Abstract: A power generation system includes a prime mover subsystem and a Rankine-cycle heat energy utilization subsystem. The waste heat stream from the prime mover subsystem provides sufficient thermal content to power the heat energy utilization subsystem. The heat energy utilization subsystem can include a hermetically sealed scroll device, which can expand the working fluid through a single or dual scroll pair configuration. The heat energy utilization subsystem may also include a load-splitting controller, quick-start features and a capacity control module to facilitate rapid response to variable load conditions, as well as provide stand-alone operational capability. The load-splitting controller may incorporate a fuzzy logic controller to coordinate operation between the two subsystems. Energy generated by the heat energy utilization subsystem can be in the form of heat for various domestic and process needs, or can provide supplemental electric current.

Abstract: An involute spiral wrap scroll-type device uses two pairs of spiral wrap members connected together at opposite ends of a common rotational shaft. The device can be operated in either an expansion mode or a combination hybrid mode where each pair of spiral wrap members functions as a compressor and expander, respectively. In an expansion mode, electric current is produced via generator electrically responsive to shaft rotation. In hybrid mode, a first spiral wrap member pair functions as an expander with the second spiral wrap member pair functioning as a compressor. In this mode, the balance of shaft power between that produced by the expander and that absorbed by the compressor is either supplied by the motor/generator functioning as a motor, or converted into electricity by the motor/generator functioning as a generator. The housing can be hermetically sealed, thus promoting contamination-free operation.

Abstract: An involute spiral wrap scroll-type device uses two pairs of spiral wrap members connected together at opposite ends of a common rotational shaft. The device can be operated in either an expansion mode or a combination hybrid mode where each pair of spiral wrap members functions as a compressor and expander, respectively. In an expansion mode, electric current is produced via generator electrically responsive to shaft rotation. In hybrid mode, a first spiral wrap member pair functions as an expander with the second spiral wrap member pair functioning as a compressor. In this mode, the balance of shaft power between that produced by the expander and that absorbed by the compressor is either supplied by the motor/generator functioning as a motor, or converted into electricity by the motor/generator functioning as a generator. The housing can be hermetically sealed, thus promoting contamination-free operation.

Abstract: The present invention is a power supply (10) that starts a load (20) with a heavy start-up power draw from a power grid (12) and then switches the load to a generator (22) for lower power draw operation thereby avoiding the need for a large capacity generator capable of initial start-up of the load (20). The power supply comprises a conductor (15) for connecting to a power grid, an electrical power generation device (30), an electrical power using device or load (20) and a switching mechanism (40) for 1) isolating the power grid (12) from the power generation device (30), 2) connecting the power grid conductor (15) to the electrical power using device (20) for the initial start-up of the power using device (20), and 3) connecting the power generation device (30) to the power using device (20) after initial start-up.

Abstract: A multi-category gaseous fuel-fired heating apparatus having a combustion chamber, a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, and an induced draft blower in fluid communication with the mixing chamber whereby combustion air is drawn into the combustion chamber for combustion of the gaseous fuel and the flue gases are drawn from the combustion chamber through the mixing chamber and exhausted into either a high temperature flue gas vent or a low temperature flue gas vent. The mixing chamber includes a dilution air inlet which, in a high temperature vent mode of operation of the heating apparatus is sealed off by an orifice plate disposed between the mixing chamber and the induced draft blower, and in a low temperature vent mode, the dilution air inlet is open and a larger blower inlet orifice is used.

Abstract: A heating system uses a dynamic thermal stabilizer for receiving, mixing, holding and outputting a circulating heat exchange liquid in a fashion similar to the use of a flywheel in the mechanical arts. Liquid is returned to the dynamic thermal stabilizer from both an input heat exchange unit and an output heat exchange unit. A two pump system affords a simple tee fitting arrangement that provides room air heating by directly using hot liquid either from the dynamic thermal stabilizer or directly (and at higher temperature) from the input heat exchange unit itself to automatically achieve an additional boost of room heat using higher temperature liquid. The system can also provide initial short draws of domestic hot water from the dynamic thermal stabilizer alone or long draws of hot water by using the input heat exchange unit as a further source of heat input.

Abstract: An absorption refrigeration/heat pump system of the four chamber multiple subsystem type in which an absorption power module is employed having a desorber, condenser, and second desorber combined for more effective heat transfer and thermal efficiency.