US3812682A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal refrigeration process and apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-04-19
•
Granted: 1974-05-28
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Expires: 1991-04-19
Abstract
Abstract Process and apparatus for producing refrigeration, or refrigeration and work directly from thermal energy. The thermal energy input can also be supplemented by work input to enhance the refrigeration effect.
Inventors
- 👤 K Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:32
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B9/00; F25B9/14; F02; F02G; F02G1/00; F02G1/04; F02G1/043; F02G2243/00; F02G2243/02; F02G2244/00; F02G2244/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
388 words
In a process for producing refrigeration from thermal energy, the steps of confining a gas working fluid in free and open communication throughout a closed system comprising a high temperature hot expander chamber of variable volume, a low temperature refrigerator expander chamber of variable volume, a compressor chamber of variable volume, said compressor chamber operating at a temperature intermediate that of said hot expander and refrigerator expander chambers, a first heat exchanger assembly connected intermediate said hot expander chamber and said compressor chamber, and a second heat exchanger assembly connected intermediate said refrigerator expander chamber and said compressor chamber, said first and second said heat exchanger assemblies each including means for adding thermal energy to the working fluid, storing and releasing thermal energy, and removing thermal energy from the working fluid; varying the volumes of said hot and refrigerator expander chambers substantially harmonically and substantially in phase with each other from their minimum values to their maximum values and back to their minimum values in an expansion cycle of 360*; varying the volume of said compressor chamber substantially harmonically from its minimum value to its maximum value and back to its minimum value in a compression cycle of 360*, with said compression cycle lagging said expansion cycle by an angle such that the net volume of said expander and compressor chambers undergoes a cycle comprising a first substantially constant volume phase in which the working fluid is transferred from said compressor chamber through the heat exchangers to said expander chambers, an expansion phase, a second substantially constant volume phase in which the working fluid is transferred from said expander chambers through the heat exchangers to said compressor chamber, and a compression phase; adding high temperature thermal energy to the working fluid in said first heat exchanger assembly and removing thermal energy from the working fluid in said second heat exchanger assembly during said first substantially constant volume phase, thereby maintaining the pressure of said working fluid substantially constant during said first substantially constant volume phase; adding low temperature thermal energy to the working fluid in said second heat exchanger assembly and removing thermal energy from the working fluid in said first heat exchanger assembly during said second substantially constant volume phase, thereby maintaining the pressure of said working fluid substantially constant during said second substantially constant volume phase.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
388 words
In a process for producing refrigeration from thermal energy, the steps of confining a gas working fluid in free and open communication throughout a closed system comprising a high temperature hot expander chamber of variable volume, a low temperature refrigerator expander chamber of variable volume, a compressor chamber of variable volume, said compressor chamber operating at a temperature intermediate that of said hot expander and refrigerator expander chambers, a first heat exchanger assembly connected intermediate said hot expander chamber and said compressor chamber, and a second heat exchanger assembly connected intermediate said refrigerator expander chamber and said compressor chamber, said first and second said heat exchanger assemblies each including means for adding thermal energy to the working fluid, storing and releasing thermal energy, and removing thermal energy from the working fluid; varying the volumes of said hot and refrigerator expander chambers substantially harmonically and substantially in phase with each other from their minimum values to their maximum values and back to their minimum values in an expansion cycle of 360*; varying the volume of said compressor chamber substantially harmonically from its minimum value to its maximum value and back to its minimum value in a compression cycle of 360*, with said compression cycle lagging said expansion cycle by an angle such that the net volume of said expander and compressor chambers undergoes a cycle comprising a first substantially constant volume phase in which the working fluid is transferred from said compressor chamber through the heat exchangers to said expander chambers, an expansion phase, a second substantially constant volume phase in which the working fluid is transferred from said expander chambers through the heat exchangers to said compressor chamber, and a compression phase; adding high temperature thermal energy to the working fluid in said first heat exchanger assembly and removing thermal energy from the working fluid in said second heat exchanger assembly during said first substantially constant volume phase, thereby maintaining the pressure of said working fluid substantially constant during said first substantially constant volume phase; adding low temperature thermal energy to the working fluid in said second heat exchanger assembly and removing thermal energy from the working fluid in said first heat exchanger assembly during said second substantially constant volume phase, thereby maintaining the pressure of said working fluid substantially constant during said second substantially constant volume phase.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
A thermal refrigeration process as in claim 1 wherein the relative working volumes of the expander chambers and the quantities of thermal energy added to and subtracted from the working fluid during the substantially constant volume phases are such that the work done in the expander chambers is substantially equal to the sum of the work done in the compressor chamber and the work required to overcome friction and leakage in the system, whereby said process is adapted for producing refrigeration alone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
96 words
A thermal refrigeration process as in claim 1 wherein the relative working volumes of the expander chambers and the quantities of thermal energy added to and subtracted from the working fluid during the substantially constant volume phases are such that the work done in the expander chambers is greater than the sum of the work done in the compressor chamber and the work required to overcome friction and leakage in the system, whereby said process is adapted for producing both refrigeration and work output, the work output cycle being out of phase with the refrigeration cycle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A thermal refrigeration process as in claim 1 together with the additional step of adding work input to said system to supplement the thermal energy added in said heat exchangers in producing refrigeration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A thermal refrigeration process as in claim 4 wherein said work input is provided by mechanically varying the volume of said expander and compressor chambers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
194 words
In a process for producing refrigeration from thermal energy, the steps of compressing a working fluid in at least one hot expander chamber, at least one refrigerator expander chamber and at least one compressor chamber, said compressor chamber operating at a temperature intermediate the temperatures of the expander chambers, transferring the working fluid from said compressor chamber to said expander chambers simultaneously in a first substantially constant volume and pressure stroke; expanding the working fluid in said expander and compressor chambers; transferring the working fluid simultaneously from said expander chambers to said compressor chamber in a second substantially constant volume and pressure stroke; adding high temperature thermal energy to the working fluid passing from said compressor chamber to said hot expander chamber and removing low temperature thermal energy from the working fluid passing from said compressor chamber to said refrigerator expander chamber during the first constant volume stroke; and adding low temperature thermal energy to the working fluid passing from said refrigerator expander chamber to said compressor chamber and removing high temperature thermal energy from the working fluid passing from said hot expander chamber to said compressor chamber during the second constant volume stroke.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
194 words
In a process for producing refrigeration from thermal energy, the steps of compressing a working fluid in at least one hot expander chamber, at least one refrigerator expander chamber and at least one compressor chamber, said compressor chamber operating at a temperature intermediate the temperatures of the expander chambers, transferring the working fluid from said compressor chamber to said expander chambers simultaneously in a first substantially constant volume and pressure stroke; expanding the working fluid in said expander and compressor chambers; transferring the working fluid simultaneously from said expander chambers to said compressor chamber in a second substantially constant volume and pressure stroke; adding high temperature thermal energy to the working fluid passing from said compressor chamber to said hot expander chamber and removing low temperature thermal energy from the working fluid passing from said compressor chamber to said refrigerator expander chamber during the first constant volume stroke; and adding low temperature thermal energy to the working fluid passing from said refrigerator expander chamber to said compressor chamber and removing high temperature thermal energy from the working fluid passing from said hot expander chamber to said compressor chamber during the second constant volume stroke.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
In thermal refrigeration process as in claim 6 therein the relative volumes of the expander chambers and the quantities of thermal energy added and subtracted are such that the work done in the expander chambers is substantially equal to the sum of the work done in the compressor chamber and the work required to overcome friction and leakage, whereby said process is adapted for producing refrigeration along with no work output.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
A thermal refrigeration process as in claim 6 wherein the relative volumes of the expander chambers and the quantities of thermal energy added and subtracted are such that the work done in the expander chambers is greater than the sum of the work done in the compressor chamber and the work required to overcome friction and leakage whereby said process is adapted for producing refrigeration plus work output, the work output cycle being out of phase with the refrigeration cycle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A thermal refrigeration process as in claim 6 together with the additional step of adding work input to supplement the thermal energy in producing refrigeration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
315 words
In apparatus for producing refrigeration from thermal energy, first means defining a hot expander chamber; second means defining a refrigerator expander chamber; third means defining a compressor chamber; the temperature of said compressor chamber being intermediate the temperatures of the expander chambers; first heat exchanger means connected to said first and third means in such manner that said hot expander chamber is in communication with said compressor chamber through said first heat exchanger means; second heat exchanger means connected to said second and third means in such manner that said refrigerator expander chamber is in communication with said compressor chamber through said second heat exchanger means; said chambers and heat exchanger means forming a closed system adapted for containing a gas working fluid; movable means carried by each of said first, second and third means for varying the volumes of said expander and compressor chambers substantially harmonically between maximum and minimum values; linking means connecting said movable means in such manner that saiD expander volumes vary substantially in phase with each other and lead said compressor volume by an angle such that the net volume of said chambers passes through a cycle comprising a first substantially constant volume phase in which the working fluid is transferred from said compressor chamber through said first and second heat exchanger means to said expander chambers, an expansion phase in which the working fluid is expanded in said expander and compressor chambers, a second substantially constant volume phase in which the working fluid is transferred from said expander chambers through said first and second heat exchanger means to said compressor chamber, and a compression phase in which the working fluid is compressed in said expander and compressor chambers; and means forming a part of said heat exchanger means for adding thermal energy to and extracting thermal energy from the working fluid during said first and second constant volume phases.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
315 words
In apparatus for producing refrigeration from thermal energy, first means defining a hot expander chamber; second means defining a refrigerator expander chamber; third means defining a compressor chamber; the temperature of said compressor chamber being intermediate the temperatures of the expander chambers; first heat exchanger means connected to said first and third means in such manner that said hot expander chamber is in communication with said compressor chamber through said first heat exchanger means; second heat exchanger means connected to said second and third means in such manner that said refrigerator expander chamber is in communication with said compressor chamber through said second heat exchanger means; said chambers and heat exchanger means forming a closed system adapted for containing a gas working fluid; movable means carried by each of said first, second and third means for varying the volumes of said expander and compressor chambers substantially harmonically between maximum and minimum values; linking means connecting said movable means in such manner that saiD expander volumes vary substantially in phase with each other and lead said compressor volume by an angle such that the net volume of said chambers passes through a cycle comprising a first substantially constant volume phase in which the working fluid is transferred from said compressor chamber through said first and second heat exchanger means to said expander chambers, an expansion phase in which the working fluid is expanded in said expander and compressor chambers, a second substantially constant volume phase in which the working fluid is transferred from said expander chambers through said first and second heat exchanger means to said compressor chamber, and a compression phase in which the working fluid is compressed in said expander and compressor chambers; and means forming a part of said heat exchanger means for adding thermal energy to and extracting thermal energy from the working fluid during said first and second constant volume phases.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
87 words
Thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said first heat exchanger means includes means for adding high temperature thermal energy to the working fluid during said first constant volume phase and means for extracting thermal energy from the working fluid during said second constant volume phase; and wherein said second heat exchanger means includes means for extracting thermal energy from the working fluid during said first constant volume phase and means for adding low temperature energy to the working fluid during said second constant volume phase.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
77 words
A thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the relative working volumes of the expander chambers and the quantities of thermal energy added and extracted during the substantially constant volume phases are such that the work done in the expander chambers is substantially equal to the sum of the work done in the compressor chamber and the work required to overcome friction and leakage in the apparatus, whereby said apparatus is adapted for producing refrigeration alone.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
90 words
Thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the relative working volumes of the expander chambers and the quantities of thermal energy added and extracted during the substantially constant volume phases are such that the work done in the expander chambers is greater than the sum of the work done in the compressor chamber and the work required to overcome friction and leakage in the apparatus, whereby said apparatus is adapted for producing both refrigeration and work output, the work output cycle being out of phase with the refrigeration cycle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
Thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 10 together with driving means connected to said movable means for supplementing the thermal energy input to said apparatus with work energy input in producing refrigeration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
184 words
In thermal refrigeration apparatus, first means forming an arcuate hot expander chamber; second means forming an arcuate refrigerator expander chamber; third means forming an arcuate compressor chamber; oscillating vane means in each of said chambers movable between advanced and retracted positions to form in each chamber a pair of alternately enlarging and diminishing volumes each adapted to receive and discharge a working fluid; linking means connected to said oscillating vane means in such manner that the volumes of said expander chamber vary substantially in phase with each other and lead the volume of said compressor chamber, said linking means including an oscillating shaft connected to said oscillating vane means, a crankshaft, and connecting rod means connecting said oscillating shaft to said crankshaft; first flow passage means interconnecting one of the volumes in said hot expander chamber with one of the volumes in said compressor chamber; second flow passage means interconnecting one of the volumes in said refrigerator expander chamber with said one volume in said compressor chamber; and first and second heat exchanger means disposed in said first and second flow passage means, respectively.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
184 words
In thermal refrigeration apparatus, first means forming an arcuate hot expander chamber; second means forming an arcuate refrigerator expander chamber; third means forming an arcuate compressor chamber; oscillating vane means in each of said chambers movable between advanced and retracted positions to form in each chamber a pair of alternately enlarging and diminishing volumes each adapted to receive and discharge a working fluid; linking means connected to said oscillating vane means in such manner that the volumes of said expander chamber vary substantially in phase with each other and lead the volume of said compressor chamber, said linking means including an oscillating shaft connected to said oscillating vane means, a crankshaft, and connecting rod means connecting said oscillating shaft to said crankshaft; first flow passage means interconnecting one of the volumes in said hot expander chamber with one of the volumes in said compressor chamber; second flow passage means interconnecting one of the volumes in said refrigerator expander chamber with said one volume in said compressor chamber; and first and second heat exchanger means disposed in said first and second flow passage means, respectively.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
65 words
Thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 15 wherein said first heat exchanger means includes a heater adjoining said hot expander chamber, a cooler adjoining said compressor chamber, and a regenerator intermediate said heater and refrigerator; and said second heat exchanger means includes a refrigerator heat exchanger adjoining said refrigerator expander chamber, a cooler adjoining said compressor chamber, and a regenerator intermediate said refrigerator and cooler.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
66 words
Thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 15 wherein the sum of the working volumes in said expander chambers is substantially equal to the working volume of said compressor chamber whereby during each 360* of crankshaft rotation the net volume of the interconnected expander and compressor volumes undergoes a first substantially constant volume phase, an expansion phase, a second substantially constant volume phsae, and a compression phase.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
Thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 17 wherein said first and second heat exchanger means are adapted for both adding thermal energy to and extracting thermal energy from the working fluid during each of the constant volume phases to maintain the pressure of the working fluid substantially constant during said phases.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
75 words
Thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 18 wherein the relative volumes of the interconnected expander chambers and the quantities of thermal energy added and extracted in the heat exchanger means are such that the work done in the expander chambers is substantially equal to the sum of the work done in the compressor chamber and the work required to overcome friction and leakage in the apparatus, whereby said apparatus is adapted for producing refrigeration alone.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
88 words
Thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 18 wherein the relative volumes of the interconnected expander chambers and the quantities of thermal energy added and extracted in the heat exchanger means are such that the work done in the expander chambers is greater than the sum of the work done in the compressor chamber and the work required to overcome friction and leakage in the apparatus, whereby said apparatus is adapted for producing refrigeration and work output, the work output cycle being out of phase with the refrigeration cycle.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
Thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 18 together with driving means connected to said crankshaft for supplying work input to supplement the thermal energy in producing refrigeration.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
97 words
Thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 15 together with means forming second arcuate expander and compressor chambers diametrically opposite the first named expander and compressor chambers in said first, second, and third means; said oscillating vane means being adapted for forming in each of said second chambers an additional pair of alternately enlarging and diminishing volumes adapted to receive and discharge the working fluid, and means connecting one of the volumes of each additional pair of fluid communication with the first named volume which is diametrically opposite and enlarging and diminishing in phase with the additional volume.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
152 words
In apparatus for producing refrigeration from thermal energy, means forming a hot expander chamber, means forming a refrigerator expander chamber; means forming a compressor chamber; said compressor chamber operating at a temperature intermediate the temperature of the expander chambers; piston means in each of said chambers movable between advanced and retracted positions for enlarging and diminishing the volumes of said chambers, thereby adapting said chambers for receiving and discharging a working fluid; linking means including a crankshaft and connectin rods interconnecting said piston means in such manner that the volumes of said expander chambers vary substantially in phase with each other and lead the volume of said compressor chamber; first flow passage means interconnecting said hot expander chamber and said compressor chamber; second flow passage means interconnecting said refrigerator expander chamber and said compressor chamber; and first and second heat exchanger means disposed in said first and second flow passage means, respectively.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
152 words
In apparatus for producing refrigeration from thermal energy, means forming a hot expander chamber, means forming a refrigerator expander chamber; means forming a compressor chamber; said compressor chamber operating at a temperature intermediate the temperature of the expander chambers; piston means in each of said chambers movable between advanced and retracted positions for enlarging and diminishing the volumes of said chambers, thereby adapting said chambers for receiving and discharging a working fluid; linking means including a crankshaft and connectin rods interconnecting said piston means in such manner that the volumes of said expander chambers vary substantially in phase with each other and lead the volume of said compressor chamber; first flow passage means interconnecting said hot expander chamber and said compressor chamber; second flow passage means interconnecting said refrigerator expander chamber and said compressor chamber; and first and second heat exchanger means disposed in said first and second flow passage means, respectively.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
65 words
Thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 23 wherein said first heat exchanger means includes a heater adjoining said hot expander chamber, a cooler adjoining said compressor chamber, and a regenerator intermediate said heater and cooler and said second heat exchanger means includes a refrigerator heat exchanger adjoining said refrigerator expander chamber, a cooler adjoining said compressor chamber, and a regenerator intermediate said refrigerator and cooler.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
66 words
Thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 23 wherein the sum of the working volumes in said expander chambers is substantially equal to the working volume of said compressor chamber, whereby during each 360* of crankshaft rotation the net volume of the interconnected expander and compressor chambers undergoes a first substantially constant volume phase, an expansion phase, a second substantially constant volume phase, and a compression phase.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
Thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 25 wherein said first and second heat exchanger means are adapted for both adding thermal energy to and extracing thermal energy from the working fluid during each of the constant volume phase to maintain the pressure of the working fluid substantially constant during said phases.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
74 words
Thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 26 wherein the relative volumes of the expander chambers and the quantities of thermal energy added and extracted in the heat exchanger means are such that the work done in the expander chambers is substantially equal to the sum of the work done in the compressor chamber and the work required to overcome friction and leakage in the apparatus, whereby said apparatus is adapted for producing refrigeration alone.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
87 words
Thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 26 wherein the relative volume of the expander chambers and the quantities of thermal energy added and extracted in the heat exchanger means are such that the work done in the expander chambers is greater than the sum of the work done in the compressor chamber and the work required to overcome friction and leakage in the apparatus, whereby said apparatus is adapted for producing refrigeration and work output, the work output cycle being out of phase with the refrigeration cycle.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
Thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 26 together with driving means connected to said crankshaft for supplying work input to supplement the thermal energy in producing refrigeration.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
98 words
Thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 23 wherein said compressor chamber is formed in two sections, each of said first and second flow passageways being connected to a different one of said sections, each of said sections having piston means movable between advanced and retracted positions for enlarging and diminishing the volumes of said sections, said linking means connecting the pistons in said sections in such manner that the volumes of said sections vary substantially in phase with each other, together with flow passage means connecting the compressor chamber sections in free and open communication with each other.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
Thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 30 wherein the total working volume of said compressor chamber is substantially equal to the total working volume of said expander chambers.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
102 words
Thermal refrigeration apparatus as in claim 23 together with means forming a balancing chamber; piston means in said balancing chamber movable between advanced and retracted positions for enlarging and diminishing the volume of the chamber; the piston means in the balancing chamber and the refrigerator expander chamber being arranged in such manner that the volume of said balancing chamber varies substantially 180* out of phase with the volume of said refrigerator expander chamber; and flow passage means connectIng said balancing chamber in free and open communication with said second flow passage means intermediate said compressor chamber and said second heat exchanger means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
73 words
Thermal refrigerator apparatus as in claim 32 together with means forming a second balancing chamber; piston means movably disposed in said chamber for varying the volume of said balancing chamber substantially 180* out of phase with the volume of said hot expander chamber; and flow passage means connecting said second balancing chamber in free and open communication with said first flow passage means intermediate said compressor chamber and said first heat exchanger means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
250 words
In apparatus for producing refrigeration from thermal energy, refrigeration and work from thermal energy, or refrigeration from thermal energy supplemented by input work energy, means forming first, second and third cylinders, piston means in said first and second cylinders movable between advanced and retracted positions to form, respectively, a hot expander chamber and a compressor chamber having substantially equal working volumes adapted for receiving and discharging a working fluid; displacer piston means in said third cylinder movable between advanced and retracted positions to form in said cylinder a refrigerator expander chamber and a balancing chamber of alternately expander chamber and a balancing chamber of alternately expanding and diminishing volumes adapted for receiving and discharging a working fluid; said compressor chamber and balancing chamber operating at a temperature intermediate the temperatures of said expander chambers; linking means connecting said piston means and displacer piston means in such manner that the volumes of said expander chambers vary substantially in phase with each other and lead the volume of said compressor chamber; first flow passage means interconnecting said hot expander chamber and said compressor chamber; second flow passage means interconnecting said refrigerator expander chamber, said balancing chamber and said compressor chamber, first heat exchanger means disposed in said first flow passage means; and second heat exchanger means disposed in said second flow passage means, one end of said heat exchanger means being connected to said refrigerator expander chamber and the other end being connected to said balancing chamber and to said compressor chamber.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
250 words
In apparatus for producing refrigeration from thermal energy, refrigeration and work from thermal energy, or refrigeration from thermal energy supplemented by input work energy, means forming first, second and third cylinders, piston means in said first and second cylinders movable between advanced and retracted positions to form, respectively, a hot expander chamber and a compressor chamber having substantially equal working volumes adapted for receiving and discharging a working fluid; displacer piston means in said third cylinder movable between advanced and retracted positions to form in said cylinder a refrigerator expander chamber and a balancing chamber of alternately expander chamber and a balancing chamber of alternately expanding and diminishing volumes adapted for receiving and discharging a working fluid; said compressor chamber and balancing chamber operating at a temperature intermediate the temperatures of said expander chambers; linking means connecting said piston means and displacer piston means in such manner that the volumes of said expander chambers vary substantially in phase with each other and lead the volume of said compressor chamber; first flow passage means interconnecting said hot expander chamber and said compressor chamber; second flow passage means interconnecting said refrigerator expander chamber, said balancing chamber and said compressor chamber, first heat exchanger means disposed in said first flow passage means; and second heat exchanger means disposed in said second flow passage means, one end of said heat exchanger means being connected to said refrigerator expander chamber and the other end being connected to said balancing chamber and to said compressor chamber.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
278 words
In apparatus for producing refrigeration from thermal energy, refrigeration and work thermal energy, or refrigeration from thermal energy supplemented by work energy, means forming first, second, and third cylinders; displacer piston means in said first cylinder movable between said advanced and retracted positions to form in said cylinder a hot expander chamber and a first balancing compressor chamber of alternately expanding and diminishing volumes adapted for receiving and discharging a working fluid at high and intermediate temperatures, respectively; piston means in said second cylinder movable between advanced and retracted positions to form a power chamber of expanding and diminishing volume adapted for receiving and discharging a working fluid; displacer piston means in said third cylinder movable between advanced and retracted positions to form in said cylinder a refrigerator expander chamber and a second balancing compressor chamber of alternately expanding and diminishing volumes adapted for receiving and discharging a working fluid at a low temperature and at said intermediate temperature, respectively; linking means connecting said piston means and displacer piston means in such manner that the volumes of said expander chambers vary substantially in phase with each other and lead the volume of said power chamber by an angle on the order of 90 degrees; first flow passage means interconnecting said hot expander chamber, said first balancing compressor chamber, and said power chamber; second flow passage means interconnecting said refrigerator expander chamber, said second balancing compressor chamber, anD said power chamber; heat exchanger means disposed in each of said first and second flow passage means, one end of each heat exchanger means being connected to the expander chamber and the other end being connected to the balancing compressor chamber.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
278 words
In apparatus for producing refrigeration from thermal energy, refrigeration and work thermal energy, or refrigeration from thermal energy supplemented by work energy, means forming first, second, and third cylinders; displacer piston means in said first cylinder movable between said advanced and retracted positions to form in said cylinder a hot expander chamber and a first balancing compressor chamber of alternately expanding and diminishing volumes adapted for receiving and discharging a working fluid at high and intermediate temperatures, respectively; piston means in said second cylinder movable between advanced and retracted positions to form a power chamber of expanding and diminishing volume adapted for receiving and discharging a working fluid; displacer piston means in said third cylinder movable between advanced and retracted positions to form in said cylinder a refrigerator expander chamber and a second balancing compressor chamber of alternately expanding and diminishing volumes adapted for receiving and discharging a working fluid at a low temperature and at said intermediate temperature, respectively; linking means connecting said piston means and displacer piston means in such manner that the volumes of said expander chambers vary substantially in phase with each other and lead the volume of said power chamber by an angle on the order of 90 degrees; first flow passage means interconnecting said hot expander chamber, said first balancing compressor chamber, and said power chamber; second flow passage means interconnecting said refrigerator expander chamber, said second balancing compressor chamber, anD said power chamber; heat exchanger means disposed in each of said first and second flow passage means, one end of each heat exchanger means being connected to the expander chamber and the other end being connected to the balancing compressor chamber.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
235 words
In apparatus for producing refrigeration from thermal energy, refrigeration and work from thermal energy or refrigeration from thermal energy supplemented by work energy, means forming first and second cylinders; displacer and power piston means in said first cylinder movable between advanced and retracted positions to form a hot expander chamber and a compressor chamber of expanding and diminishing volumes adapted to receive and discharge a working fluid at high and intermediate temperatures; displacer piston means in said second cylinder movable between advanced and retracted positions to form a refrigerator expander chamber and a balancing chamber of alternately expanding and contracting volumes adapted to receive and discharge a working fluid at a low temperature and at said intermediate temperature, respectively; linking means connecting said displacer and power piston means in such manner that the volumes of said expander chambers vary substantially in phase with each other and lead the volume of said compressor chamber first flow passage means interconnecting said hot expander chamber and said compressor chamber; first heat exchanger means disposed in said first heat flow passage means; second flow passage means interconnecting said refrigerator expander chamber, said balancing volume, and said compressor chamber; and second heat exchanger means disposed in said second flow passage means, one end of said heat exchanger means being connected to said refrigerator expander chamber and the other end being connected to said balancing chamber and to said compressor chamber.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
235 words
In apparatus for producing refrigeration from thermal energy, refrigeration and work from thermal energy or refrigeration from thermal energy supplemented by work energy, means forming first and second cylinders; displacer and power piston means in said first cylinder movable between advanced and retracted positions to form a hot expander chamber and a compressor chamber of expanding and diminishing volumes adapted to receive and discharge a working fluid at high and intermediate temperatures; displacer piston means in said second cylinder movable between advanced and retracted positions to form a refrigerator expander chamber and a balancing chamber of alternately expanding and contracting volumes adapted to receive and discharge a working fluid at a low temperature and at said intermediate temperature, respectively; linking means connecting said displacer and power piston means in such manner that the volumes of said expander chambers vary substantially in phase with each other and lead the volume of said compressor chamber first flow passage means interconnecting said hot expander chamber and said compressor chamber; first heat exchanger means disposed in said first heat flow passage means; second flow passage means interconnecting said refrigerator expander chamber, said balancing volume, and said compressor chamber; and second heat exchanger means disposed in said second flow passage means, one end of said heat exchanger means being connected to said refrigerator expander chamber and the other end being connected to said balancing chamber and to said compressor chamber.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
202 words
In apparatus for producing refrigeration from thermal energy, refrigeration and work from thermal energy, or refrigeration from thermal energy supplemented by work energy, means forming first and second cylinders; displacer and power piston means in each of said cylinders movable between advanced and retracted positions to form in said first cylinder a hot expander chamber and a first compressor chamber and in said second cylinder a refrigerator expander chamber and a second compressor chamber of expanding and diminishing volumes adapted to receive and discharge a working fluid at three temperature levels; linking means connecting said displacer and power piston means in such manner that the volumes of said expander chambers vary substantially in phase with each other and lead the volumes of said compressor chambers by an angle on the order of 90* to 120*, the volumes of said compressor chambers varying substantially in phase with each other; first flow passage means interconnecting said hot expander chamber and said first compressor chamber; second flow passage means interconnecting said refrigerator expander chamber and said second compressor chamber; heat exchanger means disposed in each of said first and second flow passage means; and additional flow passage means interconnecting said first and second compressor chambers.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
202 words
In apparatus for producing refrigeration from thermal energy, refrigeration and work from thermal energy, or refrigeration from thermal energy supplemented by work energy, means forming first and second cylinders; displacer and power piston means in each of said cylinders movable between advanced and retracted positions to form in said first cylinder a hot expander chamber and a first compressor chamber and in said second cylinder a refrigerator expander chamber and a second compressor chamber of expanding and diminishing volumes adapted to receive and discharge a working fluid at three temperature levels; linking means connecting said displacer and power piston means in such manner that the volumes of said expander chambers vary substantially in phase with each other and lead the volumes of said compressor chambers by an angle on the order of 90* to 120*, the volumes of said compressor chambers varying substantially in phase with each other; first flow passage means interconnecting said hot expander chamber and said first compressor chamber; second flow passage means interconnecting said refrigerator expander chamber and said second compressor chamber; heat exchanger means disposed in each of said first and second flow passage means; and additional flow passage means interconnecting said first and second compressor chambers.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
182 words
In apparatus for producing refrigeration from thermal energy, refrigeration and work from thermal energy, means forming first and second cylinders; displacer and power piston means in each of said cylinders movable between advanced and retracted positions to form in said first cylinder a hot expander chamber and a first compressor chamber and in said second cylinder a refrigerator expander chamber and a second compressor chamber of expanding and diminishing volumes adapted to receive and discharge a working fluid at three temperature levels; said displacer and power piston means being arranged in such manner that the volumes of said expander chambers vary substantially in phase with each other and lead the volumes of said compressor chambers, the volumes of said compressor chambers varying subsTantially in phase with each other; first flow passage means interconnecting said hot expander chamber and said first compressor chamber; second flow passage means interconnecting said refrigerator expander chamber and said second compressor chamber; heat exchanger means disposed in each of said first and second flow passage means; and additinal flow passage means interconnecting said first and second compressor chambers.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
182 words
In apparatus for producing refrigeration from thermal energy, refrigeration and work from thermal energy, means forming first and second cylinders; displacer and power piston means in each of said cylinders movable between advanced and retracted positions to form in said first cylinder a hot expander chamber and a first compressor chamber and in said second cylinder a refrigerator expander chamber and a second compressor chamber of expanding and diminishing volumes adapted to receive and discharge a working fluid at three temperature levels; said displacer and power piston means being arranged in such manner that the volumes of said expander chambers vary substantially in phase with each other and lead the volumes of said compressor chambers, the volumes of said compressor chambers varying subsTantially in phase with each other; first flow passage means interconnecting said hot expander chamber and said first compressor chamber; second flow passage means interconnecting said refrigerator expander chamber and said second compressor chamber; heat exchanger means disposed in each of said first and second flow passage means; and additinal flow passage means interconnecting said first and second compressor chambers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-27 | 1977-11-26 | 1978-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-27 | 1981-11-26 | 1982-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-27 | 1985-11-26 | 1986-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |