1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to propulsion systems for vehicles and, more particularly, is concerned with a fluid drive system for a vehicle or the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fluid drive systems have been described in the prior art, however, none of the prior art devices disclose the unique features of the present invention.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,630 dated Mar. 16, 1999, Buschur, et al., disclosed an apparatus and method of controlling fluid flow between a plurality of vehicle components. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,847,470 dated Dec. 8, 1998, Mitchell disclosed an auxiliary motor drive system. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,809 dated Nov. 15, 1983, Burris disclosed a hydraulic power steering and cooling fan drive system for vehicles. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,256,950 dated Jun. 21, 1966, de Biasi disclosed a hydraulic propulsion system. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,023,579 dated Mar. 6, 1962, Bookout, et al., disclosed a fluid pressure system. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,402 dated Jul. 27, 1993, Clark, et al., disclosed an electric hydraulic car. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,505 dated Mar. 21, 1995, Oogushi, et al., disclosed a fluid pressure driving system. In U.S. Patent Application Publication 2007/0227801 dated Oct. 4, 2007, Loeffler disclosed a hydraulic energy recovery system with dual powered auxiliary hydraulics. In U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,704 dated Sep. 26, 2006, Johnson disclosed a hydrostatic drive apparatus for a road vehicle. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,005,358 dated Dec. 21, 1999, Radev disclosed a drive system for electric vehicles. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,628 dated Oct. 5, 1999, Machesney, et al., disclosed a hydraulically powered fan and power steering in vehicle.
While these fluid driven systems may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as hereinafter described.
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for a propulsion system for a vehicle or the like having a two part turbine system comprising a main turbine portion for driving the vehicle drive train and a smaller, accessory turbine system to provide auxiliary power for other components of the engine. The turbines are both liquid driven by having a two-stage pressure system wherein the first stage raises the pressure to approximately 50 psi and the second stage system raises the pressure to approximately 3,000 to 5500 psi which pressurized fluid is then sprayed or injected onto the blades of a turbine so as to make the turbines rotate about a central drive axle. The fluid chosen as the hydraulic fluid of the present invention is extended life antifreeze.
An object of the present invention is to provide an engine for a vehicle wherein the engine can be operated without the use of petroleum based gasoline or oil products. A further object of the present invention is to provide a motorized vehicle which can be operated more economically than vehicles powered by gasoline or petroleum based products. A further object of the present invention is to provide a motorized vehicle which can be easily and relatively cheaply manufactured. A further object of the present invention is to provide a motorized vehicle which can utilize commonly available and existing components to be used in the construction of the engine of the present invention.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.
The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.
In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings.
The following discussion describes in detail at least one embodiment of the present invention. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the present invention to the particular embodiments described herein since practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For a definition of the complete scope of the invention the reader is directed to the appended claims.
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