| 摘要 |
A two stroke steam-to-vacuum engine comprises a plurality of cylinders ( 500, 502 ) each cylinder having a piston ( 504, 510 ), a piston rod ( 506, 512 ), and a steam chamber ( 508, 514 ), the piston rods connected for synchronous movement such that each piston is reciprocally moveable between an expanded position and a collapsed position. Admission of steam at 3-5 p.s.i. above atmospheric pressure into the steam chambers ( 508, 514 ) is controlled by steam valves ( 522, 524 ) and exposure of the steam chambers to a vacuum is controlled by vacuum valves ( 548, 550 ). Steam is supplied to the steam chambers ( 24, 38 ) through a boiler 520 , a solar power source, or an alternative fuel of choice. An auxiliary vacuum tank ( 572 ) may be isolated from a primary vacuum tank ( 554 ) to replenish the vacuum in a condensate collector tank ( 560 ) after removal of condensate. Auxiliary vacuum pumps ( 614, 616 ), driven by power from cylinders ( 500, 502 ), replenish the vacuum in the auxiliary vacuum tank ( 572 ) leaving the main vacuum pump ( 570 ) to support the primary vacuum tank ( 554 ). |
