Modular multi-energy thermodynamic device

Abstract

A system for simultaneously producing electricity, water at a first temperature, water at a second temperature greater than the first temperature, and water at a third temperature greater than the second temperature. The system can also optionally simultaneously provide a refrigerating fluid at a first evaporation temperature, and the refrigerating fluid at a second evaporation temperature.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A system configured to simultaneously produce electricity, water at a first temperature, water at a second temperature greater than the first temperature, and water at a third temperature greater than the second temperature, the system comprising:
 a current-generating module configured to simultaneously produce the electricity and the water at the third temperature, the current-generating module including an energy producing device operatively connected to a first heat exchanger which is configured to produce the water at the third temperature; and   a unit in communication with the current-generating module and configured to receive a portion of the electricity produced by the current generation module and thereby simultaneously produce the water at the first temperature and water the second temperature.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first temperature is in a range between one of −8° C. and +15° C. and 4° C. and 15° C.;   the second temperature is in a range between 20° C. and 60° C.; and   the third temperature is in a range between 40° C. and 75° C.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first temperature is in a range between 5° C. and 9° C.;   the second temperature is in a range between 30° C. and 60° C.; and   the third temperature is in a range between 55° C. and 75° C.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the energy producing device comprises at least one of a fuel cell and solar panel operatively connected to a DC-to-AC converter. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the fuel cell comprises:
 a reformer which transforms fuel received by the fuel cell to extract hydrogen therefrom; and   a cell core which receives the hydrogen extracted by the reformer and uses the hydrogen to produce electricity.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the energy producing device comprises an combustion engine operatively connected to an alternator. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the unit comprises a heat pump unit configured to operate under a steam compression refrigeration cycle, the heat pump unit including a fluid circuit through which a fluid flows, a fluid compressor, a second heat exchanger situated at a suction of the fluid compressor when the system is functioning in an air conditioning mode, a third heat exchanger situated at a discharge of the fluid compressor when the system is functioning in an air conditioning mode, and a fourth heat exchanger situated at the discharge of the fluid compressor when the system is in a simultaneous air conditioning and heating mode. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the fluid compressor comprises a hermetic fluid compressor. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the heat pump unit further comprises a pressure reduction valve provided at the fluid circuit. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the unit comprises a refrigerator unit configured to operate under a steam compression refrigeration cycle, the refrigerator unit including a fluid circuit through which a fluid flows, a compressor driven by an electric motor and in communication with the fluid circuit, a pressure reducing valve in communication with the fluid circuit, a second heat exchanger provided at a discharge of the compressor and in communication with the fluid circuit, and a third heat exchanger provided at the discharge of the compressor and in communication with the fluid circuit. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , further comprising;
 a fourth heat exchanger provided at the suction of the compressor outside of the refrigerator unit and in communication with the fluid circuit.   
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the unit comprises a heat pump unit configured to operate under an absorption cycle, the heat pump unit including an absorber, a steam generator, a circulation pump, an evaporator provided at an inlet of the absorber, a pressure reducing valve provided at an output of the steam generator, a condenser each provided at the output of the steam generator, and a refrigerating fluid which flows through the heat pump unit. 
     
     
         29 . A system configured to simultaneously produce electricity, water at a first temperature, water at a second temperature greater than the first temperature, and water at a third temperature greater than the second temperature, the system comprising:
 a current-generating module configured to produce the electricity, the generating module including a first heat exchanger configured to produce the water at the third temperature, and an electric accumulator operatively connected to the alternator; and   a unit in communication with the current-generating module and configured to receive electricity produced by the current generation unit, the unit comprising a plurality of second heat exchangers configured to produce the water at the first temperature and the water at the second temperature.   
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the unit comprises one of:
 a heat pump unit, the heat pump unit including a refrigerating fluid circuit through which a refrigerating fluid flows, a fluid compressor, a pressure reducing valve and the plurality of second heat exchangers; and   a refrigerator unit, the refrigerator unit including a refrigerating fluid circuit through which a refrigerating fluid flows, a fluid compressor driven by an electric motor and in communication with the refrigerating fluid circuit, a pressure reducing valve in communication with the refrigerating fluid circuit, and the plurality of second heat exchangers.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein:
 the first temperature is in a range between 5° C. and 9° C.;   the second temperature is in a range between 30° C. and 60° C.; and   the third temperature is in a range between 55° C. and 75° C.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the system is also configured to simultaneously heat the refrigerating fluid at a first evaporation temperature and at a second evaporation temperature greater than the first evaporation temperature. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 30 , further comprising;
 a third heat exchanger provided outside of the refrigerator unit and in communication with the refrigerating fluid circuit.   
     
     
         34 . A system configured to simultaneously produce electricity, water at a first temperature, water at a second temperature greater than the first temperature, and water at a third temperature greater than the second temperature, the system comprising:
 a plurality of current-generating modules collectively configured to produce the electricity and the water at the third temperature, each current-generating module including a first heat exchanger configured to produce the water at the third temperature; and   a plurality of units in communication with the current-generating modules and configured to receive electricity produced by the current generation modules, each unit comprising a plurality of second heat exchangers collectively configured to produce the water at the first temperature and water at the second temperature.   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein each unit comprises one of:
 a heat pump unit, the heat pump unit including a refrigerating fluid circuit through which a refrigerating fluid flows, a fluid compressor, a pressure reducing valve and the plurality of second heat exchangers; and   a refrigerator unit, the refrigerator unit including a refrigerating fluid circuit through which a refrigerating fluid flows, a fluid compressor driven by an electric motor and in communication with the refrigerating fluid circuit, a pressure reducing valve in communication with the refrigerating fluid circuit, and the plurality of second heat exchangers.   
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the energy producing device comprises one of:
 at least one of a fuel cell and solar panel operatively connected to a DC-to-AC converter; and   an combustion engine operatively connected to an alternator.