US4402188A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nested thermal reservoirs with heat pumping therebetween
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-10-01
•
Granted: 1983-09-06
•
Expires: 2001-10-01
Abstract
Abstract An assembly of nested thermal reservoirs has an inner reservoir at an extreme temperature surrounded by one or more reservoirs at moderate temperatures. Over time, heat flow would equilibrate reservoir temperatures thereby loosing available thermal energy. At least a portion of the heat lost by the inner to an outer reservoir is restored by a heat pump operating therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen F. Skala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:38
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J37/00; A47J27/00; A47J27/14; A47J27/16; A47J27/17; F; F24; F24D; F24D11/00; F24D11/02; F25; F25B; F25B29/00; F25D; F25D31/00; F25D31/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A process for energy efficient recharging of an inner thermal reservoir at an extreme temperature by heat exchange with a surrounding thermal reservoir at a moderate temperature, comprising the steps of: selecting from a plurality of reservoirs in a nested configuration a pair of reservoirs for heat transfer therebetween, exchanging heat between a hot surface of a heat pump and the warmer reservoir of the selected pair, and exchanging heat between a cold surface of the heat pump and the cooler reservoir of the selected pair.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A process for energy efficient recharging of an inner thermal reservoir at an extreme temperature by heat exchange with a surrounding thermal reservoir at a moderate temperature, comprising the steps of: selecting from a plurality of reservoirs in a nested configuration a pair of reservoirs for heat transfer therebetween, exchanging heat between a hot surface of a heat pump and the warmer reservoir of the selected pair, and exchanging heat between a cold surface of the heat pump and the cooler reservoir of the selected pair.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the step of exchanging heat between the hot surface and the warmer reservoir comprises transporting a thermal exchange fluid between the hot surface and the warmer reservoir, and the step of exchanging heat between the cold surface and the cooler reservoir comprises transporting a thermal exchange fluid between the cold surface and the cooler reservoir.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the heat pump transfers heat from the cold surface to the hot surface by compressing and expanding a noncondensible gas substantially in a reverse Carnot cycle.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
93 words
A system of thermal reservoirs, comprising: a plurality of reservoirs in a nested configuration comprising an inner reservoir at an extreme temperature surrounded by a reservoir at a moderate temperature whereby heat flows to reduce the temperature difference therebetween, a heat pump having a hot surface and a cold surface, means for exchanging heat between the hot surface and the warmer of said reservoirs, and means for exchanging heat between the cold surface and the cooler of said reservoirs thereby using the surrounding reservoir as a heat source for recharging the inner reservoir.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
93 words
A system of thermal reservoirs, comprising: a plurality of reservoirs in a nested configuration comprising an inner reservoir at an extreme temperature surrounded by a reservoir at a moderate temperature whereby heat flows to reduce the temperature difference therebetween, a heat pump having a hot surface and a cold surface, means for exchanging heat between the hot surface and the warmer of said reservoirs, and means for exchanging heat between the cold surface and the cooler of said reservoirs thereby using the surrounding reservoir as a heat source for recharging the inner reservoir.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the means for exchanging heat between the hot surface and the warmer reservoir comprises a fluid circuit therebetween for circulating a thermal exchange fluid and the means for exchanging heat between the cold surface and the cooler reservoir comprises a fluid circuit therebetween for circulating a thermal exchange fluid.
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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) | 1986-09-05 | 1987-03-07 | 1987-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-05 | 1991-03-07 | 1991-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-05 | 1995-03-07 | 1995-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |