Piston engine drivable using a steam power process

Abstract

A piston engine ( 1 ) that can be driven using a steam power process and is used in particular for utilizing waste heat from an internal combustion engine comprises at least one cylinder bore ( 4 ), a cylinder piston ( 5 ) which is arranged in the cylinder bore ( 4 ), and a rod ( 20 ) which is connected to the cylinder piston ( 5 ). The rod ( 20 ) is guided out of the cylinder bore ( 4 ). The cylinder piston ( 5 ) delimits a first operating space ( 9 ) and a second operating space ( 10 ) in the cylinder bore ( 4 ). A crankshaft ( 22 ) is disposed in a crankshaft space ( 21 ). The rod ( 20 ) is connected to a slider crank mechanism ( 23 ) which is disposed in the crankshaft space ( 21 ), the rod ( 20 ) being effectively connected to the crankshaft ( 22 ) via the slider crank mechanism ( 23 ), thus making it possible to obtain a large expansion volume while keeping the design of the piston engine ( 1 ) compact.

1 . A piston engine ( 1 ) which can be driven via a steam power process, having at least one cylinder bore ( 4 ), a cylinder piston ( 5 ) which is arranged in the cylinder bore ( 4 ) and a rod ( 20 ) which is connected at least indirectly to the cylinder piston ( 5 ) and which is directed out of the cylinder bore ( 4 ), wherein the cylinder piston ( 5 ) delimits in the cylinder bore ( 4 ) at one side a first operating space ( 9 ) and, at an other side, a second operating space ( 10 ), wherein a crankshaft ( 22 ) which is arranged in a crankshaft space ( 21 ) is provided, wherein the rod ( 20 ) is connected to a slider crank ( 23 ) which is arranged in the crankshaft space ( 21 ) and wherein the rod ( 20 ) is operatively connected to the crankshaft ( 22 ) via the slider crank ( 23 ). 
     
     
         2 . The piston engine as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the rod ( 20 ) is connected, on one hand, rigidly to the cylinder piston ( 5 ) and, on an other hand, rigidly to the slider crank ( 23 ). 
     
     
         3 . The piston engine as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that there is provided a bearing ( 25 ′) on which the rod ( 20 ) directed out of the cylinder bore ( 4 ) is supported. 
     
     
         4 . The piston engine as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that the bearing ( 25 ′) is configured to be lubricated by a lubricant from the crankshaft space ( 21 ). 
     
     
         5 . The piston engine as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that precisely one cylinder bore ( 4 ) is provided. 
     
     
         6 . The piston engine as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that an internal-combustion engine ( 35 ) is provided and in that the piston engine ( 1 ) forms with the internal-combustion engine ( 35 ) a combination engine ( 1 ,  35 ). 
     
     
         7 . The piston engine as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that the piston engine ( 1 ) is operatively connected in mechanical terms to a drive train ( 33 ) of a vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The piston engine as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that the piston engine ( 1 ) is fitted to an internal-combustion engine ( 35 ). 
     
     
         9 . The piston engine as claimed in  claim 8 , characterized in that the piston engine ( 1 ) is fitted to the internal-combustion engine ( 35 ) at a front. 
     
     
         10 . The piston engine as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that there are provided an additional cylinder bore ( 4 ′), an additional cylinder piston ( 5 ′) which is arranged in the additional cylinder bore ( 4 ′) and an additional rod ( 20 ′) which is connected at least indirectly to the additional cylinder piston ( 5 ′), in that the additional rod ( 20 ′) is directed out of the additional cylinder bore ( 4 ′), in that the additional cylinder piston ( 5 ′) delimits in the additional cylinder bore ( 4 ′), at one side, a third operating space ( 40 ) and, at an other side, a fourth operating space ( 41 ), and in that the rod ( 20 ) and the additional rod ( 20 ′) are connected to each other at least indirectly. 
     
     
         11 . The piston engine as claimed in  claim 8 , characterized in that the piston engine ( 1 ) is fitted to the internal-combustion engine at a side. 
     
     
         12 . The piston engine as claimed in  claim 8 , characterized in that the cylinder bore ( 4 ) is orientated at least approximately parallel with a cylinder ( 36 ) of the internal-combustion engine ( 35 ).