Enveloping heat absorber for improved refrigerator efficiency and recovery of reject heat for water heating
US6029471A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 1993 |
| Grant date | Feb 29, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 12, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B39/04
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In refrigeration; in order to transfer heat from the heat supplier, or to the heat absorber, it is necessary that temperature gradients be maintained between said heat exchangers and the interacting medium. These temperature gradients increase the difference between the temperature of the heat supplier and that of the heat absorber. The efficiency of refrigeration systems decrease as said temperature differences increase. Said mediums, if gaseous, as they frequently are, offer great resistance to heat transfer. This results in large temperature gradients and substantially reduces refrigeration efficiency. The present invention involves enveloping the enclosed space with the enclosure heat exchanger so that less heat has to be transferred through the gaseous contents, and additional, inexpensive, heat transfer surface becomes available. The reduction in temperature gradients result in increased efficiency. Recovery of reject heat for residential type water heating is also included as a natural extension.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.