Patent US4557112A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4557112A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for converting thermal energy
Assignee: SOLMECS CORP NV HANDELSKADE 8 CURACAO DUTCH ANTILLES A DUTCH CORP
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Filing: 1982-12-17
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Granted: 1985-12-10
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Expires: 2002-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A method of converting thermal energy into another energy form, comprising the steps of providing a liquid working fluid with said thermal energy, substantially adiabatically compressing the working fluid, substantially adiabatically expanding the hot compressed working fluid by flashing to yield said other energy form in an expansion machine capable of operating with wet working fluid and of progressively drying said fluid during expansion, and condensing the exhaust working fluid from the expansion machine. Apparatus for converting thermal energy into another energy form is also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Ian K. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:50
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K21/00; F01K21/005; F01K25/00; F01K25/08; F01K7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of converting thermal energy into another energy form, comprising the steps of substantially adiabatically pressurizing a liquid working fluid, supplying thermal energy to said working fluid, substantially adiabatically expanding the hot working fluid by flashing to yield said other energy form in an expansion machine capable of operating effectively with wet working fluid and of progressively drying said fluid during expansion, and condensing the exhaust working fluid received from the expansion machine.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of converting thermal energy into another energy form, comprising the steps of substantially adiabatically pressurizing a liquid working fluid, supplying thermal energy to said working fluid, substantially adiabatically expanding the hot working fluid by flashing to yield said other energy form in an expansion machine capable of operating effectively with wet working fluid and of progressively drying said fluid during expansion, and condensing the exhaust working fluid received from the expansion machine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein flashing is initiated prior to admission to the expansion machine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the condensate is recirculated for recompression.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the working fluid is adiabatically pressurized from a cold saturated state, and heated by heat transfer from a source of thermal energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the expansion machine is a rotary vane machine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the expansion machine is a screw expander.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the working fluid is an organic or suitable inorganic fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein said organic working fluid is selected from the group including refrigerants 11, 12, 21, 30, 113, 114, 115, toluene, thiophene, n-pentane, pyridene, hexafluorobenzene, FC 75, monochlorobenzene and water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said working fluid is a mixture of a liquid, electrically-conducting substance and a volatile liquid and said working fluid is adiabatically expanded in a magneto-hydrodynamic duct.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of accelerating said flashing process by inducing turbulence in said working fluid upstream of the inlet of said expansion machine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising adding seeding agents to promote nucleation points for vapour bubbles to form in the fluid upstream of the inlet of the expansion machine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising adding wetting agents to reduce the surface tension of the working fluid and thereby accelerate the rate of flashing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, comprising adding lubricants to the working fluid to improve the efficiency of the expansion machine.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of converting thermal energy into another energy form, comprising substantially adiabatically pressurizing an organic working fluid in a cold, saturated state, heating the working fluid by heat transfer from the source of said thermal energy, initially flashing the working fluid and continuing flashing of the wet working fluid in an expander wherein the wet fraction is decreased and whereby shaft power is produced, condensing the exhaust from said expander and returning the condensate to the pressurizing stage.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of converting thermal energy into another energy form, comprising substantially adiabatically pressurizing an organic working fluid in a cold, saturated state, heating the working fluid by heat transfer from the source of said thermal energy, initially flashing the working fluid and continuing flashing of the wet working fluid in an expander wherein the wet fraction is decreased and whereby shaft power is produced, condensing the exhaust from said expander and returning the condensate to the pressurizing stage.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of converting thermal energy into another form of energy, comprising the steps of providing a liquid working fluid to be exposed to the source of said thermal energy, substantially adiabatically pressurizing said working fluid in the cold, saturated, state thereof, heating the working fluid by heat transfer from said source at approximately constant pressure substantially to the boiling point of said working fluid, substantially adiabatically expanding the heated working fluid down to the approximate pressure thereof immediately prior to said pressurizing, said working fluid being thereby flashed from the liquid phase to the vapour phase, yielding energy, condensing said working fluid from the vapour phase to the liquid phase thereof and recirculating the condensed working fluid to the commencement of the pressurizing stage.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of converting thermal energy into another form of energy, comprising the steps of providing a liquid working fluid to be exposed to the source of said thermal energy, substantially adiabatically pressurizing said working fluid in the cold, saturated, state thereof, heating the working fluid by heat transfer from said source at approximately constant pressure substantially to the boiling point of said working fluid, substantially adiabatically expanding the heated working fluid down to the approximate pressure thereof immediately prior to said pressurizing, said working fluid being thereby flashed from the liquid phase to the vapour phase, yielding energy, condensing said working fluid from the vapour phase to the liquid phase thereof and recirculating the condensed working fluid to the commencement of the pressurizing stage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus for converting thermal energy into another energy form, comprising pump means for substantially adiabatically pressurizing a liquid working fluid, means for supplying said working fluid with said thermal energy, means connecting the pump outlet to said means for supplying thermal energy, expander means for substantially adiabatically expanding the hot working fluid by flashing to yield said other energy form, means connecting the outlet of said energy supply means to said expander means, said expander means being capable of operating with wet working fluid and of progressively drying said working fluid during expansion, and condenser means for condensing the exhaust working fluid from said expander means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus for converting thermal energy into another energy form, comprising pump means for substantially adiabatically pressurizing a liquid working fluid, means for supplying said working fluid with said thermal energy, means connecting the pump outlet to said means for supplying thermal energy, expander means for substantially adiabatically expanding the hot working fluid by flashing to yield said other energy form, means connecting the outlet of said energy supply means to said expander means, said expander means being capable of operating with wet working fluid and of progressively drying said working fluid during expansion, and condenser means for condensing the exhaust working fluid from said expander means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, comprising means for initiating said flashing upstream of the expander means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, comprising means for recirculating the condensate to the inlet of the pump means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 18, comprising heat-exchange means for transferring said thermal energy from a source to the working fluid at a cold, saturated state.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the expander means is a rotary vane machine.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the expander means is a screw expander.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the expander is a magneto-hydrodynamic duct.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for converting thermal energy into electrical power comprising pump means for adiabatically pressurizing a cold, saturated, organic working fluid and delivering the compressed working fluid to a heat-exchanger, the hot pass of which receives a flow of geothermally or otherwise heated liquid, vapour or gas, a flashing chamber connected to said heat exchanger, wherein the heated working fluid is flashed to a degree such that a minor proportion of the overall expansion ratio is expanded therein, means for connecting said flashing chamber to an expander machine in which the flashing is substantially completed by adiabatic expansion of the working fluid, said expander machine being operable with the working fluid in an at least initially wet state, a condenser for condensing the exhaust from the expander machine and means for returning the condensate to the inlet of the pump means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for converting thermal energy into electrical power comprising pump means for adiabatically pressurizing a cold, saturated, organic working fluid and delivering the compressed working fluid to a heat-exchanger, the hot pass of which receives a flow of geothermally or otherwise heated liquid, vapour or gas, a flashing chamber connected to said heat exchanger, wherein the heated working fluid is flashed to a degree such that a minor proportion of the overall expansion ratio is expanded therein, means for connecting said flashing chamber to an expander machine in which the flashing is substantially completed by adiabatic expansion of the working fluid, said expander machine being operable with the working fluid in an at least initially wet state, a condenser for condensing the exhaust from the expander machine and means for returning the condensate to the inlet of the pump means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-12-09 | 1989-06-10 | 1989-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-06-10 | 1993-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-09 | 1997-06-10 | 1997-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |