Claims
- 1. A turbogenerator comprising:
a turbogenerator having an integral first heat source for driving the turbogenerator; a one or more external heat sources for driving the turbogenerator; a controller for controlling the proportion of heat from the first heat source and the one or more external heat sources used to drive the turbogenerator; and a mixer for combining the proportion of heat from the first heat source and the one or more external heat sources.
- 2. The turbogenerator of claim 1 further comprising:
one or more selectable parameters for determining the proportion of heat from the first heat source and the one or more external heat sources used to drive the turbogenerator.
- 3. The turbogenerator of claim 1 further comprising:
air for cooling; a cooling mixer for mixing the cooling air and heat from the one or more external heat sources to prevent damage to the turbogenerator; and a temperature control loop for controlling the cooling mixer.
- 4. The turbogenerator of claim 1 wherein the turbogenerator further comprising:
a generator; a compressor; a turbine, and a common shaft for driving the generator, the compressor and the turbine.
- 5. The turbogenerator of claim 1 wherein the controller further comprising:
a decoupled speed control loop; a decoupled temperature control loop; and a decoupled power control loop.
- 6. The turbogenerator of claim 5 further comprising:
air for cooling; a cooling mixer for mixing the cooling air and heat from the one or more external heat sources to prevent damage to the turbogenerator; and a second decoupled temperature control loop for controlling the cooling mixer.
- 7. The turbogenerator of claim 1 wherein the one or more external heat sources further comprise one or more of:
a solar collector/receiver; a bio-mass gasifier/combustor; a fuel cell; a nuclear heat source; or a waste heat source.
- 8. A method of controlling a turbogenerator comprising the steps of:
providing and integral heat source for driving the turbogenerator; providing one or more external heat sources for driving the turbogenerator; selecting a priority for the integral heat source and for the one or more external heat sources; and controlling the heat applied to drive the turbogenerator according to the selected priorities.
- 9. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of:
providing air for cooling the heat applied to drive the turbogenerator; providing two or more decoupled control loops for controlling the turbogenerator, one of the loops controlling the air for cooling.
- 10. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of:
providing air for cooling the heat applied to drive the turbogenerator; providing two or more decoupled control loops for controlling the turbogenerator; providing a decoupled temperature control loop for controlling the air for cooling.
- 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more external heat sources further comprise one or more of:
a solar collector/receiver; a bio-mass gasifier/combustor; a fuel cell; a nuclear heat source; or a waste heat source.
- 12. In a turbogenerator system having a motor/generator and a compressor and a turbine coupled to a common shaft, the turbine driven by a first heat source, an control system for controlling the turbogenerator system including a first temperature control loop, the improvement comprising:
A second heat source external to the turbogenerator for driving the turbine; air for cooling; means for controlling the air for cooling to cool the second heat source; and a second temperature control loop independent of the first temperature control loop.
- 13. In the improved turbogenerator of claim 1 wherein the second heat source further comprise one or more of:
a solar collector/receiver; a bio-mass gasifier/combustor; a fuel cell; a nuclear heat source; or a waste heat source.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/246,624 filed Nov. 7, 2000.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60246624 |
Nov 2000 |
US |