Plants Patents (Class 237/13)
  • Patent number: 11719469
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for energy distribution that uses liquid carbon dioxide as a working fluid. Evaporation of the carbon dioxide provides cooling, and compression of the carbon dioxide gas back to the liquid state provides heat. The amount of heat transferred at both stages is sufficient to provide environmental heating and cooling. Waste thermal energy from a power plant, in the form of hot water, is fed into the system and used to drive the overall process. An underground thermal energy storage system is used to store energy flowing into the system that is in excess of the current demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: M.E.D. Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Francois Ignace Geinoz, Marcel Cueni, Kameran Yakob
  • Patent number: 11454404
    Abstract: A local energy distributing system includes a local feed conduit; a local return conduit; a central heat exchanger connected to a heating grid having a feed conduit for an incoming flow of heat transfer fluid having a first temperature in the range of 50-120° C., and a return conduit for a return flow of heat transfer fluid having a second temperature, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature, wherein the central heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat from the incoming flow of heat transfer fluid to an outgoing flow of local heat transfer fluid in the local feed conduit. The system also includes a plurality of local heating systems, each having an inlet connected to the local feed conduit and an outlet connected to the local return conduit, wherein each local heating system is configured to provide hot water and/or comfort heating to a building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: E.ON SVERIGE AB
    Inventor: Fredrik Rosenqvist
  • Patent number: 11371720
    Abstract: A thermal energy network interconnecting a plurality of thermal loads and methods of providing thermal energy therebetween, the network and methods including: a primary circuit loop for working fluid, at least two thermal loads thermally connected to the primary circuit loop, at least one of the thermal loads being capable of taking heat from the primary circuit loop and at least one of the thermal loads being capable of rejecting heat into the primary circuit loop, an energy centre connected to the loop and capable of acting as a heat source or a heat sink, and a control system adapted to provide to the primary circuit loop a positive or negative thermal input from the energy centre as a balancing thermal input to compensate for net thermal energy lost to or gained from the at least two thermal loads by the primary circuit loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Erda Master IPCO Limited
    Inventors: Dmitriy Zaynulin, Michael Ardis, Kevin Stickney, Gregory Davis, Alban Leiper, John Hayes
  • Patent number: 10235724
    Abstract: A method and system of providing hot water efficiently. A cost of heating a volume of water to a predetermined temperature in a first water heater is determined. A cost of transferring a volume of hot water from a second water heater of a network of interconnected water heaters to the first water heater is determined. Upon determining that the cost of transferring the volume of hot water from the second water heater is lower than the cost of heating the volume of water of the first water heater, the second water heater transfers at least part of the volume of hot water to the first water heater. Otherwise, the volume of water is heated to the predetermined temperature in the first water heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicole A. Taheri, Tigran Tchrakian, Jia Yuan Yu, Sergiy Zhuk
  • Patent number: 10041380
    Abstract: An engine preheating apparatus includes a waste heat recovery unit for recovering waste heat within a vehicle, and an air cooler connected to the waste heat recovery unit for receiving waste heat from the waste heat recovery unit, wherein an intake pipe in which intake air flows is connected to the air cooler in a communicating manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Jung Min Seo
  • Patent number: 9816400
    Abstract: A unique method and ternary cycle process that captures heat from low temperature sources currently considered not commercially usable to produce electricity and desalinate water. In one cycle a novel flash tower operating at vacuum pressure causes a fraction of low temperature water to flash into steam. The steam passes to an indirect heat exchanger with a circulating refrigerating agent such as CO2, which condenses the steam on its outside surfaces to produce desalinated water product. The steam heat of condensation vaporizes the refrigerating agent, which is part of a binary refrigerate cycle that uniquely conditions it for turbine expansion to produce electricity in a connected electric generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Calvin Eugene Phelps, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9175864
    Abstract: An energy-saving heating and hot water supply system includes a main heat exchanger, a circulation pump, a hot water supply heat exchanger and a hot water distributor. The main heat exchanger produces heating water through a heat exchange. The circulation pump circulates the heating water produced in the main heat exchanger so that the heating water is supplied to and collected from each household or floor. The hot water supply heat exchanger produces hot water through a heat exchange between water for hot water supply and the heating water supplied from the main heat exchanger and circulates the produced hot water in a floor coil through the hot water distributor or directly circulates the produced hot water in the floor coil. The hot water distributor receives the heating water and circulates the received heating water in the floor coil provided for each household or floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: GU-SUNG ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sok Ku Yun
  • Patent number: 8977402
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a system for operating a wind power plant (1) connected to a power grid (2), the wind power plant comprising a number of wind turbine generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Jorge Martinez Garcia
  • Patent number: 8955763
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a building heating system. The system includes a controller that operates the heating system in three modes of operation. The controller controls a valve that regulates the flow of steam to the building water loop. By maintaining a constant steam flow rate during peak demand periods, steam consumption during peak demand periods are reduced while maintaining a comfortable environment within the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
    Inventors: Simkho Zirkiyev, Charles Carroll Copeland, John D. Leffler
  • Patent number: 8636226
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for estimating the fuel supply of a boiler, for a building (2) having a boiler (4) and energy accumulation means (4?), in order to ensure a desired indoor temperature during an autonomy period P, this method including the following steps: a) making an estimation of the average outdoor temperature during the autonomy period P, b) determining the consumption of the building (2) in order to ensure said desired indoor temperature, depending on the previous estimation of the average outdoor temperature, c) determining the amount of energy to be provided depending on the previous consumption, and the amount of fuel required for providing this energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Cedric Paulus, Phillipe Papillon
  • Patent number: 8371512
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a low exhaust heat engine (ME) for driving the driven wheels and a system for conditioning the air temperature of the passenger compartment (CAB). The conditioning system includes a reversible heat pump (PAC) which conditions in temperature respectively a distribution loop (DI) and an exhaust loop (RE) through which flows a coolant. The distribution loop (DI) is connected to an exchanger (H2) with the air entering the space compartment (CAB) and is connectable via an electromagnetic valve (EV1) to another exchanger (H1) with the air entering the passenger compartment (CAB). The exhaust loop (RE) is connected to an exchanger (F1) with the outside air. The exhaust loop being further connected to the engine (ME) for exchanging heat with the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Kokam France SAS
    Inventor: Alain Douarre
  • Publication number: 20120248213
    Abstract: A system for heating a facility is provided. The system includes a first inlet from a district heating system. A heating system is arranged having a condensate outlet. A hyper-condensate recycler is provided having a second inlet coupled to the condensate outlet and a third inlet coupled to the first inlet. The hyper-condensate recycler includes a first outlet. A separator having a fourth inlet is coupled to the first outlet, the separator further having a second outlet fluidly coupled to the first inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Kremer, Vladimir V. Fisenko, A. Arthur Kressner, Joseph Carbonara, Edward Gerard Ecock
  • Patent number: 8245948
    Abstract: A co-generation system is provided that includes a heat exchanger that heats water; a heat transfer path connected with the water heat exchanger that transfers heat; a hot water storage tank connected with the water heat exchanger and the water circulation path; a hot water storage water supply apparatus that supplies water in the hot water storage tank to the water circulation path; a water supply path connected with the water circulation path; a water supply apparatus that supplies water to the water supply path; and a hot water supply heat exchanger bypassing apparatus that bypasses the water supplied to the water circulation path from the hot water storage tank through the hot water supply heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Eun Jun Cho, Sim Bok Ha, Cheol Min Kim, Se Dong Chang
  • Patent number: 8136740
    Abstract: A thermodynamic system that produces mechanical, electrical power, and/or fluid streams for heating or cooling. The cycle contains a combustion system that produces an energetic fluid by combustion of a fuel with an oxidant. A thermal diluent may be used in the cycle to improve performance, including but not limited to power, efficiency, economics, emissions, dynamic and off-peak load performance, and/or turbine inlet temperature (TIT) regulation and cooling heated components. The cycle preferably includes a heat recovery system and a condenser or other means to recover and recycle heat and the thermal diluent from the energetic fluid to improve the cycle thermodynamic efficiency and reduce energy conversion costs. The cycle may also include controls for temperatures, pressures, and flow rates throughout the cycle, and controls power output, efficiency, and energetic fluid composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Vast Power Portfolio, LLC
    Inventors: David L. Hagen, Gary Ginter, Alberto Traverso, Bill Goheen, Allan McGuire, Janet Rankin, Aristide Massardo, Ronald L. Klaus
  • Publication number: 20120031987
    Abstract: A process heater system (10) for an industrial envelope (11) comprises a main combustion chamber (20), an afterburner (30), and an exhaust stack (40). Retrofitted heat-recovery piping (50) receives combustion gas downstream of the afterburner (30) and uses it as a heat source for the industrial envelope. When the industrial load in the main combustion chamber (20) is paint, powder coating, varnish, epoxy, grease and/or oil, the secondary materials burned in the afterburner 30 can be considered alternative fuel, not solid wastes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Robert F. Heran, Robert A. Koptis
  • Publication number: 20100147965
    Abstract: A heat pump includes a first portion for evaporating a working fluid at a first pressure, for compressing the evaporated working fluid to a second, higher pressure, and for liquefying the compressed working fluid within a liquefier, and a second portion for compressing liquid working fluid to a third pressure, which is higher than the second pressure, for evaporating the working fluid compressed to the third pressure, for relaxing the evaporated working fluid to a pressure, which is lower than the third pressure, so as to generate electrical current, and for liquefying relaxed evaporated working fluid within the liquefier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Holger Sedlak, Oliver Kniffler
  • Publication number: 20020129811
    Abstract: A solar-based power generating system including an electrical alternator or generator for generating electrical power in which the alternator or generator is driven by a refrigerant circulating through a closed-loop heat transfer system including an evaporator exposed to solar energy and a condenser disposed within a large heat sink such as a body of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas H. Hebert
  • Patent number: 6161768
    Abstract: The present invention provides a turbo heater which utilizes a gas turbine engine and a heat exchanger assembly. The gas turbine engine is adapted to efficiently operate over a prolonged period of time and at varying power outputs without adverse or detrimental effects to the components thereof. For example, the gas turbine engine includes bearing assemblies and a fuel delivery systems which are uniquely designed for the demands of repeated cycling (i.e. starting and stopping), as well as operation at various power outputs without damage to the gas turbine engine. In addition, the use of exhaust gas from the gas turbine engine eliminates direct impingement of combustion on the heat exchanger element, thereby significantly increasing the durability and life span of the turbo heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Fairlane Tool Company
    Inventors: Richard W. Gordon, Richard Chute
  • Patent number: 6073857
    Abstract: The present invention provides a turbo heater which utilizes a gas turbine engine and a heat exchanger assembly. The gas turbine engine is adapted to efficiently operate over a prolonged period of time and at varying power outputs without adverse or detrimental effects to the components thereof. For example, the gas turbine engine includes bearing assemblies and a fuel delivery systems which are uniquely designed for the demands of repeated cycling (i.e. starting and stopping), as well as operation at various power outputs without damage to the gas turbine engine. In addition, the use of exhaust gas from the gas turbine engine eliminates direct impingement of combustion on the heat exchanger element, thereby significantly increasing the durability and life span of the turbo heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Fairlane Tool Company
    Inventors: Richard W. Gordon, Richard Chute
  • Patent number: 5992507
    Abstract: A geothermal community loop field which serves as a shared means of heat exchange for a plurality of thermal loads. Heat is exchanged between the ground and a circulating heat exchange fluid in at least one subterranean heat exchanger. Heat is exchanged between each thermal load and the circulating heat exchange fluid by contacting the external heat exchanger of each thermal load with the circulating heat exchange fluid. Flow of the circulating heat exchange fluid between the geothermal community loop field and each thermal load is controlled by a plurality of flow control centers, each servicing one thermal load. The flow control centers provide means for installing additional thermal loads or maintaining existing loads without affecting the operation of the rest of the system. In addition, the flow control centers provide a means for setting the flow rate of heat exchange fluid to each thermal load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Barry A. Peterson, Armand H. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5865369
    Abstract: Apparatus for diverting and recycling exhaust steam used in manufacturing processes to provide steam for conventional heating equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventors: Gerald Fisher, Joseph Manaseri
  • Patent number: 5535944
    Abstract: A combined heat and power (CPH) system for a building has an electrical generator (12) For supply power and a gas engine (14) which drives the generator, contained in a housing (30). Recirculating air is drawn in through an inlet (32), over the electric generator, gas engine and its cooling and exhaust systems (38, 36) where it is heated by waste heat. It is then mixed with controlled amounts of fresh air to regulate the air temperature before being passed into the building air recirculating system. The gas engine can be run at a constant speed which is not dependent on the required temperature of the recirculating air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Tilehouse Group PLC
    Inventor: Joseph Knowles
  • Patent number: 5106447
    Abstract: Insulation assemblies for the HVAC industry are bonded by spray application of a hot melt adhesive composition comprising 10 to 50 percent of an isostactic thermoplastic polybutene-1/ethylene copolymer containing from about 5.5 to about 10% by weight ethylene; 20 to 50 percent of a tackifier; 15 to 50 percent of an amorphous diluent having a softening point greater than 90.degree. C.; 0 to 2 percent antioxidant; and 0 to 5 percent wax.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Lisa Di Rado, Francis X. Brady
  • Patent number: 4873840
    Abstract: A co-generation system for producing electricity, heating and cooling and including a combustion unit, a boiler connected to the combustion unit, a steam engine and an electrical generator driven to the steam engine. A condenser is connected to the steam exhaust port of the steam engine, the condenser supplying heat to a heat system and causing condensation of the steam discharged by the exhaust port. An absorption cooler is connected to the exhaust port of the steam engine, the absorption cooler for cooling fluid of a cooling system. A heat pump or centrifugal cooler can also be driven by the output shaft of the steam engine. The co-generation system can also include a flue gas cooler for further transfer of heat to heating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: SwedSteam AB
    Inventor: Rolf Gilliusson
  • Patent number: 4865251
    Abstract: The receiving station for long-distance heating has a heat exchanger for the transmission of heat from the long-distance heating medium, in particular water, to the heating water in a receiver circuit. This arrangement has a first automatic control system, controlled by thermometer probes in the receiver circuit, for regulating the temperature in said receiver circuit via a flow-control valve in the long-distance heating circuit, as well as a second differential-controlled automatic control system for regulating the passage in said receiver circuit via a variable-speed circulating pump. This allows an optimal utilization of the quantity of energy available and the lowest consumption of circulating long-distance heating water, which has to be paid for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Steinemann AG
    Inventor: Theodor Briner
  • Patent number: 4782888
    Abstract: A system of interconnecting a plurality of users of low grade thermal energy exchange has a number of users which are heat sources and a number of users which are heat sinks to balance heat flux. Heat is exchanged between a nontoxic primary heat transfer liquid and secondary heat transfer fluids for serving such users. The users are charged in proportion to the amount of heat transferred. Separate means are provided for selectively exchanging heat with the primary heat transfer liquid for maintaining the average temperature of the liquid within a desired temperature range. A municipal water main is a desirable source or sink of low grade thermal energy and nontoxicity of primary heat transfer liquid maintains the integrity of the water system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Inventor: Jean W. Bardenheier
  • Patent number: 4775944
    Abstract: A control system for air conditioning and/or hot water supplying apparatus using a central heat source supplies cooling or heating to a plurality of dwelling units of a congregated or multi-storied house. The system calculates the optimum operating condition of the air conditioning and/or hot water supplying apparatus in each of the dwelling units using the operating state information of the central heat source, the weather information forecasted on the basis of the outdoor weather information, the indoor atmosphere information, and the operating state of the air conditioning and/or hot water supplying apparatus in the dwelling units, and the optimum condition is displayed on an output terminal device in each of the dwelling units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
    Inventor: Tadao Nakamura
  • Patent number: 4715192
    Abstract: The invention is a cogeneration system which utilizes an open cycle air-conditioner in conjunction with an internal combustion engine, a generator, an exhaust heat recovery unit, a hot water heat exchanger, a circulating pump, a load dump heat exchanger and an electrical sensing circuit to enable a single fuel source to produce electricity, hot water, and air-conditioned (cooled or heated) air. In addition to running as a stand alone unit, the system can be used to operate in conjunction with existing electrical utilities. The system can float around the electrical or thermal demand of the facility and adjust itself to the needs of the facility. The system is thermally controlled and electrically controlled, based on need.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Imperial Private Power
    Inventor: Yoram Katz
  • Patent number: 4360152
    Abstract: An auxiliary boiler is provided for substantially reducing fuel consumption of a conventional forced-air heating system. A boiler tank substantially filled with water is connected by hot and cold water lines to a heat exchanger disposed within the cold air duct of the forced-air heating system. A firebox which extends into the boiler tank is adapted to receive combustible material such as wood for heating the water in the tank. A pump directs hot water from the tank through the hot water line to the heat exchanger whereby cool air moving through the cold air duct is preheated as it passes through the heat exchanger. Heating tubes in communication with water in the boiler tank may extend through the firebox for supporting logs therein. Additional heating tubes may extend through a flue directed upwardly from the firebox through the boiler tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Inventors: Lester E. Schlatter, Steven J. Miller
  • Patent number: 4232522
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the utilization of the waste heat of diesel engines, in which the waste heat is utilized in at least one vapor circuit to produce mechanical energy. To improve the waste heat utilization, the engine media containing the waste heat--e.g. the boost air and the exhaust gases--have heat additionally withdrawn from them during the pre-heating of the liquid working medium for the vapor circuit. The heat withdrawal is effected by liquid working medium from a heating system which is disposed in parallel relationship to the vapor circuit. The liquid working medium is introduced into the vapor circuit upstream of the pre-heater and is separated downstream thereof from the working medium which is to be evaporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Anton Steiger
  • Patent number: 4226364
    Abstract: An improved air conditioning system of the type wherein a conditioned fluid is conveyed from a central plant to a remote location where the fluid exchanges heat prior to being returned to the central plant for reconditioning. The system is provided with storage means for the fluid at the central plant and the remote location with a single conduit extending therebetween. Nonsimultaneously, pumps convey fluid through the single conduit from the central plant to the remote location and from the remote location to the central plant. In one embodiment, phase change may be employed to augment heat exchange capability at the remote location, or satellite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Inventor: Alfred L. Utesch
  • Patent number: 4187982
    Abstract: For the purpose of improving the utilization of remote heating grids, particularly for space air heating, at least one heat storage device is connected in series with the heaters of a hot water heating circuit, whereby the water conduit from the remote heating grid to the heating circuit can be operated 24 hours a day at its full capacity, so that for any given diameter of the conduit approximately twice the heat quantity previously transmitted can be transmitted with a consequent increase in the rating of the remote heating grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1980
    Inventors: Nikolaus Laing, Ingeborg Laing, Oliver Laing
  • Patent number: 4170879
    Abstract: In a thermal power station installation the waste heat of the last stage is utilized by storing the cooling water which receives this waste heat, and heating it further during the periods during which the installation is not on full load, whereafter it is supplied to the grid of a remote area heating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1979
    Inventors: Nikolaus Laing, Ingeborg Laing, Oliver Laing
  • Patent number: 4168030
    Abstract: Power generating plants discharge steam or hot water typically from a steam turbine to a condenser system for the purpose of cooling the discharged fluid prior to its being recirculated. The condenser system receives water from an ambient source pumped using a circulating water pump, said water being elevated to a temperature on the order of 115.degree. F. to 125.degree. F. upon passing through the condenser system. The condenser system can operate in basically two different states to provide either single pressure, single pass condenser operation when the waste hot water is discharged to the source and not used, or multi-pressure, multi-pass condenser operation to maintain an elevated hot water supply that is fed to a load (utilization equipment). Valve controls are provided for enabling serial-to-parallel and, vice versa, switching between modes of operation without difficulties and with only a slight drop in load during the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1979
    Inventor: Robert W. Timmerman
  • Patent number: 4159595
    Abstract: An installation for cultivating plants on a soil, characterized in that it comprises at least one heat-exchanger, each of said exchangers being constituted by an elongated flat flexible hose with a then wall resting on the soil, and feed means for circulating liquid of a preselected regulated temperature through each of said hoses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1979
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Jean L. Dalle, Maurice Dumont, Andre Fourcy, Aime Freychet, Andre Gouzy
  • Patent number: 4158291
    Abstract: A heating and cooling system comprises a first reservoir containing liquid at an elevated temperature, solar collecting means exposed to solar radiation for collecting solar energy and means disposed in thermal exchange relationship with said first reservoir for transmitting heat energy from said solar collecting means to said first reservoir, a second reservoir containing a liquid disposed in thermal exchange relationship with a portion of the earth, means for blending liquids derived respectively from thermal exchange relationship with said first and second reservoirs, a heat engine having first and second refrigerant coils, one of said refrigerant coils disposed in thermal exchange relationship with an atmosphere to be heated or cooled, and valve means responsive to the refrigerant pressure in said other coil for delivering blended liquid from said blending valve to thermal exchange relationship with said other refrigerant coil, whereby heat energy to be extracted from or delivered to said other refrigeran
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1979
    Assignee: SunTerra Corporation
    Inventor: John W. Jones
  • Patent number: 4134267
    Abstract: For utilizing the waste heat from a thermal power station a plurality of annular zones are provided surrounding the power station, said zones having different temperature levels decreasing in discrete steps radially outwardly from zone to zone. Heat comsumption locations, each having a heat requirement appropriate to the temperature level of the zone in which it is located, are provided in each zone and connected to the power station and with each other by thermally insulated pipe conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1979
    Inventor: Karl Hollemann
  • Patent number: 4093868
    Abstract: Discharge cooling water from the condenser of a steam turbine is pumped through the chiller of a refrigeration machine operating as a "heat pump" during heating duty, thus improving the efficiency thereof from that obtained when using water supplied to the chiller at a lower temperature. Evaporation of the refrigerant in the chiller removes heat from the water supplied thereto, whereby the water temperature is closer to that of the source from which it is taken for use in the turbine condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1978
    Inventor: John I. Manning
  • Patent number: 4019681
    Abstract: A thermal distributing unit for thermal working fluid, primarily for heating and/or air conditioning purposes, comprises a first or thermal supply stand having a main supply connection and a main return connection for the or each thermal working fluid, a second or electricity supply stand equipped with an electrical connection for receiving an electric power supply from an outside source, and an intermediate structure interconnecting the said first and second stands which structure carries rows of paired subsidiary supply and return connections for the thermal working fluid or fluids. The subsidiary supply and return connections communicate with the main supply and return connections through manifolds on the intermediate structure. The said structure may also carry, for the working fluid or fluids motor-driven circulating pumps and control valves associated with the pairs of subsidiary connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1977
    Inventors: Josef Dumser, Wilhelm Korner
  • Patent number: 4006857
    Abstract: A method for transporting heat over long distances in which waste heat from large power plants is utilized. The condenser back-pressure is increased to a level so that the condenser cooling water acquires a temperature in the range of 25.degree.-50.degree. C. The cooling water is subsequently pumped through large pipelines to heat consumer centers where it serves as a heat source for heat pumps. The heat content of the condenser cooling the water is used for raising the temperature of a heating medium to such a degree, that the heat content can be used for heating purposes. After giving off the heat, the condenser cooling water may be used for cooking or drinking purposes, or for the dilution and cooling of waste water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1977
    Assignee: Deutsche Babcock & Wilcox Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Fritz Adrian