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US 9,482,450 B2Granted
Ericsson cycle device improvements
OwnerJason Hugenrothinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to improvements to thermodynamic devices that approximate the Ericsson cycle, Brayton cycle, or regenerated Brayton cycle. These cycles and various ways of implementing them are known in the art. They can operate as engines or refrigerators. The Ericsson cycle is attractive since it can theoretically operate at the Carnot efficiency, which is the maximum possible efficiency for a heat engine or refrigerator.
Claims33
A thermodynamic system that approximates an Ericsson cycle comprising:
- a compressor configured to compress a fluid, said compressor configured to reject heat from the fluid such that isothermal compression is approached;
- an expander configured to expand the fluid, said expander configured to introduce heat to the fluid such that isothermal expansion is approached;
- a recuperator in fluid communication with the compressor and expander configured to transfer heat between the fluid received from the compressor and the fluid received from the expander and wherein the thermodynamic system is a micro scale device, wherein the micro scale compressor ranges from about 0.1 mm to about 5 cm and a system power ranges from about 0.1 W to 250 W;
- and
- a controller configured to control a level of power of the system.
2 more elements
A thermodynamic system that approximates an Ericsson cycle comprising:
- a compressor configured to compress a fluid, said compressor configured to reject heat from the fluid such that isothermal compression is approached;
- an expander configured to expand the fluid, said expander configured to introduce heat to the fluid such that isothermal expansion is approached;
- a recuperator in fluid communication with the compressor and expander configured to transfer heat between the fluid received from the compressor and the fluid received from the expander and wherein the thermodynamic system is a micro scale device;
- either or both of a first heat exchanger for rejecting heat from the fluid entering the compressor and a second heat exchanger for introducing heat to the fluid entering the expander;
- and
- a controller configured to control a level of power of the system, wherein the controller is configured to manipulate the output-power of the system by adjusting flow of the fluid through at least one bypass line by modulating at least one of a first valve between an inlet of the compressor and an outlet of the first heat exchanger, a second valve between a first side and a second side of the recuperator, and a third valve between an inlet of the second heat exchanger and an outlet of the expander.
3 more elements
A thermodynamic system that approximates an Ericsson cycle comprising:
- a compressor configured to compress a fluid, said compressor configured to reject heat from the fluid such that isothermal compression is approached;
- an expander configured to expand the fluid, said expander configured to introduce heat to the fluid such that isothermal expansion is approached;
- a recuperator in fluid communication with the compressor and expander configured to transfer heat between the fluid received from the compressor and the fluid received from the expander and wherein the thermodynamic system is a micro scale device;
- either or both of a first heat exchanger for rejecting heat from the fluid entering the compressor and a second heat exchanger for introducing heat to the fluid entering the expander;
- and
- a controller configured to control a level of power of the system, wherein the controller is configured to manipulate the output power of the system by adjusting flow of fluid through at least one bypass and reservoir line by modulating a first valve on a first side of a reservoir and a second valve on a second side of the reservoir such that output power is reduced when the first valve is opened to at least partially fill the reservoir and output power is increased when the second valve is opened to at least partially release fluid from the reservoir.
3 more elements
A thermodynamic system that approximates an Ericsson cycle comprising:
- a compressor configured to compress a fluid, said compressor configured to reject heat from the fluid such that isothermal compression is approached;
- an expander configured to expand the fluid, said expander configured to introduce heat to the fluid such that isothermal expansion is approached;
- a recuperator in fluid communication with the compressor and expander configured to transfer heat between the fluid received from the compressor and the fluid received from the expander and wherein the thermodynamic system is a micro scale device, wherein the micro scale compressor ranges from about 0.1 mm to about 5 cm and a system power ranges from about 0.1 W to 250 W;
- and
- a controller configured to control a level of power output of the system and wherein the controller is configured to equalize the pressure of the fluid within at least the sealed interior portion of the housing, the compressor, and the expander.
2 more elements
A thermodynamic system that approximates an Ericsson cycle comprising:
- a compressor configured to compress a fluid, said compressor configured to reject heat from the fluid such that isothermal compression is approached;
- an expander configured to expand the fluid, said expander configured to introduce heat to the fluid such that isothermal expansion is approached;
- a recuperator in fluid communication with the compressor and expander configured to transfer heat between the fluid received from the compressor and the fluid received from the expander and wherein the thermodynamic system is a micro scale device;
- a controller configured to control a level of power of the system;
- and
- a solid lubricant used to lubricate system components by circulating within the system to continuously lubricate system components.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.