Thermally powered diaphragm pump system for heat transfer

Claim 2

A thermally powered heat transfer system using as working substances a power fluid and a refrigerant fluid having a relatively lower boiling point than the power fluid and comprising the following connected components to form the heat transfer system: means for vaporizing the power fluid; means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid; diaphragm pump means having a power vapor compartment means and a refrigerant vapor compartment means and being responsive to the pressure energy of the vaporized power fluid; means for condensing the vaporized power fluid; means including sequencing valve means for controlling the mode of operation of said diaphragm pump means by permitting a flow of vaporized power fluid from said means for vaporizing the power fluid to the power vapor compartment means of said diaphragm pump means during a time phase of operation when said diaphragm pump means is offering sufficient pressure opposition to the vaporized power fluid flowing into the power vapor compartment means of said diaphragm pump means that at another time phase of operation as determined by said sequencing valve means substantially adiabatic expansion of such vaporized power fluid in such power vapor compartment means will yield work sufficient to substantially adiabatically compress refrigerant vapor in the refrigerant vapor compartment means of said diaphragm pump means, and by permitting during still another time phase of operation a flow of expanded vaporized power fluid from the power vapor compartment means of said diaphragm pump means to said means for condensing the vaporized power fluid, such flow of expanded vaporized power fluid being due to the pressure of evaporated refrigerant vapor flowing from said means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid to the refrigerant vapor compartment means of said diaphragm pump means; means for delivering the substantially adiabatically compressed refrigerant vapor from the refrigerant vapor compartment means of said diaphragm pump means to said means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid; and means for delivering liquid power fluid to said means for vaporizing the power fluid.

Claim 3

The heat transfer system of claim 1 in which the maximum internal volume of the power vapor compartment means of said diaphragm pump means is substantially equal to the maximum internal volume of the refrigerant vapor compartment means of said diaphragm pump means.

Claim 4

The heat transfer system of claim 1 in which at least the refrigerant fluid is a fluorocarbon.

Claim 5

The heat transfer system of claim 1 in which said means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid includes an outdoor heat exchanger which is constructed to function as either a refrigerant evaporator or as a refrigerant condenser, and an indoor heat exchanger which is constructed to function as either a refrigerant condenser or as a refrigerant evaporator; an ambient insulated heat exchanger disposed in heat exchange relationship with said means for condensing the vaporized power fluid; a heating and cooling selector valve for effecting a flow of the compressed refrigerant vapor from the refrigerant vapor compartment means of said diaphragm pump means to said outdoor heat exchanger when said heating and cooling selector valve is set for the cooling mode of operation for the heat transfer system, and for effecting a flow of the compressed refrigerant vapor from the refrigerant vapor compartment means of said diaphragm pump means to said indoor heat exchanger when said heating and cooling selector valve is set for the heating mode of operation for the heat transfer system; means for delivering condensed refrigerant from said outdoor heat exchanger to said ambient insulated heAt exchanger when said heating and cooling selector valve is set in the cooling mode of operation for the heat transfer system; means for delivering condensed refrigerant from said indoor heat exchanger to said ambient insulated heat exchanger when said heating and cooling selector valve is set in the heating mode of operation for the heat transfer system; and means for selectively delivering refrigerant vapor from said ambient insulated heat exchanger to either said outdoor heat exchanger or to said indoor heat exchanger when the particular said outdoor heat exchanger or said indoor heat exchanger is functioning as a condenser.

Claim 6

The heat transfer system of claim 1 in which said diaphragm pump means includes a pair of diaphragm units in which the power vapor compartment means is associated with one of said diaphragm units and the refrigerant vapor compartment means is associated with the other of said diaphragm units.

Claim 7

The heat transfer system of claim 5 in which means is provided for interconnecting said pair of diaphragm units with a confined column of liquid having inertia and velocity during at least a portion of the cycle of operation of the heat transfer system.

Claim 8

A thermally powered heat transfer system using as working substances a power fluid and a refrigerant fluid having a relatively lower boiling point than the power fluid and comprising the following connected to form the heat transfer system: means for vaporizing the power fluid; means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid; diaphragm pump means responsive to the pressure energy of the vaporized power fluid and including at least two diaphragm units, one of said two diaphragm units having a diaphragm, a power vapor compartment disposed on one side of the diaphragm and a liquid filled compartment disposed on the opposite side of the diaphragm, and the other of said two diaphragm units having a diaphragm, a refrigerant vapor compartment disposed on one side of such latter diaphragm and a liquid filled compartment disposed on the opposite side of such latter diaphragm, and conduit means enclosing a liquid column and being interconnected between the two liquid filled compartments associated with said two diaphragm units to thus interconnect said diaphragms with liquid having a predetermined inertia; means for condensing the vaporized power fluid; means including sequencing valve means for controlling the mode of operation of said diaphragm pump means by permitting during a time phase of operation a flow of vaporized power fluid from said means for vaporizing the power fluid to the power vapor compartment of said diaphragm pump means to effect an acceleration of said liquid column from the liquid filled compartment associated with said one of said two diaphragm units toward the liquid filled compartment associated with said other of said two diaphragm units, and by preventing during the next time phase of operation the flow of vaporized power fluid to the power vapor compartment of said diaphragm pump means during which latter time phase of operation the vaporized power fluid within the power vapor compartment of said diaphragm pump means expands substantially adiabatically to thus substantially adiabatically compress refrigerant vapor in the refrigerant vapor compartment of said diaphragm pump means and expell such compressed refrigerant vapor into said means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid, and by permitting during still another time phase of operation a flow of expanded vaporized power fluid from the power vapor compartment of said diaphragm pump means to said means for condensing the vaporized power fluid, such flow of expanded vaporized power fluid being due to the pressure of evaporated refrigerant vapor flowing from said means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid to the refrigerant vapor compartment of said diaphragm pump means; and means for delivering liquid power fluid to said means for vaporizing the power fluid.

Claim 9

A thermally powered heat transfer system using as working substances a power fluid and a refrigerant fluid having a relatively lower boiling point than the power fluid and comprising the following connected to form the heat transfer system: means for vaporizing the power fluid; means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid; diaphragm pump means responsive to the pressure energy of the vaporized power fluid and including at least two diaphragm units, one of said two diaphragm units having a diaphragm, a power vapor compartment disposed on one side of the diaphragm and a liquid filled compartment disposed on the opposite side of the diaphragm, and the other of said two diaphragm units having a diaphragm, a refrigerant vapor compartment disposed on one side of such latter diaphragm and a liquid filled compartment disposed on the opposite side of such latter diaphragm, and conduit means enclosing a liquid column and being interconnected between the two liquid filled compartments associated with said two diaphragm units to thus interconnect said diaphragms with liquid having a predetermined inertia; means for condensing the vaporized power fluid; means including sequencing valve means for controlling the mode of operation of said diaphragm pump means by permitting during a time phase of operation a flow of vaporized power fluid from said means for vaporizing the power fluid to the power vapor compartment of said diaphragm pump means to effect an acceleration of said liquid column from the liquid filled compartment associated with said one of said two diaphragm units toward the liquid filled compartment associated with said other of said two diaphragm units, and by preventing during the next time phase of operation the flow of vaporized power fluid to the power vapor compartment of said diaphragm pump means during which latter time phase of operation the vaporized power fluid within the power vapor compartment of said diaphragm pump means expands substantially adiabatically to thus substantially adiabatically compress refrigerant vapor in the refrigerant vapor compartment of said diaphragm pump means and expell such compressed refrigerant vapor into said means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid, and by permitting during still another time phase of operation a flow of expanded vaporized power fluid from the power vapor compartment of said diaphragm pump means to said means for condensing the vaporized power fluid, such flow of expanded vaporized power fluid being due to the pressure of evaporated refrigerant vapor flowing from said means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid to the refrigerant vapor compartment of said diaphragm pump means; and means for delivering liquid power fluid to said means for vaporizing the power fluid.

Claim 10

The heat trAnsfer system of claim 7 in which said diaphragm pump means includes a unidirectional by-pass for the liquid associated with said diaphragm pump means so that during said still another time phase of operation the flow path for the liquid flowing from the liquid filled compartment associated with the refrigerant vapor compartment to the liquid filled compartment associated with the power vapor compartment is shortened thus reducing the inertia of such flowing liquid.

Claim 11

The heat transfer system of claim 7 in which the meniscus of the liquid in the liquid filled compartment associated with the refrigerant vapor compartment functions as the diaphragm separating such liquid filled compartment from such refrigerant vapor compartment.

Claim 12

The heat transfer system of claim 7 in which said means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid includes an outdoor heat exchanger which is constructed to function as either a refrigerant evaporator or as a refrigerant condenser and an indoor heat exchanger which is constructed to function as either a refrigerant condenser or as a refrigerant evaporator; an ambient insulated heat exchanger disposed in heat exchange relationship with said means for condensing the vaporized power fluid; a heating and cooling selector valve for effecting a flow of the expelled compressed refrigerant vapor from the refrigerant vapor compartment of said diaphragm pump means to said outdoor heat exchanger when said heating and cooling selector valve is set in the cooling mode of operation for the heat transfer system and for effecting a flow of the expelled compressed refrigerant vapor from the refrigerant vapor compartment of said diaphragm pump means to said indoor heat exchanger when said heating and cooling selector valve is set for the heating mode of operation for the heat transfer system; means for delivering condensed refrigerant from said outdoor heat exchanger to said ambient insulated heat exchanger when said heating and cooling selector valve is set in the cooling mode of operation for the heat transfer system; means for delivering condensed refrigerant from said indoor heat exchanger to said ambient insulated heat exchanger when said heating and cooling selector valve is set in the heating mode of operation for the heat transfer system; and means for selectively delivering refrigerant vapor from said ambient insulated heat exchanger to either said outdoor heat exchanger or to said indoor heat exchanger when the particular said outdoor heat exchanger or said indoor heat exchanger is functioning as a condenser.

Claim 13

The heat transfer system of claim 7 in which said means for delivering liquid power fluid to said means for vaporizing the power fluid includes a condensing heat exchanger for preheating such liquid power fluid by means of power vapor received from said power vapor compartment during the first portion of said next time phase of operation in which initial substantially adiabatic expansion of the power vapor within said power vapor compartment takes place.

Claim 14

A thermally powered heat transfer system using as working substances a power fluid and a refrigerant fluid having a relatively lower boiling point than the power fluid and comprising the following connected to form the heat transfer system: means for vaporizing the power fluid; means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid; diaphragm pump means responsive to the pressure energy of the vaporized power fluid and including at least two diaphragm pump units each of said two diaphragm pump units having a diaphragm, a power vapor compartment on one side of the diaphragm and a refrigerant vapor compartment on the opposite side of the diaphragm; means for condensing the vaporized power fluid; an ejector for receiving vaporized power fluid from said means for vaporizing the power fluid; means including sequencing valve means for controlling the mode of operation of said diaphragm pump means by permitting during a time phase of operation a flow of vaporiZed power fluid from said means for vaporizing the power fluid and through said ejector to fill the power vapor compartment of one of said two diaphragm pump units with vaporized power fluid to overcome the pressure opposition of the diaphragm of said one of said two diaphragm pump units as caused by the back pressure in a condensing portion of said means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid to thereby expell refrigerant vapor from the refrigerant vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units into said means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid, and by permitting during another time phase of operation substantially adiabatic expansion of such vaporized power fluid in the power vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units to substantially adiabatically compress refrigerant vapor in the refrigerant vapor compartment of the other of said two diaphragm pump units, and by permitting during still another time phase of operation a flow of expanded vaporized power fluid from the power vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units to said means for condensing the vaporized power fluid, such flow of expanded vaporized power fluid being due to the pressure of evaporated refrigerant vapor flowing from said means for condensing and reevaporating the refrigerant fluid to thus fill the refrigerant vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units; and means for delivering liquid power fluid to said means for vaporizing the power fluid.

Claim 15

A thermally powered heat transfer system using as working substances a power fluid and a refrigerant fluid having a relatively lower boiling point than the power fluid and comprising the following connected to form the heat transfer system: means for vaporizing the power fluid; means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid; diaphragm pump means responsive to the pressure energy of the vaporized power fluid and including at least two diaphragm pump units each of said two diaphragm pump units having a diaphragm, a power vapor compartment on one side of the diaphragm and a refrigerant vapor compartment on the opposite side of the diaphragm; means for condensing the vaporized power fluid; an ejector for receiving vaporized power fluid from said means for vaporizing the power fluid; means including sequencing valve means for controlling the mode of operation of said diaphragm pump means by permitting during a time phase of operation a flow of vaporiZed power fluid from said means for vaporizing the power fluid and through said ejector to fill the power vapor compartment of one of said two diaphragm pump units with vaporized power fluid to overcome the pressure opposition of the diaphragm of said one of said two diaphragm pump units as caused by the back pressure in a condensing portion of said means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid to thereby expell refrigerant vapor from the refrigerant vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units into said means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid, and by permitting during another time phase of operation substantially adiabatic expansion of such vaporized power fluid in the power vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units to substantially adiabatically compress refrigerant vapor in the refrigerant vapor compartment of the other of said two diaphragm pump units, and by permitting during still another time phase of operation a flow of expanded vaporized power fluid from the power vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units to said means for condensing the vaporized power fluid, such flow of expanded vaporized power fluid being due to the pressure of evaporated refrigerant vapor flowing from said means for condensing and reevaporating the refrigerant fluid to thus fill the refrigerant vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units; and means for delivering liquid power fluid to said means for vaporizing the power fluid.

Claim 16

The heat transfer system of claim 12 in which means is provided for heat exchanging the expanded vaporized power fluid flowing from the power vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units to said means for condensing the vaporized power fluid with at least a portion of the liquid power fluid being delivered to said means for vaporizing the power fluid to thereby preheat such liquid power fluid by cooling the expanded vaporized power fluid before delivery to said means for condensing the vaporized power fluid.

Claim 17

The heat transfer system of claim 12 in which said means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid includes an outdoor heat exchanger which is constructed to function as either a refrigerant evaporator or as a refrigerant condenser, and an indoor heat exchanger which is constructed to function as either a refrigerant condenser or as a refrigerant evaporator; an ambient insulated heat exchanger disposed in heat exchange relationship with said means for condensing the vaporized power fluid; a heating and cooling selector valve for effecting a flow of the expelled refrigerant vapor from the refrigerant vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units to said outdoor heat exchanger when said heating and cooling selector valve is set for the cooling mode of operation for the heat transfer system, and for effecting a flow of the expelled refrigerant vapor from the refrigerant vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units to said indoor heat exchanger when said heating and cooling selector valve is set for the heating mode of operation for the heat transfer system; means for delivering condensed refrigerant from said outdoor heat exchanger to said ambient insulated heat exchanger when said heating and cooling selector valve is set in the cooling mode of operation for the heat transfer system; means for delivering condensed refrigerant from said indoor heat exchanger to said ambient insulated heat exchanger when said heating and cooling selector valve is set in the heating mode of operation for the heat transfer system; and means for selectively delivering refrigerant vapor from said ambient insulated heat exchanger to either said outdoor heat exchanger or to said indoor heat exchanger when the particular said outdoor heat exchanger or said indoor heat exchanger is functioning as a condenser.

Claim 18

A thermally powered heat transfer system using as working substances a power fluid anD a refrigerant fluid having a relatively lower boiling point than the power fluid and comprising the following connected to form the heat transfer system; means for vaporizing the power fluid; means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid; diaphragm pump means responsive to the pressure energy of the vaporized power fluid and including at least two diaphragm pump units each of which diaphragm pump units having a diaphragm, a power vapor compartment on one side of the diaphragm and a refrigerant vapor compartment on the opposite side of the diaphragm; means for condensing the vaporized power fluid; an ejector including a discharge, a secondary inlet and a primary inlet for receiving vaporized power fluid from said means for vaporizing the power fluid; means including sequencing valve means interconnected with said two diaphragm pump units and with the discharge and with the secondary inlet of said ejector for controlling the mode of operation of said diaphragm pump means by permitting during a time phase of operation a flow of vaporized power fluid from said means for vaporizing the power fluid and through the primary inlet and discharge of said ejector to fill the power vapor compartment of one of said two diaphragm pump units with vaporized power fluid to overcome the pressure opposition of the diaphragm of said one of said two diaphragm pump units as caused by the back pressure in a condensing portion of said means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid, to thereby expell refrigerant vapor from the refrigerant vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units into said means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid, and by permitting during the same time phase of operation a flow of power vapor from the power vapor compartment of the other of said two diaphragm pump units to the secondary inlet of said ejector, and by permitting during another time phase of operation substantially adiabatic expansion of such vaporized power fluid in the power vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units to substantially adiabatically compress refrigerant vapor in the refrigerant vapor compartment of said other of said two diaphragm pump units, and by permitting during still another time phase of operation a flow of expanded vaporized power fluid from the power vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units to said means for condensing the vaporized power fluid, such flow of expanded vaporized power fluid being due to the pressure of evaporated refrigerant vapor flowing from said means for condensing and reevaporating the refrigerant fluid to thus fill the refrigerant vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units; and means for delivering liquid power fluid to said means for vaporizing the power fluid.

Claim 19

A thermally powered heat transfer system using as working substances a power fluid anD a refrigerant fluid having a relatively lower boiling point than the power fluid and comprising the following connected to form the heat transfer system; means for vaporizing the power fluid; means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid; diaphragm pump means responsive to the pressure energy of the vaporized power fluid and including at least two diaphragm pump units each of which diaphragm pump units having a diaphragm, a power vapor compartment on one side of the diaphragm and a refrigerant vapor compartment on the opposite side of the diaphragm; means for condensing the vaporized power fluid; an ejector including a discharge, a secondary inlet and a primary inlet for receiving vaporized power fluid from said means for vaporizing the power fluid; means including sequencing valve means interconnected with said two diaphragm pump units and with the discharge and with the secondary inlet of said ejector for controlling the mode of operation of said diaphragm pump means by permitting during a time phase of operation a flow of vaporized power fluid from said means for vaporizing the power fluid and through the primary inlet and discharge of said ejector to fill the power vapor compartment of one of said two diaphragm pump units with vaporized power fluid to overcome the pressure opposition of the diaphragm of said one of said two diaphragm pump units as caused by the back pressure in a condensing portion of said means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid, to thereby expell refrigerant vapor from the refrigerant vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units into said means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid, and by permitting during the same time phase of operation a flow of power vapor from the power vapor compartment of the other of said two diaphragm pump units to the secondary inlet of said ejector, and by permitting during another time phase of operation substantially adiabatic expansion of such vaporized power fluid in the power vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units to substantially adiabatically compress refrigerant vapor in the refrigerant vapor compartment of said other of said two diaphragm pump units, and by permitting during still another time phase of operation a flow of expanded vaporized power fluid from the power vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units to said means for condensing the vaporized power fluid, such flow of expanded vaporized power fluid being due to the pressure of evaporated refrigerant vapor flowing from said means for condensing and reevaporating the refrigerant fluid to thus fill the refrigerant vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units; and means for delivering liquid power fluid to said means for vaporizing the power fluid.

Claim 20

The heat transfer system of claim 15 in which means is provided for heat exchanging the expanded vaporized power fluid flowing from the power vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units to said means for condensing the vaporized power fluid with at least a portion of the liquid power fluid being delivered to said means for vaporizing the power fluid to thereby preheat such liquid power fluid by cooling the expanded vaporized power fluid before delivery to said means for condensing the vaporized power fluid.

Claim 21

The heat transfer system of claim 15 in which said means for condensing and for reevaporating the refrigerant fluid includes an outdoor heat exchanger which is constructed to function as either a refrigerant evaporator or as a refrigerant condenser and an indoor heat exchanger which is constructed to function as either a refrigerant condenser or as a refrigerant evaporator; an ambient insulated heat exchanger disposed in heat exchange relationship with said means for condensing the vaporized power fluid; a heating and cooling selector valve for effecting a flow of the expelled refrigerant vapor from the refrigerant vapor compartment of said onE of said two diaphragm pump units to said outdoor heat exchanger when said heating and cooling selector valve is set for the cooling mode of operation for the heat transfer system and for effecting a flow of the expelled refrigerant vapor from the refrigerant vapor compartment of said one of said two diaphragm pump units into said indoor heat exchanger when said heating and cooling selector valve is set for the heating mode of operation for the heat transfer system; means for delivering condensed refrigerant from said outdoor heat exchanger to said ambient insulated heat exchanger when said heating and cooling selector valve is set in the cooling mode of operation for the heat transfer system; means for delivering condensed refrigerant from said indoor heat exchanger to said ambient insulated heat exchanger when said heating and cooling selector valve is set in the heating mode of operation for the heat transfer system; and means for selectively delivering refrigerant vapor from said ambient insulated heat exchanger to either said outdoor heat exchanger or to said indoor heat exchanger when the particular said outdoor heat exchanger or said indoor heat exchanger is functioning as a condenser.

Claim 22

The heat transfer system of claim 15 in which said means for delivering liquid power fluid to said means for vaporizing the power fluid includes a condensing heat exchanger for preheating such liquid power fluid by means of power vapor received through said sequencing valve means from the power vapor compartment of said other of said two diaphragm pump units during still another time phase of operation in which initial adiabatic expansion of the power vapor within the power vapor compartment of said other of said two diaphragm pump units takes place.