公开(公告)号：US10082045B2

公开(公告)日：2018-09-25

申请号：US15392571

申请日：2016-12-28

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Philippe Larochelle ,  Raj Apte

IPC: F01K3/02 ,  F25B9/00 ,  F01K25/08 ,  F01K7/16 ,  F01K3/12 ,  F01K25/10 ,  F01K25/06 ,  F01D15/10 ,  F25B13/00 ,  F25B25/00

CPC classification number: F01K3/02 ,  F01D15/10 ,  F01K3/06 ,  F01K3/12 ,  F01K3/18 ,  F01K7/165 ,  F01K7/38 ,  F01K13/02 ,  F01K25/06 ,  F01K25/103 ,  F22B1/006 ,  F25B9/00 ,  F25B9/002 ,  F25B9/06 ,  F25B13/00 ,  F25B25/005 ,  F25B30/02 ,  F25B2339/047 ,  F25B2400/14

Abstract: Closed thermodynamic cycle systems, such as closed Brayton cycle systems, with regenerative heat exchangers are disclosed. Embodiments include dual regenerators and regenerators with buffer tank systems. Regenerators may be used instead of or in addition to one or more recuperators within the systems, and may be used as a means of gas-gas heat exchange for different streams of a working fluid.

公开(公告)号：US20180187627A1

公开(公告)日：2018-07-05

申请号：US15394572

申请日：2016-12-29

Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC

Inventor： Raj Apte ,  Philippe Larochelle

IPC: F02G1/055

CPC classification number: F02C9/24 ,  B01D53/265 ,  F01K3/02 ,  F01K3/06 ,  F01K3/10 ,  F01K3/12 ,  F01K3/18 ,  F01K7/38 ,  F01K13/00 ,  F01K13/02 ,  F01K25/06 ,  F01K25/103 ,  F02C1/04 ,  F02C1/05 ,  F02C1/08 ,  F02C1/10 ,  F02C1/105 ,  F02C6/14 ,  F02C6/16 ,  F22B1/006 ,  F28D20/00 ,  Y02E60/14

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to use of external air for inventory control of a closed thermodynamic cycle system or energy storage system, such as a reversible Brayton cycle system, are disclosed. A method may involve, in a closed cycle system operating in a power generation mode, circulating a working fluid may through a closed cycle fluid path. The closed cycle fluid path may include a high pressure leg and a low pressure leg. The method may further involve in response to a demand for increased power generation, compressing and dehumidifying environmental air. And the method may involve injecting the compressed and dehumidified environmental air into the low pressure leg.

公开(公告)号：US20180179960A1

公开(公告)日：2018-06-28

申请号：US15392653

申请日：2016-12-28

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Raj Apte ,  Philippe Larochelle

IPC: F02C9/16 ,  F02C6/14 ,  F02C7/10 ,  H02K7/18 ,  F02C1/10 ,  H02P9/04

CPC classification number: F02C1/04 ,  F02C1/10 ,  F02C6/14 ,  F03G6/04 ,  F03G6/064 ,  H02P9/04 ,  Y02E10/46 ,  Y02E20/14

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for pump control of a closed thermodynamic cycle system, such as a Brayton cycle. Operational parameters such as working fluid temperature, thermal fluid temperature, stream pressure, and power generation may be the basis for controlling a thermal fluid pump rate.

公开(公告)号：US20170321967A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-09

申请号：US15440300

申请日：2017-02-23

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Robert B. Laughlin ,  Philippe Larochelle ,  Nicholas Cizek

IPC: F28D20/00 ,  F02C6/14 ,  F28D15/00 ,  F01K3/12 ,  F24J2/34 ,  F02C1/10

Abstract: The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.

公开(公告)号：US20180187597A1

公开(公告)日：2018-07-05

申请号：US15396461

申请日：2016-12-31

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Raj Apte ,  Philippe Larochelle ,  Julian Green

IPC: F02C6/16 ,  F01K23/10 ,  H02K7/18 ,  F02C1/10

CPC classification number: F02C6/16 ,  F01K3/12 ,  F01K7/16 ,  F01K23/10 ,  F02C1/10 ,  H02K7/1823 ,  Y02E20/14 ,  Y02E20/16 ,  Y02E60/15

Abstract: A power generation system comprising a shared hot side thermal store, a shared cold side thermal store, a plurality of power subunits, and an electrical bus is disclosed. Each of the power subunits may connected or isolated from the shared hot side thermal store and/or the shared cold side thermal store.

公开(公告)号：US20180187595A1

公开(公告)日：2018-07-05

申请号：US15395622

申请日：2016-12-30

Applicant: X DEVELOPMENT LLC

Inventor： Raj Apte ,  Richard DeVaul ,  Philippe Larochelle

IPC: F02C1/05 ,  H02K7/18 ,  F02C1/10 ,  F02C9/24

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to variable pressure turbines are disclosed. A power generation system may include a closed cycle system configured to generate power, a combustor, and a control system. The closed cycle system may include a working fluid circulating in a closed cycle path. The combustor may provide thermal energy to the working fluid. Further, the control system may be configured to determine to increase an amount of power generated by the closed cycle system, and in response to the determination to increase the amount of power generated by the closed cycle system, cause an increase in pressure of the working fluid in the closed cycle path.

公开(公告)号：US20180179955A1

公开(公告)日：2018-06-28

申请号：US15392542

申请日：2016-12-28

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Raj Apte ,  Philippe Larochelle

IPC: F02C7/10 ,  F28D20/00 ,  F02C6/14

CPC classification number: F02C6/14 ,  F02C1/04 ,  F02C1/10 ,  F28D20/0056 ,  F28D2020/0086 ,  Y02E60/142

Abstract: Solid-state thermoclines with internal baffle structures are in used in place of heat exchangers in a closed thermodynamic cycle power generation or energy storage system, such as a closed Brayton cycle system. The baffles limit the conductive and/or radiative transfer of heat between a solid thermal medium within different zones defined by the baffle structures.

公开(公告)号：US20170159500A1

公开(公告)日：2017-06-08

申请号：US15440312

申请日：2017-02-23

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Robert B. Laughlin ,  Philippe Larochelle ,  Nicholas Cizek

IPC: F01K3/00

Abstract: The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.

公开(公告)号：US20170159497A1

公开(公告)日：2017-06-08

申请号：US15440297

申请日：2017-02-23

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Robert B. Laughlin ,  Philippe Larochelle ,  Nicholas Cizek

IPC: F01K3/00 ,  F28D20/00

Abstract: The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.