Cogeneration systems and methods for generating heating and electricity
AssigneeImby Energy, Inc.
InventorSteve Walker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods utilize a cogeneration system for providing heating, cooling, and/or electricity to an enclosure. The system includes a heat engine for heating and supplying electricity to the enclosure. Coupled to the heat engine is a first conduit configured to transfer fluid from the heat engine to the enclosure to transfer thermal energy from the fluid to the enclosure. The system further includes a heat pump configured to supply at least heating and cooling to the enclosure. Coupled to the heat pump is at least a second conduit. The second conduit is configured to move fluid from the heat pump to the enclosure to transfer thermal energy from the fluid to the enclosure.
Claims20
A cogeneration system for providing heating and electricity to an enclosure, the cogeneration system comprising:
- a heat engine configured to produce electricity for the enclosure and heating for the enclosure via a first heat transfer fluid;
- a heat pump configured to produce heating for the enclosure via only the first heat transfer fluid;
- a heat reservoir constructed and arranged to transfer thermal energy from an area outside of the enclosure to the heat pump;
- a thermal storage system associated with the enclosure and including a thermal storage system heat exchanger;
- a first conduit coupled to the heat engine, wherein the first conduit is filled with the first heat transfer fluid, and the first conduit is constructed and arranged to transfer the first heat transfer fluid from the heat engine to the thermal storage system heat exchanger such that thermal energy is transferred from the first heat transfer fluid to the thermal storage system;
- and
- a second conduit coupled to the heat pump, wherein the second conduit is filled with the first heat transfer fluid, and the second conduit is constructed and arranged to transfer the first heat transfer fluid from the heat pump to the thermal storage system heat exchanger such that thermal energy is transferred from the first heat transfer fluid to the thermal storage system;
- and
- wherein the first conduit and the second conduit are fluidly coupled to the thermal storage system heat exchanger such that the first heat transfer fluid from the first conduit and the second conduit is transferred to the thermal storage system heat exchanger to store thermal energy within the thermal storage system.
A cogeneration system for providing heating, cooling, and electricity to an enclosure, the cogeneration system comprising:
- a heat engine configured for supplying electricity to the enclosure and heating the enclosure via a first heat transfer fluid;
- a heat pump configured for heating the enclosure via only the first heat transfer fluid and cooling of the enclosure;
- a first conduit coupled to the heat engine, wherein the first conduit is filled with the first heat transfer fluid, and the first conduit is constructed and arranged to transfer the first heat transfer fluid from the heat engine to the enclosure such that thermal energy is transferred from the first heat transfer fluid to the enclosure to provide heating to the enclosure;
- a second conduit coupled to the heat pump, wherein the second conduit is filled with the first heat transfer fluid, and the second conduit is constructed and arranged to transfer the first heat transfer fluid from the heat pump to the enclosure such that thermal energy is transferred from the first heat transfer fluid to the enclosure to provide heating to the enclosure;
- and
- a third conduit coupled to said heat pump, wherein said third conduit is filled with a second heat transfer fluid, and the third conduit is constructed and arranged to transfer the second heat transfer fluid from the heat pump to the enclosure such that thermal energy is absorbed by the second heat transfer fluid from the enclosure to provide cooling to the enclosure;
- and
- wherein the heat engine is configured to supply electricity to operate the heat pump.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.