Abstract: Disclosed is a thermodynamic cycle process, performing transfer between mechanical and heat energies, by changing a state of a fluid, including: an expansion of the fluid, an energy retrieval from the fluid expansion, a step of powering a liquid pump or a gas compressor with the retrieved energy, using a cyclic free piston expander which alternatively changes direction of the free piston sliding: by alternatively: closing the fluidic communication between the both opposite sides of the free piston, to make different from each other the pressures applied respectively thereon, so the free piston slides in a first direction, opening a fluidic communication between both opposite sides of the free piston, to make equal to each other the pressures applied respectively thereon, so the free piston slides in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the free piston sliding, directly and mechanically, opening and closing, the fluidic communication.

Abstract: A method and a device for compressing a gas-phase medium, particularly hydrogen or natural gas, in a single-stage or multistage process using at least one piston compressor, wherein the medium may have a water content up to total saturation with water. The medium to be compressed is heated before the compression at least to such point that the water is unable to condense out during the compression process, and the compressed medium undergoes a water separation process.

Abstract: Apparatus for use as a heat pump includes compression chamber means, inlet means for allowing gas to enter the compression chamber means, compression means for compressing gas contained in the compression chamber means, heat exchanger means for receiving thermal energy from gas compressed by the compression means, expansion chamber means for receiving gas after exposure to the heat exchange means, expansion means for expanding gas received in the expansion chamber means, and exhaust means for venting gas from the expansion chamber means after expansion thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigeration cycle apparatus using a first compressor and a second compressor driven by an expander and including a high and low pressure heat exchanger, in which a low-pressure-side outlet of the high and low pressure heat exchanger is bypassed to a low pressure portion or an intermediate pressure portion to adjust an inlet density at the expander and thereby provide high efficiency. The high and low pressure heat exchanger of the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the present invention changes an amount of heat exchange between a high-pressure refrigerant and a reduced-pressure refrigerant branched from the high-pressure refrigerant at an inlet portion of the high and low pressure heat exchanger and reduced in pressure to adjust the density of the refrigerant flowing in the expander so that power recovered by the expander and power required by the second compressor match.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for minimizing the cool down time of a mass to cryogenic temperatures including a compressor, an expander, a gas storage tank, interconnecting gas lines, and a control system. The compressor output is maintained near its maximum capability by maintaining near constant high and low pressures during cool down, gas being added or removed from the storage tank to maintain a near constant high pressure, and the speed of said expander being adjusted to maintain a near constant low pressure, no gas by-passing between high and low pressures.

Abstract: Apparatus for use as a heat pump includes compression chamber means, inlet means for allowing gas to enter the compression chamber means, compression means for compressing gas contained in the compression chamber means, heat exchanger means for receiving thermal energy from gas compressed by the compression means, expansion chamber means for receiving gas after exposure to the heat exchange means, expansion means for expanding gas received in the expansion chamber means, and exhaust means for venting gas from the expansion chamber means after expansion thereof.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for minimizing the cool down time of a mass to cryogenic temperatures including a compressor, an expander, a gas storage tank, interconnecting gas lines, and a control system. The compressor output is maintained near its maximum capability by maintaining near constant high and low pressures during cool down, gas being added or removed from the storage tank to maintain a near constant high pressure, and the speed of said expander being adjusted to maintain a near constant low pressure, no gas by-passing between high and low pressures.

Abstract: Apparatus (10?) for use as a heat pump comprising: compression chamber means (40?); inlet means (30?) for allowing gas to enter the compression chamber means; compression means (60?) for compressing gas contained in the compression chamber means; heat exchanger means for receiving thermal energy from gas compressed by the compression means; expansion chamber means (124?) for receiving gas after exposure to the heat exchange means; expansion means (120?) for expanding gas received in the expansion chamber means; and exhaust means (100?) for venting gas from the expansion chamber means after expansion thereof.

Abstract: A fluid machine (201) includes: a compression mechanism (2) for compressing a working fluid; an expansion mechanism (4) for expanding the working fluid and for recovering mechanical power from the expanding working fluid; a shaft (5) for coupling the compression mechanism (2) and the expansion mechanism (4) and for transferring the mechanical power recovered by the expansion mechanism (4) to the compression mechanism (2); and a closed casing (1) for accommodating the compression mechanism (2), the shaft (5) and the expansion mechanism (4), and having an internal space into which the working fluid that has been compressed by the compression mechanism (2) is discharged. A refrigerant passage space (7) through which a refrigerant to be drawn into the expansion mechanism (4) passes is formed between an expansion chamber of the expansion mechanism (4) and the internal space of the closed casing (1).

Abstract: This invention provides a refrigerator using a gaseous working fluid such as air and based upon the well-developed structure of reciprocating compressors or rotating engines. The invention combines the compression functionality of a compressor and the expansion functionality of a turbine in an air cycle machine into a single refrigeration unit having a simple mechanical structure, and provides a significantly increased heat removal time period before the expansion stroke to reduce the temperature of the working fluid under a substantially constant volume without increasing the number of strokes per discharge in a cycle. Moreover, the need of using a man-made chemical as the working fluid is eliminated.

Abstract: A first and a second expansion and compression machine (30, 40) having different volume ratios (Vc/Ve) are connected in parallel to a refrigerant circuit (10) of a refrigeration apparatus. Expanders (31, 41) of the expansion and compression machines (30, 40) are connected in parallel. Compressors (32, 42) of the expansion and compression machines (30, 40) are also connected in parallel. Upon variation in the operating condition of the refrigeration apparatus, the ratio of rotation speed between the expansion and compression machines (30, 40) is controlled by a controller (60). This, as a result, allows the refrigeration apparatus to operate at a COP close to an ideal condition.

Abstract: Apparatus (10?) for use as a heat pump comprising: compression chamber means (40?); inlet means (30?) for allowing gas to enter the compression chamber means; compression means (60?) for compressing gas contained in the compression chamber means; heat exchanger means for receiving thermal energy from gas compressed by the compression means; expansion chamber means (124?) for receiving gas after exposure to the heat exchange means; expansion means (120?) for expanding gas received in the expansion chamber means; and exhaust means (100?) for venting gas from the expansion chamber means after expansion thereof.

Abstract: A rotary compressor is provided, including: a rotation shaft; a driving motor which is coupled to a first side of the rotation shaft to supply a rotation force; a rotation cam which is eccentrically provided to a second side of the rotation shaft and supports a rolling piston rotating inside a cylinder which is provided under the driving motor; an upper radial bearing and a lower radial bearing which are provided to an upper part and a lower part of the rolling piston and support the rotation shaft in a radial direction; and an axial supporting part which comprises a first supporting member which is provided between the driving motor and the upper radial bearing, and a second supporting member which is provided between the rotation cam and the lower radial bearing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning a supply of bleed air from an aircraft engine to a system using such bleed air, including passing the bleed air to a turbine over which the air is expanded to produce a power output, and regulating the power output thereby to control the condition of the air downstream of the turbine.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device which solves various problems such as the economical efficiency, pulsation of cold air, etc. In a cooling device of the present invention, the compressor and the expander are coupled to one crank shaft or interlocked crank shafts so as to use the expansion energy from the compressed air in the expander as an energy for compressing the outside air in the compressor, thereby reducing the running cost. Moreover, a plurality of expanders are operated with a predetermined phase difference with respect to one another so as to reduce the pulsation of the cold air. Furthermore, an air dryer is provided along a pipe for introducing air into the expander so as to dehumidify the air before expansion. Moreover, the crank device for the compressor and the expander is preferably provided with a planetary gear mechanism.

Abstract: An air conditioning system comprises: a motor (5, 69); a speed increasing mechanism (7) connected to the motor to increase revolution speed of the motor; an air compressor (3) driven by the motor through the speed increasing mechanism at high speed to produce a high-temperature pressurized air; a cooler (11) for cooling the high-temperature pressurized air; and a turbine (9) for further cooling the pressurized air cooled by the cooler on the basis of adiabatic expansion. The rotational force of the turbine is feed-backed to the motor and the air compressor. In the air conditioning system thus constructed, since the air compressor (3) is driven by the motor (5, 69) through the speed increasing mechanism (7) in particular, it is possible to increase the pressure ratio of the air compressor and the air conditioning capacity, without increasing the size and weight of the air conditioning system.

Abstract: An air conditioner comprises a compressing and expanding apparatus which includes a compressing system for compressing air taken into compression chambers in one of two cylinder blocks through an inlet aperture and discharging the air from an outlet aperture, and an expanding system for taking in the compressed air through an entrance aperture into expansion chambers in the other cylinder block and expanding the air therein. The air conditioner further comprises a heat exchanger for cooling positioned in the air flow between an outlet aperture of the compressing system and an entrance aperture of the expanding system. Since air is utilized as the cooling medium for the air conditioner, no air pollution or other problem is caused even if it is released into the atmosphere. Moreover, since multiple chambers are provided to process a large amount of air and since the compressing system and the expanding system are arranged compactly, the compressing and expanding apparatus can be compact.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a rotating cylinder defining an elongated S-shaped fluid pressure chamber having the two ends thereof remotely located with respect to the axis of rotation. The S-shaped fluid pressure chamber accommodates a free piston which reciprocates along the length of the chamber according to fluid pressure and centrifugal forces applied thereto. Solenoid operated inlet and exhaust valves are provided at each end of the S-shaped fluid pressure chamber, and sensing devices, responsive to the passage of the free piston therethrough are disposed on opposite ends of the S-shaped fluid pressure chamber and adjacent the medial portions thereof to control the operation of the inlet and exhaust valves in accordance with the desired objective to either maximize the extraction of mechanical energy from a pressured gas or maximize the expansion of the pressured gas to derive the greatest possible cooling effect therefrom.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an oscillatable body mounting a cylinder defining an elongated fluid pressure chamber having at least one end thereof remotely located with respect to the axis of oscillation. The elongated fluid pressure chamber accommodates a free piston which reciprocates along the length of the chamber according to fluid pressure applied thereto. Solenoid operated inlet and exhaust valves are provided at each end of the elongated fluid pressure chamber, and sensing devices, responsive to the passage of the free piston therethrough are disposed on opposite ends of the elongated fluid pressure chamber and adjacent the medial portions thereof to control the operation of the inlet and exhaust valves in accordance with the desired objective to either maximize the extraction of mechanical energy from a pressured gas in the form of oscillating movements of the body, or maximize the expansion of the pressured gas to derive the greatest possible cooling effect therefrom.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a first evaporator for evaporating a first refrigerant. The pressure exerted by the evaporated first refrigerant is used to drive a gas-driven diaphragm pump. The first refrigerant leaving the diaphragm pump is cooled and condensed by a first condenser which receives evaporatively cooled air. A motor-driven pump circulates the first refrigerant in liquid form from the first condenser back to the first evaporator. The diaphragm pump compresses a second refrigerant in gaseous form, and the compressed second refrigerant gas is circulated to a second condenser for liquification. The liquified second refrigerant is circulated to a second evaporator for absorbing heat from the medium to be refrigerated, causing the second refrigerant to evaporate to a low pressure gas which is returned to the diaphragm pump.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for operating any centrifugal piston expander to convert energy derived from a heat source into mechanical energy. Pressured gas received from the heat source is circulated through the centrifugal piston expander, then to a series connected heat exchanger and compressor to recompress same and to remove sufficient heat to satisfy the entropy requirements of the closed cycle, and then is resupplied to the heat source for recirculation. Several types of centrifugal piston expanders are disclosed including one type wherein the centrifugally produced stroke of each piston is utilized to force the expanded gas into the subsequent apparatus.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method and apparatus for extracting heat and/or mechanical energy from a pressured gas wherein the pressured gas is applied to the radially outer ends of rotating cylinder elements defining longitudinally extending pressure chambers having one end thereof remote from the axis of rotation and the other end proximate to the axis of rotation. A free piston is mounted in each of the fluid pressure chambers and is reciprocable therein solely under the influence of the gas pressure and centrifugal force. Valving elements are provided at the outer end of the cylinder elements which are operable by sensing elements which are respectively mounted on each of the cylinders and generate signals in accordance with the position of the free piston in the respective cylinder. Electronic circuitry is provided to insure that the inlet valves of each pair of diametrically opposed cylinders are concurrently operated to an open position to assure the dynamic balance of the rotating system.

Abstract: The expander-compressor transducer of this invention is for expanding refrigerant fluid from a high pressure source into a low pressure heat absorber while simultaneously precompressing the same fluid stream derived from the low pressure heat absorber.The device includes a body enclosing a chamber for confinement of refrigerant fluid; motor driven, a fluid-responsive piston arranged to oscillate in the chamber and dividing the chamber into an expansion chamber at one end and a compression chamber at the other end, a motor drive for oscillating the piston; a fluid control regulator for permitting flow of fluid into and out of the expansion chamber and into the compression chamber; and a check valve for permitting the refrigerant to flow out of the compression chamber whenever the pressure in the compression chamber overcomes the check valve.

Abstract: An expansion engine fixed to a flange so as to extend into a vacuum tank comprises an outer cylinder inserted in said vacuum tank and having its proximal end opening into the atmosphere, an inner cylinder removably inserted from its distal side into said outer cylinder through said opening, a piston capable of reciprocating inside said inner cylinder and having an exhaust valve, an intake valve mechanism disposed on the distal side of said inner cylinder and capable of moving together with said inner cylinder, and O-rings disposed between said inner and outer cylinders to seal the interface between said cylinders airtightly.

Abstract: Refrigerating system including a first refrigerator and a second refrigerator. The second refrigerator comprises a compression piston-cylinder assembly and an expansion piston-cylinder assembly which are connected together through a conduit having a heat radiator and a cold-accummulator to effect a stirling refrigerating cycle. The heat radiator of the second refrigerator is in heat exchange relationship with a cold head of the first refrigerator. A pre-cooling device is provided for transmitting heat from the cylinders of the second refrigerator to the first refrigerator.

Abstract: An isothermal compressor apparatus and method, the apparatus including a compression chamber, a piston operable in the compression chamber and an evaporation chamber disposed in heat exchange relationship with the compression chamber, the evaporation chamber being interconnected with a closed refrigerant system. Valves control the flow of compressible gas through the compression chamber while heat exchange coils carry the compressed gas from the compression chamber through the evaporation chamber. The method includes compressing a gas and rapidly removing thermal energy imparted to the gas by the compression process with a refrigerant in the evaporation chamber.

Abstract: The expander-compressor transducer of this invention is for expanding refrigerant fluid from a high pressure source into a low pressure heat absorbing heat exchanger while simultaneously precompressing the same fluid stream derived from the low pressure heat absorbing heat exchanger for delivery through suitable conduit heat exchangers to the suction side of the high pressure source.

Abstract: The gas conditioner comprises a cooling device including a pulsing tube and switching means for alternatingly connecting said tube to a source of compressed gas and to a consumer. The switching means comprises a double-diaphragm pneumatic relay having a control chamber, an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. The inlet chamber communicates with the source of compressed gas, and the outlet chamber communicates both with the pulsing tube and alternatingly with the inlet chamber and with the consumer, the outlet chamber communicating with the inlet chamber via a hollow rod overlapped when the pressure in the control chamber approximates that in the inlet chamber. A gate is mounted at the outlet of the outlet chamber, which opens upon the closing of the hollow rod to establish communication between this last-mentioned chamber and a line for supplying cooled gas from the outlet chamber to the consumer.

Abstract: A double-acting cam drive piston pump-refrigerator having a double-acting expander piston and a compact heat exchange condenser and evaporator with high density arrangement of heat exchange material.

Abstract: An open-cycle air-conditioner for compressing and expanding gas with heat rejection for cold production and more particularly to improved means for carrying out thermodynamic cycles in open cycle systems using an internal, stationary, porous body as a thermal capacitor.