초록 ▼

Various forms of energy, such as mechanical, electrical, and/or heat energy are produced by an energy conversion mechanism which includes a spool, the spool including a shaft on which a compressor and turbine are mounted. A generator is operably connected to the energy conversion mechanism for conve

Various forms of energy, such as mechanical, electrical, and/or heat energy are produced by an energy conversion mechanism which includes a spool, the spool including a shaft on which a compressor and turbine are mounted. A generator is operably connected to the energy conversion mechanism for converting mechanical energy thereof into electrical energy. Fuel and air are supplied separately to the compressor. A regenerator type heat exchanger has a cold side for conducting compressed air traveling from an outlet of a compressor to an inlet of the microturbine, a hot side for conducting hot waste gas from the energy conversion mechanism, and a rotary core movable sequentially through the cold and hot sides for absorbing heat in the hot side and giving up heat in the cold side. A catalytic combustor combusts the fuel at a location upstream of the turbine. During start-up, the catalytic combustor is preheated independently of the heat exchanger by an electric heater.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An energy producing apparatus comprising:an energy conversion mechanism comprising a compressor side for compressing air/fuel, and a turbine side for driving the compressor side;an air supply conduit and a fuel supply conduit for conducting air and fuel separately into a

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An energy producing apparatus comprising:an energy conversion mechanism comprising a compressor side for compressing air/fuel, and a turbine side for driving the compressor side;an air supply conduit and a fuel supply conduit for conducting air and fuel separately into a compressor of the compressor side to be compressed and mixed therein, wherein only one stream of compressed air/fuel mixture exits the compressor side;an electrical generator operably connected to the turbine side to be driven thereby for producing electrical energy;a heat exchanger having a first passage for conducting the stream of compressed air/fuel mixture traveling from an outlet of the compressor side, and a second passage for conducting hot waste gas from an outlet of the turbine side in heat exchange relationship with the stream of compressed air/fuel mixture in the first passage; anda catalytic combustor disposed between an outlet of the first passage of the heat exchanger and an inlet of the turbine side for reacting compressed the air/fuel mixture received from the first passage prior to entry thereof into the turbine side;wherein the entire compressed stream of air/fuel mixture exiting the compressor side passes through the heat exchanger, and all of the fuel entering the catalytic combustor passes first through the compressor side and the heat exchanger during steady state operation of the apparatus.