Domestic combined heat and power unit
First Claim
1. A domestic power system to provide the heat and electrical power requirements in a domestic dwelling, the system comprising a connection to a mains power supply which satisfies at least part of the domestic electrical power requirement during normal operating conditions;
- a domestic combined heat and power unit with a combustible fuel supply and which produces electrical power output and heat output which satisfies at least a part of the domestic heat requirement, the unit being operable in the absence of the mains power supply;
means for detecting interruption of the mains power supply; and
means for automatically connecting the electrical power output from the domestic combined heat and power unit, in the absence of mains power, so as to provide a backup power supply for selected electricity consuming apparatus, with a lower electrical power demand than the total domestic electrical power requirement in the absence of mains power.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A domestic combined heat and power (dchp) unit includes a Stirling engine (1) to provide heat for a domestic dwelling along with a source of electrical power. Under normal operation, the dchp is supplied with power from the national grid. When there is an interruption in the mains power from the grid, the dchp switches into a grid independent mode wherein power is generated by the dchp and is supplied to a controller (26) and to a water pump so as to maintain integrity of heat supply to the dwelling; the remaining power after that is supplied to selected domestic electrically powered equipment such as lights or television sets. The invention also discloses methods for black start of the dchp during a mains power loss, and also modification of the operating voltage on start up of electrical equipment during a power loss, to prevent the Stirling engine stalling.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A domestic power system to provide the heat and electrical power requirements in a domestic dwelling, the system comprising a connection to a mains power supply which satisfies at least part of the domestic electrical power requirement during normal operating conditions;
- a domestic combined heat and power unit with a combustible fuel supply and which produces electrical power output and heat output which satisfies at least a part of the domestic heat requirement, the unit being operable in the absence of the mains power supply;
means for detecting interruption of the mains power supply; and
means for automatically connecting the electrical power output from the domestic combined heat and power unit, in the absence of mains power, so as to provide a backup power supply for selected electricity consuming apparatus, with a lower electrical power demand than the total domestic electrical power requirement in the absence of mains power. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- a domestic combined heat and power unit with a combustible fuel supply and which produces electrical power output and heat output which satisfies at least a part of the domestic heat requirement, the unit being operable in the absence of the mains power supply;
Specification