Method for converting thermal energy into mechanical work

US6799425B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Applikations-und Technikzentrum fur Energieverfahrens-Umwelt-und Stromungstechnik (ATZ-EVUS) · DE

Inventors

• Andreas Emmel · Hahnbach, DE
• Dragan Stevanovic · Sulzbach-Rosenberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 4, 2003
• Grant date: Oct 5, 2004
• Expiry date: Mar 4, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E50/10
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for converting thermal energy into mechanical work, whereby first (4) and second devices (9) for storing thermal energy are alternately connected into a turbine branch (T). In order to increase efficiency, a compressed oxidizing gas (11) is cooled to a second temperature T2 before passing through the first device (4) for storing thermal energy, and the oxidizing gas is then increased, in one step, to a third temperature T3 when passing through the first device (4) for storing thermal energy.