![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
( 13 of 13 ) |
United States Patent | 5,634,339 |
Lewis , et al. | June 3, 1997 |
The present invention includes a open-Brayton-cycle automotive power-generation unit adapted to be energized by stored thermal energy. Thermal energy, absorbed from hot thermal-energy-storage material present in a working fluid heating vessel, heats a working fluid that passes through the unit's turbine. The unit also includes a rotary impeller that draws the flow of working-fluid into the unit from the surrounding atmosphere and discharges it into a working-fluid heat regenerator. Within the regenerator, working fluid from the compressor is warmed by thermal energy from hot working-fluid exhausted from the turbine. After passing through the regenerator, working-fluid from the turbine is discharged into the atmosphere. Working-fluid from the compressor flows from the regenerator through the heating vessel into the turbine. An alternator converts energy from the turbine into electricity. The electric energy thus obtained powers a vehicle's electric drive motors. Sealed ceramic tubes, filled with a material having a melting temperature within the operating temperature range of the thermal-energy-storage material, provide thermal energy storage. Regeneration of stored thermal energy may be achieved in various ways including both a combustible-fuel burner and an electrical heater, that are both located within the heating vessel, and by an automated regeneration station.
Inventors: | Lewis; Ralph H. (Clayton, CA), Wilson; David G. (Winchester, MA) |
Assignee: |
Lewis; Ralph H.
(Clayton,
CA)
|
Appl. No.: | 08/497,622 |
Filed: | June 30, 1995 |
Current U.S. Class: | 60/650 ; 60/659; 60/682 |
Current International Class: | F02C 1/00 (20060101); F02C 6/18 (20060101); F02C 7/08 (20060101); F02C 6/14 (20060101); F02C 6/20 (20060101); F02C 6/00 (20060101); F28F 21/04 (20060101); F28F 21/00 (20060101); F28D 17/02 (20060101); F28D 20/02 (20060101); F28D 17/00 (20060101); F02C 1/04 (20060101); F02C 001/04 () |
Field of Search: | 60/650,659,682 165/10,104.17 |
3894605 | July 1975 | Salvadorini |
4089176 | May 1978 | Ashe |
4215553 | August 1980 | Poirier et al. |
4258677 | March 1981 | Sanders |
4259836 | April 1981 | Finckh |
4262484 | April 1981 | Jubb et al. |
4463799 | August 1984 | Takahashi et al. |
4768345 | September 1988 | Kardas |
5207268 | May 1993 | Krause et al. |
5259444 | November 1993 | Wilson |
5385214 | January 1995 | Spurgeon |
5419135 | May 1995 | Wiggs |
Percival and Tsou; "Power from Thermal Energy Storage Systems;" Oct. 29-Nov. 1 '62 pp. 2-33+Figures 1-16; from the Combined National Fuels and Lubricants, Powerplant and Transportation Meetings; Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc. . Garrett Fluid Systems Division, Allied-Signal Aerospace Company, "Space Power for the New Frontier;" Date Unknown, pp. 19-23, 30-34, 36-37 and 41-42. . Meijer, "Prospects of the Stirling Engine for Vehicular Propulsion;" copyright 1970; pp.169-185; from the Phillips Technical Review, vol. 31, No. 5/6. . Kettler; "The Thermal Vehicle--A Pollution Free Concept," Aug. 18-22, 1975 from the Record of the Tenth Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference. . DeVries, Karig & Drage; "Eutectic Molten Salt Thermal Storage System;" Oct. 1969 pp. 191-195 of J. Hydronautics, vol. 3, No. 4. . Wood, Applications of Thermodynamics, 2d., (c)1982 Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Reading, Massachusetts, pp. 62-64.. |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() |