CPC F24F 1/027 (2013.01) [B60H 1/3223 (2013.01); F25B 3/00 (2013.01)] | 16 Claims |
1. A turbo-compressor-condenser-expander-evaporator (TCCEE) for a refrigerant comprising:
a central axis assembly including a first compressor stage that provides isentropic adiabatic mechanical compression in the refrigerant, and a second compressor stage, that provides isothermal centrifugal compression in radially expanding refrigerant-filled conduits, the conduits being arranged in surfaces to induce heat transfer and a first air flow to remove heat of compression and condensation;
the central axis assembly including an expander and evaporator stage, receiving the compressed and condensed refrigerant from the second compression stage via a plurality of axially parallel conduits arranged around a perimeter of the TCCEE, which pass through a plurality of corresponding slots in an insulated barrier disc that rotates with a drive shaft, and that provides isentropic centrifugal expansion and isothermal expansion and evaporation in radially contracting conduits, the conduits being arranged to induce a second air flow over surfaces of the condenser and evaporator, wherein the insulated barrier disc attached to a central axle axial assembly and closely fit to a stationary plenum minimizes air leakage between the insulated barrier disc and the stationary plenum;
the central axis assembly including a hollow portion of the drive shaft to draw low pressure refrigerant from evaporator stage to the first compressor stage; and
a prime mover to rotate the central axial assembly to supply energy to compress refrigerant and circulate the first air flow and the second air flow through the device.
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12. A method for compressing, condensing, expanding and evaporating a refrigerant comprising the steps of:
providing, in a first compression stage, isentropic adiabatic mechanical compression in the refrigerant, and providing, in a second compression stage, isothermal centrifugal compression in radially expanding refrigerant-filled conduits, in which the conduits are arranged in surfaces to induce heat transfer and a first air flow to remove heat of compression and condensation;
receiving the compressed and condensed refrigerant from the second compression stage via a plurality of axially parallel conduits arranged around a perimeter of the TCCEE, which pass through a plurality of corresponding slots in an insulated barrier disc that rotates with a drive shaft, and that provides isentropic centrifugal expansion and isothermal expansion and evaporation in radially contracting conduits, the conduits being arranged to induce a second air flow over surfaces of the condenser and evaporator, wherein the insulated barrier disc attached to a central axle axial assembly and closely fit to the stationary plenum to minimize air leakage between the insulated barrier disc and the stationary plenum;
the central axis assembly including a hollow portion of the drive shaft to draw low pressure refrigerant from evaporator stage to the first compressor stage; and
rotating the conduits with the central axial assembly to supply energy to compress refrigerant and circulate the first air flow and the second air flow through the device.
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