Fluid conditioning apparatus and system

Claim 2

Fluid conditioning apparatus defining a fluid flow path for working fluid from a source thereof to a point of use, comprising: (a) fluid energy conditioning means having fluid inlet means for working fluid and fluid discharge outlet means for conditioned fluid; (b) fluid supply conduit means coupling said inlet means to a source of working fluid; (c) heat exchange means comprising heat exchange element means defining first and second fluid passageway means thereof and arranged for heat exchange between the fluids therein; (d) first duct means coupling one end of said first passageway means to said discharge outlet means of said fluid energy conditioning means; (e) second duct means coupling the other end of said first passageway means to a point of use for said working fluid; (f) bypass duct means coupling said one end of said first passageway means to said other end thereof to provide a bypass passageway means around said first passageway means for fluid admitted thereinto at said one end thereof, said bypass duct means disposed intermediate said heat exchange element means to form a part of, and integral with, said heat exchange means; and (g) heater means disposed adjacent said one end of said first passageway means of said heat exchange element means, said heater means defining tubular passageway means having working fluid inlet means coupled to said fluid supply means.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 in which said fluid energy con-ditioning means comprises fluid energy extraction engine means.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 in which said fluid energy ex-traction engine means comprises: (a) turbine means having shaft power output means; and (b) energy absorption means coupled with said shaft power output means to absorb the energy extracted from the working fluid by said turbine means, said energy absorption means being disposed in the fluid flow path intermediate the working fluid source and said turbine

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 for use with gaseous working fluid in which said turbine means comprises elastic fluid expansion turbine means.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 in which said energy absorp-tion means comprises elastic fluid compression means disposed in said fluid supply conduit means.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 in which said second passage-way means of said heat exchange means is disposed in said fluid supply conduit means.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 for gaseous working fluid having entrained therein a condensable fluid in vapor condition, the system further comprising a separator means disposed in said fluid supply conduit means downstream from said second passageway means of said heat exchange means to separate and collect in said separator means the condensable fluid condensed in said second passageway means.

Claim 9

An elastic fluid conditioning system defining a flow path for elastic working fluid from a source thereof to a point of use comprising: (a) first heat exchange means defining first and second passageway means thereof and arranged for heat exchange between the fluids therein, both said first and second passageway means being disposed in the working fluid flow path with said first passage-way means intermediate said second passageway means and the point of use; (b) second heat exchange means defining third and fourth passageway means thereof and arranged for heat exchange between the fluids therein, both said third and fourth passageway means being disposed in the working fluid flow path with said third passage-way means disposed intermediate said first and second passageway means, and said fourth passageway means disposed intermediate the working fluid source and said second passageway means; (c) elastic fluid energy extraction engine means in the working fluid flow path disposed intermediate the working fluid source and said first passageway means, said elastic fluid energy extraction engine means comprising: (i) elastic fluid expansion turbine means disposed in the working fluid flow path intermediate said third passage-way means of said second heat exchange means and said first passage-way means of said first heat exchange means and having shaft power output means; and (ii) elastic fluid compression means coupled to said shaft power output means to absorb the energy extracted from the working fluid by said elastic fluid expansion turbine means, said elastic fluid compression means being disposed in the working fluid flow path intermediate the working fluid source and said fourth passageway means of said second heat exchange means; and (d) bypass duct means coupled to the inlet and outlet of said first passageway means to bypass at least a portion of the working fluid around said first passageway.

Claim 10

An elastic fluid conditioning system defining a flow path for elastic working fluid from a source thereof to a point of use comprising: (a) first heat exchange means defining first and second passageway means thereof and arranged for heat exchange between the fluids therein, both said first and second passageway means being disposed in the working fluid flow path with said first passage-way means intermediate said second passageway means and the point of use; (b) second heat exchange means defining third and fourth passageway means thereof and arranged for heat exchange between the fluids therein, both said third and fourth passageway means being disposed in the working fluid flow path with said third passage-way means disposed intermediate said first and second passageway means, and said fourth passageway means disposed intermediate the working fluid source and said second passageway means; (c) elastic fluid energy extraction engine means in the working fluid flow path disposed intermediate the working fluid source and said first passageway means, said elastic fluid energy extraction engine means comprising: (i) elastic fluid expansion turbine means disposed in the working fluid flow path intermediate said third passage-way means of said second heat exchange means and said first passage-way means of said first heat exchange means and having shaft power output means; and (ii) elastic fluid compression means coupled to said shaft power output means to absorb the energy extracted from the working fluid by said elastic fluid expansion turbine means, said elastic fluid compression means being disposed in the working fluid flow path intermediate the working fluid source and said fourth passageway means of said second heat exchange means; and (d) bypass duct means coupled to the inlet and outlet of said first passageway means to bypass at least a portion of the working fluid around said first passageway.

Claim 11

An elastic fluid conditioning system defining a flow path for elastic working fluid from a source thereof to a point of use comprising: (a) first heat exchange means defining first and second passageway means thereof and arranged for heat exchange between the fluids therein, both said first and second passageway means being disposed in the working fluid flow path with said first passageway means intermediate said second passageway means and the point of use; (b) second heat exchange means defining third and fourth passageway means thereof and arranged for heat exchange be-tween the fluids therein, both said third and fourth passageway means being disposed in the working fluid flow path with said third passageway means disposed intermediate said first and second passageway means, and said fourth passageway means disposed intermediate the working fluid source and said second passageway means; (c) elastic fluid energy extraction engine means in the working fluid flow path disposed intermediate the working fluid source and said first passageway means, said elastic fluid energy extraction engine means comprising; (i) elastic fluid expansion turbine means disposed in the working fluid flow path intermediate said third passage-way means of said second heat exchange means and said first passageway means of said first heat exchange means and having shaft power output means; and (ii) elastic fluid compression means coupled to said shaft power output means to absorb the energy extracted from the working fluid by said elastic fluid expansion turbine means, said elastic fluid compression means being disposed in the working fluid flow path intermediate the working fluid source and said fourth passageway means of said second heat exchange means; (d) bypass duct means coupled to the inlet and outlet of said first passageway means to bypass at least a portion of the working fluid around said first passageway; and (e) heater means disposed adjacent the inlet end of said first passageway means of said first heat exchange means, said heater means defining tubular passageway means having working fluid inlet means coupled with the working fluid source upstream of said elastic fluid expansion turbine means.

Claim 12

An elastic fluid conditioning system defining a flow path for elastic working fluid from a source thereof to a point of use comprising: (a) first heat exchange means defining first and second passageway means thereof and arranged for heat exchange between the fluids therein, both said first and second passageway means being disposed in the working fluid flow path with said first passageway means intermediate said second passageway means and the point of use; (b) second heat exchange means defining third and fourth passageway means thereof and arranged for heat exchange be-tween the fluids therein, both said third and fourth passageway means being disposed in the working fluid flow path with said third passageway means disposed intermediate said first and second passageway means, and said fourth passageway means disposed intermediate the working fluid source and said second passageway means; (c) elastic fluid energy extraction engine means in the working fluid flow path disposed intermediate the working fluid source and said first passageway means, said elastic fluid energy extraction engine means comprising; (i) elastic fluid expansion turbine means disposed in the working fluid flow path intermediate said third passage-way means of said second heat exchange means and said first passageway means of said first heat exchange means and having shaft power output means; and (ii) elastic fluid compression means coupled to said shaft power output means to absorb the energy extracted from the working fluid by said elastic fluid expansion turbine means, said elastic fluid compression means being disposed in the working fluid flow path intermediate the working fluid source and said fourth passageway means of said second heat exchange means; (d) bypass duct means coupled to the inlet and outlet of said first passageway means to bypass at least a portion of the working fluid around said first passageway; and (e) heater means disposed adjacent the inlet end of said first passageway means of said first heat exchange means, said heater means defining tubular passageway means having working fluid inlet means coupled with the working fluid source upstream of said elastic fluid expansion turbine means.

Claim 13

The system of claim 8 or 9 in which said bypass duct means is disposed to form a part of, and integral with, said first heat exchange means.

Claim 14

The system of claim 8 or 9 in which said first heat exchange means comprises first and second heat exchange element means defining said first and second passageway means, and said bypass duct means is disposed intermediate said heat exchange element means to form a part of, and integral with, said first heat exchange means.

Claim 15

The system of claim 8 or 9 in which said bypass duct means is formed such that fluid flow capacity thereof is less than the fluid flow capacity of said first passageway means of said first heat exchange means.

Claim 16

The system of claim 8 or 9 in which said bypass duct means is formed such that fluid flow capacity thereof is of the order of about one-half that of said first passageway means of said first heat exchange means.

Claim 17

The system of, claim 9 in which the source of elastic working fluid provides pressurized fluid, the system further comprising: (a) third heat exchange means defining fifth and sixth passageway means thereof and arranged for heat exchange be-tween the fluids therein, said fifth passageway means being disposed in the working fluid flow path intermediate the working fluid source and said fourth passageway means of said second heat exchange means; (b) coolant duct means having one end thereof coupled to a source of coolant fluid, said sixth passageway means being disposed in the coolant flow path in said coolant duct means; and (c) fans means coupled to said shaft power output means to absorb at least a portion of the energy extracted from the working fluid by said elastic fluid expansion turbine means, said fan means being disposed in said coolant duct means to assist the movement therethrough of the coolant fluid.

Claim 18

The system of claim 14 for working fluid having entrained therein a condensable fluid in vapor condition, the system further comprising: (a) separator means disposed in the working fluid flow path intermediate said second passageway means of said first heat exchange means and said third passageway means of said second heat exchange means to separate and collect in said separator means the condensable fluid condensed in said second passageway means; (b) spray nozzle means disposed in said coolant duct means upstream of said sixth passageway means of third heat exchange means; and (c) pipe means coupling said separator means with said nozzle means to conduct condensed fluid from said separator means to said nozzle means.

Claim 19

The system of claim 15 further comprising: ?? (a) fourth heat exchange means defining seventh and eighth passageway means thereof and arranged for heat exchange between the fluid therein, said seventh passageway means being disposed in the working fluid flow path intermediate the working fluid source and said fifth passageway means of said third heat exchange means, and said eighth passageway means being disposed in coolant flow path in said coolant duct means downstream of said sixth passageway means of said third heat exchange means.

Claim 20

The system of claim 14 further comprising fluid flow control means to control the flow of coolant fluid through said coolant duct means.

Claim 21

The system of claim 15 further comprising fluid flow control means to control the flow of coolant through said coolant duct means.

Claim 22

The system of claim 16 further comprising fluid flow control means to control the flow of coolant through said coolant duct means.

Claim 23

A fluid conditioning system receiving fluid from a fluid source and providing sub-freezing conditioned fluid, comprising: (a) compressor means for receiving, compressing and discharging a fluid, the discharged fluid being of a higher pressure and temperature than the received fluid; (b) heat exchanger means having first and second thermally communicating passageways extending therethrough; (c) turbine means operable, by expanding pressurized fluid therethrough, to drive said compressor means, the fluid exiting said turbine means being of lower pressure and temperature relative to the entering fluid; (d) fluid flow path means for flowing fluid discharged from said compressor means sequentially through said second heat exchanger passageway, through said turbine means to operate the same, and through said first heat exchanger passage-way, said heat exchanger means transferring heat from the fluid said turbine means; and (e) bypass fluid flow path means, communicating with said fluid flow path means for diverting a selected portion of the cooled fluid discharged from said turbine means around said heat exchanger means to the fluid exiting the first heat exchanger passageway to increase the fluid temperature change from the fluid from the fluid source to the fluid exiting the first heat exchanger passageway so as to provide the same fluid conditioning capacity with a reduced fluid flow rate.

Claim 24

A fluid conditioning system receiving fluid from a fluid source and providing sub-freezing conditioned fluid, comprising: (a) compressor means for receiving, compressing and discharging a fluid, the discharged fluid being of a higher pressure and temperature than the received fluid; (b) heat exchanger means having first and second thermally communicating passageways extending therethrough; (c) turbine means operable, by expanding pressurized fluid therethrough, to drive said compressor means, the fluid exiting said turbine means being of lower pressure and temperature relative to the entering fluid; (d) fluid flow path means for flowing fluid discharged from said compressor means sequentially through said second heat exchanger passageway, through said turbine means to operate the same, and through said first heat exchanger passage-way, said heat exchanger means transferring heat from the fluid said turbine means; and (e) bypass fluid flow path means, communicating with said fluid flow path means for diverting a selected portion of the cooled fluid discharged from said turbine means around said heat exchanger means to the fluid exiting the first heat exchanger passageway to increase the fluid temperature change from the fluid from the fluid source to the fluid exiting the first heat exchanger passageway so as to provide the same fluid conditioning capacity with a reduced fluid flow rate.

Claim 25

A fluid conditioning system receiving working fluid and supplying sub-freezing conditioned working fluid comprising: (a) compressor means receiving and compressing the working fluid; turbine means receiving compressed working fluid and expanding the working fluid to operably drive said compressor means; (b) heat exchanger means having a first passageway to receive expanded working fluid from said turbine means and a second passageway to receive compressed working fluid from said compressor means and provide compressed working fluid to said turbine means, said first and second passageways in a heat exchange relationship to transfer heat from the higher tempera-ture compressed working fluid from the compressor means to the lower temperature expanded working fluid from the turbine means; and (c) means to bypass a selected portion of the expanded working fluid from said turbine means around said heat exchanger means to the working fluid exiting said first heat exchanger passageway to increase the working fluid temperature change in the fluid conditioning system.

Claim 26

A fluid conditioning system receiving working fluid and supplying sub-freezing conditioned working fluid comprising: (a) compressor means receiving and compressing the working fluid; turbine means receiving compressed working fluid and expanding the working fluid to operably drive said compressor means; (b) heat exchanger means having a first passageway to receive expanded working fluid from said turbine means and a second passageway to receive compressed working fluid from said compressor means and provide compressed working fluid to said turbine means, said first and second passageways in a heat exchange relationship to transfer heat from the higher tempera-ture compressed working fluid from the compressor means to the lower temperature expanded working fluid from the turbine means; and (c) means to bypass a selected portion of the expanded working fluid from said turbine means around said heat exchanger means to the working fluid exiting said first heat exchanger passageway to increase the working fluid temperature change in the fluid conditioning system.

Claim 27

A fluid conditioning system receiving fluid from a source and providing conditioned fluid, comprising: (a) compressor means for receiving, compressing, and discharging a fluid, the discharged fluid being of a higher pressure and temperature than the received fluid; (b) first heat exchanger means having first and second (c) second heat exchanger means having third and fourth thermally communicating passageways extending therethrough; (d) turbine means operable, by expanding pressurized fluid therethrough, to drive said compressor means, the fluid exiting said turbine means being of lower pressure and temperature relative to the entering fluid; (e) fluid flow path means for flowing fluid discharged from said compressor means sequentially through said fourth heat exchanger passageway, through said second heat exchanger passageway, through said third heat exchanger passageway, through said turbine means to operate the same, and through said first heat exchanger passage-way, said second heat exchanger means transferring heat from the compressed working fluid from said compressor means to the fluid supplied to the turbine means and said first heat exchanger means . transferring heat from the working fluid from said fourth heat exchanger passageway to the expanded working fluid from said turbine means; and (f) bypass fluid flow path means communicating with said fluid flow path means, for diverting a selected portion of the cooled fluid discharged from said turbine means around said first heat exchanger means to the fluid exiting said first heat exchanger passageway to increase the fluid temperature change in the fluid conditioning system.

Claim 28

A fluid conditioning system receiving fluid from a source and providing conditioned fluid, comprising: (a) compressor means for receiving, compressing, and discharging a fluid, the discharged fluid being of a higher pressure and temperature than the received fluid; (b) first heat exchanger means having first and second (c) second heat exchanger means having third and fourth thermally communicating passageways extending therethrough; (d) turbine means operable, by expanding pressurized fluid therethrough, to drive said compressor means, the fluid exiting said turbine means being of lower pressure and temperature relative to the entering fluid; (e) fluid flow path means for flowing fluid discharged from said compressor means sequentially through said fourth heat exchanger passageway, through said second heat exchanger passageway, through said third heat exchanger passageway, through said turbine means to operate the same, and through said first heat exchanger passage-way, said second heat exchanger means transferring heat from the compressed working fluid from said compressor means to the fluid supplied to the turbine means and said first heat exchanger means . transferring heat from the working fluid from said fourth heat exchanger passageway to the expanded working fluid from said turbine means; and (f) bypass fluid flow path means communicating with said fluid flow path means, for diverting a selected portion of the cooled fluid discharged from said turbine means around said first heat exchanger means to the fluid exiting said first heat exchanger passageway to increase the fluid temperature change in the fluid conditioning system.

Claim 29

A fluid conditioning system receiving working fluid and supplying conditioned working fluid, comprising: (a) compressor means receiving and compressing the working fluid; (b) turbine means receiving compressed working fluid and expanding the working fluid to operably drive said compressor means; (c) first heat exchanger means having a first passageway to receive expanded working fluid from said turbine means and a second passageway to receive compressed working fluid from said compressor means and provide compressed working fluid to said turbine means, said first and second passageways in a heat exchange relationship to transfer heat from the higher temperature com-pressed working fluid from the compressor means to the lower temperature expanded working fluid from the turbine means; (d) second heat exchanger means having a third passageway interposed between said second passageway of said first heat exchanger means and said turbine means and a fourth passageway interposed be-tween said compressor means and said second passageway of said first heat exchanger means,said third and fourth passageways in a heat ex-change relationship to transfer heat from the higher temperature com-pressed working fluid from the compressor means to the lower tempera-ture working fluid cooled in said second passageway of said first heat exchanger means; and (e) means to bypass a selected portion of the expanded working fluid from said turbine means around said first heat exchanger means to the working fluid exiting said first heat exchanger passageway to increase the working fluid temperature change in the fluid conditioning system.

Claim 30

A fluid conditioning system receiving working fluid and supplying conditioned working fluid, comprising: (a) compressor means receiving and compressing the working fluid; (b) turbine means receiving compressed working fluid and expanding the working fluid to operably drive said compressor means; (c) first heat exchanger means having a first passageway to receive expanded working fluid from said turbine means and a second passageway to receive compressed working fluid from said compressor means and provide compressed working fluid to said turbine means, said first and second passageways in a heat exchange relationship to transfer heat from the higher temperature com-pressed working fluid from the compressor means to the lower temperature expanded working fluid from the turbine means; (d) second heat exchanger means having a third passageway interposed between said second passageway of said first heat exchanger means and said turbine means and a fourth passageway interposed be-tween said compressor means and said second passageway of said first heat exchanger means,said third and fourth passageways in a heat ex-change relationship to transfer heat from the higher temperature com-pressed working fluid from the compressor means to the lower tempera-ture working fluid cooled in said second passageway of said first heat exchanger means; and (e) means to bypass a selected portion of the expanded working fluid from said turbine means around said first heat exchanger means to the working fluid exiting said first heat exchanger passageway to increase the working fluid temperature change in the fluid conditioning system.

Claim 31

The fluid conditioning system of claim 22 or 23 further in-cluding secondary fluid flow path means for diverting a controlled por-tion of the compressed fluid from said compressor means directly to the said first passageway of said first heat exchanger means to prevent the formation of ice therein.

Claim 32

The fluid conditioning system of claim 20 or 22 wherein the selected portion of cooled fluid diverted in said bypass fluid flow path means is up to about one half of the cooled fluid discharged from said turbine means.

Claim 33

The fluid conditioning system of claim 21 or 23 wherein the selected portion of expanded working fluid bypassed in said bypass means is up to about one half of the expanded working fluid.

Claim 34

The fluid conditioning system of claim 23 and in addition: (a) a source of fluid coolant; and (b) a third heat exchanger means having a fifth passageway interposed between said compressor means and said fourth passageway of said second heat exchanger means and a sixth passageway to receive fluid coolant from said source of fluid coolant, said fifth and sixth passageways in a heat exchange relationship to transfer heat from the compressed working fluid to the fluid coolant.

Claim 35

The fluid conditioning system of claim 27 and in addition: (a) A fourth heat exchanger means having a seventh passage-way to receive working fluid and provide working fluid to said coolant from said sixth passageway of said third heat exchanger means, said seventh and eighth passageways in a heat exchange relationship to transfer heat from the working fluid to the fluid coolant.

Claim 36

The fluid conditioning system of claim 28 wherein water vapor in the working fluid is condensed in said second passageway of said first heat exchanger means and in addition: (a) water separator means disposed between said second passageway of said first heat exchanger means and said third passageway of said second heat exchanger means to remove water from the working fluid; and (b) means to transfer the water removed from the working fluid by said water separator means to the fluid coolant between the source of fluid coolant and said sixth passageway of said third heat exchanger means to enhance the cooling effect thereof.

Claim 37

The fluid conditioning system of claim 29 and in addition: (a) fan means operably driven by said turbine means to draw fluid coolant through said sixth passageway of said third heat exchanger means and said eighth passageway of said fourth heat exchanger means. (b) the fluid conditioning system of claim 36 and in addition: (c) means to control the flow of fluid coolant through said sixth passageway of said third heat exchanger means and said eighth passageway of said fourth heat exchanger means.

Claim 38

The fluid conditioning system of claim 30 and in addition: Means to control the flow of fluid coolant through said sixth passageway of said third heat exchanger means and s said eighth passageway of said fourth heat exchanger means.

Claim 39

The fluid conditioning system of Claim 20, wherein said bypass fluid flow path means is formed as a part of and integral with said heat exchanger means.

Claim 40

The fluid conditioning system of Claim 22, wherein said bypass fluid flow path means is formed as a part of and integral with said heat exchanger means.

Claim 41

The fluid conditioning system of Claim 32 or Claim 33, wherein said first passageway is divided into two core elements disposed around and separated by said by-pass fluid flow path means,

Claim 42

The fluid conditioning system of Claim 21, wherein said bypass means is formed as a part of and inte-gral with said heat exchanger means.

Claim 43

The fluid conditioning system of Claim 23, wherein said bypass means is formed as a part of and inte-gral with said heat exchanger means.

Claim 44

The fluid conditioning system of Claim 35 or Claim 36, wherein said first passageway is divided into two core elements and said bypass means to be disposed between said two core elements of said first passageway.

Claim 47

The working fluid conditioning method of Claim 38 and in addition: a) separating from the working fluid the water condensed in the heat transferring step.

Claim 48

The working fluid conditioning method of Claim 39, wherein the selected portion of expanded working fluid bypassing directly to the enclosure is up to about one half of the expanded working fluid.