Patent US3921400A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3921400A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cryo-electric engine-refrigerator combination
Assignee: Philips North America LLC
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Filing: 1972-12-04
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Granted: 1975-11-25
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Expires: 1992-12-04
Abstract
Abstract A cryo-electric apparatus converts heat into both refrigeration and electrical power, the apparatus being operable in part according to the Vuilleumier thermodynamic cycle with interconnected compression and expansion spaces for a working gas, each of said spaces formed by a piston-cylinder assembly, the pistons operable through a crankshaft that also provides mechanical output power to drive a generator or alternator producing electrical power; a control system senses refrigeration and electrical output of and demands upon the apparatus and correspondingly regulates the apparatus which is essentially self-running once started.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald K Pitcher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:39
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02G; F02G1/00; F02G1/04; F02G1/043; F02G1/044; F02G1/0445; F02G2250/00; F02G2250/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
262 words
A self-regulating apparatus for use with a Vuilleumier (V-M) refrigerator for refrigerating a cryo-device which is in thermal communication therewith and which uses electric power, the refrigerator having a hot-end operable to receive heat from a source of heat, a cold-end where refrigeration is produced, working gas alternately compressed and expanded in said two ends, a cooler for discharging heat from the compressed gas, and a power output element with rerrigeration produced corresponding to the speed of said output element, the gas compression being excessive for the refrigeration produced with a resulting output power through said element, the regulating apparatus for controlling both long and short term operation of the V-M refrigerator according to predetermined operating parameters, comprising: electric power generator means driven by said shaft, means for monitoring the speed of said output element and registering the occurrence of either excessive or insufficient speed causing unsteady frequency, voltage, power or refrigeration, brake means operable with electric power from said generator for applying a resisting torque on said output element for controlling the speed of said element, control means responsive to said monitoring means directing an amount of said electric power to said brake means corresponding to the amount of excessive or insufficient speed of said output element as a short term control, the control means also directing electric power to said cryo-device when so demanded, the apparatus further comprising a heat exchanger for absorbing heat from said generator, brake, and cooler, the control means further comprising means for varying the heat received by said hot end as a long term control.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
262 words
A self-regulating apparatus for use with a Vuilleumier (V-M) refrigerator for refrigerating a cryo-device which is in thermal communication therewith and which uses electric power, the refrigerator having a hot-end operable to receive heat from a source of heat, a cold-end where refrigeration is produced, working gas alternately compressed and expanded in said two ends, a cooler for discharging heat from the compressed gas, and a power output element with rerrigeration produced corresponding to the speed of said output element, the gas compression being excessive for the refrigeration produced with a resulting output power through said element, the regulating apparatus for controlling both long and short term operation of the V-M refrigerator according to predetermined operating parameters, comprising: electric power generator means driven by said shaft, means for monitoring the speed of said output element and registering the occurrence of either excessive or insufficient speed causing unsteady frequency, voltage, power or refrigeration, brake means operable with electric power from said generator for applying a resisting torque on said output element for controlling the speed of said element, control means responsive to said monitoring means directing an amount of said electric power to said brake means corresponding to the amount of excessive or insufficient speed of said output element as a short term control, the control means also directing electric power to said cryo-device when so demanded, the apparatus further comprising a heat exchanger for absorbing heat from said generator, brake, and cooler, the control means further comprising means for varying the heat received by said hot end as a long term control.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said V-M refrigerator has two hot-ends operable with a single cold end, the two hot ends being spaced apart in opposing relation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for storing electrical power from said generator, said cryo-device in circuit to receive electric power from said generator via said storage means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said generator is a dc generator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
221 words
A Vuilleumier-cycle refrigerator apparatus operable with a source of heat for refrigerating a cryo-device which uses electric power, the apparatus having a hot-end for receiving heat from said source, a cold-end where refrigeration is produced, a quantity of working gas alternately compressed and expanded in said ends, a cooler for disCharging heat from the compressed gas, and a rotary output shaft, the gas compression being excessive relative to the refrigeration produced such that shaft output power is available, the apparatus including means for regulating both short and long term operation of said apparatus comprising: first means for converting shaft output power into electrical power, second means sensing excessive or insufficient shaft rotation speed causing unsteady frequency, voltage power or refrigeration output and providing a corresponding signal information, third means using electric power from said first means for applying a resisting torque to said shaft, control means first for receiving information from said second means and directing electric power corresponding to said excessive or insufficient speed to said third means to maintain steady shaft speed by compensating for excessive or insufficient shaft speed as short term control, and second for varying the heat received by said hot-end as long term control, said control means also directing electric power to said cryo-device as needed, the apparatus being self-regulating according to predetermined operating parameters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
221 words
A Vuilleumier-cycle refrigerator apparatus operable with a source of heat for refrigerating a cryo-device which uses electric power, the apparatus having a hot-end for receiving heat from said source, a cold-end where refrigeration is produced, a quantity of working gas alternately compressed and expanded in said ends, a cooler for disCharging heat from the compressed gas, and a rotary output shaft, the gas compression being excessive relative to the refrigeration produced such that shaft output power is available, the apparatus including means for regulating both short and long term operation of said apparatus comprising: first means for converting shaft output power into electrical power, second means sensing excessive or insufficient shaft rotation speed causing unsteady frequency, voltage power or refrigeration output and providing a corresponding signal information, third means using electric power from said first means for applying a resisting torque to said shaft, control means first for receiving information from said second means and directing electric power corresponding to said excessive or insufficient speed to said third means to maintain steady shaft speed by compensating for excessive or insufficient shaft speed as short term control, and second for varying the heat received by said hot-end as long term control, said control means also directing electric power to said cryo-device as needed, the apparatus being self-regulating according to predetermined operating parameters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said first means is an alternator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
215 words
An engine-refrigerator apparatus operable with heat from a source for refrigerating a cryo-device, comprising: a Vuilleumier-cycle (V-M) device which when operated produced both refrigeration and output power, the V-M device having a hot-end for receiving heat, a cold finger part for communicating said refrigeration, and a rotary shaft for communicating said output power; means for communicating said heat to said hot-end of the V-M apparatus; first means driven by said shaft for converting said output power to electrical power; second means for sensing any variation above or below the design speed of the rotation speed of said shaft and providing corresponding signal information; third means operable by electric power from said first means for applying a resisting torque to said shaft; a heat exchanger for absorbing heat from said V-M apparatus and from said first and third means; fourth means communicating refrigeration from said cold finger to said cryo-device; fifth means for regulating said assembly, this fifth means receiving electrical power from said first means and signal information from said second means, and selectively, according to predetermined parameters, conducting electric current to said cryo-device, to said third means directing samme to apply greater or lesser resisting torque to said shaft, and to said heat exchanger, whereby the assembly is self-regulating to maintain steady shaft speed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
215 words
An engine-refrigerator apparatus operable with heat from a source for refrigerating a cryo-device, comprising: a Vuilleumier-cycle (V-M) device which when operated produced both refrigeration and output power, the V-M device having a hot-end for receiving heat, a cold finger part for communicating said refrigeration, and a rotary shaft for communicating said output power; means for communicating said heat to said hot-end of the V-M apparatus; first means driven by said shaft for converting said output power to electrical power; second means for sensing any variation above or below the design speed of the rotation speed of said shaft and providing corresponding signal information; third means operable by electric power from said first means for applying a resisting torque to said shaft; a heat exchanger for absorbing heat from said V-M apparatus and from said first and third means; fourth means communicating refrigeration from said cold finger to said cryo-device; fifth means for regulating said assembly, this fifth means receiving electrical power from said first means and signal information from said second means, and selectively, according to predetermined parameters, conducting electric current to said cryo-device, to said third means directing samme to apply greater or lesser resisting torque to said shaft, and to said heat exchanger, whereby the assembly is self-regulating to maintain steady shaft speed.
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) | 1978-11-24 | 1979-05-26 | 1979-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-24 | 1983-05-26 | 1983-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-24 | 1987-05-26 | 1987-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |