Steam powered electric generator and heating system

Abstract

Electricity generating apparatus with an outside wood-burning furnace having a water jacket to produce steam driving a steam engine. The steam engine drives an electric generator. A heated water supply for a house or other structure may also be obtained by utilizing the spent steam from the steam engine.

I claim:  
     
         1 . Electricity generating apparatus comprising: 
 an outdoor furnace;    a water jacket on said furnace and containing water to be heated by the burning of fuel in said furnace to produce steam;    a steam outlet pipe from said water jacket to the inlet of a steam engine to drive the steam engine;    one end of a drive shaft connected to said steam engine to be driven thereby; and    the other end of said drive shaft being connected to drive an electric generator to produce electricity.    
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said furnace is a wood-burning furnace and said fuel is wood.  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein back-up apparatus for the use of oil or natural gas is provided.  
     
     
         4 . Electric generating apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said electricity is for supply to a building and including a storage battery arrangement between said electric generator and said building.  
     
     
         5 . Electricity generating apparatus comprising: 
 an outdoor furnace;    a water jacket on said furnace and containing water to be heated by the burning of fuel in said furnace, to produce steam;    a steam outlet pipe from said water jacket, and connected to the inlet of a steam engine to drive the steam engine;    one end of a drive shaft connected to said steam engine to be driven thereby;    the other end of said drive shaft being connected to drive an electric generator to produce electricity;    a spent steam outlet on said steam engine;    a steam pipe connected at one end to said spent steam outlet and passing through a heat exchange water tank for providing hot water, an outlet connection from said tank for said hot water and an inlet connection for return of the spent hot water;    said steam pipe after passing through said heat exchange water tank being connected to a water inlet on said furnace water jacket, a check valve being in said steam pipe before said water inlet; and    a pipe from an external water source being connected to a junction portion in said steam pipe on the water outlet side of said check valve to ensure an adequate supply of water for said furnace water jacket to produce sufficient steam to drive said steam engine.    
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein said furnace has a water cooled door to facilitate the loading of fuel therinto.  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein said furnace is a wood-burning furnace.  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein said furnace is a wood-burning furnace.  
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , including a connection into a main power supply of a utility company.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 ,including a connection into a main power supply of a utility company.  
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 7  including a connection into a main power supply of a utility company.  
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein said electricity is for supply to a building and including a storage battery arrangement between said electric generator and said building.