US3979913A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for utilizing waste energy from internal combustion engines as ancillary power
Assignee: YATES GARY A
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Filing: 1975-01-20
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Granted: 1976-09-14
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Expires: 1995-01-20
Abstract
Abstract A system for increasing the efficiency of an internal combustion engine by converting the waste energy to drive a turbine. Output power from the turbine is used to supplement the basic power of the engine or to provide power to auxiliary systems such as the electrical generator, compressor type air conditioner, power assist steering mechanism and power assist brakes. In a disclosed embodiment, a thermostatically actuated valve is responsive to heat build-up in the engine to direct a stream of water on a water based liquid from a reserve tank into a steam generating chamber utilizing the waste heat of the engine where it is converted to high pressure steam which drives a turbine. The turbine shaft is mechanically coupled to supplement the power of the engine and/or to provide power to one or more of the auxiliary systems mentioned above through a series of jackshaft attachments.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold P. Yates
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 01:06
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02G; F02G5/00; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
A system for utilizing the heat build-up in an internal combustion engine having its basic power coupled to drive a vehicle, which comprises in combination: an enclosure disposed to be heated by heat dissipated by said engine, a source of water or water based liquid designed to circulate as a stream in a closed system including a reserve tank and a system of conduits under control of a three-way thermostatically actuated valve, said valve having an intake orifice and normally-open and normally-closed exhaust orifices, said intake orifice being connected to receive the outflow stream from said tank, said normally-open exhaust orifice connected to return said stream to said tank, said valve having heat sensor means adjacent said engine, disposed to open said normally-closed exhaust orifice at a preselected temperature, means including a spray nozzle connected to said normally-closed orifice, and disposed upon the opening of said orifice to inject a fine spray of water or water based liquid into said enclosure under high pressure for continuously generating high pressure steam in said enclosure in response to heat dissipated by said engine, a turbine having a rotatable shaft, means for directing said steam to drive said turbine to rotate, and means for deriving power from the rotation of the shaft of said turbine for supplementing the basic power of said internal combustion engine.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
222 words
A system for utilizing the heat build-up in an internal combustion engine having its basic power coupled to drive a vehicle, which comprises in combination: an enclosure disposed to be heated by heat dissipated by said engine, a source of water or water based liquid designed to circulate as a stream in a closed system including a reserve tank and a system of conduits under control of a three-way thermostatically actuated valve, said valve having an intake orifice and normally-open and normally-closed exhaust orifices, said intake orifice being connected to receive the outflow stream from said tank, said normally-open exhaust orifice connected to return said stream to said tank, said valve having heat sensor means adjacent said engine, disposed to open said normally-closed exhaust orifice at a preselected temperature, means including a spray nozzle connected to said normally-closed orifice, and disposed upon the opening of said orifice to inject a fine spray of water or water based liquid into said enclosure under high pressure for continuously generating high pressure steam in said enclosure in response to heat dissipated by said engine, a turbine having a rotatable shaft, means for directing said steam to drive said turbine to rotate, and means for deriving power from the rotation of the shaft of said turbine for supplementing the basic power of said internal combustion engine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said enclosure takes the form of a pipe formed integrally with the manifold of said engine which comprises a direct path through said manifold.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 which includes an electrical generator, wherein said means for deriving power from the rotation of the shaft of said turbine comprises a coupling between said turbine shaft and said electrical generator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein the exhaust steam from said turbine is connected by conduit means through a condenser unit to said reserve tank whereby said steam is condensed and returned to said reserve tank for recycling.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said thermostatically actuated valve means comprises a solenoid operated valve, and said heat sensor means for energizing said solenoid includes a heat sensitive switch disposed to operate and remain operated at said preselected temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for deriving power from the rotation of the shaft of said turbine comprises means for mechanically coupling said turbine shaft and the crankshaft of said engine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination in accordance with claim 6 wherein said coupling means includes fluid couplings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for deriving power from the shaft of said turbine comprises jackshaft means connected to drive at least one vehicle auxiliary.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-14 | 1980-03-15 | 1980-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-14 | 1984-03-15 | 1984-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-14 | 1988-03-15 | 1988-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |