DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

[001] The present invention relates to engines utilizing heating of water steam obtained through heating of water.

Background of the invention

[002] The German patent application publication No. DE 10 2009 026 374 A discloses an internal combustion engine operable by fossil fuel and a hydrogen-oxygen mixture supplied to the combustible mixture chamber in the inlet channel. The hydrogen-oxygen mixture is obtained in a vehicle through electrolysis. The hydrogen-oxygen mixture is supplied only on such occasions when the engine operates under increased load conditions. A similar solution is disclosed in the international patent application publication No. W02007/091105.

[003] The Korean patent application publication No. KR20030044602 A discloses an internal combustion engine in which the hydrogen-oxygen mixture is generated using electrolysis, where through the reservoir and the piping system it is further delivered to the working cylinder of the engine.

[004] The U.S. patent application publication No. US 2018/0298813 discloses a method and a system for the control of an engine using a hydrogen-oxygen mixture. However, also on this occasion the hydrogen-oxygen mixture generated through electrolysis is delivered through the reservoir and the piping system to the working cylinder of the engine. Furthermore, the engine is designed for being operated together with fossil fuel.

[005] The European patent application No. 20711315.0 discloses an internal combustion engine operating with a hydrogen-oxygen mixture only obtained through decomposing of water in water electrolysis. A combustible mixture is obtained by the combustion of heated steam. However, on this occasion the process includes the steps of decomposing and combustion. [006] The aim of the invention is to design a simple and ecological engine operating using the increasement of water steam pressure only and being compact enough to be insertable in the engine compartment of a vehicle without significant modifications. Furthermore, the aim of the invention is to obtain a remarkable pressure increasement, consuming only an amount of energy that is necessary for one operating cycle of piston movement.

Summary of the invention

[007] The aim of the invention is reached by the design of an engine comprising a working cylinder with a piston therein coupled to a crank-rod gear for the transfer of the translational movement of the piston to the rotary motion, and an inlet valve, and an outlet valve. Said structure and its kinematics is similar to already known engine structures. However, in order to reach the aim of the invention, the engine is further provided with a space enclosing the working cylinder in such a manner that the space can contain water filled therein. Said space is thermally insulated from the surrounding environment. The layer of thermal insulation encloses the space in such a manner that thermal insulation of the space from the surrounding environment is provided. Respectively, the engine can utilize the self-generated heat for the maintenance of the working process more efficiently.

[008] Furthermore, a heating element is arranged in said space for heating of water filled in the space in order to generate steam. The number of heating elements depends on the designed capacity of each engine. Water is filled in the space in order to ensure operation of the engine. Water is preferably filled in such an amount that the heating elements are immersed in water. The engine is provided with a water supply channel in fluid connection with the space in order to provide water supply to said space. Fluid connection is such a connection that ensures flow or transfer of a fluid so that it can move from one place to another. The water supply channel comprises a water supply valve configured such as to supply the required water amount to the space. The control of water amount or level in the space is effected through a water level sensor.

[009] The object of the invention is characterized in that the engine space is in fluid connection with the working cylinder through a transition channel. The transition channel comprises a pressure-reducing valve configured to adjust supply of steam generated in the space to the working cylinder. The transition channel further comprises also an inlet valve and an inlet-outlet valve. The inlet valve is arranged in the flow direction downstream from the pressure-reducing valve, but the inlet-outlet valve is arranged in the flow direction downstream from the inlet valve. Thereby a controlled steam supply to the working cylinder can be ensured. The transition channel comprises electrodes arranged between the inlet valve and the inlet-outlet valve and configured such as to allow an electric arc discharge therebetween. The electrodes can be made of graphite or other material. The walls of the transition channel are lined with a heat-proof coating, diminshing the impact of the thermal processes on the transition channel.

[010] The engine comprises an outlet channel connected to the transition channel at the position where the inlet-outlet valve is located. The inlet-outlet valve is a two-way valve. A fluid flow in the transition channel to the working cylinder, and from the working cylinder to the outlet channel is provided thereby, and one of the aims of the invention is preserved - compactness of the engine. The inlet valve and the inlet-outlet valve operate in a tandem. When the piston is at the upper point, the inlet valve for the space is closed. The inlet-outlet valve connects the transition channel with the working cylinder. When the piston reaches the lower point, the inlet-outlet valve closes the transition channel and opens the outlet channel through which the utilized steam enters into the atmosphere, with the piston moving upwards. The inlet valve is swithced simultaneously with switching of the inlet-outlet valve. The space is connected to the transition channel through the inlet valve in order to arrange a new operating cycle in the transition channel.

[Oi l] The engine may further comprise a spark plug in the transition channel. Any spark plug already known to a skilled person can be used as said spark plug.

[012] Besides, a water spraying nozzle is arranged in the transition channel in order to provide cooling of the channel. Water is sprayed on pre-set occasions. Water can also be further sprayed in before heating of the transition channel in order to provide more substance in the transition channel. Water is in the form of an aerosol there, heating of which generates steam and an increased pressure.

[013] The engine further comprises a temperature sensor for the monitoring and control of temperature. The engine comprises a space temperature sensor arranged in the space and configured to read the temperature of the space. A temperature sensor of the already known art, e.g., a thermocouple, can be used as the temperature sensor.

[014] The control of the engine is provided through a control unit comprising an engine control algorithm to be executed. The control unit is connected to the engine actuators for the control thereof. The control unit is connected at least to the spark plug, the heating elements, the pressure-reducing valve, the inlet valve, the inlet-outlet valve, the temperature sensor of the space, the water level sensor and the water supply valve. Power for the control unit as well as power for other elements of the engine is provided by a power source or unit. Any direct current power source, e.g., a battery, can be used as the power source.

[015] The engine control algorithm includes heating of water filled in the space by the heating elements of the space. Steam is generated in the space. It flows into the transition channel through the pressure-reducing valve and the inlet valve. There, by instantaneously igniting arc discharge between the electrodes, it is further heated, thus resulting in a much significant pressure increasement. The electric arc discharge between the electrodes is attained using the same methods as in electric welding or in electric metal melting furnaces. Steam further flows into the working cylinder through the inlet-outlet valve and acts on the piston, thus initiating kinetic movement.

[016] The designed engine does not need air and oxygen therein. It can be operated also in closed spaces, e.g., on a submarine. Since its exhaust products are not toxic due to being water again, it can be reused.

[017] Prior to detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention it should be pointed out that the invention is not limited in its use and technical implementation mentioned in the description hereinafter, as the invention can be implemented also in other forms falling within the scope of it. The used terminology is intended for description and understanding of the invention, not for limiting thereof. List of drawings

[018] Fig. 1 illustrates the cross-section of the internal combustion engine longitudinally to the longitudinal axis of its working cylinder (1) when the piston (2) is in the movement towards its upper exchange point.

[019] Fig. 2 illustrates an enlarged version of the transition channel as seen in Fig. 1.

Detailed description of the embodiments

[020] Fig. 1 illustrates an engine comprising a crank-rod gear (18), a working cylinder (1) and a piston (2) arranged therein. The cylinder (1) comprises a space (3) enclosing the working cylinder (1) and formed such as to contain water filled therein. A heating element (9) is arranged in said space (3) for heating of water filled in the space (3) in order to generate steam. The cylinder (1) further comprises a thermal insulation layer (4) enclosing said space (3) in such a manner that a thermal insulation of said space (3) from the surrounding environment is provided. The cylinder (1) comprises a transition channel (19) fluidly connecting the space (3) and the working cylinder (1). The transition channel (19) comprises a pressure-reducing valve (14) that adjusts supply of steam generated in the space (3) to the working cylinder (1), an inlet valve (5) arranged in the flow direction downstream from the pressure-reducing valve (14), and an inlet-outlet valve (6) arranged in the flow direction downstream from the inlet valve (5). The transition channel (19) further comprises electrodes (7) arranged between the inlet valve (5) and the inlet-outlet valve (6). The electrodes (7) are configured such as to allow an electric arc discharge therebetween. Besides, said electrodes (7) are enclosed by an electrode insulation (22) insulating them from the wall of the transition channel (19). The engine further comprises an outlet channel (20) connected to the transition channel (19) at the position where the inlet-outlet valve (6) is located. The inlet-outlet valve (6) is a two-way valve, thereby providing a flow in the transition channel (19) to the working cylinder (1), and from the working cylinder (1) to the outlet channel (20). The pressurereducing valve and the inlet valve are non-return valves. The engine is further provided with a water supply channel (21) in fluid connection with the space (3) in order to provide water supply to said space (3). The working cylinder (1) is further provided with a cooling system valve (12). [021] The internal combustion engine illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a control unit (8) with a power source. A temperature sensor (10) and a water level sensor (13) arranged in the space (3) are connected to the control unit (8). The temperature sensor (10) is configured to read the temperature of the space (3). The water level sensor (13) is configured to read the water level of the space (3).

[022] It can be seen from Fig. 2 that a water spraying nozzle (17) is further arranged in the transition channel in order to provide cooling of the channel. The water spraying nozzle is a valve. Furthermore, the transition channel (19) comprises a spark plug (15). A heat-proof coating (16) covers the internal surface of the transition channel (19) from the inlet valve (5) up to the inlet-outlet valve (6).

[022] The invention has been described disclosing various embodiments thereof. However, a skilled person shall understand that numerous different variations, modifications and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims, are possible.

List of references

1 - working cylinder;

2 - piston;

3 - space that may contain water;

4 - thermal insulation;

5 - inlet valve;

6 - inlet-outlet valve;

7 - electrodes;

8 - control unit;

9 - heating element;

10 - temperature sensor;

11 - water supply valve;

12 - cooling system valve;

13 - water level sensor;

14 - pressure-reducing valve;

15 - spark plug; - heat-proof coating; - water nozzle (valve); - crank-rod gear; - transition channel; - outlet channel; - water supply channel; and - electrode insulation.