초록

Apparatus and method for conditioning a flow of working fluid includes a parallel, bypass anti-icing flow of warm fluid which is induced and automatically controlled in relation to critical system operating parameters while minimizing parasitic power losses to improve overall system efficiency.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for conditioning working fluid in a fluid flow path, comprising: control valve means in said path for variably restricting the flow of working fluid through said path; a rotary turbine expander in said path downstream of said control valve means operable to expand and cool the working fluid

A system for conditioning working fluid in a fluid flow path, comprising: control valve means in said path for variably restricting the flow of working fluid through said path; a rotary turbine expander in said path downstream of said control valve means operable to expand and cool the working fluid; heat exchange means in said path downstream of said control valve means for extracting heat from the working fluid, said expander and heat exchange means being capable of sufficiently cooling said working fluid to induce ice formation within said path at a location downstream of said control valve means; means for defining an anti-icing plenum at said location; first duct means communicating with said plenum and said path at a position upstream of said control valve means for carrying a flow of working fluid to said plenum; and second duct means communicating with said plenum and said path at a position intermediate said control valve means and said expander for permitting exhaust of working fluid from said plenum back to said path, whereby flow of working fluid to said plenum is induced solely by the pressure differential developed across said control valve means.