Abstract: When not only integrating the compressor and expander, but also the heat exchanger in one single rotor, a machine working according to the gas turbine process can be simplified. The gas turbine process in such a machine can also be run in reversed mode as a refrigeration machine or heat pump. Lower relative velocities between the working fluid and the components of the machine can be used which should lead to lower frictional losses and a higher efficiency. In order to further reduce the friction the rotor should rotate in a chamber with low pressure or in a medium with lower friction than air. The medium that exchanges heat with the working medium here called the heat carrying fluid is also taken into the rotor.

Abstract: A heat pump contains a piston compressor which is driven by a piston engine. The refrigerant on the low pressure side of the heat pump drives the engine during the compression stroke of the engine. An accumulator chamber for the low pressure refrigerant is provided adjacent the compressor. The volume of the accumulator chamber is so large that the compressor piston, and consequently also the engine piston, is given a speed high enough for producing the required compression in the engine cylinder.