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US 11,859,549 B2Granted
Thermodynamic apparatus
AssigneeBAE SYSTEMS plc
InventorJames William Spain
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A thermodynamic apparatus (10) comprising a compressor module (100), a turbine module (200), and a regenerative heat exchanger (300) centred on a central axis (12). The compressor module (100), turbine module (200) and regenerative heat exchanger (300) are arranged in series along the central axis (12) such that the regenerative heat exchanger (300) is provided between the compressor module (100) and the turbine module (200).
Claims20
A thermodynamic apparatus comprising:
- a compressor module;
- a turbine module;
- and
- a regenerative heat exchanger;
- wherein the compressor module, turbine module, and regenerative heat exchanger define a working fluid flow duct which extends, in series, through (i) a compressor module inlet to a compressor module outlet, (ii) a path through the regenerative heat exchanger, and (iii) a turbine module inlet to a turbine module outlet;
- wherein each of the compressor module, turbine module, and regenerative heat exchanger are centered on a central axis, and arranged in series along the central axis such that the regenerative heat exchanger is provided between the compressor module and the turbine module;
- wherein the compressor module comprises:
- a first heat exchanger and a compressor module rotor, each provided in the working fluid flow duct, the first heat exchanger provided in flow series between the compressor module inlet and the compressor module rotor, and the compressor module rotor provided in flow series between the first heat exchanger and the compressor module outlet;
- and
- a first heat transfer unit,
- wherein the first heat exchanger is in heat transfer communication with the first heat transfer unit via a first main passage for a first heat transfer medium;
- wherein the turbine module comprises
- a second heat exchanger and a turbine module rotor, each provided in the working fluid flow duct, the second heat exchanger provided in flow series between the turbine module inlet and the turbine module rotor, the turbine module rotor provided in flow series between the second heat exchanger and the turbine module outlet, and
- a second heat transfer unit,
- wherein the second heat exchanger is in heat transfer communication with the second heat transfer unit via a second main passage for a second heat transfer medium.
12 more elements
A thermodynamic apparatus comprising:
- a compressor module;
- a turbine module;
- and
- a regenerative heat exchanger;
- wherein each of the compressor module, turbine module, and regenerative heat exchanger are centered on a central axis, and arranged in series along the central axis such that the regenerative heat exchanger is provided between the compressor module and the turbine module;
- wherein the compressor module comprises:
- a first heat exchanger and a compressor module rotor, each provided in a working fluid flow duct, the first heat exchanger provided in flow series between a compressor module inlet and the compressor module rotor, and
- a heat transfer unit which defines a first portion of the working fluid flow duct, wherein the first heat exchanger is in heat transfer communication with the heat transfer unit via a main passage for a first heat transfer medium, and the first heat exchanger is configured such that it is operable to transfer heat to the heat transfer unit from working fluid passing the first heat exchanger;
- and
- a second heat exchanger is located in the working fluid flow duct in flow series between the compressor module rotor and the compressor module outlet in the heat transfer unit, and the second heat exchanger is configured to be operable to transfer heat to the heat transfer unit from the working fluid passing the second heat exchanger.
7 more elements
A thermodynamic apparatus comprising:
- a casing;
- a compressor module within the casing and comprising a first heat exchanger, and a first rotor;
- a turbine module within the casing and comprising a second heat exchanger, and a second rotor;
- a regenerative heat exchanger within the casing and arranged in series with the compressor and turbine modules along a central axis such that the regenerative heat exchanger is provided between the compressor module and the turbine module;
- and
- a shaft rotatable about the central axis and extending through each of the compressor module, turbine module, and regenerative heat exchanger, both the first and second rotors being carried on and rotatable with the shaft;
- wherein the compressor module, turbine module, and regenerative heat exchanger define a working fluid flow duct which extends, in series, through each of (a) a compressor module inlet to a compressor module outlet, (b) a first path through the regenerative heat exchanger, (c) a turbine module inlet to a turbine module outlet, and (d) a second path through the regenerative heat exchanger, which is in heat transfer communication with the first path;
- wherein the compressor module includes a third heat exchanger that is provided in flow series between the first rotor and the compressor module outlet, and the third heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat to a first heat transfer unit from working fluid passing the third heat exchanger;
- and
- wherein the turbine module includes a fourth heat exchanger that is provided in flow series between the second rotor and the turbine module outlet, and the fourth heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from a second heat transfer unit to working fluid passing the fourth heat exchanger.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.