US 11,698,198 B2
Isothermal-turbo-compressor-expander-condenser-evaporator device
Peter A. Swett, Reading, MA (US)
Assigned to Appollo Wind Technologies LLC, Saint Petersburg, FL (US)
Filed by Appollo Wind Technologies LLC, Saint Petersburg, FL (US)
Filed on Sep. 9, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/565,399.
Application 16/565,399 is a continuation of application No. 14/942,850, filed on Nov. 16, 2015, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/080,996, filed on Nov. 17, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2020/0080731 A1, Mar. 12, 2020
Int. Cl. F24F 1/027 (2019.01); B60H 1/32 (2006.01); F25B 3/00 (2006.01)
CPC F24F 1/027 (2013.01) [B60H 1/3223 (2013.01); F25B 3/00 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
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.
 
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.