Miniature reciprocating heat pumps and engines
US6595006B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 12, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 22, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2400/15
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention discloses a miniature thermodynamic device that can be constructed using standard micro-fabrication techniques. The device can be used to provide cooling, generate power, compress gases, pump fluids and reduce pressure below ambient (operate as a vacuum pump). Embodiments of the invention relating to the production of a cooling effect and the generation of electrical power, change the thermodynamic state of the system by extracting energy from a pressurized fluid. Energy extraction is attained using an expansion process, which is as nearly isentropic as possible for the appropriately chosen fluid. An isentropic expansion occurs when a compressed gas does work to expand, and in the disclosed embodiments, the gas does work by overcoming either an electrostatic or a magnetic force.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.