Back to results
US 2006/0230765 A1Published application
Vortex tube refrigeration systems and methods
AssigneeGeorgia Tech Research Corporation
InventorsAndrei Fedorov, Robert Wadell, Stephane Launay
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure, among others, include vortex vapor compression refrigeration (VCR) systems and methods of cooling.
Claims19
A vortex tube assisted vapor compression refrigeration (vortex VCR) system comprising:
- at least one vortex tube, an evaporator, a condenser, at least one compressor, a throttle, and a working fluid, wherein the vortex tube, the evaporator, the condenser, the compressor, and the throttle are in fluid communication with one another via a manifold, wherein the vortex tube has a first end and a second end, wherein the vortex tube is configured to separate the working fluid into a first working fluid stream and a second working fluid stream, wherein the vortex tube is configured to direct the first working fluid stream out of the first end of the vortex tube, wherein the vortex tube is configured to direct the second working fluid stream out of the second end of the vortex tube, wherein the manifold is configured to direct the first working fluid stream to the evaporator, wherein the manifold is configured to direct the second working fluid away from the evaporator, wherein the first working fluid stream has a lower enthalpy than the second working fluid stream, and wherein the working fluid comprises a CO2 fluid.
A vortex tube assisted vapor compression refrigeration (vortex VCR) system comprising:
- “n” number of a vortex tube, an evaporator, a condenser, “n+1” number of a compressor, and a working fluid, wherein the vortex tube, the evaporator, the condenser, and the compressors, are in fluid communication with one another via a manifold, wherein each vortex tube has a first end and a second end, wherein the vortex tube is configured to separate the working fluid into a first working fluid stream and a second working fluid stream, wherein the vortex tube is configured to direct the first working fluid stream out of the first end of the vortex tube, wherein the vortex tube is configured to direct the second working fluid stream out of the second end of the vortex tube, wherein the first working fluid stream has a lower enthalpy than the second working fluid stream, and wherein “n” is from 1 to 20.
A method of cooling, comprising,
- providing a vortex tube assisted vapor compression refrigeration (vortex VCR) system comprising:
- a vortex tube, an evaporator, a condenser, at least one compressor, a throttle, and a working fluid, wherein the vortex tube, the evaporator, the condenser, the compressor, and the throttle are in fluid communication with one another via a manifold, wherein the first working fluid stream has a lower enthalpy than the second working fluid stream, and wherein the working fluid comprises a CO2 fluid;
- flowing the working fluid into the vortex tube, wherein the working fluid is separated into a first working fluid stream and a second working fluid stream by the vortex tube;
- and
- flowing the first working fluid stream toward the evaporator and flowing the second working fluid stream away from the evaporator.
2 more elements
A method of cooling, comprising,
- providing a vortex tube assisted vapor compression refrigeration (vortex VCR) system comprising:
- “n” number of a vortex tube, an evaporator, a condenser, “n+1” number of a compressor, and a working fluid, wherein the vortex tube, the evaporator, the condenser, and the compressor, are in fluid communication with one another via a manifold, and wherein “n” is from 1 to 20;
- flowing the working fluid into a vortex tube, wherein the working fluid is separated into a first working fluid stream and a second working fluid stream by the vortex tube, wherein the first working fluid stream has a lower enthalpy than the second working fluid stream;
- and
- flowing the first working fluid stream out of a first end of the vortex tube and flowing the second working fluid stream flows out of a second end of the vortex tube, wherein a coefficient of performance (COP) of the vortex VCR system is increased.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.