NON-POLLUTING, OPEN BRAYTON CYCLE AUTOMOTIVE POWER UNIT

摘要

Stored thermal energy absorbed by a working fluid (22) from hot thermal-energy-storage material (16) energies an open-Brayton-cycle automotive power-generation unit (10). Sealed ceramic tubes (28), filled with a material that melts within thermal-energy-storage material's operating temperature range provides thermal energy storage. A rotary impeller (36) draws the flow of working-fluid (22) into the unit's compressor (32) from the surrounding atmosphere for discharge into a heat regenerator (56). The regenerator (56) warms working fluid (22) using thermal energy extracted from hot turbine exhaust that is then discharged into the atmosphere. Working-fluid (22) from the compressor (32) flows from the regenerator (56) through a heating vessel (12) into the turbine (76). The unit (10) includes an alternator (102) which generates electricity for powering an automobile's electric drive moto rs (194). Stored thermal energy may be regenerated either by a combustible-fuel burner (174) and/or an electrical heated (112) located within the heating vessel, or by an automated regeneration station (124).