Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus controller includes an expansion-valve controller configured to output an opening-degree command for an expansion valve based on a deviation between a discharge temperature of refrigerant discharged from a compressor and a set discharge temperature, and at least two control parameters including a proportionality coefficient and an integral coefficient, a flow-rate-correction-coefficient calculator configured to calculate a flow-rate correction coefficient from a refrigerant flow rate of refrigerant circulating through a refrigerant circuit and a preset flow-rate reference value, and a coefficient corrector configured to calculate the proportionality coefficient by correcting a preset proportionality-coefficient reference value based on the flow-rate correction coefficient, and calculate the integral coefficient by correcting a preset integral-coefficient reference value based on the flow-rate correction coefficient.

Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus controller includes an expansion-valve controller configured to output an opening-degree command for an expansion valve based on a deviation between a discharge temperature of refrigerant discharged from a compressor and a set discharge temperature, and at least two control parameters including a proportionality coefficient and an integral coefficient, a flow-rate-correction-coefficient calculator configured to calculate a flow-rate correction coefficient from a refrigerant flow rate of refrigerant circulating through a refrigerant circuit and a preset flow-rate reference value, and a coefficient corrector configured to calculate the proportionality coefficient by correcting a preset proportionality-coefficient reference value based on the flow-rate correction coefficient, and calculate the integral coefficient by correcting a preset integral-coefficient reference value based on the flow-rate correction coefficient.

Abstract: A thermal storage and exchange heating apparatus includes: a thermal storage tank that stores a heated heat medium; a circulation channel connected to high and low temperature sides of the thermal storage tank, and through which the heat medium circulates; a heat exchanger provided to the circulation channel and configured to exchange heat between the heat medium and a heating object, to heat the heating object; a circulation direction switch configured to switch circulation of the heat medium in the circulation channel between a forward direction from the high-temperature side to the low-temperature side and a reversed backward direction; and a controller configured to cause the heat medium to circulate in the forward direction by switching the circulation direction switch in a heating operation and causing the heat medium to circulate in the backward direction by switching the circulation direction switch after a stop of the heating operation.

Abstract: A thermal storage and exchange heating apparatus includes: a thermal storage tank that stores a heated heat medium; a circulation channel connected to high and low temperature sides of the thermal storage tank, and through which the heat medium circulates; a heat exchanger provided to the circulation channel and configured to exchange heat between the heat medium and a heating object, to heat the heating object; a circulation direction switch configured to switch circulation of the heat medium in the circulation channel between a forward direction from the high-temperature side to the low-temperature side and a reversed backward direction; and a controller configured to cause the heat medium to circulate in the forward direction by switching the circulation direction switch in a heating operation and causing the heat medium to circulate in the backward direction by switching the circulation direction switch after a stop of the heating operation.

Abstract: An exhaust heat regeneration system includes: an evaporator for cooling engine cooling water; an expansion device for expanding the refrigerant heated through the evaporator so as to generate a driving force; a condenser for cooling the refrigerant passing through the expansion device to condense the refrigerant; and a pump for pressure-feeding the refrigerant cooled through the condenser to the evaporator, in which: the expansion device is coupled to the pump by a shaft, and the expansion device and the pump are housed within the same casing to constitute a pump-integrated type expansion device; and the pump includes a high-pressure chamber through which the refrigerant to be discharged to the evaporator flows, the high-pressure chamber being provided on the expansion device side, or a low-pressure chamber through which the refrigerant flowing from the condenser flows, the low-pressure chamber being provided on the expansion device side.

Abstract: In a case of a refrigerant amount being short when a Rankine cycle starts operating, because the pressure difference does not occur across a refrigerant pump, refrigerant cannot be injected from a bypass circuit to the Rankine cycle, and therefore super-cooling degree cannot be controlled. An exhaust heat recovery system is provided that can adjust the super-cooling degree even in the case of the pressure difference not occurring across the refrigerant pump. The system includes a refrigerant tank, for storing refrigerant, which is connected by pipes to the low-pressure circuit side and the high-pressure circuit side of the Rankine cycle through a low-pressure-side valve and a high-pressure-side valve, respectively, and a temperature adjuster for adjusting internal temperature of the refrigerant tank.

Abstract: An exhaust heat regeneration system includes: an evaporator for cooling engine cooling water; an expansion device for expanding the refrigerant heated through the evaporator so as to generate a driving force; a condenser for cooling the refrigerant passing through the expansion device to condense the refrigerant; and a pump for pressure-feeding the refrigerant cooled through the condenser to the evaporator, in which: the expansion device is coupled to the pump by a shaft, and the expansion device and the pump are housed within the same casing to constitute a pump-integrated type expansion device; and the pump includes a high-pressure chamber through which the refrigerant to be discharged to the evaporator flows, the high-pressure chamber being provided on the expansion device side, or a low-pressure chamber through which the refrigerant flowing from the condenser flows, the low-pressure chamber being provided on the expansion device side.

Abstract: In a case of a refrigerant amount being short when a Rankine cycle starts operating, because the pressure difference does not occur across a refrigerant pump, refrigerant cannot be injected from a bypass circuit to the Rankine cycle, and therefore super-cooling degree cannot be controlled. An exhaust heat recovery system is provided that can adjust the super-cooling degree even in the case of the pressure difference not occurring across the refrigerant pump. The system includes a refrigerant tank, for storing refrigerant, which is connected by pipes to the low-pressure circuit side and the high-pressure circuit side of the Rankine cycle through a low-pressure-side valve and a high-pressure-side valve, respectively, and a temperature adjuster for adjusting internal temperature of the refrigerant tank.

Abstract: The output of a fuel cell stack is kept consumed in an external load through a power converter having a constant-current operating function for keeping an output current of the fuel cell stack at a constant value, until an output voltage of the fuel cell stack reaches an operable lower limit voltage value of the power converter after stopping the supply of oxidant-containing gas to a cathode while maintaining the supply of hydrogen-containing gas to an anode. When the output voltage of the fuel cell stack falls below the operable lower limit voltage value, the output of the fuel cell stack is connected to a short-circuit resistor. Thereafter, a reformer is stopped when the output voltage of the fuel cell stack reaches approximately zero.

Abstract: A fuel cell power generating apparatus includes a fuel cell that generates electric power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidizer gas; a fuel gas generating section connected to the fuel cell and generating the fuel gas; a raw fuel supply line that supplies a raw fuel to the fuel gas generating section; opening/closing sections that discharge a liquid raw material that is part of the raw fuel to the raw fuel supply line; a pressure section that feeds the liquid raw material to the opening/closing sections; and a control section controlling the opening/closing sections by sequentially transmitting pulse-like open signals at shifted times to respective opening/closing sections.

Abstract: The output of a fuel cell stack is kept consumed in an external load through a power converter having a constant-current operating function for keeping an output current of the fuel cell stack at a constant value, until an output voltage of the fuel cell stack reaches an operable lower limit voltage value of the power converter after stopping the supply of oxidant-containing gas to a cathode while maintaining the supply of hydrogen-containing gas to an anode. When the output voltage of the fuel cell stack falls below the operable lower limit voltage value, the output of the fuel cell stack is connected to a short-circuit resistor. Thereafter, a reformer is stopped when the output voltage of the fuel cell stack reaches approximately zero.

Abstract: A seal mechanism for a Stirling engine has an upper and lower piston ring mounted on a displacer piston with a space therebetween and at least one piston ring mounted on a power piston. The seals produced by the piston rings of the displacer piston are given directionality in opposite directions so that the pressure within the space between the upper and lower piston rings is always higher or lower than the pressure within the expansion space and the compression space of the engine. In a preferred embodiment, the displacer piston rings each comprise two loosely-fitting outer rings which surround an inner ring. Air vents are formed in one surface of each of the inner rings between the center and the outer surface of the inner ring. The inner rings of the upper and lower piston rings are oriented so that the air vents face in opposite directions. Means for imparting directionality in the same direction to the seals produced by the power piston rings may also be provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing lubricating oil from rising to the working spaces of a Stirling engine has a first and a second oil-absorbing member disposed within a cylindrical member in which a rod reciprocates. The first oil-absorbing member is secured to the rod with its outer periphery in sliding contact with the inner wall of the cylindrical member, and the second oil-absorbing member is secured to the cylindrical member with its inner periphery in sliding contact with the rod. A first baffle plate having a hole which is larger than the rod is secured to the cylindrical member immediately below and in intimate contact with the second oil-absorbing member. The first baffle plate makes the flow speed of gas through the second oil-absorbing member higher from above to below than from below to above. As a result, oil is continually blown downwards by a blast of accelerated gas and is returned to the crankcase of the engine.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a Stirling engine has a domed cylinder which serves as a high-temperature cylinder and a regenerator housing. The domed cylinder has a smoothly-changing cross-sectional shape so that stress concentrations will not develop therein. A thin inner liner which is inserted into the domed cylinder divides the inside of the domed cylinder into an expansion space and a regenerator space. A cylindrical regenerator is coaxially disposed inside the regenerator space. A cylindrical cooler is coaxially disposed below the regenerator with its inner surface forming the outer periphery of the compression space of the engine. The expansion space and the regenerator space are connected with one another by a plurality of heater tubes which are secured to the domed cylinder.