Two-stage thermal hydraulic engine for smooth energy conversion
OwnerMichael L. Fuhrmaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A two-stage thermal hydraulic engine utilizes the expansion and contraction of a working fluid to convert heat energy to mechanical or electrical energy. The transfer of heat to and from the working fluid occurs in at least two process heat exchangers and may be aided by thin twisted strips of a thermally conductive material that are in contact with the working fluid. The engine does not require the working fluid to undergo a phase change to operate. The subsequent expansion of the working fluid is used to drive pistons contained within at least two triplex hydraulic cylinders. The pistons may be alternately and sequentially driven to pump a fluid with a laminar flow and at a constant pressure. The cylinders may include a self-lubrication system.
Claims24
A two-stage thermal hydraulic engine comprising:
- a working fluid that expands and contracts in response to changes in temperature;
- at least two process heat exchangers;
- at least two triplex hydraulic cylinders;
- a plurality of working fluid lines interconnecting each of the at least two process heat exchangers, which contains the volume of working fluid with all of the at least two triplex hydraulic cylinders;
- a first heat exchanger for capturing heat from at least one external heat source;
- a first fluid circuit comprising the first heat exchanger, all of the at least two process heat exchangers, and valves for successively alternating among the at least two process heat exchangers in a predetermined order the transfer of heat between the first heat exchanger and the at least two process heat exchangers;
- the first heat exchanger configured for transferring the captured heat to a first portion of the working fluid contained within at least one of the process heat exchangers, whereby the working fluid expands without undergoing a phase change, and directing a sufficient quantity of the first portion of the working fluid from the at least one of the process heat exchangers to the cylinders to drive pistons within the cylinders in a sequential, alternating manner, thereby pumping a second fluid with a laminar flow and desired pressure;
- a second heat exchanger;
- a second fluid circuit comprising the second heat exchanger, all of the at least two process heat exchangers, and the valves for successively alternating among the at least two process heat exchangers in a predetermined order the transfer of heat between the second heat exchanger and the at least two process heat exchangers;
- the second heat exchanger configured for concurrently transferring heat away from a second portion of the working fluid contained within at least one of the process heat exchangers that is not concurrently being used to heat the first portion of the working fluid, whereby the second portion of the working fluid contracts without undergoing a phase change.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.