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 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...
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.
대표
청구항
▼
1. A heating, cooling, and power system, comprising: a piston engine including an exhaust and a cooling jacket;a heater thermally coupled to the exhaust of the piston engine, wherein the piston engine exhaust provides heat input to the heater;a shaft mechanically coupled to the piston engine, wherein the piston engine provides a first power output to rotate the shaft;an expander mechanically coupled to the shaft to provide a second power output in addition to the first power output of the piston engine rotating the shaft, wherein the first power output o...
1. A heating, cooling, and power system, comprising: a piston engine including an exhaust and a cooling jacket;a heater thermally coupled to the exhaust of the piston engine, wherein the piston engine exhaust provides heat input to the heater;a shaft mechanically coupled to the piston engine, wherein the piston engine provides a first power output to rotate the shaft;an expander mechanically coupled to the shaft to provide a second power output in addition to the first power output of the piston engine rotating the shaft, wherein the first power output of the piston engine and the second power output of the expander are applied to the shaft simultaneously;a first conduit coupled between the cooling jacket of the piston engine and the heater to transport a working fluid from the cooling jacket of the piston engine to the heater, wherein the heater transfers heat from the piston engine exhaust to the working fluid;a second conduit coupled between the heater and the expander to transport the working fluid from the heater to the expander;a heat pump including, a compressor mechanically coupled to the shaft, wherein the first power from the piston engine powers the compressor in combination with the second power from the expander,a condenser including a third conduit coupled between the expander and the condenser to transfer the working fluid from the expander to the condenser,an expansion valve including a fourth conduit coupled between the condenser and the expansion valve to transfer the working fluid from the condenser to the expansion valve,an evaporator including a fifth conduit coupled between the expansion valve and the evaporator to transfer the working fluid from the expansion valve to the evaporator, anda sixth conduit coupled between the evaporator and the compressor to transfer the working fluid from the evaporator to the compressor;a pump;a seventh conduit coupled between the heat pump and the pump to transport the working fluid from the heat pump to the pump;an eighth conduit coupled between the pump and the cooling jacket of the piston engine to transfer the working fluid from the pump to the cooling jacket;an electrical machine mechanically coupled to the shaft, wherein the electrical machine produces electrical current from rotation of the shaft provided by the first power output of the piston engine in combination with the second power output of the expander; anda clutch mechanically coupled to the shaft between the compressor and the expander to disconnect the compressor from the expander and allow the compressor to be driven by the electrical machine. 2. The heating, cooling, and power system of claim 1, further including a recuperator coupled between the expander and the recuperator to recover heat from the working fluid exiting the expander. 3. The heating, cooling, and power system of claim 1, wherein the heat pump includes a valve connected to the third conduit to switch the heat pump between a heating mode and a cooling mode. 4. The heating, cooling, and power system of claim 1, wherein the clutch is mechanically coupled to the shaft between the electrical machine and the piston engine. 5. A heating, cooling, and power system, comprising: a piston engine including an exhaust;a heater thermally coupled to the exhaust of the piston engine and configured to transfer heat from the exhaust of the piston engine to a thermal energy in a working fluid flowing through the heater;a shaft coupled to the piston engine, wherein a kinetic energy of the shaft is increased by power from the piston engine;an expander coupled to the shaft to supplement the rotational power of the piston engine by transferring the thermal energy of the working fluid to the kinetic energy of the shaft, wherein the piston engine and the expander add to the kinetic energy of the shaft simultaneously;a first conduit coupled between the heater and the expander;a heat pump powered by the kinetic energy of the shaft, wherein the working fluid operates as a refrigerant of the heat pump, and wherein the heat pump includes, a first heat exchanger,a second conduit coupled between the expander and the first heat exchanger to transport the working fluid from the expander to the first heat exchanger,an expansion device,a third conduit coupled between the first heat exchanger and the expansion device to transport the working fluid from the first heat exchanger to the expansion device,a second heat exchanger; anda fourth conduit coupled between the expansion device and the second heat exchanger to transport the working fluid from the expansion device to the second heat exchanger; anda clutch coupled to the shaft and configured to disconnect the heat pump from the piston engine and the expander. 6. The heating, cooling, and power system of claim 5, further including a recuperator comprising a second conduit to transport the working fluid from the expander to the recuperator. 7. The heating, cooling, and power system of claim 5, wherein the heat pump includes a valve coupled to the second conduit to switch the heat pump between a heating mode and a cooling mode. 8. The heating, cooling, and power system of claim 5, wherein the heat pump includes a compressor coupled to the shaft. 9. The heating, cooling, and power system of claim 8, further including an electrical machine coupled to the shaft. 10. The heating, cooling, and power system of claim 9, wherein the electrical machine is capable of producing electrical current from the kinetic energy of the shaft, and wherein the electrical machine is capable of transferring an electrical power to the kinetic energy of the shaft. 11. The heating, cooling, and power system of claim 5, further including a pump coupled between the heat pump and the heater to pressurize the working fluid and transport the working fluid from the heat pump to the heater. 12. A heating, cooling, and power system, comprising: a prime mover;a shaft coupled to the prime mover, wherein a power output of the prime mover is applied as a kinetic energy of the shaft;an expander mechanically coupled to the shaft and thermally coupled to the prime mover to convert a thermal energy from the prime mover to an increase in the kinetic energy of the shaft;a heat pump coupled to the shaft, wherein the heat pump includes, a compressor powered by the kinetic energy of the shaft;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 from the expander to the first heat exchanger;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;a second heat exchanger comprising a third conduit coupled between the expansion device and the second heat exchanger, the third conduit configured for transporting the working fluid, anda fourth conduit coupled between the second heat exchanger and the compressor; andan electrical machine coupled to the shaft. 13. The heating, cooling, and power system of claim 12, wherein the heat pump includes a valve connected to the second conduit to switch the heat pump between a heating mode and a cooling mode. 14. The heating, cooling, and power system of claim 12, further including a clutch coupled to the shaft to disengage the expander from the heat pump and the electrical machine. 15. The heating, cooling, and power system of claim 12, wherein the electrical machine generates electricity. 16. A method of making a heating, cooling, and power system, comprising: providing a prime mover including an exhaust output and a cooling jacket;providing a heater;coupling a first input of the heater to the exhaust output of the prime mover, wherein an exhaust from the prime mover flows from the exhaust output of the prime mover to the first input of the heater;coupling a second input of the heater to the cooling jacket of the prime mover, wherein a working fluid flows from the cooling jacket of the prime mover to the second input of the heater and the heater transfers thermal energy from the exhaust to the working fluid;coupling a shaft to the prime mover, wherein the prime mover provides a first power output to rotate the shaft;providing an expander including a first input coupled to receive the working fluid from the heater and provide a second power output to rotate the shaft, wherein the second power output of the expander and the first power output of the prime mover contribute to a kinetic energy of the shaft simultaneously;coupling an electrical machine to the shaft;using the electrical machine to convert the kinetic energy of the shaft to electrical current while the first power output and the second power output are each contributing to the kinetic energy of the shaft; andproviding a heat pump including a compressor coupled through the shaft to the expander, wherein the kinetic energy of the shaft turns the compressor and the working fluid operates as a refrigerant of the heat pump. 17. The method of claim 16, further including coupling a clutch to the shaft to disengage the compressor or expander. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein providing the heat pump further includes: 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 second heat exchanger comprising a third conduit coupled between the expansion device and the second heat exchanger, the third conduit configured for transporting the working fluid. 19. The method of claim 18, further including providing a valve to switch the heat pump between a heating mode and a cooling mode. 20. The method of claim 16, further including using the heat pump to selectively cool or heat a room.
