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:
Nov. 06, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 04, 2000
Rajiv K. Mongia, Berkeley, CA (US);
George L. Touchton, Newark, CA (US);
Robert W. Dibble, Livermore, CA (US);
Martin L. Lagod, Atherton, CA (US);
Solo Energy Corporation, Alameda, CA (US);
Abstract
Various forms of energy, such as mechanical, electrical, and/or heat energy are produced by an energy conversion mechanism which includes a spool, the spool including a shaft on which a compressor and turbine are mounted. A generator is operably connected to the energy conversion mechanism for converting mechanical energy thereof into electrical energy. Fuel and air are supplied separately to the compressor. A regenerator type heat exchanger has a cold side for conducting compressed air traveling from an outlet of a compressor to an inlet of the microturbine, a hot side for conducting hot waste gas from the energy conversion mechanism, and a rotary core movable sequentially through the cold and hot sides for absorbing heat in the hot side and giving up heat in the cold side. A catalytic combustor combusts the fuel at a location upstream of the turbine. During start-up, the catalytic combustor is preheated independently of the heat exchanger by an electric heater.