Patent GB-268864-A (GB)
Title: An improved regenerative steam power plant
IPC: F22B3/06
Filed: 1926-01-06
Abstract: 268,864. Anderson, W., Cooke, N., and Brown, W. Jan. 6, 1926. Compound-engines; power-generating systems. -A regenerating, steam-power plant comprises a steam generating unit in free communication with a cylinder having a piston or ram working therein, and means for tapping off steam during a portion of the movement of the ram in the vicinity of its outer limit, the tapped steam being passed to relative low-pressure cylinders or a turbine, or to a condenser which heats a boiler supplying the lowpressure stage. The steam-generating unit comprises a water header a<3>, a header a<2> from which the steam is tapped, and a steam header a<1>. Tubes a<4>, a<5> connect the headers as shown. The combustion chamber walls h, and a central core a<6> are shaped to direct the combustion-products or gases against the tubes a<4>, a<5>. A valve j<1> supplying oil fuel to a burner may be operated in conjunction with the tapping-off valve f for alternately raising and lowering the flame when intermittent heating is used. The flue gases may be conducted around the low-pressure engine or turbine. The header a<3> communicates through a pipe i with a cylinder b having a high-pressure ram b<1> connected to a crank-shaft c, a variable-stroke pump d feeding the header a<3>. A release valve e is arranged on the cylinder b. The stroke of the pump is adjusted so that valve e lifts when the pressure in the cylinder b is at its maximum during the power stroke. The tapping-valve f supplies the cylinder g or a turbine. The steam may first pass to a receiver or accumulator, a superheater, or an auxiliary boiler. The receiver may be heated by flue gases. The valve f may be a slide or poppet valve opened by eccentric or cam gear after the water level has fallen below the header a<2> when the ram has performed the major part of its stroke. The steam is finally condensed; the condensate is returned to the generator. In operation, with the ram b<1> in its outer position and the heat supply cut off, the ram moves inwardly and forces water along the tubes a<5>, a<6> where it is regeneratively heated with increase of pressure and production of steam, heat being applied as the ram approaches its inner limit. After the initial portion of the outward stroke, the heat is cut off, the steam expands and forces out the ram b<1>. Towards the end of the stroke the valve f is opened and closed at the end or beginning of the return stroke. When a receiver is used, the valve f closes when the pressure in cylinder b falls to the receiver pressure. The operation with continuous heating is substantially the same. An auxiliary boiler may provide steam for starting and reversing. The auxiliary and main boiler may be alternately heated. The engine exhaust may operate the controlling damper. The main generator may be an extension of the cylinder b. In a plant applied to a locomotive, two generator units are arranged beneath the ordinary in the flue. The water headers are dispensed with and single pipes connect the tapping headers to the high-pressure cylinders. The tapping valves communicate with a coil in the ordinary boiler which coil heats the water and acts as a condenser and is connected to the feed pump. Two' or more high-pressure units may supply steam to one or more low-pressure units. To facilitate a quick transference of heat, the tubes in cross-section may present a square inside a circle. A ram with a displacer working in conjunction with a pressure-changing ram as described in Specifications 229,235 and 247,615 may be used instead of the ram b<1>. In this case the hot and cold ends respectively of the generator and displacer cylinder are in free communication, the fluid being displaced through the generator unit.