Patent US4010621A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4010621A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Stirling cycle heat pump
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-12-30
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Granted: 1977-03-08
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Expires: 1994-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A heat pump which is based on the principle of the Stirling engine and in which the pistons are replaced by flexible metal bellows. The pumping chamber is embraced by a regenerator of corrugated metal ribbon construction and enclosed in a pressure-tight vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 Karlheinz Raetz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:03
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D9/00; F28D9/0031; F28D9/0037; F25; F25B; F25B9/00; F28D9/0012; F25B2309/00; F25B2309/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A heat pump which is operationally based on the Stirling cycle and which comprises: a. a heat regenerator, b. two heat exchangers for circulating a heat transferring liquid and disposed adjacent to opposite sides respectively of and communicating with said regenerator, c. two pumping chambers, each formed of a flexible metal bellows and disposed adjacent to and communicating with one of said heat exchangers, and d. means for driving said bellows to simultaneously expand one, and contract the other of said bellows alternately.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A heat pump which is operationally based on the Stirling cycle and which comprises: a. a heat regenerator, b. two heat exchangers for circulating a heat transferring liquid and disposed adjacent to opposite sides respectively of and communicating with said regenerator, c. two pumping chambers, each formed of a flexible metal bellows and disposed adjacent to and communicating with one of said heat exchangers, and d. means for driving said bellows to simultaneously expand one, and contract the other of said bellows alternately.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A heat pump as defined in claim 1, wherein the flexible metal bellows have welded edges, and the regenerator consists of a roll of corrugated metal foil material interleaved with smooth metal foil ribbon material to create interstices through which the working medium can pass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A heat pump as defined in claim 2, comprising two regenerators of which one embraces the metal bellows.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A heat pump as defined in claim 1, comprising a pot-shaped displacer encased in a plastics sheath projecting into said metal bellows.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
A heat pump as defined in claim 1, comprising a cross flow heat exchanger composed of elements consisting of two plates relatively spaced by projecting spacing ribs to form channels for the best transferring liquid, whereas the cross channels for the heat accepting air are formed by said elements being spaced apart by spacing strips interposed at right angles to said spacing webs separating the plates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A heat pump as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for driving said bellows comprises a. a drive shaft having two pairs of cranks, b. two cross beams spaced from said drive shaft and connected to said bellows respectively, and c. a pair of spaced connecting rods extending from each pair of cranks to each of said cross beams.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A heat pump as defined in claim 6 wherein said pairs of cranks are arranged such that said two bellows expand and contract in a harmonic cycle with a relative displacement of about ninety degrees.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A heat pump as defined in claim 1 further comprising an annular regenerator surrounding one of said bellows, said regenerator comprising a roll of corrugated metal foil ribbon material interleaved with smooth metal foil ribbon material to create interstices through which the working medium can pass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
A heat pump which is operationally based on the Stirling cycle and which comprises: a. a heat regenerator; b. at least one heat exchanger for circulating a heat transferring liquid and disposed adjacent to and communicating with said regenerator; c. at least one flexible metal bellows constituting a pumping chamber and disposed adjacent to and communicating with said heat exchanger; d. a high pressure vessel completely enclosing at least said bellows; and e. a gas at a pressure above atmospheric pressure in said vessel to increase the thermal output of said heat pump.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
A heat pump which is operationally based on the Stirling cycle and which comprises: a. a heat regenerator; b. at least one heat exchanger for circulating a heat transferring liquid and disposed adjacent to and communicating with said regenerator; c. at least one flexible metal bellows constituting a pumping chamber and disposed adjacent to and communicating with said heat exchanger; d. a high pressure vessel completely enclosing at least said bellows; and e. a gas at a pressure above atmospheric pressure in said vessel to increase the thermal output of said heat pump.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A heat pump as defined in claim 9 comprising a pot-shaped displacer encased in a plastic sheath projecting into said metal bellows.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
A heat pump as defined in claim 9 comprising a cross flow heat exchanger composed of elements consisting of two plates relatively spaced by projecting spacing ribs to form channels for the passage of het transferring liquid, said elements being spaced apart by spacing strips interposed at right angles to said spacing ribs to form cross channels for heat accepting gas.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of operating a heat pump which is operationally based on the Stirling cycle and includes a heat generator, at least one heat exchanger for circulating a heat transferring liquid and disposed adjacent and communicating with said regenerator, at least one flexible metal bellows constituting a pumping chamber and disposed adjacent to and communicating with said heat exchanger and a high pressure vessel completely enclosing at least said bellows, said method comprising maintaining a gas under pressure above atmospheric pressure in said vessel during operation of said heat pump to increase the thermal output of said heat pump.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of operating a heat pump which is operationally based on the Stirling cycle and includes a heat generator, at least one heat exchanger for circulating a heat transferring liquid and disposed adjacent and communicating with said regenerator, at least one flexible metal bellows constituting a pumping chamber and disposed adjacent to and communicating with said heat exchanger and a high pressure vessel completely enclosing at least said bellows, said method comprising maintaining a gas under pressure above atmospheric pressure in said vessel during operation of said heat pump to increase the thermal output of said heat pump.
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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) | 1980-03-07 | 1980-09-06 | 1981-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-07 | 1984-09-06 | 1985-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-07 | 1988-09-06 | 1989-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |