Multi-functional residential diesel fuel energy system for combined heat and power generation

Abstract

The disclosed invention presents a novel residential energy conversion system designed to retrofit existing heating oil tanks for use with diesel fuel, enabling both heating and electricity generation within a home. This system includes a cleaned and modified oil tank to store diesel, a diesel generator connected to this tank for electrical power production, and a fuel transmission assembly for diesel transfer. The system uniquely incorporates a manual or gravity-fed fuel transmission line and utilizes the home's existing chimney infrastructure for exhaust ventilation. By converting traditional heating oil systems to utilize readily available diesel fuel, the invention offers a more environmentally friendly, efficient, and versatile solution for residential energy needs. The integrated approach allows for the manual addition of diesel by homeowners, supports the original oil burner with diesel fuel, and connects the diesel generator's output to the home's electrical system or storage batteries, significantly enhancing energy autonomy and reliability.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A residential energy conversion system for transforming an existing heating oil tank for utilization with diesel fuel, comprising:
 a process for emptying and sanitizing the existing oil tank to accommodate diesel fuel;   a modified intake structure to allow for homeowner-operated manual addition of diesel fuel;   a diesel generator operatively connected to the oil tank to convert diesel fuel into electrical energy;   a fuel transmission assembly facilitating the transfer of diesel fuel from the oil tank to the diesel generator, capable of manual operation or utilizing gravity feed;   an exhaust redirection configuration that channels the exhaust from the diesel generator through the existing home chimney infrastructure.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the diesel generator is configured to supply electrical power to a home's electrical system or to an energy storage battery system. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the modified intake structure comprises a funnel adapted for compatibility with the oil tank to facilitate diesel fuel input. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel transmission assembly includes a manual pump that can be operated by an individual without specialized training to transfer diesel fuel to the diesel generator. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the exhaust redirection configuration is adapted to integrate with the pre-existing chimney infrastructure previously utilized for the oil burner exhaust. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the diesel generator is purposed to provide electricity as a primary, secondary, or emergency backup source for the home. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further including the original oil burner, which is adapted to combust diesel fuel for the generation of heat within the home without structural modifications. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical energy output from the diesel generator is regulated by an electrical grid controller to manage the generation, storage, and allocation of electrical power within the home's electrical system. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a hot water heater that is supplied with diesel fuel from the oil tank via a dedicated line to deliver heated water for domestic use. 
     
     
         10 . A method for retrofitting a residential heating oil tank system for combined heat and electrical power generation using diesel fuel, the method consisting of the following steps:
 draining and cleaning the heating oil tank to prepare it for diesel fuel storage;   modifying the tank to install an intake that facilitates the manual addition of diesel fuel by a homeowner;   installing a diesel generator in operational connection with the oil tank via a fuel transfer line;   configuring the diesel generator's exhaust to vent through the existing chimney of the home;   linking the diesel generator's electrical output with the home's electrical system or with an electrical battery for energy storage.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein installing an intake involves affixing a funnel to the oil tank for receiving diesel fuel. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein connecting a diesel generator includes mounting a manually operated pump within the fuel transfer line to facilitate diesel fuel movement. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further including adapting the existing oil burner to burn diesel fuel to provide home heating. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the integration of the diesel generator with the home's electrical system includes employing an electrical grid controller to regulate the distribution of power. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , involving the adaptation of the home's current exhaust pathways to convey the diesel generator's exhaust without extensive alterations to the existing structure.