Compression Heater

Abstract

The present invention, referred to as a Compression Heater, is used as a source of heat, and/or as a means of cooling. As the name of the invention implies, a means to compress an appropriately chosen and operatively contained liquid or gas is utilized such as to cause a working fluid to become heated to some applicable temperature. This rise in temperature is caused by molecular friction due to compression. The thusly heated working fluid can then be incorporated in many novel applications as will become apparent below and in the Preferred Embodiments.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority of the previously filed provisional patent application entitled: Compression Heater; Inventor: Daniel Lewis; Application No. 61/253,551; Filed: Oct. 21, 2009; Conformation Number: 5377; Filing Receipt: OC000000038764226

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

It is well known and understood that compression of a fluid or gas can cause significant heat: The Diesel Engine provides an excellent example of this, i.e., wherein a cylinder of said engine compresses air to 600 psi, the temperature of said air is measured at 1022 degrees F. An air conditioner provides an excellent example of the manipulation of a gas wherein, said gas is made to change into various and useful thermodynamic states.

In the prior art, the heat produced by a working fluid under compression has, more often than not, been viewed as a major cause of equipment damage and energy loss. Engineers have put a lot of time and effort into minimizing these consequences of compression. More importantly, the various means most often used for compressing a working fluid ultimately rely on fossil fuels, such as electric motors or gas engines used to drive a compressor. These processes are well known and understood.

In the prior art, hot water heaters and baseboard heating systems generally rely on fossil fuels to heat water which is then operatively dispensed to sinks, dishwashers, tubs, baseboard heating systems, and so forth. However, these typical systems are a major source of environmental pollution. Though there are other means of heating water available to the consumer, such as wind turbines, from which electricity can be utilized, these types of systems are cost prohibitive, expensive to maintain and environmentally disruptive.

In the prior art, the production of steam, used in various applications, such as for driving a steam turbine, or as a source of heat, etc., is also reliant on fossil fuels which pollute the environment.

In the prior art, the production of heat used to heat a home by furnaces, fireplaces and electric space heaters, and so forth, is from the burning of fossil fuels.

In the prior art, any means of cooking food, such as a stove, an oven, a hot plate, griddle and so forth, all rely on fossil fuels.

In the prior art, dryers rely on fossil fuels, coffee pots rely on fossil fuels. The list goes on.

The present invention, entitled a Compression Heater, embraces the heat of compression. It stands alone and well apart from the prior art in its novel utilizations and methodologies of producing this heretofore underappreciated, non-polluting heat source.

As will become apparent in the Preferred Embodiments, the Compression Heater can be used as the source of heat for all the aforementioned apparatus and appliances. By operatively manufacturing, capturing and dispensing the heat generated by compressing a working fluid, the Compression Heater can heat water, produce steam, heat or cool a home, cook food and so forth, though it does not require the use of fossil fuels to do so, which, results in a 100% utility savings over the prior art. However, electrical apparatus, for example, can be incorporated into the Compression Heaters' design with significantly less reliance on the power company.

Conversely, through the operative utilization of the below defined Friction Plate and the heat exchanger(s) of the Preferred Embodiments, inherent in the process of compressing and then vaporizing a working fluid such as Freon, for example, is that a consequential method of cooling an environment can be realized that does not necessarily have to rely on fossil fuels. Said Friction Plate can also be used to augment the work done by a Prime Mover, that is, to enhance and more expeditiously heat a working fluid such as air.

The “Go Green” applications of the Compression Heater are unlimited and have been, heretofore, unrealized. What I have invented is essentially a new technology, an applicable technology, a green technology; one that will be around for a long time.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

WORKING FLUID: A working fluid is any operative fluid or gas where, said working fluid is having work done on it by a Prime Mover (described below). It is operatively contained and manipulated in a Compression Chamber.

COMPRESSION CHAMBER: A Compression Chamber is where the working fluid is contained so that it can be compressed and manipulated. It can be of any shape, size, dimension and so forth. A Compression Chamber's designs are diverse. Depending on an application, said designs also allow it to become multifunctional. For example, several pathways or pipes can be operatively drilled or incorporated throughout its mass, in which case, the Compression Chamber can also double as a heat exchanger. It can internally or externally incorporate a “stand alone” heat exchanger where, said heat exchanger can be submerged in water, open to the air, or submerged in said working fluid. It can simultaneously incorporate both, internal and external heat exchangers in order to better manipulate the thermodynamic state(s) of the working fluid. As part of its design it can include impellers and Friction Plates, and so on. It is one of the two major components which comprise a basic Compression Heater. A Compression Chamber is operatively connected to a Prime Mover.

PRIME MOVER: A Prime Mover is directly involved in compressing said working fluid in said Compression Chamber. It is the second major component of said basic Compression Heater. A Prime Mover is directly responsible for causing a working fluid to become compressed by either decreasing the area within a Compression Chamber, or by injecting additional working fluid into said chamber. A Prime Mover can be pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical (a compressor pump impeller, for example), and so forth. It is anything capable of causing said working fluid to become compressed as described. It works in conjunction with an Indirect Mover.

INDIRECT MOVER: An Indirect Mover drives a Prime Mover, i.e., it supplies power to a Prime Mover. It can be wind, water, human, motor, engine, or any other means capable of driving a Prime Mover such as to cause said Prime Mover to compress a working fluid.

FRICTION PLATE: A Friction Plate is used to manipulate the thermodynamic state of the working fluid. The Friction Plate allows The Prime Mover to maintain compression as it aids said Prime Mover in more expeditiously causing said state to manifest. The means by which said manipulation can occur will become apparent in the Preferred Embodiments.

PRESSURE CONTROL: Is any means by which to control the upper or lower limits of compression inside the Compression Chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1.) Shows the basic design of the Compression Heater used as a source of hot water. It is comprised of a Compression Chamber (1) operatively coupled with Prime Mover (2) where, said Prime Mover is a hand actuated pneumatic device operated by a human, i.e., an Indirect Mover (not shown). Pipes (3) and (4) are used to operatively couple Compression Chamber (1) to an existing hot water system where, it is assumed that said system has existing inlet and outlet control valves and spigots (not shown).

FIG. 2.) Shows a Compression Heater used as an area heater. It is comprised of Compression Chamber (5) operatively coupled with Prime Mover (7). Prime Mover (7) is as described in FIG. 1. Heat dispersing fins (6) surround the Compression Chamber (5) and aids in dispersing heat. Not shown are any means by which to control the pressure of the Compression Chamber either before or after compression by Prime Mover (7).

FIG. 3.) Shows a Compression Heater hot plate. It is comprised of Compression Chamber (8) operatively coupled with Prime Mover (10). Situated on top of Compression Chamber (8) is heat plate (9) which is used to cook food. No means to control pressure is shown.

FIG. 4.) Shows a Compression Heater oven comprised of a Compression Chamber (11) operatively coupled with Prime Mover (13). No means for pressure control is shown.

FIG. 5.) Shows a Compression Heater which can be used as part of a baseboard heating system. It is comprised of Compression Chamber (14) with heat exchanger (16) where, Compression Chamber (14) is operatively coupled with Prime Mover (15). Pipes (17) and (18) are used to operatively couple heat exchanger (16) to an existing baseboard heating system. As in FIG. 1, it is assumed that said system has existing control valves and spigots.

FIG. 6.) Shown is one design of a Friction Plate (19). The Friction Plate displays several pin holes (20). Screw (27) is operatively coupled with Friction Plate (19) such that, Friction Plate (19) could be considered a nut and screw (27) a bolt. As used in FIG. 7 below, screw (27), by definition, is a Prime Mover.

FIG. 7.) Shows a Compression Chamber (21) operatively coupled with Indirect Mover (22). Pipes (23) and (24) are used to operatively couple Compression Chamber (21) inline with any number of apparatus. Operatively coupled inline with pipe (23) is inlet valve (25). Operatively installed inside Compression Chamber (21) is Friction Plate (26) with Prime Mover (40).

FIG. 8.) Shows crank shaft (81) operatively attached to piston (80) both of which are operatively enclosed in Compression Chamber (84). Piston (80) has pin holes (not shown) drilled all the way through it from top to bottom so that, as piston (80) is caused to move up and down by crank shaft (81) which is operatively attached to Indirect Mover (83), the working fluid will be caused to simultaneously compress and squeeze through said pin holes. By definition, piston (80) is a Friction Plate and, crank shaft (81) is a Prime Mover.

FIG. 9.) Shows a Compression Heater comprised of Compression Chamber (54), pump impeller (50) and rigidly fixed Friction Plate (51). By definition, pump impeller (50) is a Prime Mover and, Prime Mover (50) is operatively connected to Indirect Mover (55). Pipes (52) and (53) are external to, and, operatively fixed to Compression Chamber (54). Pipes (52) and (53) provide for working fluid pathways where, said fluid is operatively driven by Prime Mover (50). Pipe (52) is a hot, high pressure pipe which leads from Compression Chamber (54) to Friction Plate (51). From Friction Plate (51) is cool, low pressure Pipe (53) which returns the working fluid to the Compression Chamber.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 displays the most basic means for constructing a Compression Heater used to replace an existing hot water heater. The Compression Chamber (1) is operatively coupled with Prime Mover (2). Pipes (3) and (4) couple Compression Chamber (1) inline with the pipes of the existing hot water supply system where, pipe (3) is coupled with the unheated water inlet to Compression Chamber (1), and, pipe (4) is coupled with the heated water outlet. It is assumed that the hot water system being replaced has inlet and outlet valves and spigots already in place and operative. This is necessary so that, when Compression Chamber (1) is to be pressurized, all pre-existing valves and spigots can be closed.

Though water will be contained in Compression Chamber (1), water is not compressible to any appreciable degree; therefore, stimulating molecular friction by compression is not practical. To overcome this problem, Prime Mover (2) is a pneumatic apparatus capable of injecting air into Compression Chamber (1) where, said air is the working fluid which, when compressed, will heat said water. The Indirect Mover (not shown), in this case, is a human used to operate the pneumatic Prime Mover (2). However, said Indirect Mover could be as complicated as an electric motor used to drive the Prime Mover where, said motor incorporates feedback loops for controlling temperature and pressure.

The heating process for the Compression Heater shown in FIG. 1 is as follows. Water is allowed to enter and fill Compression Chamber (1) wherein it is then contained by closing said existing valves and spigots. It is then pressurized by Prime Mover (2) to some psi “Y”. At pressure “Y” the water becomes heated to a corresponding temperature “X”. Once “X” is achieved, the now heated water is ready for use. Pressure is then released from Compression Chamber (1), and, said existing hot water supply system takes over in the usual manner by opening or closing valves and circulating the hot water of the Compression Chamber as needed. A pop-off valve or other pressure/temperature control means can be incorporated in this or any of the Compression Heaters described herein.

Shown in FIG. 2 is a Compression Heater used as an area heater. It is comprised of Compression Chamber (5) operatively coupled with Prime Mover (7). Heat dispersing fins (6) surround Compression Chamber (5). Compression Chamber (5) relies on its mass to capture the heat of the working fluid after it has been compressed which, in this case is air. The Prime and Indirect Movers are like those shown in FIG. 1. It is assumed that Prime Mover (7) provides for a mean of releasing the spent working fluid after its heat has been captured by the mass of the Compression Chamber (5).

Shown in FIG. 3 is a Compression Heater hot plate or griddle. It is comprised of Compression Chamber (8) operatively coupled with Prime Mover (10). Situated on top of Compression Chamber (8) is heat plate (9). The Compression Chamber and heat plate are operatively secured to one another such that the pressure caused by Prime Mover (10) is contained and does not escape. Both the Prime and Indirect Movers are like those described in FIG. 2. The heat of the working fluid is concentrated towards heat plate (9) which, is made from any heat conducting material that is capable of safely handling any operatively generated temperature and corresponding pressure. Likewise, Compression Chamber (8) can be made of an appropriate insulating material. Note that, if the Compression Chamber and heat plate are made from the same material, the interior walls of Compression Chamber (8) can be insulated against heat loss and, heat plate (9) can be manufactured with a greater inner surface area, i.e., such as could be provided for by the fins shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a Compression Heater oven comprised of a Compression Chamber (11) operatively coupled with Prime Mover (13). Unlike the previously constructed Compression Chambers, Compression Chamber (11) has inner and outer walls. The space between these two walls comprises Compression Chamber (11). Operative with Compression Chamber (11) is oven door (12). Prime Mover (13) is a pneumatic device, but the Indirect Mover (not shown) is the foot of a human. Different materials can be used for constructing the inner and outer walls of Compression Chamber (11). The material used for constructing said outer wall should posses heat insulating properties, said inner wall, heat absorbing qualities. After compressing the working fluid contained in the Compression Chamber, thereby generating heat, the goal is to direct this heat into the oven's cooking space.

Shown in FIG. 5 is a Compression Heater that can be used in conjunction with an existing baseboard heating system whereby, Compression Chamber (14) replaces the boiler of said system. It is comprised of Compression Chamber (14) and heat exchanger (16) where, heat exchanger (16) is rigidly fixed within the interior of Compression Chamber (14) via pipes (17) and (18). Pipes (17) and (18) are rigidly and operatively fixed through the walls of Compression Chamber (14) such that, under no conditions of temperature and pressure can a Compression Chamber's working fluid escape. Pipes (17) and (18) used to operatively couple heat exchanger (16) to said existing baseboard heating system. Compression Chamber (14) is operatively coupled with Prime Mover (15). With heat exchanger (16) operatively embedded within Compression Chamber (14), the working fluid of said chamber can surround it. Heat exchanger (16) is operatively constructed such that, any heat distributing fluid used by said existing system cannot contaminate said working fluid under any conditions of temperature and pressure, and, such that the working fluid cannot penetrate said heat exchanger.

Prime Mover (15) can be of any means capable of pumping additional working fluid into Compression Chamber (14). The idea is that, as said additional working fluid is pumped into the Compression Chamber by said Prime Mover, the pressure on this working fluid will increase and cause a corresponding rise in its temperature. In order to release a pressurized working fluid after it has given up its heat, (and also so that the compression cycle can be repeated), Prime Mover (14) can also withdraw said working fluid.

Said Prime Mover can be of any means provided that said means possesses the aforementioned properties. Additionally, it should be able to compress and decompress the working fluid of the Compression Chamber without contaminating it. Depending upon the type of Prime Mover to be used, an appropriate Indirect Mover (not shown) is chosen. For example, if Prime Mover (15) is any type of reversible pump, an appropriate Indirect Mover could be an electric motor. However, said pump could also be operated via a hand crank, for example, in which case said Indirect Mover would be human. Or said Prime Mover can be operated by a wind turbine, or water source, and so forth.

The operation of this Compression Heater is as follows. Working fluid is added to Compression Chamber (14) by Prime Mover (15) until it is pressurized to achieve temperature “X”. Water is let into the inlet side of heat exchanger (16) via pipe (17). Heat is transferred from the working fluid to said heat distributing fluid through heat exchanger (16). Said heated water then exits the heat exchanger via pipe (18) wherefrom, it is circulated throughout a home by said existing system.

Generally, the Compression Heater of FIG. 5 allows for the complete separation and isolation of a working fluid from the medium that is to be heated. Therefore, the applications of the present Compression Heater (FIG. 5) are much more varied than that shown in FIG. 1. For example, though the Compression Heater of FIG. 5 has been presented as a baseboard heating system, it can also be used as a hot water system, or as a steam generator, and so forth. The Compression Heater of FIG. 1 is somewhat limited in this regard.

FIG. 6 illustrates one design of a Friction Plate. In general, a Friction Plate can be of any size, shape or dimension. It is an apparatus with one or more operatively sized holes drilled through it. The proper sizing of said hole(s) is dependent upon several variables. Said variables include: (1) the physical properties of the working fluid being used, (i.e., its viscosity and so forth), (2) the number of said hole(s) in the Friction Plate, (3) the capabilities of both, the Prime and Indirect Movers to sufficiently compress a working fluid such as to cause a desired temperature before said working fluid is expelled through said hole(s), and, (4) the desired thermodynamic state of the working fluid after it has been expelled.

Depending upon the type of working fluid and said hole(s), as described above, several final thermodynamic states of the working fluid are possible after it has been expelled. One such state is a superheated, low pressure vapor. Another, after having been heated by compression, cooled by a heat exchanger and, then forced through a Friction Plate, is a cool, low pressure vapor. And yet another would result in a hot liquid, and so on and so forth. Generally, a Friction Plate is used to manipulate a working fluid to some final thermodynamic state.

The Friction Plate as illustrated in FIG. 6 is comprised of plate (19), through which pin holes (20) are drilled. Screw (27) is threaded through plate (19) and, by rotating screw (27) one way and then the other, it causes plate (19) to move to and fro or up and down through a working fluid: By the above stated definition of a Prime Mover, screw (27) is a Prime Mover. This Friction Plate is incorporated into the Compression Heater shown in FIG. 7.

The Compression Heater of FIG. 7 begins to illustrate the complex diversity by which a Compression Heater can be constructed. Inlet pipe (23) is connected to a water source. When inlet valve (25) is open, said water can enter compression chamber (21). Prime Mover (40) is a screw, the top portion of which is operatively installed in the top of Compression Chamber (21) such that, under no conditions of temperature or pressure can said water escape, and, such that said Prime Mover can rotate freely in both directions, but, not up and down. The shaft of Prime Mover (40) extends to the bottom of Compression Chamber (21), and, is operatively connected with plate (26) such that, as said Prime Mover is rotated one way or the other, said plate is caused to move up or down along the Prime Mover's shaft. The end of said shaft is operatively secured to the bottom of the Compression Chamber such that, it can rotate freely, but not move side to side. The perimeter of Friction Plate (26) forms a seal with the inner surfaces of Compression Chamber (21) such that, as said water is compressed in said Compression Chamber by Friction Plate (26), it can only escape through the hole(s) (not shown) which have been drilled through said Friction Plate. An appropriate Indirect Mover (22) might be a hand crank operatively attached to Prime Mover (40).

This Compression Heater works as follows. As Friction Plate (26) is being raised and lowered in said water contained in Compression Chamber (21), said water will be simultaneously compressed, heated and forced through the holes of said Friction Plate wherefrom, the thermodynamic state of said water is as a heated vapor/liquid, the heat of which will be more readily given up to the larger mass of the Compression Chamber.

Gears or pulleys can be operatively incorporated between Prime Mover (40) and Indirect Mover (22), and, can be of any ratio.

As shown, the Prime Mover of FIG. 7 must constantly change directions in order to move the Friction Plate up and then down the Prime Mover's shaft, and so on. The action of constantly changing the Prime Mover's direction is inherently cumbersome and inefficient. However, there are many ways to remedy this shortcoming, two of which I will mention. One way is to operatively incorporate such grooving in the Prime Mover's shaft so that, as said Prime Mover is rotated in only one direction and, said Friction Plate reaches the bottom of its stroke, said Friction Plate will automatically reverse its direction on said shaft, and, visa versa. A second way to reverse said Friction Plate's direction, once it has reached some upper or lower limit, is to replace Prime Mover (40) with two, low profile, pneumatic cylinders where, one cylinder is operatively fixed to the bottom of Friction Plate (26), and, the other operatively fixed to the top. Each cylinder is operatively fixed inside Compression Chamber (21). A means of switching the flow of air from one cylinder to the other can be incorporated such that, when the top cylinder is fully extended, the air pressure on said top cylinder is released and transferred to the bottom one, thus causing the bottom cylinder to begin extending. Because the pressure on the top cylinder has been released, said cylinder will be caused to be retracted by the action of the extending bottom cylinder. Once the bottom cylinder has become fully extended, the process is reversed, and so on and so forth.

There are several ways and means by which to operatively incorporate a Friction Plate into a Compression Heaters' design. Another means of compressing a working fluid can be construed from the mechanics of a combustion engine.

As shown in FIG. 8, the single piston (80) is operatively attached to crank shaft (81) where, by definition, said crank shaft is a Prime Mover which, is caused to rotate by Indirect Mover (83). One or more orifices or operative pin holes are drilled all the way through Piston (80) from top to bottom; therefore, by definition, piston (80) is a Friction Plate. As Indirect Mover (83) rotates Prime Mover (81), said holes allow the working fluid contained in Compression Chamber (82) to flow from the top to the bottom of Friction Plate (80) as described above, and so on. As shown, this Compression Heater can be a stand alone room heater. In addition, any number of pistons/Friction Plates can be likewise incorporated. On a larger scale, this Compression Heater can be used as a source of heat for a Russian Fireplace instead of combustible material.

Note that, the nature of a Russian Fireplace is such that, when an intense fire burns therein for a short period of time, say thirty minutes, the mass of said fireplace captures the heat from said fire and, slowly, over a twenty four hour period, releases it back into a house.

In order to illustrate the incorporation of the present Compression Chamber into said Russian Fireplace, think of the pipes and heat exchangers of one circuit of a baseboard heating system that is used to distribute heat throughout one section of a house. Now think of these same pipes and heat exchangers as being operatively incorporated and distributed throughout the mass of a Russian Fireplace.

Modify Compression Chamber (82) to include a pipe that is operatively incorporated and distributed throughout its mass.

Operatively connect one end of the Compression Chamber's said incorporated pipe to one end of said incorporated baseboard heating system pipe. Do the same for the remaining ends of pipe to form an operative, closed circuit of piping that runs throughout the mass of said Compression Chamber and the mass of said Russian Fireplace. A few strategically placed petcocks and the system is complete and ready to be filled with an operative fluid. Said closed circuit of pipe is filled with said fluid in the same manner as a circuit of pipe of a baseboard heating system is filled, i.e., removing all the air, and so forth. Compression Chamber (82) is operatively filled with an operatively chosen working fluid.

This system works as follows. As Indirect Mover (83) rotates Prime Mover (81), it causes Friction Plate (80) to simultaneously compress and force said working fluid through the hole(s) of said Friction Plate. As said working fluid is being expelled through said hole(s), it becomes a hot vapor/liquid that gives up its heat to said mass of said Compression Chamber where, said Compression Chamber acts as a heat sink. As the Friction Plate is caused to reverse its direction by the action of Prime Mover (81), said vaporous liquid is compressed back into liquid form only to be re-vaporized as it is again forced through said holes of said Friction Plate (80). As this liquid/vapor cycle continues, the liquid side of said working fluid becomes hotter and hotter, and, will also give up its heat to the mass of said Compression Chamber. As this is happening, said mass of Compression Chamber (82) will, in turn, give up its heat to the fluid contained in said closed circuit of pipe. As said fluid pulls heat from the mass of said Compression Chamber, convection will circulate said fluid throughout the mass of said fireplace where, said fluid's heat will be given up to and stored by said mass of said fireplace, from which, said stored heat will be given up to warm a house, for example.

Given the nature of a Russian Fireplace as explained above, even if a low powered electric motor that is controlled by a thermostat or timer were used as an Indirect Mover, for example, and ran for one hour over a twenty four hour period, the monetary savings would be huge when compared to a prior art furnace or fireplace. Plus, unlike the Russian Fireplace which requires a chimney, the fireplace just described does not require any combustible material; therefore, it does not require a chimney which is a source of heat loss. However, with said chimney, another example of said Indirect Mover could be a small gasoline engine operatively fixed in said chimney. Furthermore, a pump means can be operatively incorporated into said closed circuit of pipe in order to better circulate said fluid contained therein.

If a pump is operatively incorporated into said circuit of pipe, then the Russian Fireplace can be used as an air conditioner as follows. Operatively incorporate and rigidly fix, (as will be explained in FIG. 9 below), one or more consecutively arranged Friction Plates in said circuit of pipe between the outlet side of the Compression Chamber and before said pipe enters said fireplace. Fill said circuit of pipe with a refrigerant. Fill said Compression Chamber with an operative working fluid. As described above, the Compression Chamber will transfer its heat to the refrigerant. Said pump will circulate said refrigerant. When said refrigerant exits the Compression Chamber, it will be a hot, high pressure gas that will cool slightly before being compressed and forced through said Friction Plate(s). In order to more efficiently cool said hot gas, the pipe containing it can be operatively contained in water or its length can be operatively increased, and so on. Now, before it is forced through the hole(s) of said plate(s), it will be a hot, high pressure liquid. After exiting from the Friction Plate(s), it will be a low pressure and temperature liquid. Said fireplace will transfer heat to this low pressure and temperature liquid causing it to boil back into its gaseous state as it returns to start the cycle again. Here I have used water as the condenser and the mass of said fireplace as the evaporator. As a further enhancement to this cooling system, the return line from the fireplace to the Compression Chamber can instead be operatively connected to one end of a baseboard heating pipe that circumnavigates a house, and the other end of this baseboard heating pipe can be operatively connected to the return pipe of the Compression Chamber. Or, I could have just as well let air act as a condenser and operatively connected each end of the pipe of the Compression Chamber to said circumnavigating baseboard pipe and eliminated said fireplace altogether where, the ambient air temperature of a house would act as an evaporator.

Please refer to FIG. 9. Yet another means for forcing a working fluid through a Friction Plate is to rigidly fix said plate in an operatively enclosed system of pipes or pathways, where, said working fluid is caused to flow in and through said pipes or pathways in only one direction by an operatively incorporated pump impeller. In this type system, a cooler and/or a heater can be built.

To build a Compression Heater cooler/heater, depending on whether a heating or a cooling function or both is desired, the working fluid would posses various properties as will be described below.

This system is assembled as follows. As pump impeller (50) is operatively fixed in Compression Chamber (54) and caused to rotate by Indirect Mover (55), it circulates said working fluid from said Compression Chamber, through operatively fixed pipe (52), through operatively fixed Friction Plate (51), through operatively fixed pipe (53) and, back into Compression Chamber (54). Said working fluid then gets re-circulated back through pump impeller (50) and so on. By definition, pump impeller (50) is a Prime Mover. This circuit is operatively connected together such that it is impermeable to outside contaminants and loss of working fluid.

When Prime Mover (50) is caused to rotate by Indirect Mover (55), pipes (52) and (53) each serve a dual purpose. They provide an operative pathway for a working fluid and, they act as heat exchangers. If a refrigerant is used as the working fluid, said working fluid in Pipe (52) becomes a hot, high pressure vapor then, as it cools, a high-pressure liquid/vapor which, in Pipe (53) is transformed into a cooler, low pressure vapor due to the nature of said Friction Plate. Said low pressure vapor can absorb heat from its surroundings as it returns to the Compression Chamber; said high pressure liquid/vapor can give up heat to its surroundings. Said pipes can be of any operative length. The majority of the length of said pipes is located on the outside of the Compression Chamber.

Additional back pressure can be caused by operatively incorporating a series of two or more Friction Plates between pipe (52) and pipe (53). By adding additional Friction Plates in series, the pressure difference between said pipes can be greatly enhanced thus, the heating and cooling properties of the working fluid, i.e., a refrigerant, is greatly enhanced.

It is important to note and too keep in mind that, in the preceding paragraphs, I have seemingly just described the circuit of an air conditioner or heat pump of the prior art, however, I have included no clear condenser, expansion valve or evaporator. Also, as noted above, the working fluid does not necessarily have to be a refrigerant. In this sense, it will become increasingly apparent below that, the heating and cooling systems that can be conceived for the Compression Heater of FIG. 9 are vastly different, more cost efficient and varied in its methodologies of causing and utilizing the hot and cold circuits of the prior art.

For example, the Compression Heater of FIG. 9 can be used in conjunction with the aforementioned Russian Fireplace as follows. Modify said fireplace to include the baseboard circuit of pipe as explained above and operatively fill with a working fluid that possesses properties that are conducive to generating and dissipating heat, i.e., it can be a water and anti-rust mixture, for example. A home heating system can now be described as follows. To minimize working fluid heat loss, operatively incorporate low pressure pipe (53) in an insulated box. Operatively connect the hot, high pressure pipe (52) with said circuit of pipe in said fireplace.

This heating system works as follows. Under the influence of Indirect Mover (55), the Friction Plate(s) causes the working fluid to become compressed, and therefore heated, in pipe (52). The mass of the Russian Fireplace acts as a heat sink/condenser which gets hotter and hotter as it draws and stores heat from the working fluid contained in pipe (52). As the now cooler working fluid exits said fireplace and passes through the holes of the Friction Plate(s), it begins to heat back up due to friction as caused by said hole(s), and, the cycle repeats itself. Over time, said fireplace's mass slowly disperses said stored heat into a house, for example.

A similar arrangement to that just described can be conceived for a baseboard heating system where, said fireplace is eliminated and pipe (52) operatively circumnavigates the space inside a house. Or, a mass of bricks can be piled inside an existing furnace where, similar to the arrangement described in utilizing the mass of a Russian Fireplace to capture and disperse heat, said mass of bricks will function likewise, from which, heat can be distributed throughout a home via the fan of said furnace.

Further modifications can make this heating system more user friendly, yet comparatively cost effective. As in FIG. 8, if Indirect Mover (55) is an electric motor, for example, the operation of which can also be controlled by a thermostat, this heating system can run itself. By sufficiently insulating pipe (53), as described above, thereby minimizing its heat loss, the heating capability of the Compression Heater to heat the mass of the Russian Fireplace or brick or baseboard pipe is greatly enhanced. This system can also be used to heat the water of a hot water tank by operatively incorporating pipe (52) into said tank and using the water contained therein as a heat sink instead of said fireplace.

If the role of pipes (52) and (53) are reversed where, pipe (53) is operatively connected to said circuit of pipe in said fireplace instead of pipe (52), the Russian Fireplace can become like an air conditioner. In this case, pipe (53) is not insulated as described above, and, the working fluid can be a refrigerant, for example.

A means of enhancing the function of pipe (52) is by operatively submerging it in a container or pool of water where, said water acts as a heat sink/condenser. If said container that contains said water is modified such that, pipe (52) is continuously bathed with an operative and ever changing supply of cold water, the heat sinking/condensing capabilities of said water is greatly increased, thus, making the Compression Heater and, therefore, this cooling system more efficient. Or, rather than to simply lose the heat of pipe (52) altogether, pipe (52) can be operatively incorporated into a hot water heater and utilized to heat the water of said hot water heater as explained above in FIG. 8; or, the heat of pipe (52) can be used as a supplemental source of heat for said hot water heater.

This cooling system works as follows. The cool, low pressure working fluid contained in pipe (53) draws heat from the mass of the Russian Fireplace and ultimately transfers it to said pool of water in which pipe (52) is submerged. As the Russian Fireplace gets cooler and cooler, it will draw moisture, i.e., heat from the house, thereby keeping it cool. Because said mass of said fireplace is so large, once said mass has become sufficiently cooled so as to keep a house at comfortable temperature, it will require comparatively less energy than a typical air conditioner would in order to maintain said temperature.

Further modifications can make this cooling system (or heating and cooling system) more user friendly, yet comparatively cost effective. If Indirect Mover (55) is an electric motor, for example, the operation of which can be controlled by a thermostat, the system can run itself. In addition, pipes (52) and (53) can be fitted with a means to disconnect them from other pipes so that the roles of pipe (52) and pipe (53) can be reversed when heating or cooling is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the Compression Heater represents a new “green” technology. It does not necessarily require fossil fuels to be operative and useful. As described in the Preferred Embodiments, its applications are varied and diverse; its design, versatile. It can be utilized as a source of heat and/or cold.

Claims

1. A Compression Heater comprising:

a.) a compression chamber means;

b.) a prime mover means;

c.) a means to operatively interface said compression chamber with said prime mover;

d.) an indirect mover means;

e.) a means to operatively interface said prime mover with said indirect mover;

f.) a means to control pressure; and,

g.) a working fluid means where, said working fluid is operative with said prime mover and said compression chamber.

2. The Compression Heater of claim 1 comprising:

a.) an inlet pipe means;

b.) an outlet pipe means; and,

c.) said compression chamber where, said inlet pipe and said outlet pipe is operatively fixed to said compression chamber.

3. The Compression Heater of claim 1 comprising:

a.) a hot plate means; and,

b.) said compression chamber where, said hot plate is operatively fixed to said compression chamber.

4. A Compression Heater comprising:

a.) a compression chamber means;

b.) a prime mover means;

c.) a means to operatively interface said compression chamber with said prime mover;

d.) an indirect mover means;

e.) a means to operatively interface said prime mover with said indirect mover;

f.) a means to control pressure;

g.) a working fluid means where, said working fluid is operative with said prime mover and said compression chamber;

h.) an inlet pipe means;

i.) an outlet pipe means; and,

j.) a heat exchanger means where, said heat exchanger is operative with said compression chamber and is operatively connected to said inlet pipe and said outlet pipe.

5. The Compression Heater of claim 4 comprising:

a.) said heat exchanger where, said heat exchanger is embedded inside said compression chamber such that said working fluid surrounds said heat exchanger.

6. The Compression Heater of claim 4 comprising:

a.) a pipe means; and,

b.) said heat exchanger where, said heat exchanger is said pipe operatively incorporated into the mass of said compression chamber.

7. A Compression Heater comprising:

a.) a compression chamber means;

b.) a prime mover means;

c.) a means to operatively interface said compression chamber with said prime mover;

d.) an indirect mover means;

e.) a means to operatively interface said prime mover with said indirect mover;

f.) a means to control pressure;

g.) a working fluid means where, said working fluid is operative with said prime mover; and,

h.) a friction plate means where, said friction plate is operative with said working fluid.

8. The Compression Heater of claim 7 comprising:

a.) said friction plate where, said friction plate is not rigidly fixed and is operatively connected to said prime mover.

9. The Compression Heater of claim 7 comprising:

a.) said friction plate where, said friction plate is rigidly fixed; and,

b.) a heat exchanger means where, said heat exchanger is operative with said compression chamber and with said working fluid.

10. The Compression Heater of claim 7 comprising:

a.) a heat exchanger means where, said heat exchanger is operative with said compression chamber and with said working fluid;

b.) said friction plate where, said friction plate is rigidly fixed and operative with said heat exchanger; and,

c.) said prime mover means where, said prime mover is a pump impeller.

11. The Compression Heater of claim 7 comprising:

a.) a high pressure pipe means;

b.) a low pressure pipe means;

c.) said compression chamber where, both ends of said high pressure pipe and both ends of said low pressure pipe are operatively fixed to said compression chamber;

d.) said friction plate where, said friction plate is operatively and rigidly fixed in series with one end of said cold pipe and one end of said hot pipe;

e.) said prime mover means where, said prime mover is a pump impeller that is operative with one end of said high pressure pipe and one end of said low pressure pipe; and,

f.) said working fluid, said friction plate and said pump impeller where, said high pressure pipe and said low pressure pipe forms an operative circuit in which said working fluid is contained.

12. The Compression Heater of claim 7 comprising:

a.) a high pressure pipe means;

b.) a low pressure pipe means;

c.) said compression chamber where, one end of said high pressure pipe and one end of said low pressure pipe is operatively fixed to said compression chamber;

d.) said friction plate where, said friction plate is operatively and rigidly fixed in series with one end of said cold pipe and one end of said hot pipe;

e.) said prime mover means where, said prime mover is a pump impeller that is operative with one end of said high pressure pipe and one end of said low pressure pipe; and,

f.) said working fluid, said friction plate and said pump impeller where, said high pressure pipe and said low pressure pipe forms an operative circuit in which said working fluid is contained.