US3863454A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotary heat engine powered two fluid cooling and heating apparatus
Assignee: EIDP Inc
•
Filing: 1973-08-08
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Granted: 1975-02-04
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Expires: 1993-08-08
Abstract
Abstract Rotary closed Rankine cycle cooling and heating apparatus utilizing separate engine power fluid and refrigerant fluid. The apparatus includes a rotary boiler, power fluid expander and condenser coupled with a refrigerant compressor, refrigerant expander and refrigerant evaporator. The components are disposed on a common axis with the condenser and evaporator axially spaced and the boiler, power fluid expander, refrigerant compressor and expander compactly arranged in a housing between the condenser and evaporator. The housing, condenser and evaporator are mounted for coaxial rotation together as a unit. The power fluid expander is driven at a predetermined speed by pressure power fluid generated in the boiler and in turn drives the refrigerant fluid compressor. The refrigerant expander is of the capillary type constructed and arranged with respect to the evaporator to automatically control the capacity balance of the refrigerant system. The entire unit is hermetically sealed and the Rankine cycle power system is adapted and designed for use with high molecular weight fluids. In one disclosed embodiment of the invention the rotary housing-condenser-evaporator unit is rotationally driven at constant speed by the power fluid expander through an internal occluded fixed-ratio gear train and torque anchor, and in another disclosed embodiment, the housingcondenser-evaporator unit is rotationally driven at constant speed by an external motor and the power fluid expander drives an internal alternator that provides electric current for the external drive motor and other electrical equipment.
Inventors
- 👤 William A Doerner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:12
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B27/00; F01; F01D; F01D25/00; F01D25/18; F01K; F01K11/00; F01K11/04; F01K7/00; F24; F24F; F24F5/00; F25B3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
382 words
Rotary Rankine cycle engine powered cooling and heating apparatus utilizing different engine power fluid and refrigerant fluid comprising, a cylindrical housing mounted for rotation about the axis thereof including an internal power fluid boiler, means for heating the power fluid in said boiler to generate pressure power fluid vapor therein, a power fluid expander in said housing including a coaxial driving member rotatably driven at a first predetermined speed by the power fluid vapor generated in the boiler, means subdividing the interior of said rotatable housing to provide a power fluid compartment for receiving the power fluid from said expander and a refrigerant fluid compartment, a compressor rotatably mounted coaxially in the housing and rotationally driven by the expander driving member for compressing refrigerant fluid from said refrigerant fluid compartment, a condenser mounted coaxially adjacent one side of the housing and rotatable therewith comprising a plurality of axially spaced annular fins having heat exchange tubes extending longitudinally therethrough, a predetermined number of said condenser heat exchange tubes being in communication with the power fluid compartment of the housing for receiving and condensing therein the power fluid vapor from said power fluid expander, means for conducting compressed refrigerant fluid from the compressor to the remainder of said condenser heat exchange tubes for condensing said compressed refrigerant fluid therein, refrigerant expander means in said housing for expanding the refrigerant fluid condensed in said condenser, means for supplying condensed refrigerant fluid from said condenser to said refrigerant expander, an evaporator mounted coaxially adjacent the other side of the housing from said condenser and rotatable therewith comprising a plurality of axially spaced annular fins having heat exchange tubes extending longitudinally therethrough and arranged to receive and vaporize therein refrigerant fluid from the refrigerant expander, means for returning vaporized refrigerant from said evaporator to said refrigerant compartment of the housing, and means operable to rotationally drive the housing, condenser and evaporator as a unit at a second predetermined speed substantially slower than said first predetermined speed and operable to cause a gaseous heat exchange fluid to be conveyed and accelerated by viscosity shear forces outwardly between the fins of the condenser and evaporator to the velocity providing optimum heat exchange between said gaseous fluid and the fluids in the heat exchange tubes of the condenser and evaporator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
382 words
Rotary Rankine cycle engine powered cooling and heating apparatus utilizing different engine power fluid and refrigerant fluid comprising, a cylindrical housing mounted for rotation about the axis thereof including an internal power fluid boiler, means for heating the power fluid in said boiler to generate pressure power fluid vapor therein, a power fluid expander in said housing including a coaxial driving member rotatably driven at a first predetermined speed by the power fluid vapor generated in the boiler, means subdividing the interior of said rotatable housing to provide a power fluid compartment for receiving the power fluid from said expander and a refrigerant fluid compartment, a compressor rotatably mounted coaxially in the housing and rotationally driven by the expander driving member for compressing refrigerant fluid from said refrigerant fluid compartment, a condenser mounted coaxially adjacent one side of the housing and rotatable therewith comprising a plurality of axially spaced annular fins having heat exchange tubes extending longitudinally therethrough, a predetermined number of said condenser heat exchange tubes being in communication with the power fluid compartment of the housing for receiving and condensing therein the power fluid vapor from said power fluid expander, means for conducting compressed refrigerant fluid from the compressor to the remainder of said condenser heat exchange tubes for condensing said compressed refrigerant fluid therein, refrigerant expander means in said housing for expanding the refrigerant fluid condensed in said condenser, means for supplying condensed refrigerant fluid from said condenser to said refrigerant expander, an evaporator mounted coaxially adjacent the other side of the housing from said condenser and rotatable therewith comprising a plurality of axially spaced annular fins having heat exchange tubes extending longitudinally therethrough and arranged to receive and vaporize therein refrigerant fluid from the refrigerant expander, means for returning vaporized refrigerant from said evaporator to said refrigerant compartment of the housing, and means operable to rotationally drive the housing, condenser and evaporator as a unit at a second predetermined speed substantially slower than said first predetermined speed and operable to cause a gaseous heat exchange fluid to be conveyed and accelerated by viscosity shear forces outwardly between the fins of the condenser and evaporator to the velocity providing optimum heat exchange between said gaseous fluid and the fluids in the heat exchange tubes of the condenser and evaporator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the refrigerant expander comprises a plurality of capillary tubes equally spaced circumferentially of the housing and rotatable therewith, the length of said capillary tubes being correlated to the internal flow area thereof and to the number of said tubes to supply the amount of expanded refrigerant to the evaporator required to provide the designed refrigeration capacity of the apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the liquid level of refrigerant in the heat exchange tubes of the evaporator is disposed at a greater radial distance from the rotation axis of the housing than the refrigerant heat exchange tubes of the condenser, and the capillary expander tubes are operable in response to the pressure drop across said expander tubes between the refrigerant condenser and evaporator to automatically establish and maintain capacity balance in the refrigerant fluid system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising means for returning to the refrigerant fluid compartment of the housing refrigerant vapor that migrates into the power fluid system and collects in the power fluid condenser tubes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising means for returning to the power fluid compartment of the housing power fluid that migrates into the refrigerant fluid system and collects in the evaporator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the rotary housing includes an annular vaporizing chamber and means is provided for delivering to said vaporizing chamber power fluid that migrates into the refrigerant fluid system and collects in the evaporator, said vaporizing chamber being heated by the boiler to vaporize the power fluid delivered thereto, and means for returning vaporized power fluid from said vaporizing chamber to the power fluid compartment of the housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for rotationally driving the housing, condenser and evaporator as a unit comprises an occluded fixed-ratio gear train mounted coaxially within the housing and connected between the power fluid expander driving member and said housing, and torque anchor means cooperable with the occluded gear train opposing the reaction torque generated thereby so that the full power output of the power fluid expander is transmitted directly to the compressor and rotary housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for rotationally driving the housing, condenser and evaporator as a unit comprises rotary power means mounted externally of the said unit and having a driving connection thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising an alternator mounted coaxially in the housing having the armature thereof driven by the rotatable driving member of the power fluid expander and operable to generate an electric current, and means for conducting the electric current generated by said alternator to a load located exteriorly of the rotary housing-condenser-evaporator unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for rotationally driving the housing, condenser and evaporator as a unit comprises a constant speed electric motor mounted externally of said unit and having a driving connection thereto, an alternator is mounted coaxially in the housing having the armature thereof driven by the rotatable driving member of the power fluid expander and operable to generate an electric current, and means is provided for conducting the electric current generated by said alternator externally of the rotary housing-condenser-evaporator unit to said electric motor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the condenser means comprises separate outer and inner concentrically disposed condenser sections respectively for the expander exhaust power fluid and compressed refrigerant fluid mounted coaxially adjacent one side of the housing and rotatable thereWith, each condenser section comprising a plurality of axially spaced annular fins radially spaced from the fins of the other section to provide a thermal gap therebetween, a plurality of heat exchange tubes extending longitudinally through the fins of said outer condenser section for condensing the expander exhaust fluid therein, and a plurality of heat exchange tubes extending longitudinally through the fins of the inner condenser section for condensing refrigerant fluid therein, the expander exhaust and refrigerant fluids in said heat exchange tubes being condensed by heat exchange with a cooling fluid passing radially outward between the fins of said sections.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the fins of the outer and inner condenser sections are disposed in radial alignment with one another and the axial spacing between adjacent fins of each section is correlated to the speed of rotation thereof and the kinematic viscosity of the cooling fluid to provide a Taylor number operable at the ratio of the inner radius of the inner section fins to the outer radius of the outer section fins to convey and accelerate said cooling fluid by viscosity shear forces spirally outward between the fins substantially to the velocity providing optimum heat exchange between the cooling fluid and the fluids in said heat exchange tubes to condense said fluids.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 comprising means for circulating a cooling fluid within the rotary housing in heat exchange relation with the alternator to cool the same.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 comprising means for circulating air from the ambient atmosphere surrounding the rotary housing interiorly of said housing in heat exchange relation with the alternator to cool the same.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the rotary housing includes a sump compartment for containing an annular bath of lubricant and the torque anchor means is non-rotatable with the housing and includes pump means operable to pump lubricant inwardly from said annular bath to the expander driving member to lubricate same.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 comprising means for delivering to the lubricant bath in the sump compartment power fluid that migrates into the refrigerant fluid system and collects in the evaporator, and means for returning said power fluid from the lubricant bath to the power fluid compartment of the housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein the means for returning power fluid from the lubricant bath to the power fluid compartment of the housing includes an annular vaporizing chamber in said housing, means for delivering power fluid from the lubricant bath to said vaporizing chamber, said vaporizing chamber being heated by the boiler to vaporize the power fluid delivered thereto, and means for returning the vaporized power fluid from the vaporizing chamber to the power fluid compartment of the housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
227 words
Cooling and heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising a fluid inlet duct connected to the inlet to the condenser fluid chamber, a housing defining a plenum chamber enclosing the condenser for receiving heated fluid discharged outwardly through the condenser fins, an exhaust duct connected to the condenser plenum chamber to receive heated fluid therefrom, a fluid distribution duct connected to said exhaust duct for conducting heated fluid therefrom to a remote zone, a return duct from said zone terminating in a first branch duct connected to said air inlet duct to the condenser chamber and a second branch duct connected to the fluid inlet chamber of the evaporator and to said air distribution duct, a housing defining a plenum chamber enclosing the evaporator for receiving therefrom cool fluid discharged outwardly through the evaporator fins, a cool fluid duct connected to said evaporator plenum chamber for receiving cool fluid therefrom, said cool fluid duct also being connected to said first return branch duct and to said distribution duct, valve means selectIvely operable for controlling the flow of fluid respectively from said exhaust duct and said cool fluid duct to the distribution duct, and valve means selectively operable for controlling fluid flow from said return duct to the said first and second branch ducts and between the latter and said cool fluid duct and fluid distribution duct.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 comprising means for returning to the refrigerant fluid compartment of the housing refrigerant vapor that migrates into the power fluid system and collects in the power fluid condenser tubes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 comprising means for returning to the power fluid compartment of the housing power fluid that migrates into the refrigerant fluid system and collects in the evaporator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the rotary housing includes an annular vaporizing chamber and means is provided for delivering to said vaporizing chamber power fluid that migrates into the refrigerant fluid system and collects in the evaporator, said vaporizing chamber being heated by the boiler to vaporize the power fluid delivered thereto, and means for returning vaporized power fluid from said vaporizing chamber to the power fluid compartment of the housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the means for rotationally driving the housing, condenser and evaporator as a unit comprises an occluded fixed-ratio gear train mounted coaxially within the housing and connected between the power fluid expander driving member and said housing, and torque anchor means cooperable with the occluded gear train opposing the reaction torque generated thereby so that the full power output of the power fluid expander is transmitted directly to the compressor and rotary housing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the means for rotationally driving the housing, condenser and evaporator as a unit comprises a rotary power means mounted externally of the said unit and having a driving connection thereto.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the means for rotationally driving the housing, condenser and evaporator as a unit comprises a constant speed electric motor mounted externally of said unit and having a driving connection thereto, an alternator is mounted coaxially in the housing having the armature thereof driven by the rotatable driving member of the power fluid expander and operable to generate an electric current, and means is provided for conducting the electric current generated by said alternator externally of the rotary housing-condenser-evaporator unit to said electric power.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 24 comprising means for circulating air from the ambient atmosphere surrounding the rotary housing interiorly of said housing in heat exchange relation with the alternator to cool the same.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
227 words
Cooling and heating apparatus as claimed in claim 3 comprising a fluid inlet duct connected to the inlet to the condenser fluid chamber, a housing defining a plenum chamber enclosing the condenser for receiving heated fluid discharged outwardly through the condenser fins, an exhaust duct connected to the condenser plenum chamber to receive heated fluid therefrom, a fluid distribution duct connected to said exhaust duct for conducting heated fluid therefrom to a remote zone, a return duct from said zone terminating in a first branch duct connected to said air inlet duct to the condenser chamber and a second branch duct connected to the fluid inlet chamber of the evaporator and to said air distribution duct, a housing defining a plenum chamber enclosing the evaporator for receiving therefrom cool fluid discharged outwardly through the evaporator fins, a cool fluid duct connected to said evaporator plenum chamber for receiving cool fluid therefrom, said cool fluid duct also being connected to said first return branch duct and to said distribution duct, valve means selectively operable for controlling the flow of fluid respectively from said exhaust duct and said cool fluiD duct to the distribution duct, and valve means selectively operable for controlling fluid flow from said return duct to the said first and second branch ducts and between the latter and said cool fluid duct and fluid distribution duct.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the condenser means comprises separate outer and inner concentrically disposed condenser sections respectively for the expander exhaust power fluid and compressed refrigerant fluid mounted coaxially adjacent one side of the housing and rotatable therewith, each condenser section comprising a plurality of axially spaced annular fins radially spaced from the fins of the other section to provide a thermal gap therebetween, a plurality of heat exchange tubes extending longitudinally through the fins of said outer condenser section for condensing the expander exhaust fluid therein, and a plurality of heat exchange tubes extending longitudinally through the fins of the inner condenser section for condensing refrigerant fluid therein, the expander exhaust and refrigerant fluids in said heat exchange tubes being condensed by heat exchange with a cooling fluid passing radially outward between the fins of said sections.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein the condenser means comprises separate outer and inner concentrically disposed condenser sections respectively for the expander exhaust power fluid and compressed refrigerant fluid mounted coaxially adjacent one side of the housing and rotatable therewith, each condenser section comprising a plurality of axially spaced annular fins radially spaced from the fins of the other section to provide a thermal gap therebetween, a plurality of heat exchange tubes extending longitudinally through the fins of said outer condenser section for condensing the expander exhaust fluid therein, and a plurality of heat exchange tubes extending longitudinally through the fins of the inner condenser section for condensing refrigerant fluid therein, the expander exhaust and refrigerant fluids in said heat exchange tubes being condensed by heat exchange with a cooling fluid passing radially outward between the fins of said sections.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 24 wherein the condenser means comprises separate outer and inner concentrically disposed condenser sections respectively for the expander exhaust power fluid and compressed refrigerant fluid mounted coaxially adjacent one side of the housing and rotatable therewith, each condenser section comprising a plurality of axially spaced annular fins radially spaced from the fins of the other section to provide a thermal gap therebetween, a plurality of heat exchange tubes extending longitudinally through the fins of said outer condenser section for condensing the expander exhaust fluid therein, and a plurality of heat exchange tubes extending longitudinally through the fins of the inner condenser section for condensing refrigerant fluid therein, the expander exhaust and refrigerant fluids in said heat exchange tubes being condensed by heat exchange with a cooling fluid passing radially outward between the fins of said sections.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
227 words
Cooling and heating apparatus as claimed in claim 28 comprising a fluid inlet duct connected to the inlet to the condenser fluid chamber, a housing defining a plenum chamber enclosing the condenser for receiving heated fluid discharged outwardly through the condenser fins, an exhaust duct connected to the condenser plenum chamber to receive heated fluid therefrom, a fluid distribution duct connected to said exhaust duct for conducting heated fluid therefrom to a remote zone, a return duct from said zone terminating in a first branch duct connected to said air inlet duct to the condenser chamber and a second branch duct connected to the fluid inlet chamber of the evaporator and to said air distribution duct, a housing defining a plenum chamber enclosing the evaporator for receiving therefrom cool fluid discharged outwardly through the evaporator fins, a cool fluid duct connected to saId evaporator plenum chamber for receiving cool fluid therefrom, said cool fluid duct also being connected to said first return branch duct and to said distribution duct, valve means selectively operable for controlling the flow of fluid respectively from said exhaust duct and said cool fluid duct to the distribution duct, and valve means selectively operable for controlling fluid flow from said return duct to the said first and second branch ducts and between the latter and said cool fluid duct and fluid distribution duct.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
227 words
Cooling and heating apparatus as claimed in claim 29 comprising a fluid inlet duct connected to the inlet to the condenser fluid chamber, a housing defining a plenum chamber enclosing the condenser for receiving heated fluid discharged outwardly through the condenser fins, an exhaust duct connected to the condenser plenum chamber to receive heated fluid therefrom, a fluid distribution duct connected to said exhaust duct for conducting heated fluid therefrom to a remote zone, a return duct from said zone terminating in a first branch duct connected to said air inlet duct to the condenser chamber and a second branch duct connected to the fluid inlet chamber of the evaporator and to said air distribution duct, a housing defining a plenum chamber enclosing the evaporator for receiving therefrom cool fluid discharged outwardly through the evaporator fins, a cool fluid duct connected to said evaporator plenum chamber for receiving cool fluid therefrom, said cool fluid duct also being connected to said first return branch duct and to said distribution duct, valve means selectively operable for controlling the flow of fluid respectively from said exhaust duct and said cool fluid duct to the distribution duct, and valve means selectively operable for controlling fluid flow from said return duct to the said first and second branch ducts and between the latter and said cool fluid duct and fluid distribution duct.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |