Air / steam engine and use thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to an air / steam engine having one or more cylinders and a piston located therein, by means of which a stroke movement can be carried out. Further, the air / steam engine includes an injection nozzle and a pre-chamber. A pre-chamber is arranged between the injection nozzle and the cylinder, wherein fuel fluid can be introduced from the injection nozzle into the pre-chamber. The pre-chamber can receive compressed air from the cylinder such that an air / steam mixture is formed within the pre-chamber, which mixture can be introduced into the cylinder. This makes it possible to cause a stroke movement of the cylinder. Furthermore, the cylinder is connected to the condenser via an outlet valve such that the air / steam mixture or the steam of the air / steam mixture condenses and is present in the condenser as a condensate. The condenser and the injection nozzle are fluidly connected to each other via a high pressure pump and a high pressure tank such that fuel fluid can flow from the condenser back into the injection nozzle via the high pressure pump and the high pressure tank. The air / steam engine thus includes a circuit, resulting in efficient operational capability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air-steam engine having one or more cylinders and a piston located therein, from which a stroke motion can be performed. In addition, the air-steam engine comprises an injection nozzle and a pre-combustion chamber. The pre-combustion chamber is arranged between the injection nozzle and the cylinder, wherein a fuel fluid can be supplied to the pre-combustion chamber from the injection nozzle. The pre-combustion chamber can receive compressed air from the cylinder so that an air-steam mixture is formed in the pre-combustion chamber, which mixture can be introduced into the cylinder. This enables the piston to perform a stroke motion in the cylinder. In addition, the cylinder is connected to a condenser via an outlet valve so that the air-steam mixture or the steam of the air-steam mixture condenses and exists in the condenser as a condensate. The condenser and the injection nozzle are flow-connected to each other via a high-pressure pump and a high-pressure tank so that the fuel fluid from the condenser can be returned to the injection nozzle via the high-pressure pump and the high-pressure tank. Therefore, the air-steam engine has a circuit, resulting in efficient operability. Background Art

[0002] Since ancient times, humans have tried to use energy for a variety of applications, especially for movement. The steam engine made a decisive contribution to this. A steam engine is a machine that uses water vapor to power a mechanical device. In fact, steam engines have been known since ancient times. Modern steam engines consist of heat engines in the form of piston steam engines. The basic principle of modern steam engines has not changed. Usually, steam flows from a boiler through a special control system in the form of a control cylinder into a working cylinder containing a working piston. The working piston is moved by high-pressure steam. It performs a back and forth movement, which is converted into a rotational movement via a connecting rod.

[0003] Steam engines are rarely used for transportation today. They can still be found on historic railways (steam locomotives) and in museums. Since the early 20th century, they have been gradually replaced by combustion engines and electric motors. However, both combustion engines and electric motors have disadvantages.

[0004] Combustion engines cause a high level of air pollution, since exhaust gases, in particular climate-unfriendly exhaust gases, are released directly into the environment during operation. Another disadvantage is the high noise factor and the fact that combustion engines with combustion engine drive systems can only be used indoors to a limited extent.

[0005] Electric motors also have a number of disadvantages. The batteries that power electric motors still have a low power and energy density. The range of vehicles powered by them is correspondingly small, which limits their usability. Currently, this can only be coped with by using very large and therefore heavy batteries. Another problem is the degradation of battery performance at low temperatures. For example, batteries for electric motors lose up to about 60% of their energy at sub-zero temperatures. In addition, the purchase cost of a transport device (e.g. a car) with an electric motor is about 40%-50% higher than a car with a combustion engine.

[0006] In the prior art, efforts are also known to provide steam engines. Steam engines have a similar operating principle to steam engines. Compared to classic steam engines, the components are integrated in the housing.

[0007] Currently, there are only a few steam engine manufacturers left, such as Spilling Technologies GmbH in Hamburg, Germany, which produces stationary steam engines. Starting around 1990, IAV GmbH IngenieurgeellschaftAuto und Verkehr attempted to build a steam drive system for passenger cars (i.e. a zero-emission drive), but this failed around 2021 due to technical process steps.

[0008] It is not yet clear that there is an efficient steam engine suitable for large-scale production that eliminates the shortcomings of existing technology.

[0009] Purpose of the Invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art of known engines. In particular, an air-steam engine should be provided which does not emit any pollutant emissions or emits only small amounts of pollutant emissions, can be provided and installed at low cost and is suitable for large-scale applications. In addition, the air-steam engine should have a high degree of efficiency and be effectively suitable for use in transportation devices and other applications. Summary of the invention

[0011] The objects of the invention are solved by the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed by the dependent claims.

[0012] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to an air-steam engine comprising a cylinder and a piston, wherein the piston can perform a stroke movement between the top dead center and the bottom dead center in the cylinder, characterized in that the air-steam engine has an injection nozzle and a precombustion chamber (and / or a piston chamber), wherein the precombustion chamber (and / or a piston chamber) is present in a flow-connected manner between the injection nozzle and the cylinder, and a fuel fluid can be introduced into the precombustion chamber (and / or a piston chamber) from the injection nozzle, and the fuel fluid in the precombustion chamber (and / or a piston chamber) can be converted into steam, and compressed air from the cylinder can be received into the precombustion chamber so that an air-steam mixture is formed in the precombustion chamber, and the air-steam mixture can be introduced into the cylinder so that the stroke movement of the piston can be realized in the cylinder, and the cylinder is flow-connected with a condenser, and the cylinder and the condenser are connected to the injection nozzle and the precombustion chamber in a loop via a high-pressure pump and a high-pressure tank, wherein the air-steam mixture or the steam of the air-steam mixture can be introduced from the cylinder into the condenser and exist in the condenser as a condensate, and the condensate can be introduced into the injection nozzle via the high-pressure pump and the high-pressure tank.

[0013] The air-steam engine according to the invention has proven to be particularly advantageous in many respects.

[0014] Advantageously, the preferred air-steam engine is characterized by its absence of pollutants. Typical gasoline and diesel engines of the prior art emit large amounts of pollutants that are dangerous to the health of humans and other organisms and have an adverse impact on climate change. For example, gasoline and diesel engines emit unburned hydrocarbons that are carcinogenic and form part of the well-known smog. The preferred air-steam engine avoids this by not producing any exhaust pollutants. For example, the preferred air-steam engine operates with water vapor as the fuel fluid. This makes a beneficial contribution to the climate, the environment, and the health of humans and other organisms.

[0015] The fuel fluid is preferably evaporated in the pre-combustion chamber or can be introduced into the pre-combustion chamber as a vapor or gas and enters the cylinder as an air-steam mixture so that the stroke movement of the piston can be achieved. Preferably, the cylinder is connected to the condenser in a flow manner so that the vapor of the air-steam mixture or the vapor in the condenser is present as condensate and thus as liquid. The fuel fluid can preferably be returned from the condenser to the injection nozzle via a high-pressure pump and a high-pressure tank and thus be reintroduced into the pre-combustion chamber in the circuit.

[0016] Furthermore, the preferred air-steam engine also provides automobile manufacturers with tremendous production efficiencies. Thus, automobile manufacturers can advantageously continue to manufacture their existing engines as previously described but at significantly lower costs than known engines of the prior art due to the design of the preferred air-steam engine. With approximately 85 million passenger cars produced worldwide, there are currently approximately 500 million existing passenger cars that can be retrofitted with the preferred air-steam engine particularly easily. Advantageously, known engines, such as prior art electric motors and hydrogen engines, will no longer be required. Thus, greater profit margins can be achieved because the preferred air-steam engine is an unrivaled product.

[0017] The components of the preferred air-steam engine are well known and have proven to be inexpensive. Therefore, the manufacture of this preferred air-steam engine can also be carried out in a simple manner as part of large-scale production, for example by automobile manufacturers.

[0018] Advantageously, the preferred air-steam engine has a flexible range of applications. Thus, the preferred air-steam engine can be used for dynamic and static applications. In the context of the present invention, dynamic applications preferably refer to those applications in which motion is relevant, such as the motion of a transport device (e.g., a car). Static applications preferably refer to those applications in which motion is not required, such as when a transport device remains stationary or when a device or process that does not generate motion requires mechanical energy to be converted. Thus, the preferred air-steam engine can advantageously be used anywhere for external energy generation.

[0019] Terms such as substantially, approximately, about, about etc. preferably describe a tolerance range of less than ±40%, preferably less than ±20%, particularly preferably less than ±10%, even more preferably less than ±5%, in particular less than ±1%. "Similar" preferably describes approximately the same amount.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, an air-steam engine is an engine that requires air and steam for its operation. Steam is preferably provided by introducing a fuel fluid into a pre-combustion chamber via an injection nozzle, for example, in particular by water and / or carbon dioxide. A preferred air-steam engine within the meaning of the present invention preferably comprises a piston in a cylinder, an injection nozzle, a high-pressure pump, a high-pressure tank and a condenser, which are preferably flow-connected to each other in a circuit.

[0021] The cylinder preferably refers to a component of a preferred air-steam engine. The cylinder comprises a housing and a volume therein, the housing preferably having a cylindrical shape. Preferably, the piston is located in the cylinder. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the expression "piston in a cylinder" means that the piston is located in the volume of the cylinder. The cylinder has an upper dead center and a lower dead center. The upper dead center and the lower dead center preferably refer to reference areas of the cylinder in which the piston preferably no longer performs a stroke motion. The piston is preferably connected to a connecting rod. The connecting rod preferably forms a connection between the piston and a crankshaft or a crank pin, wherein the crankshaft or the crank pin is used to transmit the stroke motion of the piston, for example for the motion of a tire. At the upper dead center, there is preferably a maximum distance between the piston and the crankshaft or the crank pin. Correspondingly, the lowest connection between the piston and the crankshaft or the crank pin is preferably present at the lower dead center.

[0022] The cylinder preferably has an inlet valve and an outlet valve. The outlet valve is preferably used to control the outlet of the air-steam mixture from the cylinder. It is therefore preferred that the steam of the air-steam mixture or the air-steam mixture is discharged from the cylinder into the condenser via the outlet valve.

[0023] The piston preferably refers to a movable part, wherein the movement of the piston in the cylinder changes the volume of the air contained therein. Preferably, a stroke movement of the piston can be performed in the cylinder. The stroke movement of the piston preferably refers to a substantially vertical movement of the piston between top dead center and bottom dead center.

[0024] Preferably, the cylinder is in flow connection with a pre-chamber, wherein the pre-chamber is preferably arranged between the injection nozzle and the cylinder. A pre-chamber is a chamber comprising a housing and a cavity located therein. Preferably, the volume of the pre-chamber is smaller than the volume of the cylinder.

[0025] Preferably, the fuel fluid can be introduced into the pre-combustion chamber from the injection nozzle, preferably at a temperature at which the fuel fluid evaporates in the pre-combustion chamber. Thus, the fuel fluid preferably exists as steam after introduction into the pre-combustion chamber, wherein the steam preferably forms substantially immediately after introduction (injection).

[0026] Compressed air preferably refers to air that substantially corresponds to the entire stroke volume and is introduced into the pre-combustion chamber.Preferably, the compressed air in the pre-combustion chamber also has an increased pressure and temperature.

[0027] Preferably, compressed air from the cylinder may be received in a pre-combustion chamber such that an air-steam mixture is formed in the pre-combustion chamber.Preferably, in order to provide the air-steam mixture, fuel is first introduced into the pre-combustion chamber.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the pre-combustion chamber is in the form of a vortex chamber. Advantageously, the vortex chamber causes a particularly good mixing of the compressed air entering the vortex chamber from the cylinder with the fuel fluid. Preferably, the vortex chamber is spherical or cylindrical in shape. It is also preferred that the vortex chamber is connected to the cylinder via a tangential discharge channel. The compressed air is preferably squeezed into the vortex chamber from the cylinder and rotates due to the tangential opening of the channel. The fuel fluid is introduced into the vortex chamber from the injection nozzle along the direction of air movement. The centrifugal effect produces an air-steam mixture with a particularly suitable mixture, so that the stroke movement of the piston can be achieved particularly effectively. In particular, the piston can move back from the top dead center in the direction of the bottom dead center under additional increased pressure.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the pre-combustion chamber has inlet and outlet valves, wherein the air-steam mixture enters the cylinder from the pre-combustion chamber via the inlet and outlet valves. Preferably, the inlet and outlet valves are designed as control valves. Advantageously, the flow rate of the air-steam mixture from the pre-combustion chamber into the cylinder can be continuously adjusted by the inlet and outlet valves of the pre-combustion chamber, in particular as control valves. The inlet / outlet valves can preferably be adjusted mechanically or electrically.

[0030] Preferably, the fuel fluid can be introduced into the pre-combustion chamber from an injection nozzle. An injection nozzle preferably refers to a device for introducing the fuel fluid into the pre-combustion chamber. For this purpose known injection nozzles from the prior art can be used, preferably one or more piezoelectric injection nozzles.

[0031] The piezoelectric injection nozzle preferably refers to an injection nozzle that uses the piezoelectric effect to inject the fuel fluid into the pre-combustion chamber. Preferably, the piezoelectric injection nozzle comprises piezoelectric elements in the form of a plurality of piezoelectric layers, which can inject the fuel fluid into the pre-combustion chamber by supplying a voltage.

[0032] It may also be preferred to provide an injection nozzle that introduces the fuel fluid into the pre-chamber by a mechanism other than the piezoelectric effect, such as by magnetic, electromagnetic or mechanical means.

[0033] By introducing the fuel fluid from the injection nozzle into the pre-chamber at sufficient pressure, the pressure in the pre-chamber increases, but the temperature in the pre-chamber decreases. This is caused in particular by the evaporation of the fuel fluid in the pre-chamber. Due to the pressure increase, the piston of the cylinder can achieve a stroke movement at particularly high pressure.

[0034] The water from the preheated high-pressure tank preferably reaches the piezoelectric injection nozzle at about 98° C. and about 2600 bar. The fluid injected into the pre-chamber by the piezoelectric injection nozzle has a temperature of preferably about 300° C. to 400° C., so that the finely atomized water is immediately converted into steam by a sudden phase change. The pre-chamber preferably already contains compressed air from the compression stroke of the cylinder at a temperature of about 900° C. and a pressure of about 60 bar (diesel process). As the fluid from the piezoelectric injection nozzle impinges on the compressed air from the cylinder as steam, the reverse process immediately occurs in the pre-chamber, i.e. the compressed air reduces the temperature from preferably about 900° C. to 350° C. and increases the pressure from preferably about 60 bar to about 200 bar. This now highly pressurized air-water vapor mixture enters the cylinder from the pre-chamber in a controlled manner, where it expands and performs work. The described energy generation process can also preferably be carried out using other types of injection nozzles.

[0035] In a further preferred embodiment, there are 2 or more injection nozzles that introduce the fuel fluid into the pre-chamber. This has the advantage that the increased amount of fuel fluid introduced into the pre-chamber results in a higher pressure build-up with a corresponding decrease in the temperature inside the pre-chamber.

[0036] Preferably, the fuel fluid is introduced into the pre-combustion chamber in a fine atomized phase (i.e. in the form of atomized particles). The particles of the fuel fluid are present as fine droplets. Advantageously, this leads to a particularly rapid evaporation of the fuel fluid and therefore to a faster generation of an air-steam mixture in the pre-combustion chamber and therefore also to a faster increase in the pressure in the pre-combustion chamber.

[0037] In a further preferred embodiment, the fuel fluid is introduced into the pre-combustion chamber at an elevated temperature, for example in a temperature range between about 50°C and 150°C, preferably at about 100°C.

[0038] The fuel fluid preferably refers to a fluid used as a fuel in order to exploit the availability of the preferred air-steam engine. Thus, the fuel fluid is preferably a fuel in fluid form, i.e. it is present as a liquid or a gas or a vapor. Preferably, the fuel fluid is water or water vapor. Preferably, the fuel fluid is present in an injection nozzle and is introduced into the pre-combustion chamber for evaporation.

[0039] Preferably, an air-steam mixture comprising compressed air from the cylinder and a fuel fluid in the form of steam is formed in the pre-combustion chamber, which mixture returns to the cylinder and is converted into a stroke motion of the piston. The condenser is preferably connected to the cylinder flow. This allows the steam of the air-steam mixture or the air-steam mixture to enter the condenser. By reducing the temperature accordingly, the steam or air-steam mixture condenses so that it is present in the condenser as a condensate or liquid. Since the condenser is preferably also connected to the high-pressure pump, the high-pressure tank and the injection nozzle flow, and the fuel fluid can be delivered to the injection nozzle as a condensate, there is a loop.

[0040] In the context of the present invention, a circuit preferably means that the fuel fluid can be brought to the injection nozzle substantially on a repeated basis. Thus, the fuel fluid is present as a vapor in the pre-chamber and the cylinder, flows from the cylinder to the condenser, where the fuel fluid is present as condensate (i.e., as a liquid) and can then be transferred to the injection nozzle.

[0041] Preferably, the high-pressure pump can deliver the fuel fluid at high pressure in the air-steam engine, for example into a high-pressure tank. The high-pressure tank preferably refers to a container capable of storing the fuel fluid at a corresponding high pressure. During operation of the preferred engine, the fuel fluid can preferably enter the injection nozzle, for example from the high-pressure tank.

[0042] Preferably, the fuel fluid can be conveyed as condensate from the condenser to a high-pressure pump and then to a high-pressure tank, wherein preferably the fuel fluid can be conveyed from the high-pressure tank to the injection nozzle.

[0043] The preferred components of the air-steam engine according to the present invention are preferably flow connected to each other. In the context of the present invention, flow connection preferably refers to the conduit that makes it possible to be used for the fuel fluid. The flow connection can be provided by a fluid line such as a pipe or a hose line, for example.

[0044] The preferred air-steam engine does not violate the first and / or second laws of thermodynamics, since the supply of matter and / or energy enables the preferred air-steam engine to operate. For example, a battery is required to achieve the movement of the piston. In addition, preferably an electric current is required to achieve the functions of components such as the injection nozzle, the inlet and outlet valves, the high-pressure pump, the heating of the pre-combustion chamber, etc.

[0045] The preferred air-steam engine is based in particular on the known Diesel process. An essential advantage of the preferred air-steam engine is that it enables (lightning fast) steam generation in the pre-combustion chamber in the millisecond range.

[0046] In the prior art, there are internal combustion reciprocating piston engines as gasoline and diesel engines. Both types take in air, compress this air, add fuel and ignite the fuel, causing a pressure increase, which results in output through expansion. Gasoline engines (petrol engines) must ignite the fuel-air mixture externally (Otto process), while diesel engines work with autoignition (Diesel process).

[0047] The new invention, the preferred air-steam engine, is not an internal combustion engine, but can use the same engine and operate it according to a completely new operating method. It can be used with two-stroke and four-stroke engines, but also with all other combustion engines. The preferred air-steam engine combines the gasoline and diesel processes and operates according to a boundary pressure process that has not been realized in the prior art. The beneficial result is that the overall efficiency is significantly better.

[0048] The preferred air-steam engine is capable of taking in air from the atmosphere like gasoline and diesel engines, and compressing the inhaled air at a compression ratio of about 24:1 (10:1 for gasoline, 24:1 for diesel). Into this highly compressed air in the diesel process, which produces a pressure of about 60 bar and a temperature of about 900° C., the preferred air-steam engine injects a medium (fuel fluid), such as distilled water, CO2 or other suitable medium. Shortly before top dead center (TDC), finely atomized high-pressure water (i.e., water with increased pressure) is injected into the cylinder, for example, at a pressure of about 2600 bar (e.g., through a piezoelectric injection nozzle), directly into the cylinder, into a pre-combustion chamber or a vortex chamber.

[0049] The piston can preferably have a spherical chamber on the piston surface, into which the air-steam mixture is injected directly and advantageously swirls very well. However, classical pre-chambers and swirl chambers can also be used.

[0050] The fuel fluid (e.g. water) is compressed with a high-pressure pump (e.g. to about 2600 bar) and preheated in a high-pressure tank at a temperature of about 95° C. to 98° C. and injected with an injection nozzle with fine atomized water droplets, preferably directly into the cylinder, directly into the piston chamber or into a separate pre-chamber or swirl chamber. Preferably, an immediate phase change is carried out in these chambers, in particular from the water state to steam formation.

[0051] Air that is already highly compressed at TDC in the cylinder is preferably filled in the chamber (e.g., about 60 bar and about 900° C.), and then water injection is performed and the water injection undergoes a lightning-fast phase change and reverse process in the millisecond range. An air-steam mixture is immediately created, i.e. the air temperature in the pre-chamber drops in a controlled manner, for example, from about 900° C. to about 300° C., and the pressure increases from about 60 bar to about 200 bar or more. This occurs in a ratio of about 3:1 and about 1:3. Temperature and pressure are controlled during the boundary pressure process.

[0052] The well-mixed, highly pressurized air-steam mixture preferably expands in the cylinder and performs work. Shortly before top dead center (TDC), the expanded air-steam mixture is preferably delivered via a normal outlet valve to a condenser where the air is preferably separated from the water. The water is then preferably compressed to about 2600 bar via a high-pressure pump and stored in a preheated high-pressure tank (about 95° C.-98° C.). From this, the highly compressed fuel fluid (e.g., hot water) preferably reaches the injection nozzle, and the operation process is preferably recirculated as described above.

[0053] This means that advantageously the water tank does not need to be refilled; in particular, it only needs to be topped up due to any leaks in the system. The water is preferably supplied in a circulating process. The water is preferably distilled.

[0054] The specific physical effects of the air-steam engine are preferably produced by a high compression of the intake air (Diesel principle), in particular at a compression ratio of about 24:1, wherein the temperature of the intake air is preferably about 900° C. and the pressure is about 60 bar. In this hot air, finely atomized preheated (distilled) water (instead of fuel) is preferably injected into the pre-combustion chamber at a pressure of preferably about 2600 bar through an injection nozzle, which water is intensively mixed with the hot air and, due to the physical reverse process (and this process without combustion), causes the temperature to drop from about 900° C. to about 300° C. and the pressure to increase from about 60 bar to about 200 bar. This now highly pressurized air-steam mixture preferably expands in the cylinder and performs work there. All the functional effects described occur within the framework of the laws of physics and advantageously result in an economical, ecological and pollutant-free new engine drive concept, which solves many current problems in vehicle and engine technology.

[0055] The preferred air-steam engine preferably produces energy by an automatically reverse process of reducing the temperature of the intake air and increasing the pressure of the air-steam mixture. The highly pressurized air-steam mixture is preferably delivered from the pre-chamber into the cylinder where it expands and performs work. The same process is preferred for direct injection into the piston chamber.

[0056] This advantageously results in a simple, emission-free engine principle, very low general operating costs, an extremely high power density, low-noise operation, operation in a cyclic system, minimal maintenance, low permanent costs and a favourable purchase price.

[0057] On the other hand, prior art combustion engines must mix expensive fuel with compressed air to carry out the same process and ignite it in order to increase the pressure of the fuel-air mixture in the cylinder, with all the known major environmentally harmful disadvantages of today's combustion technology, with significantly higher overall costs and significant known environmental damage from the exhaust gases.

[0058] Due to competition from very expensive electric vehicles or other expensive alternative drive systems (such as hydrogen engines, hybrid drives, etc.), a complete withdrawal of today's disadvantageous combustion engine technology is already foreseeable. However, for these new drive systems, the total pollutant production of all alternative vehicles in the value creation process is very high. However, this is usually not directly communicated to society and consumers, because most of the pollutant production of the electricity of electric vehicles is currently transferred to large power plants, and the overall electric drive system of the vehicle with battery and control technology is cumbersome, very complex and very expensive. It is also known that battery explosions occur in vehicles with batteries when stationary or in the event of an accident.

[0059] The entire hydrogen production process for hydrogen engines is more complex and dangerous, since there is no complex, very expensive and problematic global infrastructure. It is known that costs of around several hundred billion euros are incurred in Germany alone, which is also not directly communicated to society. In addition, the high-pressure hydrogen, which must be stored in large quantities everywhere, is highly explosive. The general accident safety of expensive hydrogen is currently still very questionable. In the event of a severe accident, explosions and / or fires are difficult or impossible to prevent. Maintenance work is very cumbersome and costly.

[0060] The preferred air-steam engine thus represents a considerable improvement over the already known prior art.

[0061] In a further preferred embodiment, the air-steam engine is characterized in that the condenser, the high-pressure pump and / or the high-pressure tank are data-connected to the control unit.

[0062] In a further preferred embodiment, the air-steam engine is characterized in that the condenser, the high-pressure pump, the high-pressure tank and / or the injection nozzle are data-connected to a control unit, wherein the control unit is preferably data-connected to further components, wherein the further components are selected from a group comprising a laser and / or inlet and outlet valves (control valves).

[0063] In the context of the present invention, "data connection" preferably means that data can be exchanged between the control unit and one or more of these components. In this context, data preferably refers to commands for performing functions and / or for providing settings of one or more components. In particular, these settings may relate to the setting of flow parameters of the fuel fluid. For example, it may be preferred to adjust the flow rate of the fuel fluid flowing out of the condenser. It may also be preferred to use the control unit to adjust the pressure of the high-pressure pump and / or to monitor the high-pressure tank, for example.

[0064] A control unit preferably refers to a unit configured to read, receive, send and / or evaluate data. Thus, the control unit is preferably a data processing unit. Preferably, the control unit may be selected from the group comprising an integrated circuit (IC), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a processor or processing unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller and / or any other electronic (preferably programmable) circuit.

[0065] The control unit may also preferably include a memory unit and / or a communication unit. The memory unit allows backup and / or temporary storage of data. Non-limiting examples of memories, preferably semiconductor memories, are volatile memories (RAM) memories or non-volatile memories, such as ROM memories, EPROM memories, EEPROM memories or flash memories and / or other memory technologies. In the context of the present invention, a communication unit preferably refers to a device for transmitting, in particular for sending and / or receiving data. The transmission is preferably carried out by directional or non-directional electromagnetic waves, wherein the range of the frequency band used can vary from a few hertz (low frequency) to hundreds of terahertz depending on the application and technology used, wherein the following data transmission methods can be used, for example: Bluetooth, WLAN, ZigBee, NFC, Wibree or WiMAX in the radio frequency range and IrDA and optical radio relay (FSO) in the infrared or optical frequency range.

[0066] In a further preferred embodiment, the control unit is present as a sensor or in combination with a sensor. The sensor is preferably arranged to measure parameters of one or more components including a condenser, a high pressure pump and / or a high pressure tank and one or more or all data related to the operation of the preferred air-steam engine.

[0067] In a further preferred embodiment, the air-steam engine is characterized in that the air-steam engine has a pressure sensor and / or a temperature sensor, wherein the pressure sensor and / or the temperature sensor is preferably data-connected to the control unit.

[0068] The pressure sensor can be attached to a preferred component of the air-steam engine. The temperature sensor can also be attached to a preferred component of the air-steam engine. Advantageously, by attaching a pressure or temperature sensor, the pressure or temperature of the component to which the corresponding sensor is attached can be measured, and thus the pressure or temperature of the component to which the corresponding sensor is attached can also be reliably monitored.

[0069] In a further preferred embodiment, the air-steam engine may have a plurality of pressure or temperature sensors, which are attached, for example, to different components in order to measure and / or monitor the plurality of components.

[0070] In a particularly preferred embodiment, one or more pressure and temperature sensors are present in combination. Furthermore, it is preferred that the pressure and temperature sensors are data-connected to the control unit, i.e. have a data connection with the control unit. Advantageously, the control unit can be used to operate the component and / or regulate the operation of the component using the pressure and temperature readings from the sensors.

[0071] For example, temperature sensors and pressure sensors may preferably be attached to the pre-combustion chamber. These sensors are connected to the control unit. Preferably, taking into account the pressure and temperature values ​​in the pre-combustion chamber, further components of the air-steam engine may be operated, such as (but not limited to) inlet and outlet valves, lasers, pre-combustion chamber pistons, injection nozzles and / or high-pressure pumps.

[0072] In a further preferred embodiment, the air-steam engine is characterized in that a pre-chamber piston is present in the pre-chamber, wherein the pre-chamber piston is connected to the piston in the cylinder such that the pre-chamber piston can perform a stroke movement in the pre-chamber.

[0073] In another preferred embodiment, the air-steam engine is characterized in that a precombustion chamber piston is present in the precombustion chamber, wherein the precombustion chamber piston is connected to the piston in the cylinder so that the precombustion chamber piston can perform a stroke movement in the precombustion chamber, thereby being able to generate a higher pressure in the precombustion chamber.

[0074] The presence of the pre-chamber piston additionally displaces the volume of the steam or air-steam mixture in the pre-chamber. As a result, the pressure of the steam or air-steam mixture in the pre-chamber also increases significantly. By increasing the pressure in the pre-chamber, the stronger pressure of the air-steam mixture can be advantageously transferred to the cylinder, thus also increasing the kinetic energy of the piston in the cylinder.

[0075] In the context of the present invention, the pre-chamber piston preferably refers to a piston located in the pre-chamber. Preferably, the pre-chamber piston is connected to the piston in the cylinder so that both pistons perform a stroke movement.

[0076] In a further preferred embodiment, the air-steam engine is characterized in that the pre-chamber piston has a drive, wherein the drive can preferably be operated mechanically or electromagnetically. Advantageously, the volume displacement of the steam or air-steam mixture in the pre-chamber can be configured particularly easily and precisely by means of the mechanical or electromagnetic drive. This leads to a variability in the possible selection and adjustment of the pressure in the pre-chamber, so that the stroke movement of the piston can be carried out particularly efficiently. Thus, a variable higher pressure in the pre-chamber can advantageously be adjusted via a preferred control unit.

[0077] In the context of the present invention, a mechanical drive preferably refers to a drive by mechanical means. Preferably, in a mechanical drive, the torque is transmitted by means of a transmission such as a clutch and / or a belt drive. An electromagnetic drive preferably refers to a drive using electromagnetic means.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment, the pre-chamber piston is present in combination with the inlet and outlet valves of the pre-chamber. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the inlet and outlet valves are present in combination with the pre-chamber piston and a drive for the pre-chamber piston, such as a mechanical or electromagnetic drive. In a further preferred embodiment, the drive enables the pre-chamber piston to perform a transverse movement. Transverse movement of the pre-chamber piston preferably means movement in a transverse direction within the pre-chamber.

[0079] In another preferred embodiment, the air-steam engine is characterized in that the fuel fluid is selected from a group comprising water and / or carbon dioxide and / or other suitable fluids. Advantageously, water and / or carbon dioxide are available in almost unlimited amounts in nature, so that resources are saved compared to the engines of the prior art. In addition, water is characterized in particular by its climate friendliness, so that the preferred air-steam engine makes a useful contribution to the climate and the environment. Advantageously, pollutant discharge into the environment is avoided. In another preferred embodiment, the water can be distilled water.

[0080] Water has also proven to be very useful for the operation of the preferred air-steam engine. The water has thermodynamic properties suitable for causing a sufficient pressure increase and temperature decrease in the pre-combustion chamber, such as a suitable enthalpy of vaporization. Preferably, the water is distilled (distilled water).

[0081] In a further preferred embodiment, the air-steam engine is characterized in that the pre-combustion chamber is functionally connected to a heating element, preferably a glow plug. In a further preferred embodiment, other heating systems and / or heating elements can also be operatively connected to the pre-combustion chamber.

[0082] Advantageously, the installation of the heating element ensures that the preferred air-steam engine can be operated reliably even at low ambient temperatures. It is also advantageous that the installation of the heating element brings about a particularly uniform heat distribution in the pre-combustion chamber. This enables a faster and spatially symmetrical evaporation of the fuel fluid in the pre-combustion chamber.

[0083] The heating element preferably refers to a device that can transfer heat. Here, "functionally connected" preferably means that there is a connection between the heating element and the pre-combustion chamber such that heat can be transferred from the heating element to the pre-combustion chamber. Therefore, it may be preferred to place the heating element directly on the pre-combustion chamber, on top of the pre-combustion chamber or in the pre-combustion chamber. It may also be preferred to connect the heating element to the pre-combustion chamber via a heat pipe.

[0084] In a preferred embodiment, the heating element is a glow plug. In the prior art, glow plugs have proven to be particularly useful and reliable for starting the engine at low temperatures and for low noise and low emission operation during the warm-up phase. Glow plugs are also advantageously ideally suited for use in preferred air-steam engines.

[0085] In another preferred embodiment, the air-steam engine is characterized in that the high-pressure tank is functionally connected to the heating element. Advantageously, this also allows the high-pressure tank to be set to a desired temperature to ensure the best pressure and / or temperature of the fuel fluid, particularly in the high-pressure tank.

[0086] In a further preferred embodiment, the air-steam engine is characterized in that the air-steam engine has a laser, wherein the pre-combustion chamber can be irradiated by the laser, wherein the pre-combustion chamber preferably has a pre-combustion chamber piston and / or a drive for the pre-combustion chamber piston. Preferably, the laser beam is emitted from the laser inwardly into the pre-combustion chamber.

[0087] The installation of a laser has proven to be particularly advantageous, since the laser beam emitted by the laser can achieve a particularly rapid evaporation of the injected propellant fluid in the prechamber in the millisecond range. In addition, the installation of the laser is particularly easy to implement. The laser can preferably emit a pulsed or continuous laser beam.

[0088] A preferred laser can be used in a preferred embodiment of the invention. Therefore, it may be preferred to position the laser so that it irradiates the pre-chamber, the swirl chamber and / or the piston chamber with a laser beam. In an embodiment in which no pre-chamber piston is introduced into the pre-chamber, the laser may preferably irradiate the pre-chamber. In an embodiment in which a pre-chamber piston is introduced into the pre-chamber, the laser may preferably irradiate the pre-chamber. In an embodiment in which a pre-chamber piston is introduced into the pre-chamber, the laser may preferably irradiate the pre-chamber. In an embodiment in which there is a pre-chamber piston with a drive, the laser may preferably irradiate the pre-chamber.

[0089] For example, there is preferably a laser irradiating the pre-chamber, so that a particularly rapid phase change of the fuel fluid in the pre-chamber is possible. Preferably, for example, the pre-chamber can have a driver for a pre-chamber piston, which performs a lateral movement. In addition, it can be preferred that the pre-chamber has an inlet and outlet valve as a control valve to adjust the flow rate of the air-steam mixture entering the cylinder from the pre-chamber. In particular, the advantages of the laser, the inlet and outlet valves (as control valves) and / or the driver of the pre-chamber piston can be combined to achieve a particularly efficient functional operation. The resulting efficiency is higher than the efficiency that can be expected from the effects of the individual components, so that a synergistic effect is achieved. It can be preferred to install a temperature and / or pressure sensor, which can be attached to the pre-chamber (not limited thereto), for example, and has a data connection with the control unit. Advantageously, this ensures a particularly safe process sequence of the preferred air-steam engine. In a further preferred embodiment, a laser can also be used if the pre-chamber has an outlet and inlet valve (as a control valve). In another preferred embodiment, a laser can be used if the pre-chamber has no inlet and outlet valves.

[0090] As an alternative or in addition to a pre-combustion chamber, it may also be preferred to provide a piston chamber. Therefore, in a further preferred embodiment, the air-steam engine is characterized in that the air-steam engine has a piston chamber.

[0091] In particular, if a piston chamber is used, the pre-chamber can be omitted. By omitting the pre-chamber, the steam formation and the steam generation can be transferred to the piston chamber. The advantage of this variant is the direct formation of steam in the cylinder chamber. Cost savings for the inlet and outlet valves (as control valves), the drive for the pre-chamber piston and the laser also represent an advantage. With this embodiment, all existing combustion engines can be easily and cost-effectively converted.

[0092] In a further preferred embodiment, the air-steam engine is characterized in that the fuel fluid can be introduced from the injection nozzle into the precombustion chamber at a pressure of 2000 bar to 3000 bar, preferably at 2200 bar to 2800 bar, particularly preferably at 2400 bar to 2600 bar, most preferably at 2500 bar to 2700 bar.

[0093] The abovementioned pressure values ​​have proven to be advantageous since, on the one hand, they lead to a sufficient increase in pressure in the precombustion chamber and, on the other hand, they are particularly easy to implement in the context of the present invention.

[0094] The abovementioned pressure values ​​for the compressed air have proven to be particularly advantageous for a high energy conversion and continuous operation of the preferred engine.

[0095] In a further preferred embodiment, the air-steam engine is characterized in that the air-steam engine can be operated using a four-stroke mechanism or a two-stroke mechanism. In particular, the four-stroke mechanism and the two-stroke mechanism refer to mechanisms from the prior art.

[0096] Therefore, advantageously, the conventional engine of the prior art is required to provide a preferred air-steam engine, particularly the preferred air-steam engine has an injection nozzle and a pre-combustion chamber. In another preferred embodiment, the preferred air-steam engine can be operated as a piston engine, for example, as described in patent EP2603667B1 (or official document number: EP3143258B1).

[0097] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the preferred air-steam engine can be operated by a four-stroke mechanism. A four-stroke mechanism preferably refers to an operating process that can be performed during operation of the preferred air-steam engine.

[0098] The four-stroke mechanism preferably has 4 operating steps, which can also be referred to as strokes. The preferred four-stroke mechanism preferably includes the following 4 strokes:

[0099] First stroke (intake): The piston moves from top dead center to bottom dead center, and during this stroke, air is sucked in from the atmosphere.

[0100] Second stroke (compression): The piston moves from the bottom dead center back to the top dead center, wherein the air is compressed (compressed air) during this stroke movement and the pressure increases. For example, the pressure can be about 60 bar and the temperature is about 900° C. The compressed air enters the pre-combustion chamber. Shortly before the piston reaches the top dead center of the cylinder, the fuel fluid is preferably introduced into the pre-combustion chamber, for example, at a pressure of about 2600 bar. The introduced fuel fluid evaporates immediately after being introduced into the pre-combustion chamber, so that an air-steam mixture is formed in the pre-combustion chamber. This increases the pressure to, for example, about 220 bar, while the temperature drops to, for example, about 370° C.

[0101] The third stroke (working): The piston is at the top dead center. The air-steam mixture is blown into the cylinder from the pre-combustion chamber and expands in the cylinder, and works until the bottom dead center.

[0102] Fourth stroke (exhaust): The piston moves from the bottom dead center back to the top dead center. The air-steam mixture is pushed into the condenser and expands. The air-steam mixture condenses, wherein the steam in particular separates from the air-steam mixture and is present as condensate in the condenser, and the air is discharged to the atmosphere. The condensate (fuel fluid) returns to the circuit, for example to the high-pressure pump, to the high-pressure tank, and then to the injection nozzle.

[0103] In particular, when using the preferred air-steam engines in transport devices, four-stroke mechanisms according to prior art reciprocating piston technology have proven to be advantageous.

[0104] In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a preferably air-steam engine for converting energy into mechanical energy, preferably into kinetic energy in a moving device. In particular, in the context of the present invention, energy conversion means that the thermal energy preferably generated in the pre-combustion chamber can be converted into kinetic energy, for example for the moving device.

[0105] Energy is converted into mechanical energy including the ability to do mechanical work based on the position or movement of a component (preferably a piston) of an air-steam engine. In particular, the stroke movement of the piston in the cylinder moves the connecting rod so that mechanical energy can be transmitted.

[0106] Preferably, the preferred air-steam engine is used to convert energy into kinetic energy, which is particularly suitable for use in a transport device. A transport device preferably refers to a device that can be used to move people and / or goods, such as a passenger car, a truck, a motor vehicle in the form of a motor home, a ship such as a boat, a ship, a train, an airplane and / or a steam turbine, etc.

[0107] In a further preferred embodiment, the preferred air-steam engine can also be used, where appropriate, for any static application, for example for providing energy in houses, apartments etc.

[0108] In another aspect, the invention relates to the use of an air-steam engine for operating an air-conditioning compressor. Advantageously, the preferred air-steam engine can be used as an air-conditioning compressor according to the prior art with corresponding temperature, pressure and / or volume control in the pre-combustion chamber.

[0109] Aspects according to the invention will be explained in more detail below using examples without being limited to these examples. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0110] Figure 1 : Schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a preferred air-steam engine - Basic representation of an air-steam engine

[0111] Figure 2 : Another schematic diagram of another preferred embodiment of a preferred air-steam engine - representation of a unit including a piston and a pre-combustion chamber piston

[0112] Figure 3 : Another schematic diagram of another preferred embodiment of a preferred air-steam engine, the preferred air-steam engine comprising a drive for a pre-chamber piston in a pre-chamber

[0113] Figure 4: Another schematic diagram of another preferred embodiment of a preferred air-steam engine, which includes a laser on the pre-combustion chamber and a measuring sensor and a drive for a pre-combustion chamber piston in the pre-combustion chamber

[0114] Figure 5 : Another schematic diagram of another preferred embodiment of a preferred air-steam engine, the preferred air-steam engine including a laser on the pre-combustion chamber

[0115] Figure 6 : Another schematic diagram of another preferred embodiment of a preferred air-steam engine including a laser on a pre-combustion chamber without inlet and outlet valves.

[0116] Figure 7 : Another schematic diagram of another preferred embodiment of a preferred air-steam engine comprising a piston chamber in a piston without inlet and outlet valves DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0117] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of an air-steam engine 1 .

[0118] The air-steam engine comprises a cylinder 3 and a piston 5. The piston can perform a stroke motion between the bottom dead center and the top dead center of the cylinder 3. The stroke motion of the piston 5 and the connecting rod 25 is shown by arrow symbols (pointing upward and downward). In addition, the air-steam engine 1 has an injection nozzle 7 configured as a piezoelectric injection nozzle 7 and a pre-combustion chamber 9. The pre-combustion chamber 9 is present between the piezoelectric injection nozzle 7 and the cylinder 3, wherein they are flow-connected to each other. The fuel fluid can be introduced into the pre-combustion chamber 9 from the piezoelectric injection nozzle 7. The pre-combustion chamber has a temperature at which the fuel fluid in the pre-combustion chamber evaporates and the fuel fluid is therefore present in the pre-combustion chamber as steam. The pre-combustion chamber 9 can receive compressed air from the cylinder 3 so that an air-steam mixture is formed in the pre-combustion chamber 9. The air-steam mixture can be introduced into the cylinder 3 so that the stroke motion of the piston 5 can be realized in the cylinder 3. This can be shown, for example, by a downward movement in the direction from the top dead center to the bottom dead center.

[0119] The cylinder comprises an inlet valve 21 and an outlet valve 23, wherein the outlet valve 23 is connected to the condenser 11. The air-steam mixture condenses, wherein the steam is present in the condenser 11, in particular as condensate. The condensate can then be transported from the condenser 11 to the high-pressure pump 13, then to the high-pressure tank 15, and then back to the injection nozzle 7. This means that the injection nozzle 7, the pre-combustion chamber 9, the cylinder 3, the condenser 11, the high-pressure pump 13 and the high-pressure tank 15 are in a loop and are connected to each other in a flow-connected manner. Therefore, the air-steam engine 1 can perform a cycle.

[0120] The air-steam engine 1 advantageously does not emit any pollutants, so that a significant improvement over the prior art is achieved. For example, the air-steam engine 1 can be operated using water or water vapor and other suitable fluids as fuel fluid. As a result, a favorable contribution to the climate and the environment is achieved.

[0121] Furthermore, the preferred air-steam engine 1 is also extremely efficient for the automobile manufacturers in terms of the development and production of automobiles. Existing engines can be provided as previously described, but the design of the preferred air-steam engine 1 makes them significantly cheaper than the known engines of the prior art. Approximately 85 million passenger cars are produced worldwide, and there are currently about 500 million existing passenger cars, which can be integrated with the preferred air-steam engine 1 particularly easily. Advantageously, known engines, such as electric engines and hydrogen engines of the prior art, are no longer required. Therefore, greater profit margins can be achieved because the air-steam engine 1 is an unparalleled product.

[0122] The components of the preferred air-steam engine 1 are well known and have proven to be inexpensive. Therefore, the production of this preferred air-steam engine 1 can also be carried out in a simple manner as part of large-scale production, for example by automobile manufacturers. The air-steam engine 1 is also suitable for stationary applications and provides an efficient way to provide energy.

[0123] The pre-combustion chamber 9 has an inlet and an outlet valve 19. The air-steam mixture from the pre-combustion chamber 9 enters the cylinder 3 via the inlet and outlet valve 19. The inlet and outlet valve 19 is designed as a control valve. Advantageously, the flow rate of the air-steam mixture from the pre-combustion chamber 9 can be adjusted by the inlet and outlet valve 19 of the pre-combustion chamber 9, in particular as a control valve; in particular, stepless regulation is possible. The inlet and outlet valve 19 can be adjusted mechanically and electrically.

[0124] The high-pressure pump 13 can deliver the fuel fluid at high pressure within the air-steam engine 1, in particular into a high-pressure tank 15. From the high-pressure tank 15, the fuel fluid can be reintroduced into the injection nozzle 7.

[0125] In addition, the high-pressure tank 15, the high-pressure pump 11 and the condenser 11 are shown to be data connected to the control unit 17. In another preferred embodiment of the air-steam engine 1, there are components such as inlet and outlet valves 19, a driver 29 for the pre-combustion chamber piston 27, a laser 31, a pressure sensor 33 and / or a temperature sensor 35, these components can also be connected to the control unit 17 (see the description in the further description of the drawings). The data connection allows data to be exchanged between the control unit 17 and one or more of these components. In this way, commands for performing functions and / or for providing settings for one or more components can be adjusted. In particular, these settings may involve the setting of flow parameters of the fuel fluid. For example, it may be preferred to adjust the flow rate of the fuel fluid from the condenser 11. In the embodiment of adjusting the flow rate, a flow meter that can measure the flow rate of the fuel fluid can also be equipped. The pressure of the high-pressure pump 13 and / or the monitoring of the high-pressure tank 15 can also be performed by the control unit 17.

[0126] Figure 2 Another embodiment of a preferred air-steam engine 1 is shown.

[0127] In addition to already Figure 1 In addition to the components described in the above, there is also a pre-chamber piston 27 in the pre-chamber 9. The pre-chamber piston 27 is connected to the piston 5 of the cylinder so that the pre-chamber piston 27 can perform a stroke movement in the pre-chamber 9. Advantageously, the use of the pre-chamber piston 27 means that the volume of the steam or air-steam mixture is also displaced in the pre-chamber 9. As a result, the pressure of the steam or air-steam mixture in the pre-chamber 9 also increases accordingly. By increasing the pressure in the pre-chamber 9, the strong pressure of the air-steam mixture is transmitted to the cylinder 3, which improves the overall performance of the air-steam engine 1.

[0128] Figure 3 Another embodiment of a preferred air-steam engine 1 is shown.

[0129] This basically shows Figure 2 , but the pre-chamber piston has a drive 29. The drive 29 can be mechanical or electromagnetic. The pre-chamber piston can perform a lateral movement. Inlet and outlet valves 19 can also be provided here, so that the air-steam mixture can be dosed more accurately.

[0130] Advantageously, the volume displacement of the steam or air-steam mixture in the pre-chamber 9 can be configured particularly easily and precisely by means of the drive 29. This advantageously results in variability regarding the possible selection and adjustment of the pressure in the pre-chamber 9, so that the stroke movement of the pre-chamber piston 27 can be performed particularly efficiently.

[0131] Figure 4A further embodiment of a preferred air-steam engine 1 is schematically shown.

[0132] A pressure sensor 33 and a temperature sensor 35 are attached to the pre-chamber 9. The pressure sensor 33 and the temperature sensor 35 may have a data connection with the control unit 17 so that components such as the laser 31, the inlet and outlet valves 19, the high-pressure pump 13 and / or the high-pressure tank 15 (in combination or individually or selected components) are advantageously operated taking into account the pressure and temperature values ​​within the pre-chamber 9.

[0133] Figure 5 One embodiment of an air-steam engine 1 is shown.

[0134] In accordance with Figure 5 In the embodiment of the present invention, the air-steam engine 1 also has a laser 31, wherein the pre-chamber 9 is connected to the cylinder 3 via the inlet and outlet valves 19 (as control valves). Here, the effects of both the inlet and outlet valves 19 and the laser 31 can be advantageously used to achieve a synergistic effect.

[0135] Figure 6 Another embodiment of an air-steam engine 1 is shown.

[0136] Here also a laser 31 is shown, in which the pre-chamber 9 is present as is and no further components are used. In the pre-chamber 9 a very fast phase change of the fuel fluid is still advantageously ensured.

[0137] Figure 7 Another embodiment of an air-steam engine 1 is shown.

[0138] In this case, the air-steam engine 1 has a piston chamber 37 in the piston 5. In this case, the pre-chamber 9 is omitted and the formation and generation of steam is transferred to the piston chamber 37. The advantages of this variant are the direct formation of steam in the cylinder chamber and the savings in costs for the inlet and outlet valves 19, the drive of the pre-chamber piston 27, the drive 29 and the laser 31. With this variant, all existing combustion engines can be converted easily and cost-effectively.

[0139] Reference numerals list

[0140] 1 Air-Steam Engine

[0141] 3 cylinders

[0142] 5 Piston

[0143] 7 Injection nozzle

[0144] 9 Pre-combustion chamber

[0145] 11Condenser

[0146] 13 High pressure pump

[0147] 15 High pressure tank

[0148] 17Control Unit

[0149] 19 Inlet and outlet valves

[0150] 21 Inlet valve

[0151] 23 outlet valve

[0152] 25 Connecting rod

[0153] 27 Pre-chamber piston

[0154] 29Driver for pre-chamber piston

[0155] 31 Laser

[0156] 33 Pressure sensor

[0157] 35 Temperature Sensor

[0158] 37 Piston chamber

Claims

1. An air-steam engine (1) comprising a cylinder (3) and a piston (5), wherein the piston (5) is capable of performing a stroke movement between top dead center and bottom dead center in the cylinder (3), It is characterized in that The air-steam engine (1) comprises an injection nozzle (7) and a pre-combustion chamber (9) and / or a piston chamber (37), wherein the pre-combustion chamber (9) and / or the piston chamber (37) are present in a flow-connected manner between the injection nozzle (7) and the cylinder (3), and a fuel fluid can be introduced from the injection nozzle (7) into the pre-combustion chamber (9) and / or the piston chamber (37), and the fuel fluid can be converted into steam in the pre-combustion chamber (9) and / or the piston chamber (37), and compressed air from the cylinder (3) can be received into the pre-combustion chamber (9) so that an air-steam mixture is formed in the pre-combustion chamber (9), and the air-steam mixture can be introduced into the cylinder (3) so that the stroke movement of the piston (5) can be performed in the cylinder (3), The cylinder (3) is connected to the condenser (11) in a flow-connected manner, and the cylinder (3) and the condenser (11) are connected to the injection nozzle (7) and the pre-combustion chamber (9) via a high-pressure pump (13) and a high-pressure tank (15) to form a loop, wherein the air-steam mixture or the steam of the air-steam mixture can be introduced from the cylinder (3) into the condenser (11) and exist in the condenser (11) as a condensate, and the condensate can be introduced into the injection nozzle (7) via the high-pressure pump (13) and the high-pressure tank (15).

2. An air-steam engine (1) according to the preceding claim, It is characterized in that The condenser (11), the high-pressure pump (13), the high-pressure tank (15) and / or the injection nozzle (7) are data-connected to a control unit (17), wherein the control unit is preferably data-connected to further components, wherein the further components are selected from the group consisting of a laser (31), inlet and outlet valves (19) and / or a drive (29) for a pre-combustion chamber piston (27).

3. Air-steam engine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The air-steam engine (1) has a pressure sensor (33) and / or a temperature sensor (35), wherein the pressure sensor (33) and / or the temperature sensor (35) are preferably data-connected to a control unit (17).

4. Air-steam engine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that A precombustion chamber piston (27) is present in the precombustion chamber (9), wherein the precombustion chamber piston (27) is connected to the piston (5) in the cylinder (3), so that the precombustion chamber piston (27) can perform a stroke motion in the precombustion chamber (9), thereby generating a higher pressure and a higher temperature in the precombustion chamber (9).

5. Air-steam engine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The pre-chamber piston (27) has a drive (29), wherein the drive (29) can preferably be actuated mechanically or electromagnetically.

6. Air-steam engine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The fuel fluid is selected from the group consisting of water and / or carbon dioxide and / or other suitable fluids, wherein preferably the water is distilled water.

7. Air-steam engine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The pre-chamber (9) is functionally connected to a heating element, preferably a glow plug.

8. Air-steam engine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The high-pressure tank (15) is functionally connected to the heating element.

9. Air-steam engine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The air-steam engine (1) has a laser (31), with which the pre-chamber (9) can be irradiated, wherein the pre-chamber (9) preferably has a pre-chamber piston (27) for increasing the pressure and temperature in the pre-chamber (9) and / or a drive (29) for the pre-chamber piston (27).

10. Air-steam engine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The air-steam engine (1) has a piston chamber (37).

11. Air-steam engine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The fuel fluid can be introduced from the injection nozzle (7) into the pre-combustion chamber (9) at a pressure of 2000 bar to 3000 bar, preferably 2200 bar to 2800 bar, particularly preferably 2400 bar to 2600 bar.

12. Air-steam engine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The compressed air entering the precombustion chamber (9) from the cylinder (3) has a temperature between 500°C and 1000°C, preferably between 600°C and 900°C, and / or a pressure between 20 bar and 80 bar, preferably between 30 bar and 60 bar, wherein preferably after the fuel fluid is introduced into the precombustion chamber (9), the pressure in the precombustion chamber (9) increases and the temperature in the precombustion chamber (9) decreases.

13. Air-steam engine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The air-steam engine (1) can be operated using a four-stroke mechanism or a two-stroke mechanism.

14. Use of an air-steam engine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims for converting energy into mechanical energy, preferably into kinetic energy in a moving device.

15. Use of an air-steam engine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 13 for operating an air-conditioning compressor.

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