Abstract

A generator comprising: a heat differential module with a first, high temperature source configured for providing a work medium at high temperature, a second, low temperature source configured for providing a work medium at low temperature, and a heat mechanism in fluid communication with the first and second sources, configured for maintaining a temperature difference therebetween by at least one of: providing heat to the work medium at said first source, and removing heat from the work medium at said second source; a pressure module comprising a pressure medium which is in selective fluid communication with the work medium from the first, high temperature source and the work medium from the second, low temperature source, for alternately peifonning a heat exchange process with the high/low temperature work medium, to have its temperature fluctuate between a rmnimal operative temperature and a maximal operative temperature corresponding to the high and low temperature of the respective work medium; a conversion module in mechanical communication with the pressure medium, configured for utilizing temperature fluctuation of the pressure medium for the production of output energy; and a heat recovery arrangement in thermal communication with at least one of the heat differential module and the pressure module, configured for receiving at least a portion of the heat energy of the high and low temperature work medium which was not transferred to the pressure medium during said heat exchange process, and redirecting said heat energy back to one of the heat differential module and the pressure module; wherein provision of heat to the work medium is performed by way of a heat exchange process with an auxiliary high temperature fluid.

IPC Classes  ?

• F01K 15/02 - Adaptations of steam engine plants for special use for driving vehicles, e.g. locomotives
• F01K 15/04 - Adaptations of steam engine plants for special use for driving vehicles, e.g. locomotives the vehicles being waterborne vessels
• F22B 1/00 - Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method
• F22B 1/18 - Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method by exploitation of the heat content of hot heat carriers the heat carrier being a hot gas, e.g. waste gas such as exhaust gas of internal-combustion engines
• F01K 25/02 - Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided forPlants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for the fluid remaining in the liquid phase
• F01K 13/00 - General layout or general methods of operation, of complete steam engine plants
• F01K 27/00 - Plants for converting heat or fluid energy into mechanical energy, not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A generator comprising a heat differential module, a pressure module, a conversion module and a heat recovery arrangement; the heat differential module comprising at least a first, high temperature reservoir configured for containing a work medium at high temperature, a second, low temperature reservoir configured for containing a work medium at low temperature and a heat mechanism being in fluid communication with at least one of the reservoirs. The heat mechanism is configured for maintaining a temperature difference therebetween by providing heat to and/or removing heat from the reservoirs; the pressure module comprises a pressure medium in selective fluid communication with the reservoirs of the heat differential module for alternately performing a heat exchange process with the work medium thereof. The pressure medium is configured to fluctuate between a minimal operative temperature and a maximal operative temperature of the pressure medium corresponding to the high and low temperature of the work medium; the conversion module is in mechanical communication with the pressure medium and configured for utilizing temperature changes of the pressure medium for the production of output energy; the heat recovery arrangement is in thermal communication with the heat differential module and configured for absorbing heat from the pressure medium and providing heat to the heat differential module or to the pressure module.

IPC Classes  ?

• F01K 25/02 - Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided forPlants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for the fluid remaining in the liquid phase
• F01K 27/00 - Plants for converting heat or fluid energy into mechanical energy, not otherwise provided for