US3751673A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical power generating system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-07-23
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Granted: 1973-08-07
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Expires: 1991-07-23
Abstract
Abstract An electrical power generating system is disclosed which utilizes the entire amount of energy available in geothermally heated water. The power generating system comprises a source of geothermally heated water. One or more helical screw expanders are provided for receiving said geothermally heated water and utilizing the energy generated therein for driving at least one output shaft. Each helical screw expander comprises a pair of mating helical rotors rotatably mounted within a housing in a timed relationship. A generator is coupled to each output shaft for generating electricity. As the geothermally heated water flows through the expanders, the liquid drops in pressure and a portion thereof flashes to the vapor phase. The mass flow of vapor continues to increase as the pressure drops through the expanders. This increase in the mass flow of the vapor expands the chambers formed by the rotors to rotatably drive the rotors and the output shafts connected thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger Sprankle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:27
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K21/00; F01K21/005; F01K25/00; F01K25/02; F03; F03G; F03G4/00; F03G4/074; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of generating electrical power comprising the steps of: providing a constant supply of geothermally heated fluid including as a significant portion thereof water in a substantially saturated liquid state at a given temperature and pressure; supplying said fluid to an intermeshing plural rotor helical screw expander having an output shaft which rotates when a fluid is expanded therethrough; expanding said fluid within said expander to a pressure and temperature so that a portion of said water flashes into a vapor phase within the expander; and coupling the output shaft of the expander to a generator for generating electricity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of generating electrical power comprising the steps of: providing a constant supply of geothermally heated fluid including as a significant portion thereof water in a substantially saturated liquid state at a given temperature and pressure; supplying said fluid to an intermeshing plural rotor helical screw expander having an output shaft which rotates when a fluid is expanded therethrough; expanding said fluid within said expander to a pressure and temperature so that a portion of said water flashes into a vapor phase within the expander; and coupling the output shaft of the expander to a generator for generating electricity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
An electrical power generating system comprising: a source of geothermally heated fluid including as a significant portion thereof water in a substantially saturated liquid state at a first pressure and temperature; a helical screw expander having plural intermeshing rotors and an output shaft which rotates when a fluid is expanded therethrough; means for expanding said geothermally heated fluid through said expander to a second pressure and temperature so that a portion of said water flashes into a vapor phase within the expander; and means coupled to the output shaft of said expander for generating electricity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
95 words
An electrical power generating system comprising: a source of geothermally heated fluid including as a significant portion thereof water in a substantially saturated liquid state at a first pressure and temperature; a helical screw expander having plural intermeshing rotors and an output shaft which rotates when a fluid is expanded therethrough; means for expanding said geothermally heated fluid through said expander to a second pressure and temperature so that a portion of said water flashes into a vapor phase within the expander; and means coupled to the output shaft of said expander for generating electricity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the geothermally heated fluid comprises water as a major portion thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
The invention of claim 2 further including filter means for removing at least a portion of any particulate material from the geothermal fluid before it is introduced to the helical screw expander; a second helical screw expander; means for fluidly connecting the exhausted geothermal fluid from the first helical screw expander to the intake of the second helical screw expander and means coupled to the second helical screw expander for generating electricity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said helical screw expander further comprises two interengaging timing gears, each connected to a respective rotor, for controlling the respective rotational speeds of the rotors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said power generating system further comprises means for condensing the steam generated with the helical screw expander and exhausting through the motive fluid outlet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein said condensing means comprises: means for separating the vapor from the liquid exhausting from said helical screw expander; and means for contacting the vapor with a supply of relatively cool water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said condensing means further comprises heat exchange means for cooling the liquid exiting from said separating means or from the contacting means and injecting said cooled liquid into said contacting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 7 further comprising vacuum means for evacuating the non-condensable vapors from said contacting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said means for supplying said geothermally heated water comprises: a well pump located within said source of geothermally heated water; and conduit means communicating with said well pump and the motive fluid inlet of said helical screw expander.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 10 further comprising filter means located within said conduit means for separating particulate matter from said geothermally heated water.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of generating electrical power comprising the steps of: providing a constant supply of geothermally heated homogenous fluid comprising as a major portion thereof water in a saturated liquid state at a given temperature and pressure; supplying said fluid to a fluid inlet of a helical screw expander, having plural intermeshing rotors the expander having a fluid outlet and an output shaft which rotates when a fluid is expanded therein between the inlet and outlet; providing an exhaust pressure and temperature at the expander outlet, so that a portion of the water flashes into a vapor phase within the expander, the exhaust pressure and temperature being lower than the given pressure and temperature; and coupling the output shaft of the expander to a generator for generating electricity.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of generating electrical power comprising the steps of: providing a constant supply of geothermally heated homogenous fluid comprising as a major portion thereof water in a saturated liquid state at a given temperature and pressure; supplying said fluid to a fluid inlet of a helical screw expander, having plural intermeshing rotors the expander having a fluid outlet and an output shaft which rotates when a fluid is expanded therein between the inlet and outlet; providing an exhaust pressure and temperature at the expander outlet, so that a portion of the water flashes into a vapor phase within the expander, the exhaust pressure and temperature being lower than the given pressure and temperature; and coupling the output shaft of the expander to a generator for generating electricity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as defined in claim 12 wherein the given pressure exceeds 50 psia and the temperature exceeds 280* F.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as defined in claim 12 wherein the fluid supplied to the helical screw expander inlet is at least 85 percent saturated liquid.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-06 | 1977-02-05 | 1977-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-06 | 1981-02-05 | 1981-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-06 | 1985-02-05 | 1985-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |