Rotary heat exchanger
AssigneeNativus, Inc.
InventorMatthew C. Miller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Rotary heat exchangers can include a ride-along compressor, at least a portion of which can be rotated along with the heat exchanger. By rotating at least a portion of the compressor along with the heat exchanger, a sealed fluid circuit containing a two-phase working fluid can be provided. A rotary heat pump or heat engine can include an evaporator and a condenser in the form of back-to-back centrifugal fans. The centrifugal fan blades or other portions of the evaporator and condenser may include internal cavities where the working fluid undergoes a phase change.
Claims20
A heat exchanger, comprising:
- a first rotary heat exchanger;
- a second rotary heat exchanger configured to rotate in the same direction as the first rotary heat exchanger;
- and
- a fluid circuit extending through at least a portion of the first rotary heat exchanger and at least a portion of the second rotary heat exchanger and configured to permit passage of a working fluid between the first and second rotary heat exchangers.
A rotary heat exchanger, comprising:
- a fluid distribution baseplate comprising:
- a first baseplate surface;
- a second baseplate surface opposite the first baseplate surface;
- a plurality of fluid distribution channels disposed within the fluid distribution baseplate;
- and
- a central baseplate aperture;
- a first plurality of centrifugal fan blades secured relative to the first baseplate surface, each of the first plurality of centrifugal fan blades including at least one fluid conduit extending into the centrifugal fan blade from the side of the centrifugal fan blade adjacent the first baseplate surface;
- a second plurality of centrifugal fan blades secured relative to the second baseplate surface, each of the second plurality of centrifugal fan blades including at least one fluid conduit extending into the centrifugal fan blade from the side of the centrifugal fan blade adjacent the second baseplate surface;
- and
- a compressor extending through the central baseplate aperture and configured to rotate along with the fluid distribution baseplate, the compressor disposed along a fluid circuit passing through the compressor, at least one of the first plurality of centrifugal fan blades, and at least one of the second plurality of centrifugal fan blades.
A rotary heat exchanger apparatus, comprising:
- a first heat exchanger disposed on the a first side of a baseplate;
- a second heat exchanger disposed on a second side of the baseplate and configured to rotate with the first heat exchanger;
- a sealed fluid circuit extending through portions of the baseplate and the first and second heat exchangers, the sealed fluid circuit having a working fluid disposed within.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.