Four-process cycle for a Vuilleumier heat pump
US10598126B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 2018 |
| Grant date | Mar 24, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF02G2280/60
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A four-process cycle is disclosed for a Vuilleumier heat pump that has mechatronically-controlled displacers. Vuilleumier heat pumps that use a crank to drive the displacers have been previously developed. However, mechatronic controls provides a greater degree of freedom to control the displacers. The four-process cycle provides a higher coefficient of performance than prior cycles in the crank-driven Vuilleumier heat pump and those previously disclosed for a mechatronically-driven Vuilleumier heat pump. The four-process cycle can be drawn out to provide a low demand condition by causing both displacers to remain stationary for a period of time. The four processes in which one of the displacers is commanded to move are separated by periods of inactivity in which both displacers remain stationary.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.