Isothermal-turbo-compressor-expander-condenser-evaporator device
AssigneeAppollo Wind Technologies LLC
InventorPeter A. Swett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention provides an isothermal turbo-compressor-expander-condenser-evaporator in a single integral arrangement that is suitable for a variety of compact arrangements, such as a window air-conditioner and/or automotive-based unit. This arrangement avoids the use of rotary fluid joints and maintains the entire fluid cycle, including compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation within a single rotating shaft-based structure, with the compressor/condenser section and the expansion/evaporator section separated from each other in separate spaces and/or plena by a rotating, insulated barrier disc and associated seal.
Claims16
A turbo-compressor-condenser-expander-evaporator (TCCEE) for a refrigerant comprising:
- a central axis assembly including a first compressor stage that provides isentropic adiabatic mechanical compression in the refrigerant, and a second compressor stage, that provides isothermal centrifugal compression in radially expanding refrigerant-filled conduits, the conduits being arranged in surfaces to induce heat transfer and a first air flow to remove heat of compression and condensation;
- the central axis assembly including an expander and evaporator stage, receiving the compressed and condensed refrigerant from the second compression stage via a plurality of axially parallel conduits arranged around a perimeter of the TCCEE, which pass through a plurality of corresponding slots in an insulated barrier disc that rotates with a drive shaft, and that provides isentropic centrifugal expansion and isothermal expansion and evaporation in radially contracting conduits, the conduits being arranged to induce a second air flow over surfaces of the condenser and evaporator, wherein the insulated barrier disc attached to a central axle axial assembly and closely fit to a stationary plenum minimizes air leakage between the insulated barrier disc and the stationary plenum;
- the central axis assembly including a hollow portion of the drive shaft to draw low pressure refrigerant from evaporator stage to the first compressor stage;
- and
- a prime mover to rotate the central axial assembly to supply energy to compress refrigerant and circulate the first air flow and the second air flow through the device.
A method for compressing, condensing, expanding and evaporating a refrigerant comprising the steps of:
- providing, in a first compression stage, isentropic adiabatic mechanical compression in the refrigerant, and providing, in a second compression stage, isothermal centrifugal compression in radially expanding refrigerant-filled conduits, in which the conduits are arranged in surfaces to induce heat transfer and a first air flow to remove heat of compression and condensation;
- receiving the compressed and condensed refrigerant from the second compression stage via a plurality of axially parallel conduits arranged around a perimeter of the TCCEE, which pass through a plurality of corresponding slots in an insulated barrier disc that rotates with a drive shaft, and that provides isentropic centrifugal expansion and isothermal expansion and evaporation in radially contracting conduits, the conduits being arranged to induce a second air flow over surfaces of the condenser and evaporator, wherein the insulated barrier disc attached to a central axle axial assembly and closely fit to the stationary plenum to minimize air leakage between the insulated barrier disc and the stationary plenum;
- the central axis assembly including a hollow portion of the drive shaft to draw low pressure refrigerant from evaporator stage to the first compressor stage;
- and
- rotating the conduits with the central axial assembly to supply energy to compress refrigerant and circulate the first air flow and the second air flow through the device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.