| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 060682000 | Single state motive fluid energized by indirect heat transfer | 33 |
| 20090165461 | ENERGY TRANSFER MACHINE AND METHOD - A novel engine for producing power from a temperature differential with additional benefits of low cost, high efficiency, quiet operation minimal wear of components, and the ability to produce power or cooling from low grade heat sources. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20100050639 | Indirect-Fired Gas Turbine Power Plant - An indirect-fired gas turbine power plant comprises a compressor; a turbine mechanically coupled to the compressor; a furnace; a heat exchanger inside the furnace and fluidly coupled at an inlet end to the compressor and at an outlet end to the turbine; and means for forming a gas barrier around a portion of the heat exchanger to impede combustion products from contacting the heat exchanger. Such means can be a plurality of gas discharge manifolds located around a portion of the heat exchanger. The manifolds can be coupled to heated working gas exhausted by the turbine. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100089062 | Cao heat engine and refrigerator - This invention provides heat engines based on various structures of internal combustion engines, such as a four-stroke piston-type combustion engine, two-stroke piston-type combustion engine, rotary combustion engine, or a free-piston type combustion engine. Said heat engine is provided with at least a heating chamber per piston or rotor, a heat exchanger unit disposed within said heating chamber through which thermal energy is extracted from a heat source and at least a port leading to a working chamber space from said heating chamber, and has a significantly increased heat transfer duration from the heat source to the working fluid within said heating chamber without increasing the number of strokes per power stroke in a cycle. Additionally, said heat engine is provided with an over expansion mechanism in conjunction with a compression means for intake charge. Thereby many of the operational characteristics of an Otto power cycle may be attained in said heat engine, and a heat source with a relatively low temperature may be accommodated through the combination of a lower compression ratio, the over expansion mechanism, and the boost of the intake charge. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100089063 | Systems and Methods for Energy Storage and Recovery Using Rapid Isothermal Gas Expansion and Compression - The invention relates to systems and methods for rapidly and isothermally expanding and compressing gas in energy storage and recovery systems that use open-air hydraulic-pneumatic cylinder assemblies, such as an accumulator and an intensifier in communication with a high-pressure gas storage reservoir on a gas-side of the circuits and a combination fluid motor/pump, coupled to a combination electric generator/motor on the fluid side of the circuits. The systems use heat transfer subsystems in communication with at least one of the cylinder assemblies or reservoir to thermally condition the gas being expanded or compressed. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100139277 | Systems and Methods for Energy Storage and Recovery Using Rapid Isothermal Gas Expansion and Compression - The invention relates to systems and methods for rapidly and isothermally expanding and compressing gas in energy storage and recovery systems that use open-air hydraulic-pneumatic cylinder assemblies, such as an accumulator and an intensifier in communication with a high-pressure gas storage reservoir on a gas-side of the circuits and a combination fluid motor/pump, coupled to a combination electric generator/motor on the fluid side of the circuits. The systems use heat transfer subsystems in communication with at least one of the cylinder assemblies or reservoir to thermally condition the gas being expanded or compressed. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100257862 | Energy Storage - Apparatus ( | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100287936 | THERMODYNAMIC MACHINE, PARTICULAR OF THE CARNOT AND/OR STIRLING TYPE - A thermodynamic machine including an enclosure containing a working gas and having heat exchange surfaces therein, displacement structure moveable within the enclosure in order to displace the working gas in the enclosure and consecutively place the working gas in contact and out of contact with each of the heat exchange surfaces in order to perform consecutive stages of a thermodynamic cycle; and a mechanical power unit subject to pressure of the working gas, the displacement structure causes consecutive passage of a chamber in front of the different heat exchange surfaces, the chamber containing a quantity of working gas that is essentially constant, at least the majority of which is generally stationary in relation to the displacement structure. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100307156 | Systems and Methods for Improving Drivetrain Efficiency for Compressed Gas Energy Storage and Recovery Systems - The invention relates to power generation and energy storage and recovery. In particular, the invention relates to compressed gas energy storage and recovery systems using staged pneumatic conversion systems for providing narrow pressure ranges to a hydraulic motor. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20110083438 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMBINED THERMAL AND COMPRESSED GAS ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS - The invention relates to systems and methods including an energy conversion system for storage and recovery of energy using compressed gas, a source of recovered thermal energy, and a heat-exchange subsystem in fluid communication with the energy conversion system and the source of recovered thermal energy. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110100011 | HIGH EFFICIENCY POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT THERMODYNAMIC SYSTEM - An air aspirated hybrid heat pump and heat engine system ( | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110100012 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING THERMAL ENERGY - A system and method for transmitting thermal energy. The system includes an intake for introducing air at a first temperature; an exhaust for exhausting the air, the exhaust being provided at a higher vertical elevation than intake; and a thermal energy source provided at second temperature higher than the first temperature, the waste thermal energy source being provided between the intake and the exhaust. The air introduced via the intake, passes the thermal energy source, and is exhausted via the exhaust due to a difference in elevation between the intake and the exhaust. The thermal energy source can be a waste thermal industrial energy source. The system can include a first ambient energy chamber configured to pass the air through the thermal energy source and an insulated, and a second ambient energy chamber provided between the ambient energy chamber and the exhaust, wherein the second ambient energy chamber is a made of a slow-loading thermal material. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110154823 | Energy regeneration system - An energy regeneration system comprises a heat pump, a bioreactor, a combustor, and a temperature difference electricity generation device. The heat pump is provided for thermally regulating the bioreactor and can be used for air-condition, dehumidification, refrigeration, chilling, heating and/or supplying hot water for bath. The bioreactor accommodates an organic material. The organic material is converted into a biomass fuel and other materials by microbial action. The chemical energy of the biomass fuel is converted into a heat energy by the combustor for actuating the temperature difference electricity generation device, thereby generating electrical energy. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110239651 | SOLAR CENTRAL RECEIVER - Heat transfer pipes uniformly heat a compressible working fluid passing there through with a simplified supporting structure and reduced manufacturing costs. A solar central receiver ( | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110289924 | HIGH-DENSITY ENERGY STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL - High temperature energy can be provided using a containment vessel, a heat retention matrix contained within the containment vessel, a volume of a working fluid contained within the containment vessel and in contact with the heat retention matrix, and, optionally, a reactive compound removal system that removes reactive compounds from the working fluid. The heat retention matrix can optionally include an allotropic form of carbon. The working fluid can optionally include nitrogen gas and one or more noble gases. Related systems, methods, articles of manufacture, and the like are also described. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20120073298 | ROTARY EXPANSION ENGINE - A rotary engine comprising an engine block that is movable in rotation about an axle, said engine block including at least one blind cylinder mounted on a casing. Said blind cylinders are closed by respective movable pistons defining sealed chambers of variable volume inside the cylinders. Each piston is connected to a crank mechanism secured to the stub axle of the engine block. The variable-volume sealed chamber of each piston contains a fluid suitable for expanding under the effect of a rise in temperature, the engine further including heater means for raising the temperature of the fluid present in said chamber. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120174585 | CLOSED LOOP THERMODYNAMIC MACHINE - According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a thermodynamic machine operating according to the Brayton cycle and including a closed loop fluid circuit for circulating working fluid. A fluid compressor ( | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120234007 | RANKINE CYCLE APPARATUS - A Rankine cycle apparatus includes a circuit having a pump for working fluid, a heat exchanger for causing heat exchange between the working fluid and fluid supplied from an exhaust heat source, and an expanding portion that expands the working fluid that has been exposed to the heat exchange to produce mechanical energy. The expanding portion includes a fixed scroll, a movable scroll that orbits with respect to the fixed scroll, and a back pressure chamber arranged at the side corresponding to a backside of the movable scroll opposite to the surface facing the fixed scroll. The Rankine cycle apparatus further includes an inlet mechanism for introducing the working fluid from a high pressure zone that extends from the outlet side of the pump to the inlet of the heat exchanger to the back pressure chamber to produce back pressure that presses the movable scroll against the fixed scroll. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120234008 | GAS SUPPLY DEVICE AND EXHAUST GAS POWER GENERATION SYSTEM - A gas supply device includes a first flow channel connecting a heat-treating furnace and a power generation device, a pressure control valve arranged in the first flow channel for controlling a pressure of exhaust gas flowing through the first flow channel, and a furnace pressure gauge measuring a pressure within the heat-treating furnace. If the pressure within the heat-treating furnace measured by the furnace pressure gauge becomes lower than a predetermined value, the pressure control valve controls the pressure of the exhaust gas to increase the pressure of the exhaust gas within the first flow channel. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120297775 | INTEGRATED GASIFIER POWER PLANT - Described herein are gradual oxidation systems that receive and process solid, liquid, or gaseous fuels. The system can include a solid fuel gasifier that extracts and cleans gas fuel from a solid fuel. The system can also include a reaction chamber that receives the gas fuel and maintains a gradual oxidation process of the fuel. In some embodiments, liquids containing contaminants can be oxidized within the gradual oxidation chamber. Liquid fuels and gas fuels may be communicated to the oxidation chamber separately or in combination. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20120297776 | HEAT EXCHANGE WITH COMPRESSED GAS IN ENERGY-STORAGE SYSTEMS - In various embodiments, compressed-gas energy storage and recovery systems include a cylinder assembly for compression and/or expansion of gas, a reservoir for storage and/or supply of compressed gas, and a system for thermally conditioning gas within the reservoir. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20120304645 | Fuel Cell Powered Jet Engine - This invention is the use of a fuel cell for powering all the components of a jet engine, but especially heating elements used to heat the air moving through the engine, rather than burning jet fuel. | 12-06-2012 |
| 20130025279 | SYSTEM FOR RECOVERING HEAT FROM A BIOMASS GASIFIER - Systems for recovering heat from a biomass gasifier are provided. One gasification system includes a gasifier having an inlet section configured to receive a biomass feedstock and air, and a reactor section configured to gasify a mixture of the biomass feedstock and the air to generate a producer gas. The gasifier also has an outlet section configured to output the producer gas from the reactor section. The gasification system also includes a heat exchanger system coupled to the gasifier. The heat exchanger system is configured to recover heat from the gasifier by transferring heat to a fluid to create a heated fluid. | 01-31-2013 |
| 20130160451 | STIRLING ENGINE FOR AN EMISSION-FREE AIRCRAFT - Aircraft with an emission-free drive and method for emission-free driving of an aircraft. The aircraft includes a drive device structured and arranged to generate thrust, a lift device structured and arranged to generate lift, and a heat engine structured and arranged to convert thermal energy into kinetic energy to drive the drive device. The heat engine includes at least one flat-plate Stirling engine drivable by solar thermal radiation. | 06-27-2013 |
| 20130167535 | Rotary Engine with Unidirectional Monatomic Gas Flow, Static Heat Exchangers - An engine/heat pump is shown. The preferred model has at least one expander, being a centrifugal pump and at least one compressor, being a centrifugal pump, the rotor for the expander and the rotor for the compressor being on the same axle. The axle and rotors and all rapidly moving parts are surrounded by the working fluid, which is a monatomic gas within a substantially stationary container not pierced by any moving part. An electric dynamo also completely surrounded by the gas rotates magnets in an aerodynamic configuration simulating a group of horseshoe magnets. The dynamo coils between the ends of the magnets are also in an aerodynamic structure but stationary. The output wires extend through the gas container wall. Heat exchangers are on the paths between compressor and expander. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130263599 | THERMAL MAGNETIC ENGINE AND THERMAL MAGNETIC ENGINE SYSTEM - A thermal magnetic engine and a thermal magnetic engine system are disclosed. The thermal magnetic engine includes a fixed element, a rotation element, working fluid and a fin structure. The rotation element includes a working material. The rotation element rotates relative to the fixed element. The working fluid flows through the rotation element and forms a temperature difference on the working material. The fin structure is disposed on the rotation element. The rotation element rotates along a rotating direction due to the temperature difference on the working material and/or due to the flowing of the first working fluid through the fin structure. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130305723 | COMPRESSOR SYSTEM INCLUDING GEAR INTEGRATED SCREW EXPANDER - A compressor system includes a gear box having a first drive gear, a second drive gear and a first driven gear. A prime mover is coupled to the first drive gear and is operable to input rotational power to the gear box and a compressor is coupled to the first driven gear and is operable in response to rotation of the first driven gear to produce a flow of compressed gas. A heat exchanger is positioned to receive the flow of compressed gas and a flow of fluid and is operable to cool the flow of compressed gas and heat the flow of fluid to produce a flow of heated gas. A screw expander is coupled to the second drive gear and is operable in response to the flow of heated gas to input rotational power to the gear box. | 11-21-2013 |
| 20140053558 | HIGH EFFICIENCY THERMODYNAMIC SYSTEM - An air-handling system selectively heats and/or cools a target space by circulating ambient air from the target space across a heat exchanger. The system operates along an air flow path having an inlet from the target space and an outlet back into the target space. Air-handling turbines or pumps are located near the inlet and outlet. The heat exchanger is placed in the flow path between the turbines or pumps. The heat exchanger transfers heat into or out of the air, causing a natural pressure increase or decrease in the air. The turbines or pumps are configured to harvest work from the induced pressure differential in order to conserve energy. A combustion chamber may be included directly in the flow path upstream of the heat exchanger for combusting a fuel in the air during a high heating mode. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140060055 | METALLURGICAL PLANT GAS CLEANING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CLEANING AN EFFLUENT GAS - A metallurgical plant gas cleaning system ( | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140318132 | HAFNIUM TURBINE ENGINE AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A device powered by a method of heating a gas by directing X-rays at a mass of hafnium 178 to induce gamma rays. The gamma rays are directed at a heat exchanging apparatus, resulting in a stream of heated gas. This process powers a Hafnium gas turbine engine capable of providing shaft power or thrust to mechanical devices. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140352310 | HOT-AIR ENGINE - A hot-air engine ( | 12-04-2014 |
| 20150040565 | REACTOR - The present application provides a reactor for: converting feedstock material into gases; or disassociating or reforming a chemical compound; and/a a mixture to its constituent elements; and/to other chemical forms, and; finally a heating device. The reactor comprises a heating device for discharging an ionized gas into the reactor, a feedstock feeder for injecting the feedstock material into the reactor, and a shell forming a chamber that encloses a portion of the heating device and a portion of the feedstock feeder. The application also provides a method for converting hydrocarbon material into synthetic gases. The method comprises: providing the hydrocarbon material to a burner inserted into a reactor, a second step of supplying ionized gases into the reactor, and a third step of subjecting the burner to a flame of the ionized gases such that molecules of the hydrocarbon material are dissociated to forming synthetic gas. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150337760 | MINIATURIZED WASTE HEAT ENGINE - Various embodiments of a converter for use in a combustion engine having a discharge conduit for discharging exhaust combustion gases are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the converter may include a heating chamber being in thermal contact with the discharge conduit and defining a hydraulic channel through which a fluid passes. The converter may also include an inlet port disposed in the heating chamber for receiving the fluid into the heating chamber, and an outlet port disposed in the heating chamber for discharging the fluid from the heating chamber. The heat energy from the exhaust combustion gases is transferred to the fluid while the fluid passes through the hydraulic channel. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20160146193 | Direct-Drive Power Conversion System for Wind Turbines Compatible with Energy Storage - A system suitable for extracting power directly from the main shafts of slow-moving mechanical systems. The system has a closed gas circuit having a lower-pressure (LP) side and a higher-pressure (HP) side. The LP side is at a pressure substantially greater than atmospheric pressure. The system includes primary compressors coupled to the wind turbines, thermal stores coupled to heat-exchangers on both the LP and HP sides of the closed gas circuit, a secondary motor-compressor set and an expander-generator set. The system allows some degree of independence between the input power resource and the output power. When substantial wind power is present and the demand for electrical power is weak, this system can export a fraction of the energy captured and store the rest. When the wind resource is low, the system can export more power than is being collected by drawing energy from the thermal stores. | 05-26-2016 |
