METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

摘要

The present invention relates to external combustion engines (ECE) and heat exchange. One particular aspect of invention relates to a high performance steam engine for cars. One embodiment provides an ECE comprising: an engine body (10) having an inlet (2) and an outlet (3) for the passage of a heated working fluid into and out of an expansion zone (34) wherein the body of the engine (10) is configured as a heat exchanger for heated working fluid exhausted through the outlet (3). Another embodiment provides a boiler tube arrangement for an ECE comprising at least one wound tube (12) forming a radially inwardly directed path for combustion gases and the at least one wound tube (12) is adapted for transporting a working fluid in a radially outwardly directed path to exchange heat with combustion gases. Other embodiments provide air delivery arrangements, an acoustic outlet, valve control for ECE's, and means for determining mass flow rate of steam for controlling an ECE.