Reciprocating piston type steam engine - is fed with auxiliary fluid which evaporates and expands at steam temperature

摘要

The engine has a cylinder (10) containing a reciprocating piston (11). Steam is supplied from a boiler (18) through an inlet valve (22) and is exhausted through an outlet valve (24). An auxiliary fluid in liquid form is pumped from a reservoir (240) by a pump (26) through a regulating valve (27) to mix with the steam in the inlet valve (22). It evaporates at the steam temperature and the gas formed expands to add to the output of the engine. The gas is also combustible and the engine exhaust (23) is taken to the burner (20) under the boiler to be used for raising the steam. A changeover valve (28) enables fluid such as methyl alcohol to be taken directly to the burner for starting purposes.