Heat-activated heat-pump systems including integrated expander/compressor and regenerator
US7971449B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 15, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jul 5, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 1, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02A30/274
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Heat-activated heat-pump systems and related methods are disclosed that include a power cycle coupled to a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle both utilizing the same working fluid. The power cycle comprises a boiler, an expander receiving superheated vapor and producing work from the superheated vapor, a condenser, and a pump. A regenerator conducts a first stream of working fluid from the pump to the boiler and a second stream of the working fluid from the expander to the condenser while transferring heat from the second stream to the first stream. The refrigeration cycle comprises a compressor that compresses the working fluid from the evaporator and delivers the compressed working fluid to a condenser. The expander and compressor are coupled together such that at least a portion of the work produced by the expander is utilized for running the compressor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.