Abstract:
A closed vapor system includes a boiler arranged to store a vapor and a heating source configured to heat the vapor to a predetermined temperature. A source of pressure maintains the pressure of the vapor in a range of about 100 pounds per square inch to 150 pounds per square inch. Pressurized vapor is drawn from the boiler at a pressure in the range of about 100 pounds per square inch. A motor is responsive to the torque of the pressurized vapor drawn from the boiler and is configured to rotate a shaft. A compressor pump is responsive to rotation of the motor shaft and is arranged to receive effluent vapor from the motor to repressurize the effluent vapor and return it to the boiler. The closed vapor system may function as a battery, vehicle engine and a stationary power source.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Reference is made to and priority is claimed from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/269,417 filed Jun. 23, 2009 the disclosure and contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to steam power systems, and deals more particularly with a closed vapor system for use as a power source for motors or engines. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Steam has been considered for use as a power source for motors or engines because of the torque that may be developed, and there have been many attempts to use a steam engine as a viable alternative to the internal combustion engine as the power plant for vehicle propulsion or the driving source for electrical power generation. One of the most widely recognized steam propelled vehicles is the Stanley Steamer. Various short comings and disadvantages of the steam engines developed over the years such as the size of a boiler to produce steam, the heat source to create steam from the water, onboard water storage, water usage and replenishment due to leakage and evaporation, inability to mechanically couple the steam engine to a transmission to drive the wheels of the vehicle or rotate the shaft of an electrical generator are but a few of the reasons the steam engine has not become a viable alternative to internal combustion engines. The reader is referred to an article entitled “A Fresh View Of The Steam Car For Today” authored by James D. Crank and forming a part hereof as attachment A, which is incorporated herein by reference for additional commentary as to why the steam engine has not become a viable alternative to the internal combustion engine. 
     Another general drawback of steam or vapor systems is the inefficiency that results in the cycle due to heat losses as the vapor condenses such as for example in the Rankine steam cycle and is returned to the boiler as liquid to be reheated to vapor to complete the cycle. It has been proposed to increase the thermal efficiency of such systems by recirculating, repressurizing and reheating effluent steam for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,185 in which extraction steam is taken at various pressures and sequentially charged into closed path conveyor compartments to progressively increase the pressure of the steam within the compartments. The highest pressure stage displaces the steam from the compartments through a reheater and back to an injection station at the turbine. Although thermal efficiency is improved somewhat in that more heat is extracted in a cycle the steam torque is sequentially diminished. Accordingly, the proposed method and apparatus disclosed n U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,185 does not provide a satisfactory solution to overcome the limitations and shortcomings of known steam engines. 
     What is needed, therefore, is a system that provides the torque of steam and overcomes the shortcomings and disadvantages of known steam engines and systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with a first broad aspect of the invention a closed vapor system is presented comprising a boiler arranged to store a vapor and a heating source configured to heat the vapor to a predetermined temperature in a range of about 300° Fahrenheit to 358° Fahrenheit. A source of pressure maintains the pressure of the vapor in a range of about 100 pounds per square inch to 150 pounds per square inch. A first pressure reducing valve is connected to the boiler for drawing the pressurized vapor from the boiler at a pressure in the range of about 100 pounds per square inch. A motor is operatively connected to the first pressure reducing valve and is responsive to the torque of the pressurized vapor drawn from the boiler and is configured to rotate a shaft. A compressor pump is connected to and responsive to rotation of the motor shaft and is arranged to receive effluent vapor from the motor to repressurize the effluent vapor to a pressure in the range of about 160 pounds per square inch. A one-way pressure valve is located between an output of the compressor pump and an input of the boiler for recirculating the repressurized effluent vapor to the boiler. In one example of the invention, the vapor has a liquid volume of 10.4 cubic inch per 1728 cubic inch of vapor. In another example of the invention the boiler comprises an external shell, an internal metal shell and a thermal insulating material located between the external shell and the internal metal shell to maintain the vapor at a desired temperature and pressure between operating cycles of the closed vapor system. In one example of the invention a microwave source is connected to the boiler and configured to produce radio frequency (RF) energy to superheat the vapor to a desired temperature by direct molecular heating. In another example of the invention a susceptor system is arranged structurally isolated within the boiler to absorb the RF energy to produce heat to convert liquid condensate to vapor an to produce heat to melt frozen liquid condensate that may form in the boiler in colder environments between long periods of non-operation of the system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic functional diagram of an inline vapor system embodying an example of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic functional diagram of a stored energy vapor system embodying an example of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic functional diagram of the inline vapor system of  FIG. 1  used to drive a variable speed motor. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic functional diagram of the inline vapor system of  FIG. 1  used to drive a turbine motor. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic functional diagram of the stored energy vapor system of  FIG. 2  used to drive a variable speed motor. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic functional diagram of the stored energy vapor system of  FIG. 2  used to drive a turbine. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic functional diagram of an example of a vehicle arranged to be electrically driven from the inline vapor system and variable speed motor as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic functional diagram of an example of a vehicle arranged to be electrically driven from the inline vapor system and turbine motor as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic functional diagram of an example of a vehicle arranged to be mechanically driven from the inline vapor system and variable speed motor as sown in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic functional diagram of an example of a vehicle arranged to be mechanically driven from the inline vapor system and turbine motor as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings a schematic functional diagram of a closed vapor system embodying an example of the invention is shown in  FIG. 1  in the form of an inline vapor system and is generally designated  10 . The configuration of the inline vapor system  10  is particularly well suited to but by no means limited to mobile applications such as for example a mobile power supply or power source for vehicles. The inline vapor system  10  includes a boiler  12  which has an internal shell or metal liner  14  thermally insulated from the outer wall  16  of the boiler  12  by means of a suitable insulating material  18 . The boiler  12  is insulated to maintain chosen temperatures and pressures for long time periods between the vapor system operating periods. Accordingly, the closed vapor system embodying the invention may be considered to be a battery because energy is stored for a period of time and is available when needed. A vapor generally designated  20  is stored in the boiler  12  and is maintained as further explained below in a temperature range of around 300° Fahrenheit (F) to 358° F. and in a pressure range of around 100 pounds per square inch (psi) to 150 psi. Entering 150 psi and 358° F. into a saturated water-pressure (steam) table shows the vapor has a liquid volume of 0.01811 cubic feet or 10.4 cubic inch/1728 cubic inch of vapor. It will be recognized that the invention requires a relatively small amount of liquid to produce a large volume of vapor which is convertible to power. It will be also recognized that the invention provides efficiencies in that there is no boiler water to contain, support of its weight and vaporization. Although water is used as the prescribed vapor in the examples of the invention, other suitable liquid/gases may be used. In some examples of the invention hydrochlorofluorcarbon 123, also known as HCFC 123 and SUVA 123, may be used and will produce greater vapor torque power because the vapor density of hydrochlorofluorcarbon 123 at 100° F. is 196 times greater than steam produced by water. 
     In some examples of the invention, a microwave source  22  is powered by a power supply  24  to produce radio frequency (RF) band energy. The RF energy is coupled from the microwave source  22  via a suitable conduit or conductor  30  to the boiler  12  and the RF energy from the microwave source  22  is radiated within the boiler to superheat the steam forming the vapor. The RF energy from the microwave source  22  provides direct molecular heating of the vapor. An example of superheating steam within a boiler is disclosed in US Patent Publication 2005/0224493. 
     The power supply  24  is powered electrically from other means such as a commercial power source or electrical grid via the electrical supply conductor generally designated  25 . In another example of the invention the power supply  24  may be powered from a generator source or power generation means  26  via an electrical conductor  27 . In another example of the invention as explained in further detail herein, the power supply  24  may be ac or dc power produced by a generator or alternator connected to the power supply  24  via the electrical conductor  29 . A suitable battery  28  is used to power the control electronics of the power supply to cause the power supply to operate to carry out its intended functions. The control electronics may include a memory, a signal processor, voltage and current sensors and other electrical circuit components and elements as necessary to carry out one or more instructions carried on a computer readable storage medium and executable by one or more suitable processors. 
     In one example of the invention, a susceptor generally designated  32  is provided within the boiler  12  and is configured to absorb the RF energy and convert the RF energy to heat. The susceptor  32  is arranged within the boiler to be isolated structurally from the boiler and at the lowest liquid collection point within the boiler. In some instances for example, in periods of long non-use of the closed vapor system, the vapor may condense back into a liquid state and collect in the bottom portion of the boiler. The heat produced by the susceptor  32  as a result of converting the RF energy to heat speeds up the conversion of the condensate into vapor. In some instances for example, in a freezing environment the liquid condensate may freeze, for example into ice when water is used as the liquid for the vapor such that at startup of the closed vapor system  10  from a cold state, the susceptor  32  effectively converts the RF energy into heat to melt the ice to water. An example of a susceptor is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,809,304 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The heating process is accelerated by the stirring action of the vapor created through the reflection of RF energy off of the internal shell  14  of the boiler  12 . A liquid/gas that is used to create the vapor is introduced into the boiler  12  through the liquid valve  34 . Vacuum is drawn from the boiler and system via the vacuum valve  36 . The vapor produced by the closed vapor system is output to a suitable conduit  38  through a pressure regulator valve  40 . Effluent vapor is returned to the boiler  12  via a suitable conduit  42  through a one-way valve  44 . A suitable temperature preset contact  46  is used to sense the temperature of the vapor to maintain the vapor temperature within the desired temperature range. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, a Calrod® heating element system is used rather than the susceptor system described above. The Calrod® heating element is arranged within the boiler to be isolated structurally from the boiler and at the lowest liquid collection point within the boiler. In some instances for example, in periods of long non-use of the closed vapor system, the vapor may condense back into a liquid state and collect in the bottom portion of the boiler. The Calrod® heating element is powered by the power supply  24  to produce heat. The heat produced by the Calrod® heating element speeds up the conversion of the condensate into vapor. In some instances for example, in a freezing environment the liquid condensate may freeze, for example into ice when water is used as the liquid for the vapor such that at startup of the closed vapor system  10  from a cold state, the Calrod® heating element effectively converts electrical power from the power supply into heat to melt the ice to water. 
     In another example, the invention is configured as a stored energy vapor system shown as a schematic functional diagram in  FIG. 2  and generally designated  50 . The stored energy vapor system  50  is well suited due to its size to stationary power supply applications and is substantially identical to the inline vapor system  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  with the exception the boiler  52  and susceptor  54  are larger than the corresponding boiler  12  and susceptor  32  described in the inline vapor system  10 . Accordingly, like parts and structural elements have like numbering. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the inline vapor system  10  and stored energy system  50  are described in an example for driving a variable speed motor generally designated  60 . The variable speed motor  60  has a suitable vapor inlet conduit  62  that sealingly connects to the vapor output conduit  38  and to a suitable speed control device or regulator  64  the output  66  of which is suitably connected to a housing  68  inside of which is a rotor configured to be rotated by the vapor torque pressure entering the housing. The shaft of the rotor may in one example be coupled to an electrical generator or alternator  70  to produce an alternating current or direct current voltage potential on the lead  72  as measured to a suitable reference potential. The lead  72  may be connected to conduit  29  to provide an alternating current or direct current voltage to power the power supply  24  as discussed above. Alternately or in addition to the electrical generator or alternator  70 , the rotor may be couple to an output drive shaft  74  to rotate the shaft to provide mechanical power as a driven shaft. Effluent vapor exits the housing  68  via the conduit  76  the output of which in turn is connected to a suitable pressure power pump  78 . The output of the pressure power pump  78  is connected to a suitable conduit  80  which is sealingly connected to the input conduit  42  to return the effluent vapor to the boiler through the one-way valve  44 . The pressure power pump  78  must produce a sufficient pressure to guarantee return of the vapor through the one-way valve. In one example of the invention, the effluent vapor exits the motor at approximately 270° Fahrenheit with a pressure of 5 pounds per square inch and the pressure power pump  78  produces at least 160 pounds per square inch. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the inline vapor system  10  and stored energy system  50  are described in an example for driving a turbine motor generally designated  100 . The turbine motor  100  has a suitable vapor inlet conduit  102  that sealingly connects to the vapor output conduit  38  and to a turbine housing  104  inside of which is a turbine blade driven rotor configured to be rotated by the vapor torque entering the housing  104 . The blade driven rotor is connected to a shaft  108  and may be connected to an alternator or generator  106  to produce and alternating current or direct current voltage potential on the lead  110 . The shaft  108  rotates at a constant high speed and is coupled to a speed reducer  112  to drive an output shaft  114  the rotation speed of which is regulated or adjusted to a desired rotation speed by means of a speed control device  116  to rotate the shaft  114  to provide mechanical power as a driven shaft. Effluent vapor exits the housing  104  via the conduit  118  the output of which in turn is connected to a suitable pressure power pump  120 . The output of the pressure power pump  120  is connected to a suitable conduit  122  which is sealingly connected to the input conduit  42  to return the effluent vapor to the boiler through the one-way valve  44 . The pressure power pump  120  must produce a sufficient pressure to guarantee return of the vapor through the one-way valve  44 . In one example of the invention, the effluent vapor exits the motor at approximately 270° Fahrenheit with a pressure of 5 pounds per square inch and the pressure power pump  120  pressurizes the effluent vapor to at least 160 pounds per square inch. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7  a schematic functional diagram of an example of a vehicle arranged to be electrically driven from the inline vapor system and variable speed motor as shown in  FIG. 3  is illustrated therein and generally designated  130 . In one example of the invention, an alternating current or direct current voltage potential produced on the lead  72  in  FIG. 3  is applied to an appropriately sized and configured electric motor  132 . The electric motor  132  has an output drive shaft  134  connected to a suitable transmission  136 . The transmission  136  engages with a driveshaft  138  which is operatively connected to a motor generator  140  which in turn drives a driveshaft  142  the drive end of which is configured to rotate the drive wheels  144  of the vehicle. The motor generator produces a direct current voltage potential when the vehicle is in rolling motion either as a result of the drive propulsion provided by the electric motor  132  or when the vehicle is coasting. The direct current voltage potential is applied to the lead  29  of the power supply  24  in  FIG. 3 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 8  a schematic functional diagram of an example of a vehicle arranged to be electrically driven from the inline vapor system and turbine motor as shown in  FIG. 4  is illustrated therein and generally designated  150 . In one example of the invention, an alternating current or direct current voltage potential produced on the lead  110  in  FIG. 4  is applied to an appropriately sized and configured electric motor  152 . The electric motor  152  has an output drive shaft  154  connected to a suitable transmission  156 . The transmission  156  operatively engages with a driveshaft  158  which is operatively connected to a motor generator  160  which in turn drives a driveshaft  162  the drive end of which is configured to rotate the drive wheels  164  of the vehicle. The motor generator produces a direct current voltage potential when the vehicle is in rolling motion either as a result of the drive propulsion provided by the electric motor  152  or when the vehicle is coasting. The direct current voltage potential is applied to the lead  29  of the power supply  24  in  FIG. 4 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 9  a schematic functional diagram of an example of a vehicle arranged to be mechanically driven from the inline vapor system and variable speed motor as shown in  FIG. 3  is illustrated therein and generally designated  170 . In one example of the invention, the driven shaft  74  in  FIG. 3  is mechanically connected to the input of a suitable transmission  172 . The transmission  172  operatively engages with a driveshaft  174  which in turn is operatively connected to a motor generator  176 . The motor generator  176  is connected to a driveshaft  178  the drive end of which is configured to rotate the drive wheels  180  of the vehicle. The motor generator  176  produces a direct current voltage potential when the vehicle is in rolling motion either as a result of the drive propulsion provided by the driven shaft  74  or when the vehicle is coasting. The direct current voltage potential is applied to the lead  29  of the power supply in  FIG. 3 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 10  a schematic functional diagram of an example of a vehicle arranged to be mechanically driven from the inline vapor system and turbine motor as shown in  FIG. 4  is illustrated therein and generally designated  190 . In one example of the invention, the driven shaft  114  in  FIG. 4  is mechanically connected to the input of a suitable transmission  192 . The transmission  192  operatively engages with a driveshaft  194  which in turn is operatively connected to a motor generator  196 . The motor generator  196  is connected to a driveshaft  198  the drive end of which is configured to rotate the drive wheels  200  of the vehicle. The motor generator  196  produces a direct current voltage potential when the vehicle is in rolling motion either as a result of the drive propulsion provided by the driven shaft  114  or when the vehicle is coasting. The direct current voltage potential is applied to the lead  29  of the power supply in  FIG. 4 . 
     It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention and are not to be construed as limitations of the invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Further, the invention contemplates all embodiments that may be inferred directly or indirectly from the disclosure and drawings whether or not expressly stated and claimed.