초록 ▼

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 str

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.

대표청구항 ▼

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

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.