US 4,503,682 AGranted

Low temperature engine system

AssigneeSynthetic Sink

InventorJoel H. Rosenblatt

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Abstract

An improved engine system is provided which includes a synthetic low temperature sink that is developed in conjunction with an absorbtion-refrigeration subsystem having inputs from an external low-grade heat energy supply and from an external source of cooling fluid. A low temperature engine is included which has a high temperature end that is in heat exchange communication with the external heat energy source and a low temperature end in heat exchange communication with the synthetic sink provided by the absorbtion-refrigeration subsystem. By this invention, it is possible to vary the sink temperature as desired, including temperatures that are lower than ambient temperatures such as that of the external cooling source. This feature enables the use of an external heat input source that is of a very low grade because an advantageously low heat sink temperature can be selected.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An improved low temperature engine system, comprising:

means for supplying a flow of heat energy input to the low temperature engine system;
an absorbtion-refrigeration subsystem having a circulating absorbent-refrigerant liquor for receiving and for synthesizing and imparting to a condenser a continuous-flow low temperature heat sink at a selected temperature;
a low temperature heat engine having a power turbine and a circulating thermodynamic medium in heat exchange communication with said heat energy input means and in heat exchange communication at said condenser with said absorbtion-refrigeration subsystem, said low temperature heat engine operating across a thermal gradient having a high temperature end of flowing thermodynamic medium that is in heat exchange communication with said heat energy input means, said low temperature heat engine has a low temperature end through which the thermodynamic medium flows before heat exchange communication thereof with said synthesized continuous-flow low temperature heat sink of the absorbtion-refrigeration subsystem, and said thermodynamic medium has a vaporization temperature lower than that of steam at the same pressure and a melting point temperature lower than that of water;
an external cooling source for providing a cooling fluid in heat exchange communication with said absorbent-refrigerant liquor;
and
said heat exchange communication at said condenser between the circulating thermodynamic medium and the absorbtion-refrigeration subsystem is carried out without the need for providing said cooling fluid to said condenser.

3 more elements

A method for providing an improved low-temperature engine system, comprising:

supplying a flow of heat energy input to a low-temperature engine system from a heat energy source;
directing a flow of coolant fluid from an external cooling source;
synthesizing a continuous-flow low temperature heat sink at a selected temperature by effecting heat exchange communication between a flow of an absorbent-refrigerant liquor and the flow of heat energy from the heat energy source and by effecting heat exchange communication between the absorbent-refrigerant liquor and the flow of coolant fluid from the external cooling source, said synthesizing step including providing an absorbtion-refrigeration subsystem;
providing a heat engine having a power turbine and a flow of thermodynamic medium operating across a thermal gradient having a high temperature end in heat exchange communication with the flow of heat energy input and having a low temperature end in heat exchange communication across a condenser with the continuous-flow low temperature heat sink, said thermodynamic medium having a vaporization temperature lower than that of steam at the same pressure and a melting point temperature lower than that of water;
and
carrying out said heat exchange communication across said condenser between the flow of thermodynamic medium and the continuous-flow low temperature heat sink without the need for providing said flow of coolant fluid to said condenser.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/473,123Filed 7 Mar 1983 · continuation in part
Priority: 21 Jul 1982
Granted: 12 Mar 1985
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

F01K 25/065
Using mixtures of different fluids: with an absorption fluid remaining at least partly in the liquid state, e.g. water for ammonia
F01K 23/04
The engine cycles being thermally coupled: condensation heat from one cycle heating the fluid in another cycle
F25B 29/006
Combined heating and refrigeration systems, e.g. operating alternately or simultaneously: of the sorption type system
F01K
Steam engine plants