Steam Engine Device and Methods of Use

Abstract

Steam engine products and related methods are disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, a steam engine includes a water pump, a steam generation system having a water inlet configured to receive water from the water pump, an electric heating element configured to convert the water into pressurized steam, and a steam outlet configured to expel the pressurized steam from the steam generation system. The steam generation system is configured to receive water through the water inlet, channel the water to the electric heating element, and expel pressurized steam through the steam outlet. The steam engine also has a power generation system having a steam inlet configured to receive pressurized steam from the steam generation system and generate mechanical energy, wherein the electric heating element is configured to convert water into pressurized steam as the water is pumped into the steam generation system.

1 . A method comprising: 
 pumping water through a water inlet valve into a steam generation system and about an electric heating element disposed within the steam generation system;    converting the water into pressurized steam in the steam generation system by heating the water with the electric heating element substantially immediately after pumping the water about the electric heating element;    expelling the pressurized steam from the steam generation system into a power generation system; and    converting the pressurized steam in the power generation system into motive energy.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein pumping the water comprises: 
 maintaining a substantially constant pressure of water in a pumping system;    opening an injector valve with a camshaft coupled to a cam to allow water to flow through the water inlet; and    closing the injector valve to stop water from flowing through the water inlet.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the substantially constant pressure is approximately 1000 PSI.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein pumping the water comprises: 
 maintaining a substantially constant pressure of water in a pumping system; and    continuously injecting water into the steam generation system.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the substantially constant pressure is approximately 1000 PSI.  
   
   
       6 . A device comprising: 
 a water pumping system;    a steam generation system configured to receive water from the water pumping system and comprising an electric heating element disposed within the steam generation system, the electric heating element configured to convert water into pressurized steam substantially immediately after water is pumped into the steam generation system and about the electric heating element; and    a power generation system configured to receive the pressurized steam from the steam generation system and generate energy.    
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the water pumping system comprises: 
 an injector valve configured to be opened and closed and to allow water to be pumped into the steam generation system when open and to substantially prevent water from being pumped into the steam generation system when closed;    a camshaft coupled to a cam and configured to open the injector valve; and    a spring coupled to the injector valve and configured to close the injector valve.    
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the steam generation system comprises a second steam generation system configured to expel the pressurized steam into the power generation system.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the electric heating element comprises a probe heater.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the electric heating element comprises a tube heater.