Brian F Hume

US Patent:

20100156112, Jun 24, 2010

Filed:

Dec 4, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/631379

Inventors:

Timothy J. Held - Akron OH, US
Stephen Hostler - Akron OH, US
Jason D. Miller - Hudson OH, US
Brian F. Hume - Westerville OH, US

International Classification:

H02K 7/18
F01K 27/00
F04B 17/03

US Classification:

290 1 A, 60643, 417405

Abstract:

A waste heat recovery system, method and device executes a thermodynamic cycle using a working fluid in a working fluid circuit which has a high pressure side and a low pressure side. Components of the system in the working fluid circuit include a waste heat exchanger in thermal communication with a waste heat source also connected to the working fluid circuit, whereby thermal energy is transferred from the waste heat source to the working fluid in the working fluid circuit, an expander located between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit, the expander operative to convert a pressure/enthalpy drop in the working fluid to mechanical energy, a recuperator in the working fluid circuit operative to transfer thermal energy between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit, a cooler in thermal communication with the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit operative to control temperature of the working fluid in the low side of the working fluid circuit, a pump in the working fluid circuit and connected to the low pressure side and to the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit and operative to move the working fluid through the working fluid circuit, and a mass management system connected to the working fluid circuit, the mass management system, method and device having a working fluid vessel connected to the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit and configured to passively control an amount of working fluid mass in the working fluid circuit.

US Patent:

20110061387, Mar 17, 2011

Filed:

Dec 4, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/631400

Inventors:

Timothy J. Held - Akron OH, US
Stephen Hostler - Akron OH, US
Jason D. Miller - Hudson OH, US
Brian F. Hume - Westerville OH, US

International Classification:

F01K 25/08
F01K 13/00
F01K 19/00

US Classification:

60651, 60671, 60653, 60692, 60693

Abstract:

A waste heat recovery system, method and device executes a thermodynamic cycle using a working fluid in a working fluid circuit which has a high pressure side and a low pressure side. Components of the system in the working fluid circuit include a waste heat exchanger in thermal communication with a waste heat source also connected to the working fluid circuit, whereby thermal energy is transferred from the waste heat source to the working fluid in the working fluid circuit, an expander located between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit, the expander operative to convert a pressure/enthalpy drop in the working fluid to mechanical energy, a recuperator in the working fluid circuit operative to transfer thermal energy between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit, a cooler in thermal communication with the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit operative to control temperature of the working fluid in the low side of the working fluid circuit, a pump in the working fluid circuit and connected to the low pressure side and to the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit and operative to move the working fluid through the working fluid circuit, and a mass management system connected to the working fluid circuit, the mass management system, method and device having a working fluid vessel connected to the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit and configured to passively control an amount of working fluid mass in the working fluid circuit.

US Patent:

20110185729, Aug 4, 2011

Filed:

Dec 4, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/631412

Inventors:

Timothy J. Held - Akron OH, US
Stephen Hostler - Akron OH, US
Jason D. Miller - Hudson OH, US
Brian F. Hume - Westerville OH, US

International Classification:

F01K 27/00

US Classification:

60643

Abstract:

A waste heat recovery system, method and device executes a thermodynamic cycle using a working fluid in a working fluid circuit which has a high pressure side and a low pressure side. Components of the system in the working fluid circuit include a waste heat exchanger in thermal communication with a waste heat source also connected to the working fluid circuit, whereby thermal energy is transferred from the waste heat source to the working fluid in the working fluid circuit, an expander located between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit, the expander operative to convert a pressure/enthalpy drop in the working fluid to mechanical energy, a recuperator in the working fluid circuit operative to transfer thermal energy between the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit, a cooler in thermal communication with the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit operative to control temperature of the working fluid in the low side of the working fluid circuit, a pump in the working fluid circuit and connected to the low pressure side and to the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit and operative to move the working fluid through the working fluid circuit, and a mass management system connected to the working fluid circuit, the mass management system, method and device having a working fluid vessel connected to the low pressure side of the working fluid circuit and configured to passively control an amount of working fluid mass in the working fluid circuit.

US Patent:

20140345279, Nov 27, 2014

Filed:

Aug 4, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/450410

Inventors:

Timothy James Held - Akron OH, US
Stephen Hostler - Akron OH, US
Jason D. Miller - Hudson OH, US
Brian F. Hume - Westerville OH, US

Assignee:

ECHOGEN POWER SYSTEMS, LLC - Akron OH

International Classification:

F01K 7/16
F01K 3/18
F01K 25/10

US Classification:

60645, 60327

Abstract:

A method for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy in a thermodynamic cycle includes placing a thermal energy source in thermal communication with a heat exchanger arranged in a working fluid circuit containing a working fluid (e.g., sc-CO2) and having a high pressure side and a low pressure side. The method also includes regulating an amount of working fluid within the working fluid circuit via a mass management system having a working fluid vessel, pumping the working fluid through the working fluid circuit, and expanding the working fluid to generate mechanical energy. The method further includes directing the working fluid away from the expander through the working fluid circuit, controlling a flow of the working fluid in a supercritical state from the high pressure side to the working fluid vessel, and controlling a flow of the working fluid from the working fluid vessel to the low pressure side.