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Description: |
| Abstract:
This invention has for its object to increase the efficiency of internal combustion engines and relates more especially to the means for clearing out the exhaust from the working cylinder after each operation and to the means for maintaining in the explosion chamber or working cylinder the conditions best suited to the operation of the engine, particularly as regards the temperature of such chamber or cylinder.
For the purpose of clearing out the exhaust gases, maintaining in the cylinder the most favorable conditions, and improving the quality of the mixture, steam which is free from entrained water is introduced into the working cylinder.
It is highly desirable that the steam be free from water, first because with steam alone is it possible to attain with uniformity the conditions which have been found to be essential to the economical and satisfactory operation of internal combustion engines, whereas if water be introduced into the working cylinder and there evaporated the attainment of such uniform conditions is impossible, because of the uncertainty as to the amount of evaporation and as to the character of the explosive mixture. Furthermore, the tendency of water in the cylinder is to destroy combustion, and this tendency is largely obviated by the introduction of steam, which is comparatively dry or free from water. Again, the introduction of steam into the working cylinder permits a relatively high and constant temperature to be maintained therein, whereas the introduction of water would reduce the temperature and would cause greater variation in temperature, by reason of the variation in the amount of evaporation. Moreover, it is found that the introduction of water destroys the lubrication of the piston in the cylinder and causes undue grinding and wearing of the piston in the cylinder, whereas the introduction of steam comparatively dry or free from water promotes lubrication and permits the engine to operate much longer than would otherwise be possible.
In the practical operation of the invention, therefore, provision is made for a constant supply of steam comparatively dry or free from water, so that the steam may be introduced into the working cylinder at the proper instant in the cycle of operation of the engine and in regular and unvarying quantities, such steam being preferably supplied from the water jacket of the engine, in which the water is constantly renewed in proportion to the evaporation.
Claims:
1. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a working cylinder and piston, said cylinder having an exhaust port and an inlet port arranged to be uncovered by the piston as it approaches the forward limit of its stroke, means to supply steam, relatively dry and cool, to said inlet port, and means to supply air under pressure to said inlet port, whereby as said ports are uncovered by the piston air and steam are admitted to the cylinder to clear out the exhaust, cool the cylinder, and form the basis of the succeeding charge, substantially as described.
2. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a working cylinder and piston, said cylinder having an exhaust port and an inlet port arranged to be uncovered by the piston as it approaches the forward limit of its stroke, a closed crank chamber, means for supplying air thereto, a passage connecting said crank chamber with the air inlet port, and means to supply steam, relatively cool and dry to said passage, whereby as said ports are uncovered by the piston air and steam are admitted to the cylinder to clear out the exhaust, cool the cylinder, and form the basis of the succeeding charge, substantially as described.
3. in an internal combustion engine, the combination of a working cylinder and piston, said cylinder having an exhaust port and an inlet port arranged to be uncovered by the piston as it approaches the forward limit of its stroke, a water jacket about the cylinder, a steam dome connected with the upper part of said water jacket, a connection from said steam dome to said inlet port, and means to supply air-under pressure to said inlet port, whereby as said ports are uncovered by the piston air and steam are admitted to the cylinder to clear out the exhaust, cool the cylinder, and form the basis of the succeeding charge, substantially as described.
4. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a working cylinder and piston, said cylinder having an exhaust port and an air inlet port arranged to be uncovered by the piston as it approaches the forward limit of its stroke, a closed crank chamber, a passage connecting said crank chamber with said air inlet port, a water jacket about the cylinder, a steam dome communicating with the upper part of said water jacket, and a connection from said steam dome to said passage, whereby as said ports are opened air and steam are admitted to the cylinder to clear out the exhaust, cool the cylinder, and form the basis of the succeeding charge, substantially as described.
5. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a working cylinder and piston, said cylinder having an exhaust port and an inlet port arranged to be uncovered by the piston as it approaches the forward end of its stroke, a water jacket about the cylinder, a steam dome connected with the upper part of said water jacket, connection from said steam dome to said inlet port, means to supply air under pressure to said inlet port, a water supply connection direct to said water jacket and having an interposed valve, a closed tank communicating with said water jacket. and independent of the water connection, and a float in said tank to control said valve, whereby the loss of water in the water jacket is compensated by the addition of water directly to the water jacket without passing the same through the tank, substantially as described.
6. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a working cylinder and piston, said cylinder having an exhaust port and an inlet port arranged to be uncovered by the piston as it approaches the forward end of its stroke, a water jacket about the cylinder, a steam dome connected with the upper part of said water jacket, a connection from said steam dome to said inlet port, means to supply air under pressure to said inlet port, a pump operated by the engine to supply water to said jacket, a direct connection from said pump to said water jacket including a valve, a by-pass around said valve, a tank communicating with the water jacket and independent of the water supply connections, and a float in said tank to control said valve, whereby the loss of water in the water jacket is compensated by the addition of water directly to the water jacket without passing the same through the tank, substantially as described.
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