Energy system

Abstract

A low-pressure energy system is provided that includes a combustion chamber immersed in water within an insulated container. Low-pressure air flow is introduced into one end of the combustion chamber. Fuel, sparks and water are also introduced to the combustion chamber, thereby generating steam and heat. The steam is blown through the combustion chamber to a first radiator, which emits heat and a steam exhaust, which can be used to increase the humidity of the enclosure housing the energy system. The heat generated by the combustion chamber heats the water in the insulated container. The heated water is pumped through a second radiator, thereby extracting additional heat from the system. A fan may be configured to introduce air flow over both the first and second radiators, thereby further improving heat transfer to the ambient air. Water can optionally be omitted from the combustion chamber.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An energy system comprising: 
 a container having an insulated cavity;    a combustion chamber positioned in the insulated cavity of the container, the combustion chamber having a first end and a second end;    a fuel supply system coupled to a fuel input port at the first end of the combustion chamber;    a blower coupled to an air input port at the first end of the combustion chamber;    a water supply system coupled to a water input port at the first end of the combustion chamber;    a spark generator located at the first end of the combustion chamber;    one or more tube structures coupled to the second end of the combustion chamber, wherein the one or more tube structures are located in the insulated cavity of the container;    an exhaust port coupled to the one or more tube structures and extending outside of the container; and    a pump configured to circulate fluid from the container to a location external to the container, and back to the container.    
     
     
         2 . The energy system of  claim 1 , wherein the combustion chamber is suspended within the insulated cavity of the container.  
     
     
         3 . The energy system of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the combustion chamber extends into the insulated cavity of the container further than the first end of the combustion chamber.  
     
     
         4 . The energy system of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid located over the insulated cavity of the container, wherein the lid does not form an air-tight seal with the container.  
     
     
         5 . The energy system of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel supply system is configured to supply propane or natural gas to the fuel input port of the combustion chamber.  
     
     
         6 . The energy system of  claim 1 , wherein the blower is adapted to introduce air to the first end of the combustion chamber at a pressure less than 14.7 psi.  
     
     
         7 . The energy system of  claim 6 , wherein the blower is adapted to introduce air to the combustion chamber at a pressure of less than 3 psi.  
     
     
         8 . The energy system of  claim 7 , wherein the blower is adapted to introduce air to the combustion chamber at a pressure of about 2 psi.  
     
     
         9 . The energy system of  claim 1 , wherein the spark generator comprises a spark plug.  
     
     
         10 . The energy system of  claim 9 , wherein the ignition controller is adapted to provide continuous sparking of the spark plug.  
     
     
         11 . The energy system of  claim 1 , wherein the combustion chamber is cylindrical.  
     
     
         12 . The energy system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more tubes are coiled around the combustion chamber.  
     
     
         13 . The energy system of  claim 1 , wherein the water input port is located farther from the first end of the combustion chamber than the fuel input port, the spark generator and the air input port.  
     
     
         14 . The energy system of  claim 1 , further comprising a radiator coupled to the exhaust port.  
     
     
         15 . The energy system of  claim 1 , further comprising a radiator coupled to receive the fluid circulated by the pump.