WO2006097089A2

WO2006097089A2 - Method and device for improving the efficiency of energy conversion units

Info

Publication number: WO2006097089A2
Application number: PCT/DE2006/000470
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ewald Küpfer
Original assignee: Kuepfer Ewald
Priority date: 2005-03-15
Filing date: 2006-03-15
Publication date: 2006-09-21
Also published as: DE112006001246A5; WO2006097089A3; EP1861587A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for improving the efficiency of energy conversion units (1). In said method, in which thermal energy is generated or obtained: a first heat transfer medium is transported in a first closed media circuit (4); thermal energy from at least one heat source (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 32) is transmitted to the first heat transfer medium, the latter being essentially maintained in a liquid state; the first heat transfer medium is then conducted to the working chamber of a screw motor (2), where it is converted into a gaseous state by means of flash evaporation, thus driving the screw motor (2), and after leaving the screw motor (2) said heat transfer medium recondenses. The method can be used in all mobile and stationary energy conversion units, in which heat accumulates that up to now has been emitted into the environment unused. By recovering the power losses of the energy conversion unit that are embodied by said thermal energy in a screw motor (2) by means of flash evaporation, the energy conversion unit can achieve a significantly higher efficiency.

Description

Methods and apparatus for improving the efficiency of energy conversion devices

The invention relates to methods and devices for improving the efficiency of energy conversion devices.

Energy conversion devices in the context of this application are devices for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy. This term is intended to mean all those devices in which heat is generated or recovered. Examples of the generation of heat in this sense are combustion engines in which fossil fuels, hydrogen or similar substances and mixtures are chemically converted with heat release and facilities in which nuclear reactions take place, in which heat is also released. Examples of the production of heat are the direct collection of solar heat in fluids such as those in conventional solar panels, but also waste heat, which is obtained in the conversion of solar or wind energy into electrical energy in photovoltaic systems or wind turbines.

In other words, the invention is applicable to all fields in which thermal energy is generated, which is released into the environment unused. It does not matter if the

Heat transfer medium is a solid, a liquid or a gas.

Today's vehicle drive systems typically include an internal combustion engine, a clutch, a transmission, and a differential. The drive power of the internal combustion engine is transmitted via the clutch to the transmission. In the gearbox are manually, semi-automatically or automatically different Translations selected and delivered the drive power through the differential to the drive wheels or the machine to be driven. The internal combustion engine is usually cooled with water, which dissipates the power loss via a cooling unit as heat to the environment. The exhaust gases are discharged uncooled into the environment. The internal combustion engines are usually four-stroke engines with intake and exhaust valves and a mechanical valve control. To ensure a good concentricity, a flywheel must be attached. The combustion engine is started with a starter. The power supply of the vehicle via a generator, which is usually driven by a V-belt and runs along when no electrical energy is needed.

These known drive systems have a poor efficiency. Only about 30 to 35% of the energy used is converted into usable power. The rest is lost as heat given off to the environment. Due to this fact, the fuel consumption of such drive systems is relatively high. This results in a high environmental impact. High initial costs and a high maintenance and repair requirement results from the large number of mechanical components such as flywheel to grant the concentricity, clutch, starter, continuously rotating alternator.

It is known to be in a fluid, i. liquid or gaseous carrier medium stored heat energy by expansion into mechanical energy to convert. Furthermore, it is known to convert the mechanical energy thus obtained into electrical energy, which can then be stored in suitable energy stores, such as capacitors or accumulators, for later use.

To convert the heat energy into mechanical energy, the expansion takes place in a suitable machine, for example a turbine or a screw motor. A screw motor is substantially identical to a screw compressor, wherein however, the principle of action is reversed. The compressed carrier medium is expanded under volume increase and temperature reduction. The increase in volume causes the drive of the screw motor. The released energy can be used for example to drive a generator that converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Flash or flash evaporation is understood to mean the formation of vapor which occurs in the event of a sudden drop in pressure in a closed container filled with saturated boiling liquid and the associated vapor phase. By the steam formation finds a

Volume increase instead. At the same time, the resulting vapor deprives the liquid of heat, so that the

Liquid is cooled.

According to previously prevailing view, as it can be removed, for example, DE 10 2004 037 319 Al, it is under all circumstances to prevent liquid carrier medium penetrates into the working space of the expander, otherwise take place on the walls and surfaces of evaporation and condensation processes, which Overload the desired process disadvantageously. For solution, therefore, a turbine is proposed in which the working space is connected to an upstream antechamber, in which the liquid phase is separated by utilizing centrifugal forces of the vapor phase and retained in the pre-chamber, so that only steam can get into the working space.

The Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is a steam turbine operation process using a working fluid other than water vapor, such as low evaporation temperature organic heat transfer fluids. This method is used in particular when the temperature of the heat source for generating steam for operating a steam turbine is too low. The heat transfer fluid evaporates already at Lower temperatures than water and the resulting steam can be used to drive a turbine.

The object of the present invention is to provide methods and devices which allow the use of heat energy, which is obtained in the operation of known devices and which can not be used or only to a relatively small extent. At the same time, it should be ensured that the environmental impact and the operating costs of machinery and vehicles are drastically reduced and the existing

Infrastructure, i. Petrol stations and service stations can continue to be used without restriction.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the methods and devices specified in the independent claims. In the dependent claims advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention are disclosed.

In the method according to the invention for improving the efficiency of energy conversion devices, in which

Heat energy is generated or recovered, a first heat transfer medium is conveyed in a closed first medium cycle, transferred heat energy from at least one heat source to the first heat transfer medium, wherein the first heat transfer medium is maintained substantially in the liquid state, then passed the first heat transfer medium into the working space of a screw motor , wherein the first heat transfer medium is transferred within the working space of the screw motor by means of flash evaporation at least partially in the gaseous state and thereby the

Screw motor drives and liquefied after exiting the screw motor again.

The device according to the invention for carrying out the method comprises a closed first medium circuit filled with a first heat transfer medium, at least one heat source through which the first heat transfer medium flows Transmission of heat energy to the first heat transfer medium, at least one of the first heat transfer medium flowed through a screw motor with a working space for at least partial flash evaporation of the first heat transfer medium within the working space of the screw motor, at least one arranged behind the screw motor condenser for liquefying the first heat transfer medium and at least one pump for Conveying the first heat transfer medium.

The method is applicable to all mobile and stationary energy conversion equipment in which heat is generated, which was previously released unused into the environment. By recovering the heat dissipation power embodied by this thermal energy in a helical motor by flash evaporation, the energy conversion device achieves a substantially higher overall efficiency. In an internal combustion engine drive system, an overall efficiency of about 65% can be achieved. The fact that the heat transfer medium is evaporated only in the working space of the screw motor, relatively low temperatures and pressures can be driven, so that the power loss of commercial internal combustion engines can be used economically.

The approximate doubling of the efficiency leads to an approximate halving of the fuel requirement and thus to a much lower environmental impact. The method and the device according to the invention also make it possible to provide power as needed, for example the delivery of an approximately constant torque over the entire speed range. For carrying out the method or for operating the device, all available heat sources can be used. It is irrelevant whether the heat energy is stored primarily in a gas, a liquid or a solid.

As heat sources, in particular the modules and Ancillary units of the energy conversion device into consideration. The more such heat sources are used by extracting from them the heat generated by them, the greater increases in overall efficiency can be achieved. Heat exchangers of electrical equipment, oil cooler heat exchangers, intercooler heat exchangers, cooling circuit heat exchangers (heat from cylinder head and cylinder block of an internal combustion engine), exhaust gas heat exchangers, air conditioning heat exchangers, hydraulic oil circulation heat exchangers, in particular, are heat sources in this sense.

Friction brake heat exchanger and Wirbelstrombremsen- heat exchanger, but also solar collector heat exchanger and heat exchanger photovoltaic solar cells suitable.

According to one embodiment of the method it is provided that the flow of the first heat transfer medium is branched to at least two branch streams and each branch stream heat energy from at least one heat source is supplied. Advantageously, at least two branch streams are brought together again before a screw motor.

Accordingly, it is provided in one embodiment of the device that the first medium circuit is branched at least one point to at least two flow branches, wherein at least one heat source is arranged in at least one flow branch. According to another embodiment of the device is provided that at least two flow branches are brought together again before a screw motor.

Advantageously, the liquefaction of the first heat transfer medium takes place after exiting the screw motor in a condenser. For this purpose, at least two pumps for conveying the first heat transfer medium are provided in one embodiment of the device, wherein a first pump is arranged in front of the screw motor and a second pump behind the screw motor. To assist the liquefaction can be provided in a further embodiment of the method that a second heat transfer medium is passed on the secondary side through the capacitor. In a further development of the method, the second heat transfer medium is passed to the condenser through a further heat exchanger.

For this purpose, in the device second, can be provided by a second heat transfer medium flow through the media circuit which extracts heat from the first heat transfer medium in the condenser.

According to one embodiment of the method, the second heat transfer medium in a second, closed

Promoted media cycle. For example, this can be done in the

Device of the second medium circuit a closed

Media circuit and the second heat transfer medium be liquid.

This version is suitable if the second heat transfer medium is water or an organic liquid.

Alternatively, the second heat transfer medium can be conveyed in a second, open medium cycle. In the device according to the invention then the second medium cycle is an open medium cycle and the second heat transfer medium may be gaseous. This version is suitable if air is used as the second heat transfer medium.

Furthermore, the device can be designed so that the second heat transfer medium flows through a further heat exchanger after flowing through the condenser, to supply the first heat transfer medium the previously extracted heat again.

According to a further embodiment of the method, at least part of the mechanical energy of the screw motor used directly. This can for example be done by the screw motor is coupled directly to an internal combustion engine.

Alternatively or additionally, at least a part of the mechanical energy of the screw motor is converted into electrical energy in a generator. For this purpose, the device according to the invention must have at least one generator for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, which are in operative connection with at least one screw motor, which is preferably designed as a switched reluctance generator.

According to another embodiment of the invention, at least part of the electrical energy in an electric motor is converted into mechanical energy. In one embodiment of the device, therefore, an electric motor is further provided for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy, which is preferably designed as a switched reluctance motor.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least part of the electrical energy is stored in an energy store. For this purpose, such an energy store, for example a capacitor, a battery or an accumulator may be provided in the device.

For optimal operation of the device, it is advantageous to continue to provide a control electronics for controlling and regulating the device. This control electronics comprises in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a frequency converter. Further advantageously, it can be provided that the control electronics is in a master-slave relationship with the control and regulating devices of other assemblies of the device, wherein the control electronics is master and the other control and regulating devices are slaves. As a result, the control electronics is superordinate to the control and regulating devices of the other modules, so that interventions in the Procedure can be made centrally.

The heat transfer medium used depends on which

Temperatures prevail in the respective energy conversion device. For cost reasons, it may be advantageous that a water-based heat transfer medium is conveyed in the first medium cycle. In energy conversion devices whose

Waste heat has a lower temperature, it is more advantageous, however, that in the first medium cycle, an organic heat transfer medium is promoted with low evaporation temperature.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that an assembly assembly of an internal combustion engine and a mechanically coupled to the engine each screw motor and generator is movably mounted on a running rail. This embodiment can be used advantageously, in particular when using the device in an internal combustion engine vehicle drive system, in order to adapt the center of mass of the device to a specific operating state.

Advantageously, the assembly arrangement can be moved back and forth between two end positions, with the end positions being able to be defined by a respective locking device.

Particularly advantageously, the assembly arrangement by means of a displacement device is movable back and forth, which may be actuated, for example, by an electric motor or hydraulically.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments and accompanying drawings. Show

1 is a schematic representation of the operating principle of a diesel-electric drive system with partial recovery of power loss,

2 is a block diagram of the device without branching, 3 is a block diagram of the device with a branch,

4 shows a block diagram of the device with a two-part first medium circuit, FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a diesel-electric-hydraulic drive system,

6 shows a displacement mechanism for shifting the center of mass of an assembly arrangement,

7 shows a device for utilizing the waste heat of a solar cell with an open second medium circuit,

8 shows a device for utilizing the waste heat of a solar cell with a closed second medium circuit.

In Fig. 1, the operating principle of a diesel-electric drive system with partial recovery of the power loss is shown schematically.

An internal combustion engine 1 is mechanically coupled to a screw motor 2 and a generator 3. The internal combustion engine 1 and its ancillaries produce power loss in the form of heat. This heat is carried by the exhaust gases, the engine oil, the cooling water, the electrical components, etc.

In a closed first medium circuit 4, a first heat transfer medium is circulated through a first pump (not shown). The first heat transfer medium flows through several heat exchangers on the secondary side, which are flowed through by the respective heat carrier materials on the primary side. The heat is transferred to the first heat transfer medium. The superheated heat transfer medium is in the working space of a

Screw motor 2 fed. There, the first relaxes

Heat transfer medium, it comes to a flash evaporation. Due to the associated volume seizure drives the first

Heat transfer medium the screw motor 2 at.

Due to the mechanical coupling of the screw motor 2 with the internal combustion engine 1, their benefits add up. Together The internal combustion engine 1 and the screw motor 2 drive the generator 3, which is likewise coupled to the internal combustion engine 1 and converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy. After the expansion of the first heat transfer medium in the screw motor 2, it is conveyed by a condenser 17, so that it is returned to the liquid state. Subsequently, the first heat transfer medium again passes through the heat exchanger and the cycle begins again.

A control electronics 20 with a frequency converter 21 controls the function of the device. Depending on the power requirement, the electrical energy generated by the generator 3 is stored in an energy storage 22 for storing electrical energy or supplied to an electric motor, 23 for conversion into mechanical energy.

The generator 3 and the electric motor 23 are designed as switched reluctance machines. The control electronics 20 is designed as a higher-level control for all modules of the drive system.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of the device without branching.

In a closed first medium circuit 4, a first heat transfer medium is present in the liquid state behind a condenser 17. A first heat source is an air-conditioning heat exchanger 10. After the secondary-side flow through this air-conditioning heat exchanger 10, the first heat transfer medium has a temperature of 4O ⁰ C at 0.08 bar overpressure.

Subsequently, the first heat transfer medium is compressed in a first pump 8 to 3 bar pressure and fed to a second exhaust gas heat exchanger 16. The exhaust gas flowing on the primary side has a temperature of 142 ^° C., after it has already delivered a portion of the heat energy stored in it in a first exhaust gas heat exchanger 15, whose position in the first exhaust gas Media circuit 4 will be explained later. Behind the second exhaust gas heat exchanger 16, the exhaust gas still has a temperature of 6O ⁰ C and is discharged to the environment. The first heat transfer medium after leaving the second exhaust gas heat exchanger 16 has a temperature of 51 ° C.

The second exhaust gas heat exchanger 16 is followed by a plurality of heat sources connected in series. In particular, these are a heat exchanger electrical components 11, an oil cooler heat exchanger 12, a charge air cooler heat exchanger 13 and a cooling circuit heat exchanger 14, the primary side, the heat emitted by these units heat. The existing in the first medium cycle 4 heat transfer medium flows through these heat exchangers in succession and absorbs a large part of the heat energy presented. In the example, the first heat transfer medium is gradually brought by these heat sources to a temperature of 122 ⁰ C. In order to prevent premature evaporation, the first heat transfer medium is then compressed in a second pump 9 to 15 bar.

Behind the second pump 9, the first heat transfer medium flows through the above-mentioned first exhaust heat exchanger 15. The primary side, the first exhaust gas heat exchanger 15 is flowed through by exhaust gas, which enters at a temperature of 678 ⁰ C and with 134 ⁰ C exits, then the second exhaust gas heat exchanger 16 to be supplied. The first heat transfer medium after leaving the first exhaust gas heat exchanger 15 has a temperature of 186 ° C. Due to the transfer of heat energy to the first heat transfer medium as it flows through the various heat exchangers, the first heat transfer medium now has a total enthalpy of 333 kW.

In this high-energy state, the first heat transfer medium is introduced into the working space of a screw motor 2. It relaxes abruptly and gives most of its energy to the moving parts of the body Screw motor 2 from, which can now be used to drive other modules, such as a generator 3. After leaving the screw motor 2, the first heat transfer medium is passed into a condenser 17, in which it is liquefied again. Subsequently, the cycle of the first heat transfer medium can start from the beginning.

FIG. 3 shows by way of example a device which is very similar to that shown in FIG.

In a closed first medium circuit 4, a first heat transfer medium is behind a capacitor 17 in the liquid state. The first heat transfer medium is also conveyed here by an air-conditioning heat exchanger 10, a first pump 8, a second exhaust gas heat exchanger 16, a heat exchanger of electrical devices 11 and an oil cooler heat exchanger 12. Behind the oil cooler heat exchanger 12, the first medium circuit 4 branches to two flow branches. In a first flow branch 6, a charge air cooler heat exchanger 13 is arranged, in which the heat energy of the charge air cooler is transmitted to the flowing branch stream.

In a second flow branch 7, a cooling circuit heat exchanger 14 is arranged, in which the flowing therethrough

Zweigstrom the heat energy of the cooling circuit is transmitted.

By branching are the speed of the first

Heat transfer medium and the flow in each of these two

Heat exchanger less than in a series connection. This allows a greater amount of heat energy to the first

Heat transfer medium to be transferred.

Behind these two heat exchangers, the two flow branches are brought together again, so that the branch streams can reunite. Subsequently, the first heat transfer medium is compressed in a second pump 9 and passed through a first exhaust gas heat exchanger 15. The thus heated first heat transfer medium is passed as in the embodiment of FIG. 2 in the working space of a screw motor 2, in which it expands and thereby drives the screw motor 2. Of course, it would also be possible to feed each branch stream per a screw motor 2, if two screw motors 2 are needed to drive different engines. In the same way, it would also be possible to provide a branching of the first medium circuit 4 behind the heat sources and to supply each branch stream thus produced to a screw motor 2. The number of screw motors 2 should generally not be limited to two, any other number of screw motors 2 may be advantageous depending on the specific embodiment of the device according to the invention and is included in the invention.

As in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the first heat transfer medium is passed after leaving the working space of the screw motor 2 in a condenser 17, where it is returned to the liquid state.

4 shows a block diagram of the device with a two-part first medium circuit 4.

In fact, this is in turn a first medium cycle 4 with a branch. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 3, however, several heat sources are arranged in series one behind the other in one of the two flow branches.

Behind a serial arrangement of a screw motor 2, a condenser 17 and a first pump 8, the first closed medium circuit 4 branches to a first flow branch 6 and a second flow branch 7.

In the first flow branch 6 are one behind the other Heat exchangers electrical devices 11, an oil cooler heat exchanger 12, a charge air cooler heat exchanger 13 and a cooling circuit heat exchanger 14 are arranged. In the second flow branch 7, a first exhaust gas heat exchanger 15 is arranged.

Both flow branches are brought together again behind the respective heat sources and open into a mass flow mixer 19, in which both branch streams are mixed together to achieve a homogeneous medium temperature. Subsequently, the first heat transfer medium is supplied to the working space of the screw motor 2. The first heat transfer medium in this embodiment is a low evaporation temperature organic liquid, i. the process is run as ORC.

Fig. 5 shows a block diagram of a diesel-electric-hydraulic drive system.

As in FIG. 1, an internal combustion engine 1 is mechanically coupled to a screw motor 2 and a generator 3. The internal combustion engine 1 and its ancillaries produce power loss in the form of heat. The carriers of this heat are the exhaust gases, the engine oil, the cooling water, the electrical components, etc. The heat energy originating from these heat sources is transferred in corresponding heat exchangers to the first heat transfer medium circulating in a closed first medium circuit 4.

In this embodiment, one of the ancillaries of the internal combustion engine is a hydraulic pump 24, which is designed to provide pressurized oil for the operation of various hydraulic drives 25. The heat energy generated and stored in the hydraulic oil is transferred to the first heat transfer medium in a hydraulic oil heat exchanger 32. In addition, various electric drives 26 are present, the waste heat in a heat exchanger of electrical devices 11 is transferred to the first heat transfer medium.

The superheated heat transfer medium is fed into the working space of a screw motor 2. There relaxes the first heat transfer medium, it comes to a flash evaporation. Due to the volume increase associated therewith, the first heat transfer medium drives the screw motor 2.

Due to the mechanical coupling of the screw motor 2 with the internal combustion engine 1, their benefits add up. Together, the internal combustion engine 1 and the screw motor 2 drive the also coupled to the engine 1 generator 3, which converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy. After the expansion of the first heat transfer medium in the screw motor 2, it is conveyed by a condenser 17, so that it is returned to the liquid state. Subsequently, the first heat transfer medium again passes through the heat exchanger and the cycle begins again.

A control electronics 20 with a frequency converter 21 controls the function of the device. Depending on the power requirement, the electrical energy generated by the generator 3 is stored in an energy store 22 for storing electrical energy or supplied to one or more of the electric drives 26.

The generator 3 is designed as a switched reluctance generator. The control electronics 20 is also designed as a higher-level control for all modules of the drive system.

FIG. 6 shows a displacement device 28 for shifting the center of mass of an assembly arrangement.

In particular, when using the device in an internal combustion engine vehicle drive system, it may be advantageous to the center of mass of the device to adapt to a specific operating condition. This object can be achieved in that the particularly heavy components of the device are movably mounted with respect to the carrier vehicle.

In the exemplary embodiment, the device comprises, in addition to an internal combustion engine 1, a screw motor 2 and a generator 3, which are both mechanically coupled to the internal combustion engine 1 in such a way that they are in operative connection with one another. This unit assembly is movably mounted on a running rail 27 and by means of a displacement device 28 electromotive between two end positions, which are defined by a respective locking device 29, back and forth.

FIG. 7 shows a device for utilizing the waste heat of a solar cell 30 with an open second medium circuit 5.

In a closed first medium cycle 4, a first heat transfer medium by a solar collector or a photovoltaic solar cell (hereinafter uniform as

Solar cell 30), wherein the first

Heat transfer medium absorbs the heat accumulating there. The

Circulation is carried out by a first pump 8. After heating of the first heat transfer medium in the solar cell 30, it is expanded in a screw motor 2 and drives it. Of the

Screw motor 2 is in turn mechanically coupled to a generator 3, which converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy. After expansion, the first heat transfer medium is liquefied in a condenser 17.

The heat exchange in the condenser 17 takes place with the aid of a second medium circuit 5, through which a second heat transfer medium flows. In the exemplary embodiment, the second medium circuit 5 is an open medium circuit and the second heat transfer medium is a gas, namely air. After the second heat transfer medium in the condenser 17 has absorbed a large part of the heat stored in the first heat transfer medium, it is fed to another heat exchanger 18, which in turn is flowed through by the first heat transfer medium. In this way, the heat, which was withdrawn during the liquefaction, is returned to the first heat transfer medium, so that this heat can also be used for the process according to the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a device for utilizing the waste heat of a solar cell 30 with a closed second medium circuit 5.

This device is identical to the embodiment according to FIG. 7 with respect to the first medium circuit 4. The difference is found in the second medium circuit 5, which is formed in this embodiment of the device according to the invention as a closed circuit. This second medium circuit 5 is filled with a liquid, for example, water-based second heat transfer medium.

The circulation of the second heat transfer medium within the second medium circuit 5 is effected by a second pump 9. To increase the temperature gradient between the first heat transfer medium and the second heat transfer medium in the condenser 17, a condenser 31 is provided in the second medium circuit 5 between the further heat exchanger 18 and the condenser 17 , which extracts heat energy from the second heat transfer medium and releases it to the environment.

Methods and devices for improving the

Efficiency of energy conversion equipment

Bezuqzeichenliste

1 internal combustion engine

2 screw motor

3 generator

4 first medium cycle

5 second medium circuit 6 first flow branch

7 second flow branch

8 first pump

9 second pump

10 Air Conditioning Heat Exchangers 11 Heat Exchangers of Electrical Components

12 oil cooler heat exchanger

13 intercooler heat exchanger

14 cooling circuit heat exchanger

15 first exhaust gas heat exchanger 16 second exhaust gas heat exchanger

17 capacitor

18 more heat exchangers

19 mass flow mixer

20 Control electronics 21 Frequency converter

22 energy storage

23 electric motor

24 hydraulic pump

25 hydraulic drive 26 electric drive

27 track rail

28 displacement device Locking device Solar cell Radiator Hydraulic oil heat exchanger

Claims

Methods and apparatus for improving the efficiency of energy conversion devices

1. A method for improving the efficiency of energy conversion devices (1), in which heat energy is generated or recovered, in which a first heat transfer medium in a closed first medium cycle (4) is promoted, heat energy from at least one heat source (10, 11, 12, 13 , 14, 15, 16, 18, 32) is transferred to the first heat transfer medium, wherein the first Wärmeträgeπnedium is maintained substantially in the liquid state, then the first heat transfer medium in the working space of a screw motor (2) is passed, wherein the first heat transfer medium within the working space of the screw motor (2) is converted by means of flash evaporation at least partially in the gaseous state and thereby drives the screw motor (2) and is liquefied again after exiting the screw motor (2).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow of the first heat transfer medium is branched to at least two branch streams and each branch stream heat energy from at least one heat source (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 32) is supplied.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that at least two branch streams in front of a screw motor

(2) be merged again.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the liquefaction of the first heat transfer medium after exiting the screw motor (2) in a condenser (17).

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that a second heat transfer medium on the secondary side through the condenser (17) is passed to remove heat from the first heat transfer medium.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the second heat transfer medium after the condenser (17) is passed through a further heat exchanger (18) to supply the first heat transfer medium the previously extracted heat again.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the second heat transfer medium is conveyed in a second, closed medium circuit (5).

8. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the second heat transfer medium is conveyed in a second, open medium circuit (5).

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least a part of the mechanical energy of the screw motor (2) is used directly.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least a part of the mechanical energy of the screw motor (2) in a generator (3) is converted into electrical energy.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized that at least part of the electrical energy in an electric motor (23) is converted into mechanical energy.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that at least a portion of the electrical energy in an energy store (22) is stored.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that in the first medium circuit (4), a water-based heat transfer medium is conveyed.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that in the first medium circuit (4) an organic heat transfer medium is conveyed with a low evaporation temperature.

15. Device for improving the efficiency of energy conversion devices (1), in which

Heat energy is generated or recovered, comprising a filled with a first heat transfer medium, closed first medium cycle (4), at least one of the first heat transfer medium through which heat source (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 32) for the transmission of Heat energy to the first heat transfer medium, at least one of the first heat transfer medium flowed through screw motor (2) with a working space for at least partial flash evaporation of the first heat transfer medium within the

Working space of the screw motor (2), at least one behind the screw motor (2) arranged capacitor

(17) for liquefying the first heat transfer medium and at least one pump (8, 9) for conveying the first heat transfer medium.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that at least two pumps (8, 9) are provided for conveying the first heat transfer medium, a first pump (8) being arranged in front of the screw motor (2) and a second pump (9) behind the screw motor (2).

17. The apparatus of claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the first medium circuit (4) at at least one point to at least two flow branches (6, 7) is branched, wherein in at least one flow branch (6, 7) at least one heat source (10 , 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 32).

18. Device according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that at least two flow branches (6, 7) in front of a screw motor (2) are brought together again.

19. The device according to one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that a second, by a second heat transfer medium flowed through the medium circuit (5) is provided which extracts heat from the first heat transfer medium in the condenser (17).

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the second medium circuit (5) is an open medium circuit and the second heat transfer medium is gaseous.

21. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the second medium circuit (5) is a closed medium circuit and the second heat transfer medium is liquid.

22. Device according to one of claims 15 to 21, characterized characterized in that the second heat transfer medium after flowing through the condenser (17) flows through a further heat exchanger (18) to supply the first heat transfer medium the previously extracted heat again.

23. Device according to one of claims 15 to 22, characterized in that a heat source is an electrical device (11).

24. Device according to one of claims 15 to 23, characterized in that a heat source is an oil cooler (12).

25. Device according to one of claims 15 to 24, characterized in that a heat source is a charge air cooler (13).

26. Device according to one of claims 15 to 25, characterized in that a heat source is a cylinder head

(14) of an internal combustion engine (1).

27. Device according to one of claims 15 to 26, characterized in that a heat source is a cylinder block (14) of an internal combustion engine (1).

28. Device according to one of claims 15 to 27, characterized in that a heat source is an exhaust gas heat exchanger (15, 16).

29. Device according to one of claims 15 to 28, characterized in that a heat source is an air conditioning heat exchanger (10).

30. Device according to one of claims 15 to 29, characterized in that a heat source is a hydraulic oil circuit (32).

31. Device according to one of claims 15 to 29, characterized in that a heat source is a friction brake.

32. Device according to one of claims 15 to 31, characterized in that a heat source is an eddy current brake.

33. Device according to one of claims 15 to 32, characterized in that a heat source is a solar collector (30).

34. Device according to one of claims 15 to 33, characterized in that a heat source is a photovoltaic solar cell (30).

35. Device according to one of claims 15 to 34, characterized in that the first medium circuit (4) is filled with a water-based heat transfer medium.

36. Device according to one of claims 15 to 35, characterized in that the first medium circuit (4) is filled with an organic heat transfer medium having a low evaporation temperature.

37. Device according to one of claims 15 to 36, characterized in that at least one screw motor (2) is in operative connection with at least one generator (3) for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.

38. Device according to one of claims 15 to 37, characterized in that further an electric motor (23) is provided for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy.

39. Device according to one of claims 15 to 38, characterized in that further comprises an energy store (22) for storing electrical energy is provided.

40. Device according to one of claims 15 to 39, characterized in that further comprises an electronic control system

(20) is provided for controlling and regulating the device.

41. Apparatus according to claim 40, characterized in that the control electronics (20) comprises a frequency converter

(21).

42. Apparatus according to claim 40 or 41, characterized in that the control electronics (20) with the

Control and regulating devices of other components of the device is in a master-slave relationship, wherein the control electronics (20) is master and the other control and regulating devices are slave.

43. Device according to one of claims 15 to 42, characterized in that an assembly arrangement of an internal combustion engine (1) and with the internal combustion engine (1) each mechanically coupled screw motor (2) and generator (3) on a running rail (27) movable is stored.

44. Apparatus according to claim 43, characterized in that the aggregate arrangement between two end positions is movable back and forth.

45. Apparatus according to claim 44, characterized in that the end positions are defined by a respective locking device (29).

46. Device according to one of claims 43 to 45, characterized in that the aggregate arrangement means a displacement device (28) is movable back and forth.

47. Apparatus according to claim 46, characterized in that the displacement device is actuated by an electric motor.

48. Apparatus according to claim 46, characterized in that the displacement device is hydraulically actuated.