Work Smart Energy Enterprises, Inc.

Other

Enhanced Turbine Output Holding

Mechanology, Inc.

University System of Maryland

Sunpower Corporation

Coolsmart LLC

The United States Environmental Production Agency

William Leslie Kopko

William T Beale

Frank E Wills

K Reinhard Radermacher

Jurgen Pannock

Kwangil Kim

The present invention comprises a highly supercharged, regenerative gas-turbine system. The gas turbine comprises a compressor, a regenerator, a combustor, and an expander. A pre-compressor pressurizes air going into the compressor section of the gas turbine. A cooler lowers the temperature of the air going into the compressor. The compressor pressurizes air, which then flows through the regenerator, which heats the air before it enters the combustor. The combustor further heats the air which then flows through the expander and then the regenerator. A post-expander is preferably located downstream of the regenerator. The post-expander is a second expander that receives high-pressure gas exiting the regenerator. The post-expander preferably drives the pre-compressor. The preferred pre-compressor and post-expander are toroidal intersecting vane machines (TIVMs), which are positive-displacement rotary devices. Numerous alternated embodiments of this basic system are described.

Highly supercharged regenerative gas turbine

A supercharging system for gas turbine power plants (). The system includes a supercharging fan () and controller () for limiting turbine power output to prevent overload of the generator () at lower ambient temperatures. The controller can limit power output by burner control, inlet temperature control, control of supercharging fan pressure and other options. The system can be retrofit on an existing turbine without replacing the generator and associated parts.

Supercharging system for gas turbines

An air-conditioning system with thermal storage system for storing cooling capacity. The storage system comprises a quantity of fill material that preferably comprises water or similar liquid that is located in a cavity in the ground. The fill material may also include a bed of gravel with the pool of liquid filling the void spaces in the gravel. Sidewalls of the cavity are preferably supported primarily by the mechanical properties of the earth and the fill material. The lower boundary of the cavity is impermeable liner. A cover that blocks solar radiation and preferably with thermal insulation covers the top of the fill material. A chiller and a pump supply cooled liquid during night or other times of reduced electrical costs and liquid from the storage flows through a liquid-to-air heat exchanger during peak demand periods.

Air-conditioning system with thermal storage

A gas-turbine supercharging system with improved control. A gas-turbine supercharger that preferably comprises a variable-pitch axial flow fan and a logger supplies, cooled, pressurized air to a gas-turbine power plant. The gas-power plant is preferably a part of combined-cycle power plant that comprises a steam cycle and a duct burner. A controller modulates the output of the fogger and the supercharging fan to maximize the total plant output and provide optimum efficiency without exceeding plant operating limits. The fogger and fan are preferably selected to maximize the allowable output from gas turbine at summer peaking conditions. For the case of a combined-cycle power plant, the preferred mode of operation is to reduce fog output while maintaining a maximum fan pressure as ambient temperature drops below the maximum design value. For a simple-cycle gas turbine, the preferred mode of operation is to reduce pressure output of the supercharging fan while adjusting fog output to match the maximum allowable moisture content at the gas-turbine inlet. The control also reduces fog output at low ambient temperatures to prevent possible ice formation.

Supercharged gas turbine with improved control

A generating plant with improved capacity at high ambient temperatures comprises a gas turbine ( ) matched to a generator ( ) for summer peaking conditions. The plant includes a system for limiting turbine output at lower ambient temperatures to ensure that the generator or other components are not overloaded. It also preferably includes an evaporative cooler ( ) for gas turbine inlet air.

Gas turbine operative at high ambient temperatures

An air conditioning system that can be driven by solar energy. A solar collector used energy from the sun to evaporate water from a desiccant fluid. The desiccant fluid is then flows into a mass transfer device which removes moisture from an air stream. Calcium chloride is the preferred desiccant material and can serve as an energy-storage medium. Electric or fuel backup can be used with this system to regenerate the desiccant material. In some embodiments an indirect evaporative cooler is added to provide sensible cooling. A new desiccant cooling system that is specially designed to work with the properties of this desiccant and meet comfort requirements of conventional air conditioning.

Solar air conditioner

A supercharging system for gas turbine power plants. The system includes a supercharging fan and means for limiting turbine power output to prevent overload of the generator at lower ambient temperatures. Possible means for limiting power output include burner control, inlet temperature control, control of supercharging fan pressure, and other options. Supercharging fan pressure can be controlled by staging fans, variable-speed drives, variable-pitch blades, and other options. The invention permits the supercharging system to be retrofit on existing turbines without replacing the generator and associated auxiliary equipment. A novel high-pressure duct design (particularly for use between the supercharging fan and the gas turbine) is also disclosed.

This invention provides a fundamentally new approach to air conditioning. In a conventional air-conditioning system air the full volume of air is cooled below the dew point to provide both sensible and latent cooling. In the new system, dehumidification and sensible cooling functions are preferably separate. The separate dehumidification allows for much higher supply air temperatures, preferably within about 10&deg; F. of the space temperature. Low-velocity air distribution through a ceiling plenum or a vent into the space allows for very low fan static pressures, which greatly reduces fan energy use compared to conventional ducted systems. The low static pressures and high supply-air temperatures allow the use of existing drop ceiling construction with little modification. The system can also include low-cost thermal storage. Latent thermal storage is in the form of a concentrated liquid desiccant solution. Chilled water storage is another option. The result is a major improvement in energy efficiency and comfort while reducing installed cost and peak electrical demand of the system.

High-efficiency air-conditioning system with high-volume air distribution

A reciprocating compressor that includes an auxiliary port,in series with a check valve,to move fluid at an intermediate pressure that is between the main suction and discharge pressures. Piston,normally covers the auxiliary port during a portion of its stroke. In one embodiment the check valve,is oriented so that fluid flows into the compressor. The piston,uncovers the auxiliary port,during the early part of the down stroke to allow fluid in through the port. As the piston,continues to move down it covers the auxiliary port, which drops pressure in chamber,to allow fluid to enter through a main suction valve,. In other embodiments the orientation of the check valve is reversed and auxiliary port acts as an auxiliary discharge port. Multiple auxiliary ports may be used in a single cylinder to achieve multiple suction and/or discharge pressures. The preferred driving mechanism for the piston is a linear motor,or other variable-stroke device, which can control the portion of flow through the auxiliary port by adjusting piston position.

Reciprocating compressor with auxiliary port

A supercharger for improving performance of a gas-turbine power plant at high ambient temperatures. The supercharger comprises an auxiliary fan that can pressurize air before it enters the gas turbine and means for limiting turbine power output at lower ambient temperatures. The means for limiting turbine power may include control over supercharging pressure, gas-turbine inlet air temperature, or burner exit temperature. The supercharger preferably also comprises cooling means located in the air stream between the auxiliary fan and the inlet to the turbine. The air cooler is preferably a direct evaporative cooler, but could also be an indirect evaporative cooler, a cooling coil with associated mechanical or absorption refrigeration system, etc. The supercharger may also include a bypass damper that allows air to move freely around the auxiliary fan when the fan is not operating. This supercharger is especially suitable for retrofit on existing gas-turbine power plants.

An improved refrigerator that combines means for directing cooling to a fresh-food compartment and a freezer compartment with a variable-capacity compressor. During fresh-food cooling the compressor volumetric capacity is reduced to match capacity of the expansion device. The means for directing cooling may be a multiple evaporators. Another option is a single evaporator with a reversing fan and flaps that respond to the direction of air flow to direct air flow between the evaporator and each compartment. Another embodiment comprises a natural-convection evaporator with dampers for directing air flow. This last embodiment also allows automatic defrost with a natural-convection evaporator.

Control system for a refrigerator with two evaporating temperatures

A roller mechanism that uses a differential spool arrangement to convert a small linear motion into a large rolling motion. The simplest embodiment comprises two spools that are rigidly connected together and are preferably of slightly different diameters. The flexible members such as string, tape, sheet, are rolled around the spools in opposite directions and extend from the spools in opposite directions. When tension is applied to the flexible members, a torque is created which acts to turn the spools so as to roll up the flexible member that is wrapped around the spool with the smaller diameter. The result is that a small movement of the flexible members results in large movement of the spools. Various embodiments of this mechanism are ideal for use in dampers, sunshades, toys, and exercise equipment.

Roller mechanism

A system and method for providing conditioned air to the interior space of a building includes separate dehumidification and sensible cooling functions. The separate dehumidification allows for much higher supply air temperatures, preferably within about 10&deg; F. to about 15&deg; F. of the air temperature of the building space. Low-velocity air distribution through a ceiling plenum or a vent into the space allows for very low fan static pressures, which greatly reduces fan energy usage compared to conventional ducted systems. The low static pressures and high supply-air temperatures allow the use of existing drop ceiling construction with little modification. Optional return air channels between an inner glazing and an outer glazing of exterior windows can virtually eliminate heating loads at the building perimeter, which virtually eliminates the need for simultaneous heating and cooling. The result is a major improvement in energy efficiency and comfort while reducing installed cost of the system.

A single-phase variable-frequency power supply with two output voltages drives a single-phase AC motor that has a start circuit and main winding. For permanent split-capacitor motors, the power supply maintains a constant voltage to the start winding while it reduces the voltage to the main winding at lower frequencies. The power supply can similarly control the speed of capacitor-start and split-phase motors. For fans and pumps and other variable-torque applications, the power supply maintains approximately a constant ratio of main-winding voltage to the square of frequency. The power supply is preferably an electronic pulse-width modulated inverter.

Growing community of inventors

Springfield, VA, United States of America

William Leslie Kopko