Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing low grade thermal energy is shown to reduce the energy required to drive the compressor of a refrigeration or air conditioning system. The thermal energy is used to vaporize a fluid which is used as a motive fluid to drive a thermal compressor, such as a jet compressor or a vapor compression cycle compressor. In a normal air conditioning system including a condenser, expansion valve, evaporator and compressor, the jet compressor is inserted between the discharge of a compressor and the inlet for the condenser when there is sufficient thermal energy to drive a thermal compressor. This produces a two-stage compressor which improves the efficiency of the overall system. If separate fluids are utilized, a thermal evaporator is located in a heat exchange relationship with the condenser to cool the refrigerant fluid within the condenser tube, a tube-in-tube arrangement being such a heat exchange relationship.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating and/or cooling an enclosed area from solar energy is shown. A fluid is pumped into a concentrating solar energy collector for heating by the sun's rays. Fluid in the collector is vaporized and flows through a regulating valve for discharge through a jet compressor into a cooling condenser during the cooling cycle. A reduced pressure is created in an evaporator/heat exchanger by the jet compressor. Inside air conveys its heat to the evaporator/heat exchanger either directly or indirectly, and ambient outside air absorbs the heat from the cooling condenser. During the heating cycle, the heated fluid from the collector is directed into an energy storage tank. Heat from the energy storage tank is conveyed to the inside air through the evaporator/heat exchanger.