US3842808A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Regenerative steam ignition internal combustion engine
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1973-03-26
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Granted: 1974-10-22
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Expires: 1993-03-26
Abstract
Abstract An internal combustion engine is provided with means for injection of high temperature steam into the combustion chamber to ignite combustible air-fuel mixtures over a wide range of mixture ratios. A steam boiler and condenser are provided to recover water vapor from the engine exhaust gases and to utilize exhaust heat to make the steam for ignition purposes.
Inventors
- 👤 R Cataldo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:44
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B47/00; F02B47/02; F02P; F02P23/00; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
An internal combustion engine comprising means defining a variable volume working and combustion chamber, first admission means connected with said chamber and operable to admit air-fuel mixture to said chamber for compression and burning therein, second admission means connected with said chamber and operable to admit superheated steam thereto upon compression of said mixture, to ignite the compressed air-fuel mixture therein, exhaust means connected with said chamber and operable to exhaust burned gases therefrom, an exhaust heat boiler connected with said second admission means to supply superheated steam thereto, said boiler also being connected with said exhaust means to receive exhaust gases therefrom for heating condensate in said boiler to form steam, a condenser connected with said boiler to receive exhaust gases therefrom for condensation of the water vapor in said exhaust gases, and a condensate pump connected between sadi condenser and said boiler and operative during engine operation to pump condensate from said condenser to said boiler, said components being operative to supply said superheated steam to said chamber near its smallest working volume in sufficient quantity and at a temperature capable of igniting and causing combustion of the compressed lead air-fuel mixtures therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
An internal combustion engine comprising means defining a variable volume working and combustion chamber, first admission means connected with said chamber and operable to admit air-fuel mixture to said chamber for compression and burning therein, second admission means connected with said chamber and operable to admit superheated steam thereto upon compression of said mixture, to ignite the compressed air-fuel mixture therein, exhaust means connected with said chamber and operable to exhaust burned gases therefrom, an exhaust heat boiler connected with said second admission means to supply superheated steam thereto, said boiler also being connected with said exhaust means to receive exhaust gases therefrom for heating condensate in said boiler to form steam, a condenser connected with said boiler to receive exhaust gases therefrom for condensation of the water vapor in said exhaust gases, and a condensate pump connected between sadi condenser and said boiler and operative during engine operation to pump condensate from said condenser to said boiler, said components being operative to supply said superheated steam to said chamber near its smallest working volume in sufficient quantity and at a temperature capable of igniting and causing combustion of the compressed lead air-fuel mixtures therein.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
115 words
The method of operating a steam-ignition internal combustion engine including the steps of cyclically admitting a combustible mixture of air and fuel to an expansible chamber of the engine and compressing said mixture therein, injecting a quantity of superheated steam into said chamber sufficient in mass and temperature to ignite the mixture therein, burning the mixture and expanding the chamber to develop power, passing burned gases from the chamber through a water-containing steam boiler, yielding heat to the water and forming steam for subsequent injection into the chamber, and subsequently condensing water vapor in the burned gases and rejecting the dehumidified gases while pumping the condensate under pressure into the boiler for heating and vaporization.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
115 words
The method of operating a steam-ignition internal combustion engine including the steps of cyclically admitting a combustible mixture of air and fuel to an expansible chamber of the engine and compressing said mixture therein, injecting a quantity of superheated steam into said chamber sufficient in mass and temperature to ignite the mixture therein, burning the mixture and expanding the chamber to develop power, passing burned gases from the chamber through a water-containing steam boiler, yielding heat to the water and forming steam for subsequent injection into the chamber, and subsequently condensing water vapor in the burned gases and rejecting the dehumidified gases while pumping the condensate under pressure into the boiler for heating and vaporization.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-21 | 1978-04-22 | 1978-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-21 | 1982-04-22 | 1982-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-21 | 1986-04-22 | 1986-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |