The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 25, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 02, 1997
Michael S Hsu, Lincoln, MA (US);
Robin Y Ong, Lexington, MA (US);
Ztek Corporation, Waltham, MA (US);
Abstract
An energy system that couples or integrates an electrochemical converter, such as a fuel cell for the production of electricity, with a Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) system, is disclosed. Waste heat generated by the fuel cell is radiatively, convectively, or conductively directed to a thermal component, such as a heat-actuated chiller or a boiler, of an HVAC system. The HVAC system receives the waste heat to produce a conditioned fluid, e.g. heated or cooled air or water, or steam, for heating, cooling, or industrial uses. The invention provides an improved efficiency energy system capable of providing electricity, heating and cooling, such as for a commercial facility or for residences. Also disclosed in an interface exchange element for convectively coupling an electrochemical converter to the HVAC system. The interface exchange element receives heated exhaust gases generated by the fuel cell and extracts heat therefrom for transfer to a thermal component, such as heat-actuated chiller or a boiler, of an HVAC system.