Patent ID: 7647774

Claim:
A cryogenic cogeneration method for converting energy from a heat source, through a cryogenic heat transfer process, into mechanical and/or electrical energy, comprising: utilizing a vapor compression cycle to absorb heat from said heat source wherein the vapor compression cycle includes a vapor compression evaporator and at least one subassembly wherein the subassembly includes a heat transfer medium therein; utilizing the heat source to heat the medium whereby the medium stays at a substantially fixed volume; utilizing a Rankine cycle in conjunction with the vapor compression cycle, for converting thermal energy to mechanical and/or electrical energy wherein the Rankine cycle includes a condenser; transferring latent thermal energy to and from said vapor compression cycle and said Rankine cycle via a heat exchanger wherein the heat exchanger includes the vapor compression evaporator and the condenser, in a simultaneous fashion; and utilizing a substantial portion of said mechanical and/or electrical energy to provide power to an external workload.