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US 3,967,466 AGranted
Air conditioning system having super-saturation for reduced driving requirement
AssigneeThe Rovac Corporation
InventorThomas C. Edwards
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AssigneeThe Rovac Corporation
InventorThomas C. Edwards
Estimating the term…
An air conditioning unit having a driven rotor with a plurality of vanes and including a compressor portion and an expander portion, each having inlet and outlet ports, with a heat exchanger connected between the compressor outlet port and the expander inlet port. A non-condensing gas such as air is fed into the compressor inlet port, compressed, accompanied by a rise in temperature, cooled by the heat exchanger, and expanded back to substantially its initial pressure for discharge in the cold state at the expander outlet port, a non-condensing gas being defined as any gas which does not condense at the pressures and temperatures encountered in the unit. In accordance with the main feature of the present invention, means are provided for spraying into the non-condensing gas at the compressor inlet port an excess of finely divided droplets of a condensible additive fluid, having a high heat of vaporization, to super-saturate the gas, the droplets evaporating due to the temperature achieved in compression thereby absorbing heat of vaporization. This results in a reduction in temperature of the gas at the compressor outlet port thereby reducing the work required to compress the gas and consequently the work required to drive the rotor. As the compressed gas is cooled in the heat exchanger, the excess additive fluid condenses, is collected in a sump, and recirculated back to the compressor inlet port. The gas leaving the heat exchanger, still saturated with fluid, is cooled in the expander resulting in further condensation in the expander releasing heat of vaporization and increasing the work of expansion further reducing the network required to drive the rotor. In one embodiment of the invention the system is open and air is used as gas, with water as the additive. In such embodiment the cold air is discharged into the cooled space via an outlet assembly which serves as a second heat exchanger. In a second embodiment a second heat exchanger provides a closed connection between the expander outlet port and the condenser inlet port to form a loop sealed against escape of gas. When the system is closed, the gas and additive fluid may take forms other than water and may include a lubricant for the vanes of the rotor.
In an air conditioning system, an air conditioning unit including a compressor and an expander having rotor means driven by a common shaft, the rotor means having vanes defining enclosed compartments which become smaller and larger as the shaft rotates, the compressor and expander each having an inlet port and an outlet port, a first heat exchanger connected between the compressor outlet port and the expander inlet port, a second heat exchanger coupled to the expander outlet port, the heat exchangers being isolated from one another, means for conducting to the compressor inlet port a gas which is non-condensing at the temperatures and pressures encountered in the unit so that upon driving of the rotor means the gas (1) is positively compressed and heated in the compressor, (2) releases heat in the first heat exchanger, (3) is positively expanded and cooled in the expander, and (4) absorbs heat in the second heat exchanger, an additive fluid in the gas in the form of a fluid having a high heat of vaporization capable of evaporation in the compressor and condensation in the expander, and means for injecting droplets of the additive fluid into the gas entering the compressor inlet port at a sufficient rate to super-saturate the gas for evaporation of the fluid by the heat of compression with the change of state partially counteracting the heating of the compressed gas and consequently reducing the work required to compress it, with at least a portion of the evaporated fluid being condensed in the first heat exchanger, the gas flowing into the expander being at least substantially saturated with the additive fluid resulting in condensation in the expander to form particles with the change of state partially counteracting the cooling of the expanding gas resulting in an increase in the work of expansion thereby further reducing the work required to drive the rotor, and means for disposing of the additive fluid condensed in the first heat exchanger.
In an air conditioning system, an air conditioning unit including a compressor and an expander having rotor means driven by a common shaft, the rotor means having vanes defining enclosed compartments which become smaller and larger as the shaft rotates, the compressor and expander each having an inlet port and an outlet port, a first heat exchanger connecting between the compressor outlet port and the expander inlet port, a second heat exchanger coupled to the expander outlet port, the heat exchangers being isolated from one another, means for conducting to the compressor inlet port a gas which is non-condensing at temperatures and pressures encountered in the unit so that upon driving of the rotor means the gas (1) is positively compressed and heated in the compressor, (2) releases heat in the first heat exchanger, (3) is positively expanded and cooled in the expander, and (4) absorbs heat in the second heat exchanger, an additive fluid in the gas, the additive fluid being one having a high heat of vaporization capable of undergoing change in state from liquid to vapor form in the compressor to reduce work of compression and from vapor to non-vapor form in the expander for increasing the work of expansion, and means for spraying finely divided droplets of additive fluid into the gas entering the compressor inlet port to the point of super-saturation.
In an air conditioning system, an air conditioning unit including a compressor and an expander having rotor means driven by a common shaft, the rotor means having vanes defining enclosed compartments which become smaller and larger as the shaft rotates, the compressor and expander each having an inlet port and an outlet port, a first heat exchanger connecting between the compressor outlet port and the expander inlet port, a second heat exchanger coupled to the expander outlet port, the heat exchangers being isolated from one another, means for conducting to the compressor inlet port a gas which is non-condensing at temperatures and pressures encountered in the unit so that upon driving of the rotor means the gas (1) is positively compressed and heated in the compressor, (2) releases heat in the first heat exchanger, (3) is positively expanded and cooled in the expander, and (4) absorbs heat in the second heat exchanger, an additive fluid in the gas, the additive fluid being one having a high heat of vaporization capable of undergoing (a) vaporization from liquid to vapor form in the compressor to reduce work of compression and (b) condensation from vapor to liquid form in the first heat exchanger, a sump in the first heat exchanger, means for spraying finely divided droplets of additive fluid into the gas entering the compressor inlet port to the point of super-saturation, and means defining a feedback conduit connected from the sump to the spraying means for conducting condensed liquid under pressure to the spraying means.
In an air conditioning system, an air conditioning unit including a compressor and an expander having rotor means driven by a common shaft, the rotor means having vanes defining enclosed compartments which become smaller and larger as the shaft rotates, the compressor and expander each having an inlet port and an outlet port, a first heat exchanger connected between the compressor outlet port and the expander inlet port, a second heat exchanger coupled to the expander outlet port, the heat exchangers being isolated from one another, means for conducting to the compressor inlet port a gas which is non-condensing at temperatures and pressures encountered in the unit so that upon driving of the rotor means the gas (1) is positively compressed and heated in the compressor, (2) releases heat in the first heat exchanger, (3) is positively expanded and cooled in the expander, and (4) absorbs heat in the second heat exchanger, an additive fluid in the gas, the additive fluid being one having a high heat of vaporization capable of undergoing change in state from liquid to vapor form in the compressor to reduce work of compression and from vapor to non-vapor form in the expander for increasing the work of expansion, means for spraying finely divided droplets of additive fluid into the gas entering the compressor inlet port to super-saturate the same, the droplets being sprayed at a rate which causes at least some of them to be discharged in droplet form into the first heat exchanger, thereby to insure that a maximum amount of fluid undergoes a change of state in the compressor, and means for disposing of additive fluid collected and condensed in the first heat exchanger.
In an air conditioning system, an air conditioning unit including a compressor and an expander having rotor means driven by a common drive shaft, the rotor means having vanes defining enclosed compartments which become smaller and larger as the shaft rotates, the compressor and expander each having an inlet port and an outlet port, a heat exchanger connected between the compressor outlet port and the expander inlet port, means for conducting air to the compressor inlet port so that upon rotation of the drive shaft the air (1) is positively compressed and elevated in temperature in the compressor, (2) releases heat in the heat exchanger, and (3) is positively expanded and lowered in temperature in the expander for discharge in the cold state, means for injecting finely divided water droplets into the air stream at the compressor inlet port so that liquid moisture is available in the compressor for evaporation by the heat of compression thereby to partially counteract the increase in temperature and pressure of the compressed air and consequently to reduce the work required to compress it, the water droplets being introduced at a sufficient rate to super-saturate the inlet air so that condensation of at least a portion of the evaporated moisture occurs in the heat exchanger and means for at least periodically disposing of water condensed in the heat exchanger.
In an air conditioning system, an air conditioning unit including a compressor and an expander having rotor means driven by a common drive shaft, the rotor means having vanes defining enclosed compartments which become smaller and larger as the shaft rotates, the compressor and expander each having an inlet port and an outlet port, a heat exchanger connected between the compressor outlet port and the expander inlet port, means for conducting air to the compressor inlet port so that upon rotation of the drive shaft the air (1) is positively compressed and elevated in temperature in the compressor, (2) releases heat in the heat exchanger, and (3) is positively expanded and lowered in temperature in the expander for discharge in the cold state, means for injecting finely divided water droplets into the air stream at the compressor inlet port so that liquid moisture is available in the compressor for evaporation by the heat of compression thereby to partially counteract the increase in temperature and pressure of the compressed air and consequently to reduce the work required to compress it, the water droplets being introduced at a sufficient rate to super-saturate the inlet air so that condensation of at least a portion of the evaporated moisture occurs in the heat exchanger, a sump in the heat exchanger for collecting the condensed moisture plus any unevaporated droplets of water, and means for removing the accumulated water from the sump.
In an air conditioning system, an air conditioning unit including a compressor and an expander having rotor means driven by a common drive shaft, the rotor means having vanes defining enclosed compartments which become smaller and larger as the shaft rotates, the compressor and expander each having an inlet port and an outlet port, a heat exchanger connected between the compressor outlet port and the expander inlet port, means for conducting air to the compressor inlet port so that upon rotation of the drive shaft the air (1) is positively compressed and elevated in temperature in the compressor, (2) releases heat in the heat exchanger, and (3) is positively expanded and lowered in temperature in the expander for discharge in the cold state, means for injecting finely divided water droplets into the air stream at the compressor inlet port so that liquid moisture is available in the compressor for evaporation by the heat of compression thereby to partially counteract the increase in temperature and pressure of the compressed air and consequently to reduce the work required to compress it, the water droplets being introduced at a sufficient rate to super-saturate the inlet air so that condensation of at least a portion of the evaporated moisture occurs in the heat exchanger, and means for aspirating the condensed water from the heat exchanger into the air stream flowing from the heat exchanger to the expander for disposing of the same.
In an air conditioning system, an air conditioning unit including a compressor and an expander having rotor means driven by a common drive shaft, the rotor means having vanes defining enclosed compartments which become smaller and larger as the shaft rotates, the compressor and expander each having an inlet port and an outlet port, a heat exchanger connected between the compressor outlet port and the expander inlet port, means for cnducting air to the compressor inlet port so that upon rotation of the drive shaft the air (1) is positively compressed and elevated in temperature in the compressor, (2) releases heat in the heat exchanger, and (3) is positively expanded and lowered in temperature in the expander for discharge in the cold state, means including a nozzle for injecting finely divided water droplets into the air stream at the compressor inlet port so that liquid moisture is available in the compressor for evaporation by the heat of compression thereby to partially counteract the increase in temperature and pressure of the compressed air and consequently to reduce the work required to compress it, the water droplets being introduced at a sufficient rate to super-saturate the inlet air so that condensation of at least a portion of the evaporated moisture occurs in the heat exchanger, and means for at least periodically disposing of water condensed in the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger having a sump for collecting the condensed moisture plus any unevaporated droplets of water, and a feedback line for interconnecting the sump with the nozzle for recirculation of the water, the water being transported from the sump and through the nozzle by reason of the pressure differential between the heat exchanger and the compressor inlet port.
In an air conditioning system, the combination comprising a compressor-expander including a compressor and an expander having rotor means driven by a common drive shaft, the rotor means having vanes defining enclosed compartments which become smaller and larger as the shaft rotates, the compressor and expander each having an inlet port and an outlet port, a heat exchanger connected between the compressor outlet port and the expander inlet port, means for conducting air to the compressor inlet port so that upon rotation of the drive shaft the air (1) is positively compressed and elevated in temperature in the compressor, (2) releases heat in the heat exchanger, and (3) is positively expanded and lowered in temperature in the expander for discharge in the cold state, means for injecting finely divided water droplets into the air stream at the compressor inlet port so that moisture is available in the compressor for evaporation by the heat of compression thereby to partially counteract the increase in the temperature of the compressed air and consequently the work required to compress it, the water droplets being introduced at a sufficient rate to super-saturate the inlet air so that condensation of at least a portion of the evaporated moisture occurs in the heat exchanger and so that the air fed to the expander is substantially saturated with moisture for condensation in the expander, a sump in the heat exchanger for collecting the condensed moisture plus any unevaporated droplets, means including a feedback line connecting the sump to the injecting means for recirculation of the water, means including a filter for recovering the condensed moisture from the air leaving the expander and means including a second feedback line connecting the filter to the injecting means for supplementing the recirculated water thereby to insure continuity of a supply of water in the sump.
In an air conditioning system for an automobile or the like, an air conditioning unit including a compressor and expander intended for normal operation in the dry state and having rotor means driven by a common shaft, the rotor means having vanes defining enclosed compartments which become smaller and larger as the shaft rotates, the compressor and expander each having an inlet port and an outlet port, a heat exchanger connected between the compressor outlet port and the expander inlet port, an inlet conduit for conducting ambient air to the compressor inlet port so that upon driving of the rotor means the gas (1) is positively compressed and elevated in temperature in the compressor, (2) releases heat in the heat exchanger, (3) is positively expanded and lowered in temperature in the expander for discharge in the cold state, a reservoir of water, means for dispensing a measured shot of water from the source into the conduit over a brief interval of time in such form that the water is entrained by the air in the conduit and carried into the compressor for grossly super-saturating the inlet air, with the moisture being subsequently cooled and condensed in the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger being so arranged that the moisture in liquid form therein along with the moisture in the vapor state flows into the expander for discharge from the latter at low temperature thereby to bring about a temporary increase in the cooling capacity of the unit, and manually operated means for triggering the dispensing means.
In an air conditioning system, an air conditioning unit including a compressor and an expander having rotor means driven by a common drive shaft, the rotor means having vanes defining enclosed compartments which become smaller and larger as the shaft rotates, the compressor and expander each having an inlet port and an outlet port, a heat exchanger connected between the compressor outlet port and the expander inlet port, means for conducting air to the compressor inlet port so that upon rotation of the drive shaft the air (1) is positively compressed and elevated in temperature in the compressor, (2) releases heat while under pressure in the heat exchanger, and (3) is positively expanded and lowered in temperature in the expander for discharge in the cold state, means including a first nozzle for injecting finely divided water droplets into the air stream at the compressor inlet port so that liquid moisture is available in the compressor for evaporation by the heat of compression thereby to partially counteract the increase in temperature and pressure of the compressed air and consequently to reduce the work required to compress it, the water droplets being introduced at a sufficient rate to super-saturate the inlet air so that condensation of at least a portion of the evaporated moisture occurs in the heat exchanger, means including a second nozzle for injecting finely divided water droplets into the air stream at the expander outlet port, and means for conducting water condensed in the heat exchanger under pressure from the heat exchanger to at least one of the nozzles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.