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US 12,104,529 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;
- a regenerative heat exchanger;
- and
- a casing which extends around the compressor module, turbine module, and regenerative heat exchanger;
- wherein the compressor module, the turbine module, and the regenerative heat exchanger are arranged in series along a central axis such that the regenerative heat exchanger is provided between the compressor module and the turbine module;
- wherein the compressor module, the turbine module, and the regenerative heat exchanger define a working fluid flow duct which extends, in series, through
- a compressor module inlet to a compressor module outlet,
- a first path through the regenerative heat exchanger,
- a turbine module inlet to a turbine module outlet,
- a first intermediate duct provided in the turbine module to a second path through the regenerative heat exchanger, which is in heat transfer communication with the first path, and
- a second intermediate duct provided in the compressor module to the compressor module inlet;
- and
- wherein the compressor module and the turbine module each comprise an inlet plenum and an outlet plenum, the inlet plenum and outlet plenum of the compressor module being in fluid flow communication via a first sub-passage defined by a first portion of the working fluid flow duct, the inlet plenum and outlet plenum of the turbine module being in fluid flow communication via a second sub-passage defined by a second portion of the working fluid flow duct, each inlet plenum having an inlet for communication with a different source of heat transfer medium, and each outlet plenum having an outlet to exhaust the respective heat transfer medium.
11 more elements
A thermodynamic apparatus comprising:
- a compressor module comprising a first heat exchanger and a first rotor;
- a turbine module comprising a second heat exchanger and a second rotor;
- and
- a regenerative heat exchanger arranged in series along a central axis such that the regenerative heat exchanger is provided between the compressor module and the turbine module;
- 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;
- and
- wherein the compressor module and the turbine module each comprise an inlet plenum and an outlet plenum, the inlet plenum and outlet plenum of the compressor module being in fluid flow communication via a first sub-passage defined by a first portion of the working fluid flow duct, the inlet plenum and outlet plenum of the turbine module being in fluid flow communication via a second sub-passage defined by a second portion of the working fluid flow duct, each inlet plenum having an inlet for communication with a different source of heat transfer medium, and each outlet plenum having an outlet to exhaust the respective heat transfer medium.
4 more elements
A thermodynamic apparatus comprising:
- a compressor module comprising a first heat exchanger, a first heat transfer unit, and a first rotor;
- a turbine module comprising a second heat exchanger, a second heat transfer unit, and a second rotor;
- and
- a regenerative heat exchanger arranged in series along a central axis such that the regenerative heat exchanger is provided between the compressor module and the turbine module;
- 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;
- and
- wherein the compressor module and the turbine module each comprise an inlet plenum and an outlet plenum, the inlet plenum and outlet plenum of the compressor module being in fluid flow communication via a first sub-passage defined by a first portion of the working fluid flow duct, the inlet plenum and outlet plenum of the turbine module being in fluid flow communication via a second sub-passage defined by a second portion of the working fluid flow duct, each inlet plenum having an inlet for communication with a different source of heat transfer medium, and each outlet plenum having an outlet to exhaust the respective heat transfer medium.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.