Unitary turbine/compressor engine
OwnerThomas L. Cosbyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A work reducing composite engine system that uses ambient air for a primary energy source. The device consists of a unitary turbine/compressor assembly utilizing a turbine for producing work output and a downstream compressor for receiving fluid exhaust of the turbine and for compressing the turbine exhaust. An internal heat exchanger is provided between the turbine and the compressor so that fluid in the compressor is cooled, thereby reducing compression work requirements and the turbine exhaust is heated by the compressor, thereby decreasing input heat requirements.
Claims14
A unitary turbine and compressor assembly, the assembly comprising:
- a turbine for producing a work output having means for causing expansion of a working fluid at an incoming temperature and pressure and exhausting the working fluid at a first temperature and pressure below said incoming temperature and pressure;
- a compressor downstream of the turbine, the compressor receiving the fluid exhaust of the turbine for compression thereby;
- and
- heat exchange means between the fluid exhaust and the compressor so that fluid in the compressor is cooled and the fluid exhaust from the turbine is heated by the compressor through heat exchange therewith to a temperature above the first temperature.
A unitary turbine and compressor assembly comprising:
- a housing;
- a turbine mounted within the housing for producing a work output having an impeller rotationally driven by expansion of a working fluid at an incoming temperature and pressure, said working fluid being exhausted from said turbine at a first temperature and pressure below said incoming temperature and pressure;
- a compressor within the housing downstream of the turbine, the compressor having an impeller attached coaxially to the turbine impeller so that the compressor impeller is rotationally driven by the turbine impeller, the compressor receiving the fluid exhaust of the turbine for compression thereby;
- and
- means for heat exchange between the fluid exhaust and the compressor so that fluid in the compressor is cooled and the fluid exhaust is heated by the compressor through heat exchange therewith to a temperature above the first temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.