Abstract: An engine-driven heat pump system is disclosed in which the waste heat from the engine is used to only heat the water contained in a water heater. Space heating may be then provided by circulating the water through an air-handling unit. In order to simplify the operation, the engine's coolant is circulated through a tube surrounding the heater's storage tank. Any risk of contamination to the potable water supply is removed by venting the region surrounding the coolant-to-water heat exchanger. This is achieved by assuring that a surrounding insulation layer does not form a seal over the heat exchanger and by using a non-setting thermally conductive paste between the tube and tank.

Abstract: A facility for conditioning compressed natural gas to be dispensed to vehicle fuel tanks is provided that includes a fuel storage system, a chilling apparatus, and a fuel dispensing system. The chilling apparatus includes a refrigeration system and a liquid separator. The refrigeration system cools the compressed natural gas to near freezing temperature and/or a sub freezing temperature to remove water vapor, to remove higher hydrocarbons, and/or to obtain a full fill of the vehicle fuel tanks. The liquid separator is located downstream of the refrigeration system to remove any condensed liquids from the natural gas. A desiccant bed can be provided downstream of the liquid separator to remove any residual liquids remaining in the natural gas.

Abstract: A heat pump system for heating and cooling including a vapor compressor driven by a heat engine in which the refrigerant is isolated from a space being conditioned, by a two-pipe loop that, in a heating mode transfers both refrigeration derived heat and heat rejected by the heat engine in an efficient serial manner. The system circuitry includes a counterflow heat transfer fluid to air heat exchanger and a heat transfer fluid to potable water heater exchanger.

Abstract: A spark ignited engine and method of its operation in which throttling losses are substantially eliminated has two intake manifolds operating at different charge air density levels. Suitable valves, upstream of conventional cylinder intake valves, are controlled to supply each of the cylinders with charge air from one or the other manifold. At high loads under operation of a controller all of the cylinders are supplied from the high density charge air manifold and at low loads all of the cylinders are supplied from the low density charge air manifold. At intermediate loads the controller supplies an appropriate number of cylinders from the high density manifold and the remaining cylinders from the low density manifold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fast filling a vehicle fuel tank with high pressure natural gas comprising the steps of coupling a fill line to the vehicle tank, introducing high pressure natural gas into the line and the tank, measuring the pressure in the line in a manner that yields a measurement of the initial pressure of the gas in the tank, assigning an initial temperature for the gas in the tank, predetermining the final desired pressure and temperature of the gas in the tank at the end of the fill, calculating the mass or temperature of the gas to be added to the tank so that the adiabatic compression and potential rise in temperature of gas in the tank is automatically compensated for and the tank is substantially filled with a mass that results in a condition, when the tank and the gas contained therein substantially reach ambient temperature, wherein the pressure in the tank is substantially equal to the nominal rated pressure of the tank and, thereafter filling the tank with the calculated gas mass or

Abstract: A method of refueling a road transportation vehicle or the like comprising receiving and storing liquid natural gas in a relatively large supply tank at relatively low temperature and moderate pressure, dispensing the liquid natural gas from the supply tank generally exclusively on demand when a vehicle is present for refueling, delivering the dispensed gas to a high-pressure fuel tank on the vehicle while simultaneously converting it to compressed natural gas at relatively high pressure and moderate temperature through the addition of energy to the gas primarily in thermal form. In one embodiment the pressure of the natural gas is elevated by a mechanical pump while in another embodiment the pressure of the natural gas is raised primarily by the addition of heat.

Abstract: An air-fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine in which fuel, such as natural gas, is stored in a fuel tank as a cryogenic liquid, and in which supply air is compressed. The charge air is intercooled to increase its density and, therefore, engine performance. Heat from the intercooling process is utilized to vaporize the liquid natural gas fuel. Heat exchange from the charge air to the liquid natural gas is accomplished with a phase changing heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid boils at the intercooler and condenses at the fuel vaporizer to give precise temperature control at the intercooler surfaces without frost build-up.

Abstract: A heat pump system in which a vapor compression refrigerant is isolated from the space being conditioned, heat pumped by the refrigeration circuit is stored and a heat transfer fluid circuit is controlled for conditioning the space and for conducting heat from a heat storage medium at times when the refrigeration circuit does not operate in a regular heat pumping mode.

Abstract: A heat pump system in which a vapor compression refrigerant is isolated from the space being conditioned, heat pumped by the refrigeration circuit is stored and a heat transfer fluid circuit is controlled for conditioning the space and for conducting heat from a heat storage medium at times when the refrigeration circuit does not operate in a regular heat pumping mode.

Abstract: A heat pump system for a residence or other occupied space utilizing a fuel-fired prime mover or heat engine to operate a refrigerant vapor compressor. With both the engine and compressor situated outdoors, heat is transferred between the building interior and the refrigeration circuit with a heat transfer fluid circuit that permits the refrigerant to be isolated outdoors. The heat rejected by the engine is carried into the building by an engine coolant circuit for space heating and water heating. The heat transfer fluid circuit and the engine coolant circuit, ideally, use the same liquid, a simplified pump arrangement, a common reservoir and a multi-channel conduit.

Abstract: A heat storage system for a fuel fired prime mover driven space conditioner. Rejected heat from the prime mover is advantageously stored in a storage type potable hot water heater. Heat is transferred from a coolant fluid for the prime mover by forcibly circulating water from the tank of the potable hot water heater with a pump driven by the hydraulic energy of the coolant fluid. Since the coolant fluid flows when the prime mover is operated, control circuitry for the water circulating pump is avoided.

Abstract: A heat pump system for an occupied space of a building comprising a fuel-fired heat engine and a heat pump compressor driven by the heat engine, the mechanical horsepower output capacity of the engine being substantially equal to the input power requirement of the compressor, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger in thermal communication with air in the occupied space, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger in thermal communication with the outdoor environment of the building, a refrigerant circuit connecting the refrigeration heat exchangers and the compressor to permit the compressor to pump heat between the heat exchangers when operated by the engine, a heat storage medium for absorbing heat rejected by the engine during its operation, the heat storage medium having a capacity to store a substantial quantity of heat for a period at least substantially as long as a maximum expected time that the engine is inoperative between ordinary cycles of operation, and a pump for selectively tran

Abstract: A method of refueling a road transportation vehicle or the like comprising receiving and storing liquid natural gas in a relatively large supply tank at relatively low temperature and moderate pressure, dispensing the liquid natural gas from the supply tank generally exclusively on demand when a vehicle is present for refueling, delivering the dispensed gas to a high-pressure fuel tank on the vehicle while simultaneously converting it to compressed natural gas vapor at relatively high pressure and moderate temperature through the addition of energy to the gas primarily in thermal form. In one embodiment the pressure of the natural gas is elevated by a mechanical pump while in another embodiment the pressure of the natural gas is raised primarily by the addition of heat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing emissions from an internal combustion engine used for propelling a heavy land vehicle, for example, comprising a fuel supply tank for storing liquified natural gas and a fuel circuit for cooling compressed charge air to the engine with the heat of vaporization of the fuel. Under low load conditions fuel vapor from the tank can be consumed to avoid an excessive build-up of pressure; the engine is operated with a lean fuel/air mixture without cooling of the charge air to obtain low emissions. Non-methane hydrocarbon emissions are eliminated by stripping the natural gas of essentially all of the higher hydrocarbons during the liquification process.

Abstract: A heating system that reduces the cycling losses of a heat engine driven heat pump by storing rejected heat from the engine and using this rejected heat to meet a heating demand between periods of operation of the engine and heat pump so that over an extended time fewer start/stop cycles of the engine and heat pump are necessary. In a preferred embodiment a conventional storage-type hot water heater is used to store rejected heat, provide potable hot water, supply heat in the event of failure of the heat pump, supplement heat in periods of unusual demand, and provide low level heating requirements when heat pump operation would not be economical.

Abstract: A chiller system for satisfying a cyclical cooling load including a fuel-fired prime mover and compressor set and a cold storage bank. The prime mover compressor set is sized for efficient, substantially continuous operation from cycle to cycle and the cold storage is sized to provide any short term deficiency of cooling rate in the prime mover compressor set. The prime mover compressor set is preferably operated during periods of cooling demand and is modulated in output capacity to extend real time matching of cooling delivery rate and consumption. A condenser reset temperature feature takes advantage of cyclic changes in operation to improve efficiency.

Abstract: A pump especially suited for pumping a saturated liquid while employing motive power from a high speed rotor. The disclosed pump comprises a stationary, generally cylindrical inner wall on which is mounted a sleeve member defining a generally cylindrical outer wall radially spaced from the inner wall to define an elongated annular chamber. The outer wall is mounted for rotation relative to the inner wall and at one end of the annular chamber there is a rotarty impeller which rotates relative to the inner wall to direct fluid radially outwardly from adjacent the surface of the outer wall. Fluid supply inlet openings are provided to supply fluid through the inner wall to the annular chamber at a position axially spaced from the impeller. A vapor discharge outlet is carried by the sleeve member and provided with an inlet adjacent the inner wall at a location spaced from the fluid inlet in a direction opposite the impeller.

Abstract: A cogeneration plant for a site having an expected daily thermal load. In one embodiment, the plant includes a heat engine/electrical power generator set and a heat storage unit. The engine/generator set is sized to normally operate only during the peak rate period of the central electric service utility while rejecting a quantity of heat equal to the daily thermal load at the site. The storage unit is sized to contain a quantity of heat equal to the daily thermal load reduced by that portion of the daily load incurred during the peak rate period. In another embodiment, the cogeneration plant includes a fuel cell electrical power generator serving a local energy-integrated community. The fuel cell is sized to reject a quantity of heat to satisfy the collective average daily thermal load at the community site. Separate thermal storage sections are provided for high and low grade rejected heat.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel system for a vehicle including an on-board compressor for recharging an associated pressure storage tank. The compressor and tank are mounted on the vehicle as a structural unit whereby the tank shields the compressor and high pressure gas flow circuits therebetween and provides a heat exchanger surface for the compressor. A regulator in series with a supply line of low pressure gas prevents gas flow when the compressor does not operate to maintain a vacuum in an intervening dispensing line. An O.sub.2 sensor disconnects the compressor motor when the percentage of O.sub.2 exceeds a predetermined safe limit. A bypass circuit allows the tank to be filled from a high pressure supply without operation of the compressor.

Abstract: An air heating and cooling system for a building includes an expansion type refrigeration circuit and a vapor power circuit. The refrigeration circuit includes two heat exchangers, one of which is communicated with a source of indoor air from the building and the other of which is communicated with a source of air from outside the building. The vapor power circuit includes two heat exchangers, one of which is disposed in series air flow relationship with the indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger and the other of which is disposed in series air flow relationship with the outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger. Fans powered by electricity generated by a vapor power circuit alternator circulate indoor air through the two indoor heat exchangers and circulate outside air through the two outdoor heat exchangers.