US3788091A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermodynamic cycles
Assignee: Statham Instrument Inc
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Filing: 1971-08-12
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1991-08-12
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to thermodynamic cycles operating between two levels of subatmospheric temperature, whereby power is generated and/or refrigeration obtained, in which a heat transfer liquid is employed having a relatively high vapor pressure at atmospheric temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 D Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:44
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D25/00; F04D25/02; F04D25/04; F01; F01K; F01K27/00; F25; F25B; F25B25/00; F25B27/00; F25B41/00; F25B41/30; F25B41/31; F25B41/33; F25B41/335; F25B2400/00; F25B2400/14; F25B2400/141; F25D; F25D11/00; F25D11/003; F25D17/00; F25D17/04; F25D17/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A thermodynamic apparatus adapted to operate between two levels of subatmospheric temperature including an evaporation zone adapted to be exposed to ambient temperature, a condensation zone adapted to operate at a lower temperature, a vapor conduit connecting the evaporation zone with the condensation zone, a liquid collecting zone connected to said condensation zone, a liquid conduit connecting said liquid collecting zonE with said evaporation zone and a pump in said liquid conduit, a vapor motor connected to said pump, a vapor input line to said motor, said line connected to the evaporation zone, an exhaust from said motor connected to said condensation zone and a fan positioned at said evaporation zone, a second motor connected to said fan, a vapor conduit connecting said evaporation zone to said last named motor, an exhaust vapor connection connected to said last named motor and condensation zone, control means to control the heat transfer from the evaporation zone to the condensation zone whereby the pressure required to operate said motors is obtained substantially entirely from the change in enthalpy between the evaporation zone and condensation zone including the energy losses in the motor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A thermodynamic apparatus adapted to operate between two levels of subatmospheric temperature including an evaporation zone adapted to be exposed to ambient temperature, a condensation zone adapted to operate at a lower temperature, a vapor conduit connecting the evaporation zone with the condensation zone, a liquid collecting zone connected to said condensation zone, a liquid conduit connecting said liquid collecting zonE with said evaporation zone and a pump in said liquid conduit, a vapor motor connected to said pump, a vapor input line to said motor, said line connected to the evaporation zone, an exhaust from said motor connected to said condensation zone and a fan positioned at said evaporation zone, a second motor connected to said fan, a vapor conduit connecting said evaporation zone to said last named motor, an exhaust vapor connection connected to said last named motor and condensation zone, control means to control the heat transfer from the evaporation zone to the condensation zone whereby the pressure required to operate said motors is obtained substantially entirely from the change in enthalpy between the evaporation zone and condensation zone including the energy losses in the motor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
In the apparatus of claim 1 in which said condensation zone includes an insulated container for refrigerant, cooling conduits in heat exchange relation to the refrigerant in said refrigerant container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
In the apparatus of claim 1, said evaporation zone comprising a conduit connected to said pump and to said first mentioned vapor conduit, an insulated enclosure for said conduit, said fan mounted for circulation of air over said conduit and in said enclosure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
114 words
A thermodynamic apparatus adapted to operate between two levels of temperature including an evaporator adapted to be exposed to ambient temperature, a condenser adapted to operate at a lower temperature, a vapor conduit connecting the evaporator with the condenser, a liquid collecting zone connected to said condenser, a liquid conduit connecting said liquid collecting zone with said evaporator and a pump in said liquid conduit, a vapor motor connected to said pump, the input to said motor connected to said evaporator and the exhaust from said motor connected to the condenser, means to sense the liquid level at a selected point in said evaporator, a valve in said vapor conduit responsive to said means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
A thermodynamic apparatus adapted to operate between two levels of temperature including an evaporator adapted to be exposed to ambient temperature, a condenser adapted to operate at a lower temperature, a vapor conduit connecting the evaporator with the condenser, a liquid collecting zone connected to said condenser, a liquid conduit connecting said liquid collecting zone with said evaporator and a pump in said liquid conduit, a vapor motor connected to said pump, the input to said motor connected to said evaporator and the exhaust from said motor connected to the condenser, means to sense the liquid level at a selected point in said evaporator, a valve in said vapor conduit responsive to said means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
In the apparatus of claim 4 a second sensor positioned at said condenser to sense the condition at a selected point at said condenser, a second valve in series with said first named valve, means to open and close said second valve responsive to the condition sensed by said sensor at said condenser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
In the apparatus of claim 5 in which said condenser includes an insulated container for refrigerant, cooling conduits adapted to be in heat exchange relation to refrigerant in said refrigerant container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
In the apparatus of claim 6, an enclosure for said evaporator, a fan positioned in said enclosure, a motor connected to said fan, a vapor conduit connecting said first mentioned vapor conduit to said last named motor, an exhaust vapor connection connected to said last named motor and said condenser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
84 words
In the apparatus of claim 4, an enclosure for said evaporator, a second conduit connected to said first mentioned conduit, a second motor connected to said second conduit and said condenser, a fan positioned in said enclosure connected to said second motor, a valve in said second conduit between said evaporator and said motor, a temperature sensor positioned in said enclosure and operatively connected to said last named valve to open and close said valve responsive to the temperature at said last named sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
In the apparatus of claim 8 in which said condenser includes an insulated container for refrigerant, cooling conduits in said condenser adapted to be in heat exchange relation to refrigerant in said refrigerant container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
In the apparatus of claim 8, said means comprising means to sense the degree of superheat at the selected point in said evaporator, said valve operatively connected to saiid means to open and close as the degree of superheat rises or falls at said selected point.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
In the apparatus of claim 4, a second valve connected to the outlet of said evaporator and responsive to the pressure difference between the inlet to and the outlet from said first mentioned valve, a second Motor and the outlet of said second valve connected to the input of said second motor, the exhaust of said second motor connected to said condenser.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
In the apparatus of claim 11 said means comprising means to sense the degree of superheat at the selected point in said evaporator, said first valve operatively connected to said means to open and close as the degree of superheat rises or falls at said selected point.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
71 words
In the apparatus of claim 11, a third valve connected between said second valve and said second motor, an enclosure for said evaporator, a fan positioned in said enclosure and connected to the second motor, means to sense the temperature at a selected zone in said enclosure, said third valve operatively connected to said last named means to open and close as the temperature at said selected zone falls or rises.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
In the apparatus of claim 13, a sensor positioned at said condensor, a fourth valve connected to the evaporator and to said first mentioned valve and means to open and close said fourth valve responsive to the condition sensed by said sensor at said condenser.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
In the apparatus of claim 11, in which said condenser includes an insulated container for refrigerant, cooling conduits adapted to be in heat exchange relation to refrigerant in said refrigerant container.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
In the apparatus of claim 15, said means comprising means to sense the degree of superheat at the selected point in said evaporator, said first valve operatively connected to said means to open and close as the degree of superheat rises or falls at said selected point.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
In the apparatus of claim 4 in which said condenser includes an insulated container for refrigerant, cooling conduits in heat exchange relation to said refrigerant in said refrigerant container.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
In the apparatus of claim 4, a second motor, a vapor conduit connecting the input of said second motor to said evaporator, and a vapor exhaust connection from said second motor connected to said condenser.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
In the apparatus of claim 18 in which said condenser includes an insulated container for refrigerant, cooling conduits in said condenser adapted to be in heat exchange relation to refrigerant in said refrigerant container.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
In the apparatus of claim 4, said means comprising means to sense the degree of superheat at the selected point in said evaporator, said valve operatively connected to said means to open and close as the degree of superheat rises or falls at said selected point.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
In the apparatus of claim 20 in which said condenser includes an insulated container for refrigerant, cooling conduits adapted to be in heat exchange relation to said refrigerant in said refrigerant container.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
In the apparatus of claim 21, a second motor, a vapor conduit connecting the input to said second motor to said first mentioned vapor line, and a vapor exhaust connection from said second motor connected to said condenser.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
In the apparatus of claim 22, said evaporator comprising a conduit connected to said first mentioned pump and to said first mentioned vapor conduit, an insulated enclosure for said conduit, a fan mounted for circulation of air over said conduit and in said enclosure, said fan operatively connected to said second motor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |