Patent · US Expired

Method and device for converting heat into mechanical work

US7748220B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
8References
20Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 18, 2004
Grant dateJul 6, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 18, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/46
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A novel method converts heat into mechanical work. In a cyclic process, a working medium is compressed while giving off heat and it is subsequently brought in thermal contact with the surroundings via a first heat exchanger. Then it is expanded while obtaining mechanical work, whereupon the cyclic process is run through once more. A high degree of efficiency is achieved by virtue of the fact that the working medium, after expansion, is guided through another heat exchanger, which is situated inside a rapidly rotating rotor and which, on the exterior thereof, is surrounded by at least one substantially annular gas space from whose exterior heat is dissipated. There is also disclosed a device for carrying out the novel method.

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