초록 ▼

The present invention provides an apparatus for utilizing waste heat to power a reconfigurable thermodynamic cycle that can be used to selectively cool or heat an environmentally controlled space, such as a room, building, or vehicle. The present invention also integrates an electric machine, which

The present invention provides an apparatus for utilizing waste heat to power a reconfigurable thermodynamic cycle that can be used to selectively cool or heat an environmentally controlled space, such as a room, building, or vehicle. The present invention also integrates an electric machine, which may operate as a motor or generator, or both, and an additional prime mover, such as an internal combustion engine. Different combinations of these components are preferable for different applications. The system provides a design which reasonably balances the need to maximize efficiency, while also keeping the design cost effective.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for cooling, heating, and generating electricity, comprising: a working fluid capable of both gas and liquid phases;a heater configured to warm the working fluid;a piston engine including an exhaust coupled to provide heat energy to the heater;a liquid pump connected to transfer said

1. An apparatus for cooling, heating, and generating electricity, comprising: a working fluid capable of both gas and liquid phases;a heater configured to warm the working fluid;a piston engine including an exhaust coupled to provide heat energy to the heater;a liquid pump connected to transfer said working fluid to the heater;a gas expander coupled to receive the working fluid from the heater and mechanically connected to a drive shaft of the piston engine to supplement power provided by the piston engine;a gas compressor mechanically connected to the drive shaft;a clutch mechanically coupled to the drive shaft between the gas expander and gas compressor;an electric machine mechanically attached to the drive shaft and configured to generate electricity from rotation of the drive shaft;a first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from said working fluid exiting said gas expander to said working fluid entering said heater;a second heat exchanger coupled to receive said working fluid from an outlet of a hot side of said first heat exchanger and said working fluid from an outlet of said compressor;a thermal expansion valve coupled to receive said working fluid from an outlet of said second heat exchanger;a third heat exchanger coupled to receive the working fluid from the thermal expansion valve; anda selector valve coupled to controllably reverse a function of said second heat exchanger and said third heat exchanger. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further including said electric machine mechanically connected by the clutch to said drive shaft interconnecting said piston engine and said gas expander, said compressor attached to said electric machine by said drive shaft, allowing said electric machine to operate as a motor and drive said compressor independently from said piston engine or said gas expander. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further including said working fluid connected from said liquid pump to the piston engine, to use said working fluid as a coolant for the piston engine, said working fluid, further connected to transfer to an inlet of a cold side of said first heat exchanger. 4. A heating, cooling, and power device, comprising: a piston engine including an exhaust and a cooling jacket;a liquid pump configured to transfer a working fluid to the cooling jacket of the piston engine;a heater configured to receive the working fluid from the cooling jacket of the piston engine and transfer heat from the exhaust of the piston engine to the working fluid in the heater;a shaft coupled to the piston engine, wherein the piston engine is configured to provide power to rotate the shaft;a expander mechanically coupled to the shaft and configured to supplement the power of the piston engine;a first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the working fluid exiting the expander to the working fluid entering the heater;a compressor mechanically coupled to the shaft;a second heat exchanger coupled to receive said working fluid from an outlet of a hot side of the first heat exchanger and the working fluid from an outlet of the compressor;a thermal expansion valve coupled to receive the working fluid from an outlet of the second heat exchanger;a third heat exchanger coupled to receive the working fluid from the thermal expansion valve;a selector valve coupled to controllably reverse a function of the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger;an electrical machinean electric machine mechanically coupled to the shaft and configured to produce electricity from rotation of the shaft; anda clutch coupled to the shaft to disconnect the compressor from the expander and allow the compressor to be driven by the electrical machine. 5. A heating, cooling, and power device, comprising: a piston engine including an exhaust;a heater configured to transfer heat from the exhaust of the piston engine to a working fluid within the heater;a shaft mechanically coupled to the piston engine, wherein the piston engine is configured to provide power to rotate the shaft;an expander mechanically coupled to the shaft and configured to supplement the power of the piston enginea heat pump including, a compressor mechanically coupled to the shaft, a second heat exchanger coupled to receive the working fluid from an outlet of the compressor, a thermal expansion valve coupled to receive the working fluid from an outlet of the second heat exchanger, and a third heat exchanger coupled to receive the working fluid from the thermal expansion valve;an electrical machine mechanically coupled to generate electricity from rotation of the shaft; anda clutch configured to disconnect the heat pump from the piston engine and expander to allow the electrical machine to power the heat pump. 6. The heating, cooling, and power device of claim 5, further including: a first conduit coupled between the heater and expander; anda recuperator comprising a second conduit coupled between the expander and recuperator. 7. The heating, cooling, and power device of claim 5, wherein the heat pump further includes a valve connected to the second heat exchanger and third heat exchanger to switch the heat pump between a heating mode and a cooling mode. 8. The heating, cooling, and power device of claim 5, further including a liquid pump comprising a second conduit coupled between the liquid pump and heater and configured for transporting a working fluid. 9. A method of making a heating, cooling, and power system, comprising: providing a piston engine including an exhaust;providing a shaft configured to be rotated by the piston engine;providing a heater configured to transfer heat from the exhaust to a working fluid in the heater;providing an expander mechanically coupled to the shaft and configured to supplement mechanical shaft power provided by the piston engine;providing an electrical machine mechanically coupled to generate electric current from rotation of the shaft;providing a heat pump including, a compressor mechanically coupled to the shaft, and a second heat exchanger coupled to receive the working fluid from an outlet of the compressor; andproviding a clutch mechanically coupled to the shaft between the piston engine and electrical machine. 10. The method of claim 9, further including: providing a first heat exchanger comprising a first conduit coupled between the expander and the first heat exchanger, the first conduit configured for transporting a working fluid;providing an expansion device comprising a second conduit coupled between the first heat exchanger and the expansion device, the second conduit configured for transporting the working fluid; andproviding a third heat exchanger comprising a third conduit coupled between the expansion device and third heat exchanger, the third conduit configured for transporting the working fluid. 11. The method of claim 9, further including providing a valve to switch the heat pump between a heating mode and a cooling mode.