Rotating thermodynamic energy converter

Abstract

Device for converting heat into mechanical and / or electrical work, comprising (a) a housing (2), (b) a rotor (1) mounted in the housing about an axis of rotation, (c) a fluid volume with a working medium and / or a carrier fluid, (d) at least one working channel or a guide vane arrangement (7), wherein the rotor generates a centrifugal pressure field with a radial pressure gradient by rotation in the fluid volume and the working medium undergoes an expansion along the working channel which exerts a torque on the rotor, and (e) a coupling of the rotor to a point of use and / or to an electrical generator (4).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to heat engines and thermal management systems for recovering useful work from heat sources and for reducing thermal loads. It can be used in stationary and mobile applications, particularly where waste heat is generated at moderate temperature differences or where cooling reserves are critical during peak loads or extreme weather. State of the art and task

[0002] Known waste heat recovery systems such as Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) plants, Stirling engines, or thermoelectric generators often deliver low net power output at small temperature differences because parasitic losses consume a significant portion of the recovered work. Additionally, unstable two-phase flows and large installation volumes can complicate integration. The object of the invention is to provide a compact, robust, and scalable device that converts heat into useful work while reducing parasitic losses. In particular, a cycle is to be stabilized by a centrifugal pressure field, enabling the recirculation of a condensed working fluid to occur completely or partially without an external high-pressure pump. Brief description of the invention

[0003] The device according to the invention comprises a housing (2) and a rotor (1) mounted therein, which is rotatably arranged in a fluid volume. Rotation creates a radial pressure gradient in the fluid. A working medium is supplied such that it expands along the pressure gradient in at least one working channel (7), thereby exerting torque on the rotor. The mechanical work is delivered via a power point and / or a generator (4). In preferred embodiments, the expansion is coupled with a phase change, whereby heat is absorbed in an outer region and a gas / vapor phase is generated. The gas / bubble phase preferably moves radially inwards along a drive side of the guide vanes / working channels. Condensation and / or collection takes place in the center; the liquid phase is returned substantially radially outwards on a rear side or in separate, materially distinct channels (8a). Flow and blade geometry

[0004] The guide vanes or working channels are designed so that the gas / bubble flow exerts a tangential force component on the rotor even at high rotor speeds. For this purpose, the geometry at the outer radius can be relatively shallow relative to the radial bubble motion. A varying curvature and / or angle of attack can be incorporated along the radius. Towards the center, the curvature or angle of attack can decrease, with an inner transition section facilitating controlled outflow into a collection and / or condensation zone. The geometry can be spiral, involute, or otherwise flow-optimized. Condensation and recirculation

[0005] The inner area contains a collection and / or condensation zone (6) in which expanded working fluid is condensed or liquefied. The liquid phase is then returned to a higher-pressure outer area via the back side of the guide vanes and / or in separate, materially isolated return channels (8a). The return channels preferably extend substantially radially from the inner area to the outside. Recirculation is primarily driven by the centrifugal forces of the rotating system, thus reducing or eliminating the need for external pumps. Return channels and / or the back sides of the guide vanes can incorporate capillary structures, grooves, wicks, or porous media to absorb, collect, and systematically transfer the liquid into the return path. Separation of phases and further elaborations

[0006] The gas / bubble path and liquid path can be guided axially and / or radially separately to avoid counterflow interference. The rotor can be magnetically levitated and / or coupled to the generator via a magnetic coupling (4a), thus enabling hermetic encapsulation without a shaft penetration. Application examples

[0007] The device can be used in particular in data center or server liquid cooling circuits, industrial process or waste heat circuits, solar thermal or PVT circuits, with waste heat from combustion or gas engines, especially ship engines, CHP and biogas plants, in district heating returns, and in desalination processes. Furthermore, the device can serve as a thermal management and / or peak shaving module to reduce thermal loads and ensure operational readiness during peak loads or high ambient temperatures. Reference to the drawings

[0008] The invention is shown schematically in the drawings. Fig. Figure 1 shows an overall view of a rotor (1) in a housing (2) with a generator (4), a magnetic coupling (4a), an evaporator / heat exchanger area (5), a condensation area (6), guide vanes / working channels (7) and a return channel (8a). Fig. Figure 2 shows a top view of the arrangement of the guide vanes / working channels (7) relative to a radial bubble path. Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic separation of the gas / bubble path, regenerator / buffer (9) and liquid path. Fig. Figure 4 schematically shows the condensation in the inner area and the essentially radial return of the liquid phase via a return channel (8a). Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic system integration between heat source (10), converter unit (11), heat sink (12) and useful power output (13). Reference symbol list 1 rotor / hub / shaft (depending on the figure) 2 cases 4 Generator 4a Magnetic coupling 5 Evaporator / Heat exchanger area 6 Condensation / Collection Area 7 buckets / working channels 8a Return channel / return path (liquid phase) 9 Regenerator / thermal buffer 10 Heat source (system block) 11 Converter unit (system block) 12 Heat sinks (system block) 13. Output path / useful power (e.g., electrical)

Claims

Device for converting heat into mechanical and / or electrical work, comprising (a) a housing (2), (b) a rotor (1) mounted in the housing about an axis of rotation, (c) a fluid volume with a working medium and / or a carrier fluid, (d) at least one working channel or a guide vane arrangement (7), wherein the rotor generates a centrifugal pressure field with a radial pressure gradient by rotation in the fluid volume and the working medium undergoes an expansion along the working channel which exerts a torque on the rotor, and (e) a coupling of the rotor to a point of use and / or to an electrical generator (4). Device according to claim 1, wherein the expansion is coupled with a phase change and the working medium, upon radial movement in the direction of lower pressure, forms a gas / vapor phase which is guided radially inwards as a bubble flow. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the working channel or the guide vane surface is designed such that the gas / bubble flow acts on the drive side even at high rotor speed by having the surface in the outer radius set relatively flat to the radial bubble movement. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide vane / channel geometry has a varying curvature and / or a varying angle of attack along the radius, wherein the curvature / angle of attack decreases towards the center, and wherein an inner transition section optionally has a different surface orientation for guiding the gas / bubble phase into a collection and / or condensation area. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a collecting and / or condensation area (6) in the center or in an inner area in which expanded working medium is condensed or liquefied. Device according to claim 5, comprising at least one return channel (8a) for the liquid phase, which is materially separate from the working channel and extends substantially radially from the inner region to an outer region of higher pressure, wherein the return is predominantly carried out by centrifugal forces of the rotating system, so that external pump work is reduced or replaced. Device according to claim 6, wherein the return channel and / or a rear side of the guide vanes has capillary structures, grooves, wicks or porous media that absorb, collect and transfer liquid into the return channel. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide vane / channel geometry is designed as a spiral, involute or otherwise flow-optimized geometry that reduces shock losses and provides a tangential force component for torque generation. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas / bubble path and liquid path are guided axially and / or radially separately to avoid counterflow interference. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotor is magnetically mounted and / or coupled to the generator via a magnetic coupling (4a) to enable hermetic encapsulation without shaft penetration. System for utilizing a heat source, comprising a device according to one of claims 1 to 10 as well as a thermal coupling to a heat source and a heat sink. System according to claim 11, wherein the heat source is selected from: data center or server liquid cooling circuit, industrial process or waste heat circuit, solar thermal or PVT circuit, waste heat from an internal combustion engine or gas engine (in particular ship engine, CHP plant, biogas plant), district heating return or desalination process. Use of a device according to one of claims 1 to 10 as a thermal management and / or peak shaving module for reducing thermal loads and ensuring operational readiness during peak loads or high ambient temperatures.

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