Heat removal systems and methods for thermodynamic engines
AssigneePulsar Energy, Inc.
InventorCristian PENCIU
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for removing heat from closed-cycle thermodynamic engines that generate electrical energy through a reciprocating piston operated by thermal expansion. The present invention includes a heat exchange mechanism for a closed-cycle thermodynamic engine that exchanges hot working fluid and cold fluid at different points in a heat cycle thereby increasing efficiency of the closed-cycle thermodynamic engine. The heat exchange mechanism allows the engine to remove heat faster from the working fluid and therefore lowers the low temperature of the thermodynamic cycle resulting in better efficiency. The heat exchange mechanism also allows the engine to operate at a faster cycle frequency.
Claims19
A closed-cycle thermodynamic engine, comprising:
- a housing;
- a first heat chamber and a second heat chamber at opposite ends of the housing, wherein each of the first heat chamber and the second heat chamber comprise a window for receiving solar energy;
- a piston slidingly disposed within the housing between the first heat chamber and the second heat chamber;
- and
- a heat removal mechanism to remove hot working fluid in each of the first heat chamber and the second heat chamber and provide cool fluid to each of the first heat chamber and the second heat chamber as the piston reciprocates.
A piston disposed within a closed-cycle thermodynamic engine, comprising:
- a piston body configured to slide within a closed housing between a first chamber and a second chamber;
- a first chamber opening in the piston body open to the first chamber;
- a first side opening in the piston body connected to the first chamber opening;
- a second chamber opening in the piston body open to the second chamber;
- and
- a second side opening in the piston body connected to the second chamber opening.
A heat exchange method for a closed-cycle thermodynamic engine, comprising:
- removing working fluid from a first chamber for a first period of time during a first half of a heat cycle;
- adding cool fluid to the first chamber for a second period of time after the first period of time;
- removing working fluid from a second chamber for a third period of time during a second half of the heat cycle;
- and
- adding cool fluid to the second chamber for a fourth period of time after the third period of time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.