Abstract: A fluid displacement machine of the vane type utilizing a cylindrical rotor equipped with one or more tethered sliding vanes wherein the rotor and vane set is rotatably located eccentrically inside an internal conforming casing profile between opposing endplates which combination thereof defines enclosed variable volume compartments. Each vane is fitted on opposite sides with tethers which are pivotally-mounted remotely from the vane tips. The tethers engage, through anti-friction means, circular annuli located within the endplates which are concentric with the hollow casing profile. Two anti-friction tether-to-annuli means are revealed, one in the form of freely-rotating caged roller bearings interposed between the tethers and the respective internal annuli, and the other in the form of tethers equipped with trunnioned bearings which directly engage these internal annular surfaces. Combinations of these anti-friction vane tethering means are also revealed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus by means of which the premier vapor cycle, known as the Carnot cycle, can be approximated in practice, involve the application of novel energy-efficient, mixed phase, high volume-ratio fluid-handling machinery to a single-component working fluid that exists during certain processes as a mixture of fine droplets of saturated liquid in saturated vapor. This combination of fluid-handling machinery and the saturated mixed-phase working fluid enables the approximation of isentropic saturated liquid/vapor expansion and compression. These process approximations, in addition to isothermal heat addition and rejection, enable Carnot heat engine, refrigeration and heat pump cycles to be approximated.

Abstract: A modular, frame-mounted power unit for converting heat from a low-grade energy source to electric power. Heat from a source is supplied to the power unit in the form of hot fluid circulated through a heat exchanger associated with a boiler. Liquid refrigerant in the boiler is vaporized and passes through the stages of an organic Rankine cycle, the expansion stage being carried out in a rotary, positive displacement expander. The condensing stage is carried out in a condenser associated with a cold heat exchanger which is connected to a supply of cooling fluid through cooling lines. The output shaft of the expander is connected to drive an electric power generator and individual fluid feed pumps for returning liquid refrigerant from the condenser to the boiler and for circulating hot and cold fluids through the hot and cold heat exchangers, respectively.

Abstract: A combination superheater and oil separator for a refrigeration system having a rotary component, a source of heated medium and a source of non-superheated refrigerant gas-oil mixture includes a sealed casing, a heat transfer unit within the casing having a heat transfer surface, a connection from the interior of the casing to receive the mixture from the source, a connection from the heat source to supply heated medium at a temperature and heat transfer rate through the heat transfer surface to boil off refrigerant gas from the mixture and produce superheated refrigerant gas, a connection on the interior of the casing to deliver superheated refrigerant gas boiled off from the mixture in the interior of said casing, and a delivery conduit to deliver oil from the casing to the rotary component for lubricating the component with the nondiluted oil.

Abstract: A refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator with controls and interconnections to provide a system operating in a vapor refrigeration cycle containing a refrigerant or combination thereof selected from a group of low vapor pressure refrigerants having boiling points anywhere from about 10 degrees F. to 83 degrees F. and the compressor comprising an open system constrained rotary vane compressor having a ratio Q/D of cooling capacity per unit of displacement anywhere in the range from about 8,000 to 30,000 FT-LB per HR/FT.sup.3 per HR determined by the refrigerant or combination thereof in the system and according to a specified formula.

Abstract: A rotary compressor having a housing defining a chamber with a curved outer wall of substantially elliptical profile containing a rotor of cylindrical shape having a plurality of vanes profiled to fit the chamber and radially slidable in grooves in the rotor to define enclosed compartments between them. Each vane has a pair of axially extending stubshafts having rollers respectively mounted thereon. Roller tracks formed in the end walls of the chamber accommodate the rollers for guiding the vanes so that the outer edges of the vanes follow the outer wall of the chamber in closely spaced engagement. Inlet and outlet ports located in the curved outer wall of the chamber closely straddle a reference region.

Abstract: A rotary machine having a cavity in the form of a doubly truncated sphere having a rotor of hollow construction mounted therein, the cavity being symmetric about a vane axis which is canted with respect to the rotor axis. The rotor includes an integral Saturn-like ring extending symmetrically about its axis dividing the cavity into first and second sides each of annular wedge shape having thick and thin portions arranged in complementary fashion. The rotor has four radial slots aligned with the shaft axis to divide the rotor into 90 degree sectors, the slots being occupied by first and second blades with each blade defining a pair of vanes which separate the sides of the cavity into successive chambers which vary cyclically in volume as the shaft rotates. A relatively thin auxiliary shaft extends axially through the hollow of the rotor. An auxiliary centering ball is telescoped over the auxiliary shaft at the point of intersection of the axes.

Abstract: A compressor-expander having a vaned rotor in which the vanes rotate about an axis which is canted with respect to the rotor axis. The housing of the device has a disc-shaped main cavity having adjacent hub recesses which are concentrically spherical. The cavity is in the form of a doubly truncated sphere canted with respect to the shaft axis. The rotor has a central spherical portion for mating with the recesses and includes an integral Saturn-like ring extending to the outer wall of the cavity to divide the cavity into first and second complementary sides of annular wedge shape. The vanes occupy radially extending slots in the rotor and serve to separate each side into successive chambers which vary cyclically in volume as the shaft rotates without requiring the vanes to bodily reciprocate either radially or axially. Each side is provided with inlet and outlet ports.

Abstract: A rotary compressor for use in air conditioning or the like including a housing having a chamber with a cylindrical rotor journaled therein, the rotor having a set of vanes radially slidable to define enclosed compartments between them. The curved outer wall of chamber has a reference region separating the chamber into inlet and outlet sides having inlet and outlet ports in straddling relation. The rotor has its axis laterally offset from the chamber axis to produce sealing at the reference region. The curved wall of the chamber on the inlet side is of substantially elliptical profile with the major axis of the ellipse generally centered on the inlet side and with the inlet port extending to a point of cut-off short of the major axis. The curved wall on the outlet side is smoothly continuous and substantially circular in profile.

Abstract: An air conditioning unit including a compressor-expander employing a vaned rotor defining enclosed compartments which become smaller in the compressor and larger in the expander as the shaft rotates, for positive compression and expansion. A primary heat exchanger having an associated separator-sump is connected between the compressor outlet port and the expander inlet port for dissipation of heat. A secondary heat exchanger is connected between the expander outlet port and compressor inlet port for absorption of heat and to complete a closed loop. The loop is charged with a main refrigerant in the form of a non-condensing gas, such as air, plus an auxiliary refrigerant mixed with oil, the auxiliary refrigerant being chosen (a) to have appreciable heat of vaporization and (b) to be capable of liquifaction at the pressure and temperature existing in the primary heat exchanger and evaporation at the pressure and temperature existing in the secondary heat exchanger.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for an enclosed space which includes a compressor and expander having inlet and outlet ports with a primary heat exchanger connected between the compressor outlet port and the expander inlet port and a secondary heat exchanger connected between the expander outlet port and the compressor inlet port to complete a closed loop having a charge of air, one of the heat exchangers being thermally coupled to the enclosed space. A pump is provided for injecting air into the loop to increase the pressure therein thereby to increase the heat rate of the system. Preferably the pump is used for both injecting air into the loop and bleeding air from the loop under the control of a thermostat for maintenance of a set temperature; however, a simplified form of the invention employs constant bleed. In a more elaborate form of the invention pressure follow-up is incorporated in the control to avoid any tendency toward overshoot.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for an enclosed space including a jointly driven compressor and expander of the positive displacement type each having an inlet port and an outlet port with a primary heat exchanger connected between the compressor outlet port and expander inlet port and a secondary heat exchanger connected between the expander outlet port and the compressor inlet port to complete a closed loop having a charge of air and with one of the heat exchangers being thermally coupled to the enclosed space. Ambient air is injected into the closed loop to raise the pressure in the secondary heat exchanger to substantially above the atmospheric level to increase the heat rate of the system. Alternatively air is bled from the loop to reduce the pressure in the secondary heat exchanger thereby to decrease the heat rate of the system.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for an enclosed space including a jointly driven compressor and expander of the positive displacement type each having an inlet port and an outlet port with a primary heat exchanger connected between the compressor outlet port and expander inlet port and a secondary heat exchanger connected between the expander outlet port and the compressor inlet port to complete a closed loop having a charge of air and with one of the heat exchangers being thermally coupled to the enclosed space. Ambient air is injected into the closed loop to raise the pressure in the secondary heat exchanger to substantially above the atmospheric level to increase the heat rate of the system. Alternatively air is bled from the loop to reduce the pressure in the secondary heat exchanger thereby to decrease the heat rate of the system. In an alternate embodiment a source of pressurized air is provided, preferably in the form of an accumulator, with valving to feed air from the accumulator into the loop.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for an enclosed space employing a unitary compressor and expander of the positive displacement type, each having an inlet port and an outlet port, with a primary heat exchanger connected between the compressor outlet port and the expander inlet port and a secondary heat exchanger connected between the expander outlet port and the compressor inlet port to complete a closed loop having a charge of gas, the gas being non-condensing at the temperatures and pressures encountered in the unit. An accumulator holds an auxiliary charge of the pressurized gas at a pressure which is lower than the pressure existing in the primary heat exchanger and higher than the pressure existing in the secondary heat exchanger. A first intermittently operated valve couples the accumulator to the secondary heat exchanger for injection of auxiliary gas into the closed loop to raise the pressure in the secondary heat exchanger substantially above the atmospheric level to increase the heat rate of the system.

Abstract: A compressor-expander for use in air conditioning including a chamber of generally elliptical cross section having a compressor side and an expander side each with inlet and outlet ports. Rotatable in the chamber is a vaned rotor defining enclosed compartments in which the air is positively compressed accompanied by an increase in temperature in the compressor side and is positively expanded with a decrease in temperature in the expander side, the elliptical eccentricity of the compressor side being less than 0.62 and the eccentricity on the expander side being less than the eccentricity of the compressor side in a ratio lying between 0.68 and 0.95. Pressure in the compartment at the point of discharge is substantially at atmospheric level, and the expander outlet port is so located that when a compartment on the expander side is centered on the major axis, the leading vane is at the threshold of discharge.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for an enclosed space, capable of operating as a heat pump in the winter and as a refrigerator in the summer, of the type employing a unitary compressor and expander having a common rotor with vanes defining enclosed compartments for positive compression and expansion of air. An indoor heat exchanger and outdoor heat exchanger are provided with one being connected between the outlet port of the compressor and the inlet port of the expander and the other being connected from the outlet port of the expander to the inlet port of the compressor thereby to complete a loop which is charged with air. Valves are interposed for effectively interchanging the connections of the heat exchangers so that the indoor heat exchanger is used for warming in winter and cooling in summer. The outdoor heat exchanger is in the form of a solar-directed panel having a heat absorption surface and air passages for convection cooling.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for a living space capable of operating as a heat pump or refrigerator employing a unitary compressor and expander having a common rotor with vanes defining enclosed compartments for positive compression of air in the compressor and positive expansion of air in the expander. A regenerative heat exchanger having thermally coupled air passages is employed in the system together with a non-regenerative primary heat exchanger which is located in the warm space. Air from the cool space is heated in the first passage of the regenerative heat exchanger, and moisture is injected, following which the air passes into the compressor inlet port. From the compressor outlet port wet air flows at high temperature and pressure to the primary heat exchanger located in the warm space where some of its heat is given up. Next the air flows through the second passage in the regenerative heat exchanger where its temperature is further lowered prior to being fed to the expander inlet port.

Abstract: A compressor-expander having a vaned rotor eccentrically mounted in a cylindrical chamber to define a series of compartments which vary in volume through volumetric stages which are maximum, convergent, minimum and divergent. The compressor-expander has an associated heat exchanger connected to heat exchanger ports at the convergent and divergent stages and spaced inlet and outlet ports at the maximum stage. Means are provided for inducing, or blowing, warm air through the successively presented compartments at the maximum stage to achieve a scavenged discharge of cool air to recharge each compartment with warm air. Preferably the flow is induced by a high pressure jet which entrains air in the air stream to produce an amplified flow, the compressed air being bled from the cold end of the heat exchanger. A valve is interposed in the bleed line to coordinate the rate of bleed either manually or automatically with the rotor speed or the operating conditions, primarily pressure, existing in the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An emission control system for an internal combustion engine cools the exhaust gases sufficiently to condense a substantial portion of the pollutants as a separable liquid or solid phase. The engine exhaust gases are initially cooled and then compressed, again cooled, and work-expanded in an open reversed Brayton cycle to obtain a significant temperature decrease. The resulting cooled gases from this the pollutants are readily separated may be employed to provide refrigeration or air-conditioning for moving vehicles.

Abstract: An air conditioning unit having a driven rotor with a plurality of vanes and including a compressor portion and an expander portion, each having inlet and outlet ports, with a heat exchanger connected between the compressor outlet port and the expander inlet port. A non-condensing gas such as air is fed into the compressor inlet port, compressed, accompanied by a rise in temperature, cooled by the heat exchanger, and expanded back to substantially its initial pressure for discharge in the cold state at the expander outlet port, a non-condensing gas being defined as any gas which does not condense at the pressures and temperatures encountered in the unit.