Abstract: Rotary thermodynamic compression and refrigeration apparatus and methods in which the mechanical impedance and/or thermodynamic impedance of the system are controlled in order to obtain stable operation. By controlling these impedances, the overall pressure drop of the fluid flow in the system is made to increase with increasing fluid flow rate, thus ensuring stable operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a machine for transferring heat from a lower to a higher temperature without wasting external work. The machine includes a regulator to regulate the mean temperature of the machine by regulating the value of the lowest temperature of the machine. The regulator includes an automatically functioning instrument, and the regulation of the mean temperature of the machine to maintain it at a predetermined value provides stable operation for the machine.

Abstract: The utilizable energy of a working fluid is converted into mechanical energy by means of friction forces exerted by the fluid on the moving walls of one or a number of circulation ducts forming part of a rotor. In their respective azimuthal projections, the friction force exerted on the fluid by the duct walls and the Coriolis force to which the fluid is subjected are of the same order of magnitude. The method consists in varying the pressure of the working fluid which is circulated in a spiral circuit and subjected to azimuthal displacements in the same direction of rotation as the rotor when the fluid comes closer to the axis and in the opposite direction when it moves away from the axis. When at least a portion of the duct walls forms part of a heat exchanger, the working fluid can also undergo predetermined variations in entropy and in enthalpy.

Abstract: A heat pump having a rotatable casing and impeller. The pump includes a liquid heat exchanger and an air heat exchanger both connected to the casing so as to form a rotatable unit therewith. A magnetically active rotor is magnetically coupled to the inpeller to provide a drive force for the pump. Rotation of the impeller causes the casing and heat exchanger to also rotate under the influence of reaction forces.

Abstract: A method for the thermodynamic assisted compression of gases wherein a gas is alternately compressed and expanded with addition of heat regeneratively. The basic method is applicable to a variety of uses such as gas compression, turbines and in heat temperature boosters. Working fluids may be either gases or vapors. Heat may also be removed during compression steps and added during expansion steps. Process can be used with both steady flow and non-flow apparatus.

Abstract: Cryogenic liquid coolant for cooling the rotor of a superconducting generator is deposited on the inner surface of a rotating conduit extending within the rotor, forming an annulus of liquid surrounding a vapor core. The liquid coolant from the rotating tube is transferred to two radial tubes in the rotor and, upon emerging therefrom, splashes on the surface of a pool of coolant bathing the rotor windings. Evaporated coolant is returned from the rotor in separate streams from the driven end and the collector end, allowing cooling of the driven and collector ends to be equalized by independently controlling flow of the returning streams.

Abstract: A working fluid such as a liquifiable gas is rotated in a rotor having a thermodynamic compressor, a condenser chamber and an evaporation chamber. The high pressure zone in the condenser chamber is separated from the low pressure zone of the evaporator by a column of liquid. In several embodiments, a forepump is actuated by the thermodynamic compressor in order to vary the thermodynamic operating points of the device.

Abstract: Rotary thermodynamic compression and refrigeration apparatus and methods in which the mechanical impedance and/or thermodynamic impedance of the system are controlled in order to obtain stable operation. By controlling these impedances, the overall pressure drop of the fluid flow in the system is made to increase with increasing fluid flow rate, thus ensuring stable operation.

Abstract: In a blower heat exchanger, (defined as a rotating heat exchanger without external means for fluid transport), several annular fin regions are provided, arranged in series in the radial direction which are staggered against each other, whereby the heat exchange is improved.

Abstract: A working fluid such as a liquifiable gas is rotated in a rotor having a thermodynamic compressor, a condenser chamber and an evaporation chamber. The high pressure zone in the condenser chamber is separated from the low pressure zone of the evaporator by a column of liquid. In several embodiments, a forepump is actuated by the thermodynamic compressor in order to vary the thermodynamic operating points of the device.

Abstract: A thermocentrifugal pumping device in which a gaseous medium is supplied to a rotor element rotating about an axis, is first conducted inside the rotor element mainly in a radial direction away from the axis of rotation through a compression duct in which the medium is compressed by centrifugal action and in which heat of compression is withdrawn from the medium, in which the medium inside the rotor elements is then mainly conducted in the radial direction towards the axis of rotation through an expansion duct in which the medium expands against the centrifugal action before leaving the rotor element and in which so much thermal energy is supplied to the medium that the medium temperature in the expansion duct is always higher than the medium temperature in the compression duct so that flow of medium is produced in the rotor element in the direction from the compression duct to the expansion duct.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the thermodynamic assisted compression of gases wherein a gas is alternately compressed and expanded with addition of heat regeneratively. The basic apparatus and method are applicable to a variety of uses such as gas compression, turbines and in heat temperature boosters. Working fluids may be either gases or vapors. Heat may also be removed during compression steps and added during expansion steps. Process can be used with both steady flow and non-flow apparatus.

Abstract: A working fluid such as a liquifiable gas is rotated in a rotor having a thermodynamic compressor, a condenser chamber and an evaporation chamber. The high pressure zone in the condenser chamber is separated from the low pressure zone of the evaporator by a column of liquid. In several embodiments, a fore-pump is actuated by the thermodynamic compressor in order to vary the thermodynamic operating points of the device.

Abstract: A working fluid such as a liquifiable gas is rotated in a rotor having a thermodynamic compressor, a condenser chamber and an evaporation chamber. The high pressure zone in the condenser chamber is separated from the low pressure zone of the evaporator by a column of liquid. In several embodiments, a forepump is actuated by the thermodynamic compressor in order to vary the thermodynamic operating points of the device.

Abstract: A method of recovering energy by means of a cyclic thermodynamic process which is induced by means of a medium comprising at least two substances or groups of substances, one of which substances is separated from the other at a point w' defining a first thermodynamic parameter of the medium and combined with the other one of said substances at a second point w" defining second thermodynamic parameter of the medium while a differential in total pressure of the medium is maintained between the two points. The separation and combination of the two substances are induced by diffusion whereby one of the substances or groups of substances is diffused out of the other one of the substances or groups of substances at the first point and diffused into the other substances at the second point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the transfer of heat at a lower temperature to another fluid at a higher temperature, using a rotary heat exchanger and circulating the two fluids through said heat exchanger wherein a third fluid is circulated. The third fluid is normally a gas, compressed within the rotor by centrifugal action, with accompanying temperature increase, and heat is removed from said third fluid to a second fluid during and after compression; heat is added to said third fluid from a first fluid during and after expansion. A fourth fluid may be also circulated within said rotor, for removing heat from said third fluid before and during early part of compression to increase the weight of said third fluid within the compression side of the said rotor, thus improving the circulation of said third fluid within said rotor. Said second fluid, said first fluid, and said fourth fluid may be either liquids or gases as desired, including water. Said third fluid may be carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is equipped with a cross flow fan. The rotor of the cross flow fan is composed of annularly arranged air-blowing blades and annular passage members intersecting said air-blowing blades and arranged at suitable intervals in the axial direction. A working fluid is distributed to flow through said annular passages for thereby exchanging heat with another working fluid which is caused to flow by the rotor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exchanging heat between two fluid streams, wherein the two fluids are passed in heat exchange relationship with each other within a rotating heat exchanger mounted on a shaft. The heat exchanger comprises a rotating housing, with the heat transfer elements mounted within, so that one of the fluid streams is passed through areas near the housing periphery, and the other fluid stream is passed through areas that are inward nearer to the axis of rotation from the housing periphery. The heat exchanger elements are made of heat conductive material and form bellows like pockets for the heat exchange to take place. Various vanes or other means may be provided to reduce tangential movement of the fluids, and thermal insulation layers may also be provided to prevent undesirable heat transfer. Fluids passing through the heat exchanger may be either gases or liquids.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus and method of making the same, particularly for use in automotive vehicles, wherein the condenser and the compressor are assembled into a single aggregate which is rotatably mounted on a stationary crank shaft and is driven by the engine. The condenser has the form of a tubular rotor and is constructed as an assembly which includes a pair of sheet-material members at least one of which has a major surface formed with depressions which constitute channels, whereas the other overlies this major surface and is sealingly connected to the same intermediate respective ones of these channels and along the periphery of the major surface, so as to define with the other sheet-material member a plurality of fluid-flow passages.

Abstract: This invention relates primarily to an air cooling apparatus primarily adapted for use in automobiles and comprises a unitary structure consisting of a compressor, condenser and evaporator, all connected to perform their normal operations in the cooling of air and which combined unit is rotated from the crankshaft of an automobile through a unique system of mountings and connections, wherein an adjustable strut structure is provided for supporting one end of the rotating compressor, condenser and evaporator and which supporting strut structure may be attached to an existing automobile with comparative ease, the strut structure also provided with means for maintaining the proper tension on the belt connecting the shaft to the crankshaft of the engine.

Abstract: A refrigeration or air conditioning system or unit is provided that includes revolving or oscillating heat exchangers, wherein the heat exchanger on the refrigeration side acts as an evaporator, while the other acts as a condenser on the outside.On a predetermined schedule the heat exchangers are rotated or oscillated 180.degree. so as to bring or move the frost laden evaporator outside and a clean condenser inside. Suitable controls are provided for selectively reversing the cycle at the proper time or interval.

Abstract: Rotary thermodynamic compression and refrigeration apparatus and methods in which the mechanical impedance and/or thermodynamic impedance of the system are controlled in order to obtain stable operation. By controlling these impedances, the overall pressure drop of the fluid flow in the system is made to increase with increasing fluid flow rate, thus ensuring stable operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transport of heat from a low temperature heat source into a higher temperature heated sink, using a compressible working fluid compressed by centrifugal force within a rotating rotor with an accompanying temperature increase. Heat is transferred from the heated working fluid into the heat sink at higher temperature, and heat is added into the working fluid after expansion and cooling from a colder heat source. Cooling is provided within the rotor to control the working fluid density, to assist working fluid circulation. The rotor has outward and inward extending working fluid passages for circulation therein, and heat is provided by a heat source fluid within its own heat exchanger, and heat is delivered into a heated fluid circulating within its own heat exchanger. Cooling is provided by circulating a cooling fluid within its own heat exchanger; alternately, the heated fluid may also serve as the cooling fluid if desired, before being heated.

Abstract: An independently heated or cooled room is linked with an environment of different temperature through a fluid-circulation system including a closed path traversed by a heat-carrier medium. The medium travels between two heat exchangers, respectively located in the warmer and in the colder air, under a pressure differential low enough to maintain a coherent flow at substantially uniform speed in one or more pairs of channels extending between the two heat exchangers.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a thermodynamic machine, such as a heat pump or an expansion motor, comprises two corotating and coaxial sections, namely an evaporator section and a condenser section, interconnected by conduits in a closed circuit for the passage of a vaporizable working fluid. Each rotary section comprises an annular collector, centered on the axis of rotation, and an array of axially extending tubes closed at one end, the open tube ends being partly obstructed by barriers serving to retain a pool of liquefied working fluid by centrifugal force in an outer peripheral sector of each tube; the pool on the condenser side overflows into the corresponding collectors to form a reservoir for the liquid.

Abstract: A unique rotary hermetic heat pipe is disclosed for transferring heat from an external source to an external heat sink. The heat pipe has a tapered condensing surface which is curved preferably to provide uniform pumping acceleration, the heat pipe being rotated at a velocity such that the component of centrifugal acceleration in an axial direction parallel to the tapered surface is greater than 1G and so that the condensing surface is kept relatively free of liquid at any attitude. The heat pipe may be incorporated in an air conditioning apparatus so that it projects through a small wall opening. In the preferred air conditioning apparatus, a hollow hermetic air impeller is provided which contains a liquefied gaseous refrigerant, such as freon, and means are provided for compressing the refrigerant in the evaporator region of the heat pipe.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed which is operated between a source and a sink comprising a frame journaling a rotor relative to the frame which rotor has a first and second rotor end. Heat transfer means which may include a fluid conducting conduit or an electrical heating path forms a conduction path between the first and second rotor ends. The conduction path extends back and forth between a region proximate a first rotor end and a region proximate a second rotor end a plurality of times. The conduction path is connected to either the source or the sink to provide energy transfer therebetween. Means are provided for rotating the rotor for transferring heat between the conduction path and the other of the source and the sink. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Abstract: Rotary cooling and heating apparatus comprising a rotary housing containing a refrigerant compressor, a refrigerant expander rotatable with the housing and an external refrigerant condenser and evaporator. The components are disposed on a common axis for coaxial rotation together as a unit, and rotary power means rotationally drives the compressor and the housing-condenser-evaporator unit at predetermined different speeds. The refrigerant expander is completely self-regulating and is constructed to operate in a highly stable manner essentially adiabatically with no nucleate boiling of the refrigerant in the expander.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring heat from a first fluid which is normally gaseous to a second fluid which is normally a liquid, by using a rotating rotor with passages for said first fluid extending from rotor center outward and with passages for said second fluid also extending outward within said rotor with said two fluids being in heat exchange relationship within said rotor with heat another transferred from said first fluid to said second fluid, wherein said first fluid temperature is increased by compressing said first fluid within said rotor. Said two fluids are then returned in separate passages to the center of said rotor and discharged; said first fluid will leave said rotor colder than it entered and said second fluid will leave said rotor warmer than it entered. In one form of the invention, said rotor is mounted within a sealed casing with entry and exit for first fluid to said casing, and a heat exchanger for adding heat is provided.

Abstract: An independently heated or cooled room is linked with an environment of different temperature through a fluid-circulation system including a closed path traversed by a heat-carrier medium. The medium travels between two heat exchangers, respectively located in the warmer and in the colder air, under a pressure differential low enough to maintain a coherent flow at substantially uniform speed in one or more pairs of channels extending between the two heat exchangers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring heat by employing a rotating centrifuge to compress a gaseous first fluid with accompanying temperature increase and then transferring heat from said first fluid in its compressed state to a second fluid being circulated within said centrifuge in heat exchange relationship with said first fluid. After transferring said heat from said first fluid, said first fluid is allowed to expand within said centrifuge with accompanying temperature reduction. Said first fluid may then be passed out from said centrifuge, or said first fluid may be receiving heat within said centrifuge from a third fluid, being circulated in heat exchange relationship with said first fluid, after which said first fluid is again compressed within said centrifuge. Various gases may be employed as said first fluid, such as air, or halogenated hydrocarbons. Said second fluid is usually a liquid, such as water. The third fluid may also be water.

Abstract: A means for exchanging heat between two streams of a working fluid, during expansion and compression of said working fluid, thus providing heat removal from said working fluid either during expansion or compression and providing heat addition to said working fluid either during expansion or compression. The heat exchanger means may be either a finned wall, finned tubing, or heat pipes; also, other types of heat exchangers may be used. The heat exchangers are normally mounted within a centrifuge type rotor wherein said working fluid is either cooled or heated when said working fluid either expands or is being compressed within outward extending rotor passages.

Abstract: Rotary closed Rankine cycle cooling and heating apparatus utilizing a single fluid for both engine power and refrigeration. The apparatus includes a rotary housing containing a boiler, power fluid expander coupled with a refrigerant fluid compressor and a refrigerant expander. A condenser for the expanded power portion and the compressed refrigerant portion of the single fluid, and an evaporator for the expanded refrigerant fluid portion, are mounted at respectively opposite sides of the housing coaxially thereof for rotation with the housing as a unit. The power fluid expander is driven at a predetermined speed by pressure power fluid vapor generated in the boiler and in turn drives the refrigerant fluid compressor. The refrigerant expander is of the capillary type constructed and arranged with respect to the evaporator to automatically control the capacity balance of the refrigerant system.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus, particularly for use in automotive vehicles, wherein the condenser and the compressor are assembled into a single aggregate which is rotatably mounted on a stationary crank shaft and is driven by the engine. The condenser has the form of a tubular rotor and is constructed as an assembly which includes a pair of sheet-material members at least one of which has a major surface formed with depressions which constitute channels, whereas the other overlies this major surface and is sealingly connected to the same intermediate respective ones of these channels and along the periphery of the major surface, so as to define with the other sheet-material member a plurality of fluid-flow passages.

Abstract: A centrifugal refrigeration unit which comprises a rotatable shaft carrying two spiral tubular assemblies, one on each end. Each assembly comprises two spiral tubes. At one end the assembly acts as a condenser, and at the other end as an evaporator. Means are provided for directing separate streams of air across the condenser and evaporator assemblies. Numbering the spirals from the condenser end as first, second, third and fourth, and considering the rotation of the shaft clockwise as seen from the condenser end, the first spiral expands outwardly from the shaft in a counterclockwise direction. The second spiral expands outwardly from the shaft in a clockwise direction. The third expands in a counterclockwise direction, and the fourth expands in a clockwise direction. The shaft is hollow and the small ends of the first and fourth spirals are connected through the hollow shaft.

Abstract: The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is directed to a rotary compressor and/or condenser for refrigerating systems. The rotary compressor has a rotor with a passage formed therethrough to be in fluid communication with an inlet port at one end of the rotor housing and in periodic fluid communication with an outlet formed at the other end of the rotor housing. The outlet passage is formed in a valve plate which is in sliding sealing contact with the terminating end of the rotor of the compressor. A condenser may be connected to a common shaft with the compressor rotor and has a rotating member with a helical passage extending therethrough. Heat radiating fins are formed on the condenser rotor to improve heat transfer for cooling.