DE112015006214T5 - Turbine and method of making and using same - Google Patents

Abstract

Some variations include a product that includes a turbine that includes a plurality of turbine stages mounted on a single shaft, wherein the turbine is constructed and arranged to generate power using a fluid introduced in series into the turbine stages, and wherein the fluid undergoes heat transfer between at least two of the turbine stages.

Description

The present application is a PCT application.

TECHNICAL AREA

The field to which the disclosure relates generally includes turbines and methods of making and using the same.

BACKGROUND

At present, some turbines can be used to extract energy from a fluid and convert it into useful work on a system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY VARIATIONS

Some variations may include a product that includes a turbine that includes a plurality of turbine stages mounted on a single shaft, wherein the turbine may be constructed and arranged to produce power using a fluid introduced in series into the turbine stages, and wherein the fluid undergoes heat transfer between at least two of the turbine stages.

Some variations may include a system that includes a fluid circuit that includes a fluid, a heat exchanger, a first turbine stage, a second turbine stage, and a power generation component, wherein the fluid provides power in the first turbine stage, undergoes heat transfer in the heat exchanger, and power the second turbine stage, and wherein the first and second turbine stages may be coupled to a single power generation component.

Some variations may include a method of providing a fluid circuit that includes a fluid, a first heat exchanger, a first turbine stage, a second turbine stage, and a power generation component; Moving a fluid through a first turbine stage; thereafter moving a fluid through a first heat exchanger; then moving a fluid through a second turbine stage, wherein the first and second turbine stages may be coupled to the power generation component.

Further exemplary variations within the scope of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while disclosing variations within the scope of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Selected examples of variations within the scope of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings; in the drawings show:

1 a representation of a product according to some variations.

2 a representation of a product or system according to some variations.

3 a representation of a method according to some variations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY VARIATIONS

The following description of the variations is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, its application, or uses.

In 1 becomes a product 10 shown according to some variations. With some variations, the product may 10 at least one turbine or expander 12 include. With some variations, the turbine can 12 be a pulse or reaction turbine. With some variations, the turbine can 12 a steam turbine and / or a gas turbine and / or a transonic turbine and / or a counterflow turbine and / or a statorless turbine and / or a jacketed turbine and / or a Keramikturbine and / or a shellless turbine and / or a turbine blade and / or a water turbine (including Pelton, Francis, Kaplan, Turgo or through-flow turbine) and / or a Rateau turbine or may be of a different nature. With some variations, the turbine can 12 be an axial or a radial turbine. With some variations, the product may 10 several turbines 12 include. In some variations, the multiple turbines 12 be mechanically coupled together. With some variations, the turbine can 12 a wave 14 include. With some variations, the turbine can 12 at least one turbine stage 18 include. With some variations, the turbine can 12 several turbine stages 18 . 18 ' . 18 " . 18 "' include. In some variations, the at least one turbine stage 18 on the wave 14 be attached. With some variations, you can have multiple turbine stages 18 . 18 ' . 18 " . 18 "' on the wave 14 be attached. With some variations, the turbine can 12 at least one turbine wheel 16 include. In some variations, the at least one turbine stage 18 a component of a turbine wheel 16 be. In some variations, the turbine may or may not 12 and / or the turbine wheel 16 at least one turbine stage 18 include. In some variations, the turbine may or may not 12 and / or the turbine wheels 16 several turbine stages 18 . 18 ' . 18 " . 18 "' include. In some variations, this can be at least one turbine wheel 16 on the wave 14 be attached. With some variations, the turbine can 12 Performance by introducing a working fluid 20 in the turbine stage 18 produce. In some variations, the at least one turbine stage 18 rigid on the single shaft 14 be attached. In some variations, the multiple turbine stages 18 . 18 ' . 18 " . 18 '' rigid on a single shaft 14 be attached. In some variations, the fluid 20 one behind the other in several turbine stages 18 . 18 ' . 18 " . 18 "' be initiated. In some variations, the fluid 20 simultaneously in several turbine stages 18 . 18 ' . 18 " . 18 "' be initiated. In some variations, the fluid 20 a heat transfer between at least two of the turbine stages 18 . 18 ' . 18 " . 18 "' run through. In some variations, the at least one turbine stage 18 at least one turbine stage rotor 59 include. In some variations, the turbine stage rotor may 59 through from the fluid 20 rotate the work provided. In some variations, the turbine stage rotor 59 the wave 14 rotate. In some variations, the at least one turbine stage 18 at least one turbine stage stator 62 include. In some variations, the turbine stage stator 62 be stationary and can not move along the shaft 14 rotate. In some variations, the at least one turbine stage 18 at least one housing 19 which is constructed and arranged to contain the fluid 20 while working in the turbine stage 18 done. In some variations, this can be at least one housing 19 the fluid 20 record while working in multiple turbine stages 18 . 18 ' . 18 " . 18 "' done. With some variations, you can have multiple turbine stages 18 . 18 ' . 18 " . 18 "' on a single side of the shaft 14 be attached. With some variations, the product may 10 used for heat recovery from a vehicle. In some variations, the vehicle may include, but is not limited to, a motor vehicle, a spacecraft, a watercraft, an aircraft, or a train. With some variations, the turbine can 12 for heat recovery from a chemical process, such. These include, but are not limited to, a process of producing geothermal energy, a process of producing solar energy, or a process of producing wind energy. With some variations, the turbine can 12 Achieve turbine efficiency gains of more than 15% over known alternatives. With some variations, the turbine can 12 be compact to allow for improved packaging in a vehicle exhaust system or cooler.

For some variations, the product may or may not 10 and / or the turbine 12 and a power generation component 60 include. For some variations, the power generation component may be 60 Power through from the fluid 20 in the at least one turbine stage 18 Produce done work. For some variations, the power generation component may be 60 to be an electrical generator. For some variations, the power generation component may be 60 an armature (not shown) capable of generating electrical current received by an electrical receiving component (not shown). In some variations, the electrical power may be used to power an engine or other component of a vehicle. In some variations, the electrical current may be stored in a battery (not shown). For some variations, the power generation component may be 60 a rotor 70 include. In some variations, the rotor can 70 to be a magnetic rotor. For some variations, the power generation component may be 60 an electric stator 72 include. In some variations, the electric stator 72 Wires include. For some variations, the power generation component may be 60 a magnetic field (not shown) that can be provided by magnets or electromagnets either on the rotor 70 or the stator 72 are attached. In some variations, the electric stator 72 the rotor 70 surround. In some variations, the rotor can 70 with the wave 14 coupled or mounted on it. In some variations, the rotation of the shaft 14 simultaneously with the rotor 70 Power through the fluid 20 in the turbine stages 18 be generated. With some variations, the wave can 14 rigid with the rotor 70 be connected. With some variations, the wave can 14 and the rotor 70 be the same component. With some variations, the wave can or can 14 and / or the rotor 70 through at least one warehouse 74 be supported. With some variations, the bearing can 74 be a plain bearing, a rolling bearing, a grain bearing, a fluid bearing, a magnetic bearing or a Biegelager or be another type. With some variations, you can have multiple turbine stages 18 . 18 ' . 18 " . 18 "' axially outside the at least one bearing 74 or electric stator 72 emerge. In some variations, the multiple turbine stages 18 . 18 ' . 18 " . 18 "' with the power generation component 60 be coupled. In some variations, the multiple turbine stages 18 . 18 ' . 18 " . 18 "' from the wave 14 emerge. With some variations, the wave can 14 the turbine stages 18 with the rotor 70 the power generation component 60 connect. With some variations, you can have multiple turbine stages 18 . 18 ' . 18 " . 18 "' on the same axial side of the electric stator 72 emerge. With some variations, you can have multiple turbine stages 18 . 18 ' . 18 " . 18 "' axially on the same axial side of the shaft 14 emerge.

Regarding 1 - 2 can be a fluid system 50 be provided, which in some variations may be an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). The system 50 can be a working fluid 20 include, in some variations, inter alia, steam and / or fluorinol and / or ammonia and / or ethanol and / or methanol and / or kerosene and / or gasoline and / or diesel and / or propanol and / or butanol and / or water and / or benzene and / or toluene and / or methane and / or ethane and / or propane and / or butane and / or acetone and / or liquid hydrogen. With some variations, the system can 50 a fluid circuit 51 include a lead 53 for a fluid path 23 includes. In some variations, a working fluid 20 for generating a heat transfer from or to the fluid 20 from surrounding components to the fluid 20 from a high temperature state to a low temperature state, or vice versa, which can be converted to useful work that can be converted into electrical, chemical or mechanical energy, multiple phase changes across the fluid circuit 51 go through it. With some variations, the system can 50 or the fluid circuit 51 at least one turbine 12 include the at least one turbine stage 18 may include. In some variations, the fluid 20 through a first turbine stage inlet 24 in a first turbine stage 18 enter. In some variations, the fluid 20 through a first turbine stage outlet 26 from the first turbine stage 18 escape. In some variations, the fluid 20 Performance by performing useful work in the first turbine stage 18 produce. In some variations, the fluid 20 through a second turbine stage inlet 28 in a second turbine stage 18 ' enter. In some variations, the fluid 20 through a second turbine stage outlet 30 from the second turbine stage 18 ' escape. In some variations, the fluid 20 Performance through the performance of useful work in the first turbine stage 18 produce. With some variations, the system can 50 or the fluid circuit 51 at least one heat exchanger 52 include. In some variations, the heat exchanger 52 a heat transfer to or from the fluid 20 carry out. In some variations, the heat exchanger 52 a type of heat exchanger including, inter alia, an electric heat exchanger, a double tube heat exchanger, a shell and tube heat exchanger, a plate heat exchanger, a plate and shell heat exchanger, an adiabatic system heat exchanger, a fin plate heat exchanger, a Pillow Plate Heat Exchanger (PPHE), or a fluid heat exchanger , or may be of a different nature. In some variations, the heat exchanger 52 the fluid 20 evaporate. In some variations, the heat exchanger 52 a boiler, which may allow the fluid to undergo a phase change from liquid to gaseous. In some variations, the heat exchanger 52 a heat transfer between at least two of the turbine stages 18 carry out. In some variations, the heat exchanger 52 a heat transfer to the fluid 20 Perform after it's out of the first turbine stage outlet 26 has leaked and before it enters the second turbine stage inlet 28 entry. In some variations, the fluid circuit 51 a second heat exchanger 54 include. In some variations, the second heat exchanger 54 a heat transfer to the fluid 20 Perform before entering the first turbine stage inlet 24 entry. With some variations, the system can 50 or the fluid circuit 51 at least one capacitor 56 include. In some variations, the capacitor can 56 the fluid 20 from a gaseous state to a liquid state, and may transfer heat to the fluid 20 carry out. In some variations, the capacitor can 56 a second fluid 21 to allow heat transfer with the fluid 20 perform. In some variations, the second fluid 21 Be water, air or another fluid. In some variations, the capacitor can 56 a heat exchanger, which may include, but is not limited to, an electric heat exchanger, a double tube heat exchanger, a shell and tube heat exchanger, a plate and shell heat exchanger, an adiabatic system heat exchanger, a fin plate heat exchanger, a Pillow Plate Heat Exchanger (PPHE), or a fluid heat exchanger be different kind. With some variations, the system can 50 or the fluid circuit 51 at least one pump 58 include. With some variations, the pump can 58 the fluid 20 through the fluid circuit 51 can move through and can the flow rate of the fluid 20 determine. With some variations, the pump can 58 a positive displacement pump, a Hubverdrängerpumpe, a gear pump, a screw pump, an eccentric screw pump, a Roots pump, a peristaltic pump, a piston pump, a rope pump, an impeller pump, a hydraulic cylinder pump, a radial pump, an axial flow pump, a diagonal pump, a suction jet pump, a steam pump, a gravity pump , a valveless pump or another type. With some variations, the pump can 58 the fluid 20 as a liquid or a gas pressurize. In some variations, the fluid circuit 51 a high pressure pump 58A , a low pressure pump 58B or both. In some variations, the fluid circuit 51 furthermore at least one Valve 90 include. In some variations, the valve can 90 a ball valve and / or a flap valve and / or a ceramic disk valve and / or a check valve and / or a throttle valve and / or a diaphragm valve and / or a valve gate valve and / or a lift valve and / or a metering valve and / or a needle valve and / or a pinch valve and / or a piston valve and / or a cone valve and / or a poppet valve and / or a slide valve and / or a thermal expansion valve and / or a pressure reducing valve and / or a sampling valve and / or a safety valve and / or other type. In some variations, the fluid circuit 51 at least one controller 55 include. In some variations, the controller can 55 the operation of the turbine 12 , the heat exchanger 52 . 54 , the valve 90 , the capacitor 56 , the pump 58 , the power generation component 60 or other components based on a variety of fluctuations, including, but not limited to, fluid temperature, fluid pressure, power generation component output, pump flow rate, engine operating conditions, heat source operating condition, or other variable. With some variations, the system can 50 and / or the fluid circuit 51 a thermodynamic cycle, including but not limited to a Rankine cycle, a Kalina cycle, an Otto cycle, or otherwise. With some variations, the system can 50 and / or the fluid circuit 51 an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). With some variations, the system can 50 or the fluid circuit 51 be used to remove energy from exhaust heat in a vehicle. In some variations, the packaging of the system or the fluid circuit 51 advantageously be such that it or he is coupled to the exhaust heat recovery system, the engine exhaust or the engine of a vehicle. In some variations, the fluid circuit 51 further heat exchange components for the fluid 20 including, but not limited to, a radiator, an axle oil heat exchanger, an engine oil heat exchanger, a passenger compartment heater, or otherwise.

With some variations, the system can 50 or the fluid circuit 51 at least one power generation component 60 include. For some variations, the power generation component may be 60 be a DC generator or an alternator. For some variations, the power generation component may be 60 rotate at speeds up to 200,000 rpm and can produce power in the range of 1-1000 kW. For some variations, the power generation component may be 60 with the turbine 12 or at least one turbine stage 18 be coupled. With some variations, you can have multiple turbine stages 18 . 18 ' . 18 " . 18 "' with the power generation component 60 be coupled. For some variations, a first turbine stage 18 and a second turbine stage 18 ' with the power generation component 60 be coupled. For some variations, the power generation component may be 60 thereby generating power that the fluid 20 Work at several turbine stages 18 . 18 ' . 18 " . 18 "' done. For some variations, the power generation component may be 60 thereby generating power that the fluid 20 Work at the first turbine stage 18 and / or the second turbine stage 18 ' done. For some variations, the generation component 60 a reduction device that may be mechanically coupled to a vehicle drive train. For some variations, the generation component 60 be mechanically coupled to a differential that may be mechanically coupled to a vehicle crank drive. With some variations, the system can 50 or the fluid circuit 51 used for heat recovery from a vehicle. In some variations, the vehicle may include, but is not limited to, a motor vehicle, a spacecraft, a watercraft, an aircraft, or a train. With some variations, the system can 50 or the fluid circuit 51 for heat recovery from a chemical process, such. These include, but are not limited to, a geothermal energy production process, a solar energy production process, an industrial waste heat recovery process, a waste heat recovery process, or a wind energy production process. With some variations, the system can 50 or the fluid circuit 51 Achieve turbine efficiency gains of more than 15% over known alternatives. With some variations, the system can 50 or the fluid circuit 51 be compact to allow for improved packaging in a vehicle exhaust system or cooler.

For a number of variations as shown in FIG 3 becomes a procedure 800 shown. For some variations, the procedure may 800 one step 802 the provision of a fluid circuit 51 that is a fluid 20 , a first heat exchanger 52 , a first turbine stage 18 and a second turbine stage 18 ' and a power generation component 60 includes. For some variations, the procedure includes 800 also the step 804 moving a fluid 20 through a first turbine stage 18 , For some variations, the procedure may 800 also the step 806 the subsequent movement of a fluid 20 through a first heat exchanger 52 include. For some variations, the procedure may 800 also the step 808 the subsequent movement of a fluid 20 through a second turbine stage 18 ' include, wherein the first and the second turbine stage may be coupled to the power generation component. For some variations, the procedure may 800 include that the fluid circuit 51 further comprises a pump and / or a capacitor. With some variations can the fluid circuit 51 an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). For some variations, the power generation component may be 60 to be an electrical generator. For some variations, the power generation component may be 60 a reduction that is mechanically coupled to a vehicle drive train. For some variations, the first turbine stage may or may not 18 and / or the second turbine stage 18 ' in a common housing 19 be encapsulated.

The following description of variants is merely illustrative of components, elements, acts, products and methods which are considered to be within the scope of the invention, and is in no way intended to limit this scope by specifically disclosing or not expressly stated. The components, elements, acts, products, and methods described herein may be combined and rearranged differently than as expressly described herein, and still fall within the scope of the invention.

Variation 1 may include a product comprising a turbine comprising a plurality of turbine stages mounted on a single shaft, the turbine being constructed and arranged to generate power using a fluid introduced in series into the turbine stages, and wherein the Fluid undergoes heat transfer between at least two of the turbine stages.

Variation 2 may include a product according to Variation 1, the product further comprising a power generation component including a rotor constructed and arranged to generate power by the fluid in the turbine stages.

Variation 3 may include a product according to any of Variations 1-2, wherein the shaft is connected to the rotor and supported by at least one bearing.

Variation 4 may include a product according to any of Variations 1-3, wherein the power generation component further comprises an electrical stator.

Variation 5 may include a product according to any one of Variations 1-4, the product further comprising a fluid circuit wherein the fluid exits a first turbine stage and thereafter undergoes heat transfer in a heat exchanger.

Variation 6 may include a product according to any of variations 1-5, wherein at least one turbine stage is at least partially encapsulated by a housing constructed and arranged to receive at least one fluid.

Variation 7 may include a product according to any of Variations 1-6, wherein the plurality of turbine stages protrude on the same axial side of the shaft.

Variation 8 may include a system that includes a fluid circuit that includes a fluid, a heat exchanger, a first turbine stage, a second turbine stage, and a power generation component, wherein the fluid provides power in the first turbine stage, thereafter undergoes heat transfer in the heat exchanger, and power in the second turbine stage, and wherein the first and second turbine stages are coupled to a single power generation component.

Variation 9 may include a system according to any one of variation 8, wherein the fluid circuit is an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system.

Variation 10 may include a system according to any of variations 8-9, wherein the fluid circuit further comprises a pump.

Variation 11 may include a system according to any of variations 8-10, wherein the fluid circuit further comprises a capacitor.

Variation 12 may include a system according to any of variations 8-11, wherein the power generation component is an electrical generator.

Variation 13 may include a system according to any of variations 8-12, wherein the power generation component is a reduction that is mechanically coupled to a vehicle driveline.

Variation 14 may include a method of providing a fluid circuit that includes a fluid, a heat exchanger, a first turbine stage, a second turbine stage, and a power generation component; Moving a fluid through a first turbine stage; subsequently moving a fluid through a heat exchanger; subsequently moving a fluid through a second turbine stage, wherein the first and second turbine stages are coupled to the power generation component.

Variation 15 may include a method of variation 14 wherein the fluid circuit is an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system.

Variation 16 may include a method according to any of variations 14-15, wherein the fluid circuit further comprises a pump.

Variation 17 may include a method according to any of variations 14-16, wherein the fluid circuit further comprises a capacitor.

Variation 18 may include a method according to any of variations 14-17, wherein the power generation component is an electrical generator.

Variation 19 may include a method according to any of variations 14-18, wherein the power generation component is a reduction device that is mechanically coupled to a vehicle driveline.

Variation 20 may include a method according to any of variations 14-19, wherein the turbine stages are encapsulated within a common housing.

Variation 21 may include a product according to any of variations 1-20, wherein the turbine is a steam turbine and / or a gas turbine and / or a transonic turbine and / or a mating turbine and / or an axial turbine and / or a radial turbine and / or a statorless Turbine and / or a jacketed turbine and / or a ceramic turbine and / or a shellless turbine and / or a turbine blade and / or a water turbine (including Pelton, Francis, Kaplan, Turgo or Durchströmturbine) and / or a Rateau turbine and / or or a pulse and / or reaction turbine.

Variation 22 may include a product, system, or method according to any of Variations 1-21, wherein the turbine includes at least one turbine wheel that includes the at least one turbine stage.

Variation 23 may include a product, system or method according to any of Variations 1-22, wherein the heat exchanger is a heat exchanger type including, but not limited to, an electric heat exchanger, a double tube heat exchanger, a shell and tube heat exchanger, a plate heat exchanger, a Plate and Shell Heat Exchanger (PSHE) ), an adiabatic system heat exchanger, a fin plate heat exchanger, a Pillow Plate Heat Exchanger (PPHE), or a fluid heat exchanger.

Variation 24 may include a product, system, or method according to any of Variations 1-23, wherein the product or system further comprises a working fluid 20 may include the vapor and / or fluorinol and / or ammonia and / or ethanol and / or methanol and / or kerosene and / or gasoline and / or diesel and / or propanol and / or butanol and / or water and / or benzene and / or toluene and / or methane and / or ethane and / or propane and / or butane and / or acetone and / or liquid hydrogen.

Variation 25 may include a product, system, or method of any of Variations 1-24, wherein the at least one pump is a recirculating displacement pump, a reciprocating pump, a gear pump, a screw pump, an eccentric screw pump, a root pump, a peristaltic pump, a piston pump Rope pump, an impeller pump, a hydraulic cylinder pump, a radial pump, an axial pump, a diagonal pump, a suction jet pump, a steam pump, a gravity pump or a valveless pump.

Variation 26 may include a product, systems, or method according to any of variations 1-25, wherein the fluid simultaneously flows into multiple turbine stages 18 is initiated.

Variation 27 may include a product, system or method according to any of Variations 1-26, wherein the turbine further comprises at least one turbine stage rotor and at least one turbine stage stator.

Variation 28 may include a product, system or method according to any of Variations 1-27 using the product, system or method of heat recovery from a vehicle.

Variation 29 may comprise a product, system or method according to variation 28, wherein the vehicle comprises a motor vehicle and / or a spacecraft and / or a watercraft and / or an aircraft and / or a train.

Variation 30 may include a product, system, or method according to any of Variations 1-29, wherein the product, system, or process for recovering heat from a chemical process, such as a process. Example, a process for generating geothermal energy, a process for generating solar energy or a process for generating wind energy, is used.

Variation 31 may include a product, system, or method according to any of variations 1-30, wherein the turbine is compact to allow for improved packaging in a vehicle exhaust system or radiator.

Variation 32 may include a product, system, or method according to any of Variations 1-31, wherein the power generation component includes an armature that generates electrical current received by an electrical receiving component.

Variation 33 may include a product, system or method according to any of Variations 1-32, wherein the at least one valve is a ball valve and / or a flapper valve and / or a ceramic disc valve and / or a check valve and / or a throttle valve and / or a diaphragm valve and / or a plate slide valve and / or a lift valve and / or a metering valve and / or a needle valve and / or a pinch valve and / or a piston valve and / or a cone valve and / or a poppet valve and / or a slide valve and / or a thermal expansion valve and / or a pressure reducing valve and / or a sampling valve and / or a safety valve is.

Variation 34 may include a product, system, or method according to any of Variations 1-33, wherein the bearing includes a plain bearing, a rolling bearing, a grain bearing, a fluid bearing, a magnetic bearing, or a flexure bearing.

Variation 35 may include a product, system, or method according to any of Variations 1-34, wherein the at least one heat exchanger comprises a heat exchanger type including, but not limited to, an electric heat exchanger, a double tube heat exchanger, a shell and tube heat exchanger, a plate heat exchanger, a PSHE (Plate and Shell Heat Exchanger), an adiabatic heat exchanger, a fin plate heat exchanger, a PPHE (Pillow Plate Heat Exchanger) or a fluid heat exchanger.

Variation 36 may include a product, system, or method of any of variations 1-35, wherein the fluid circuit further includes heat exchange components for the fluid, including a radiator and / or axle oil heat exchanger and / or an engine oil heat exchanger and / or passenger compartment heater.

Variation 37 may include a product, system or method according to any one of Variations 1-36, wherein the condenser comprises an electric heat exchanger and / or a double-tube heat exchanger and / or a tube-bundle heat exchanger and / or a plate heat exchanger and / or a PSHE (Plate and Shell Heat Exchanger) and / or a heat exchanger with adiabatic system and / or a fin plate heat exchanger and / or a PPHE (Pillow Plate Heat Exchanger) and / or a fluid heat exchanger.

Variation 38 may include a product, system, or method according to any of variations 1-37, wherein the power generation component comprises a DC generator or an AC generator.

Variation 39 may include a product, system or method according to any of Variations 1-37, wherein the fluid circuit 51 includes at least one controller controlling the operation of the turbine and / or the heat exchanger and / or the valve and / or the condenser and / or the pump and / or the power generation component based on a series of fluctuations including the fluid temperature and / or the fluid pressure and / or the power generation component output and / or the pump flow rate controls.

The above description of selected variations within the scope of the invention is merely illustrative, and thus variations or variants thereof are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

 A product comprising: a turbine comprising a plurality of turbine stages mounted on a single shaft, the turbine constructed and arranged to generate power using a fluid introduced in series into the turbine stages, and wherein the fluid is a heat transfer passes through at least two of the turbine stages.  The product of claim 1, wherein the product further comprises a power generation component including a rotor constructed and arranged to generate power by the fluid in the turbine stages.  A product according to claim 2, wherein the shaft is connected to the rotor and is supported by at least one bearing.  The product of claim 2, wherein the power generation component further comprises an electrical stator.  The product of claim 1, wherein the product further comprises a fluid circuit, wherein the fluid exits a first turbine stage and thereafter undergoes heat transfer in a heat exchanger. The product of claim 1, wherein at least one turbine stage is at least partially encapsulated by a housing constructed and arranged to receive at least one fluid.  The product of claim 4, wherein the plurality of turbine stages protrude on the same axial side of the shaft.  A system comprising: a fluid circuit comprising a fluid, a heat exchanger, a first turbine stage, a second turbine stage and a power generation component, the fluid providing power in the first turbine stage, thereafter undergoing heat transfer in the heat exchanger and providing power in the second turbine stage, and wherein the first and second turbine stages are coupled to a single power generation component.  The system of claim 8, wherein the fluid circuit is an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system.  The system of claim 8, wherein the fluid circuit further comprises a pump.  The system of claim 8, wherein the fluid circuit further comprises a capacitor.  The system of claim 8, wherein the power generation component is an electrical generator.  The system of claim 8, wherein the power generation component is a reduction gear mechanically coupled to a vehicle driveline.  A method comprising: Providing a fluid circuit comprising a fluid, a heat exchanger, a first turbine stage, a second turbine stage, and a power generation component; Moving a fluid through a first turbine stage; subsequently moving a fluid through a heat exchanger; subsequently moving a fluid through a second turbine stage, wherein the first and second turbine stages are coupled to the power generation component.  The method of claim 14, wherein the fluid circuit is an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system.  The method of claim 14, wherein the fluid circuit further comprises a pump.  The method of claim 14, wherein the fluid circuit further comprises a capacitor.  The method of claim 14, wherein the power generation component is an electrical generator.  The method of claim 14, wherein the power generation component is a reduction device mechanically coupled to a vehicle driveline.  The method of claim 14, wherein the turbine stages are encapsulated in a common housing.

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