Abstract:
Various embodiments of a converter for use in a combustion engine having a discharge conduit for discharging exhaust combustion gases are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the converter may include a heating chamber being in thermal contact with the discharge conduit and defining a hydraulic channel through which a fluid passes. The converter may also include an inlet port disposed in the heating chamber for receiving the fluid into the heating chamber, and an outlet port disposed in the heating chamber for discharging the fluid from the heating chamber. The heat energy from the exhaust combustion gases is transferred to the fluid while the fluid passes through the hydraulic channel.

Description:
[0001]    This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/230,004, filed Aug. 21, 2008, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/806,480, filed Mar. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,430,865, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/066,574, filed Feb. 6, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,137, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/582,233, filed Sep. 7, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,613. All of these prior applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is characterized by a combination of vapor-to-mechanical energy converters driven by rapid heat transfer means able to instantaneously transfer energy from the products of combustion, or any heat source, to a thermodynamic fluid circulating inside an independent loop. This fluid moves inside the loop mainly as a result of its own expansion and transfers its energy to mechanical means through thermodynamic work-producing units or expanders. In this manner, the various components of this device constitute a special Miniaturized Waste Heat Engine (MWHE) able to recuperate and convert waste energy from combustion or heat sources into useful energy. By returning a significant fraction of this recuperated energy to the power system (for example in the form of mechanical or electrical energy), the usually unavoidable heat discharge into the environment is minimized, while pollutant emission can be significantly reduced at no energy cost for the power system. 
         [0003]    To simplify the description of the working principles and methods of operation of this invention, an internal combustion engine (fueled with heavy or non-heavy fuels) is from now on considered to be the power system. However, any power system utilizing heat sources and producing waste heat as a result of their operation could utilize the techniques and methods described by this invention. 
         [0004]    When this invention is applied to an internal combustion engine, the energy of the exhaust combustion gases (high temperature and mass flow rate) is converted into additional horsepower transferred directly to the engine load, via the engine crankshaft, and/or indirectly via special engine intake oxygen enhancing means. 
         [0005]    The MWHE contains one or more vapor-to-mechanical energy converting systems, referred to hereafter as expanders; one or more instantaneous heat transfer systems, referred to hereafter as converters; one or more instantaneous vapor collapsing systems, referred to hereafter as imploders; and one or more air/oxygen enhancing systems, referred to hereafter as oxygenators. 
         [0006]    In general, the MWHE is formed by one or more converters coupled with a series of expanders including a vapor condensing system, or imploder, so as to form a thermodynamic cycle. A converter (or multiple converters) returns the recuperated energy from the exhaust gases through one or more expanders in the form of mechanical energy, adding it to the power normally generated by the engine. Another converter (or the excess recuperated energy of a single converter) allows the pressurization of the engine intake manifold through the oxygenator, thereby providing excess oxygen to the air fuel mixture independently of the engine rotational speed, or revolutions per minute (RpM). By utilizing this particular oxygen enhancing feature, the engine performance can be significantly improved since air/oxygen is virtually pumped into the engine at all times, regardless of the RpM, at no cost. If this device is applied to a diesel fuel engine, the production of highly toxic particulate is almost eliminated since excess oxygen is always present during combustion, even when the engine is accelerating from idling speeds. 
         [0007]    Therefore, the main application of this thermodynamic engine can be seen as an anti-pollution system, especially when applied to heavy fueled engines, but also as a device able to significantly improve engine performance while reducing fuel consumption. Again, it is important to emphasize that the source of energy of this invention is constituted by heat that is normally irreversibly discharged into the environment. 
       PRIOR ART 
       [0008]    Engine intake air-enhancement-systems are normally characterized by centrifugal turbo-compressors, or turbo-chargers, and by positive displacement air compressors. The centrifugal compressors are devices utilized to provide excess air to the engine allowing increased power output and generally improving the combustion. These devices improve the overall engine efficiency because they recuperate a fraction of the kinetic energy and pressure energy contained in the exhaust gases produced during combustion. Centrifugal compressors are widely used in Internal Combustion (IC) engine applications since they show reasonably good efficiencies when they operate at the proper speeds, are reasonably rugged, and last for the entire life of the engine. Air compressors for IC engines are generally formed by two counter-opposed sections containing the Exhaust Gas Wheel, “EGW,” and the Compressor Wheel, “CW,” connected by a common shaft. The EGW converts parts of the kinetic and pressure energy of the exhaust gas into shaft power. Since the CW is also mechanically connected to the same shaft, it converts the shaft power provided by the EGW into air pressure at the discharge of the CW. In this manner, the engine intake manifolds become pressurized and more air/oxygen is available to the engine. Thanks to these devices, it is possible to increase the amount of fuel injected in the combustion chamber and increase the overall engine power output. Unfortunately, the efficiency of the centrifugal compressors is optimized only for a significantly high range of rotational speed of the CW (generally greater than 30,000 RpM). Such speeds are only reached when the mass of exhaust gases (mass flow rate, grams-per-second), matches the optimized EGW RpM, so that the maximum torque is transferred through the shaft to the CW. This unavoidable sequence of events creates the conditions for a delay, called “turbo-lag,” imposed mainly by the fluid-mechanical inertia of the exhaust gases, the mechanical inertia of the EGW, CW, and many other factors. Due to the fact that the exhaust gases are a consequence of the combustion process, the engine experiences a significant delay between the time the fuel is injected and the time the proper quantity of oxygen in the combustion chamber is made available by the compressor. This delay provokes a severe drop in engine performance during acceleration, particularly from idling to higher RpM. In fact, during these phases there is not enough oxygen to complete combustion, therefore the production of pollutant emissions is significant while the engine performance is impaired. This condition exists for several seconds every time the engine accelerates and it becomes even more pronounced when the engine is severely loaded. 
         [0009]    Normally, if the engine is idling and the accelerator pedal is suddenly pressed, the fuel appears inside the combustion chambers almost instantaneously, but the availability of oxygen is completely insufficient to complete combustion. Eventually, the engine RpM changes from idling to the desired speed and an increasing mass flow of exhaust gases starts to provide enough torque to the centrifugal compressor, thereby the availability of oxygen becomes gradually sufficient. In fact, as time passes the CW reaches the proper RpM and air is finally compressed inside the intake manifold. To summarize, during acceleration the conventional turbo compressors (centrifugal compressors in particular) are unable to provide oxygen to the engine for a time period depending on engine load and rate of acceleration. During this time a severe production of particulate (especially when heavy fuels are considered) is discharged into the environment. To eliminate, or minimize, the turbo-lag phenomena, some engine manufacturers utilize different mechanical compressors (i.e. positive displacement compressors) which show a reasonable efficiency at low RpM. These mechanical systems are coupled with the engine crankshaft, thereby utilizing power from the engine to operate (less efficient). When these devices are utilized the production of pollution is reduced during acceleration, but unfortunately engine performance is also penalized, especially at high engine RpM. The only commercial alternative widely used (for example for large diesel engines) is to utilize two different air-enhancing systems in tandem. Therefore, a positive displacement air compressor, utilizing power from the engine, and a centrifugal compressor are coupled so that one provides oxygen at low RpM, while the other pressurizes the intake manifold at higher RpM. This solution is very expensive and results only in a modest improvement of the overall engine efficiency. Another way to provide excess oxygen inside the intake manifold at low engine RpM is represented by electrical compressor. These compressors are generally characterized by an electrical motor coupled with a centrifugal compressor able to provide excess oxygen to the engine independently of engine RpM. Generally, these electrical motors are controlled by sophisticated and expensive electronic controllers, and require extremely high current densities to provide the needed torque in a few hundreds of milliseconds. In other words, these compressors are capable of providing the needed oxygen at low engine RpM, but unfortunately they require extremely high electric consumption for their operation. The high current densities required for the electrical air compressors also poses serious problems by originating large emissions of electromagnetic interference, and by generally overloading the conventional electrical systems (i.e. alternator, batteries) aboard the vehicles. Therefore, although the electric compressors satisfy the requirement for oxygen at low engine RpM, they also require so much power to run that the overall energy balance might actually show a deterioration of the overall engine performance instead of the opposite. 
         [0010]    The main objective of the proposed invention is to provide a waste energy recovery system capable of reducing environmental pollution while increasing the engine performance. Therefore, this invention converts heat into mechanical energy which can be used to produce electricity, air pressure, or availability of thermodynamic work. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    One of the main objectives of the proposed invention is to provide an anti-pollution device while increasing the power system&#39;s overall performance without affecting the fuel specific consumption. In general, this invention consists of a special thermodynamic engine coupled with the power system, the waste energy of which is the source of energy of the thermodynamic engine. Because the converters and expanders utilized are extremely compact, the overall MWHE can be easily assembled/integrated with a conventional IC engine. Superheated vapor is generated by injecting a relatively low-pressure fluid with the desired thermodynamic and thermal physical properties (i.e. water or any proper fluid) inside a special heat transfer converter which transfers the heat released by the cooling system and exhaust gases of the engine to the fluid instantaneously. In general, by considering a 50-60 horse-power (HP) engine, about 20-24 kW (where 1 kW=1.341 HP) are normally lost in the form of heat irreversibly discharged into the environment. This heat is normally lost through the exhaust gases and forced convection through the engine coolant system and radiator. The minimum energy required to accumulate enough oxygen inside the intake manifold when the engine is accelerating from idling to higher speeds can be estimated between 0.8-1 kW for a small volume engine, and about 3 kW for a medium large diesel-fueled engine. Normally the efficiency of a standard centrifugal air compressor is not greater than 60-70%, therefore the energy required at the compressor shaft is about 3.2 kW. A device utilizing a 20 kW energy source to convert it into 3.2 kW minimum energy required to provide compressed air should have an efficiency of at least 16%. Such a low efficiency is normally not even considered for power generation; however, in this case the energy source is waste energy and recuperating even a small fraction of it only represents a gain for the overall engine efficiency. Therefore, the thermodynamic cycle of the NWHE is a vapor cycle based on an injection of water (or a proper fluid) into the heat transfer converter which instantaneously flashes the water to superheated steam with no need for steam boilers or accumulation (as is for conventional vapor cycles). The pressure of the water injection and the mass flow rate can be varied as a result of the quantity of heat available inside the converter, or simply as a function of the amount of waste heat that we want to recuperate. Once water is injected inside the converter it expands instantaneously, changing its specific volume and making the heat transfer process extremely rapid. The energy collected by the superheated steam while transiting inside the converter is then utilized inside one or more expanders able to provide power directly to the crankshaft, and/or drive the oxygenators. If the engine is a medium-large volume engine the production of waste heat is greater than the heat necessary to only drive the oxygenators. In this case, the excess superheated steam energy can be utilized to drive an additional expander that returns (directly or indirectly) mechanical energy to the engine crankshaft. To summarize, the MWHE can be formed by one or more heat converters, and at least two expanders. One expander is coupled with the engine load through a special clutch, and the other provides a constant optimum speed for a special centrifugal-type compressor forming an air/oxygen enhancing system (oxygenator) powered by waste energy. The superheated steam formed inside the converter then expands in the expanders and condenses inside a radiator, or as a result of steam collapsing when exposed to the cold surfaces of chambers inside the expander (imploding systems). Furthermore, the sudden implosion of vapor inside the imploder chambers causes a drop in the system pressure (i.e. P=0.09 bar when T=45° C.) which increases the efficiency of the MWHE thermodynamic cycle. At this point the condensed fluid (back in its liquid form) is pressurized back into the injector, and a new cycle starts over. By rough estimates, it is possible to assume that if the maximum temperature reached by the superheated steam inside the converter is only 450° C., the overall efficiency of the waste heat thermodynamic cycle is approximately 21%. This means that a vapor cycle with the above characteristics could provide at least 3.4 kW shaft power to a compressor of whatever type. In other words, the thermodynamic engine described in this invention can be utilized to power an air/oxygen enhancing system at no cost for the overall energy balance of the engine. If the converter provides a superheating temperature greater than 450° C., for example 600° C., the overall efficiency of the thermodynamic cycle would reach 29%. The maximum temperature achievable by the superheated vapor inside the converter is proportional to: the length of the converter; the distance between heated surfaces inside the converter; the roughness of the converter internal surfaces; mass flow rate of liquid fluid to be converted into vapor; mass flow rate of exhaust gases transiting inside the converter; thermal insulation between converter and surrounding environment; and many other less crucial variables. In general, exhaust gases temperatures can reach values higher than 600° C., and the relative efficiency of the converter can be much higher than 29%. 
         [0012]    To summarize, the device of this invention recuperates a fraction of the energy normally lost in the form of heat from conventional power systems and combustion engines. By utilizing this energy to drive oxygen enhancing systems, engine pollution can be drastically reduced while engine performance is increased. By utilizing this same energy to drive a work-producing unit, the overall engine efficiency can be further improved since more power can be provided to the engine load. Then the overall engine power output is a result of the summation of the power normally provided by the engine and the power recuperated from the waste heat. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a representation of a basic centrifugal air compressor within which an additional work-producing unit is added in the central body of the compressor, thereby forming an intake air-enhancing system which utilizes the exhaust gases kinetic energy in tandem with the expansion of superheated vapor inside an expander coaxial with the CW. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view representing the mechanical parts of the work-producing unit which can be assembled inside the body of widely used centrifugal compressors. This work-producing unit includes active means for the optimum regulation of the expander speed along with an autonomous and innovative lubrication system. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the central body of the expander which utilizes an internal imploding chamber/surface able to cause sudden vapor condensation. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are sectional views representing the central body of the expander equipped with active servo mechanisms controlling and regulating special vapor nozzles. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a schematic representing the hydraulic lubricating system and the pumping effect caused by internal blades embedded into the shaft. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4A  is a sectional view of the expander in which the outlet nozzles are oriented in a configuration which offers a counter balancing force for the thrust bearings. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4B  is a sectional view of the expander coupled with a CW in an up-side-down configuration and equipped with a balancing variable mass system. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a special expander whose wheel contains multiple stage blades within the same circumference, coupled with a centrifugal CW and an EGW showing also an external jacket for the reutilization of the heat loss by the surfaces of the EGW casing. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of an expander similar to that described in  FIG. 5  except that the vapor circulates inside a jacketed system surrounding the EGW casing independently of the vapor circulating inside the expander. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  shows a detailed representation of the multiple stage blades located on a single wheel, lighter, compact, and able to provide the torque of three equivalent wheels operating with vapor with different thermodynamic properties. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of a special expander coupled with a centrifugal CW positioned with 180° rotation and having a discharge section formed by a diverging conical nozzle able to recuperate most of the kinetic energy of the air once leaving the blade tips of the CW. In this Figure a series of intake air by-pass valves are also shown. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of a centrifugal compressor coupled with a vapor expander completely symmetric for easiness of manufacturing and assembly. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of an expander forming a work-producing unit coupled via reduction gears to a centrifugal, mechanical, hydraulic, or electromagnetic clutch which transfers mechanical energy to the engine load. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  represents the application of the expander-compressor unit as an oxygen enhancing system connected directly on the air filter barrel of the engine intake manifold without affecting the operation of existing turbo compressors or turbochargers already installed on the engine. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  represents the application of the expander-compressor unit as an oxygen enhancing system positioned inside the intake manifold utilizing a jet effect to pressurize the intake manifold. Again, this application does not affect existing turbo chargers or compressors already installed on the engine. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  shows the optimization of a conventional turbo compressor. In this case, the expander-compressor air/oxygen intake is independent and the pumping jet effect is optimized for higher performance at low engine RpM. 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  shows a series of different configurations of the expander compressor unit by coupling the expander to existing compressor parts, or by coupling the expander to specially manufactured parts (i.e. special multiple stage blades wheel, or symmetric parts). 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  shows the hydraulic circuits of the various heat converters located inside the muffler, inside or surrounding the exhaust manifold, and the jacket surrounding the EGW casing. In this Figure, the heat converter formed by a jacket in thermal contact with the hot surfaces exposed to hot exhaust gases driving the wheel, and thermally insulated from the surrounding environment, forms a hydraulic path which allows superheated vapor to flow directly into the expander (shown in detail in  FIG. 5 ). 
           [0031]      FIG. 15A  shows a cooling system formed by heat fins/vents of the converter positioned onto or inside the exhaust manifoldable to re-circulate cooling air in case of malfunctioning of the converter or the MWHE. 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  shows a hydraulic circuit similar to that shown in  FIG. 15 . In this Figure the connection of the various converters allows further superheating of the vapor and increases the overall efficiency of the MWHE. 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  is a schematic representing the thermodynamic cycle made by the fluid (i.e. water or any proper fluid) from the condenser to the converter(s), to the expander(s), and back to the condenser. 
           [0034]      FIG. 17A  is a schematic representing the thermodynamic cycle as shown in  FIG. 17  with the addition of a high pressure insulated accumulation tank in which excess waste heat can be accumulated to pulse the expanders. 
           [0035]      FIG. 18  represents a sectional view of a heat converter of easy construction and equipped with internal fins/paths for a better heat transfer, thermally insulted with proper materials or by means of an additional jacket in which it is possible to obtain a vacuum and good thermal insulation. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    The working principles of the MWHE of the present invention are now described by utilizing the schematics and representations shown in  FIG. 1-18 . 
         [0037]    The thermodynamic steps of the MWHE&#39;s cycle are represented in  FIGS. 17 , and  17 A. Since the MWHE is formed by the combination of several sub-components, each of them characterized by unique features, the description of the MWHE should be somewhat simplified by describing the sub-components first. The most important sub-components of the MWHE cycle, expanders, converters, imploders, oxygenators and their applications are described in  FIG. 1-16 .  FIGS. 17 and 17A , and basically provide the overall hydraulic connection and method of operation of each sub-component as part of a single device: the MWHE as a plant. Therefore, the basic components of a centrifugal compressor modified to integrate the vapor expander block of the MWHE are shown in  FIG. 1 . The body of the expander  1  is comprised inside the dashed block of  FIG. 1 . The vapor expander  1  contains at least one bladed Expander Wheel “EW,”  6 , with blades  6   a  designed to provide the proper torque at a desired mass flow rate and thermodynamic properties of the vapor. The material of the wheel itself can be metal, composite, or a combination. In general, the material of the wheel has to have enough strength to sustain the mechanical stress imparted by the vapor, and it has to have good thermal stability at the operational temperature imposed by the expanding vapor. The outermost edges of the tips of blades  6   a  can be made of a sealing material (i.e. Teflon), which becomes softer when its cross section is sufficiently thin, offers good lubricating characteristics, and forms a good seal between the rotating parts of the wheel and the static casing  1 . The shape, the height, and angles of the blades  6   a  of the EW are designed such that the maximum torque is obtained at a desired RpM, thereby matching the optimum RpM of the air CW  2   a , inside the diffuser  2 . EW  6  is also co-axial with the EGW  3   b , and the CW  2   a . All of the wheels  6 ,  2   a , and  3   b  are mechanically coupled to the same shaft  12  pressure-sealed in various points (not all shown in  FIG. 1 ) by a series of o-ring seals  93  or similar. Inside the expander block  1 , there is at least one thrust bearing(s)  4 , and/or fluid lubricated bearings  5  of conventional design, or of special design as described in  FIG. 4 . To achieve a good thermal insulation between the expander casing  1 , and the air compressor sections formed by the CW  2   a , and casing  2 , a thermal seal  18  is positioned between the compressor parts and the expander body  1 . In this configuration the thermal insulation  18  is necessary to prevent heat from the expander from being transferred to the compressed air inside diffuser  2 . 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 2 , expander  1  is shown in detail. The superheated vapor generated in the converters described in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  15 ,  16 , and  18  enters inlet  9  ( FIG. 2 ) which can be positioned symmetrically with respect to shaft  12  of  FIG. 1 , or they can be positioned anywhere on the expander body  1 . If water is the working fluid of the MWHE (any fluid with the proper thermodynamic, and physical properties could be utilized), superheated steam at a desired pressure and temperature enters inlets  9  and flows through nozzles  17 . Nozzles  17  can be simple converging static nozzles, designed to obtain a desired pressure-to-velocity conversion, or they can be actively actuated or statically tuned through means  15 ,  14 , and  13 . These means allow the pressure and velocity of the steam to be finely adjusted before it expands through blades  6   a  of EW  6 . Regulation means  14  consists of a mechanical link able to insert or withdraw a special needle  13 . In this manner the expander can be customized to operate at an optimum speed as a function of the mass flow rate and thermodynamic properties of steam entering through inlets  9 . Nozzles  17  are positioned inside the body of the expander  1  in a way that the forces generated against blades  6   a  counterbalance the forces acting on the shaft  12  ( FIG. 1 ). This reaction force is proportional to the mass of steam impinging on the blades  6   a . Once steam expanded though EW  6  it can exit expander  1  though the discharge paths  10  which are hydraulically connected to a condenser/radiator  86  shown in  FIGS. 17 , and  17 A. Lubrication of bearings  5  is accomplished through an oil tank  16 , oil paths  16   a , and  16   b , and a sump tank  16   c . The lubrication methods can utilize conventional designs via forced circulation of oil through an external pump, or through an innovative method shown in  FIG. 4 . Expander  1  can also be designed such that bearings  5 , and the hydraulic oil paths  16   a , and  16   b , are not integrated inside the expander body (for example, bearings  5  could be positioned inside blocks  2  and  3  of  FIG. 1 ). To minimize heat and pressure losses between the EW  6  and the static block of expander  1 , a series of proper seals (o-ring, graphite, etc.) can be positioned as indicated by number  93 . As an additional sealing mean between the blades  6   a  and the static components of expander  1 , a Teflon coating of the volume surrounding the wheel and on the EW  6  itself can be utilized. For example, if the wheel is made of Teflon, the tip of the blades can be molded (or machined) such that the flexibility of Teflon is utilized as a centrifugal seal. Then, a flexible portion of the blades, at the edge of the blade&#39;s tip, rubs against the casing containing the wheel. Since the casing is Teflon coated from the inside (or a Teflon ring is positioned around the wheel) the overall structure becomes sealed although the wheel is rotating and the case is static. Furthermore, the optimum lubricating characteristics of Teflon allow the seal to last a significant amount of time; however, any other sealing compound could achieve the same results. To minimize heat transfer from the expander body to the compressor body a thermal seal  18  is utilized as shown in  FIG. 2 . The material of this seal has very low thermal conductivity. 
         [0039]    In  FIG. 3 , the transfer of heat between the expander body  1  and the compressor body is instead favored. In this configuration steam exits the blades  6   a  and enters a condensation chamber formed by a hydraulic path defined by fins  19  and  20 . In this manner, relatively cold air passing through the compressor cools down the surfaces of the condensation chamber and vapor implodes instantaneously. When steam suddenly condenses (implodes), immediately after its expansion through the blades of EW  6 , it causes a steep pressure drop which increases the overall expander efficiency. The choice between an expander  1   c  of  FIG. 3 , or  1  of  FIG. 1  is mainly based on a compromise between the desired air compressor efficiency and the efficiency generated by the combination of the various waste heat converters. In  FIG. 3 , steam enters the expander  1   c  from inlets  9  (here shown in a non-limiting symmetric configuration) passing through nozzles  17  where its thermodynamic characteristics in terms of pressure and velocity are adjusted actively or statically. Then, it expands through blades  6   a  and enters a forced cooling hydraulic path formed by fins  20  and  20   a . Fins  20   a  have the purpose of extending the cooling surface area formed by fins  20   a  of component  19  in contact with large mass flow of the compressor intake air. As soon as steam enters in intimate contact with the surfaces  19 , cooled by air, steam contracts suddenly changing its specific volume of a factor greater than a thousand. This sudden change in specific volume inside a system where the system volume is fixed provokes a steep drop in the local pressure. Decreasing the pressure at the discharge of blades  6   a  is equivalent to increasing the pressure at the exit of nozzle  17 , thereby obtaining more thermodynamic work at the shaft of the expander (i.e.  12  in  FIG. 1 ). Since the air flowing on the outside of the expander could be the same air/oxygen being compressed inside the engine intake manifolds, the temperature of the compressed air increases consequentially. However, since the mass of steam to be condensed is minimum with respect to the mass of air flowing inside the compressor side, the increase of air temperature is minimum, thereby affecting the air compressor efficiency only marginally. In other words, the pressure drop caused by the forced steam implosion causes an increased expander efficiency, while the consequential air temperature increase causes a lower compressor efficiency. However, the overall device efficiency increases since the gain in expander efficiency is greater than the loss of the compressor efficiency. In  FIGS. 3A , and  3 B the expander bodies  1   c  and  1  of  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 2  are shown side by side to show their major differences. In  FIGS. 3A , and  3 B, the control of the EW  6  velocity is executed in a dynamic manner (active control), through means  13  able to adjust the diameter of nozzle  17  and control the thermodynamic properties of steam flowing through nozzle  17  via computer/controller  92 , described in  FIG. 17 , or through a specialized sub-computer system, indicated by “S”. Sub-computer system S, is a specialized controller which optimizes the operation of a particular sub-component of the miniaturized engine (in this case the expander). Sub-computer system S can be interfaced with the computer  92  described in  FIGS. 17 and 17A . Needles  13  are continuously re-positioned/adjusted through the servo mechanisms driven by motors  112 . Motors  112  can be driven by electricity or be activated by pneumatic means. The basic control of EW  6  speed is executed via detection of the wheel speed through a movement sensor  115  (i.e. Hall effect sensor) connected to the computer  92  of  FIG. 17 . Computer  92  monitors the whole thermodynamic condition of the expander and heat converter(s) and adjusts the position of needles  13  proportionally to the amount of steam available, its thermodynamic state, the speed of the wheel and so forth. In this manner, EW  6  is always operated under optimum conditions. 
         [0040]    In  FIG. 4  a preferential hydraulic circuit for the lubrication of shaft  12  is shown. In  FIG. 4 , bearings  5  are represented in a non-limiting manner inside the body of the expander. Bearings  5  can be formed by bushing materials lubricated by the rotating action of shaft  12 . Oil  24 , or a lubricating fluid, inside tank  16  flows inside the hydraulic paths  16   a  and  16   b  forming inner channels and undergoes an acceleration through embedded blades  22  etched on the surface of shaft  12 . In this manner, oil  24  gains kinetic energy inside blades  22  and converts this energy into potential energy. For example, oil molecules  24  ( FIG. 4  top right), enter channel  16   a  and flows inside the internal blades  22  on shaft  12 . Blades  22  are shaped in a way that the rotation of the shaft imparts acceleration to the oil as soon as the shaft reaches minimum speeds. In this manner the velocity at the end of channel  16   b  is higher than that at the entrance of channel  16   a  generating a pumping effect. Since shaft  12  rotates at reasonably elevated RpM, even a slight angle of blades  22  causes a desired pumping effect. Therefore, oil  24  inside tank  16  is forced by a depression in channel  16   a  to go through blades  22 , lubricating the bushing or bearing  5  and returning back to tank  16  through channel  16   b . In other words, lubrication of shaft  12 , bearing or bushing  5  occurs as an automatic result of the rotation of shaft  12 . The higher the number of revolutions per minute of shaft  12 , the more oil is pumped through blades  22 , therefore lubrication and cooling effects increase with increased shaft rotational speeds automatically. In general, blades  22  can be formed by micro-channels properly shaped on the surface of shaft  12  or  12   b . The number of blades  22  can be even or odd as long as symmetry and/or balancing of shaft  12  or  12   b  is respected. The oil paths from tank  16  to the various bearings  5  can be made such that each bearing has its own oil inlet and outlet. Oil inlet  16   a  could be located at the inlet of one set of bearings  5  ( FIG. 4 , bottom), be accelerated by a first set of inner blades  22 , flowing inside shaft  12   b  through hole  23   a  into channel  23  inside the shaft, entering the suction side of inner blade  22 , through hole  23   b , and finally being discharged into channel  16   b  which returns the oil back to tank  16 . 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 4A , the effect of the forces developed by the action of the EGW  3   b , CW  2   a , and EW  6  is represented. A solution to the wearing of the thrust bearing is now described. Thrust bearing  4 , which can be positioned anywhere along shaft  12 , normally has to counterbalance the reaction forces developed by the EGW  3   b  and the CW  2   a . These forces are developed as a reaction to the motion of the exhaust gases and air on the blades of the wheels. When EW  6  of the vapor expander is integrated inside the body of the overall device (for example as shown in  FIG. 1 ), it is possible to position nozzles  17  such that the reaction forces developed by the steam on the blades of EW  6  counter oppose the effect of the forces generated by all other wheels (i.e.  3   b  and  2   a ,  FIG. 4A ), thereby minimizing the wearing effect on the thrust bearing  4 . By positioning and properly dimensioning nozzles  17 , the net vapor force  118 , indicated by F vapor , could be of the same magnitude and opposite direction of forces  116  and  117  generated by wheels  2   a  and  3   b  and indicated on the vector diagram ( FIG. 4A , top) as F air  and F gas . In fact, by assigning a positive sign to the forces from left to right, F vapor  is positive, while F air  and F gas  are negative (the vector notation is not necessary since they all move about the same axis). By properly dimensioning the diameter of nozzles  17 , along with the proper dimensioning of the waste heat converters, and the diameter of EW  6 , it is possible to generate a reaction force  118  resulting from the momentum generated by the expanding steam. In  FIG. 4A , the direction of the forces represented is only indicative. If the expander is utilized only as an independent oxygenator (i.e.  FIG. 8 ), EW  6  operates at constant RpM, (particularly the case for applications described in  FIGS. 11 ,  12 , and  13 ), therefore, it is possible to adjust the reaction force of the vapor (F vapor ) in a way that the axial forces acting on the thrust bearing are zeroed. 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 4B  the expander is coupled with a flipped CW  2   a  (details of this configuration are described in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ), and it is equipped with a balancing system which acts on the rotating masses and adds its own weight as a force opposite to the reaction force  116  of the CW  2   a . Even in this case the proper dimensioning of the EW  6 , along with the proper overall MWHE thermal properties, and the correct positioning of nozzles  17  inside the expander body can minimize the effects of the reaction forces caused by CW  2   a  and acting on thrust bearing  4 . In this configuration the CW  2   a  is positioned in a way that it forms 180° from the position of the same wheel utilized in conventional centrifugal compressors. In this case, the axial component of the forces acting on thrust bearing  4  is mainly made by force  116  generated by the centrifugal compressor itself (pushing shaft  12  upward). If the body of the oxygenator ( 30 , in  FIG. 8 ) is positioned vertically, then nozzles  17  in  FIG. 4B  can be positioned such that the summation of the forces generated by the weight of shaft  12  (times the force of gravity, “FG”), the weight of the balancing mass  120  and  121  (times FG), generating force  119 , and the resulting force  118  caused by the steam reaction on the blades of EW  6  could be exactly equal and opposite to force  116 , thereby zeroing its effect. Similarly, if we significantly increase mass  120 , or we utilize a heavy CW  2   a  (i.e. obtaining a flywheel effect), nozzles  17  can be positioned in a way to favor the effect of force  116 . Balancing mass  120  and  121  also provides means to adjust the usual off-balance components of shaft  12 , coupled with the various wheels. In fact, mass  121  can be moved from its central position through screws  122  and blocked in place by screw  123 . The mass system formed by masses  120 ,  122 , and  123  can be positioned anywhere along shaft  12  (the dimensions represented in  FIG. 4B  are not scaled). In this manner the balancing of the whole rotating system (i.e. shaft  12 , CW  2   a , EW  6 , and eventually EGW  3   b ) can be executed once the unit is assembled. 
         [0043]    An integrated vapor expander  1   a  positioned inside the components of a conventional turbo-compressor is shown in  FIG. 5 . In this Figure, expander  1   a  is formed by a special Multiple Stage Wheel, “MSW,”  7 , characterized by a series of blades  7   a ,  7   b , and  7   c , assembled molded, or machined inside the same wheel. Steam enters expander  1   a  through inlet (or inlets)  9   d  positioned on the body of a special jacket  25  containing the bodies of the centrifugal exhaust gas nozzle  3   a  and the EGW  3   b . Steam is provided at the desired temperature, pressure, and mass flow rate by the converters described in  FIGS. 15 ,  16 ,  17 , and  18 . Again, steam enters at inlets  9   d , receives additional heat mainly by convection and radiation inside the heat chambers formed by the surfaces of nozzle  3   a  and jacket  25 , and plows inside the expander body  1   a . To minimize heat losses, insulating materials can be utilized, or a vacuum chamber can be formed by evacuating the air inside another chamber formed by the surfaces of jacket  25  and those of an additional jacket  25   a . Air can be extracted during manufacturing, or through a vacuum valve  124 . Superheated steam now enters the expander body  1   a  and expands through the first set of converging nozzles  17  (the drawing is symmetric). The exit diameter of nozzle  17  is designed to transfer the maximum momentum to the first set of blades  7   a  of MSW  7 . Again nozzles  17  can be fixed or actively adjusted as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Normally, steam exiting this first stage of blades ( 7   a ) would enter a new stage of blades on a new separated wheel designed to match the new steam properties. In this invention a new series of blades  7   b  is still positioned on the same wheel (MSW  7 ), but has a different diameter and a different shape to compensate for the changed steam direction and its varied thermodynamic state. Therefore, steam loses a fraction of its energy by expanding through blades  7   a , it then enters a new set of nozzles  17   a  (fixed or actively adjusted) after having changed direction by 180° through a polished elbow inside the body of expander  1   a . Now, steam at certain thermodynamic conditions expands through the new set of blades  7   b . Another converging nozzle  17   b  provides the proper adjustments in terms of steam pressure and velocity, since steam loses more and more energy as it expands in the various stages. Exiting nozzle  17   b , steam expands again inside another set of blades  7   c  positioned on the periphery of MSW  7 . Finally, the exhausting steam is removed from expander  1   a  through the discharge hydraulic paths  10 , or through an imploding chamber (not shown) as described in  FIG. 3 . Therefore, the technique of turning the steam flow path of 180° allows the generation of more torque from the same wheel instead of three or more, thereby reducing weight, inertia, and allowing a significant miniaturization of the expander body. The lubrication system of expander  1   a  can be formed by a conventional oil lubricating system, through an external pump, or by a system that utilizes bearings  5  as described in  FIG. 4 . If the lubrication system is similar to that described in  FIG. 4 , the oil, or an equivalent lubricating fluid, can be cooled through tanks  16   c , assembled on the diffuser body of the air compressor. Since the maximum temperature of the air at the discharge of the CW  2   a  is only 1.5 to 2.5 times the air inlet temperature (generally below 40° C.), this section of the overall device can provide proper cooling for the lubricating fluid. To minimize heat losses from the expander body  1   a  to the air flowing inside the compressor, a thermally insulating seal  18  is positioned as a buffer between the two different bodies. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  represents an expander integrated inside the body of a turbo-compressor with characteristics similar to those described in  FIG. 5 . In this Figure the steam flowing inside the heat chamber formed by surfaces  3   a  and  26   e  occurs in a way that it can flow in and out the heat chamber independently of inlets  9   e  of the expander body  1   a . The heat chamber is also thermally insulated by vacuum through valve  124 , or by utilizing thermally insulating materials coating, or covering the external surfaces  26   e  (i.e. thermal blanket  25   b ). In this configuration, steam is superheated to certain temperatures, and then can be forced inside another heat converter to reach even higher superheating temperatures. 
         [0045]      FIG. 7  represents MSW  7  with more details. To conserve the desired direction of rotation indicated by  27 , the inclination/shape of blades  7   a ,  7   b , and  7   c  changes in each stage. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , steam enters inlets  9 , accelerates inside nozzle  17  and expands in the first series of blades  7   a  whose shape is designed to transfer the kinetic energy of the steam into mechanical energy at the shaft of the wheel. The shape of blades  7   c ,  7   b , and  7   a , represented in the drawings of  FIG. 7  is only indicative. Now, steam exhausting blades  7   a  is redirected and enters a new nozzle  17   a  to expand through blades  7   b . The inclination of blades  7   b  is different than that of blades  7   a  so that the rotational direction  27  is conserved. Finally, steam exhausting from blades  7   b  is redirected again and conditioned by nozzle  17   b  designed to convert low pressure steam into kinetic energy, and expands through blades  7   c . At this point, the steam energy content is low and it can be discharged into condenser  86  ( FIG. 17  or  17 A). Each series of blades  7   c ,  7   b , and  7   a  is connected to the MSW  7  through sections  26  and  26   a . The number of sections  26  and  26   a  can vary proportionally to the diameter of the wheel, the mass flow rate of steam, and the torque required. 
         [0046]    An innovative centrifugal compressor (oxygenator)—completely symmetrical, easy to manufacture and utilizing simpler parts—is shown in  FIG. 8 . Again, the oxygenator is one of several sub-component of the MWHE. In this case, expander  1   a  is mechanically connected to a CW  2   a  assembled 180° rotated with respect to shaft  12 . This configuration allows symmetry of the mechanical parts (easier to assemble and manufacture) and provides higher compressor efficiencies. Air flows through air path  40  and through an axial diffuser  29 , entering the body of CW  2   a  and gaining kinetic energy as a result of the centrifugal action of the wheel. Air exits with the maximum energy at the tip of CW  2   a &#39;s blades, and enters a diffuser specially shaped as indicated by region  95  in  FIG. 8 . This diffuser is symmetric and divergent along the whole length of body  30 . The first transformation of the kinetic energy of the air into pressure occurs in region  95 , and further gain in pressure occurs along fixed blades/vanes  31  regularly spaced on a fixed cone  33 . The shape of vanes  31  is such that the turbulent motions and vortexes of the air at the exit of CW  2   a  (blades tip) are reorganized, redirected and converted into pressure (useful energy). Furthermore, the cross section of the diffuser formed by cone  33  and the internal surfaces of body  30  makes a diverging nozzle. In fact, the cross section radially changes from small to large, as shown by distances d 1  and d 2 , indicated by number  32 . In this manner another component of the velocity of the air exiting the CW  2   a  is converted into pressure. Body  30  is mechanically linked to the expander  1   a  through coupling flange  28 . Cone  33  and vanes  31  are static and fixed to body  30 . To summarize, the body of the oxygenator is formed by two concentric cones having different height and diameter, or by a cone concentric and internally positioned inside a cylinder able to provide characteristics similar to those described by body  30 . Flange  28  can be linked with body  30  through additional static fins/vanes (directing the air flow into CW  2   a ), or through an open semi-toroid body  39  surrounding the inlet of the oxygenator and providing the structure for the intake manifold  40 . Manifold  40  can be easily connected to a conventional air filter. The overall device formed by the expander  1   a  and body  30  forms an oxygenator which can be designed to provide a minimum mass flow of oxygen sufficient to allow complete combustion from idling IC engine RpM to medium high RpM. If the outlet of the oxygenator  40   a  is connected to an engine intake air system equipped with a conventional turbo-compressor, membrane valves  38  could automatically open every time the pressure in the region adjacent the vortex of cone  33  is below atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the oxygenator could be designed to provide oxygen at low RpM, while the conventional turbo-compressor would start to operate properly at high RpM, so that the by-pass valves  38  allow the turbo-compressor to breathe even if the oxygenator is not dimensioned to provide the full range of mass of air at high engine RpM. By-pass valves  38  are formed by membrane  35  composed by flexible materials (i.e. rubber, composite) with the proper thickness, dimensions, torsion and physical properties. One by-pass valve  38  with the proper hydraulic diameter (effective cross section seen by the fluid), or more valves with equivalent air flow characteristics can be assembled on body  30 . In general, expander  1   a ,  1  (or  1   b  as described in  FIG. 14 ), can provide the propulsion necessary to CW  2   a . If the expander is properly miniaturized it can also be inserted inside the body of cone  33 , as indicated by dashed box  1   c . In this case, steam inlet paths  9 , and steam discharge paths  10  can be made through the thickness of vanes  31 . Steam paths  9  embedded inside fins  31  would be thermally insulated, while the steam exhausting from EW  6 , or MSW  7 , would be exposed to the air-cooled surfaces of cone  33  and vanes  31 . When the steam exhausting EW  6  or MSW  7  impacts the cold internal surfaces of cone  33  it suddenly condenses (implodes), generating a pressure drop which increases the overall oxygenator efficiency. This oxygenator can also be coupled with a conventional EGW  3   b  (and relative nozzle) by unplugging thermal plug  41  and extending shaft  12 . In other words, by prolonging shaft  12  it is possible to add pulsed propulsion to the CW  2   a  by utilizing the kinetic energy of the exhaust gases. Expander  1   a  shown in  FIG. 8  (or even expanders  1 , or  1   b ) can actually be miniaturized to a point that it can be inserted inside the cone structure of the symmetrical oxygenator. In this case, the oxygenator body  30  would contain cone  33  and inside cone  33  the expander  1 ,  1   a , or  1   b . Then vanes  31  would contain hydraulic paths for the inlets  9  of expander  1   a , and hydraulic paths for the vapor discharge  10 . The inlet hydraulic paths  9 , now embedded inside vanes  31 , would be thermally insulated, while the discharge paths  10  are allowed to transfer heat and condense inside the hydraulic paths  10  (embedded inside vanes  31 ), since vanes  31  are always at low temperatures due to the action of the mass flow of air. By creating an implosion chamber inside cone  33 , the surfaces of the cone provide the cooling surfaces for superheated vapor to suddenly collapse when in contact with the inner surfaces of cone  33 . In this case, the symmetric oxygenator becomes extremely compact since its expander and implosion systems are all contained inside body  30 . Furthermore, when a complete implosion occurs inside body  30  there is no need to circulate the vapor inside a condensing radiator (i.e.  86  in  FIGS. 17 , and  17 A), thereby further simplifying the miniaturized engine hydraulic path and connections. 
         [0047]    Another symmetric oxygenator, similar to that described in  FIG. 8 , is represented in  FIG. 9 . In this oxygenator, air enters the body of CW  2   a , passing diffuser  29 , in a radial manner (from every direction). In this configuration a cylindrical air filter can be positioned between body  30  and flange  28   a . To improve the efficiency of the CW  2   a , static vanes can also be positioned inside the intake path  96 . However, the oxygenator can also provide oxygen to the engine without an air filter assembled on itself (see  FIG. 11 ). In general, EW  6 , MSW  7 , and CW  2   a , can be made of plastic, Teflon, composite, metal or any material which maintains its thermal-physical properties for relatively low temperatures (much lower than the exhaust gases temperatures). If the MWHE is applied to a large IC engine, the amount of heat generated by the engine, recuperated by the converters, and transformed back into useful energy by the MWHE&#39;s expanders is much greater than the energy required only to power the oxygenators. Thus, the excess energy can be utilized in various ways. For example, it can be utilized to provide additional mechanical power to the IC engine itself. 
         [0048]    In  FIG. 10 , an auxiliary pulsed or continuous power transferring system formed by the Auxiliary Expander Flywheel AEF  11  is shown. In this figure, the power unit comprised by body  42  is directly connected to the IC engine block  43 . In general, power unit  42  can be connected to any load (i.e. an alternator for the production of electric power). In  FIG. 10 , the excess steam enters hydraulic paths  9   c , and expands through the blades of AEF  11 . AEF  11  is made of heavy materials to provide a large rotational inertia. Steam enters nozzles  17   c  and discharges into condensation chamber  51 . A fraction of the steam condenses in this chamber; the remaining steam (steam with a low energy content) exits the power unit  42  through paths  10   b  and condenses in a condenser. By cooling chambers  51 , the steam implosion effect described in  FIG. 3  can be utilized to increase the efficiency of AEF  11 . A speed reduction system formed by gears  49  and  50  may be necessary if the optimum efficiency of the AEF  11  is obtained at high RpM. The optimum parameters are mainly dictated by the amount of excess steam available and the gear reduction system might not be necessary if AEF  11  operates at RpM compatible with the IC engine RpM. AEF  11  is mechanically coupled to the IC engine crankshaft  44  by a modified pulley  45 . The modification consists of a flange  46  mechanically linked to another flange  47  coupled to a clutch system  48 . Clutch  48  can be hydraulic, magnetic, friction based, or a combination of any of these depending on the desired degree of accuracy when transferring power from the power unit  42  to the IC engine (or any load). For example, clutch  48  can be formed by oil whose viscosity at a given RpM provides the desired frictional torque. If an electronic clutch is utilized, sensor  55  monitors the speed of crankshaft  44 , while sensor  56  provides analog or digital information on the speed of AEF  11 . The electronic signals from these sensors become inputs (i.e.  135   FIGS. 17 , and  17 A) of a computerized control system ( 92   FIGS. 17 and 17A ) which activates clutch  48  in a pulsed or continuous manner. In order for AEF  11  to provide power with the best efficiency, only a relatively small fluctuation of the AEF RpM should be allowed. Therefore, by utilizing the power provided by power unit  42  in a pulsed manner, the RpM of AEF  11  could vary only slightly. To minimize heat losses from the power unit  42 , a thermally insulating material  54  covers the static parts of AEF  11 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 11  represents one of the simplest applications of the oxygenator unit  30 . In this Figure, the outlet of the symmetric oxygenator  30  is connected to the air filter inlet  60  positioned on the body surrounding air filter  59 . Large IC engines normally have the air filter inlet formed by a tube vented to atmospheric pressure. The expander of this oxygenator could be of type  1   a ,  1  or  1   b . The oxygenator shown in  FIG. 11  utilizes expander type  1   a . By applying the oxygenator as shown in this Figure, the whole engine air intake system is always pressurized without altering in any way the conventional turbo compressor  2  and  3  already installed. Air enters the protective filter  57  from all directions. Then it is compressed inside the air filter  59  which pressurizes the intake manifold  61  and  63  regardless of the IC engine RpM, or the status of compressor  2 . When the IC engine accelerates, the sudden increase of fuel injected mixes with excess oxygen (thanks to oxygenator  30 ), providing a complete combustion and an extremely rapid response without producing toxic particulate and other pollutants during acceleration. If expander  30  is intentionally under-designed (not able to provide large mass flow rates once the IC engine reaches high RpM), the conventional compressor  2  gradually starts to compress air on its own (the IC engine is accelerating from idling to high RpM), thereby provoking a depression inside manifold  62 ,  61  and  60 . As soon as the pressure inside manifold  60  is below atmospheric, by-pass valves  38  open, providing an easier path for air to flow inside compressor  2  now at full regime. Steam inlet  9   b  and outlet  10  are connected to a converter and a condenser, respectively (as seen in schematic in  FIGS. 17 and 17A ). Since the expander unit  30  could accommodate for an additional EGW connected to its shaft, a plug  41  is inserted whenever this option is not utilized. If the oxygenator unit  30  breaks down, the IC engine operates as it did before the oxygenator was installed, thereby without impairing the IC engine (it would just decrease its performance and pollute again). 
         [0050]      FIGS. 12 and 13  show the oxygenator unit  30  inserted inside the intake manifold circuit. In these configurations, the compressed air exiting the accelerating nozzle  64  or  66  is air filtered by filters  59 , or  59   a . Pressure inside the intake manifold is increased thanks to the jet effect caused by nozzle  64  or  66 . Again, thanks to the oxygenator, powered by MWHE, oxygen is always available to the IC engine regardless of its RpM. Again, if the oxygenator is intentionally under-designed, the proper mass flow rate to the suction of compressor  2  is provided by-pass valves  38 . When the oxygenator is configured as shown in  FIG. 13 , nozzle  66  provides a more efficient output of oxygen to the intake manifold  67 . To make the oxygenator air inlet completely independent from the IC engine air filter  59 , an additional and independent air filter  59   a  can be connected to oxygenator  30  through a sealed connection to inlet  40 . 
         [0051]    To summarize the various expander-to-compressor configurations, a series of oxygenator units are shown in  FIG. 14 . From left top, expander  1   a  shows the ease with which the expander body  1   a  can be coupled with bodies  2  and  3  of conventional CW  2   a  and EGW  3   b . In particular, the expander wheel can be conventional (i.e. EW  6 ) or the MSW  7  described in  FIG. 7 . For example, expander body  1  of the oxygenator unit represented at the top center of  FIG. 14  utilizes EW  6 , while expander  1   b  utilizes a series of expander wheels  8  for a conventional multiple stage steam expansion. In any case, all of these expander units can be mechanically integrated between the compressor and exhaust gas units normally available. The miniaturization of the expander body  1   a ,  1  and  1   b  allows also coupling with a convention compressor unit  2  and  2   a  so that oxygen can always be provided to the IC engine independently of IC engine RpM. For example, the oxygenator unit shown at the left bottom of  FIG. 14  describes an expander unit  1   a  able to provide steam propulsion to a commercial CW  2   a , while the shaft of the unit is truncated on one side allowing the insertion of plug  41 . This particular configuration can be utilized for the applications described in  FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  13 . The oxygenator represented at the bottom center of  FIG. 14  is the most optimized oxygenator unit since it utilizes symmetric geometry and completely converts vortexes and kinetic energy of the air into pressure. This unit is formed by combining body  30  and  1   a , or body  30  and  1 , or body  30  and  1   b . In general, a symmetric geometry can be conserved even if the various expander bodies are embedded/integrated inside the cone contained inside body  30 . Finally, the oxygenator shown at the bottom right of  FIG. 14  is another oxygenator configured in a way that air enters through an inlet manifold  40  and can flow through a by-pass path  37   c , and by-pass valves  38 . This configuration is particularly useful when the IC engine is already equipped with a turbo-compressor, or turbo-charger, and the oxygenator only needs to provide oxygen at idling and low IC engine RpM, while the turbo-compressor already installed provides compressed air at high RpM. All of the oxygenator bodies are designed in an universal manner so as to allow for connections of additional EGW  3   b , and casing  3 , by removing plug  41  and inserting a proportionally dimensioned shaft. 
         [0052]    The heat converters of the MWHE are shown in  FIGS. 15 , and  15 A. Liquid water (or the proper thermodynamic fluid) is injected at about 70-80° C. through a pump (pump  87  shown in  FIGS. 17 , and  17 A). Then, high pressure fluid is injected via injector  69  connected to hydraulic path  68 . This injector can essentially be a check valve, spring loaded, or electronically activated. If the pump is a positive displacement pump, injector  69  can actually be eliminated. Liquid fluid is now injected inside the heat converter formed by body  70  within which hot exhaust gases  80  flow and are vented to atmospheric pressure. The amount of energy transferred from gases  80  to the fluid inside the converter depends mainly on the fluid-converter contact surface, length d 3 , and mass of MWHE fluid injected. To favor a greater heat exchange between fluid and gases inside converter  70  a series of helicoidal surfaces  71  are inserted inside the converter. These surfaces prolong the fluid residence time inside the converter by extending the hydraulic path of the fluid before it exits outlet  72 . The working fluid (i.e. water) expands inside the converter, accelerates by moving through the helicoidal surfaces  71 , and becomes superheated vapor or superheated steam. Because of the explosive nature of the expansion of the fluid inside the converter, the relative heat transfer coefficient increases accordingly, thereby allowing a miniaturization of the converter itself. Thus, superheated steam, at certain thermodynamic conditions, is now available at outlet  72  ( FIG. 15 ). Further superheating of steam can be achieved by connecting outlet  72  to a series of superheating channels  73  in thermal contact with the exhaust gases. The maximum superheating temperature of the steam is reached inside channels  73  closer to the combustion chambers outlet (near the exhaust manifold flanges  74 ). Channels  73  can be substituted by a jacket surrounding the exhaust manifold becoming another converter. To regulate the excess steam a three-way valve  77  is connected to tube  76  exiting the converter formed by channels  73 . In general, valve  77  can be substituted by equivalent valves  77   a , and  77   b  as shown in  FIG. 17 . In  FIG. 15  the oxygenator unit is integrated with a turbo compressor as described in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , and is thermally insulated by insulating material  25   a . Valve  77  is operated to control the admission of steam inside the expander unit, and to redirect the excess steam to the AEF  11  ( FIG. 10 ) through the hydraulic path  79 . Outlet  78  of valve  77  is connected to the expander inlet ports  9   d  (or  9   d ,  FIG. 5 , and inlet/outlet ports  9   d ,  FIG. 6 ). Superheated steam expands inside the integrated expander ( 1   a ,  1 , or  1   b ), and condenses into a condenser through discharge hydraulic path  10 , or it condenses through implosion inside the body of the expander ( FIG. 3 ). To minimize heat loss from the exhaust manifold  74 , an insulating material  75  can be utilized as shown in  FIG. 15 . Seals  94  between IC engine block and exhaust manifolds  74  are made of a thermally insulating material as well (conserving heat of the exhaust gases). To prevent overheating of the converter formed by channels  73  in thermal contact with the exhaust gases near the combustion chambers outlet, the thermally insulating structure  75  can be arranged in a way that movable fins  134  ( FIG. 15A ) opens when the MWHE is malfunctioning. Therefore, activating fins  134  in  FIG. 15A  provides cooling of the exhaust gas manifold structure when steam is not circulating inside the MWHE. In  FIG. 15A , the thermal insulation  75  described in  FIG. 15  can be formed by an air chamber relatively sealed when fins  134  are closed (when the MWHE is working properly), or thermal insulation is minimized when fins  134  are automatically or manually opened (air can circulate through the exhaust manifold). For example, opening of fins  134  can occur if the temperature of the manifold materials overcomes a pre-set safety threshold. 
         [0053]    In  FIG. 16  a higher degree of steam superheating can be achieved thanks to different hydraulic connections of the various converters. Again, liquid fluid is injected through injector  69 , becomes superheated at the max temperature of converter  70 , exits from outlet  72  and enters the converter formed by the jacket surrounding the EGW  3   b  through inlet  9   d . Here another energy transfer process occurs and the superheated level is increased. Superheated vapor exits this converter from outlet  9   d  and enters the converter formed by channels  73 . Here the level of superheat is increased even further. Now, vapor at its maximum temperature and pressure is regulated by valve  77 . The excess vapor is directed toward the AEF  11  via thermally insulated tube  79 , while the proper amount of superheated vapor is allowed to expand inside the expander through thermally insulated tube  78 , connected to expander inlet  9   e . Vapor gives up energy through the expander and condenses into a condenser via tube  10 . The exhaust gases  80 , generated during combustion, transfer heat to the various converters (channels  73 , jacket surrounding EGW  3   b , and converter  70 ) while also transferring their kinetic and pressure energy to EGW  3   b  (blanketed by insulation  25   b  in  FIG. 16 ). Oxygen, on the other hand, enters the air intake manifold  81  and is compressed by CW  2   a , surrounded by structure  2 . CW  2  in this configuration is powered by the summation of the torque developed by the MWHE&#39;s expander (especially at low IC engine RpM), and the torque generated by the EGW  3   b , once the IC engine reaches relatively high RpM. The various converters utilized in  FIGS. 15 and 16  can be utilized in the applications described in  FIGS. 11 ,  12 ,  13  and  14 . 
         [0054]    Finally, thermodynamic processes of the complete MWHE are described in the schematic in  FIG. 17 . The cooling circuit of the IC engine  43  is formed by the closed hydraulic loop composed of the water pump  82 , radiator  84 , and converter  83 . The cooling water of IC engine  43  normally reaches 90° C., after which a thermostat valve, usually positioned at the discharge of pump  82 , opens and allows a forced circulation of the coolant to the radiator  84  which transfers heat via air convection indicated by arrow  85 . By inserting the heat converter  83  and  83   a , most of the heat carried by the coolant can be transferred to a new closed hydraulic closed loop. Converter  83  and  83   a  separates the IC engine cooling circuit from the MWHE circuit for safety and reliability. However, this converter can be eliminated if the MWHE working fluid is also utilized to cool the IC engine  43 . In this case, radiator  84  becomes the condenser  85  of the MWHE, thereby simplifying the overall device. If the hydraulic circuit of the MWHE is independent of that of the IC engine  43 , a different fluid (i.e. with lower vapor pressure inducing higher thermodynamic efficiencies) can be utilized as the working fluid for the MWHE. The working fluid circulating inside the circuit of the MWHE is pressurized by pump  87  and receives a first heat addition process inside side  83   a  of the converter formed by the two separate loops  83  and  83   a . This pressurized fluid is then injected through hydraulic path  68  and injector  69 . Converter  88 , represented in  FIG. 17 , can be formed by the combinations of the converters formed by bodies  70 ,  73 ,  75 ,  25   a  and  25   b , and the converter formed by the jacket surrounding the EGW  3   b  in  FIG. 15 ,  16 , and/or converter  103  described in  FIG. 18 . Back to  FIG. 17 , liquid fluid enters converter  88  and expands immediately. At the outlet  76 , a superheated desired mass of vapor, with a certain energy content, is regulated by valves  77   a  and  77   b  (or a three-way valve  77 ,  FIGS. 15 , and  16 ) so that the proper amount of steam is admitted by expander  1  and AEF  11 . Expander  1 , provides the propulsion system for a compressor system  2 , or any of the oxygenators described in  FIG. 14 . AEF  11  instead utilizes the excess steam to transform it into useful energy by direct or indirect coupling with crankshaft  44 . Pressure and temperature sensors are positioned inside converter  88  providing thermodynamic information via electronic signals  91  processed by a computerized unit  92 , or a sub-computer system, indicated by “S” in the drawings, specialized only to optimize the operation of one of the miniaturized engine sub-components (i.e., expander, imploder, converter). Computerized unit  92  monitors and controls the amount of steam to the various expanders through actuators/valves  89 . For example, actuators  89  can be electrical motors or pneumatically actuated motors that regulate valves  77   a  and  77   b . When the IC engine  43  is cold started, computer  92  activates pump  87  through the electric connection  90  only when the temperature of converter  83  or converter  88  reaches a pre-set level. Pump  87  could also be entirely mechanical (i.e. positive displacement) and activated through mechanical links by the IC engine  43 . Again, when pump  87  is active, the fluid receives heat from converter  83   a  before being injected inside converter  88 . Inside converter  88  pressure and temperature of the rapid forming vapor is proportional to the amount of heat transferred from exhaust gases  80 . All of the expanders (i.e.  1   a ,  1 ,  1   b ,  11 ) utilized by the MWHE are controlled by computer  92  and can be operated in a pulsed or continuous manner. For example, through computer  92 , valve  77   b  and  77   a  can be kept partially closed causing a rapid increase of the circuit pressure. When the accelerator of IC engine  43  is pressed, valve  77   b  and/or  77   a  can be set open and a surplus of torque is temporarily available to the IC engine  43 . If the IC engine  43  is a large diesel engine, the pressure inside circuit  76  can be adjusted such that boost power can be provided by AEF  11  to the engine every time the load is maximum (i.e. Truck or Bus facing steady-to-accelerating conditions). If the IC engine  43  is a performance engine, valve  77   b  can be operated such that overpressures are available at the engine intake manifolds allowing the injection of more fuel leading to increased overall engine power. If computer  92  is set to operate in a continuous power mode, valves  77   b  and  77   a  can be actively adjusted to provide power at all times. Probe  91  inside converter  88  provides the necessary thermodynamic parameters to computer  92  which is also able to shut-down the MWHE in case of overpressure, or any anomaly developed in the MWHE circuit. When MWHE is shut-down due to anomalies, computer  92  sets valve  97  open and discharges steam back to the condenser  86 , or, if the fluid is water, into the environment. In this case, to avoid overheating of the converter formed by channels  73 ,  FIGS. 15 , and  16 , fins  134 ,  FIG. 15A  are set open by computer  92  (or manually). When fluid in the MWHE flows through valve  97 , or is lost due to breakage of the circuit, an optical and/or audio alarm is activated through an electrical connection  114 , or via computer  92 . In general, computer  92  is a control system able to monitor analog or digital inputs proportional to crankshaft  44  RpM via sensor  55 , AEF  11  speed via sensor  56 , EW  6  speed via sensor  115  (as described in  FIGS. 3A , and  3 B). These electronic signals (conditioned by a conventional Input/Output interface) are processed by computer  92  which regulates the positions of the various valves and actuators accordingly (i.e. servo motors  112 , via electrical connections  113 , as described in  FIGS. 3A , and  3 B). Computer  92  can be formed by a microprocessor structure user programmable or customizable by the insertion of specially mapped memories (i.e. pulsed or continuos mode operation of the miniaturized waste heat engine) 
         [0055]    In  FIG. 17A  the hydraulic circuit of the MWHE utilizes a pressurized tank  125  as a way to accumulate excess steam rather than dissipating it through the AEF  11  utilized in  FIG. 17 . As described earlier, excess steam is produced because the heat produced by the engine provides more energy than that required to only power an oxygenator. However, this excess energy can be accumulated and returned to the IC engine in the form of boost pressure. By having such a high pressure availability when the IC engine is accelerating from idling RpM to high RpM, it is possible to obtain significantly increased IC engine performance since more fuel can be burned given the increased availability of oxygen. In  FIG. 17A , steam drives only an oxygenator designed to provide large mass flow rates of oxygen to the IC engine regardless of its number of RpM. If converter  88  generates too much steam, the mass flow rate of fluid pumped by pump  87  can be reduced. This could cause a significant temperature increase inside the converter. The excess energy from converter  88  can be utilized to provide very large mass flow rates of air at high pressures by accumulating the excess steam inside tank  125 . This configuration is particularly advantageous when the IC engine is operated in an urban cycle (continuous accelerations and decelerations). Excess steam is regulated by valve  77   a  connected to tank  125  through insulated piping and joint  126 . Again, the pressure inside tank  125  is adjusted and controlled by computer  92 . If the pressure inside tank  125  increases beyond a pre-set threshold, valve  132  is set open by computer  92  and steam condenses inside radiator  86  via piping  10 . If an imploder system is dimensioned to condense the same mass of superheated vapor entering the expander (i.e.  1   c  and “I”, in  FIG. 8 ), then radiator  86  can be eliminated. If the IC engine idles for long periods the overall heat converted by converter  88  might not be sufficient to provide large amounts of oxygen when requested by a sudden acceleration. In fact, Expander  1  might be in a situation where the mass flow rate of steam is insufficient to provide enough propulsion for its CW  2   a . In this case, computer  92  opens valve  131 , discharging steam pressure previously accumulated directly through expander  1 . The increased pressure inside hydraulic path  130  does not affect valve  77   b  since a check valve  127  prevents back overpressures inside hydraulic circuit  76 . Valves  131  and  132  are controlled by actuators  128  and  129 , which are driven by computer  92 . Tank  125  is thermally insulated through insulating materials or through a jacket  133  in which a vacuum can be established through valve  124 . 
         [0056]    Converters with a poor heat transfer efficiency can be made by simply winding a coil in thermal contact with the IC engine exhaust manifold, and/or muffler. To obtain an optimized transfer of energy from the exhaust gases to the MWHE, a compact and simple converter capable of sustaining severe pressure fluctuations is represented in  FIG. 18 . Exhaust gases enter tube  98  flanged and sealed by seal  99  and allowing the connection of multiple converters in series or parallel so as to form a bank of converters. The number of converters utilized depends on the mass flow rate requirements and the amount of waste heat to be recuperated. Hydraulically sealed connections between various converters can also be achieved through universal joints  107  shaped in any geometry to accommodate the IC engine compartment available space (i.e. elbows with variable angles of inclination). The length and diameter of tube  98  combined with the number of internal fins  100  and the distance between the outer surface of tube  98  and the inner surface of tube  110   a  determines the amount of heat transfer capability of the converter. This heat transfer rate will also be proportional to a certain mass flow rate of the MWHE&#39;s working fluid. Fins  100  form a hydraulic path forcing the fluid to have a relatively long residence time inside the converter. Furthermore, this path forces the fluid to have intimate contact with the inner surfaces of the converter, favoring an extremely rapid heat transfer. Water can be injected inside the converter through one of the inlet/outlet  101 ,  101   a  or  102 . The converter is symmetric and inlets and outlets can be exchanged. Generally, to improve the converter efficiency, the MWHE fluid inlet port should be chosen at the end of the exhaust gas hydraulic circuit (as far as possible from the combustion chambers). Arrow  105  represents liquid water, relatively cold, injected from inlet  101  inside a converter (here represented open). As soon as water is injected it expands, changing its specific volume by a factor of several thousands. This thermodynamic expansion provokes extremely rapid steam/water accelerations inside the chamber formed by the outer surface of tube  98  and the inner surface of tube  110   a  concentric with tube  98 . Heat is added to the water, which becomes steam  106 . While steam travels inside the path formed by fins  100 , its pressure and temperature rapidly increase, making it superheated before it exits outlet  102 . The number of fins  100  is variable and the inlet/outlet ports can be welded or threaded on the end cups sealing the jacket formed by tube  98  and  110   a . Inlet ports  101   a  provide a sealed penetration for temperature or pressure sensors. If these ports are not utilized they can be simply plugged. To minimize heat losses from the converter to the surrounding environment, the converter can be thermally insulated by wrapping it with insulating material  104 . To further improve thermal insulation, a vacuum chamber  110  is formed by inserting another concentric cylinder surrounding tube  110   a  (sealed with the end cups). Air can be evacuated during manufacturing or through valve  109 . If the heat transfer between exhaust gases and the fluid of the MWHE is optimum, the temperature of the exhaust gases might drop so severely that water produced during the combustion of fuel would start condensing toward the end of the last converter  98  of a bank of converters. By utilizing valve  108  inserted in one of the coupling joints  107  positioned in the lower point of the converter bank (or even if it is a single converter), condensed water in the exhaust gases can discharge without accumulating inside tube  98 , minimizing corrosion. If the IC engine is equipped with a catalytic converter, the converters of the MWHE have to be inserted after the catalytic converter, or computer  92  has to be programmed to produce steam in quantities that do not lower the exhaust gases temperature to levels that would damage or impair the correct functioning of the catalytic converter.