초록 ▼

An involute spiral wrap scroll-type device uses two pairs of spiral wrap members connected together at opposite ends of a common rotational shaft. The device can be operated in either an expansion mode or a combination hybrid mode where each pair of spiral wrap members functions as a compressor and

An involute spiral wrap scroll-type device uses two pairs of spiral wrap members connected together at opposite ends of a common rotational shaft. The device can be operated in either an expansion mode or a combination hybrid mode where each pair of spiral wrap members functions as a compressor and expander, respectively. In an expansion mode, electric current is produced via generator electrically responsive to shaft rotation. In hybrid mode, a first spiral wrap member pair functions as an expander with the second spiral wrap member pair functioning as a compressor. In this mode, the balance of shaft power between that produced by the expander and that absorbed by the compressor is either supplied by the motor/generator functioning as a motor, or converted into electricity by the motor/generator functioning as a generator. The housing can be hermetically sealed, thus promoting contamination-free operation. A throttle valve is used to control shaft rotational speed and to regulate the electric current output of the motor/generator. A differential pressure valve is used to control adverse pressure conditions in the spiral wrap members. At least one of the orbiting scrolls can be used to drive a pump. A heat exchanger is used in conjunction with a stator on the motor/generator.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An involute spiral wrap device adapted to operate in at least an expansion mode or a hybrid mode, said involute spiral wrap device comprising:a hermetically sealable housing with a plurality of mounting surfaces disposed on an interior wall thereof, said housing defining an interior ambient envir

1. An involute spiral wrap device adapted to operate in at least an expansion mode or a hybrid mode, said involute spiral wrap device comprising:a hermetically sealable housing with a plurality of mounting surfaces disposed on an interior wall thereof, said housing defining an interior ambient environment, said housing including: a working fluid inlet and at least one working fluid outlet, each disposed across a boundary of said hermetically sealable housing; a throttle valve in fluid communication with at least one of a working fluid inlet or said working fluid outlet to regulate the flow of a working fluid crossing said boundary of said hermetically sealable housing; and at least one electrically conductive power line disposed across a boundary of said hermetically sealable housing; a first pair of scroll members disposed within said housing, said first pair of scroll members comprising: a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll, each with an end plate and an involute spiral wrap attached thereto; at least one generally crescent-shaped translatable chamber formed by the juxtaposition of said orbiting scroll to said fixed scroll, said generally crescent-shaped translatable chamber capable of radial movement upon orbital motion of said orbiting scroll relative to said fixed scroll; a fluid path defined by at least one scroll intake and at least one scroll discharge, each in respective fluid communication with said working fluid inlet and said at least one working fluid outlet, said at least one scroll intake and at least one scroll discharge separated from one another by said generally crescent-shaped translatable chamber such that said orbital motion of said orbiting scroll, and the passage of said working fluid from said at least one scroll intake, through said generally crescent-shaped translatable chamber, and out said at least one scroll discharge are operatively responsive to one another; and a rotation prevention apparatus mechanically coupled to said orbiting scroll and at least one of said fixed scroll or one of said plurality of mounting surfaces; a second pair of scroll members substantially axially aligned with and configurationally similar to said first pair of scroll members save that said second pair of scroll members are oriented in the opposing axial direction from said first pair of scroll members; a rotatable shaft disposed between said first and second orbiting scroll members such that said shaft maintains them in an axially spaced relationship; a linkage coupled to said shaft such that said linkage is eccentrically mounted relative to a central rotation axis of said shaft; an electric motor/generator in cooperative engagement with said rotatable shaft, said motor/generator comprising: a rotor disposed on said shaft; and a stator in electrical communication with said rotor, said stator mounted to said housing and electrically connected to said at least one electrically conductive power line; at least one heat exchanger in thermal communication with said stator; an auxiliary power source adapted to provide additional power to at least one component within said housing; and at least one differential pressure valve in fluid communication with said translatable chamber and said internal ambient environment, said differential pressure valve operably responsive to select differences in static pressure between said translatable chamber and said internal ambient environment.