Clearance volume valves in a heat regenerative engine

Abstract

A clearance volume valve for controlling cylinder compression at varying engine speeds in a steam engine. At the injector of each cylinder, a clearance volume valve is hydraulically operated in response to changes in engine RPMs to thereby control opening and closing of an inlet to a sealed tube that extends from each cylinder of the engine. At lower engine RPMs, the clearance volume valve opens the tube inlet to increase the volume of the cylinder, thereby lowering compression and relieving back pressure against an incoming change of super-heated steam. At higher engine RPMs, the clearance volume valve is hydraulically operated to close the tube inlet, thereby reducing the total clearance volume and raising the cylinder compression for greater efficiency at higher engine speeds.

1 . A valve assembly for use in a steam engine having at least one cylinder and a reciprocating piston with a piston head within an interior of the cylinder, wherein steam is injected under pressure into an area within the interior of the cylinder above the piston head, defining a clearance volume, to forcibly drive the piston through a power stroke, said valve assembly comprising: 
 a chamber extending from the cylinder and communicating with the interior of the cylinder above the piston head;    a valve between said chamber and the interior of the cylinder, and said valve being operable to a closed position to close said chamber so that said chamber is sealed and isolated from the interior of the cylinder, and said valve being operable to an open position to open said chamber to the interior of the cylinder, thereby increasing the clearance volume for receiving the injected steam; and    said valve being operably controlled by the speed of the engine, wherein said valve is operated to said open position at lower engine speeds to increase the clearance volume and to said closed position at higher engine speeds to reduce the clearance volume.    
   
   
       2 . The valve assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said chamber is defined by a hollow sealed tube extending from the cylinder.  
   
   
       3 . The valve assembly as recited in  claim 2  wherein said tube includes an inlet communicating with the area defining the clearance volume within the cylinder.  
   
   
       4 . The valve assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said valve is hydraulically operated between said open position and said closed position as the speed of the engine changes.  
   
   
       5 . The valve assembly as recited in  claim 4  wherein said valve is structured and disposed to be hydraulically operated from said open position to said closed position as the engine speed changes from lower RPMs to higher RPMs, and said valve being further structured and disposed to be hydraulically operated from said closed position to said open position as the engine speed changes from higher RPMs to lower RPMs.  
   
   
       6 . The valve assembly as recited in  claim 3  wherein said tube is structured and disposed to extend within a combustion chamber of the steam engine.  
   
   
       7 . A valve assembly for use in a steam engine having at least one cylinder and a reciprocating piston with a piston head within an interior of the cylinder, wherein steam is injected under pressure into an area within the interior of the cylinder above the piston head, defining a clearance volume, to forcibly drive the piston through a power stroke, said valve assembly comprising: 
 a chamber extending from the cylinder and communicating with the interior of the cylinder above the piston head; and    a valve between said chamber and the interior of the cylinder, and said valve being operable to a closed position to close said chamber so that said chamber is sealed and isolated from the interior of the cylinder, and said valve being operable to an open position to open said chamber to the interior of the cylinder, thereby increasing the clearance volume for receiving the injected steam.    
   
   
       8 . The valve assembly as recited in  claim 7  wherein said valve is structured and disposed to be operably controlled by the speed of the engine, wherein said valve is operated to said open position at lower engine speeds to increase the clearance volume and to said closed position at higher engine speeds to reduce the clearance volume.  
   
   
       9 . The valve assembly as recited in  claim 7  wherein said chamber is defined by a hollow sealed tube extending from the cylinder.  
   
   
       10 . The valve assembly as recited in  claim 9  wherein said tube includes an inlet communicating with the area defining the clearance volume within the cylinder.  
   
   
       11 . The valve assembly as recited in  claim 7  wherein said valve is hydraulically operated between said open position and said closed position as the speed of the engine changes.  
   
   
       12 . The valve assembly as recited in  claim 8  wherein said valve is hydraulically operated between said open position and said closed position as the speed of the engine changes.  
   
   
       13 . The valve assembly as recited in  claim 12  wherein said valve is structured and disposed to be hydraulically operated from said open position to said closed position as the engine speed changes from lower RPMs to higher RPMs, and said valve being further structured and disposed to be hydraulically operated from said closed position to said open position as the engine speed changes from higher RPMs to lower RPMs.  
   
   
       14 . The valve assembly as recited in  claim 10  wherein said tube is structured and disposed to extend within a combustion chamber of the steam engine.  
   
   
       15 . A method for controlling cylinder compression at varying engine speeds in a steam engine having at least one cylinder and a reciprocating piston with a piston head within an interior of the cylinder, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a chamber extending from the cylinder and communicating with the interior of the cylinder above the piston head;    providing a valve between said chamber and the interior of the cylinder;    operating said valve to an open position at lower engine speeds to increase clearance volume above the piston head;    injecting steam under pressure into the interior of the cylinder and filling the clearance volume under compression to forceably drive the piston through a power stroke;    operating the valve to a closed position at higher engine speeds to reduce the clearance volume;    injecting steam under pressure into the reduced clearance volume within the cylinder under compression to forceably drive the piston through a power stroke; and    wherein cylinder compression within the clearance volume is reduced when said valve is open and cylinder compression within the clearance volume of the cylinder is increased when said valve is closed.    
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 15  further comprising the step of: 
 relieving back pressure against an incoming charge of steam being injected into said cylinder by opening said valve to increase the clearance volume.