Isothermal-turbo-compressor-expander-condenser-evaporator device
AssigneeAppollo Wind Technologies LLC
InventorPeter A. Swett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims12
A reversible heat pump comprising:
- 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, 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;
- a prime mover to rotate the central axial assembly to supply energy sufficient to compress refrigerant and circulate the first air flow and the second air flow through the device;
- a first plenum, enclosing the first compressor stage and the second compressor stage, and in airflow communication with a space;
- a second plenum, enclosing the expander and evaporator stage, and connected to the first plenum, and in airflow communication with the space;
- and
- a diverter arrangement that allows selective inflow from or outflow to the space relative to the first plenum, combined respectively with, outflow to or inflow from the space relative to the second plenum, based upon a heating or cooling call.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.