Importance

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Abstract

A one cycle internal combustion engine (10) configured for powering a vehicle (V) is disclosed. The engine (10) broadly includes an engine block (12) defining three cylinders (14, 16, and 18), three double-acting pistons (20,22, and 24) slidably received in the corresponding cylinders (14,16,18), respectively, a fuel delivery system (26) for delivering fuel to the cylinders (14,16,18) to drive the pistons (20,22,24), a steam delivery system (28) for delivering steam to the cylinders (14,16,18) to additionally drive the pistons (20,22,24), a crankshaft (30) rotatably supported by the block (12) and drivingly rotated by the pistons (20,22,24), and a temperature regulation assembly (32) for regulating the temperature within the engine (10). The double-acting pistons (20,22,24) are powered on every stroke. The fuel delivery system (26) delivers diesel fuel to the cylinders (14,16,18) for combustion therein to drive the pistons (20,22,24). The steam delivery system (28) delivers water to the cylinders (14,16,18) for expansive conversion to steam therein to further drive the pistons (20,22,24). The temperature regulation assembly (32) broadly includes an insulated encasement (130), a lubrication subassembly (132), and a condenser-radiator subassembly (134) that cooperate to enable a continuous, reusable supply of water to the pistons (20,22,24) and control the temperature of the engine (10) to reduce the degradation problems associated with extreme temperature conditions.

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First Claim