Heat Engine Reservoir and Valve Control for Power Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat engine systems face challenges in maintaining the desired mass of working fluid in the cycle, leading to power fluctuations and potential contamination risks, especially in nuclear-powered vessels.
Innovation Solution
A heat engine system with a sealed housing containing a compressor, heat source, and turbine, featuring a bleed valve and intake valve that control the flow of working fluid into and out of a reservoir, allowing independent or synchronized operation to manage fluid mass and power output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a closed cycle system is used to maintain working fluid mass, then power output is stabilized, but the system cannot vary power output within a limited range
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate volumes: a working fluid circuit and a reservoir. The reservoir acts as a separate storage compartment that can independently hold working fluid, allowing the main circuit to maintain its closed-loop integrity while the reservoir provides flexibility for mass adjustment. This segmentation enables power output variation without compromising the stability of the main working fluid cycle.
2Reliability
If leaks occur in the working fluid circuit, then power output drops, but in nuclear systems leaks pose contamination risks
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir serves as an intermediary containment zone between the working fluid circuit and the external environment. If leaks occur in the circuit, the reservoir acts as a containment barrier that prevents direct release of working fluid (especially radioactive material) into the environment. The reservoir can be sealed off or monitored independently, providing a safety buffer that maintains reliability while mitigating contamination risks.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the working fluid mass is strictly maintained in the closed cycle, then system stability is preserved, but power output cannot be varied beyond a limited range
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static closed cycle to a dynamic configuration where the reservoir can be selectively connected or disconnected from the working fluid circuit. By controlling the flow between the reservoir and circuit, the system can dynamically adjust the total working fluid mass available in the circuit, enabling power output variation while maintaining stability through controlled mass transfer rather than open leakage.
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 recycles leaked working fluid, maintains power control, and prevents contamination by containing leaks within the reservoir, enabling efficient power adjustments without complex additional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor (300) having an inlet (302) and an outlet (304)
Implementation Method 2
a heat source (400) having an inlet (402) and an outlet (404)
Implementation Method 3
a turbine (500) having an inlet (502) and an outlet (504)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A heat engine system (100, 1100). The heat engine system (100, 1100) comprises a compressor (300) having an inlet (302) and an outlet (304), a heat source (400) having an inlet (402) and an outlet (404), and a turbine (500) having an inlet (502) and an outlet (504). The compressor (300), heat source (400) and turbine (500) define part of a working fluid flow circuit ( ). The heat engine system further comprises a housing (600) which is operable to be sealed to define a reservoir (602) in which the compressor (400), heat source (400), turbine (500) and working fluid flow circuit (700) are located. The working fluid flow circuit (700) further comprises a compressor-to-heat-source duct (800) which extends between the compressor outlet (304) and the heat source inlet (402), a heat- source-to-turbine duct (802) extends between the heat source outlet (404) and the turbine inlet (502), and a turbine-to-compressor duct (804) extends between the turbine outlet (504) and the compressor inlet (302). A bleed valve (806) is provided in flow communication with the compressor outlet (304), operable to bleed working fluid into the reservoir (602). An intake valve (808) is provided in flow communication with the compressor inlet (302) operable to allow the passage of working fluid from the reservoir (602) to the compressor inlet (302).