Abstract: HVAC systems and methods for delivering highly efficient heating and cooling using ambient air as the working fluid. A plenum has an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet, each in fluid communication with a target space to be heated or cooled. Ambient air is drawn into the inlet at an incoming pressure and an incoming temperature. The inlet and outlet are gated, respectively, by first and second rotary pumps. A heat exchanger in the plenum transfers heat into or out of the air, provoking a change in air volume within the plenum. The systems and methods are configured to operate essentially between the working temperatures, THIGH and TLOW. This technique, called Convergent Refrigeration or counter-conditioning, provides for the reduction of excess refrigerant lift by optimization of the heat transfer temperature. Two Convergent Refrigeration systems can be arranged back-to-back through a common heat exchanger for ultra-high efficiency operation.

Abstract: HVAC systems and methods for delivering highly efficient heating and cooling using ambient air as the working fluid. A plenum has an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet, each in fluid communication with a target space to be heated or cooled. Ambient air is drawn into the inlet at an incoming pressure and an incoming temperature. The inlet and outlet are gated, respectively, by first and second rotary pumps. A heat exchanger in the plenum transfers heat into or out of the air, provoking a change in air volume within the plenum. The systems and methods are configured to operate essentially between the working temperatures, THIGH and TLOW. This technique, called Convergent Refrigeration or counter-conditioning, provides for the reduction of excess refrigerant lift by optimization of the heat transfer temperature. Two Convergent Refrigeration systems can be arranged back-to-back through a common heat exchanger for ultra-high efficiency operation.

Abstract: An air-handling system selectively heats and/or cools a target space by circulating ambient air from the target space across a heat exchanger. The system operates along an air flow path having an inlet from the target space and an outlet back into the target space. Air-handling turbines or pumps are located near the inlet and outlet. The heat exchanger is placed in the flow path between the turbines or pumps. The heat exchanger transfers heat into or out of the air, causing a natural pressure increase or decrease in the air. The turbines or pumps are configured to harvest work from the induced pressure differential in order to conserve energy. A combustion chamber may be included directly in the flow path upstream of the heat exchanger for combusting a fuel in the air during a high heating mode.

Abstract: A rotary device for an engine includes a stator and a rotor concentric with and rotatable about an axis with respect to the stator. The rotor and the stator cooperate to provide a working chamber. A plurality of vanes are supported for radial movement on one of the stator and the rotor. Fluid is taken into the working chamber through an intake port and exhausted from the working chamber through an exhaust port. A biasing device biases each of the vanes to seal against one of the stator and the rotor. An actuator moves each of the vanes radially against the biasing device to a retracted position to vary a thermodynamic cycle of the rotary device as the rotor rotates with respect to the stator.