(19)
(11) EP 0 043 879 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
11.08.1982 Bulletin 1982/32

(43) Date of publication A2:
20.01.1982 Bulletin 1982/03

(21) Application number: 80304648

(22) Date of filing: 19.12.1980
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE FR IT LI LU NL SE

(30) Priority: 16.07.1980 AU 455480
12.12.1980 US 215867

(71) Applicant: THERMAL SYSTEMS LIMITED.
 ()

(72) Inventor:
  • Fischer, Victor Herbert
     ()

   


(54) Reciprocating external-combustion engine and method of operating the same


(57) A reciprocating external combustion engine wherein energy is transfered to air acting as a working gas by injection into the air of liquid water at a high temperature and pressure. The liquid water is injected either directly into the cylinder or into a preliminary mixing chamber. The water acts as a heat-transfer medium for heating the air. Spontaneous vaporization of the liquid water on injection increases the pressure of the air which drives the piston before being exhausted. The exhaust water is recovered and recycled. The cylinder is scavenged and refilled with a fresh charge of air.






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