Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for the environmentally sound disposal of air/solvent mixtures made of combustible gaseous, vaporous or liquid waste products, using a combustion unit for burning the air/solvent mixtures while removing the environmentally compatible exhaust air developing in the combustion unit and the waste heat that is produced.
Abstract:
A thermodynamic machine including a closed circuit for the circulation of a refrigerant fluid, a heat exchanger, a cold inlet, and at the exchanger output, a hot outlet, at least one first variable-volume enclosure acting on a mobile member communicating its movement to an output system, and a cooler. According to the invention, the machine further includes at least one variable-volume enclosure controlled by the output system by being interposed between the cold inlet of the circuit and the cooler outlet, with such a chamber providing, for an operating cycle of the enclosure, reinjection of liquid into the exchanger to maintain the pressure at the hot outlet of the circuit at a substantially constant value.
Abstract:
A high efficiency vapor (steam) engine/pump process in a closed system can use either water or liquefied gases for its working fluid to extract thermal energy from the ambient or non-ambient heat sources to increase its heat transfer rate and obtain power generation efficiency over 50%. A slow-speed two-phase piston steam engine's flywheel has a high ratio gear reducer attached to increase a generator's speed and produce power with over 50% efficiency and meet its power generation requirements (3,600 RPM). This two-phase vapor (steam) engine/pump substitutes the cooling condenser's and pump's functions of compressing the waste streams directly back into the boiler, and allows the process to run at temperatures lower than room temperature, with no need for a conventional cooling condenser. The present process will not discharge thermal pollution and/or radioactive/hazardous wastes into the heat sink and to the global environment, which is highly recommended for new nuclear/general power steam engine/turbines modifications.
Abstract:
A cogeneration system is preferably provided with a Stirling engine that has a pillar-shaped heated head, a burner that faces an end surface of the heated head of the Stirling engine, a first exhaust passage that extends along the side surface of the heated head of the Stirling engine, a second exhaust passage that continues from the first exhaust passage and extends along a side of the first exhaust passage opposite to the Stirling engine, and a first heat exchanger that is arranged on a side of the second exhaust passage opposite to the Stirling engine. This cogeneration system can recover more heat energy from combusted gas.
Abstract:
This invention teaches how to build heat engines that can work with low temperature heat sources with the input working fluid being air at ambient temperature and pressure.
Abstract:
A beta-type free-piston Stirling cycle engine or cooler is drivingly coupled to a linear alternator or linear motor and has an improved balancing system to minimize vibration without the need for a separate vibration balancing unit. The stator of the linear motor or alternator is mounted to the interior of the casing through an interposed spring to provide an oscillating system permitting the stator to reciprocate and flex the spring during operation of the Stirling machine and coupled transducer. The natural frequency of oscillation, ωs, of the stator is maintained essentially equal to ωp ω p 1 - α p k p and the natural frequency of oscillation of the piston, ∩p, is maintained essentially equal to the operating frequency, ωo of the coupled Stirling machine and alternator or motor. For applications in which variations of the average temperature and/or the average pressure of the working gas cause more than insubstantial variations of the piston resonant frequency ωp, various alternative means for compensating for those changes in order to maintain vibration balancing are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A heat engine enclosing a chamber in housing has two zones maintained at different temperatures. The first zone receives heat energy from an external power source. The second zone is connected to the hot zone by two conduits, such that a fluid (e.g., air, water, or any other gas or liquid) filling the chamber can circulate between the two zones. The expansion of the fluid in the hot zone and the compression of the fluid in the cold zone drive the rotation of the housing to provide a power output. The fluid may be pressurized to enhance efficiency. A cooling fluid provided in a stationary reservoir maintains a preferred operating temperature difference between the hot zone and the cold zone. A heat storage structure containing a fluid with a high heat capacity may be provided as a heat reservoir.
Abstract:
A feedback control circuit and method for a control system used to control an electrical power generating source that comprises a free piston Stirling engine driving a linear alternator. A switching mode rectifier connects the alternator winding to an output circuit that includes an electrical energy storage means and is controlled by a pulse width modulator that controls the rectifier switching duty cycle and phase. The control system controls the pulse width modulator. The improvement computes a voltage across a virtual tuning capacitor and uses the computed voltage to control the switching mode rectifier so that the switching mode rectifier is switched in a manner that makes the alternator circuit operate as if a tuning capacitor were actually present and so that the control system controls the piston of the Stirling engine to maintain balance of the mechanical power generated by the Stirling engine and the electrical power absorbed from the engine by the alternator.
Abstract:
A linear-free piston Stirling machine comprising a displacer and a power piston. A rod is attached at one end to the displacer, extends through the power piston and is mounted to the casing at its opposite end via a spring. A resilient stopper at the opposite end is arranged to contact the engine casing if the displacement of the displacer exceeds a predetermined limit.
Abstract:
A Stirling engine includes at least a first cylinder and a second cylinder arranged in serial, and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a radiator, a regenerator, and a heater. At least a part of the heat exchanger is formed in a curved shape so as to connect between the first cylinder and the second cylinder. The heater is formed in a curved shape so as to connect between the first cylinder and the second cylinder. The radiator and the regenerator are linearly formed along the direction of extension of the cylinder.