction line  134  to pump  133  and then to flow outlet line  132 . The fluid  115  then flows through fluid control valve  131  to flow inlet line  130 . A bypass flow line  140  enables a user to divert flow at control valve  131  so that only a desired volume of fluid enters flow inlet line  130  and hollow bore  155  of shaft  124  at swivel or rotary fluid coupling  129 . Once fluid  115  is transmitted to bore  155 , it flows into the interior  171  of chamber  128  for use as a source of combustion.  
         [0105]     Shaft  124  is connected to flow inlet line  130  with rotary fluid coupling  129 . Power take off  136  can be in the form of a pair of sprockets  137 ,  138  connected to pump  133  and drive shaft  124  respectively as shown in  FIG. 14 . A chain drive  139  can be used to connect the two sprockets  137 ,  138 . Rotation of the drive shaft  124  thus effects a rotation of the pump  133  so that fluid will be pumped from reservoir section  112  of housing  111  via lines  130 ,  132  to bore  155  of shaft  124  once starter motor  142  is activated. If fluid  115  is to be bypassed using bypass  140 , it is simply returned to reservoir section  112  via bypass line  140  and flow port  141 . In this manner, the quantity of fluid  115  flowing to interior  171  can be controlled.  
         [0106]     The configuration and inner workings of chamber  128  are shown more particularly in  FIGS. 15-17 . Shaft  124  supports chamber  128 . The chamber  128  end wall plates  151 ,  152  and canister wall  150  are rigidly fastened to shaft  124  and rotate therewith. In  FIG. 17 , the starter end  125  of shaft  124  has an external threads  167  that accepts lock nut  168 . Lock ring  169  bolts to end plate  152  at bolted connections  161 . Key  165  locks lock ring  169  and thus end plate  152  to shaft  124 . Such a lock ring  169  and lock nut  168  arrangement is also used to affix end plate  151  to the fluid inlet end portion  126  of shaft  124 .  
         [0107]     Starter motor  142  can be an electric or combustion engine for example. The motor  142  is mounted upon motor mount  143 . Shaft  124  provides a sheave  144 . Motor drive  142  has a sheave  145 . A sheave  146  is provided on clutch  153 . The sheaves  144 ,  145 ,  146  are interconnected with drive belt  149 . Clutch  153  also includes a sheave support  147  and a lever  148  that is pivotally attached to mount  143  and movable as shown by arrow  154  in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0108]     When motor  142  is started and clutch  153  engaged, shaft  124  rotates sprocket  138  and (via chain  139 ) sprocket  137 . The sprocket  137  activates and powers pump  133  to pump fluid  115  from outlet line  134  to line  132  and through line  130  to swivel (e.g. a deublin swivel) fluid coupling  129  mounted on shaft  124 . Fluid  115  enters bore or fluid flow channel  155  to port  156  and then to an accumulation or pre-ignition chamber  172 . Chamber  172  is preferably always filled with fluid  115 .  
         [0109]     In order to initiate operation, fluid is pumped using pump  133  and motor  142  from reservoir  115  into bore  155  of shaft  124  and then into transverse port  156  as shown by arrows  157 . Fluid discharged from port  156  enters annular chamber  160 . Fluid then enters chamber  171  via port  188 .  
         [0110]     Fluid at arrows  180 ,  181  strikes compression-impulse drive blades  183  and the fluid rotates with them counterclockwise in relation to starter end  125  of drive shaft  124 . Continued fluid flow in the direction of arrow  181 ,  182  causes fluid  115  to hit combustion channel blades  163  and then torque blades  166 . As shown in  FIG. 25  fluid  115  carries a large number of small bubbles  179  to blades  183 ,  163 ,  166 . The compression-impulse drive blades  183  are so angled (i.e. blade pitch), that they act as a pump to pitch up fluid in chamber  172  and drive it into combustion channel blades  163  that are a part of and rotate with combustion channel blades housing  170  (see arrows  180 ,  181 ,  182  in  FIG. 17 ).  
         [0111]     In order to start the engine  110 , the user cranks the starter motor  142  until drive shaft  124  rotates to a desired r.p.m. On an actual prototype apparatus  110 , the starter motor  142  is cranked until the drive shaft  124  reaches about 1500-1600 r.p.m. At that time, the small air bubbles  179  (containing oxygen and vapor from the fluid  115 ) begin to burn at the combustion site, designated as  162  in  FIGS. 17 and 23  so that the shaft  124  can be driven.  
         [0112]     When the matter contained in these bubbles  179  begins to burn, the bubbles  179  expand. In  FIGS. 17, 23  and  25 , blades or vanes  163 ,  166  on two rotary parts capture this expansion. The blades or vanes  163 ,  166  are so positioned and so shaped that two rotary parts rotate at different rotational speeds to compress and ignite the bubbles as one vane  163  closely engages another vane. These two rotary parts are the drive sleeve  164  carrying blades  166  and the combustion channels blade housing  170  carrying blades  163 . These rotary parts  164  and  170  are part of the mechanism contained within chamber  28 . The blades  163  and housing  170  are connected to a set of planet gears  174  (i.e. left planet gears) and a ring gear  173  (i.e. right ring gear).  
         [0113]     The concept of the apparatus  110  of the present invention is to provide an internal energy source (i.e. combustion at site  162  in  FIGS. 23-25 ) in order to put torque on the main drive shaft  124  so that the engine apparatus  110  continues to run from the generated energy of internal combustion. Because of the gearing provided by the assembly of ring gears  173 ,  186  and planet gears  174 ,  176  and sun gears  175 ,  185  the blades  166  rotate faster than blades  163 . The close spacing between blades  163 ,  166  (about 0.030 inches) compresses bubbles  179  at combustion site  162  as each bubble  179  is pinched and compressed in between passing blades  163 ,  166 . Ignition is thus a function of compression of each bubble  179 , somewhat analogous to the compressive ignition of a diesel engine.  
         [0114]     The right ring gear  173  and right sun gear  175  on the output side (right side) rotate at a faster speed than the output (right side) planet gear  176 . The right planet gears are connected to right end wall  152 . The wall  152  is attached rigidly to shaft  124 .  
         [0115]     On the left side, planet gear  174  is rotatably mounted to mounting plate  177  with shaft  184 . Plate  177  is rigidly mounted to (e.g. bolted) and rotates with combustion channel blades housing  170  (see  FIG. 25 ). Note that the housing  170  thus carries both the left planet gears  184  using plate  177  and the right (output) ring gear  173  using plate  189 . When the left planet gear  184  is driven, the right ring gear  173  is simultaneously driven.  
         [0116]     When the left sun gear  185  is driven, the right sun gear  175  is also driven, because the sun gears  175 ,  185  are connected to and rotate with the drive sleeve  164  that rotates independently of main drive shaft  124 . The left ring gear  186  runs at same speed of shaft  124  because it is bolted to thrust wall  206  and thus to chamber  128  at canister wall  150 . Bushing  207  is positioned in between thrust wall  206  and drive sleeve  164 .  
         [0117]     Plant gear (right)  176  and compression-impulse drive blades  183  run at the same rotational speed as drive shaft  124 . If the shaft  124  is rotating at an index speed of 1 r.p.m., the left ring gear  186  and right planet gear  170  also rotate at 1 r.p.m. If the ring gear  186  is rotating at 1 r.p.m., the left planet gear  174  will rotate about the shaft at  33 % slower rotational speed i.e. 0.66 r.p.m. The planet gear  174  will rotate several times about its own rotational axis as it rotates 0.66 r.p.m. relative to the rotational axis of the shaft. Stated differently, the planet gear mounting plate  177  carrying left planet gears  174  will rotate 0.66 r.p.m. for each 1.0 r.p.m. of shaft  124 .  
         [0118]     The result of this gearing is that sun gears  175 ,  185  connected together with drive sleeve  164  will rotate at about 1.5 r.p.m. for each 1.0 r.p.m. of shaft  124  when planet mounting plate  177  is caused by fluid flow to rotate at about the same speed as shaft  124 .  
         [0119]     Fluid  115  carries small bubbles  179  that will burn at combustion site  162 . The interface at combustion site  162  is a very small dimension of about 0.030 inches of spacing between blades  163  and  166 , that designated spacing indicated by arrow  178  in  FIG. 23 .  
         [0120]     Once the starter motor reaches about 1600 r.p.m., a stream of fluid  115  containing bubbles  179  which have been impulsed by blades  183  is introduced at interface  162  (combustion site) to generate combustion. The combustion produces an expansion that rotates blades  166  (and everything connected to blades  166 ) counterclockwise (see arrow  159  in  FIG. 17 ) when looking at the starter end  125  of drive shaft  124 . These additional parts that rotate with blades  166  include drive sleeve  164  and sun gears  175 ,  185 .  
         [0121]     Combustion channel blades housing  170  is a rotary member that is fastened at bolted connection  205  to plate  189  (see  FIGS. 17 and 25 ). Plate  189  is bolted to ring gear  173  at bolted connection  192  as shown in  FIG. 17 . The assembly of combustion channel blades housing  170 , the combustion channel blades  163 , plate  189 , and ring gear  173  rotate as a unit. The compression-impulse drive blades  183  are mounted to and rotate with rotary member  191  that is mounted for rotation upon cylindrical sleeve  193  that is also connected for rotation to right planet gear mounting plate  194 . Thrust bearing assembly  195  forms an interface in between the two afore described rotating assemblies. One such assembly includes rotating member  191 , sleeve  193 , and planetary gear mounting plate  194 . The other rotating assembly includes combustion channel blades housing  170 , plate  189 , and ring gear  173 . Each of the planet gears  174 ,  176  provides a planet gear shaft  184  that attaches it to an adjacent mounting plate  177  or  194 .  
         [0122]     As fluid  115  reaches the combustion site  162  (see  FIGS. 23 and 25 ), the fluid  115  continues movement in the direction of arrows  196  from blades  163  to combustion site  162 . Fluid  115  then flows through and below blades  166  in  FIG. 23 . After combustion occurs, the fluid  115  enters annular chamber  197  and port  198 . Flow divider  158  separates chambers  160 ,  200 . Some of the fluid flows through port  199  into annular chamber  200  as shown in  FIG. 25 . Other flow, as indicated by arrow  201 , returns to chamber  172 . One or more longitudinally extending channels  202  are provided in drive sleeve  164  for channeling fluid from annular chamber  200  into reservoir  187  as shown in  FIGS. 17 and 25 . This flow of fluid from torque blades  166  to jets  190  is shown by arrows  203  in  FIG. 17 . Fluid exiting reservoir  187  is dispensed by jets  190  against flinger plate  127  as indicated by arrows  204  in  FIG. 17 .  
         [0123]      FIGS. 26-34  show a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  210 . Combustion engine  210  includes a housing  211  having a reservoir section  212  and a cover  213  that is removably attached to the reservoir section  212 . The interior  214  of housing  211  is partially filled with fluid  215 , the fluid level being indicated by arrow  216 . Housing  211  can be provided with a plurality of feet  217 .  
         [0124]     In order to perfect a fluid seal between reservoir section  212  and cover  213 , a pair of peripheral mating flanges  218 ,  219  are provided. The flange  218  is on the reservoir section  212 . The flange  219  is on the cover section  213 .  
         [0125]     In  FIG. 28 , a pair of beams  220 ,  221  support bearings  222 ,  233  respectively. Bearings  222 ,  223  support drive shaft  224 . Drive shaft  224  has a starter end portion  225  and a fluid inlet end portion  226 . In this application, directions of rotations of various parts will be referred to as either clockwise rotation or counterclockwise rotation. These rotations are always in reference to a viewer standing at the starter end portion  225  of shaft  224  and looking at the machine from the starter end portion  225 .  
         [0126]     Flinger plate  227  is attached to shaft  224  and rotates therewith. The flinger plate  227  receives fluid that exits cylindrical cannister  250  via nozzles  280 . As the fluid exits the chamber  228 , it strikes flinger plate  227  and is hurled against the walls of housing  11  because of centrifugal force. Fluid is added to housing  211  at rotary fluid coupling  229  as shown in  FIGS. 28 and 29 . In  FIG. 29 , a flow chart of the fluid flow is schematically shown. The fluid  215  is first screened and/or filtered at screen filter  240  and then enters one of the flow outlet pipes  232 A or  232 B. Hydraulic pumps  233 A,  233 B pump fluid to flow divider  234 . Valves  231 A,  231 B control the amount of fluid that enters flow lines  230  or  235 . The flow lines  232 B,  235  define a recirculation flow line that simply routes fluids back to the reservoir section  212 . The valve  231 A determines the amount of fluid that is routed via flow line  230  to rotary coupling  229  and then to chamber  228 .  
         [0127]     Hydraulic pumps  233 A,  233 B are preferably hydraulically driven using power takeoff  236 . Power takeoff  236  includes sprockets  237 A,  237 B and chain drive  239 . Vertical support  238  carries flow divider  234  and valves  231 A,  231 B. Flow ports  241 A,  241 B transmit fluid to and from housing  211 . Port  241 A communicates with flow line  232 A. Port  241 B communicates with flow line  232 B.  
         [0128]     In  FIGS. 26 and 28 , starter motor  242  is shown contained upon motor mount  243 . A plurality of sheaves  244 ,  245 ,  246  are connected by belt  249  as shown. Lever  248  is provided for tightening the belt  249 . Sheave support  247  interconnects lever  248  with sheave  246 . A user pulls upon the lever  248  in the direction of arrow  254  in order to tighten the belt  249  and impart energy from starter motor  242  to shaft  224 , rotating the shaft until combustion occurs within chamber  228 .  
         [0129]     Chamber  228  includes an outer enclosure defined by cylindrical cannister wall  250  and circular end walls  251 ,  252 . The chamber  228  is connected to shaft  224  and rotates therewith when the clutch  253  comprised of starter motor  242 , sheaves  244 - 246  and belt  249  is engaged. When the shaft  224  is rotated, the power takeoff  236  engages the pumps  233 A,  233 B to begin pumping fluid  215 . The fluid enters shaft flow channel  255  and transverse passageway  256 , fluid flowing in the direction of arrow  257 . In  FIG. 30 , the connection between chamber  228  and shaft  224  is shown as including an externally threaded portion  266  of shaft  224  that receives lock nut  267  and lock ring  268 . A bolted connection  269  fastens lock ring  268  to end plate  252 . A similar connection is formed between end plate  251  and shaft  224  next to flinger plate  227 . Chamber  228  and shaft  224  rotate clockwise (viewed from starter motor  242 ) as one fixed assembly. The shaft  242  is set in bearings  222 ,  223  ( FIG. 28 ).  
         [0130]     In  FIG. 34 , an exploded view of the chamber  228  is shown with the cylindrical cannister wall  250  removed for clarity.  FIG. 30  shows the internal parts of chamber  228 .  
         [0131]     In the exploded view of  FIG. 34 , and in the sectional view of  FIG. 30 , the left end plate  251  and right end plate  252  are shown attached to shaft  224 . Left planet gears  262  are rotatably mounted to left end plate  251  at shafts  281  using fasteners  282 . Right ring gear  263  is fastened (eg. bolted) to right end plate  252 .  
         [0132]     The left ring gear  260  drives the right planet gears  264 . The left sun gear  261  rotates counter clockwise as shown in  FIG. 34 . The left end plate  251  rotates clockwise as shown in  FIG. 34  with shaft  224 . The left sun gear  261  rotates counter clockwise and is connected to the reaction blades  265 . The left ring gear  260  rotates faster than shaft  224 , and is connected to the pump blades  270 . The pump blades  270  are connected to left ring gear  260  and rotate faster than shaft  224 .  
         [0133]     Reaction blades  265  are connected to left sun gear  261  with sleeve  288  and rotate counter clockwise to shaft  224 . Pump blades wall  292  is mounted to pump blades  270  (see  FIG. 30 ). The wall  292  acts as a baffle for fluid flow so that fluid traveling from shaft bore  294  through port  293  travels to pump blades  270  and then follows arrows  296  to the periphery of pump blades  270 , around the periphery of wall  292  to the periphery of turbine blades  273 , in between turbine blades  273  (see  FIG. 33A ) to reaction blades  275 . Sleeve  228  has annular space  313  that collects return fluid exiting reaction blades  265  and transmits such effluent fluid to nozzles  280  via reservoir  298 .  
         [0134]     Left sun gear  261  can be integrally connected to reaction blades  265  at sleeve  288  as shown in the sectional view of  FIG. 30 . Bearing  287  forms an interface between sleeve  288  and clam shell housing  259 . Turbine  271  is a rotating structure that includes turbine blades  273  and sleeve  283 . Bearing  284  forms a rotary interface between sleeve  283  and clamshell housing  259 . Clamshell  259  can be comprised of left clamshell half  285  and right clamshell half  286 . The halves  285  and  286  are connected together (eg. welded) at their respective peripheries. Right sun gear  289  is fastened (eg. bolted) to right clamshell half  286  using fasteners (eg. bolts)  290 .  
         [0135]     When filled with fluid, the mere rotation of the chamber  228  will cause the pump blades  270  to centrifugally drive the turbine  271 , which is connected to the right planet gears via plate  272 . The right planet gears  264  will in turn drive the right ring gear  263  that is mounted on the right end plate  252  which is connected to the shaft  224 . The aforementioned rotations result when the reaction blades  265  rotate counter clockwise.  
         [0136]     In  FIGS. 30 and 31 - 34 , fluid enters bore  294  of shaft  224  and flows to lateral flow port  293  (see  FIGS. 30-31 ). Flow then passes from port  293  via channel  295  (see arrows  296 ) in sleeve  288  to pump blades  270  and in between clamshell  259  left half  285  and plate  292  that is fastened to blades  270 .  
         [0137]     Following arrows  296  in  FIG. 30 , fluid travels to pump the periphery of blades  270 , then to the periphery of turbine blades  273  and then to reaction blades  265 . As shown in  FIG. 34 , turbine blades  273  and reaction blades  265  travel in opposite rotational directions so that micro-bubbles  274  traveling with the fluid are combusted at the interface, such combustion designated by the reference numerals  275  in  FIG. 34 .  
         [0138]     By causing the micro bubbles  274  to combust at  275  on the leading edge of the reaction blades  265  (see  FIG. 34 ), the fluid will accelerate down the pitch of the reaction blades  265  toward the shaft  224  turning the reaction blades  265  counter clockwise as shown by arrow  277  in  FIG. 34 . The fluid then exits reaction blades  265  through ports  314  to annular space  313  to thrust jets  280  going from a high pressure containment to a low pressure zone, striking flinger plate  227 . Hence, the chamber  228  is driven by micro-bubble  274  combustion at  275  and thrust.  
         [0139]     The micro-combustion chamber heat engine  210  needs no outside mechanical grounding. The turbine blades  273  rotate in the direction of arrow  278  and eventually rotate right end plate  252 . The reaction blades  265  rotate in the direction of arrow  277  to rotate pump blades  270 . The centrifugal force produced by the rotation of the chamber  228  causes the fluid to flow over the different blades inside the chamber. The fluid moves the blades  273  and  265  and the blades  273 ,  265  move the connected gears (planet and sun).  
         [0140]     By adding a net energy gain through micro-bubble combustion, the apparatus  210  continually energizes the fluid through a continuous stream of bubble  274  burn  275 . In addition, since the bubble  274  is the combustion chamber, engine size can be scaled down to micro technology without compromising power output and without producing any noticeable amount of CO or CO 2 .  
         [0141]     Fluid exiting reaction blades  265  flows through ports  314  to annular space  313  to channel  291  and then to reservoir  298  that is surrounded by reservoir wall  297  and then exits chamber  228  at nozzle jets  280 , striking flinger plate  227  to aerate the fluid and produce micro-bubbles. Additional micro-bubbles form in the fluid when it travels from flinger plate  227  and strikes the canister wall  250 .  
         [0142]      FIGS. 35-36  show a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, wherein the chamber  300  replaces the chamber  228  of the third embodiment  210 . In  FIGS. 35-36 , certain parts attached to left end plate  251  are provided that redirect fluid flow exiting chamber  228 . Otherwise, the working parts of chamber  228  are the same as those shown in  FIG. 30 . In  FIG. 35 , the new parts are those to the left of left sun gear  261  and include generally plate  301 , bearing  302 , rotating member  303  and peripheral member  310 .  
         [0143]     Rotating member  303  is preferably integral with sleeve  288 . Thus, member  303  replaces reservoir wall  297  of the embodiment of  FIG. 30 . Jets  280  and reservoir  298  are also eliminated. Planet gears  262  are now ( FIG. 35 ) mounted upon plate  301  at planet gear mounts  299  instead of to end wall  251 . End wall  251  and plate  301  are affixed together using bolted connections  308 .  
         [0144]     Expander plate  303  rotates with sleeve  288  and sun gear  261 . Plate  301  is bolted to end plate  251  (eg. with bolted connections  311 ) and with peripheral member  310  being positioned as shown in  FIG. 35  in between end plate  251  and plate  301 . Bearing  302  defines an interface between sleeve  288  and plate  301 .  
         [0145]     During use, fluid flows via ports  304  to channels  302  in expander plate  303  (see  FIG. 30 ). Fluid then enters chamber  306 . Because plate  303  rotates in the direction of arrow  313  and member  310  rotates in the direction of arrow  313 , fluid entering chamber  306  builds up back pressure until chambers  306  align with chambers  307 . Once fluid from chamber  306  mixes with chamber  307 , rotational speeds of members  303 ,  310  increase. Fluid then exits chamber  297  via channels  308 , tube  309  and nozzles  312 .  
         [0146]      FIGS. 37-47  show generally the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated generally by the numeral  315  in  FIGS. 37, 38 , and  39 . Combustion engine  315  has an enlarged housing  316  with an interior  319 . The housing  316  is comprised of upper and lower sections including a lower reservoir section  317  and an upper cover section  318 .  
         [0147]     Fluid  320  is contained in the lower portion of reservoir section  317  as shown in  FIG. 39 , the fluid  320  having a fluid level  321  that is well below chamber  333  and drive shaft  329 . The fluid  320  can be most any combustible fluid including automatic transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, vegetable oil, corn oil, peanut oil, for example.  
         [0148]     A plurality of feet  322  can be used to anchor housing  316  to a pedestal, mount, concrete base, or like structural support. A pair of sealing mating flanges  323 ,  324  can be provided respectively on housing sections  317 ,  318  to form a closure and seal that prevents leakage during use.  
         [0149]     A pair of spaced apart transversely extending beams  325 ,  326  such as the I-beams shown, can be welded to housing reservoir section  317  providing structural support for supporting drive shaft  329  and its bearings  327 ,  328 . The drive shaft  329  is to be driven by a rotating member contained within chamber  333  as will be described more fully hereinafter. For reference purposes, drive shaft  329  has a pair of end portions including starter end portion  330  and fluid inlet end portion  331 .  
         [0150]     In  FIGS. 39-40 , the chamber  333  including its cylindrically-shaped wall portion  355  and its circular end wall plates  356 ,  357  is mounted integrally to and rotates with shaft  329 . Cylindrically shaped wall portion  355  has a plurality of fluid outlet jets  332  that enable fluid to exit chamber  333 . The fluid  320  that exits chamber  333  via jets  332  strikes the inside surface  366 . The fluid  320  is thrown radially away from wall portion  355  due to the centrifugal force of wall portion  355  as it rotates with shaft  329 .  
         [0151]     The circulation of fluid  320  through the apparatus  315  begins at reservoir section  317  wherein a volume of fluid  320  is contained below fluid level  321  as shown in  FIG. 39 . The travel of fluid  320  through the apparatus  315  is completed when fluid  320  exits chamber  333  via jets  332  and is thrown against inner surface  366  of housing  316  and then draining to reservoir section  317  of housing  316 . This exiting of fluid  320  from chamber  333  so that it strikes housing  316  inner surface  366  creates very small bubbles in fluid  320  that will be the subject of combustion when that aerated fluid  320  again enters chamber  333  via shaft  329  flow channel  360  and radial passageway  361  as will be described more fully herein.  
         [0152]     In  FIGS. 37-41 , fluid  320  from reservoir section  317  is first pumped with positive displacement rotary fluid pump  338  to flow outlet line  337 . Pumping of fluid  320  is accomplished initially with a starter motor  347  that rotates shaft  329 . The rotating shaft  329  then rotates pump  338  using power take off  341 .  
         [0153]     Fluid  320  is transferred from reservoir section  317  via outlet port  340  to suction line  339 . Fluid  320  flows from suction line  339  to pump  338  and then to flow outlet line  337 . The fluid  320  then flows through control valve  336  to flow inlet line  335 . A bypass line  345  enables a user to divert flow at control valve  336  so that only a desired volume of fluid  320  enters flow inlet line  335  and hollow bore  360  of shaft  329  at rotary coupling  334 . Once fluid  320  is transmitted to bore  360 , it flows via radial passageway  361  into the interior  319  of chamber  333  for use as a source of combustion as will be described more fully hereinafter.  
         [0154]     Shaft  329  can be connected to flow inlet line  335  with a rotary fluid coupling  334 . Power take off  341  can be in the form of a pair of sprockets  342 ,  343  connected to pump  338  and drive shaft  329  respectively as shown in  FIG. 38 . A chain drive  344  can be used to connect the two sprockets  342 ,  343 . Rotation of the drive shaft  329  thus effects a rotation of the pump  338  so that fluid  320  will be pumped from reservoir section  317  of housing  316  via lines  335 ,  337  to channel  360  of shaft  329  once starter motor  347  is activated. If fluid  320  is to be bypassed using bypass  345 , it is simply returned to reservoir section  317  via bypass line  345  and port  346 .  
         [0155]     Starter motor  347  can be an electric motor or internal combustion engine for example. The motor  347  is mounted upon motor mount  348 . Shaft  329  provides a sheave  349 . Motor drive  347  has a sheave  350 . A sheave  351  is provided on clutch  358 . The sheaves  349 ,  350 ,  351  are interconnected with drive belt  354 . Clutch  358  also includes a sheave support  352  and a lever  353  that is pivotally attached to mount  348  and movably as shown by arrow  359  in  FIG. 37 .  
         [0156]     To start the engine  315 , the user cranks the starter motor  347  until drive shaft  329  rotates to a desired RPM. On an actual prototype apparatus  315 , the starter motor  347  is cranked until the drive shaft  329  reaches about 1000-1600 RPM&#39;s. The starter motor  347  thus initiates operation, by activating pump  338  to pump fluid  320  from reservoir  317  into flow channel  360  of shaft  329  and then into transverse passage way  361 .  
         [0157]     Radial passageway  361  communicates with annular chamber  362  of hub  363 . Hub  363  has a central opening  364  that receives shaft  329  so that hub  363  closely fits shaft  329 , but spins with respect to, shaft  329 . Hub openings  365  are circumferentially spaced, radially extending openings in hub  363  that enable fluid  320  to flow from annular chamber  363  of hub  363  to the annular chamber  373  that is radially positioned away from hub openings  365  and that is sandwiched between clamshell housing  371  and hub  363 .  
         [0158]     Clamshell housing  371  is rotatably mounted to hub  363  using bearings  374 ,  375 . Compression drive blades  369  are fixedly attached to clamshell housing  371 . Sun gear  376  attaches to hub  377 . Hub  377  has central opening  378  that is sized and shaped to closely fit shaft  329 . Hub  377  also carries reaction blades  379 . Hub  368  connects planet gears  381  to combustion channel blades  380 . Hub  368  has central opening  382  that is sized and shaped to fit the outer surface  383  of hub  377 .  
         [0159]     In  FIGS. 45 and 47  each planet gear  381  attaches to hub  368  with a planet gear shaft  384 . Each planet gear  381  is engaged by sun gear  376  and ring gear  385 . Ring gear  385  is attached to and rotates with chamber  333 . Ring gear  385  can be attached (e.g. bolted) to plate wall  357 .  
         [0160]     Angled thrust tube  370  is mounted on clamshell housing  371  next to combustion site  367 . As shown in  FIGS. 41, 42 ,  43 ,  44  and  47 , the thrust tube  370  is angled so that when combustion occurs in the small bubbles that are carried in fluid  320  at combustion site  367 , expanding fluid exits tube  370  as schematically illustrated by arrow  386  in  FIG. 44 , rotating clamshell housing  371  in the direction of arrow  372  in  FIG. 42 . Small air bubbles (containing oxygen and vapor from the fluid  320 ) are conveyed to and begin to burn at combustion site  367  in  FIG. 41 . When the matter in these bubbles begins to combust, the bubbles expand. In  FIG. 41 , a thrust tube (or tubes)  370  capture this expansion. The thrust tube  370  is so positioned and shaped that it rotates clamshell housing  371  in the direction of arrow  372 .  
         [0161]     Using starter motor  347 , shaft  329  is initially rotated in a clockwise direction as indicated by arrow  387  in  FIG. 37 . Rotation of shaft  329  also rotates housing  333  and ring gear  385  in the same clockwise direction as viewed in  FIG. 37 . In the sectional view of  FIG. 45 , the rotation of ring gear  385  is indicated by arrow  388 . Arrow  389  shows the direction of rotation for each planet gear  381 .  
         [0162]     Arrow  390  shows the rotation of sun gear  376 . When shaft  329  is driven by starter motor  347 , sun gear  376  drives the reaction blades  379  to rotate in the same direction as sun gear rotation arrow  390 . Combustion channel blades  380  rotate in the same direction as ring gear  385  and in an opposite direction from reaction blades  379  (see  FIGS. 42, 43  and  44 ).  
         [0163]     Fluid  320  that flows through bore  360  to radial passageway  361  divides into two flow components, (see arrows  391 ,  392  in  FIG. 41 ) following the path of least resistance so that some fluid  320  flows to reaction blades  379  and some fluid  320  flows to compression drive blades  369  (see  FIGS. 41, 42 ).  
         [0164]     Once the chamber  333  is filled with fluid  320 , the fluid  320  becomes pressurized because pump  338  tries to transmit more fluid  320  into chamber  333  than can be discharged from chamber  333 , and the pressurized fluid  320  begins to push on the blades  379 ,  380 . The pitch of the blades  379 ,  380  attempt to channel the fluid  320  as it flows between the blades  379  and then  380  (see  FIGS. 43, 44 ). The sun gear  376  rotates in the direction of arrow  390  as compared to arrow  388  of ring gear  388 . As fluid  320  leaves compression drive blades  369 , it collides with fluid  320  exiting combustion channel blades  380 . These colliding fluid streams carry very tiny bubbles filled with a combination of vapor of the fuel (fluid  320 ) and oxygen. They are compressed sufficiently to cause combustion inside each bubble. The expanding gas produced by combustion of the tiny bubbles in fluid  320  attempts to exit clamshell housing  371  via angled thrust tube  370 , rotating clamshell housing  371  in the same direction as chamber  333  (see arrow  393  in  FIG. 46 ).  
         [0165]     As combustion of small bubbles occurs at combustion site  367 , motor  347  is no longer needed as the sole drive for shaft  329 . Rather, the rotating clamshell housing  371  and its drive blades  369  rotate as the bubble combustion causes expanding gas to exit tube  370 .  
         [0166]     Because of the gearing of  FIG. 45 , the combustion channel blades  380  rotate at a slower speed. The faster rotating compression drive blades  369  attempt to pump fluid back across combustion site  367  in the direction of the combustion channel blades  380 . However, fluid  320  continues to inflow via channel  360 , passageway  361  and annular chamber  362  to blades  379  and  380 . The fluid  320  that is pumped by rotating blades  369  on clamshell housing  371  pumps against blades  380  and rotates them in the same direction as arrow  393  (see  FIGS. 41, 42 , and  46 ). Blades  380  are connected to planet gears  381 . As the planet gears move in the direction of arrow  388 , sun gear  376  rotates in the direction of arrow  390 . The ring gear  385  is driven by planet gears  381  to rotate and drive shaft  329  that is attached to ring gear  385  via chamber  333  and wall plate  357 .  
         [0167]     The following table lists the parts numbers and parts descriptions as used herein and in the drawings attached hereto.  
                                             PARTS LIST                Part Number   Description                        10   combustion engine            11   housing            12   reservoir section            13   cover            14   interior            15   fluid            16   fluid level            17   feet            18   flange            19   flange            20   beam            21   beam            22   bearing            23   bearing            24   drive shaft            25   starter end portion            26   fluid inlet end portion            27   flinger plate            28   chamber            29   rotary fluid coupling            30   flow inlet line            31   fluid control valve            32   flow outlet line            33   pump            34   suction line            35   flow port            36   power take off            37   sprocket            38   sprocket            39   chain drive            40   bypass flow line            41   flow port            42   starter motor            43   motor mount            44   sheave            45   sheave            46   sheave            47   sheave support            48   lever            49   belt            50   cylindrical canister            51   circular end wall plate            52   circular end wall plate            53   clutch            54   arrow            55   shaft flow channel            56   transverse passageway            57   arrows            58   bushing            59   sleeve            60   impulse drive unit            61   arrow            62   combustion site            63   impulse drive blades            65   combustion channels            66   externally threaded portion            67   lock nut            68   lock ring            69   bolted connection            70   key            71   interior            72   bearing            73   sleeve            74   flow outlet opening            75   arrow            76   blades            77   compression drive unit            78   bolted connection            79   bubbles            80   arrow            81   arrow            82   cavity            83   combustion channel blades            84   combustion channel unit               inner housing            85   planet gear mounting plate            86   bolted connection            87   planet gear            88   sun gear            89   ring gear            90   fluid outlet jet            91   arrow            92   bolted connection            93   splined connection            94   bolted connection            95   rotary bushing            96   bearing           100   gap           101   flow channel           102   reservoir           103   receptacle           104   bolted connection           105   connection           106   arrow           110   combustion engine           111   housing           112   reservoir section           113   cover           114   interior           115   fluid           116   fluid level           117   feet           118   flange           119   flange           120   beam           121   beam           122   bearing           123   bearing           124   drive shaft           125   starter end portion           126   fluid inlet end portion           127   flinger plate           128   chamber           129   rotary fluid coupling           130   flow inlet line           131   fluid control valve           132   flow outlet line           133   pump           134   suction line           135   outlet port           136   power take off           137   sprocket           138   sprocket           139   chain drive           140   bypass flowline           141   flow port           142   starter motor           143   motor mount           144   sheave           145   sheave           146   sheave           147   sheave support           148   lever           149   drive belt           150   cylindrical canister wall           151   circular end wall plate           152   circular end wall plate           153   clutch           154   arrow           155   shaft flow bore           156   transverse port           157   arrow           158   flow divider           159   shaft rotation arrow           160   annular chamber           161   bolted connection           162   combustion site           163   combustion channel blade           164   drive sleeve           165   key           166   torque blade           167   external threads           168   lock nut           169   lock ring           170   combustion channel blades housing           171   interior           172   pre-ignition chamber           173   right ring gear           174   left planet gear           175   right sun gear           176   right planet gear           177   planet gear mounting plate           178   arrow           179   bubbles           180   arrow           181   arrow           182   arrow           183   compression-impulse drive blade           184   planet gear shaft           185   left sun gear           186   left ring gear           187   reservoir           188   port           189   plate           190   jets           191   rotary member           192   bolted connection           193   sleeve           194   planetary gear mounting plate           195   thrust bearing assembly           196   arrows           197   chamber           198   port           199   port           200   annular chamber           201   arrow           202   channels           203   arrow           204   arrow           205   bolted connection           206   thrust wall           207   bushing           210   combustion engine           211   housing           212   reservoir section           213   cover           214   interior           215   fluid           216   fluid level           217   feet           218   flange           219   flange           220   beam           221   beam           222   bearing           223   bearing           224   drive shaft           225   starter end portion           226   fluid inlet end portion           227   flinger plate           228   chamber           229   rotary fluid coupling           230   flow inlet line           231A   fluid control valve           231A   fluid control valve           232A   flow outlet pipe           232B   flow outlet pipe           233A   pump           233B   pump           234   flow divider           235   recirculation line           236   power takeoff           237A   sprocket           237B   sprocket           238   vertical support           239   chain drive           240   screen filter           241A   flow port           241B   flow port           242   starter motor           243   motor mount           244   sheave           245   sheave           246   sheave           247   sheave support           248   lever           249   belt           250   cylindrical canister wall           251   circular end wall           252   circular end wall           253   clutch           254   arrow           255   shaft flow channel           256   transverse passageway           257   arrow           258   turbine           259   clam shell           260   left ring gear           261   left sun gear           262   planet gear           263   right ring gear           264   right planet gear           265   reaction blade           266   externally threaded portion           267   lock nut           268   lock ring           269   bolted connection           270   pump blade           271   turbine           272   planet gear plate           273   turbine blade           274   micro-bubble           275   combustion of bubble           276   arrow           277   arrow           278   arrow           279   pump blade wall           280   nozzle thrust jet           281   planet gear shaft           282   fastener           283   sleeve           284   bearing           285   left clamshell half           286   right clamshell half           287   bearing           288   sleeve           289   right sun gear           290   fastener           291   flow channel           292   plate           293   flow port           294   bore           295   channel           296   arrow           297   reservoir wall           298   reservoir           299   planet gear mount           300   chamber           301   plate           302   bearing           303   expander plate           304   port           305   channel           306   chamber           307   chamber           308   channel           309   tube           310   peripheral member           311   bolted connection           312   nozzle           313   annular space           314   ports           315   combustion engine           316   housing           317   reservoir section           318   cover           319   interior           320   fluid           321   fluid level           322   feet           323   flange           234   flange           325   beam           326   beam           327   bearing           328   bearing           329   drive shaft           330   starter end portion           331   fluid inlet end portion           332   fluid outlet jet           333   chamber           334   rotary fluid coupling           335   flow inlet line           336   fluid control valve           337   flow outlet line           338   pump           339   suction line           340   outlet port           341   power take off           342   sprocket           343   sprocket           344   chain drive           345   bypass flow line           346   flow port           347   starter motor           348   motor mount           349   sheave           350   sheave           351   sheave           352   sheave support           353   lever           354   belt           355   cylindrical wall           356   circular end wall plate           357   circular end wall plate           358   clutch           359   arrow           360   shaft flow channel           361   radial passageway           362   annular chamber           363   hub           364   central opening           365   opening           366   housing inner surface           367   combustion site           368   hub           369   compression drive blades           370   angled thrust tube           371   clamshell housing           372   arrow           373   annular chamber           374   bearing           375   bearing           376   sun gear           377   hub           378   hub central opening           379   reaction blades           380   combustion channel blades           381   planet gear           382   central opening           383   outer surface           384   planet gear shaft           385   ring gear           386   arrow           387   arrow           388   arrow           389   arrow           390   arrow           391   arrow           392   arrow           393   arrow                      
 
         [0168]     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.