Abstract: An engine assembly that includes an internal combustion engine and a steam engine both designed to operate at speeds of optimal efficiency at normal engine driving conditions. A heat exchanger recovers heat losses from the internal combustion engine's exhaust gases and coolant to produce steam to operate the steam engine. Excess steam produced by the heat exchanger but not directly used by the steam engine is supplied to a steam buffer which stores the excess steam and energy and delivers steam to drive the steam engine during short periods of high load as required. The engine assembly is particularly advantageous in applications for propulsion of heavy vehicles such as trucks, freight trains or ships.

Abstract: An arrangement for a steam engine power plant with a steam generator, a steam buffer, and a timing valve for a steam engine of a displacement type with a range of cut-offs and motion in both driving and braking directions. Engine braking to the steam engine is provided when the timing valve opens the inlet to the cylinder to admit steam when the piston in the cylinder is moving toward top dead center while feed water is simultaneously being injected into the cylinder to collect the braking energy by being formed into steam. This steam and its energy can then be collected by the steam buffer for future use by the steam engine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a steam buffer for use in a steam engine power plant with a closed system and designed to alternately accumulate and emit steam under high pressure and temperature. The steam buffer improves upon conventional steam accumulators which contain water and steam at high pressures and temperature in a large pressurized vessel. The steam buffer functions to store heat in solid material in the walls of a large number of long flow channels with a hydraulic diameter at least as small as 0.5 mm contained in a casing. The flow channels may be formed, for example, by capillary tubes attached to each other or, alternatively, by fine grains of metallic or ceramic material sintered together. The walls of the flow channels perform as the primary heat storing material and are made of a material having a melting point higher than the operating temperature in the steam buffer.