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. Work is harvested in response to change in air volume. The systems and methods can be configured to replace a traditional blower fan used to circulate the interior and exterior air. The systems and methods can be configured to implement a technique referred to as Convergent Refrigeration.

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. Work is harvested in response to change in air volume. The systems and methods can be configured to replace a traditional blower fan used to circulate the interior and exterior air. The systems and methods can be configured to implement a technique referred to as Convergent Refrigeration.

Abstract: An air aspirated hybrid heat pump and heat engine system (20) for selectively heating and cooling a space (22) having an flow path (24) including a compressor (76), a heat exchanger (32), an expander (78), and a generator (68). A combustion chamber (62) is in the flow path (24) for combusting a fuel in the air during a high heating mode. The heat exchanger (32) dissipates the heat from the air, and the expander (78) depressurizes the air while powering the generator (68). Also included is a positive displacement rotating vane-type device (36) having a stator housing (38) extending between longitudinal ends (40). A compression chamber inlet (52) and an expansion chamber outlet (58) are located on opposite longitudinal ends (40) of the stator housing (38) to be in simultaneous communication with the same chamber (48, 50)). A fluid enters the device through the compression chamber inlet (52) and pushes fluid out of the expansion chamber outlet (58).

Abstract: Devices and methods for moving a working fluid through a controlled thermodynamic cycle in a positive displacement fluid-handling device (20, 20?, 20?) with minimal energy input include continuously varying the relative compression and expansion ratios of the working fluid in respective compressor and expander sections without diminishing volumetric efficiency. In one embodiment, a rotating valve plate arrangement (40, 42, 44, 46) is provided with moveable apertures or windows (48, 50, 56, 58) for conducting the passage of the working fluid in a manner which enables on-the-fly management of the thermodynamic efficiency of the device (20) under varying conditions in order to maximize the amount of mechanical work needed to move the target quantity of heat absorbed and released by the working fluid. When operated in refrigeration modes, the work required to move the heat is minimized. In power modes, the work extracted for the given input heat is maximized.

Abstract: An air aspirated hybrid heat pump and heat engine system (20) for selectively heating and cooling a space (22) having an flow path (24) including a compressor (76), a heat exchanger (32), an expander (78), and a generator (68). A combustion chamber (62) is in the flow path (24) for combusting a fuel in the air during a high heating mode. The heat exchanger (32) dissipates the heat from the air, and the expander (78) depressurizes the air while powering the generator (68). Also included is a positive displacement rotating vane-type device (36) having a stator housing (38) extending between longitudinal ends (40). A compression chamber inlet (52) and an expansion chamber outlet (58) are located on opposite longitudinal ends (40) of the stator housing (38) to be in simultaneous communication with the same chamber (48, 50)). A fluid enters the device through the compression chamber inlet (52) and pushes fluid out of the expansion chamber outlet (58).

Abstract: Devices and methods for moving a working fluid through a controlled thermodynamic cycle in a positive displacement fluid-handling device (20, 20?, 20?) with minimal energy input include continuously varying the relative compression and expansion ratios of the working fluid in respective compressor and expander sections without diminishing volumetric efficiency. In one embodiment, a rotating valve plate arrangement (40, 42, 44, 46) is provided with moveable apertures or windows (48, 50, 56, 58) for conducting the passage of the working fluid in a manner which enables on-the-fly management of the thermodynamic efficiency of the device (20) under varying conditions in order to maximize the amount of mechanical work needed to move the target quantity of heat absorbed and released by the working fluid. When operated in refrigeration modes, the work required to move the heat is minimized. In power modes, the work extracted for the given input heat is maximized.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for translating angular rotation between rotary components. The system includes a rotor and a contact wheel. The rotor is rotatable about a rotary axis at a rotary angular velocity. The rotor includes a radial distance which extends between an exterior radius and an interior radius. The contact wheel is rotatable about a contact axis at a contact angular velocity. The contact axis extends in parallel relationship to the radial distance. The contact wheel is disposed in rotational contact with the radial distance. Rotation of one of the rotor and contact wheel is translated to rotate the other one of the rotor and contact wheel by virtue of the rotational contact between the rotor and contact wheel.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of constructing a rotary device which as an outer hub and an inner hub disposed within the outer hub. One of the inner and outer hubs is rotatable with respect to the other one of the inner and outer hubs about an axis. A ribbon of material extends between opposite ends and is roll formed to achieve a desired profile of an inner and outer peripheral wall of the inner and outer hub, respectively. The roll formed ribbons of material are each secured to maintain the desired profile and achieve the respective peripheral wall. The inner peripheral wall is inserted inside the outer peripheral wall such that the outer peripheral wall surrounds the inner peripheral wall.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of constructing a rotary device which as an outer hub and an inner hub disposed within the outer hub. One of the inner and outer hubs is rotatable with respect to the other one of the inner and outer hubs about an axis. A ribbon of material extends between opposite ends and is roll formed to achieve a desired profile of an inner and outer peripheral wall of the inner and outer hub, respectively. The roll formed ribbons of material are each secured to maintain the desired profile and achieve the respective peripheral wall. The inner peripheral wall is inserted inside the outer peripheral wall such that the outer peripheral wall surrounds the inner peripheral wall.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for translating angular rotation between rotary components. The system includes a rotor and a contact wheel. The rotor is rotatable about a rotary axis at a rotary angular velocity. The rotor includes a radial distance which extends between an exterior radius and an interior radius. The contact wheel is rotatable about a contact axis at a contact angular velocity. The contact axis extends in parallel relationship to the radial distance. The contact wheel is disposed in rotational contact with the radial distance. Rotation of one of the rotor and contact wheel is translated to rotate the other one of the rotor and contact wheel by virtue of the rotational contact between the rotor and contact wheel.

Abstract: A rotary device (20, 120, 220, 320) for an engine includes a stator (24, 124, 224, 324) and a rotor (26, 126, 226, 326) concentric with and rotatable about an axis (22) with respect to the stator (24, 124, 224, 324). The rotor (26, 126, 226, 326) and the stator (24, 124, 224, 324) cooperate to provide a working chamber (34, 134, 234, 334). A plurality of vanes (38) are supported for radial movement on one of the stator (24, 124, 224, 324) and the rotor (26, 126, 226, 326). Fluid is taken into the working chamber (34, 134, 234, 334) through an intake port (44) and exhausted from the working chamber (34, 134, 234, 334) through an exhaust port (46). A biasing device (48) biases each of the vanes (38) to seal against one of the stator (24, 124, 224, 324) and the rotor (26, 126, 226, 326).