Gas turbine energy storage and conversion system
AssigneeIcr Turbine Engine Corporation
InventorsDavid William Dewis, James Kesseli, Frank Wegner Donnelly, Thomas Wolf, Timothy Upton, John D. Watson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention combines the principles of a gas turbine engine with an electric transmission system. A method and apparatus are disclosed for utilizing metallic and ceramic elements to store heat energy derived from a regenerative braking system. The subject invention uses this regenerated electrical energy to provide additional energy storage over conventional electrical storage methods suitable for a gas turbine engine. The subject invention provides engine braking for a gas turbine engine as well as reducing fuel consumption.
Claims15
A method, comprising:
- receiving electrical energy from a regenerative braking system;
- converting at least a portion of the received electrical energy into thermal energy;
- transferring, directly and/or indirectly, the thermal energy to a pressurized working fluid to form a heated pressurized working fluid;
- introducing the heated pressurized working fluid into at least one turbine to propel a vehicle;
- and
- wherein the converting step is performed within a pressure boundary of a gas turbine engine.
A method, comprising:
- receiving electrical energy from a regenerative braking system;
- converting at least a portion of the received electrical energy into thermal energy;
- transferring, directly and/or indirectly, the thermal energy to a pressurized working fluid to form a heated pressurized working fluid, wherein said transferring is performed between a cold side of a recuperator and a combustor;
- and
- introducing the heated pressurized working fluid into at least one turbine to propel a vehicle.
A method, comprising:
- receiving electrical energy from a regenerative braking system;
- converting at least a portion of the received electrical energy into thermal energy;
- transferring, directly and/or indirectly, the thermal energy to a pressurized working fluid to form a heated pressurized working fluid;
- introducing the heated pressurized working fluid into at least one turbine to propel a vehicle;
- wherein the regenerative braking system comprises a mechanical-to-electrical conversion device, which is at least one of a synchronous or asynchronous alternator, a generator, a permanent magnet machine, a direct current (“DC”) generator, a switched reluctance machine, and a traction motor, and a DC bus and further comprising:
- when the vehicle brakes, engaging the mechanical-to-electrical conversion device to generate the electrical energy, and
- storing the thermal energy in a heat storage element in thermal communication with the pressurized working fluid;
- and
- wherein the heat storage element has the following characteristics:
- a density of at least about 1,800 kg/m3,
- a heat capacity of at least about 400 J/kg-K, and
- a melting temperature in excess of a maximum temperature in the combustor.
A method, comprising:
- receiving electrical energy from a regenerative braking system;
- converting at least a portion of the received electrical energy into thermal energy;
- transferring, directly and/or indirectly, the thermal energy to a pressurized working fluid to form a heated pressurized working fluid;
- introducing the heated pressurized working fluid into at least one turbine to propel a vehicle;
- and
- wherein, during an extended period of regenerative braking, a first portion of the pressurized working fluid is passed through a cold side of a recuperator and a second portion of the pressurized working fluid bypasses the recuperator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.