Hybrid steam power drive system

Abstract

A hybrid steam power drive system that uses electrical motors to power any type of vehicle. It includes a steam unit that drives a steam turbine that turns a generator to provide electricity directly to the electrical drive motors and continually charge a battery/capacitor bank which can also provide energy to the electrical drive motor(s). With this system the battery/capacitor bank is continually being charged and does not have to periodically be plugged into a power source to charge the battery/capacitor bank. It also provides an accessory outlet to power external needs when the vehicle is not in motion.

Claims

1. A hybrid steam power drive system for rotating wheels or propellers of a vehicle, including electrical motors powered by at least one battery and including a steam unit, steam being produced by passing a continuous flow of high pressure water between and around three electrodes to which a three phase power voltage is applied, and a steam turbine for driving a generator which provides the electrical power source for directly driving the electrical motors and also charging the battery/capacitor bank, a water tank for supplying water to the steam unit, the water being converted to steam to drive the steam turbine, and said electrical motors for turning wheels which move the vehicles.

2. The hybrid steam power drive system according to claim 1, including a control unit to control the charging of a battery/capacitor bank and for providing power to the steam unit, and a pump for supplying the continuous flow of high pressure water to the steam unit from the water tank; and when the control unit senses that the battery/capacitor bank has a low charge, the steam unit is automatically turned on to power the steam turbine which will rotate the generator and supply power to the battery/capacitor bank.

3. The hybrid steam power drive system according to claim 1, including a battery/capacitor bank, the water from the water tank supplied to the steam unit, which drives the steam turbine which drives the generator that provides power to drive the electrical motors and also charge the battery/capacitor bank, and a control unit for monitoring the battery/capacitor bank, and for controlling the steam unit so it does not produce steam when the battery/capacitor is fully charged.

4. The hybrid steam power drive system according to claim 1, wherein the steam turbine has an outlet where steam and any water which exits the turbine through a one way valve flows into a condenser, wherein any steam is condensed and returned to the water tank, and the water tank has a water level indicator which supplies information to a control unit to indicate that the water in the tank is low.

5. The hybrid steam power drive system according to claim 1, containing a battery/capacitor bank and a control unit which controls the power used charging the battery/capacitor bank.

6. The hybrid steam power drive system according to claim 1, wherein water from the water tank supplies a continuous flow of high pressure water to the steam unit which provides a high flow of pressurized steam to the steam turbine and which drives the generator which provides power to charge the battery/capacitor bank, the control unit for monitoring the battery/capacitor bank and supplying power to the electrical drive motor.

7. A hybrid steam power drive system including electrical motors which are battery driven, the battery charged by a generator which is turned by a steam turbine, the steam supplied to the steam turbine is from a steam unit in which the steam is produced by inserting a continuous flow of pressurized water into a housing containing single to three phase convertible electrical conductors, when a voltage is applied to the electrical conductors, current flows through the water in the housing and converts the water to steam, the steam turns a turbine which drives a generator which supplies power to the electrical motors attached to and turning a shaft which rotates and turns a driving and moving device for, but not limited to, Automobiles, trucks, buses, motor homes, motorcycles, locomotives, water vessels, airplanes, and all other forms of transportation.

8. A hybrid steam power drive system according to claim 7 in which a unit is included on the airplane has the ability to condense water from atmospheric conditions in flight to refill the water tank.

9. A hybrid steam power drive system according to claim 7 in which a water vessel has the ability to use a body of water as the source of water instead of using a water tank, water used in the steam power drive is then recycled as clean water back into the body of water.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a steam turbine system that drives a generator for providing voltage to charge a battery/capacitor bank, the battery/capacitor bank is to provide power to the electrical drive motors (not illustrated in FIG. 1) which provides power to any type of vehicle.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a steam generation system in combination with a steam turbine and an electrical generator to provide electrical power to a battery/capacitor or directly to electrical motors which drive a vehicle, a control circuitry to interact with the electrical drive system and a water supply for providing water to the steam generation unit.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a basic system for producing a voltage to charge battery/capacitor bank 11 that is supplying power to electrical motors that provides the power to a vehicle. The steam unit 16 generates steam delivering steam through 20 to rotate turbine 21. A water tank 27 supplies water to steam unit 16 by pump 28 which supplies a continuous flow of pressurized water to steam unit 16 through a one way valve 29. Valve 29 prevents steam and water introduced into the steam unit 16 from flowing back out of the steam unit 16 into pump 28. The 3 phase steam unit 16 is started in single phase by the control unit 13 which is powered by power inverter 12. The control unit 13 sends signal to power control unit 15 which supplies power to conductors 17 and 18 which supplies power to internal extension of the conductors within the steam unit. Immediately upon startup of the system, the control unit 13 applies power to the single phase to 3 phase converter 14 through power inverter 12. Power control unit 15 is now being fed 3 phase power which is applied to conductor 19 completing the transition from single phase to 3 phase operation. The electrical conductors 17, 18, and 19 are insulated from the steam unit 16 as they extend through the wall of the steam unit and into the steam unit 16. Pressurized water is inserted into steam unit 16 from water tank 27 through pump 28 and then through one way valve 29. The water then flows across and around the internal portions of electrical conductors 17, 18 and 19. Electrical conductors 17, 18 and 19 are connected to electrodes which are the internal portions of the electrical conductors (not illustrated) which extend through steam unit 16. The voltage applied to conductors 17, 18 and 19 through power control unit turns the pressurized water instantly into steam. As the water flows through the steam unit 16, and around the electrodes in the steam unit, current flows between the electrodes, and through the water, converting the water instantly into steam. There is no pool of water in the steam unit 16. The steam flows out of steam unit 16 through 20 into turbine 21. Turbine 21 turns shaft 22 turning the generator 23 creating voltage used to charge the battery/capacitor bank 11 through connection 30. The steam then exits the turbine 21 through one way valve 24 into condenser 25 and then passes through pipe 26 back into the water tank 27 for the reuse of the water.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a system for providing power to drive a vehicle. It could be called a hybrid steam power drive system, using steam for providing power to electrical motors. The only fuel source used to provide electricity to the electric motors is water.

[0015] A steam unit 31 generates high pressure steam by moving water from water tank 44 through pump 48 and one way valve 49 into the steam unit 31. The water flows around three electrical conductors 50, 51 and 52 in steam unit 31. Voltage is applied to the 3 phase electrical conductors 50, 51 and 52 from power control unit 55. As water flows through the steam unit 31 across the electrical conductors 50, 51 and 52, current flows through the water between electrical conductors 50, 51, and 52 turning the water flowing across them into steam.

[0016] Control unit 37 is connected to battery/capacitor bank 38. The electric motors 39 and 41 which turn drive systems 40 and 42 are powered by battery/capacitor bank 38 through connection 76 through switch 75 to connection 70, or directly by generator through connection 78 and switch 75 to connection 70. Battery/capacitor bank 38 receives charging voltage from generator 35. Power inverter 53 supplies power to control unit 37. Control unit 37 monitors the charge on battery/capacitor bank 38. If the battery/capacitor bank 38 does not have a low charge, then the steam unit 31 can be shut down temporarily by not supplying power or water to the steam unit. When the control unit 37 senses that the battery has a low charge, the steam unit is automatically turned on to power turbine 33 which will rotate generator 35 and supply power to the battery/capacitor bank 38. Control unit 37 regulates the output of generator 35 to battery/capacitor bank 38 through connection 36. The output of both the battery/capacitor bank 38 and generator 35 are connected to switch 75, battery/capacitor bank though connection 76 and the generator 35 through connection 78. Control unit 37 is connected to switch 75 through connection 77. This way control unit 37 can allow the drive motors 39 and 41 to be powered directly by generator 35 or battery/capacitor bank 38.

[0017] Power control unit 55 supplies the power to conductors 50, 51 and 52 on steam unit 31. The power supplied to conductors 50, 51 and 52 converts the water that pump 48 flows from water tank 44 through one way valve 49 into steam unit 31. The steam produced is directed through 32 into turbine 33. The spent steam in the turbine will be directed through one way valve 47 into condenser 46 through pipe 45 into water tank 44 to be reused. Water tank 44 includes a water level gauge 43 which monitors the level of the water in the tank through connection 43a. The monitored information is sent to control unit 37 to alert the control unit 37 that the water is low in water tank 44 and that additional water needs to be supplied to the water tank 44. Water will not be needed often since the water from the condensed steam is supplied back into the water tank.

[0018] Since the generator 35 is being driven by turbine 33 through shaft 34 the hybrid steam power drive system charges the battery/capacitor bank 38. It is not necessary to plug the hybrid steam power drive system into an electrical outlet when not in use. However, a power outlet 56 connected to batter/capacitor bank to supply external electrical needs when the hybrid steam power drive system is not in motion.