U.S. patent application number 12/217809 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-31 for thermal shield for system for generating electric power.
Invention is credited to Michael R. Errera, Kenton D. Gills.
Application Number | 20090322096 12/217809 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41445824 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090322096 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Errera; Michael R. ; et
al. |
December 31, 2009 |
Thermal shield for system for generating electric power
Abstract
A thermal shield for a system for generating electric power may
include a sheet of material configured to be operably associated
with an engine of the system for generating electric power such
that heat from the engine is deflected back toward the engine. The
sheet of material may define a generally rectangular shape defining
a length dimension and a width dimension, and the length dimension
may be configured to generally correspond to a length defined by
the engine.
Inventors: |
Errera; Michael R.; (Milner,
GA) ; Gills; Kenton D.; (Jonesboro, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CATERPILLAR/FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, L.L.P.
901 New York Avenue, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-4413
US
|
Family ID: |
41445824 |
Appl. No.: |
12/217809 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61129417 |
Jun 25, 2008 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
290/1A ;
123/142.5R; 165/185 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 428/24273 20150115;
F01N 2590/08 20130101; Y02T 10/12 20130101; Y10T 428/24777
20150115; Y02T 10/16 20130101; F01N 2240/20 20130101; F02B 63/04
20130101; Y10T 428/24 20150115; F01N 5/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
290/1.A ;
123/142.5R; 165/185 |
International
Class: |
F02B 63/04 20060101
F02B063/04; F28F 7/00 20060101 F28F007/00; H02K 9/00 20060101
H02K009/00 |
Claims
1. A thermal shield for a system for generating electric power, the
thermal shield comprising: a sheet of material configured to be
operably associated with an engine of the system for generating
electric power such that heat from the engine is deflected back
toward the engine, wherein the sheet of material defines a
generally rectangular shape defining a length dimension and a width
dimension, and wherein the length dimension is configured to
generally correspond to a length defined by the engine.
2. The thermal shield of claim 1, further including at least one
portion configured to increase the stiffness of the sheet of
material.
3. The thermal shield of claim 2, wherein the at least one portion
includes a flange operably associated with the sheet of
material.
4. The thermal shield of claim 3, wherein the flange is integrally
formed with the sheet of material.
5. The thermal shield of claim 1, wherein the sheet of material is
configured to be operably coupled to the engine.
6. The thermal shield of claim 5, wherein the sheet of material is
configured to be operably coupled to a block of the engine.
7. The thermal shield of claim 5, wherein the sheet of material is
configured to be operably coupled to intake passages of the engine
via at least one bracket.
8. The thermal shield of claim 1, wherein the sheet of material
defines a thickness ranging from about 14 gage to about 16
gage.
9. The thermal shield of claim 1, wherein the sheet of material
defines at least one of an edge configuration and a portion cut-out
from an interior portion of the rectangular shape.
10. The thermal shield of claim 1, wherein the width dimension is
configured to generally correspond to a distance between a lower
edge of a cylinder head of the engine and an intake passage of the
engine.
11. A system for generating electric power, comprising: an engine;
an electric machine configured to convert mechanical power into
electric power, the electric machine being operably coupled to the
engine; a housing defining an area containing the engine and at
least one air passage configured to provide flow communication
between an exterior of the housing an the area; and at least one
panel operably associated with the engine and configured to deflect
heat associated with operation of the engine.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one panel includes
two panels operably associated with the engine, wherein each of the
two panels is associated with opposite sides of the engine.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one panel includes
a sheet of material defining a generally rectangular shape defining
a length dimension and a width dimension.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the sheet of material defines
at least one of an edge configuration and a portion cut-out from an
interior portion of the rectangular shape.
15. The system of claim 13, wherein the length dimension generally
corresponds to a length defined by the engine.
16. The system of claim 13, wherein the width dimension generally
corresponds to a distance between a lower edge of a cylinder head
of the engine and an intake passage of the engine.
17. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one panel includes
a sheet of material, and the sheet of material is operably coupled
to the engine.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the sheet of material is
operably coupled to a block of the engine.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein the sheet of material is
operably coupled to an intake passage of the engine via at least
one bracket.
20. A method for increasing the effectiveness of a heat exchanger
associated with a system for generating electric power, the method
including: operably associating at least one panel with an engine
of the system such that the at least one panel is provided between
the engine and a wall of a housing containing the engine and the
heat exchanger, flowing air to the heat exchanger between the at
least one panel and the wall.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/129,417,
filed Jun. 25, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein
by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a thermal shield, and more
particularly, to a thermal shield for a system for generating
electric power.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It may be desirable to generate electric power, for example,
in situations in which electric power is not available from an
electric power utility source, for example, in remote locations
and/or locations experiencing a power outage. This may be
accomplished, for example, using electric power generation systems
that are configured to generate electric power via operation of one
or more internal combustion engines to drive an electric machine
configured to convert mechanical power supplied by the one or more
engines into electric power.
[0004] Such power generation systems may be configured to
facilitate transport of the power generation system to a location
where such power generation is desired. Some such systems may be
housed in, for example, a container such as a trailer, and
operation of the engine(s) and/or electric machine may result in
accumulation of heat inside the container. Thus, it may be
desirable to prevent an accumulation of heat within the container
in order to improve operation of the power generation system.
[0005] A portable power module is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
7,007,966, issued to Campion ("the '966 patent"). The '966 patent
discloses air ducts for a portable power module trailerable over
public roads. The portable power module includes a shipping
container housing a gaseous fuel motor drivably connected to an
electrical generator. The '966 patent discloses air ducts
positioned on a side of the container, which introduce ambient air
into the container for cooling of the motor and the generator and
for combustion in the motor. The '966 patent does not disclose,
however, a thermal shield for the power modules disclosed in the
'966 patent.
[0006] The systems and methods described in an exemplary manner in
the present disclosure may be directed to mitigating or overcoming
one or more of the drawbacks set forth above.
SUMMARY
[0007] In one aspect, the present disclosure includes a thermal
shield for a system for generating electric power. The thermal
shield may include a sheet of material configured to be operably
associated with an engine of the system for generating electric
power such that heat from the engine is deflected back toward the
engine. The sheet of material may define a generally rectangular
shape defining a length dimension and a width dimension, and the
length dimension may be configured to generally correspond to a
length defined by the engine.
[0008] According to a further aspect, a system for generating
electric power may include an engine configured to output
mechanical power and an electric machine configured to convert
mechanical power into electric power. The electric machine may be
operably coupled to the engine. The system may further include a
housing defining an area containing the engine and at least one air
passage configured to provide flow communication between an
exterior of the housing an the area. The system may also include at
least one panel operably associated with the engine and configured
to deflect heat associated with operation of the engine.
[0009] According to another aspect, a method for increasing the
effectiveness of a heat exchanger associated with a system for
generating electric power may include operably associating at least
one panel with an engine of the system, such that the at least one
panel is provided between the engine and a wall of a housing
containing the engine and the heat exchanger. The method may
further include flowing air to the heat exchanger between the at
least one panel and the wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic, partial cutaway plan view of an
exemplary embodiment of a system for generating electric power.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic, partial cutaway elevation view of the
exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic, partial cutaway perspective view of
an exemplary embodiment of a system for generating electric
power.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic, plan view of an exemplary embodiment
of a thermal shield and an engine.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic, elevation view of the exemplary
embodiment shown in FIG. 4.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic, perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a thermal shield.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an exemplary embodiment of a system 10
for generating electric power. System 10 may include an engine 12
configured to supply mechanical power and an electric machine 14
operably coupled to engine 12 and configured to convert mechanical
power into electric power. Engine 12 may be any internal combustion
engine, including a spark-ignition engine, a compression ignition
engine, a homogeneous-charge compression-ignition engine, and/or a
gas turbine engine. Engine 12 may be configured to run on any fuel,
such as, for example, gasoline, diesel fuel including bio-diesel
fuel, natural gas, ethanol, methanol, hydrogen, and/or any
combinations thereof. Other types of engines and fuels are
contemplated. Electric machine 14 may be any type of electric
generator known to those skilled in the art. For example, electric
machine 14 may include a three-phase AC synchronous generator.
[0017] System 10 may further include power load connections 16
configured to facilitate supply of electric power generated by
system 10 to any device or system that receives input of a source
of electric power, such as, for example, a power grid. According to
some embodiments, a number of systems 10 may be coupled to one
another and/or used together to supply additional electric
power.
[0018] As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, exemplary system 10 may
include one or more control panels 18 configured to control
operation of engine 12, electric machine 14, and/or any systems
associated with system 10. For example, control panel(s) 18 may
include electronic control systems configured to control operation
of engine 12 and/or electric machine 14, such that system 10
supplies electric power in a desired and/or controlled manner.
According to some embodiments, control panel 18 may include an
interface for providing an operator with information or data
relating to operation of engine 12 and/or electric machine 14, and
further, may include controls configured to facilitate an
operator's ability to control operation of engine 12, electric
machine 14, and/or any other systems associated with system 10. For
example, control panel 18 may facilitate an operator's control of
the electric power output of system 10, for example, by controlling
the voltage and frequency of the power output.
[0019] According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and
2, system 10 may include a housing 20 configured to provide
protection and/or transportability to various components of system
10. For example, housing 20 may include walls, for example,
opposing side walls 22, a front wall 24, and one or more rear doors
26, a floor 28, and a roof 30, defining an exterior and, possibly
also, an interior of housing 20. According to some embodiments,
system 10 may include one or more devices 32 configured to
facilitate transport of system 10 between sites that may desire a
supply of electric power. For example, the exemplary embodiment
shown in FIG. 1 includes a number of wheels for facilitating towing
of system 10 via a vehicle, such as a truck or tractor (e.g.,
housing 20 may be in the form at least similar to a trailer
configured to be towed in a manner similar to trailers of a tractor
trailer rig). Other types of devices 32 (e.g., tracks, wheels
configured to travel along railroad tracks, pontoons, and/or skids)
known to those skilled in the art are contemplated. As explained in
more detail herein, some embodiments of housing 20 may define one
or more passages between an exterior of housing 20 and an interior
of housing 20.
[0020] According to some embodiments, system 10 may include a
reservoir 34 (e.g., a fuel tank) within the interior of housing 20
for providing a supply of fuel to engine 12. Reservoir 34 may be
coupled to engine 12 via one or more fuels lines (not shown).
According to some embodiments, reservoir 34 may be located external
to housing 20 and/or fuel may be supplied via an external source,
such as, for example, a pipe line for supplying a fuel, such as,
for example, gasoline, diesel fuel, natural gas, hydrogen, ethanol,
methanol, and/or any combinations thereof.
[0021] According to some embodiments, system 10 may include a
cooling system 36 configured to regulate the temperature of engine
12 and/or electric machine 14. For example, cooling system 36 may
include one or more heat exchangers 38, such as, for example, one
or more air-to-air-after-coolers (ATAAC) operably coupled to engine
12 and/or one or more radiators 40, such as, for example, a jacket
water radiator, operably coupled to engine 12. According to some
embodiments, engine 12 may include one or more turbochargers (not
shown), and heat exchanger(s) 38 may be operably coupled to the one
or more turbochargers to cool air entering the turbocharger(s).
System 10 may include one or more fans 41, for example, located
between engine 12 and heat exchanger(s) 38. Fan(s) 41 may be
operably coupled to engine 12 via a drive belt (not shown) and/or
may be driven via an electric motor (not shown), and may supply a
flow of air to and/or through heat exchanger 38 in order to provide
cooling air to heat exchanger 38.
[0022] Exemplary radiator(s) 40 may be configured to receive and
cool a flow of coolant (e.g., a liquid coolant), which may be
circulated into and/or through engine 12 via coolant lines (not
shown), thereby cooling engine 12. One or more fans 42 may be
associated with radiator 40 and may be configured to provide a flow
of cooling air to radiator 40. Fan(s) 42 may be driven, for
example, via an electric motor (not shown), which may be coupled to
fan 42 via, for example, a belt drive (not shown).
[0023] According to some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
housing 20 may include a partition 43 positioned between heat
exchanger 38 and radiator 40. One or more of side walls 22 of
housing 20 may include air passages 45 (e.g., louvers (see FIG. 3))
configured to permit passage of air into and/or out of housing 20.
Further, roof 30 of housing 20 may define one or more openings 50
located in the vicinity of (e.g., adjacent to) heat exchanger 38
and/or radiator 40. According to some embodiments, fan(s) 41
associated with heat exchanger 38 may be configured to draw air
into housing 20 at A via passages 45 and through heat exchanger 38
at B (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Upon flow though heat exchanger 38, the
air may be diverted via partition 43 and through opening(s) 50 in
roof 30 at C.
[0024] According to some embodiments, fan(s) 30 may be configured
to draw air into and through radiator 40 via an open end of housing
20, for example, via opening one or more of rear doors 26 (or via
openings (not shown) in rear doors 26) at D, where the air may then
be diverted via partition 43 and out opening(s) 50 in roof 38 at
E.
[0025] According to some embodiments, engine 12 may include an
exhaust system 44 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) configured to remove heat
and/or combustion products from housing 20. For example, exhaust
system 44 may include a roof-mounted muffler 46 in flow
communication with engine 12. Exhaust system 44 may further include
one or more extensions 48 downstream of muffler 46 configured to
provide a flow path for exhaust gas from engine 12 to the exterior
of housing 20 via muffler 46. For example, as shown in FIG. 1,
extension(s) 48 may extend above heat exchanger 38 from muffler 46
to one or more opening(s) 50 in roof 30, such that exhaust gas
exits via opening(s) 50.
[0026] According to some embodiments, for example, as shown in FIG.
2, system 10 may include an interface 52 for facilitating control
and/or monitoring of system 10. For example, interface 52 may
include electrical connectors for facilitating electric connection
between controller(s) 18 and systems located exterior to housing 20
for facilitating, for example, load sharing between power
generation systems, provision of shore power (e.g., power for
battery chargers and/or control system associated with system 10),
and/or monitoring of the status of system 10.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, according to some embodiments,
system 10 may include one or more panels 54 configured to shield
thermal energy (e.g., heat) that may associated with operation of
engine 12. For example, panel(s) 54 may be operably coupled to
opposite sides of engine 12, and may serve to deflect and/or
reflect heat from engine 12. For example, panels 54 may be operably
coupled via brackets and/or directly to engine 12. For example,
panels 54 may be operably coupled to an engine block 55 of engine
12, to intake passages 57 (e.g., intake plenum or manifold), and/or
exhaust passages (e.g., exhaust manifold) (not shown).
[0028] As shown in FIG. 6, panels 54 may define a length dimension
L and width dimension W. Length L and width W may depend, for
example, on a length dimension and/or a height dimension associated
with engine 12. For example, length L of panels 54 may generally
correspond to the length of engine block 55 or cylinder heads (not
shown) of engine 12. Width W may generally correspond to the height
dimension of engine 12 between, for example, a lower edge of the
cylinder heads up to intake passages 57. Alternatively, length L
and/or width W may be longer or shorter, for example, width W may
be selected such that panels 54 extend from a lower edge of engine
block 55 to an upper edge of the cylinder heads, or event to the
lower edge of intake passages 57. According to some embodiments,
panels 54 (i.e., panels 54 include two panels located on opposite
sides of engine 12, as shown in FIG. 4) may have differing
dimensions and/or configurations.
[0029] According to some embodiments, panels 54 may be formed of
sheet steel, or any other suitable material. For example, panels 54
may be formed of a sheet of material having a thickness ranging
from about 10 gage to about 20 gage, for example, from about 14
gage to about 16 gage. According to some embodiments, panels 54 may
include configurations and/or portions that serve to increase the
stiffness of panels 54, for example, to reduce vibration and/or
noise. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, exemplary panels 54 include
a flange 56 extending along an upper edge 58 of panel 54. Panel 54
may further include a flange 60 extending along a lower edge 62 of
panel 54. Flanges 56 and/or 60 may be formed integrally with panel
54 or may be formed separately and may be operably coupled to panel
54, via welding and/or fasteners, such as screws, bolts, and/or
rivets. Flanges 56 and 60 may extend from panel 54 in either
direction, for example, in the same direction or in opposite
directions. Panels 54 may also define configurations 64 (i.e.,
relative to panel 54 defining a substantially rectangular shape),
for example, edge configurations and/or portions cut-out from the
interior of panel 54. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, panel 54
defines an edge configuration at 64 in the shape of a triangle
removed from a corner of panel 54. Configurations 64 may define any
rectilinear and/or curvilinear shape and may serve to provide
clearance for parts of system 10, for example, parts associated
with engine 12.
[0030] According to some embodiments (see FIGS. 4 and 5), thermal
insulation 66 may be provided around plumbing associated with heat
exchanger 38 and/or radiator 40. For example, thermal insulation 66
may include any insulation blanket material, such as, for example,
a blanket having a woven and/or non-woven cloth and a cover (e.g.,
a nylon blanket having a silicon cover). Exemplary insulation 66
may serve to prevent exchange of heat between, for example,
plumbing associated with heat exchanger 38 and/or radiators 40, and
the interior of housing 20. This may result in reducing the
temperature of the air in portions of housing 20 through which
cooling air flows, for example, from exemplary air passages 45 to
heat exchanger 38.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, for example, fan(s) 41 associated with
heat exchanger 38 maybe configured to draw air into housing 20 at A
via passages 45 and into area 68 in the interior of housing 20.
Area 68 may serve to enclose, for example, engine 12 and/or
electric machine 14. Fan(s) 41 may draw air from area 68 through
heat exchanger 38 at B. Upon flow though heat exchanger 38, the air
may be diverted via partition 43 and through opening(s) 50 in roof
30 at C.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0032] Exemplary system 10 may be used to generate electric power,
for example, in situations in which electric power is not available
from an electric power utility source, for example, in remote
locations and/or locations experiencing a power outage. One or more
engines 12 of exemplary system 10 may be configured to output
mechanical power, and one or more electric machines 14 may be
configured to convert mechanical power into electric power. One or
more control panels 18 may be configured to facilitate control of
at least one of engine 12 and electric machine 14. Housing 20 may
be configured to contain at least one of engine 12 and electric
machine 14.
[0033] System 10 may be provided with one or more panels 54, which
may be configured to shield thermal energy (e.g., heat) that may
associated with operation of engine 12. For example, panels 54 may
be operably coupled to opposite sides of engine 12 and may serve to
deflect and/or reflect heat (e.g., radiant heat) from engine 12.
According to some embodiments, panels 54 may serve to shield heat
from engine 12 during operation and reduce the effects of such heat
in increasing the temperature of the air as it flows through area
68 before flowing through heat exchanger(s) 38. This may serve to
increase the effectiveness of heat exchanger 38 in cooling air
entering one or more intake passages (or turbochargers) associated
with engine 12. This, in turn, may increase the efficiency of
engine 12 and/or reduce emissions associated with operation of
engine 12. According to some embodiments, thermal insulation 66 may
serve an at least similar function.
[0034] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the exemplary disclosed
systems for generating electric power. Other embodiments will be
apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the
specification and practice of the exemplary disclosed systems and
methods. It is intended that the specification and examples be
considered as exemplary only.
* * * * *