Thermodynamic system and process for producing heat, refrigeration, or work
US5924305A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 20, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF02G1/04
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An external combustion thermodynamic system includes a compression stage for substantially adiabatically compressing a working medium to raise the temperature of the medium and an expansion stage for substantially adiabatically expanding the medium to decrease the temperature of the medium. A first heat exchanger is coupled to the compression stage and the expansion stage to allow the expanded medium to pass therebetween and is structured to transfer heat substantially isochoricly (i.e., at constant volume) between the cold reservoir and the expanded medium. A second heat exchanger is coupled to the compression stage and the expansion stage to allow the compressed medium to pass therebetween. The second heat exchanger is structured to transfer heat substantially isochoricly between the compressed medium and the hot reservoir. The thermodynamic system also includes a recuperative heat exchange loop for transferring heat between the expanded medium within the first heat exchanger and the compressed medium within the second heat exchanger. The thermodynamic system approaches the thermal efficiency of a Stirling engine without the need for a regenerator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.