Method and apparatus for energy recovery from fluid flows

Abstract

An energy recovery apparatus includes a fixed frame, a shaft, an impeller vane, and an energy transfer unit. A fluid stream exits the host device along a flow axis. The fixed frame defining a longitudinal axis mounts the host device. The shaft is rotatably mounted to the fixed frame parallel to the longitudinal axis. The impeller vane is connected to the shaft to cause rotation when the fluid stream of the host device strikes the impeller vane. The energy transfer unit is linked to the shaft to transfer energy from the energy recovery apparatus when the shaft rotates thereby recovering energy from the fluid stream. A geologic heat exchange system includes at least one conduit in thermal contact with the geologic environment. A coolant distribution system is in fluid communication with the conduit such that heat exchange with the geologic environment occurs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An energy recovery apparatus for placement in a fluid stream of a host device, the fluid stream entering or exiting the host device along a flow axis, the energy recovery apparatus comprising:
 a fixed frame having a proximal end for mounting the host device and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the fixed frame defining a longitudinal axis for placement parallel to the flow axis of the host device when the proximal end of the fixed frame is mounted to the host device;   a shaft rotatably mounted to the fixed frame parallel to the longitudinal axis; and   at least one impeller vane connected to the shaft to cause rotation of the shaft relative to the fixed frame when the fluid stream of the host device strikes the impeller vane;   an energy transfer unit linked to the shaft to transfer energy from the energy recovery apparatus when the shaft rotates thereby recovering energy from the fluid stream.   
     
     
         2 . An energy recovery apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the energy transfer unit comprises an electrical generator that generates an electrical voltage when the shaft rotates. 
     
     
         3 . An energy recovery apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the energy transfer unit comprises a heat pump that transfers heat from a heat source to a heat destination when the shaft rotates. 
     
     
         4 . An energy recovery apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the energy transfer unit comprises a pump or conveyor that transfers material from a source to a destination when the shaft rotates. 
     
     
         5 . An energy recovery apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the impeller vane is a helical vane having a uniform radial width defined between an interior margin spaced from the longitudinal axis by a first uniform radius and an exterior margin spaced from the longitudinal axis by a second uniform radius. 
     
     
         6 . An energy recovery apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein exactly four impeller vanes are connected to the shaft, each impeller vane extending circumferentially around the longitudinal axis through a circumferential angle having a magnitude between 170 degrees and 190 degrees circumferentially relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         7 . An energy recovery apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixed frame comprises a cage defined at least in part by:
 two longitudinal beams extending parallel to the longitudinal axis on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis;   support struts connected to the longitudinal beams, the support struts extending diagonally relative to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         8 . An energy recovery apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixed frame comprises a plenum circumferentially surrounding the shaft and at the least one impeller vane. 
     
     
         9 . An energy recovery apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the plenum is spaced from the host device to limit imposition to the host device caused by the energy recovery apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . An energy recovery apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the host device includes a fan that propels the fluid stream, and wherein the fan of the host device turns around the flow axis. 
     
     
         11 . An energy recovery apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the longitudinal axis is aligned with the flow axis. 
     
     
         12 . An energy recovery apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 the fan of the host device has a first diameter;   the shaft and the at least one impeller vane define an impeller having a second diameter; and   the second diameter is less than the first diameter to limit imposition to the host device caused by the impeller.   
     
     
         13 . An energy recovery system comprising:
 a host device configured to produce a fluid stream along a flow axis;   a fixed frame having a proximal end mounted on the host device and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the fixed frame defining a longitudinal axis parallel to the flow axis of the host device;   a shaft rotatably mounted to the fixed frame parallel to the longitudinal axis;   at least one impeller vane connected to the shaft to cause rotation of the shaft relative to the fixed frame when the fluid stream of the host device strikes the impeller vane; and   an energy transfer unit linked to the shaft to transfer energy from the energy recovery system when the shaft rotates thereby recovering energy from the fluid stream.   
     
     
         14 . An energy recovery system according to  claim 13 , wherein the energy transfer unit comprises an electrical generator, a heat pump, a material pump, or a conveyor. 
     
     
         15 . An energy recovery system according to  claim 13 , wherein the host device comprises a heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration (HVAC-R) device. 
     
     
         16 . An energy recovery system according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the fixed frame comprises a plenum circumferentially surrounding the shaft and the at least one impeller vane; and   the plenum is spaced from the host device to limit imposition to the host device caused by the energy recovery apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . An energy recovery system according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the fixed frame comprises a plenum circumferentially surrounding the shaft and the at least one impeller vane; and   the plenum engages the host device to prevent the fluid stream from escaping the energy recovery system between the host device and the at least one impeller.   
     
     
         18 . An energy recovery system according to  claim 13 , wherein the host device includes a fan that propels the fluid stream, and wherein the fan of the host devices turns around the flow axis. 
     
     
         19 . An energy recovery system according to  claim 18 , wherein the longitudinal axis is aligned with the flow axis. 
     
     
         20 . An energy recovery system according to  claim 18 , wherein:
 the fan of the host device has a first diameter;   the shaft and the at least one impeller vane define an impeller having a second diameter; and   the second diameter is less than the first diameter to limit imposition to the host device caused by the impeller.   
     
     
         21 . A geologic heat exchange system comprising:
 at least one conduit in a geologic environment in thermal contact with the geologic environment; and   a coolant distribution system in fluid communication with the at least one conduit configured to supply a fluid at a first temperature to the at least one conduit and to receive the fluid at a second temperature from the at least one conduit such that heat is exchanged between the fluid and the geologic environment through the at least one conduit.   
     
     
         22 . The geologic heat exchange system of  claim 21 , further comprising a condenser coil in thermal contact with the fluid of the coolant distribution system such that heat is exchanged between the condenser coil and the geologic environment by the coolant distribution system and the at least one conduit. 
     
     
         23 . The geologic heat exchange system of  claim 21 , further comprising a cooling tower configured to provide the fluid at the first temperature to the coolant distribution system and to receive the fluid at the second temperature from the coolant distribution system such that heat is exchanged between the cooling tower and the geologic environment by the coolant distribution system and the at least one conduit.