Strain Augmented Thermodynamic Power Cycle Efficiency

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The efficiency of traditional Rankine power cycles is limited by high waste heat ratios, especially when using low-temperature energy sources, resulting in low thermodynamic efficiencies and limited overall energy conversion.

Innovation Solution

A strain augmented power cycle incorporates a strain energy device with a thick-walled elastomeric material that inflates with high temperature and pressure vapor, imparting strain energy to increase the energy available for work production, thereby enhancing the cycle's efficiency by utilizing both thermal and strain energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a traditional Rankine power cycle is used with low-temperature energy sources, then the system can operate with simple equipment, but the thermodynamic efficiency is low and waste heat ratio is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidwaste heat ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the Rankine power cycle with a strain energy storage device (elastomeric balloon) to create a hybrid system. The strain energy device is integrated into the vaporization chamber, allowing thermal energy and strain energy to be combined and utilized together, thereby reducing waste heat ratio while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to vapor in the vaporization chamber. The strain energy device expands during vaporization, storing strain energy that is later recovered during condensation. This phase transition mechanism enables energy recovery that reduces waste heat ratio

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Device complexity

If a traditional Rankine power cycle is used, then the cycle structure is simple, but the energy conversion efficiency is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycle structureVSAvoidenergy conversion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the Rankine cycle with strain energy storage and recovery mechanisms. The elastomeric balloon is integrated into the vaporization chamber, allowing the system to capture and utilize strain energy in addition to thermal energy, thereby increasing energy conversion efficiency without significantly complicating the overall cycle structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The strain energy device undergoes periodic expansion and contraction synchronized with the power cycle operations. The balloon expands during vaporization and contracts during condensation, creating periodic strain energy storage and recovery that enhances overall energy conversion efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If waste thermal energy is expelled to the environment in a traditional Rankine cycle, then the condensation process is simple, but energy is lost without utilization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecondensation processVSAvoidwaste thermal energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the previously wasted thermal energy during condensation into useful strain energy. The elastomeric balloon is designed to expand and contract in response to pressure changes during condensation, capturing strain energy that would otherwise be lost, and converting this harmful energy loss into a beneficial energy storage mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 strain augmented power cycle achieves higher efficiency compared to traditional Rankine cycles by converting strain energy into usable work, reducing waste heat ratios and increasing the overall energy conversion efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a strain energy device with a thick-walled elastomeric material that inflates with high temperature and pressure vapor, imparting strain energy to increase the energy available for work production

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

High temperature input thermal energy 100 enters evaporator 40 and is transferred to compressed liquid 12 to produce high pressure and temperature vapor 14

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

In expander 50, high pressure and temperature vapor 14 expands to low pressure and temperature saturated vapor 16 at the exit of expander 50. This expansion produces output work 200

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdiabatic expansion: Adiabatic Cooling

Implementation Method 4

Energy that is transferred from saturated vapor 16 and saturated liquid 10, while transiting condenser 60, is waste thermal energy 150 and is expelled to the environment by condenser 60

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS10221725B2Strain augmented thermodynamic power cycle

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 MARTINEAU PHILLIP REED

AI summary

Strain augmented power cycle is disclosed. This power cycle is a thermodynamic power cycle that contains a strain energy device to increase the thermodynamic efficiency above what is possible from a conventional Rankine power cycle. Strain augmented power cycle comprises an assembly of components including a working fluid, a pump, an evaporator, a strain energy device, an expander and a condenser.