US6234400B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Small scale cogeneration system for producing heat and electrical power
Assignee: Yankee Scientific Inc
•
Filing: 2000-01-27
•
Granted: 2001-05-22
•
Expires: 2020-01-27
Abstract
Abstract A small-scale, space-heating and electrical power co-generation system includes a heater and a pump for supplying high-pressure water to the heater. Within the heater, the high-pressure water is heated to at or near its saturation or boiling point so as to produce both vapor (e.g., steam) and liquid (e.g., water) fractions. This high pressure, two-phase mixture is then provided to an expander which expands the two-phase mixture to a lower pressure and, in the process, produces mechanical energy. The expander is coupled to an electrical generator so that the extracted mechanical energy can be used to drive the generator and thus produce electrical power. The fluid exiting the expander is then provided to a condenser. A space heating fluid (e.g., air or a separate water supply) is brought into proximity with the condenser so that it may be heated. This space heating fluid is then be distributed throughout the corresponding home or building for space heating purposes. Condensate exiting the condenser is returned to the pump, which is also powered by the generator, thereby completing the cycle of the working fluid. The electrical power generated by the system is not only sufficient to power the system itself, but excess electrical power is available for use within the corresponding home or building.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric C. Guyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:09
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K21/00; F01K21/005; F01K17/00; F01K17/02; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E20/00; Y02E20/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A small-scale cogeneration system for providing heat and electrical power, the cogeneration system comprising: a pump for providing a supply of high-pressure working fluid; a heat exchanger coupled to the pump for receiving the high-pressure working fluid; a burner extending at least partially within the heat exchanger so as to heat the high pressure working fluid received therein to produce a two-phase working fluid; an expander coupled to the heat exchanger for receiving the two-phase working fluid, the expander configured to extract mechanical energy from the two-phase working fluid by expanding the two-phase working fluid; a generator operatively coupled to the expander, the generator being powered by the mechanical energy extracted from the two-phase working fluid; a condenser connected to the expander for receiving the expanded two-phase working fluid; and means for circulating a space heating fluid in proximity to the condenser so that the space heating fluid is heated as the two-phase working fluid condenses.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A small-scale cogeneration system for providing heat and electrical power, the cogeneration system comprising: a pump for providing a supply of high-pressure working fluid; a heat exchanger coupled to the pump for receiving the high-pressure working fluid; a burner extending at least partially within the heat exchanger so as to heat the high pressure working fluid received therein to produce a two-phase working fluid; an expander coupled to the heat exchanger for receiving the two-phase working fluid, the expander configured to extract mechanical energy from the two-phase working fluid by expanding the two-phase working fluid; a generator operatively coupled to the expander, the generator being powered by the mechanical energy extracted from the two-phase working fluid; a condenser connected to the expander for receiving the expanded two-phase working fluid; and means for circulating a space heating fluid in proximity to the condenser so that the space heating fluid is heated as the two-phase working fluid condenses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 1 further comprising a controller for governing the operation of the system, the controller coupled to the generator for receiving and monitoring electrical power output from the generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
212 words
A small-scale cogeneration system for providing heat and electrical power, the cogeneration system comprising: a pump for providing a supply of high-pressure working fluid; a heat exchanger coupled to the pump for receiving the high-pressure working fluid; a heating component for heating the high-pressure working fluid within the heat exchanger to produce a two-phase working fluid; an expander coupled to the heat exchanger for receiving the two-phase working fluid, the expander configured to extract mechanical energy from the two-phase working fluid by expanding the two-phase working fluid; a generator operatively coupled to the expander, the generator being powered by the mechanical energy extracted from the two-phase working fluid; a condenser connected to the expander for receiving the expanded two-phase working fluid; means for circulating a space heating fluid in proximity to the condenser so that the space heating fluid is heated as the two-phase working fluid condenses; and a controller for governing the operation of the system, the controller coupled to the generator for receiving and monitoring electrical power output from the generator, wherein the pump is a positive-displacement pump having a speed; the controller is coupled to the pump to govern the pump's speed; and the controller is configured to decrease the pump's speed in order to increase electrical power output.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
212 words
A small-scale cogeneration system for providing heat and electrical power, the cogeneration system comprising: a pump for providing a supply of high-pressure working fluid; a heat exchanger coupled to the pump for receiving the high-pressure working fluid; a heating component for heating the high-pressure working fluid within the heat exchanger to produce a two-phase working fluid; an expander coupled to the heat exchanger for receiving the two-phase working fluid, the expander configured to extract mechanical energy from the two-phase working fluid by expanding the two-phase working fluid; a generator operatively coupled to the expander, the generator being powered by the mechanical energy extracted from the two-phase working fluid; a condenser connected to the expander for receiving the expanded two-phase working fluid; means for circulating a space heating fluid in proximity to the condenser so that the space heating fluid is heated as the two-phase working fluid condenses; and a controller for governing the operation of the system, the controller coupled to the generator for receiving and monitoring electrical power output from the generator, wherein the pump is a positive-displacement pump having a speed; the controller is coupled to the pump to govern the pump's speed; and the controller is configured to decrease the pump's speed in order to increase electrical power output.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 3 wherein the controller is further configured to increase the pump speed in order to decrease electrical power output.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 4 wherein the working fluid is water having a vapor fraction in the range of 0-90 percent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 4 wherein the working fluid has a vapor fraction in the range of 20-80 percent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 4 wherein the working fluid has a vapor fraction in the range of 50-70 percent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 1 wherein the heater comprises a finned tube for receiving the high-pressure working fluid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
202 words
A small-scale cogeneration system for providing heat and electrical power, the cogeneration system comprising: a pump for providing a supply of high-pressure working fluid; a heat exchanger coupled to the pump for receiving the high-pressure working fluid; a heating component for heating the high-pressure working fluid within the heat exchanger to produce a two-phase working fluid; an expander coupled to the heat exchanger for receiving the two-phase working fluid, the expander configured to extract mechanical energy from the two-phase working fluid by expanding the two-phase working fluid; a generator operatively coupled to the expander, the generator being powered by the mechanical energy extracted from the two-phase working fluid; a condenser connected to the expander for receiving the expanded two-phase working fluid; means for circulating a space heating fluid in proximity to the condenser so that the space heating fluid is heated as the two-phase working fluid condenses; and a controller for governing the operation of the system, the controller coupled to the generator for receiving and monitoring electrical power output from the generator, wherein the expander is a scroll expander comprising at least one stationary scroll and at least one orbital scroll, the orbital scroll configured to orbit about the stationary scroll.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
202 words
A small-scale cogeneration system for providing heat and electrical power, the cogeneration system comprising: a pump for providing a supply of high-pressure working fluid; a heat exchanger coupled to the pump for receiving the high-pressure working fluid; a heating component for heating the high-pressure working fluid within the heat exchanger to produce a two-phase working fluid; an expander coupled to the heat exchanger for receiving the two-phase working fluid, the expander configured to extract mechanical energy from the two-phase working fluid by expanding the two-phase working fluid; a generator operatively coupled to the expander, the generator being powered by the mechanical energy extracted from the two-phase working fluid; a condenser connected to the expander for receiving the expanded two-phase working fluid; means for circulating a space heating fluid in proximity to the condenser so that the space heating fluid is heated as the two-phase working fluid condenses; and a controller for governing the operation of the system, the controller coupled to the generator for receiving and monitoring electrical power output from the generator, wherein the expander is a scroll expander comprising at least one stationary scroll and at least one orbital scroll, the orbital scroll configured to orbit about the stationary scroll.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 9 wherein the scroll expander further comprises an output shaft that is coupled to the generator and is driven by the orbital scroll.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 10 wherein the scroll expander further comprises an inlet for receiving the high pressure, liquid or two-phase working fluid and an outlet for discharging the expanded working fluid, and the stationary and orbiting scrolls define a plurality of chambers that are in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet and in which the two-phase working fluid is expanded.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 1 wherein the working fluid is water having a vapor fraction in the range of 0-90 percent as it enters the expander.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 12 wherein: pump is a positive-displacement pump having a speed, the pump operates, at least in part, on the electrical power produced by the generator, and the amount of electrical power produced by the generator is a function of the pump speed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 1 wherein the working fluid is water having a vapor fraction in the range of 0-80 percent as it enters the expander.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 1 wherein the working fluid is water having a vapor fraction in the range of 0-70 percent as it enters the expander.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 1 wherein the pump operates, at least in part, on the electrical power produced by the generator.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 1 wherein the pump provides the working fluid to the heat exchanger at a pressure in excess of 100 pounds per square inch.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 1 wherein the pump is a positive-displacement pump having a speed, and the amount of electrical power produced by the generator is a function of the speed of the pump.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 1 wherein the circulating means comprises an air blower configured and arranged to force room air past the condenser, the air blower operating, at least in part, on the electrical power produced by the generator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
51 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 1 wherein the circulating means comprises at least one secondary water pump configured and arranged to force a supply of secondary water past the condenser, the at least one secondary water pump operating, at least in part, on the electrical energy produced by the generator.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
61 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 1 wherein: the pump is a positive displacement pump having a speed, the burner has an adjustable firing rate, and by controlling the firing rate of the burner and the speed of the pump, the amount of electrical power produced by the generator is independent of the amount of heat energy produced by the system.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 21 wherein the burner is one of a two-stage burner and a fully modulating burner.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 2 wherein the controller is configured to selectively adjust the electrical and heat power output of the system independently of each other.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 3 wherein the pump provides the working fluid to the heat exchanger at a pressure in excess of 100 pounds per square inch.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The small-scale cogeneration system of claim 5 wherein the pump provides the working fluid to the heat exchanger at a pressure in excess of 100 pounds per square inch.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for cogenerating heat and electrical power from a single system for use in a corresponding space, the method comprising the steps of: producing a supply of high pressure working fluid; heating the supply of high pressure working fluid to produce a two-phase working fluid mixture; extracting mechanical energy from the heated, high pressure, two-phase working fluid mixture; transferring at least a portion of the latent heat in the working fluid to the corresponding space.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for cogenerating heat and electrical power from a single system for use in a corresponding space, the method comprising the steps of: producing a supply of high pressure working fluid; heating the supply of high pressure working fluid to produce a two-phase working fluid mixture; extracting mechanical energy from the heated, high pressure, two-phase working fluid mixture; transferring at least a portion of the latent heat in the working fluid to the corresponding space.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the step of extracting comprises the step of expanding the heated, high pressure, two-phase working fluid mixture to a lower pressure.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the step of transferring follows the step of extracting.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of generating electrical power from the extracted mechanical energy.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the heat and electrical power produced from the system are independent from each other.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the working fluid is water having a vapor fraction in the range of 0-90 percent as it enters the expander.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the working fluid is water having a vapor fraction in the range of 20-80 percent as it enters the expander.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the working fluid is water having a vapor fraction in the range of 50-70 percent as it enters the expander.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the working fluid is water having a vapor fraction in the range of 0-80 percent as it enters the expander.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the working fluid is water having a vapor fraction in the range of 0-70 percent as it enters the expander.
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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) | 2004-05-21 | 2004-11-20 | 2005-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-21 | 2008-11-20 | 2009-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-21 | 2012-11-20 | 2013-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |