US4444024A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual open cycle heat pump and engine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-01-28
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Granted: 1984-04-24
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Expires: 2003-01-28
Abstract
Abstract The heat pump/engine operates in an open cycle between a cold air reservoir and a hot air reservoir to pump heat or to obtain energy by exchanging air at atmospheric pressure between the two reservoirs at different temperatures. The heat pump/engine employs a positive displacement compressor, heat exchanger and a positive displacement expander to transfer the air flows. A means is also provided for adjusting the stroke volume of the expander during expansion in the heat pump version. Also, a snowmaker preheater can be used with the heat pump to decrease power consumption.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard McFee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:56
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B9/00; F25B29/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A dual open cycle engine comprising: a cold air reservoir for storing air at a first temperature and pressure; a hot air reservoir for storing air at a second temperature greater than said first temperature and at a pressure equal to said first pressure; a positive displacement compressor connected to said cold air reservoir to receive and compress a flow of cold air therefrom; a heat exchanger having a pair of countercurrent flow paths therein, one of said flow paths being connected to said compressor to receive a flow of compressed air therefrom and the other of said flow paths being connected to and between said reservoirs to conduct a flow of hot air from said hot air reservoir to said cold air reservoir in heat exchange relation with a flow of compressed air in said one path; and a positive displacement expander connected to and between said one path of said heat exchanger and said hot air reservoir to expand and deliver a flow of expanded air from said heat exchanger to said hot air reservoir.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A dual open cycle engine comprising: a cold air reservoir for storing air at a first temperature and pressure; a hot air reservoir for storing air at a second temperature greater than said first temperature and at a pressure equal to said first pressure; a positive displacement compressor connected to said cold air reservoir to receive and compress a flow of cold air therefrom; a heat exchanger having a pair of countercurrent flow paths therein, one of said flow paths being connected to said compressor to receive a flow of compressed air therefrom and the other of said flow paths being connected to and between said reservoirs to conduct a flow of hot air from said hot air reservoir to said cold air reservoir in heat exchange relation with a flow of compressed air in said one path; and a positive displacement expander connected to and between said one path of said heat exchanger and said hot air reservoir to expand and deliver a flow of expanded air from said heat exchanger to said hot air reservoir.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A dual open cycle engine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said compressor and said expander are mounted on a common shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A dual open cycle engine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said expander has a shaft for extracting work therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
166 words
A dual open cycle heat pump comprising: a cold air reservoir for storing air at a first temperature and pressure; a hot air reservoir for storing air at a second temperature greater than said first temperature and at a pressure equal to said first pressure; a heat exchanger having a pair of counter-current flow paths therein, one of said flow paths being connected between and to said reservoirs to conduct a flow of air from said cold air reservoir to said hot air reservoir; a positive displacement compressor connected to and between said hot air reservoir and the other of said flow paths of said heat exchanger to compress and deliver a flow of hot air from said hot air reservoir to said other flow path; and a positive displacement expander connected between and to said other flow path of said heat exchanger and said cold air reservoir to expand and deliver a flow of expanded air from said heat exchanger to said cold air reservoir.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
166 words
A dual open cycle heat pump comprising: a cold air reservoir for storing air at a first temperature and pressure; a hot air reservoir for storing air at a second temperature greater than said first temperature and at a pressure equal to said first pressure; a heat exchanger having a pair of counter-current flow paths therein, one of said flow paths being connected between and to said reservoirs to conduct a flow of air from said cold air reservoir to said hot air reservoir; a positive displacement compressor connected to and between said hot air reservoir and the other of said flow paths of said heat exchanger to compress and deliver a flow of hot air from said hot air reservoir to said other flow path; and a positive displacement expander connected between and to said other flow path of said heat exchanger and said cold air reservoir to expand and deliver a flow of expanded air from said heat exchanger to said cold air reservoir.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A dual open cycle heat pump as set forth in claim 4 which further includes a motor for driving said compressor and wherein said compressor and expander are mounted on a common shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
176 words
A dual open cycle engine comprising: a cold air reservoir for storing air at a first temperature and pressure; a hot air reservoir for storing air at a second temperature greater than said first temperature and at a pressure equal to said first pressure; a positive displacement expander connected to said hot air reservoir to receive and expand a flow of hot air therefrom; a heat exchanger having a pair of countercurrent flow paths therein, one of said flow paths being connected to said expander to receive a flow of expanded air therefrom and the other of said flow paths being connected to and between said reservoirs to conduct a flow of cold air from said cold air reservoir to said hot air reservoir in heat exchange relation with a flow of air in said one path; and a positive displacement compressor connected to and between said one path of said heat exchanger and said cold air reservoir to compress and deliver a flow of compressed air from said heat exchanger to said cold air reservoir.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
176 words
A dual open cycle engine comprising: a cold air reservoir for storing air at a first temperature and pressure; a hot air reservoir for storing air at a second temperature greater than said first temperature and at a pressure equal to said first pressure; a positive displacement expander connected to said hot air reservoir to receive and expand a flow of hot air therefrom; a heat exchanger having a pair of countercurrent flow paths therein, one of said flow paths being connected to said expander to receive a flow of expanded air therefrom and the other of said flow paths being connected to and between said reservoirs to conduct a flow of cold air from said cold air reservoir to said hot air reservoir in heat exchange relation with a flow of air in said one path; and a positive displacement compressor connected to and between said one path of said heat exchanger and said cold air reservoir to compress and deliver a flow of compressed air from said heat exchanger to said cold air reservoir.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
166 words
A dual open cycle heat pump comprising: a cold air reservoir for storing air at a first temperature and pressure; a hot air reservoir for storing air at a second temperature greater than said first temperature and at a pressure equal to said first pressure; a heat exchanger having a pair of countercurrent flow paths therein, one of said flow paths being connected between and to said reservoirs to conduct a flow of air from said hot air reservoir to said cold air reservoir; a positive displacement expander connected to and between said cold air reservoir and the other of said flow paths of said heat exchanger to expand and deliver a flow of cold air from said cold air reservoir to said other flow path; and a positive displacement compressor connected between and to said other flow path of said heat exchanger and said hot air reservoir to compress and deliver a flow of compressed air from said heat exchanger to said hot air reservoir.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
166 words
A dual open cycle heat pump comprising: a cold air reservoir for storing air at a first temperature and pressure; a hot air reservoir for storing air at a second temperature greater than said first temperature and at a pressure equal to said first pressure; a heat exchanger having a pair of countercurrent flow paths therein, one of said flow paths being connected between and to said reservoirs to conduct a flow of air from said hot air reservoir to said cold air reservoir; a positive displacement expander connected to and between said cold air reservoir and the other of said flow paths of said heat exchanger to expand and deliver a flow of cold air from said cold air reservoir to said other flow path; and a positive displacement compressor connected between and to said other flow path of said heat exchanger and said hot air reservoir to compress and deliver a flow of compressed air from said heat exchanger to said hot air reservoir.
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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) | 1987-04-24 | 1987-10-24 | 1988-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-04-24 | 1991-10-24 | 1992-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-04-24 | 1995-10-24 | 1996-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |