HEAT ENGINE AND HEAT TO ELECTRICITY SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. A heat engine system operative to execute a thermodynamic cycle using a working fluid, the heat engine system comprising:
- a working fluid circuit having a high pressure side and a low pressure side, and a working fluid contained in the working fluid circuit;
a heat exchanger in the working fluid circuit and in thermal communication with a heat source connected to the working fluid circuit, whereby thermal energy is transferred from the heat source to the working fluid in the working fluid circuit;
an expander in the working fluid circuit and located between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit and operative to convert a pressure drop in the working fluid to mechanical energy;
a recuperator in the working fluid circuit operative to transfer thermal energy between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit;
a cooler in thermal communication with a cooling medium and in thermal communication with the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit and operative to control temperature of the working fluid in the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit;
a pump in the working fluid circuit and connected to the low pressure side and to the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit and operative to move the working fluid through the working fluid circuit, anda mass management system connected to the working fluid circuit, the mass management system having a working fluid vessel connected to the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A waste heat recovery system, method and device executes a thermodynamic cycle using a working fluid in a working fluid circuit which has a high pressure side and a low pressure side. Components of the system in the working fluid circuit include a waste heat exchanger in thermal communication with a waste heat source also connected to the working fluid circuit, whereby thermal energy is transferred from the waste heat source to the working fluid in the working fluid circuit, an expander located between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit, the expander operative to convert a pressure/enthalpy drop in the working fluid to mechanical energy, a recuperator in the working fluid circuit operative to transfer thermal energy between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit, a cooler in thermal communication with the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit operative to control temperature of the working fluid in the low side of the working fluid circuit, a pump in the working fluid circuit and connected to the low pressure side and to the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit and operative to move the working fluid through the working fluid circuit, and a mass management system connected to the working fluid circuit, the mass management system, method and device having a working fluid vessel connected to the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit and configured to passively control an amount of working fluid mass in the working fluid circuit.
73 Citations
77 Claims
-
1. A heat engine system operative to execute a thermodynamic cycle using a working fluid, the heat engine system comprising:
-
a working fluid circuit having a high pressure side and a low pressure side, and a working fluid contained in the working fluid circuit; a heat exchanger in the working fluid circuit and in thermal communication with a heat source connected to the working fluid circuit, whereby thermal energy is transferred from the heat source to the working fluid in the working fluid circuit; an expander in the working fluid circuit and located between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit and operative to convert a pressure drop in the working fluid to mechanical energy; a recuperator in the working fluid circuit operative to transfer thermal energy between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit; a cooler in thermal communication with a cooling medium and in thermal communication with the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit and operative to control temperature of the working fluid in the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit; a pump in the working fluid circuit and connected to the low pressure side and to the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit and operative to move the working fluid through the working fluid circuit, and a mass management system connected to the working fluid circuit, the mass management system having a working fluid vessel connected to the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 15, 23, 24, 25, 26, 33)
-
-
2. (canceled)
-
6. (canceled)
-
8-12. -12. (canceled)
-
16-22. -22. (canceled)
-
27-32. -32. (canceled)
-
34-70. -70. (canceled)
-
71. A mass management system for controlling an amount of working fluid mass in a thermodynamic cycle in a working fluid circuit having a pump or a compressor, the mass management system comprising a working fluid control tank for holding an amount of the working fluid at a first pressure P, the working fluid control tank located outside of the working fluid circuit;
- and a fluid connection between the working fluid control tank and a low pressure side of the thermodynamic cycle in the working fluid circuit to allow passage of the working fluid between the working fluid circuit and the working fluid control tank.
- View Dependent Claims (72, 73, 74, 75, 76)
-
77-94. -94. (canceled)
Specification