System for Producing Mechanical Energy from Electrical Energy

Abstract

A system for producing mechanical energy from electrical energy. The system has a source of electrical current, a boiler device for producing hot vapor from an electrically-conductive liquid directly from the electrical current, the boiler device comprising at least two electrodes that are electrically coupled to the source of electrical current and boil the liquid into a vapor by passing the current between the electrodes through the liquid, and an engine that produces mechanical energy from the hot vapor.

1 . A system for producing mechanical energy from electrical energy, comprising:
 a source of electrical current;   a boiler device for producing hot vapor from an electrically-conductive liquid directly from the electrical current, the boiler device comprising at least two electrodes that are electrically coupled to the source of electrical current and boil the liquid into a vapor by passing the current between the electrodes through the liquid; and   an engine that produces mechanical energy from the hot vapor.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  in which the engine takes in the hot vapor from the boiler device and discharges vapor at a lower temperature. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  in which the engine is a steam engine. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  in which the steam engine is used to power a vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  in which the vehicle is an automobile or a truck. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4  further comprising an accumulator system that recovers mechanical energy from the vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2  in which the system is part of a device of the type that can use an internal combustion engine. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising a recirculating condenser that takes in the lower temperature vapor that has been discharged by the engine, condenses the vapor into liquid, and stores the liquid so it can be returned to the boiler device. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  in which the electrically-conductive liquid defines an electrolytic conductor. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  in which the electrolytic conductor comprises water containing an electrolyte. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  in which the electrically-conductive liquid comprises dipolar molecules. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  in which the source of electrical current comprises an electrical power storage system. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  in which the source of electrical current further comprises a device for creating alternating current (AC) from the stored power. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  in which the electrical power storage system comprises one or more of rechargeable batteries and capacitors. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  in which the source of electrical current provides alternating current (AC). 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a system that recovers energy from the vapor or the engine. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  in which the system that recovers energy generates electricity from the recovered energy. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a secondary heater for heating the vapor to a higher temperature. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  in which the secondary heater is electrically operated. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising a system for adding lubricant to the hot vapor. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20  further comprising a system for removing lubricant from the vapor that is discharged by the engine. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a tank for holding the liquid that is supplied to the boiler device. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a hot well for holding hot vapor before it is supplied to the engine. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a liquid heater comprising a pipe or tube carrying the liquid, the pipe or tube exposed to the hot vapor. 
     
     
         25 . A system for powering a vehicle using electrical energy, comprising:
 one or more of rechargeable batteries and capacitors for storing power;   a device for creating alternating current (AC) from the stored power to accomplish a source of AC;   an electrically-conductive liquid comprising water containing an electrolyte;   a boiler device for producing hot vapor from the electrically-conductive liquid directly from the AC, the boiler device comprising at least two electrodes that are electrically coupled to the source of AC and boil the liquid into a vapor by passing the current between the electrodes through the liquid; and   a steam engine that produces mechanical energy from the hot vapor, wherein the engine takes in the hot vapor from the boiler device and discharges vapor at a lower temperature;   the steam engine used to power a vehicle.   
     
     
         26 . A system for powering a vehicle using electrical energy, comprising:
 one or more of rechargeable batteries or capacitors for storing power;   a device for creating alternating current (AC) from the stored power to accomplish a source of AC;   an electrically-conductive liquid comprising water containing an electrolyte;   a boiler device for producing hot vapor from the electrically-conductive liquid directly from the AC, the boiler device comprising at least two electrodes that are electrically coupled to the source of AC and boil the liquid into a vapor by passing the current between the electrodes through the liquid;   a steam engine that produces mechanical energy from the hot vapor, wherein the engine takes in the hot vapor from the boiler device and discharges vapor at a lower temperature, wherein the steam engine is used to power a vehicle;   a recirculating condenser that takes in the lower temperature vapor that has been discharged by the engine, condenses the vapor into liquid, and stores the liquid so it can be returned to the boiler device;   an accumulator system that recovers mechanical energy from the vehicle; and   a system that recovers energy from the vapor or the engine.