US4170116A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1978-01-18
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Granted: 1979-10-09
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Expires: 1998-01-18
Abstract
Abstract A continuous method and closed cycle system for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy comprises vaporizing means, including an energy conversion tube comprising at least one nozzle section, for converting a liquid working fluid stream to a predominantly, by volume, vapor or an all vapor stream, turbine means operated by the stream for converting a portion of the vapor stream energy to mechanical shaft work; means for increasing the thermal and potential energy of the turbine exhaust stream and for condensing it to a substantially liquid stream; and means for recycling the liquid stream to the vaporizing means. The system has particular application to conventional refrigeration/heat pump cycles wherein the conventional throttling valve is replaced by a non-throttling nozzle and a turbine for capturing and using the work of expansion. Energy conversion tubes of the present system also find application in high flow rate, two phase flow applications, such as pressure vessel safety relief valves.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth A. Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:34
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K21/00; F01K21/005; F01K25/00; F01K25/08; F25; F25B; F25B11/00; F25B11/02; F25B2309/00; F25B2309/06; F25B2400/00; F25B2400/14; F25B2400/141; F25B9/00; F25B9/002; F25B9/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
In a method for achieving heating or refrigeration including the steps of compressing a refrigerant vapor stream, condensing said vapor, expanding said resulting fluid stream to reduce its saturation temperature and pressure, and passing said expanded fluid stream in heat exchange relationship with a source of thermal energy to re-vaporize at least a portion thereof, the improvement comprising: expanding said fluid stream by passing it through at least one area of constricted flow while maintaining said flow in a substantially non-throttling condition to increase the kinetic energy thereof, and converting the kinetic energy of said resulting fluid stream to shaft work.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
In a method for achieving heating or refrigeration including the steps of compressing a refrigerant vapor stream, condensing said vapor, expanding said resulting fluid stream to reduce its saturation temperature and pressure, and passing said expanded fluid stream in heat exchange relationship with a source of thermal energy to re-vaporize at least a portion thereof, the improvement comprising: expanding said fluid stream by passing it through at least one area of constricted flow while maintaining said flow in a substantially non-throttling condition to increase the kinetic energy thereof, and converting the kinetic energy of said resulting fluid stream to shaft work.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid stream prior to expansion is in a substantially saturated liquid state.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said kinetic energy is converted to shaft work by passing said resulting fluid stream through an expansion engine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow through said area is disrupted to prevent metastable flow conditions therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein mechanical means are interposed in said fluid stream to disrupt said flow.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein wave energy is applied to said fluid stream to disrupt said flow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein a secondary stream is added to said fluid stream to disrupt said flow.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid stream is passed through a plurality of areas of constricted flow, the static pressure of said fluid stream in each said area being lower than the static pressure of said stream in the areas upstream thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said areas are spaced apart in the flow direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid is passed through a plurality of flow converging areas alternating with a plurality of flow diverging areas, the static pressure of said fluid in each said converging and diverging area being lower than the static pressure of said fluid in the respective counterpart converging and diverging areas upstream thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said flow through said area is disrupted to prevent metastable flow conditions therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein mechanical means are interposed in said fluid stream to disrupt said flow.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein wave energy is applied to said fluid stream to disrupt said flow.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein a secondary stream is added to said fluid stream to disrupt said flow.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said fluid stream is expanded by passing it through a plurality of areas of constricted flow, said areas being spaced apart in the flow direction; disrupting flow through said areas to prevent metastable flow conditions therein; and converting said kinetic energy to shaft work by passing said resulting fluid stream through an expansion engine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a closed cycle mechanical vapor heating or refrigeration system including compressor means for raising the temperature and pressure of a refrigerant vapor stream, condenser means for cooling said vapor stream to at least a substantially saturated liquid condition, means for expanding said liquid stream for reducing its saturation temperature and pressure, and evaporator means for passing said expanded stream in heat exchange relationship with a source of thermal energy to re-vaporize at least a portion thereof, the improvement comprising: said means for expanding said liquid stream comprising energy conversion means including at least one substantially non-throttling nozzle section to increase the kinetic energy of said stream, and expansion engine means for converting said stream kinetic energy to shaft work.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a closed cycle mechanical vapor heating or refrigeration system including compressor means for raising the temperature and pressure of a refrigerant vapor stream, condenser means for cooling said vapor stream to at least a substantially saturated liquid condition, means for expanding said liquid stream for reducing its saturation temperature and pressure, and evaporator means for passing said expanded stream in heat exchange relationship with a source of thermal energy to re-vaporize at least a portion thereof, the improvement comprising: said means for expanding said liquid stream comprising energy conversion means including at least one substantially non-throttling nozzle section to increase the kinetic energy of said stream, and expansion engine means for converting said stream kinetic energy to shaft work.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said nozzle section comprises an area of constricted flow.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as claimed in claim 16 including disrupting means for preventing metastable flow conditions in said energy conversion means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as claimed in claim 18, including mechanical flow disruptors interposed in said fluid stream.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as claimed in claim 18, including means for applying wave energy to said fluid stream.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as claimed in claim 18, including means for adding a secondary flow stream to said fluid stream.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said energy conversion means includes a plurality of spaced apart nozzle sections.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as claimed in claim 22 wherein said plurality of nozzle sections includes a plurality of areas of constricted flow spaced apart in the flow direction, each said area having a greater flow restriction than the areas upstream thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as claimed in claim 22 wherein said plurality of nozzle sections includes a plurality of areas of constricted flow spaced apart in the flow direction, each said area having a lesser flow restriction than the areas upstream thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said energy conversion means includes a plurality of flow converging areas alternating with a plurality of flow diverging areas.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said flow converging areas are nozzle sections, said flow diverging areas are difuser sections, and the first section of said energy conversion means is a nozzle section.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said flow converging areas are diffuser sections, said flow diverging areas are nozzle sections, and the first section of said energy conversion means is a nozzle section.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as claimed in claim 22, including disrupting means for preventing metastable flow conditions in said energy conversion means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as claimed in claim 28, including mechanical flow disruptors interposed in said fluid means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as claimed in claim 28, including means for applying wave energy to said fluid stream.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as claimed in claim 28, including means for adding a secondary flow stream to said fluid stream.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3934424A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-10-08 | 1983-04-09 | 1983-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-10-08 | 1987-04-09 | 1987-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-10-08 | 1991-04-09 | 1991-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |