Patent US6539720B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6539720B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Generated system bottoming cycle
Assignee: Capstone Green Energy Corp
•
Filing: 2001-11-06
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Granted: 2003-04-01
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Expires: 2021-11-06
Abstract
Abstract A closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle including a heat exchanger coupled to an exhaust port of a first turbogenerator for heating a pressurized refrigerant into a gaseous phase, and a second turbogenerator (e.g., a turbo expander) coupled to the heat exchanger for expanding the gaseous phase so as to create power. Also included is a cooling mechanism coupled to an exhaust of the second turbogenerator for cooling the gaseous phase exhausted by the second turbogenerator into a liquid phase, and a pumping mechanism for pressurizing the liquid phase into the pressurized refrigerant heated by the heat exchanger. A computer program product and method for operating and synchronizing the generator included in the closed loop, so as to optimize the overall system efficiency is also included.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory C. Rouse
- 👤 Bill Treece
- 👤 Jeff Willis
- 👤 David Calta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:01
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K23/00; F01K23/02; F01K23/06; F01K23/10; F01K25/00; F01K25/08; F02; F02C; F02C6/00; F02C6/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle, comprising: a heat exchanger coupled to an exhaust port of a first turbogenerator, and configured to heat a pressurized refrigerant into a gaseous phase, wherein the first turbogenerator is a variable speed Brayton cycle turbogenerator; a second turbogenerator coupled to the heat exchanger, and configured to expand the gaseous phase so as to create power, wherein the second turbogenerator is a variable speed Rankine cycle turbogenerator; a cooling mechanism coupled to an exhaust of the second turbogenerator, and configured to cool the gaseous phase exhausted by the second turbogenerator into a liquid phase; and a pumping mechanism configured to pressurize the liquid phase into the pressurized refrigerant heated by the heat exchanger, wherein the pumping mechanism receives the liquid phase solely from the cooling mechanism and supplies the liquid phase to the heat exchanger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle, comprising: a heat exchanger coupled to an exhaust port of a first turbogenerator, and configured to heat a pressurized refrigerant into a gaseous phase, wherein the first turbogenerator is a variable speed Brayton cycle turbogenerator; a second turbogenerator coupled to the heat exchanger, and configured to expand the gaseous phase so as to create power, wherein the second turbogenerator is a variable speed Rankine cycle turbogenerator; a cooling mechanism coupled to an exhaust of the second turbogenerator, and configured to cool the gaseous phase exhausted by the second turbogenerator into a liquid phase; and a pumping mechanism configured to pressurize the liquid phase into the pressurized refrigerant heated by the heat exchanger, wherein the pumping mechanism receives the liquid phase solely from the cooling mechanism and supplies the liquid phase to the heat exchanger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle according to claim 1 , further comprising: a heat sink coupled to the heat exchanger and configured to discharge excess heat output from the heat exchanger.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle according to claim 1 , wherein the first turbogenerator is a MICRO-TURBINE generator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle according to claim 1 , wherein the second turbogenerator is a turbo expander comprising one of a radial turbine, an axial turbine, and a Pelton wheel turbine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle according to claim 4 , wherein a rotating speed of a turbo expander shaft included in the turbo expander is configured to vary so as to optimize a performance of the turbo expander.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle according to claim 4 , wherein the turbo expander directly drives a permanent magnet generator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle according to claim 4 , wherein the permanent magnet generator is integral with a turbine rotor shaft included in the turbo expander.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle according to claim 4 , wherein the permanent magnet generator is coupled with a turbine rotor shaft included in the turbo expander via a coupling mechanism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle according to claim 8 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a CAPSTONE double diaphragm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle according to claim 4 , wherein the turbo expander is hermetically sealed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle according to claim 4 , wherein the pumping mechanism is mechanically driven by the turbo expander.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle according to claim 1 , wherein the pumping mechanism is electrically driven by an external electric power source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle according to claim 1 , wherein the pumping mechanism comprises a CAPSTONE foil bearing compressor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle according to claim 1 , wherein the first turbogenerator comprises a non-utility turbogenerator and the power created by the second turbogenerator feeds other devices collocated with the non-utility turbogenerator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
The closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle according to claim 1 , further comprising: a condenser control valve disposed between the cooling mechanism and an inlet of the pumping mechanism; and a control mechanism configured to vary a condensing pressure in the cooling mechanism so as to also vary a dew point.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle according to claim 15 , wherein the control mechanism varies the condenser control valve, a speed of the pumping mechanism, and a speed of the second turbogenerator for optimal cycle efficiency.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle according to claim 16 , wherein the control mechanism comprises a computer program product.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of operating a closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle, comprising: heating a pressurizing refrigerant into a gaseous phase via a heat exchanger coupled to an exhaust port of a first turbogenerator, wherein the first turbogenerator is a variable speed Brayton cycle turbogenerator; expanding the gaseous phase so as to create power via a second turbogenerator coupled to the heat exchanger; cooling the gaseous phase exhausted by the second turbogenerator into a liquid phase via a cooling mechanism coupled to an exhaust of the second turbogenerator, wherein the second turbogenerator is a variable speed Rankine cycle turbogenerator; and pressurizing the liquid phase into the pressurized refrigerant heated by the heat exchanger via a pumping mechanism, wherein the pumping mechanism receives the liquid phase solely from the cooling mechanism and supplies the liquid phase to the heat exchanger.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of operating a closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle, comprising: heating a pressurizing refrigerant into a gaseous phase via a heat exchanger coupled to an exhaust port of a first turbogenerator, wherein the first turbogenerator is a variable speed Brayton cycle turbogenerator; expanding the gaseous phase so as to create power via a second turbogenerator coupled to the heat exchanger; cooling the gaseous phase exhausted by the second turbogenerator into a liquid phase via a cooling mechanism coupled to an exhaust of the second turbogenerator, wherein the second turbogenerator is a variable speed Rankine cycle turbogenerator; and pressurizing the liquid phase into the pressurized refrigerant heated by the heat exchanger via a pumping mechanism, wherein the pumping mechanism receives the liquid phase solely from the cooling mechanism and supplies the liquid phase to the heat exchanger.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 18 , further comprising: discharging excess heat output from the heat exchanger via a heat sink coupled to the heat exchanger.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein the first turbogenerator is a MICRO-TURBINE generator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein the second turbogenerator is a turbo expander comprising one of a radial turbine, an axial turbine, and a Pelton wheel turbine.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 21 , further comprising: varying a rotating speed of a turbo expander shaft included in the turbo expander so as to optimize a performance of the turbo expander.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 21 , wherein the turbo expander directly drives a permanent magnet generator.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 21 , wherein the permanent magnet generator is integral with a turbine rotor shaft included in the turbo expander.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 21 , wherein the permanent magnet generator is coupled with a turbine rotor shaft included in the turbo expander via a coupling mechanism.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 25 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a CAPSTONE double diaphragm.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 21 , wherein the turbo expander is hermetically sealed.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 21 , wherein the pumping mechanism is mechanically driven by the turbo expander.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein the pumping mechanism is electrically driven by an external electric power source.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein the pumping mechanism comprises a CAPSTONE foil bearing compressor.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 18 , wherein the first turbogenerator comprises a non-utility turbogenerator and the power created by the second turbogenerator feeds other devices collocated with the non-utility turbogenerator.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method according to claim 18 , further comprising: disposing a condenser control valve between the cooling mechanism and an inlet of the pumping mechanism; and varying the condenser valve, via a control mechanism, so as to vary a condensing pressure in the cooling mechanism and also vary a dew point.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 32 , wherein the control mechanism varies the condenser control valve, a speed of the pumping mechanism, and a speed of the second turbogenerator for optimal cycle efficiency.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 33 , wherein the control mechanism comprises a computer program product.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
135 words
A system of operating a closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle, comprising: means for heating a pressurized refrigerant into a gaseous phase and being coupled to an exhaust port of a first turbogenerator, wherein the first turbogenerator is a variable speed Brayton cycle turbogenerator; means for expanding the gaseous phase so as to create power and being coupled to the heat exchanger; means for cooling the gaseous phase exhausted by a second turbogenerator into a liquid phase and being coupled to an exhaust of the second turbogenerator, wherein the second turbogenerator is a variable speed Rankine cycle turbogenerator; and means for pressurizing the liquid phase into the pressurized refrigerant heated by the heating means, wherein the pressurizing means receives the liquid phase solely from the cooling means and supplies the liquid phase to the heating means.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
135 words
A system of operating a closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle, comprising: means for heating a pressurized refrigerant into a gaseous phase and being coupled to an exhaust port of a first turbogenerator, wherein the first turbogenerator is a variable speed Brayton cycle turbogenerator; means for expanding the gaseous phase so as to create power and being coupled to the heat exchanger; means for cooling the gaseous phase exhausted by a second turbogenerator into a liquid phase and being coupled to an exhaust of the second turbogenerator, wherein the second turbogenerator is a variable speed Rankine cycle turbogenerator; and means for pressurizing the liquid phase into the pressurized refrigerant heated by the heating means, wherein the pressurizing means receives the liquid phase solely from the cooling means and supplies the liquid phase to the heating means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 35 , further comprising: means for discharging excess heat output from the heating means and being coupled to the heating means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 35 , wherein the first turbogenerator is a MICRO-TURBINE generator.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 35 , wherein the second turbogenerator is a turbo expander comprising one of a radial turbine, an axial turbine, and a Pelton wheel turbine.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 38 , further comprising: means for varying a rotating speed of a turbo expander shaft included in the turbo expander so as to optimize a performance of the turbo expander.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 38 , wherein the turbo expander directly drives a permanent magnet generator.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 38 , wherein the permanent magnet generator is integral with a turbine rotor shaft included in the turbo expander.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 38 , wherein the permanent magnet generator is coupled with a turbine rotor shaft included in the turbo expander via a coupling means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 42 , wherein the coupling means comprises a CAPSTONE double diaphragm.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 38 , wherein the turbo expander is hermetically sealed.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 38 , wherein the pumping means is mechanically driven by the turbo expander.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 35 , wherein the pumping means is electrically driven by an external electric power source.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 35 , wherein the pumping means comprises a CAPSTONE foil bearing compressor.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 35 , wherein the first turbogenerator comprises a non-utility turbogenerator and the power created by the second turbogenerator feeds other devices collocated with the non-utility turbogenerator.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 35 , further comprising: means for varying a condensing pressure in the cooling means so as to also vary a dew point.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system according to claim 49 , wherein the varying means varies a condenser control valve disposed between the cooling means and pumping means, a speed of the pumping means, and a speed of the second turbogenerator for optimal cycle efficiency.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 49 , wherein the varying means comprises a computer program product.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-03-31 | 2006-09-30 | 2007-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-31 | 2010-09-30 | 2011-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-31 | 2014-09-30 | 2015-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |