Liquid Expansion Power Generation System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for generating electrical power from temperature differentials require consistent temperature regions and complex equipment, limiting their operational flexibility and accessibility, especially in regions with varying temperature conditions.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize a tank filled with a working liquid, which is heated to increase its temperature and internal pressure, forcing the liquid through a fluid line to a hydraulic generator, thereby generating electricity, without the need for complex equipment or consistent temperature conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If phase change fluid systems are used to generate power from temperature differentials, then power generation capability is achieved, but the system requires complex equipment including condensers, evaporators, and phase change fluid management components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation capabilityVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex phase change components (condensers, evaporators) from the system. Instead of using phase change fluid systems, the invention uses a simple liquid expansion system where liquid directly expands due to thermal heating, removing the need for complex equipment while maintaining power generation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical phase change system with a thermal expansion system. Instead of relying on phase transitions requiring mechanical components, the invention uses direct thermal expansion of liquid to drive the power generation process, substituting a simpler thermal-mechanical system for a complex mechanical system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Power

If phase change fluid systems are used, then power generation from temperature differentials is achieved, but the system requires extremely consistent temperatures to operate consistently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation capabilityVSAvoidtemperature range adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter from phase transition temperature (which requires consistency) to thermal expansion coefficient (which works across ranges). The liquid expansion system responds to temperature changes through expansion coefficient rather than phase transition, enabling operation across varying temperature differentials without requiring extremely consistent temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If simple liquid expansion systems are used, then equipment complexity is reduced, but the system must effectively convert thermal energy to mechanical work

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment simplicityVSAvoidthermal to mechanical energy conversion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses hydraulic principles by utilizing liquid expansion to create pressure differential that drives fluid flow through a turbine or generator. The expanding liquid acts as a hydraulic drive medium, efficiently converting thermal energy to mechanical work through fluid pressure and flow, maintaining energy conversion efficiency while simplifying equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

Enables the generation of electrical power over a wide range of temperature differentials using a simple and efficient system, suitable for various environments, including those with renewable or waste energy sources.

Implementation Method 1

heating the working liquid in the tank such that the temperature of the working liquid increases... the volume of the working liquid increases and the internal pressure defined by the tank increases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

a heating device in thermal communication with the working liquid in the tank for heating the working liquid in the tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a hydraulic generator in communication with the fluid line and configured to generate electricity when the fluid line receives working liquid from the tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic energy conversion: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS9664180B2Power generating system utilizing expanding liquid

Publication Date: 2017.05.30 SAAVEDRA JOHN A

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a system and method for generating power, such as electrical power, using an increased volume of a working liquid in a tank when the working liquid is heated. The increased volume of the working liquid may increase a pressure in the tank such that a portion of the working liquid is forced through one or more fluid lines towards a hydraulic generator. The hydraulic generator may then generate electricity based at least in part on the portion of fluid transferred to the hydraulic lines.