Reciprocating external-combustion engine - has liquid water injected directly into cylinder with reciprocating piston

摘要

The reciprocating external combustion engine has energy transferred to a working gas from a heated liquid transfer medium. It has a cylinder with a reciprocal piston defining a working space. A heat exchanger heats the heat transfer medium externally of the cylinder under a pressure sufficient to maintain it liquid. The heat exchanger has an inlet to receive the medium and an outlet to deliver heated medium. An induction feed passes gas into the working end space. An injector is connected to the heat exchanger outlet to inject heated liquid medium into the gas before expansion of the gas in the working end space. An outlet from the cylinder exhausts heat transfer medium and working gas from the working end space near the end of the expansion stroke of the piston.