Robert F. Bourque, Ph. D., P.E.
Bourque Engineering LLC
Los Alamos, New Mexico USA
bob@rfbourque.net
505-412-0194

The Bourque Steam Engine

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Chapter

Title

1

Background

2

Motivations For This Engine

3

Requirements and Constraints

4

Progress

5

Prototype Development

6

Description of the Bourque Cycle

7

Features of the Cycle

8

The Complexity Issue

9

Fuel Requirements

10

First Example Engine in a Vehicle

11

Description of the Expander

12

Expander Hot Cylinder Lubrication

13

Expander Piston Structural Analysis

14

Two More Engine and Vehicle Examples

15

Other Engine Components

16

Materials

17

Safety

18

Water Freezing

19

Control System

20

Starting Time

21

Summary

 

Acknowledgments

 

Some Unit Conversions

 

Notes and References

A Compact Pollution-Free
External Combustion Engine
with High Part-Load Efficiency

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19. Control System

Five parameters are controlled: steam flow rate, feedwater pressure, and three temperatures.

Steam flow rate, which determines power level, is controlled by the Throttle Valve attached to the driver's pedal.

Feedwater pressure is controlled by the Energy Recovery Accumulator in the Feedpump system, discussed above.

Superheat temperature is controlled by the fuel flow.

Combustion temperature is controlled by the Burner air flow using a butterfly valve at the Burner Blower.

Lastly, condensate subcool is controlled by the Condenser air flow using the blinds on the Condenser, discussed above.

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