Combination systems and related methods for providing power, heat and cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy systems face challenges in economically providing energy while reclaiming heat and reducing carbon emissions, particularly in combined heat and power systems, where heat generated by combustion engines is often wasted, and there are concerns regarding packaging, engine efficiency, and compliance with environmental regulations.
Innovation Solution
A combined heat, cooling, and power system that converts mechanical energy into electricity and produces heat through engine exhaust, coolant, and radiant or convective means, incorporating a replaceable engine, generators, turbo-generator, energy storage, and heat exchangers to capture and utilize waste heat, while also reducing sound and optimizing catalytic converter operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If waste heat from engine exhaust and coolant is captured using heat exchangers, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple heat exchangers (exhaust heat exchanger and coolant heat exchanger) into a unified thermal management system that simultaneously recovers heat from both exhaust gases and coolant streams. This multi-functional approach allows the system to address multiple heat sources through a coordinated network of heat exchange components, improving overall energy efficiency while managing the complexity through systematic integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds the heat exchangers within the existing engine system architecture, nesting the thermal management components within the engine's structural framework. The exhaust heat exchanger is positioned in the exhaust flow path, and the coolant heat exchanger is integrated with the coolant circulation system, allowing heat recovery functionality to be nested within the engine's existing operational cycles without requiring entirely separate systems.
2Power
If a turbo-generator is positioned between the engine and catalytic converter, then electricity generation is improved, but the catalytic converter may be exposed to extreme temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the turbo-generator as an intermediary component between the engine exhaust and the catalytic converter. The turbo-generator serves as a mediating element that extracts energy from the hot exhaust gases to generate electricity while simultaneously reducing the temperature and pressure of the exhaust before it reaches the catalytic converter, thus protecting the converter from extreme thermal exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful extreme temperature and pressure of the exhaust gases into a beneficial resource by using the turbo-generator to extract mechanical energy and generate electricity from the hot exhaust flow. The high-temperature exhaust that would otherwise be wasted or potentially damaging is transformed into a useful energy source, and the process inherently cools the exhaust before it reaches temperature-sensitive components.
3Reliability
If the catalytic converter is positioned at an optimized distance from the engine, then converter operation is improved, but system packaging becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the local positioning of the catalytic converter relative to the engine, placing it at a specific distance where the exhaust temperature and flow characteristics are most favorable for catalytic conversion efficiency. This localized optimization ensures that the converter receives exhaust at the ideal temperature range for its chemical reactions, improving its operational reliability and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses packaging challenges by arranging the exhaust system components (engine, turbo-generator, catalytic converter, muffler) in a compact three-dimensional configuration. The system utilizes vertical and lateral spatial arrangements to minimize the overall footprint, allowing the catalytic converter to be positioned at the optimized distance from the engine while maintaining a compact overall system volume suitable for various installation environments.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If soundproofing materials are added to reduce engine noise, then noise pollution is reduced, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates soundproofing functionality into the existing exhaust system structure by incorporating sound-absorbing materials within the exhaust housing and around the muffler assembly. Rather than adding separate soundproofing components, the acoustic insulation is merged with the structural elements of the exhaust system, reducing noise pollution while minimizing increases in device complexity and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes thin-layer sound-absorbing materials and flexible acoustic insulation films within the exhaust system housing. These thin film solutions provide effective noise reduction by absorbing sound waves within the confined spaces of the exhaust assembly, achieving noise control without requiring thick or bulky soundproofing layers that would significantly increase weight and complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively recovers and utilizes waste heat, reduces carbon emissions, improves packaging efficiency, and complies with environmental regulations, achieving synergistic efficiencies in energy recovery and environmental advantages.
Implementation Method 1
an exhaust heat exchanger that may operable to transfer heat within the exhaust gases to liquid within the vessel
Implementation Method 2
a coolant heat exchanger operable to transfer heat from coolant to the liquid within the vessel
Implementation Method 3
coils operable to circulate heated coolant received from the energy generation sub-system, and, fans operable to direct air over the coils to heat the directed air
Data Source
AI summary
A combined heat, cooling and power system is configured to generate energy as well capture a large percentage of energy that would otherwise be lost using components, including heat transfer components, embedded within a vessel to transfer energy in the form of heat to liquid within the vessel.