Patent ID: 7997080

Claim:
A combination internal combustion and steam engine that is powered in part by steam from a boiler or superheater fired by waste internal combustion heat comprising: at least one cylinder with a piston sealingly mounted for reciprocation therein between an internal combustion chamber and a steam chamber located inwardly of the combustion chamber that act upon opposing ends of the piston for imparting a movement thereto, a steam cylinder head comprising a stationary circular cap inwardly of the steam chamber that is sealingly and slideably engaged with an inner surface of the piston, and a rod located to move through the cylinder between the steam cylinder head and a crankshaft and being operatively associated with the piston and the crankshaft for imparting rotation thereto, and at least one steam inlet valve within the stationary circular cap that communicates between the steam chamber and a steam chest that is located inside the cylinder on an opposite side of the stationary circular cap from the steam chamber to accommodate and heat the piston and to steam jacket the stationary circular cap such that the steam chamber is heated outwardly by direct conduction of heat from the combustion chamber as well as inwardly by conduction of heat from the steam chest.