Patent · US Expired

Heat engine, refrigeration and heat pump cycles approximating the Carnot cycle and apparatus therefor

US5027602A · kind A · utility

35Cited by
37References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 15, 1990
Grant dateJul 2, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 15, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF02G2250/09
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A process and apparatus by means of which the premier vapor cycle, known as the Carnot cycle, can be approximated in practice, involve the application of novel energy-efficient, mixed phase, high volume-ratio fluid-handling machinery to a single-component working fluid that exists during certain processes as a mixture of fine droplets of saturated liquid in saturated vapor. This combination of fluid-handling machinery and the saturated mixed-phase working fluid enables the approximation of isentropic saturated liquid/vapor expansion and compression. These process approximations, in addition to isothermal heat addition and rejection, enable Carnot heat engine, refrigeration and heat pump cycles to be approximated.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.