Distributed power generation system for surface transport

Abstract

A distributed power generation system ( 1 ) for surface transport, including: a primary power generation device ( 3 ) including a gas steam turbine to generate energy for said surface transport; a secondary power generation device ( 5 ); an energy storage device to store energy received from the primary and/or secondary power generation device; an elongate drive shaft to be driven by said energy from said primary and/or secondary power generation and/or energy storage device; and a torque converter operatively associated with the primary and/or the secondary power generation device, to assist the capture of energy from said drive shaft during a power generation phase; and a connection means to deliver said torque to wheels of said surface transport to urge said surface transport into motion.

1 . A distributed power generation system for surface transport, including:
 a primary power generation device including a gas steam turbine to generate energy for said surface transport;   a secondary power generation device;   an energy storage device to store energy received from the primary and/or secondary power generation device;   an elongate drive shaft to be driven by said energy from said primary and/or secondary power generation and/or energy storage device; and   a torque converter operatively associated with the primary and/or the secondary power generation device, to assist the capture of energy from said drive shaft during a power generation phase; and   a connection means to deliver said torque to wheels of said surface transport to urge said surface transport into motion.   
     
     
         2 . The distributed power generation system for surface transport according to  claim 1 , wherein said primary power generation device includes:
 a compressor operable to receive a gas;   a combustion chamber to receive and ignite a fuel;   a turbine to rotate the drive shaft;   the heated gas leaving said turbine being directed past the outside of said combustion chamber to add heat to said heat exchanger for heating a liquid, said gas passing through a second turbine operatively associated with the compressor and venting said gas from said system through a second heat exchanger, said gas passing through a third turbine acting in cooperation with said first turbine.   
     
     
         3 . The distributed power generation system for surface transport according to  claim 2 , wherein the gas leaving the second turbine is returned to the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The distributed power generation system for surface transport according to  claim 2 , wherein the gas leaving the second turbine is exhausted from the system. 
     
     
         5 . The distributed power generation system for surface transport according to  claim 2 , wherein said heated liquid from the heat exchanger is adapted to drive a steam turbine. 
     
     
         6 . The distributed power generation system for surface transport according to  claim 1 , wherein said system includes a means to store excess energy in a power storage unit and transmit said excess energy to other surface transport as it passes power transmission zones.