Patent ID: 8427002
Filing Date: 2013-04-23
Classification: B60R,B63G,F01K

Abstract:
1. A system configured to generate power within an underwater vessel, the system comprising: a fuel cell; a chamber that holds a liquid in proximity to the fuel cell such that during operation of the fuel cell waste heat generated by the fuel cell vaporizes the liquid; a steam generator having one or more turbines that, when driven, cause power to be generated by the steam generator; a first conduit that carries the vaporized liquid from the chamber to the one or more turbines such that the one or more turbines are driven by the flow of the vaporized liquid; a cold plate that receives vaporized liquid that has passed through the one or more turbines, the cold plate having a shape that corresponds to the shape of a hull of the vessel and is in direct, conductive thermal communication with the hull such that by virtue of the direct, conductive thermal communication between the cold plate and the hull of the ship the hull of the ship acts as a heat sink for the cold plate; and a second conduit that receives cooled liquid from the cold plate and guides the cooled liquid back into the chamber.