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Green Steam Engine

Patented "Flexible Rod Transmission System" 

Inquiries for manufacturing license agreements are welcome. 

Exclusive Licenses are for manufacturing rights to reproduce engines for sale, lease, and distribution world-wide. The license terms depend on the configuration of the engine (number of cylinders, 3 to 8), size range, and business plan. License terms are subject to minimum royalties per year and an Initiation Fee. Licenses are not available to make an individual engine. 

Non-exclusive manufacturing licenses are available for two cylinder models in all size ranges. Terms depend on size range. 

Plans are not available for engines other than two cylinder models up to 10 HP. 

Here are a few samples of different engines available for exclusive license.

Single to Multiple Cylinder Steam Engines 

Three to Eight Cylinder Steam Engine From Fractional HP to Over 500 HP

Four Cylinder Version

click on video below

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5jiMX1LwjI    

(runs in any position and is self starting)

Engine fits in a tube

Click below for video clip. Click back button to return

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ41rKx8XoM

Direct Drive Generators With 2 to 8 Cylinders

Click on the link for a video of the above engine

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENsnutreEjQ

Small Model Plane, Boat and Train Engines

(Runs 6000 RPM's or more)

Steam Engine Water Distiller, Space Heater, Water heater, Battery Charger and Water Pump in One

(runs on a household pressure cooker)

Two Cylinder Engines Up to 20HP

Key Benefits

   HOW EFFICIENT IS THE "GREEN STEAM ENGINE"?

    The “Green Steam Engine” design may be scaled to any size or configuration that suits your requirements. The area of the piston, length of stroke, RPM's, number of cylinders and steam pressure are all variable for the power and speed you wish to obtain. The efficiency of this engine depends on the configuration of the engine and the full extent of the utilization of the steam employed to run it.
    When the steam is simply exhausted to atmosphere while running a generator, for example, efficiency is relatively low; in the area of 15%. When the exhaust is condensed and recycled back to the boiler, the efficiency is around 24%. When the exhaust is condensed through a heat exchanger whereby the condensation process is used fully by heating water, space and distilling water, for example, the efficiency can be in the 90% range.
    In addition to the potential for efficient energy use and production, the designs' simplicity, economy and weight more than justifies its utilization. There are numerous reasons that this design is considerably more efficient than standard historical steam engines. I will describe the reasons as follows:

   WHAT MAKES IT MORE EFFICIENT THAN THE OLD TYPE STEAM ENGINES?

   The Flex Rod Mechanism that replaces the standard bell crank provides straight-line, intermittent movement that eliminates side forces. Side forces account for most of the friction in the standard steam engine and the need for lubrication of the cylinders and crank mechanism. The Flex Rod Mechanism (FRM) eliminates from steam engines the crosshead, wrist pin and bearing, heavy piston rod and bearing, long and heavy pistons with metal rings, and the piston rod seal at the base of the cylinder. All of these parts are the main source of friction. The piston in this new design can be a thin disk with an "O" ring seal that has very little contact area and is lubricated by steam. Because it is pushed straight in the cylinder, it has very low friction. The piston rod may be a very light rod because all of the force is straight compression on the rod. The rod-ends and the one head bearing in the FRM are sealed bearings requiring only occasional re-lubrication. Only one head bearing is required for as many cylinders that one wishes to use. (1 to 8 cylinders ideally) The engine is modular so multiple cylinders may be arranged in a radial, compact arrangement. No oil is added to the steam that would foul the boiler return feed-water. The exhaust steam may be recycled directly back into the boiler. The process of condensing the exhaust provides useful byproducts such as clean hot water, space heating and distilled water. When the exhaust steam energy is fully utilized, the efficiency of the system can exceed 90%.

    Another reason for higher efficiency is that the cylinders in the Green Steam Engine are easily insulated to prevent heat loss and can be made from molded insulating material such as glass or high temp carbon fiber. Cylinders do not wear. Only the "O" rings wear. "O" rings require less than two minutes to replace. Standard steam engines lose efficiency through heat sink in the metal castings. Their heavy and bulky structure draws heat away from the steam. This reduces efficiency.

  HOW DURABLE IS THE ENGINE?  

    The flexible rod mechanism itself has little, if any, friction. As in a spring, the energy used to deflect it is returned. The flexible rod is deflected about 10 to14 degrees over its length. Its purpose is to maintain alignment of the cylinders and prevent rotation of the mechanism and convert reciprocal movement into rotating movement. The deflection of the rod is carried by the head bearing and does not cause friction in the rotation of the output shaft. These flex shafts are designed for continuous flexing at high speed for infinite numbers of cycles. There is never a need for overhaul, change oil or tune-up. Any part on the engine can be replaced in less than five minutes. The engine is designed for continuous operation.

    The arrangement, whereby the cylinders are in the same plane as the main shaft permits large engines to occupy a very small and compact space. Engines can fit in a tube.

    The same movements that operate the pistons, operate the valves in a separate intermittent timing. There is no additional valve actuation mechanism required. The valve opens and closes while the pistons are stopped at top and bottom dead center whereby the valves are fully open throughout the full piston stroke.

    COST TO MANUFACTURE?

    Most of the parts are modular so few dies or molds are required for manufacture. The engine can be assembled in minutes and may even be assembled by the customer.

    In large quantities, the cost to produce this engine could be a very small amount over the weight of the material. The weight to power ratio can be extremely low; the larger the engine the better the ratio.

   WHAT ARE THE BOILER REQUIREMENTS? 

   This engine is ideal for saturated steam. Saturated steam is easily produced from waste heat, including the exhaust from IC engines. The boiler requirements are minimal because one can use very low-pressure steam yet produce substantial power using large diameter pistons with very short stroke. The ease at which the piston size may be enlarged without creating large, heavy, costly engines, makes this design increasingly attractive and utilitarian. The ability to utilize low-pressure steam to produce considerable power means that many processes that produce waste steam and heat can now recover that lost energy affordably.  

      Due to the crisis over the drawdown of fossil fuels and global warming, the timing is perfect for producing an engine that can use a wide range of fuel and sources of heat to generate power both by conserving and recycling heat as well as utilizing many forms of potentially free energy such as solar heat and bio-mass.

For information about license for manufacture of "Flexible Rod Mechanism" US patent # 6647813 (Green, 2003)

Robert Green  2337 B Avenida Sevilla, Laguna Woods, CA  92637  (949) 581 2529

rgreen999@comline.com 

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Copyright © 2004 Robert Green