Heat pump system

Claim 2

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a heat engine, said heat engine having a heat rejection circuit with means for receiving rejected heat from said heat engine, a primary heat exchanger connected to said means for receiving rejected heat, an evaporator in heat exchange relation with said primary heat exchanger, a heat engine indoor heat exchanger, a heat engine outdoor heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said heat engine with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of vapor from said evaporator to said heat engine indoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of vapor from said evaporator to said heat engine outdoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position.

Claim 3

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 1, said heat engine indoor heat exchanger being disposed downstream in the fluid flow from said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger under all conditions of heating and cooling, and said heat engine outdoor heat exchanger being disposed downstream in the fluid flow from said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger under all conditions of heating and cooling.

Claim 4

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 2, including first duct means defining a first series air flow path across both of said indoor heat exchangers, and second duct means defining a second series air flow path across both of said outdoor heat exchangers.

Claim 5

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 2, said heat engine being a prime mover expander connected to a vapor generator.

Claim 6

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 2, said heat engine being a non-Rankine cycle engine.

Claim 7

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 2, said refrigeration circuit indoor and outdoor heat exchangers using a predetermined heat exchange fluid, and said heat engine evaporator and indoor and outdoor heat exchangers also using said predetermined heat exchange fluid.

Claim 8

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 6, said indoor and outdoor heat exchangers each having an inlet and an outlet, fifth valve means connecting said outlets of said indoor heat exchangers, and sixth valve means connecting said outlets of said outdoor heat exchangers.

Claim 9

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 7, said fifth and sixth valve means each being a back pressure regulator for maintaining fluid in said heat engine heat exchanger at a greater pressure level than fluid in said refrigeration heat exchanger, seventh valve means connecting said inlets of said indoor heat exchangers, and eighth valve means connecting said inlets of said outdoor heat exchangers.

Claim 10

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a power circuit having a vapor generator with an inlet and an outlet, a prime mover, a power circuit condenser connected to said vapor generator outlet, a power circuit evaporator in heat exchange relation with said power circuit condenser, a power circuit indoor heat exchanger, a power circuit outdoor heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said prime mover with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of vapor from said power circuit evaporator to said power circuit indoor heat exchanger when said prime mover is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of vapor from said power circuit evaporator to said power circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said prime mover is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position.

Claim 11

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a power circuit having a vapor generator with an inlet and an outlet, a prime mover, a power circuit condenser connected to said vapor generator outlet, a power circuit evaporator in heat exchange relation with said power circuit condenser, a power circuit indoor heat exchanger, a power circuit outdoor heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said prime mover with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of vapor from said power circuit evaporator to said power circuit indoor heat exchanger when said prime mover is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of vapor from said power circuit evaporator to said power circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said prime mover is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position.

Claim 12

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a power circuit having a vapor generator with an inlet and an outlet, a prime mover, an indoor power circuit heat exchanger, an outdoor power circuit heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said prime mover with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of heat from said vapor generator outlet to said power circuit indoor heat exchanger when said prime mover is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said vapor generator outlet to said power circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said prime mover is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is noved to said heating position, and the same heat exchange fluid flowing through both of said indoor heat exchangers and through both of said outdoor heat exchangers and through said first and second and third and fourth valve means.

Claim 13

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a power circuit having a vapor generator with an inlet and an outlet, a prime mover, an indoor power circuit heat exchanger, an outdoor power circuit heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said prime mover with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of heat from said vapor generator outlet to said power circuit indoor heat exchanger when said prime mover is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said vapor generator outlet to said power circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said prime mover is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is noved to said heating position, and the same heat exchange fluid flowing through both of said indoor heat exchangers and through both of said outdoor heat exchangers and through said first and second and third and fourth valve means.

Claim 14

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 10, said power circuit indoor heat exchanger being disposed downstream in the fluid flow from said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger under all conditions of heating and cooling, and said power circuit outdoor heat exchanger being disposed downstream in the fluid flow from said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger under all conditions of heating and cooling.

Claim 15

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 11, said first and second and third and fourth valve means all being disposed in a single integral valve housing.

Claim 16

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a vapor power circuit having a vapor generator with an inlet and an outlet, a prime mover expander having an inlet and an outlet, means connecting said vapor generator outlet with said prime mover expander inlet, a vapor power circuit condenser, a vapor power circuit evaporator in heat exchange relation with said vapor power circuit condenser, a vapor power circuit indoor heat exchanger, a vapor power circuit outdoor heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said prime mover expander with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of vapor from said vapor power circuit evaporator to said vapor power circuit indoor heat exchanger when said prime mover expander is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of vapor from said vapor power circuit evaporator to said vapor power circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said prime mover expander is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position.

Claim 17

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a vapor power circuit having a vapor generator with an inlet and an outlet, a prime mover expander having an inlet and an outlet, means connecting said vapor generator outlet with said prime mover expander inlet, a vapor power circuit condenser, a vapor power circuit evaporator in heat exchange relation with said vapor power circuit condenser, a vapor power circuit indoor heat exchanger, a vapor power circuit outdoor heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said prime mover expander with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of vapor from said vapor power circuit evaporator to said vapor power circuit indoor heat exchanger when said prime mover expander is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of vapor from said vapor power circuit evaporator to said vapor power circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said prime mover expander is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position.

Claim 18

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 13, said vapor power circuit indoor heat exchanger being disposed downstream in the fluid flow from said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger under all conditions of heating and cooling, and said vapor power circuit outdoor heat exchanger being disposed downstream in the fluid flow from said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger under all conditions of heating and cooling.

Claim 19

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 14, including first duct means defining a first series air flow path across both of said indoor heat exchangers, and second duct means defining a second series air flow path across both of said outdoor heat exchangers.

Claim 20

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a vapor power circuit having a vapor generator with an inlet and an outlet, a prime mover expander having an inlet and an outlet, means connecting said vapor generator outlet with said prime mover expander inlet, an indoor vapor power circuit heat exchanger, an outdoor vapor power circuit heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said prime mover expander with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of heat from said prime mover expander outlet to said vapor power circuit indoor heat exchanger when said prime mover expander is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said prime mover expander outlet to said vapor power circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said prime mover expander is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position, and the same heat exchange fluid flowing through both of said indoor heat exchangers and through both of said outdoor heat exchangers and through said first and second and third and fourth valve means.

Claim 21

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a vapor power circuit having a vapor generator with an inlet and an outlet, a prime mover expander having an inlet and an outlet, means connecting said vapor generator outlet with said prime mover expander inlet, an indoor vapor power circuit heat exchanger, an outdoor vapor power circuit heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said prime mover expander with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of heat from said prime mover expander outlet to said vapor power circuit indoor heat exchanger when said prime mover expander is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said prime mover expander outlet to said vapor power circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said prime mover expander is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position, and the same heat exchange fluid flowing through both of said indoor heat exchangers and through both of said outdoor heat exchangers and through said first and second and third and fourth valve means.

Claim 22

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a non-Rankine heat engine, said heat engine having a heat rejection circuit with means for receiving rejected heat from said heat engine, a heat engine indoor heat exchanger, a heat engine outdoor heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said heat engine with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of heat from said means for receiving rejected heat to said heat engine indoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said means for receiving rejected heat to said heat engine outdoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position.

Claim 23

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a non-Rankine heat engine, said heat engine having a heat rejection circuit with means for receiving rejected heat from said heat engine, a heat engine indoor heat exchanger, a heat engine outdoor heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said heat engine with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of heat from said means for receiving rejected heat to said heat engine indoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said means for receiving rejected heat to said heat engine outdoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position.

Claim 24

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 17, said heat engine indoor heat exchanger being disposed downstream in the fluid flow from said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger under all conditions of heating and cooling, and said heat engine outdoor heat exchanger being disposed downstream in the fluid flow from said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger under all conditions of heating and cooling.

Claim 25

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 18, including first duct means defining a first series air flow path across both of said indoor heat exchangers, and second duct means defining a second series air flow path across both of said outdoor heat exchangers.

Claim 26

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 17, said heat engine being a Stirling cycle engine.

Claim 27

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 17, said heat rejection circuit including a condenser connected to said source of rejected heat, an evaporator in heat exchange relation with said condenser, and means connecting said evaporator and said heat engine indoor and outdoor heat exchangers.

Claim 28

In a building having an inside and an outside, an air heating and cooling system comprising: an expansion type refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and conduit means connecting said compressor outlet with each of said refrigeration circuit indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, a power circuit having a heat engine with heat rejection surfaces, an indoor power circuit heat exchanger, an outdoor power circuit heat exchanger, conduit means connecting said heat rejection surfaces with each of said power circuit indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, first air moving means conducting air from inside said building in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second air moving means conducting air from outside said building in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means drivingly interconnecting said heat engine with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of heat from said heat engine heat rejection surfaces to said power circuit indoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said heat engine heat rejection surfaces to said power circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position.

Claim 29

In a building having an inside and an outside, an air heating and cooling system comprising: an expansion type refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and conduit means connecting said compressor outlet with each of said refrigeration circuit indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, a power circuit having a heat engine with heat rejection surfaces, an indoor power circuit heat exchanger, an outdoor power circuit heat exchanger, conduit means connecting said heat rejection surfaces with each of said power circuit indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, first air moving means conducting air from inside said building in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second air moving means conducting air from outside said building in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means drivingly interconnecting said heat engine with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of heat from said heat engine heat rejection surfaces to said power circuit indoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said heat engine heat rejection surfaces to said power circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position.

Claim 30

An air heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 22, including a housing compartment, said heat engine and compressor being disposed inside said housing compartment, and said indoor heat exchangers and outdoor heat exchangers being disposed outside said housing compartment.

Claim 31

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a power circuit having a heat engine with heat rejection surfaces, a condenser connected to said heat rejection surfaces, an evaporator in heat exchange relation with said condenser, a power circuit indoor heat exchanger, a power circuit outdoor heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said prime mover expander with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of vapor from said evaporator to said power circuit indoor heat exchanger when said prime mover expander is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of vapor from said evaporator to said power circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said prime mover expander is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position.

Claim 32

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a power circuit having a heat engine with heat rejection surfaces, a condenser connected to said heat rejection surfaces, an evaporator in heat exchange relation with said condenser, a power circuit indoor heat exchanger, a power circuit outdoor heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said prime mover expander with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of vapor from said evaporator to said power circuit indoor heat exchanger when said prime mover expander is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of vapor from said evaporator to said power circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said prime mover expander is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position.

Claim 33

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 24, said power circuit indoor heat exchanger being disposed downstream in the fluid flow from said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger under all conditions of heating and cooling, and said vapor power circuit outdoor heat exchanger being disposed downstream in the fluid flow from said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger under all conditions of heating and cooling.

Claim 34

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 24, said refrigeration circuit indoor and outdoor heat exchangers using a predetermined heat exchange fluid, and said power circuit evaporator and indoor and outdoor heat exchangers also using said predetermined heat exchanger fluid.

Claim 35

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 26, said indoor and outdoor heat exchangers each having an inlet and an outlet, fifth valve means connecting said outlets of said indoor heat exchangers, and sixth valve means connecting said outlets of said outdoor heat exchangers.

Claim 36

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 26, fifth valve means connecting said inlets of said indoor heat exchangers, and sixth valve means connecting said inlets of said outdoor heat exchangers.

Claim 37

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 24, including a housing compartment, said compressor and heat engine and condenser and evaporator each being disposed inside said housing compartment, said indoor heat exchangers and said outdoor heat exchangers each being disposed outside of said housing compartment.

Claim 38

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a non-Rankine heat engine, said heat engine having a heat rejection circuit with means for receiving rejected heat from said heat engine, a heat engine indoor heat exchanger, a heat engine outdoor heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said heat engine with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of heat from said source of rejected heat to said heat engine indoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said source of rejected heat to said heat engine outdoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor circuit to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position, and the same heat exchange fluid flowing through both of said indoor heat exchangers and through both of said outdoor heat exchangers and through said first and second and third and fourth valve means.

Claim 39

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a non-Rankine heat engine, said heat engine having a heat rejection circuit with means for receiving rejected heat from said heat engine, a heat engine indoor heat exchanger, a heat engine outdoor heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said heat engine with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of heat from said source of rejected heat to said heat engine indoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said source of rejected heat to said heat engine outdoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor circuit to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position, and the same heat exchange fluid flowing through both of said indoor heat exchangers and through both of said outdoor heat exchangers and through said first and second and third and fourth valve means.

Claim 40

A fluid heating and cooling system as set forth in claim 30, said first and second and third and fourth valve means being disposed in a single integral valve housing.

Claim 41

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a power circuit having a vapor generator with an inlet and an outlet, a prime mover, an indoor power circuit heat exchanger, an outdoor power circuit heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said prime mover with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of heat from said vapor generator outlet to said power circuit indoor heat exchanger when said prime mover is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said vapor generator outlet to said power circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said prime mover is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position, the same heat exchange fluid flowing through both of said indoor heat exchangers and through both of said outdoor heat exchangers and through said first and second and third and fourth valve means, each of said heat exchangers having an inlet and an outlet, fifth valve means connecting said outlets of said indoor heat exchangers, said fifth valve means being a back pressure regulator for maintaining the fluid pressure in said power circuit indoor heat exchanger above the fluid pressure in said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger.

Claim 42

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a power circuit having a vapor generator with an inlet and an outlet, a prime mover, an indoor power circuit heat exchanger, an outdoor power circuit heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said prime mover with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of heat from said vapor generator outlet to said power circuit indoor heat exchanger when said prime mover is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said vapor generator outlet to said power circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said prime mover is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position, the same heat exchange fluid flowing through both of said indoor heat exchangers and through both of said outdoor heat exchangers and through said first and second and third and fourth valve means, each of said heat exchangers having an inlet and an outlet, fifth valve means connecting said outlets of said indoor heat exchangers, said fifth valve means being a back pressure regulator for maintaining the fluid pressure in said power circuit indoor heat exchanger above the fluid pressure in said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger.

Claim 43

A fluid heating and cooling system as in claim 32, including sixth valve means connecting said outlets of said outdoor heat exchangers, said sixth valve means being a back pressure regulator for maintaining the fluid pressure in said power circuit outdoor heat exchanger above the fluid pressure in said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger.

Claim 44

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a power circuit having a vapor generator with an inlet and an outlet, a prime mover, an indoor power circuit heat exchanger, an outdoor power circuit heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said prime mover with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of heat from said vapor generator outlet to said power circuit indoor heat exchanger when said prime mover is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said vapor generator outlet to said power circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said prime mover is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position, the same heat exchange fluid flowing through both of said indoor heat exchangers and through both of said outdoor heat exchangers and through said first and second and third and fourth valve means, each of said heat exchangers having an inlet and an outlet, fifth valve means connecting said inlets of said outdoor heat exchangers, said fifth valve means being open so that both of said outdoor heat exchangers serve as the refrigeration circuit evaporator when said second and fourth valve means are in said heating positions.

Claim 45

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a power circuit having a vapor generator with an inlet and an outlet, a prime mover, an indoor power circuit heat exchanger, an outdoor power circuit heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said prime mover with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of heat from said vapor generator outlet to said power circuit indoor heat exchanger when said prime mover is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said vapor generator outlet to said power circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said prime mover is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position, the same heat exchange fluid flowing through both of said indoor heat exchangers and through both of said outdoor heat exchangers and through said first and second and third and fourth valve means, each of said heat exchangers having an inlet and an outlet, fifth valve means connecting said inlets of said outdoor heat exchangers, said fifth valve means being open so that both of said outdoor heat exchangers serve as the refrigeration circuit evaporator when said second and fourth valve means are in said heating positions.

Claim 46

A fluid heating and cooling system as in claim 34, including sixth valve means connecting said inlets of said indoor heat exchangers, said sixth valve means being open so that both of said indoor heat exchangers serve as the refrigeration circuit evaporator when said first and third valve means are in said cooling positions.

Claim 47

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a vapor power circuit having a vapor generator with an inlet and an outlet, a prime mover expander having an inlet and an outlet, means connecting said vapor generator outlet with said prime mover expander inlet, and indoor vapor power circuit heat exchanger, an outdoor vapor power circuit heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said prime mover expander with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of heat from said prime mover expander outlet to said vapor power circuit indoor heat exchanger when said prime mover expander is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said prime mover expander outlet to said vapor power circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said prime mover expander is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position; the same heat exchange fluid flowing through both of said indoor heat exchangers and through both of said outdoor heat exchangers and through said first and second and third and fourth valve means, each of said heat exchangers having an inlet and an outlet, fifth valve means connecting said outlets of said indoor heat exchangers, sixth valve means connecting said outlets of said outdoor heat exchangers, said fifth and sixth valve means each being a back pressure regulator for maintaining the fluid pressure in its associated vapor power circuit heat exchanger above the fluid pressure in its associated refrigeration circuit heat exchanger.

Claim 48

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a vapor power circuit having a vapor generator with an inlet and an outlet, a prime mover expander having an inlet and an outlet, means connecting said vapor generator outlet with said prime mover expander inlet, and indoor vapor power circuit heat exchanger, an outdoor vapor power circuit heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said prime mover expander with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of heat from said prime mover expander outlet to said vapor power circuit indoor heat exchanger when said prime mover expander is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said prime mover expander outlet to said vapor power circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said prime mover expander is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position; the same heat exchange fluid flowing through both of said indoor heat exchangers and through both of said outdoor heat exchangers and through said first and second and third and fourth valve means, each of said heat exchangers having an inlet and an outlet, fifth valve means connecting said outlets of said indoor heat exchangers, sixth valve means connecting said outlets of said outdoor heat exchangers, said fifth and sixth valve means each being a back pressure regulator for maintaining the fluid pressure in its associated vapor power circuit heat exchanger above the fluid pressure in its associated refrigeration circuit heat exchanger.

Claim 49

A fluid heating and cooling system as in claim 36, including seventh valve means connecting said inlets of said indoor heat exchangers, eighth valve means connecting said inlets of said outdoor heat exchangers, whereby both of said indoor heat exchangers serve as the evaporator for said refrigeration circuit when said first and third valve means are in said cooling positions, and whereby both of said outdoor heat exchangers serve as the evaporator for said refrigeration circuit when said second and fourth valve means are in said heating positions.

Claim 50

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a non-Rankine heat engine, said heat engine having a heat rejection circuit with means for receiving rejected heat from said heat engine, a heat engine indoor heat exchanger, a heat engine outdoor heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said heat engine with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for disconnecting flow of heat from said source of rejected heat to said heat engine indoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said source of rejected heat to said heat engine outdoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position, the same heat exchange fluid flowing through both of said indoor heat exchangers and through both of said indoor heat exchangers and through said first and second and third and fourth valve means, each of said heat exchangers having an inlet and an outlet, fifth valve means connecting said outlets of said indoor heat exchangers, sixth valve means connecting said outlets of said outdoor heat exchangers, said fifth and sixth valve means each being a back pressure regulator for maintaining the fluid pressure in its associated heat engine heat exchanger above the fluid pressure in its associated refrigeration circuit heat exchanger.

Claim 51

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a non-Rankine heat engine, said heat engine having a heat rejection circuit with means for receiving rejected heat from said heat engine, a heat engine indoor heat exchanger, a heat engine outdoor heat exchanger, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said heat engine with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for disconnecting flow of heat from said source of rejected heat to said heat engine indoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said source of rejected heat to said heat engine outdoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position, the same heat exchange fluid flowing through both of said indoor heat exchangers and through both of said indoor heat exchangers and through said first and second and third and fourth valve means, each of said heat exchangers having an inlet and an outlet, fifth valve means connecting said outlets of said indoor heat exchangers, sixth valve means connecting said outlets of said outdoor heat exchangers, said fifth and sixth valve means each being a back pressure regulator for maintaining the fluid pressure in its associated heat engine heat exchanger above the fluid pressure in its associated refrigeration circuit heat exchanger.

Claim 52

A fluid heating and cooling system as in claim 38, including seventh valve means connecting said inlets of said indoor heat exchangers, eighth valve means connecting said inlets of said outdoor heat exchangers, whereby both of said indoor heat exchangers serve as the evaporator for said refrigeration circuit when said first and third valve means are in said cooling positions, and whereby both of said outdoor heat exchangers serve as the evaporator for said refrigeration circuit when said second and fourth valve means are in said heating positions.

Claim 53

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a non-Rankine heat engine, said heat engine having a heat rejection circuit with means for receiving rejected heat from said heat engine, a heat engine indoor heat exchanger, a heat engine outdoor heat exchanger, an auxiliary vapor generator, means for connecting said auxiliary vapor generator to said means for receiving rejected heat, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said heat engine with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of heat from said means for receiving rejected heat to said heat engine indoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said means for receiving rejected heat to said heat engine outdoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position.

Claim 54

A fluid heating and cooling system comprising: a refrigeration circuit having a compressor with an inlet and an outlet, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger, a non-Rankine heat engine, said heat engine having a heat rejection circuit with means for receiving rejected heat from said heat engine, a heat engine indoor heat exchanger, a heat engine outdoor heat exchanger, an auxiliary vapor generator, means for connecting said auxiliary vapor generator to said means for receiving rejected heat, first fluid moving means for conducting a first fluid in series across both of said indoor heat exchangers, second fluid moving means for conducting a second fluid in series across both of said outdoor heat exchangers, means for drivingly interconnecting said heat engine with said compressor, first valve means movable to a cooling position for discontinuing flow of heat from said means for receiving rejected heat to said heat engine indoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, second valve means movable to a heating position for discontinuing flow of heat from said means for receiving rejected heat to said heat engine outdoor heat exchanger when said heat engine is drivingly connected to said compressor, third valve means movable to a cooling position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit outdoor heat exchanger when said first valve means is moved to said cooling position, fourth valve means movable to a heating position for connecting said compressor outlet to said refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger when said second valve means is moved to said heating position.