Abstract: A method and apparatus for the pumping of heat wherein a working fluid is alternately compressed and expanded in a machine, and which usually provides for heat removal after the compression. The working fluid is a gas-liquid mixture comprising usually a gas such as argon and a liquid such as light oil, with such fluid mixture circulating within the machine both during compression and expansion. Normal uses for this machine are home heating and other heating uses.

Abstract: A method for the thermodynamic assisted compression of gases wherein a gas is alternately compressed and expanded with addition of heat regeneratively. The basic method is applicable to a variety of uses such as gas compression, turbines and in heat temperature boosters. Working fluids may be either gases or vapors. Heat may also be removed during compression steps and added during expansion steps. Process can be used with both steady flow and non-flow apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring heat regeneratively in a rotating heat exchanger. The heat exchanger provides for the cold gas stream to be heated alternate compression and expansion with heat addition usually during the expansion phase of the compression-expansion step from a warmer fluid. The fluid to be heated is usually a gas, while the fluid releasing heat may be either a gas or liquid. The heat element is a folded member usually in the form of bellows mounted concentric with rotor shaft, with baffles within to provide for outward and inward movement of the gas. Due to the heat addition especially during the expansion steps, the gas to be heated gains in pressure and usually this pressure gain is work free, and in magnitude is similar to the constant volume heat addition pressure gain which is well known.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the generation of cooling or heating by using a centrifuge type heat exchanger wherein the refrigerant during heat addition undergoes a pressure increase. The apparatus where heat is added is a rotary heat exchanger with the refrigerant being within the heat exchanger and rotating with it, and the air which is releasing heat is outside of the heat exchanger in a stationary casing. Stationary or rotary heat exchanger may be used for heat rejection by the refrigerant. By reversing the air connections, one can also use the device for heating room air in air conditioning applications, while the air circulating around the heat exchanger is outside air. Refrigerant fluids for this device may be the usual fluids used for refrigeration, such as air, halogenated hydrocarbon, ammonia and others.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating heating and cooling by circulating a working fluid within passageways carried by rotors, compressing said working fluid therewithin and removing heat from said working fluid in a heat removal heat exchanger and adding heat into said working fluid in a heat addition heat exchanger, all carried by said rotors. The working fluid is sealed within, and may be a suitable gas, such as nitrogen. A working fluid heat exchanger is also provided to exchange heat within rotor between two streams of said working fluid. In one arrangement, the unit uses two rotors, both rotating; in an alternate arrangement, one of the rotors may be held stationary. Applications include air conditioning service, and heating applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the thermodynamic assisted compression of gases wherein a gas is alternately compressed and expanded with addition of heat regeneratively. The basic apparatus and method are applicable to a variety of uses such as gas compression, turbines and in heat temperature boosters. Working fluids may be either gases or vapors. Heat may also be removed during compression steps and added during expansion steps. Process can be used with both steady flow and non-flow apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the compression of compressible fluids wherein a fluid is first compressed within a constant volume with addition of heat, and then further compressed in a compressor means increasing the fluid pressure and temperature. After compression, the fluid is passed into a heat exchanger for heat removal, with the heat so removed usually being used as the heat being added into the fluid in the initial step. After passing through the heat exchanger, the fluid leaves the process. Various types equipment may be used, including vane, piston, screw or other positive displacement type apparatus. In an alternate arrangement, heat may also be removed during the compression in the compressor means. Also, work may be extracted from the fluid after leaving the heat exchanger heat removal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the transfer of heat at a lower temperature to another fluid at a higher temperature, using a rotary heat exchanger and circulating the two fluids through said heat exchanger wherein a third fluid is circulated. The third fluid is normally a gas, compressed within the rotor by centrifugal action, with accompanying temperature increase, and heat is removed from said third fluid to a second fluid during and after compression; heat is added to said third fluid from a first fluid during and after expansion. A fourth fluid may be also circulated within said rotor, for removing heat from said third fluid before and during early part of compression to increase the weight of said third fluid within the compression side of the said rotor, thus improving the circulation of said third fluid within said rotor. Said second fluid, said first fluid, and said fourth fluid may be either liquids or gases as desired, including water. Said third fluid may be carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the pressurizing of fluids within a rotating rotor wherein a fluid enters the rotor near center, is first pressurized by centrifugal force with initial acceleration and is then further accelerated and pressurized within a circular cavity in a free vortex. The fluid then leaves the circular cavity via openings at periphery and is passed inwardly toward rotor center via passages, and discharged via opening near rotor center. Fluids may be gases or liquids. The device can be used either as a pump, a compressor, or a turbine as desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to power generation equipment and heat boosters, where a gaseous working fluid is compressed within a rotating rotor, heat is added or removed after such compression, and then the working fluid is expanded against centrifugal force within the rotor, and heat is again either added or removed from the working fluid. Where heat is added after the compression and heat removed after the expansion, the unit will be a power generator; where heat is removed after the compression and heat is added after the expansion, the unit will be a heat booster. Additionally, the unit may be provided with regeneration to exchange heat between the working fluid streams between such heat addition and heat removal. Working fluids that can be used are normally gaseous, and may be for example carbon monoxiode, or a halogenated hydrocarbon, or air.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating power and for increasing the temperature of heat in a thermodynamic machine wherein a working fluid is circulated within a rotating rotor. In the machine, the rotor contains a heating heat exchanger and a cooling heat exchanger within the rotor, and also a working fluid heat exchanger to transfer heat from one stream of working fluid into another stream, so that one stream is heated and another cooled. The working fluid heat exchanger is in one or more steps, so that the working fluid stream into which heat is added, is being expanded during heat addition, and also the stream may be compressed with heat addition. Heat removal from the other working fluid stream may also be in steps. The machine may be a single rotor unit, or may have two rotors. Alternately, one of the rotors may be held stationary in some instances, to improve working fluid circulation within the machine cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the generation of power and for the generation of higher temperature heat, by using a work process with isentropic compression of a gaseous working fluid, and the expansion of the working fluid with heat addition and expansion adiabatically. Work is supplied to the working fluid during compression and work is extracted during expansion from the working fluid; the difference is the work output for the system. Heat is added into the working fluid during the expansion, and such heat addition may be in steps with compression between such steps. Heat is removed from the working fluid at a higher pressure than the heat addition, with the heat removal at constant pressure normally. Working fluids include air, nitrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating heat and vaporizing of liquids, and for providing cooling by using a continuous flow centrifuge to compress a gas with accompanying temperature increase and removing heat to another fluid from said gas in compressed state; said gas then being passed from the first rotor via nozzles mounted on said first rotor in backward direction thus reducing the absolute tangential velocity of said gaseous fluid; said gaseous fluid being then passed to a second rotor for which the rotor tip speed may be nearly the same as the velocity of said entering gaseous fluid. After said gaseous fluid enters the second rotor, it is then passed inward within said second rotor and discharged near said second rotor center. Work is supplied to said first rotor normally, and recovered in said second rotor. The gaseous fluid may be air, carbon dioxide, or some other fluid. The fluid receiving said heat may be water, ammonia, or some other fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exchanging heat between two fluid streams, wherein the two fluids are passed in heat exchange relationship with each other within a rotating heat exchanger mounted on a shaft. The heat exchanger comprises a rotating housing, with the heat transfer elements mounted within, so that one of the fluid streams is passed through areas near the housing periphery, and the other fluid stream is passed through areas that are inward nearer to the axis of rotation from the housing periphery. The heat exchanger elements are made of heat conductive material and form bellows like pockets for the heat exchange to take place. Various vanes or other means may be provided to reduce tangential movement of the fluids, and thermal insulation layers may also be provided to prevent undesirable heat transfer. Fluids passing through the heat exchanger may be either gases or liquids.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the generation of high velocity fluid jets by using a rotor with attached discharge passages and nozzles. A working fluid is accelerated by using a rotating rotor, either of the free vortex type or of the forced vortex type, and the accelerated fluid is then passed through forwardly and inwardly extending passages, and discharged at high speed through openings that are inward from the rotor periphery. Fluids may be either liquids or gases. The high velocity fluid jet may be used where such jets are required, such as excavation, cutting, or as a source of thrust. The rotors may be also made multistage, if additional jet velocity is required.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the generation of power wherein a working fluid is compressed within outward extending rotor passages, and then passed inward in other rotor passages with accompanying expansion and deceleration, with work being generated by the decelerating fluid. Heat may be added into the working fluid near the rotor periphery, and in closed rotors, heat is removed from the working fluid after expansion. A regenerator also may be used mounted on the rotor exchanging heat between two streams of the working fluid. The working fluid passages during the deceleration are curved backward, while the working fluid passages for acceleration are usually radial. The working fluid may be either a liquid or gas, and the heating fluid and the cooling fluid may also be either a liquid or gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating power and for pumping fluids, wherein a free vortex cavity, within a rotating rotor, is used to pressurize a fluid after which the fluid may be used as a pressurized fluid or be used to generate power. The working fluid is injected into the free vortex cavity through feed nozzles oriented to discharge the working fluid forwardly in the direction of rotation, so that the working fluid rotational speed is normally, at least in part of the cavity, greater than the rotational speed of the rotor. The working fluid is pressurized within the vortex cavity by being forced to follow a curved path. Part of the working fluid is taken near the periphery of the curved passage, and recirculated through nozzles located toward the rotor center from the periphery thus providing additional fluid flow within the free vortex cavity and improving the rotor performance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transport of heat from a low temperature heat source into a higher temperature heated sink, using a compressible working fluid compressed by centrifugal force within a rotating rotor with an accompanying temperature increase. Heat is transferred from the heated working fluid into the heat sink at higher temperature, and heat is added into the working fluid after expansion and cooling from a colder heat source. Cooling is provided within the rotor to control the working fluid density, to assist working fluid circulation. The rotor has outward and inward extending working fluid passages for circulation therein, and heat is provided by a heat source fluid within its own heat exchanger, and heat is delivered into a heated fluid circulating within its own heat exchanger. Cooling is provided by circulating a cooling fluid within its own heat exchanger; alternately, the heated fluid may also serve as the cooling fluid if desired, before being heated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the pressurizing of fluids wherein a rotor is rotated on a shaft and the rotor is provided with an entry for the fluid at center, a pressurizing cavity with vanes, nozzles discharging the fluid forward, a vortex cavity for pressurizing the fluid, and exit means for passing the fluid from the rotor. Usually a casing is provided for collecting the pressurized fluid with an exit for delivery. The pressurizer can be used to pressurize either liquids or gases. The exit means from the rotor may be nozzles directed to discharge the fluid, or they may be other means for reclaiming part of the kinetic energy of the leaving fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the generation of power in a turbine, wherein a gaseous working fluid is passed within a rotor to compress the working fluid and then the fluid is accelerated and then decelerated to generate said power. Heat is added to the working fluid usually before said deceleration, and heat is usually removed from the working fluid after said deceleration. The turbine also is provided with regeneration means where heat is exchanged between streams of the working fluid within the rotor. The working fluid may be sealed within the rotor or be supplied from external sources. The turbine can also be used for heat transfer work with the reversal of rotation, if desired.