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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1. Background

Steam engines in automobiles were eclipsed in the mid-1920’s by the simpler, more compact, and easier-starting internal combustion (IC) engines [1]. This occurred even though IC engines required refined fuel, while steam engines did not, and more complex transmissions for good performance.

Over the years, attempts have been made to revive steam engines by hobbyists, corporations, and governments [2,3,4]. The efforts had some success in improving performance. However, the large improvement that would be required to retire the IC engine has not happened.

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