Cryogenic cogeneration system

Abstract

A cryogenic and thermal source cogeneration method for converting energy from a heat source, through a cryogenic heat transfer process, into mechanical and/or electrical energy, comprising, utilizing a vapor compression cycle to absorb heat from the heat source and, utilizing a Rankine cycle for energy transfer, for converting thermal energy to mechanical and/or electrical energy. A cryogenic and thermal source cogeneration apparatus for converting energy from a heat source, through a cryogenic heat transfer process, into mechanical and/or electrical energy is also disclosed, comprising, vapor compression cycle mechanisms to absorb heat from the heat source, and Rankine cycle mechanisms for energy transfer, for converting thermal energy to mechanical and/or electrical energy. The Rankine cycle mechanisms being operably linked to the vapor compression cycle mechanisms.

1 . A cryogenic cogeneration method for converting energy from a heat source, through a cryogenic heat transfer process, into mechanical and/or electrical energy, comprising: 
 utilizing a vapor compression cycle to absorb heat from said heat source; and,    utilizing a Rankine cycle for energy transfer, for converting thermal energy to mechanical and/or electrical energy.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said Rankine cycle includes utilizing means for conversion of thermal energy into mechanical and/or electrical energy, including energy absorption and rejection means to transfer substantial thermal energy from said heat source to said Rankine cycle, and recycling means for transfer of thermal energy to and from said vapor compression cycle.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further including utilizing said vapor compression cycle with energy absorption and rejection means for transfer of thermal energy from said heat source to said Rankine cycle and/or for transfer of energy via transfer to and from said Rankine cycle.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further including utilizing a heat transfer medium in said Rankine cycle.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further including utilizing a refrigerant in said Rankine cycle.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further including utilizing a heat transfer medium in said vapor compression cycle.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further including utilizing a refrigerant in said vapor compression cycle.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 4 , further including utilizing a thermosiphonic flow stimulated by gravity and natural convection to circulate said heat transfer medium.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 5 , further including utilizing a thermosiphonic flow stimulated by gravity and natural convection to circulate said refrigerant.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 6 , further including utilizing a thermosiphonic flow stimulated by gravity and natural convection to circulate said heat transfer medium.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 , further including utilizing a thermosiphonic flow stimulated by gravity and natural convection to circulate said refrigerant.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , further including utilizing means to compress and/or superheat a heat transfer medium and/or refrigerant by passive natural isothermal and/or exothermal processes.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , further including utilizing means for maintaining a predetermined continuous constant pressure output and/or flow through a sequenced method of simultaneous and/or parallel implementation of passive natural isothermal and/or exothermal processes, using a passive parallel compressors.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , further including utilizing means for broadening both range and control of pressures and/or flows using a blowdown cycle.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , further including utilizing means for broadening both range and control of pressures and/or flows using a blowdown vacuum heat sink.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , further including utilizing means for broadening both range and control of pressures and/or flows using parallel passive volume reduction compressors.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , further including utilizing means to increase a buoyant vessel lifting capacity using avionic lifting means.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , further including utilizing means for broadening said range and control of pressures and/or flows by utilizing a volume reduction compressor.  
   
   
       19 . A cryogenic cogeneration apparatus for converting energy from a heat source, through a cryogenic heat transfer process, into mechanical and/or electrical energy, comprising: 
 vapor compression cycle means to absorb heat from said heat source; and,    Rankine cycle means for energy transfer, for converting thermal energy to mechanical and/or electrical energy, said Rankine cycle means being operably linked to said vapor compression cycle means.    
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said vapor compressor cycle means includes a heat transfer medium.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said Rankine cycle means includes a heat transfer medium.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said vapor compressor cycle means includes a refrigerant.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said Rankine cycle means includes a refrigerant.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , further means for creating a thermosiphonic flow stimulated by gravity and natural convection to circulate said heat transfer medium.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , further including means for creating a thermosiphonic flow stimulated by gravity and natural convection to circulate said refrigerant.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further including means for creating a thermosiphonic flow stimulated by gravity and natural convection to circulate said heat transfer medium.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , further including means for creating a thermosiphonic flow stimulated by gravity and natural convection to circulate said refrigerant.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further including means to compress and/or superheat a heat transfer medium and/or refrigerant by passive natural isothermal and/or exothermal processes.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further including means for maintaining a predetermined continuous constant pressure output and/or flow through a sequenced method of simultaneous and/or parallel implementation of passive natural isothermal and/or exothermal processes, using a passive parallel compressor.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further including means for broadening both range and control of pressures and/or flows using a blowdown cycle.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further including means for broadening both range and control of pressures and/or flows using a blowdown vacuum heat sink.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further including means for broadening both range and control of pressures and/or flows using parallel passive volume reduction compressors.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 19 , further including means to increase a buoyant vessel lifting capacity using avionic lifting means.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 30 , further including means for broadening said range and control of pressures and/or flows by utilizing a volume reduction compressor.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further including a motorized mechanical driven compressor and motorized mechanical driven blower, for flow circulation.  
   
   
       36 . A thermal source cogeneration method for converting energy from a heat source, through a heat transfer process, into mechanical and/or electrical energy, comprising: 
 utilizing a vapor compression cycle to absorb heat from said heat source; and,    utilizing a Rankine cycle for energy transfer, for converting thermal energy to mechanical and/or electrical energy.    
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36 , further including utilizing means for broadening both range and control of pressures and/or flows using a blowdown cycle, and further utilizing means for conversion of thermal energy into mechanical and/or electric energy using an expansion engine.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37 , further including utilizing means for re-introducing the blowdown cycle heat transfer medium into a vapor compression cycle for conversion of thermal energy into mechanical and/or electric energy using an expansion engine and a blowdown heat sink.  
   
   
       39 . A thermal source cogeneration apparatus for converting energy from a heat source, through a cryogenic heat transfer process, into mechanical and/or electrical energy, comprising: 
 vapor compression cycle means to absorb heat from said heat source; and,    Rankine cycle means for energy transfer, for converting thermal energy to mechanical and/or electrical energy, said Rankine cycle means being operably linked to said vapor compression cycle means.