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US 12,687,150 B1Granted
Energy recovery device for exhaust systems
OwnerDanielle Caroninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An energy recovery device for exhaust systems is provided, comprising an attachable portion for connecting to natural gas appliance exhaust, a magnetized turbine optimized for hot gas ascent, a generator, an integrated carbon capture system, a power module for HVAC blower fans, and a battery storage system. This unique combination allows for easy integration with existing appliances, efficient power generation, emissions reduction, resilient HVAC operation, and practical power management. The device can be retrofitted to existing exhaust systems or integrated into new appliances. By recovering both kinetic and thermal energy from exhaust gases while reducing emissions, the invention significantly improves overall energy efficiency and environmental impact compared to prior art solutions.
Claims12
An energy recovery device for exhaust systems of an existing building, comprising:
- an attachable portion configured to connect to an exhaust of a natural gas-powered HVAC system;
- a vertical wind turbine comprising magnetized turbine blades arranged in a multipolar configuration to enable direct-drive power generation, wherein said magnetized blades are made of conductive material suitable for electricity generation, said blades arranged to capture kinetic energy from ascending hot exhaust gases while functioning as part of a generator system that eliminates the need for mechanical gearboxes and provide efficient electrical output at low rotational speeds characteristic of variable thermal exhaust flow conditions;
- a thermocouple mounted positioned within the exhaust duct on a non-rotating structural support comprising a generator housing and in thermal contact with ascending hot exhaust gases, said thermocouple configured for converting heat within the exhaust duct into electrical energy, thereby enabling thermal energy capture independently of the turbine's kinetic energy capture, wherein the turbine blades are made of conductive, metal material and are free to rotate while collecting both thermal and kinetic energy;
- a carbon capture material disposed within the exhaust flow path and arranged surrounding the generator housing, wherein said carbon capture material comprises a porous structure selected from porous carbons, metal-organic frameworks, or porous organic polymers, said porous structure configured to capture emissions from said ascending hot exhaust gases, said carbon capture material being removable and replaceable;
- a generator within a housing mechanically connected to said vertical wind turbine, wherein the housing is positioned above the thermocouple and provides environmental protection to the thermocouple;
- a power module electrically coupled to an existing HVAC supply blower fan of said existing HVAC system, said power module being configured to supply power to the HVAC system's blower fan during power outages;
- a battery storage system electrically coupled to the generator and a power management system configured to store excess generated power;
- and
- a power management system electrically coupled to an electrical grid and configured to communicate with the electrical grid;
- wherein said energy recovery device is configured to be retrofitted to said existing HVAC system to form a split combined heat and power (CHP) system without replacement of said existing HVAC system.
7 more elements
A method of retrofitting an existing building with an energy recovery system, comprising:
- performing an initial building assessment comprising:
- identifying combustion-producing equipment with exhaust ducts comprising at least of a furnace, boiler, water heater, or space heater that utilize natural gas or propane;
- and
- determining device sizing by matching a physical size of the energy recovery device to a size of the exhaust;
- installing an energy recovery device in an exhaust duct of an existing natural gas-powered HVAC system, said energy recovery device comprising:
- a vertical wind turbine arranged to capture kinetic energy from ascending hot exhaust gases;
- a thermoelectric mechanism positioned within the exhaust duct and configured to convert heat from said ascending hot exhaust gases into electrical energy independently of said vertical wind turbine;
- a carbon capture material disposed within the exhaust flow path, said carbon capture material comprising a porous structure selected from porous carbons, metal-organic frameworks, or porous organic polymers, said carbon material being removable and replaceable;
- a generator coupled to said vertical wind turbine;
- and
- a power module connecting to an existing HVAC supply blower fan;
- installing a battery storage system electrically coupled to the generator for storing excess generated power;
- and
- configuring a power management system electrically coupled to an electrical grid to optimize energy storage and communicate with an electrical grid;
- wherein said energy recovery device forms a split combined heat and power (CHP) system with the existing natural gas-powered HVAC system.
12 more elements
A split combined heat and power (CHP) system for existing buildings, comprising:
- an existing natural gas-powered HVAC system having heat-producing components and an exhaust duct;
- and
- a retrofitted power generation comprising:
- a vertical wind turbine mounted in said exhaust duct, said turbine having blades made of conductive metal material and attached to a central shaft, said turbine having magnetic elements arranged in a mulitpolar configuration to capture kinetic energy from ascending hot exhaust gases;
- a thermocouple positioned within the exhaust duct on a non-rotating structural support and configured to convert heat from said ascending hot exhaust gases into electrical energy;
- a carbon capture material disposed within the exhaust flow path, said carbon capture material comprising a porous structure selected from porous carbons, metal-organic frameworks, or porous organic polymers, said carbon capture material being removable and replaceable;
- a generator coupled to said vertical wind turbine;
- a power module electrically connected to an existing HVAC supply blower fan;
- a battery storage system electrically coupled to the generator;
- and
- a power management system electrically coupled to an electrical grid and configured to optimize energy storage and communicate with the electrical grid;
- wherein said power generation module is configured to be installed separately from said existing HVAC system to form an integrated split CHP system.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.