Abstract: A heat-actuated space conditioning system comprising a sub-atmospheric natural-gas-fired Brayton cycle engine driving a Rankine cycle heat pump. A centrifugal Freon compressor is driven directly from the Brayton engine rotating group through a permanent magnet coupling. The system utilizes an in-line combustor which is operated to burn natural gas at atmospheric pressure by virtue of the associated sub-atmospheric Brayton cycle engine. Ambient stoichiometric air is drawn through an associated recuperator where it is preheated before being introduced into the combustor. Compressor discharge gas is also cycled through the recuperator and used as diluent to provide added flow and the desired turbine inlet temperature. Waste heat is used to power a boiler for the Freon in the Rankine cycle side, and this converted energy is used to drive a second turbine providing added power to the Freon compressor. A boiler feed pump is included which also serves as a starting mechanism for the rotating assembly.

Abstract: An air conditioning system of the air cycle heat pump type for selectively heating and cooling a residence or similar space environment. In one embodiment, a combustor and associated Brayton cycle turbine provide the primary drive to a compressor constituting the heat pump. In a second embodiment, the Brayton turbine is replaced by an electric motor coupled to drive the compressor shaft. An auxiliary turbine is also coupled to the drive shaft to provide auxiliary drive derived from the operation of a portion of the system at sub-atmospheric pressure. In this portion, during the cooling mode, water is evaporated into the system to further assist in cooling by removing the latent heat of vaporization.

Abstract: A turbine is disclosed which is adapted to receive and utilize fluid from multiple sources simultaneously. The fluid from each source is utilized optimumly by providing a section of the turbine adapted for the characteristics of each fluid source.

Abstract: An open loop air cycle air conditioning system draws ambient air into a turbine for expansion and cooling. The air passes through a heat exchanger where it withdraws heat from recirculated cabin air and is passed to a compressor which is operatively coupled to and driven by the turbine to partially recompress the air. The air is directed from the compressor to the intake manifold of the airplane engine. Valves may be positioned at the ambient air inlet to control the flow of air through the air conditioning system and into the engine. Water can be sprayed into the low pressure air at the heat exchanger to provide substantial additional cooling by evaporation.

Abstract: Air at substantially ambient pressure is cooled in a heat exchanger and introduced into an enclosure for cooling. The air is withdrawn from the enclosure and a portion of the air is expanded through a turbine for additional cooling and passed through the heat exchanger for the removal of heat therefrom. The air is then compressed to substantially ambient pressure and expelled. Additional cooling of the expanded air from the turbine may be obtained by evaporating a fluid therein. The fluid may be water condensed in, and withdrawn from, the heat exchanger.

Abstract: After the intake air for a vehicle's internal combustion type propulsion engine has been throttled down to about the intake manifold pressure, water is sprayed into the air. This air passes through the primary side of an air-to-air heat exchanger so that the vaporization of the water will remove heat from the air passing through the secondary side of the heat exchanger. This cooled air is circulated through an enclosure of the vehicle to provide low cost, low power cooling for the occupants thereof.