ROTATIONAL MULTI VANE POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT VALVE FOR USE WITH A SOLAR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

Abstract

Rotational multi-vane positive displacement valves, preferably for use with a solar air-conditioning system. Each valve has an outer cylindrical valve body housing having an inlet port and an outlet port and an inner rotational cylinder disposed within the outer cylindrical valve body housing. The inner rotational cylinder can be supported by a longitudinal shaft offset from a center position of the outer housing. The inner rotational cylinder has a plurality of spring loaded vanes along a substantial portion of its longitudinal axis equally spaced around a circumference of the inner rotational cylinder. The outlet port is preferably located at least 100 degrees in direction of rotation from the inlet port, when the inner cylinder has four vanes. The shaft can extend beyond the outer valve housing and is adapted for attachment to external appliances.

Description

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/707,334, filed Dec. 6, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/593,239, filed Aug. 23, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/465,361, filed May 7, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/249,071, filed Oct. 10, 2008, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/671,547, filed Feb. 6, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,451,611, issued Nov. 18, 2008, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 60/853,531, filed Oct. 23, 2006. All applications are incorporated by reference in their entireties as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to air conditioning systems and particularly to a solar air conditioning system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

High electricity bills from air conditioning and/or heating use for a dwelling are common and reoccurring. Additionally, the manufacture of energy at a power plant causes pollution to be released in the air. Furthermore, electricity availability in undeveloped countries, as well as remote locations in developed countries, may be scarce, on limited basis or often non-existent. As a result, these locations are unable to store foods and liquids requiring refrigeration due to the lack of electricity. For undeveloped countries the lack of electricity is a factor in the poverty, hunger and lack of nourishment for its citizens. It is to these problems that the present invention is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provide a solar air-conditioning system that is preferably designed to operate with concentrated solar heat supplemented with solar electric cells/battery and if necessary, power from an electric utility grid. The unit of heat added or subtracted is a British Thermal Unit (“BTU”), which is defined as the amount of heat to raise one pound of water one (1°) degree Fahrenheit. With excess capacity preferably designed in, unused BTUs can go into reserve for night and cloudy days. The present invention system can use a circulating refrigerant such as, but not limited to, Freon or ammonia in a cycle of compression and expansion. Solar concentrators can raise temperature and pressure of the refrigerant. The raised temperature can be dissipated to the atmosphere and the refrigerant proceeds to the evaporator coil. The evaporator can be located within a water tank containing an anti-freeze water solution. Preferably, the water tank contains at least approximately 1000 gallons of the anti-freeze water solution. The water is preferably the storage medium. Heat can be added to or extracted from the storage medium by the evaporator coil.

Preferably, also within the water tank can be a radiator type pickup coil. The pickup coil can be part of a separate chilled water system which can circulate its own water supply through radiators located throughout a building, dwelling, house, etc. (all collectively referred to as “dwelling”). The temperature within this separate system can be the temperature of the water within the tank by simple conduction.

The refrigerant system can include a supplemental compressor which can be electrically driven from one or more, and preferably a plurality or bank of, solar electric cells or the power grid. The refrigerant system can also include one way direction positive displacement rotary valves which can serve to insure proper gas direction and can also provide a mechanical link to the energy in the refrigerant circuit. This mechanical link can be used to power a generator or a fluid pump. When in solar heat mode, certain bypass valves within the refrigerant system allow switching to solar heating. When in this mode the generator may be electrically switched to function as a motor to assist the circulation of the refrigerant.

The present invention can also be used for or applicable to large area coolers or refrigerators and provides a device which can provide refrigeration to areas where electricity is not present or available.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic/flow diagram of a first embodiment for the present invention system;

FIG. 2 is schematic/flow diagram of a portion of a second embodiment for the present invention system;

FIG. 3 is schematic/flow diagram of a portion of a third embodiment for the present invention system;

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of one bypass valve (which is used when switching to solar heat mode) that can be used in accordance with the present invention system;

FIG. 5 is a schematic of a first embodiment for an expansion valve that can be used in accordance with the present invention system;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a second embodiment for the expansion valve in accordance with the present invention system;

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a third embodiment for the expansion valve in accordance with the present invention system;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for allowing a condenser coil of the present invention system to dissipate heat to water circulated over its surface;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a solar concentrator which can be used with the present invention system;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of rotary valve that can be used with the present invention system;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the inner cylinder for the rotary valve FIG. 10;

FIGS. 12 through 16 illustrated alternative concentrators that can be used with the present invention system;

FIG. 17 illustrates a schematic/flow diagram of another embodiment for the present invention system;

FIG. 18 illustrates an alternative schematic/flow diagram for the present invention system with a conventional compressor in place of low pressure rotary valve;

FIG. 19 is a perspective illustrating the present invention system installed in connection with a dwelling and showing an alternate condenser on the side of the dwelling and the cylinder concentrators on roof;

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate to configuration of the rotational valves shown separated with the motor in between and side by side with the motor at one end of the valves; and

FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate alternatives schematic/flow diagrams for the embodiments of the present invention system, with FIG. 22 showing a schematic diagram of the rotary valves in the circuit and FIG. 23 showing a non-limiting representation of actual rotary valves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As seen best in FIG. 1 a solar air-conditioning system is illustrated and generally referenced as system 10. System 10 includes one or more solar concentrators 20 and preferably a plurality of concentrators 20 preferably arranged in a parallel configuration or communication with each other. Concentrator(s) 20 capture energy from the sun raising the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant within the pipe, tubing, plumbing, conduits, hoses, etc. (all collectively referred to as “pipe” or “piping”) at the focal point. Though not considered limiting, the refrigerant can be Freon or ammonia gas. All of the pipe, valves, components, etc, of the present invention are preferably connected to each other through conventional connectors, fasteners, etc.

The refrigerant within the pipe proceeds or otherwise travels to the one or more heat dissipaters, commonly known as condensers 30, which can be large area condensers. The number of condensers 30 can correspond to the number of concentrators provided for system 10. Condensers 30 dissipate heat from the heated refrigerant to the atmosphere. In one embodiment, condenser 30 can be approximately the size of its corresponding concentrator 20 in length and width and affixed to concentrator 20 with a spacing measurement between concentrator 20 and condenser 30 preferably within twelve (12″) inches of each other. However such spacing measurement is not considered limited to within twelve (12″) inches and other values can be used and are considered within the scope of the invention.

In an alternative embodiment, condenser 30 can be a single stand alone unit, which can include an electrically driven fan similar to conventional condensers. Thus, FIG. 1 illustrates multiple condensers, whereas FIG. 3 illustrates a single condenser coil 260.

After leaving condenser(s) 30, the refrigerant proceeds through a one direction valve 40. In a preferred embodiment, the one direction valve can be a “high side” positive displacement one direction rotary valve. Valve 40 assures that the refrigerant proceeds in the proper direction through the refrigerant circuit. As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, a plurality of vanes are provided within the valve housing, which are moved by the circulating refrigerant to portion of the refrigerant within the valve is shown in shading/hatched lines between two of the vanes). Valve 40 can also provide a mechanical link 60 to the energy produced by the moving refrigerant. The mechanical link can be used to drive a generator, water circulation pump and/or other device.

From valve 40, the refrigerant travels to an evaporator 80 which is preferably fitted with an expansion valve 90. In the preferred embodiment, expansion valve 90 can be an electronically controlled valve, though such is not considered limiting. FIGS. 5 through 7 provides further details on various non-limiting expansion valve embodiments that can be used with the present invention system or circuit.

Valve 90 is controlled based on the pressures contained within the refrigerant circuit which can vary as the solar energy varies. The expanding refrigerant within evaporator 80 removes the heat from the coil and medium surrounding evaporator 80. Preferably, evaporator 80 can be disposed within a water tank 100. Water tank 100 is preferably large enough in size to hold a large amount of a liquid, such as, but not limited to, approximately two thousand (2000) gallons of the liquid. However, other size water tanks can be used and are considered within the scope of the invention.

Preferably, the liquid 106 contained within water tank 100 can be a mixture of water and anti-freeze. Preferably, water tank 100 can be insulated, such as, but not limited to, burying water tank 100 beneath ground level. Additionally, water tank 100 can be greater in height than width to operate co-operatively with temperature stratification. As such, heat can be removed from many gallons of water, which a non-limiting example is shown by the following factoid using a non-limiting 2000 gallon water tank 100:

British Thermal Unit (“BTU”). 1 BTU=1 pound of water 1° F.

Water=8 pounds per gallon, 1 cubic foot=7.48 gallons=60 pounds of water.

134 cubic feet−8018 pounds of water.

Non-limiting Tank 100 dimensions: 4.2 ft×8 ft×8 ft=269 cu. ft=2000 gallons

2000 gallons=16,000 pounds=16,000 BTU per degree Fahrenheit.

32° F. to 12° F.=20° F.

20° F.×16,000 BTU=320,000 BTU

320,000 BTU/20,000 BTU hour=16 hours reserve.

Solar Power:

200 BTU/square foot/hour around solar noon.

20,000 BTU's per 100 square feet

40,000 BTU's per 200 square feet

Non-limiting Solar Concentrator 20 dimensions: each 2 ft.×10 ft.=20 square ft

10 units=200 square ft=40,000 BTU/hour

The refrigerant exits from evaporator 80 and is directed to a second one directional valve 110, which again can be a positive displacement one direction rotary valve. Valve 110 can have a larger positive displacement chamber as compared to valve 40 since it may be working with lower pressures, and thus in the preferred embodiment, can be considered a low pressure valve. Valve 110 can also have a mechanical link 62 and can be (though not required) mechanically linked with valve 40, as illustrated in FIG. 1. By linking valves 40 and 110 together, stability can be provided to the refrigerant circuit. Furthermore, the rotation of valves 40 and 110 can derive rotational mechanical energy which can be utilized to drive a generator, water circulation pump, etc. and is illustrated with a generator or water pump 112. The vanes of valves 40 and 110 can be spring loaded.

The refrigerant then is directed from valve 110 to a preferably commonly connected balancing valve 120 and/or as an inlet to compressor 140. System balancing valve 120 can have a first inlet valve 122 which can constitute the primary circuit for the refrigerant and a second inlet valve 124 which is in communication with the outlet of compressor 140. Refrigerant travels through balancing valve 120 to one direction or one-way valve 150 where it proceeds to solar concentrator(s) 20 to restart the cycle.

Compressor 140 can be driven by a conventional compressor motor 144. Thus, when there is insufficient solar energy (cloudy day, etc.), system 10 (such as through one or more sensors provided in the circuit) can sense or otherwise determine to activate motor 144 to electrically drive compressor 140. In one non-limiting example, a temperature sensor can be disposed within the water tank for determining when to turn motor 144 on. Additionally, pressure sensors or other devices can also be used for this purpose. Pressurized refrigerant from compressor 140 can proceed through second inlet valve 124 on the balancing valve to one direction valve 150. Where a temperature sensor is provided within water tank 100, compressor 140 can be activated at predetermine temperatures through its connection to a conventional switcher not shown in FIG. 1 but can be similar to the switch control shown in FIG. 2). In one non-limiting example, the predetermined temperature can be anywhere in the range of about 32° F. to about 12° F. However, other temperature values can be used and are considered within the scope of the invention.

The present invention can store air conditioning energy in the form of chilled water, which can be below the freezing point of 32° F., and preferably within the temperature range of 32° F. to 12° F. or about 32° F. to about 12° F. However, the present invention is not limited to this specific range and other ranges can be chosen and are within the scope of the invention.

Balancing valve 120 can be constructed such that there is linkage between first inlet valve 122 and second inlet valve 124. Thus, first inlet valve 122 can be closed, when the force of the pressurized refrigerant from compressor 140 opens second inlet valve 124. Similarly, when first inlet valve 12.2 is opened through receipt of refrigerant from valve 110, second inlet valve 124 can be closed. It is also possible and within the scope of the invention that both first inlet valve 122 and second inlet valve 124 are partially opened at the same time and the refrigerant traveling through both inlet valves (122 and 124) merges or combines and enters a single outlet which serves as the inlet to one way valve 150.

As seen in FIG. 1, water tank 100 also contains a pickup radiator 180 acting as heat exchange coil which functions as part of a separate chilled (or heated) water system 175 of air-conditioning (heat) for withdrawing (or adding) heat from (or to) a dwelling or structure through one or more radiators 190. Pickup radiator 180 in water tank 100 and one more radiators 190 disposed throughout the dwelling can circulate anti-freeze/water by way of a pump 196, which can be electrically or mechanically driven. The circulation of the water allows heat to be removed from or added to (as desired) from the dwelling. The chilled (heated) liquid or water system in the preferred embodiment is separate and isolated from the storage medium liquid or water. One skilled in the art would include a control, such as a thermostatic control, at each dwelling coil controlling the cold water flow such that the freezing point is not attained in these coils.

The present invention system can also be convened or otherwise switch from solar air conditioner to solar heating. As seen in FIG. 2, system 250, which can contain similar not shown components as system 10, where a stand-alone (single) condenser 260 (FIG. 3) is used a bypass valve 270 (with associated pipe) can be provided at condenser 260. It should be recognized that multiple condensers, such as shown in FIG. 1, can also be used and each condenser can be provided with a bypass valve and associated pipe. By opening or otherwise engaging bypass valve 270 and electrically withdrawing the controlling element of the electronic expansion valve 90, the solar heated refrigerant is allowed to circulate through evaporator 80, which heats the water or mixture in water tank 100 by conduction. Generator 190, which can be commonly connected to rotary valves 40 and/or 110 can be electrically switched to function as a motor. The motor can drive rotary valves 40 and/or 110 to assure circulation of the heated refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit.

Bypass valve 270 is shown in more detail in FIG. 4. A housing 271 with inlet port 273 and outlet port 275 is shown. Actuator solenoid 277 controlling a piston 279 dictates the travel route of the refrigerant by opening or closing appropriate ports depending if the system is being, used for air conditioning or for heating purposes. However, other types of bypass valves can be used with the present invention system or circuit and are also considered within the scope of the invention.

As the heat of the refrigerant has not been dissipated through a condenser, the refrigerant warms water or mixture in tank 100, which in turn causes the liquid/water in pickup radiator 180 to be heated and then dispersed through system 175 by pump 196 as described above.

As seen in FIG. 2, the present invention system can also be complemented with solar electric panels 300 and battery 320. Electricity derived from this sub-system can drive compressor 140. The energy from concentrator(s) 20 and the solar electric can compliment each other to drive the refrigerant within the circuit. Additionally, at times of insufficient solar energy or battery energy, power from a utility grid 370 can supply the energy to drive compressor 140. A switching control 324 can be provided for managing or controlling the various energy sources. Thus, the various components help to drive compressor 140 when needed, which can be considered, though not required, a supplement mode of energy.

It should be recognized that various combinations of concentrator(s), battery(ies), utility grid (conventional electricity), solar panel(s), etc. can be used and all combinations are considered within the scope of the invention. Thus, as non-limiting examples, the complimentary system does not necessarily preclude (1) a system which operates solely on energy from solar concentrators excluding solar electric; or (2) a system which operates solely on solar electric panels, excluding solar concentrators. Again, the above-described energy sources can be used in various combinations or by themselves and all variations are considered within the scope of the invention.

FIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate several embodiments for the expansion valve component of the present invention. The primary function of the expansion valve is to meter pressurized gas (high side) into the evaporator (low side) allowing expansion of the gas and corresponding heat absorption. Conventional expansion valves operate with a constant known pressure. However, with the present invention system it is preferred that the expansion valve operate over a range of pressures as solar energy will vary. Thus, different types of novel designs for the expansion valve can be used and incorporated into the present invention system where the expansion valve can be controlled according to pressures on the high side and on the low side within the refrigerant circuit.

As seen in FIG. 5, an expansion valve 110 is shown and can be controlled by sensing, refrigerant which has been compressed to a liquid state, and acting at that point to control the expansion valve to open slightly to allow a greater flow and thus reducing, the pressure in the evaporator.

As seen in FIG. 6, an expansion valve 200 is shown and can have a pressure sensing diaphragm 202 connected to a control element 203 of expansion valve 200. The active chamber of the diaphragm 202 can be connected to evaporator 80, such as, but not limited to, through a suitable conduit (i.e. pipe 204). Diaphragm 202 can be connected to control element 203 through a leverage bar 205 and a spring 206. Spring 206 has increasing tension with compression. In operation, as gas pressure in the high side 207 of the refrigerant circuit rises, valve control element 203 is raised and thus overcoming the spring tension and allowing passage of the refrigerant. As pressures begin to rise in the evaporator, diaphragm 202 moves to close control element 203 and thus blocks or limits passage of the refrigerant. As such, control element 203 meters the flow of gas according to the pressure in the evaporator. With even higher pressures diaphragm 202 limit will be reached and spring tension will maintain the restrictive pressure on valve control element 203. Spring 206 can be gradually increasing pressure with compression.

As seen in FIG. 7, an expansion valve 350 is shown and controls its control element 203 through the use of an electrically drive linear motor 301. Control of valve element 203 is again according, to pressures within the refrigerant circuit and particularly on the high side before expansion valve 300 and after the valve within evaporator 80. Valve 300 can include an electrical potentiometer combined with a mechanical pressure sensor and is shown in FIG. 7 as a pressure diaphragm 302 with associated potentiometer 303. As the circuit of FIG. 7 reacts to changing pressure the wiper/arrow moves along the resistive element of the potentiometer to vary the resistance.

Though in the preferred embodiment the chilled water system can be an isolated closed system with a pickup coil in the water tank, such is not considered limiting. It is also within the scope of the invention to have the present invention operate with no pickup coil within the tank. Such an alternative version could operate circulating the storage medium water within the water through the in-dwelling radiators.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrates a rotary valve 400 that can be used with the present invention system as such as valve 40 and/or valve 110 shown in FIG. 1. Valve 400 comprises an outer cylindrical valve body housing 402 having an inlet port 404 and an outlet port 406. Preferably, outlet port 406 can be preferably at least one-hundred (100°) degrees in direction of rotation from inlet port 404 in a four (4) vane configuration and correspondingly so with multiple vanes. An inner rotational cylinder 420 is disposed within housing 402 and can be supported by a center longitudinal shaft 422 offset from the center of outer housing 402. A plurality of vanes 424 (preferably spring loaded) are fitted into cylinder 420. Vanes 424 are disposed along the longitudinal axis of cylinder 420 and preferably equally spaced from each other around the circumference of cylinder 420. As seen in the FIG. 10, inner cylinder support shaft 422 can extend beyond valve housing 402 such that external appliances can be attached thereto. A portion of cylinder 420 is flush against the inner wall of housing 402 such that vane 424a is fully compressed. As a gap is created between the portion of cylinder 420 associated with vane 424b and housing 402, vane 424b protrudes outward from cylinder 420, in view of its preferred spring loaded configuration.

Fundamental to the “refrigeration” or “heat pump” cycle is a dissipation of the heat of compression. This is usually accomplished by circulating the compressed refrigerant gas through a finned coil exposed to the atmosphere (i.e. a condenser coil). It may be a large area condenser to dissipate heat by simple conduction (FIG. 1, #30) or it may be smaller and compact with fan forced air circulation (FIG. 3).

Another embodiment or method that can be used with the present invention system is illustrated in FIG. 8. In this method, condenser coil 30 may dissipate heat to water circulated over its surface. The water can be drawn by a pump from an underground water table. The underground water temperature can be approximately twenty-five (25° F.) degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the atmosphere. Other degree differences can also be selected and are considered within the scope of the invention. Thus, the efficiency of the heat dissipation and of the overall cooling is enhanced. This method might circulate water from the water table. Alternatively, water can be sprayed as a mist onto the condenser in its own external evaporation cycle of liquid to gas.

It should be recognized that other concentrators can be used with the present invention system and all are considered within the scope of the invention. Certain examples of concentrators are generally shown in the Figures but are not considered to limit the types of concentrators that can be used and incorporated into the present invention system. Though shown with four concentrators for illustrative purposes, the present invention is not considered limited to any apparent size for or number of concentrators and various sizes and number of concentrators can be used and are considered within the scope of the invention. The area of the concentrators is discussed above in connection with the parent application for which this application claims priority to and which has now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,451,611.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a dish concentrator 500 that can be used with the present invention system. FIG. 13 is a partial cutaway perspective view of a ceramic coil pickup unit 502 of dish concentrator 500 illustrating the internal ceramic spiral coil. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a solar receiver and heat-engine housing collectively referenced at numeral 520. FIG. 15 illustrated a parabolic trough concentrator 530 and FIG. 16 illustrates a Fresnel lens concentrator 540.

The above-described and illustrated rotary positive displacement valves provide a unique valve design which can be advantageously optimized for the instant invention system. The movement under pressure of a gas or liquid, such as, but not limited to, a refrigerant in liquid or gas form, causes the rotation of the valve. Preferably composed of four chambers in a four vane version, each vane chamber successively is filled and caused to rotate by the high side pressure on that chamber vane. The chamber is then closed by the following vane and finally emptied as such chamber is decreased in volume due to the preferred offset center, the point of co-incidence of the inner cylinder rotor and the vane and placement of the exit port. The valves of the present invention are driven by the pressure of the heated gas. Preferably, two valves are connected together, with the high side and the low side all given stability to the refrigerant movement through the circuit. In solar heat mode, the valves may be motor driven to promote circulation of the heated refrigerant. The valves do not compress in either the solar air conditioning mode or the solar heat mode.

Thus in one embodiment, a rotational multi-vane positive displacement valve is disclosed which can comprise: an outer cylindrical valve body housing having an inlet port and an outlet port and an inner rotational cylinder disposed within the outer cylindrical valve body housing and supported by a longitudinal shaft offset from a center position of the outer housing. The inner rotational cylinder can have a plurality of spring loaded vanes along a substantial portion of its longitudinal axis that are preferably equally spaced around a circumference of the inner rotational cylinder. The outlet port can be located at least 100 degrees in direction of rotation from the inlet port, when the inner cylinder has four vanes. The shaft preferably extends beyond the outer valve housing and can be adapted for attachment to external appliances.

Thus, summarizing the present invention provides a solar air-conditioning system that is preferably designed to operate with concentrated solar heat and uses a circulating refrigerant m a cycle of compression and expansion. Solar concentrators raise the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant. The raised temperature is dissipated to the atmosphere and the refrigerant proceeds to the evaporator coil, which is located within a water tank containing at least 1000 gallons of an anti-freeze water solution. As the water is the storage medium, heat can be added to or extracted from the storage medium by the evaporator coil. A radiator pickup coil is also located, within the water tank and is part of a separate chilled water system which can circulate its own water supply through other radiators located throughout a dwelling. Additionally, one or more bypass valve(s) within the refrigerant system allow switching to solar heating.

It should be recognized that the rotary valves of the present invention form an integral and unique component of the invention as a whole. The valves provide unique features, including, but not limited to, an inner rotating cylinder offset the center of an outer housing, the point of coincidence with the outer housing and port placement. Such valves can be advantageously optimized for use with the present invention system. The movement of the refrigerant under pressure either in gas or liquid form causes the rotation of the valve. Preferably composed of four chambers in to four vane version, each vane chamber successively is filled and caused to rotate by the high side pressure on that chamber vane. Then the chamber is closed by the following vane and finally emptied as the chamber is decreased in volume due to the offset center, the point of co-incidence of the inner cylinder rotor and the vane and the placement or location of the exit port. The valves in the present invention system are preferably driven by the pressure of the heated gas. Preferably, in certain embodiments of the present invention system, two valves are connected together, namely, the high side and the side, all to provide stability to the refrigerant movement through the circuit.

The air conditioning (cooling) mode may be switched to solar heating. In this mode the valves may be motor driven to circulate heated refrigerant.

With respect to the solar concentrators used with the present invention system, it is expected that the solar concentrators can generate refrigerant temperatures in the 400 degrees centigrade range (around 1000 degrees Fahrenheit) with a corresponding rise in refrigerant pressure. A radiator can be provided to dissipate such heat. This high pressure refrigerant gas is conducted to the expansion valve in the evaporator via the high pressure rotary valve. Multiple evaporators may also be provided for use during peak pressures.

It is expected that the average working temperatures m the water tank can be well below the freezing point of water. An anti-freeze mixture prevents the water storage medium from freezing.

It should also be recognized that under certain solar conditions, the low side rotary valve, or in another embodiment the compressor, may be driven by an associated electric motor in cooperation with the solar concentrators.

Turning back to the rotary valves, in another version of the low side rotary valve, the inlet port can be modified and located approximately ninety degrees from the outlet port. As each vane passes this port it expands the area behind creating a vacuum behind and drawing low side refrigerant from the evaporator. This volume of gas can then be contained between two vanes and then expelled as the following, vane pushes the gas in the diminishing area to the outlet port. The inlet and outlet ports can be located approximately forty-five degrees from the point of co-incidence, the inner cylinder and the outer housing.

Thus, the present invention provides a rotary valve preferably having a rotating cylinder incorporating a multitude of longitudinally placed and equally spaced spring loaded vanes. In the preferred embodiment, four vanes are provided, though such is not considered limiting. The cylinder can be located within a circular outer housing and offset from the centerline of the outer housing The inner cylinder can be co-incident with the outer housing at one point. Rotation of the inner cylinder results in the vanes following the outer housing inner surface by action of the springs exerting a push force against the vane. The area between the vanes will vary throughout rotation due to the offset from center. The varying area feature is used to forcefully expel, and to draw by vacuum, the refrigerant.

The outer housing incorporates inlet and outlet ports by which the refrigerant enters and exits the valve. These inlet and outlet ports can be located respectively and approximately forty-five degrees from the point of coincidence of the cylinder and housing.

As seen in FIGS. 18 and 19, the outer housing can also incorporate a stationary spring loaded longitudinal vane 83 at the point of coincidence with the inner cylinder. This vane serves as a seal to isolate the inlet and outlet ports.

Preferably there are two valves (i.e. FIGS. 1 and 19), namely, a high pressure valve 40 receiving pressurized refrigerant from the solar concentrators and a low pressure valve 110 pumping refrigerant into the concentrators. The two valves 40 and 110 are preferably connected together such that they rotate as one. The valves may be connected by a common shaft or in the preferred embodiment, by a common attachment to a motor/generator 112.

The high pressure gas from the solar concentrators and condenser enters the port of the high side valve creating a pressure against the vane in that area and causes rotation of the cylinder. With rotation the gas is captured in the area between vanes. With further rotation the area containing the gas approaches the exit port and the area is decreasing. As the point of co-incidence is approached, the gas is forced out of the valve and on to the expansion valve within the evaporator coil.

The low pressure valve draws gas from the low pressure side of the evaporator due to the expanding area behind the vane as it passes the inlet port. With rotation the area can be sealed by the following vane. The gas is contained between the vanes. With further rotation the forward vane passes the exit port near the point of co-incidence and the area between the vanes decreases. Gas is forced out of the exit port and proceeds to the concentrators to repeat the cycle.

The motor 112 commonly attached to valves 40 and 110, or in another embodiment motors attached to a common shaft near each valve, may be used to assist refrigerant circulation in times of less pressure as solar energy varies. Energy to operate the motor(s) may be drawn from a battery.

FIG. 18 illustrates an alternative schematic/flow diagram for the present invention system where a conventional compressor 140 is used in place of low pressure rotary valve 110. Thus, the refrigerant circulation system is driven by positive displacement rotary valves, such as, a high side 40 and low side 110 or one rotary valve 40 (high side) and a conventional compressor 140. These valves and/or compressor 140 can be connected together by a common shaft 69 and are also provided with a conventional means for disconnecting from the common shaft, such as, by an electrically operated clutch 111 (shown in an engaged position). Preferably, each valve and/or compressor can be provided with an electric motor 107 and 109, respectively.

The circulation system of the present invention is designed to operate in three regimes, which are: (1) exclusively solar energy from the solar concentrators (i.e. adequate sun); (2) no solar energy (i.e. cloudy day, nighttime, etc.); and (3) in-between regimes (1) and (2) (i.e. passing clouds, rainy day, etc.).

In the first regime where solar energy is adequate, the high side rotary valve 40 is driven by the high pressure refrigerant from the solar concentrators 20 and condenser 30. In turn, the high side rotary valve 40 drives the low side rotary valve 110 or a compressor 140 (FIG. 18), by means of common shaft 62 or 69, respectively. High pressure refrigerant passes through the high pressure rotary valve 40 and proceeds to the expansion valve/evaporator and is ultimately drawn from the evaporator to the low side rotary valve 110 or a compressor 140. The refrigerant is forced from the low side rotary valve 110 or compressor 140 on to the solar concentrators 20 to repeat the cycle.

In the second regime where there is no solar energy, such as, but not limited to, nighttime conditions, compressor 140 or low side rotary valve 110 provides the force to move the refrigerant through the cycle. Low side rotary valve 110 or compressor 140 can be driven by an electric motor 109 attached to connecting shaft 69. Low side rotary valve 110 or compressor 140 may be disconnected from high side rotary valve 40 by means of an electrically operated clutch 111 provided on connecting shaft 69. Various amounts of electrical energy may be applied to the high pressure rotary valve 40 by means of an electric motor 107. The second regime does not exclude engagement of clutch 111 and using one or more other motors with various amounts of electrical energy to promote the circulation of the refrigerant.

In the intermittent solar energy third regime, such as where there are passing clouds, rain, etc., a variety of combinations of solar and electrical energy may be combined to circulate the refrigerant. As solar energy fluctuates downward, the motor associated with low side rotary valve 110 or compressor 140 will drive such low pressure valve 110 or compressor 140. Disengagement of the high pressure rotary valve 40 using clutch 111 may or may not be needed and can depend on the amount of solar energy and pressures throughout the refrigerant circuit.

Electrical energy into the motors and clutch is supplied as required in order to promote the circulation of the refrigerant. The amount of electrical energy can be determined by pressure and temperature sensors within the refrigerant circuit.

FIG. 19 is illustrates one embodiment of the present invention system installed in connection with a dwelling 501 and showing alternate condenser 503 on an exterior sidewall 505 of dwelling 501 and cylinder concentrators 509 on roof 507.

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate perspective view of one embodiment for the physical appearance of the rotary valves 40 and 110 and their relationship with motor 112. The various vanes are shown in phantom lines as members 424a and 424b and input and outlet hoses and connections 404 and 406 are also shown. The appearance of the valves in FIGS. 20 and 21 is also previously seen and discussed in connection with FIG. 10.

As seen in FIG. 22 a schematic/flow diagram is shown for another embodiment of the present invention system In this embodiment the multiple condensers 30 of the earlier embodiments that were shown underneath the concentrators 20 have been removed and replaced with a single conventional condenser 30a shown in the upper left hand corner. Condenser 30a can be conventionally designed and positioned such that it receives the output from the first rotary valve 40, such that the, heated and pressurized refrigerant from concentrators 20 can go directly to first rotary valve 40 and then to condenser 30a and then to the expansion valve 90 in the evaporator 80. The rotary valves 40 and 110 are shown in diagrammatic form. Though two solar concentrators 20 are shown, such is for illustrative purposes only and in use it is expected that the actual number of solar concentrators 20 would exceed more than the number shown in the FIG. 22.

A plurality of motors and clutch can be provided, separately and together can be computer controlled to maintain circulation of the refrigerant, as the solar energy varies. The motors may at times add rotational energy so that the refrigerant moves as desired or they may add a retarding force to maintain desired pressures within the circuit.

Sensors can be provided throughout the system to provide pressure information to the computer.

FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate non-limiting versions of the circuit of the present invention, and for FIG. 23 in connection with a dwelling 501 showing the solar concentrators 509 disposed on roof 507 and a condenser coil (heat dissipator) 503 mounted (preferably vertically) to a wall 505 of dwelling 501. Rotary valves 40 and 110 are shown in schematic/diagrammatic for FIG. 22 and in a non-limiting representative form for FIG. 23.

A novel aspect of the two-valve configuration of the present invention is the uniqueness of both valves being mechanically coupled to each other in view of the offset shaft, which supports the vanes, can be supported by bearings in an endplate and which can be flush with the endplate. As a non-limiting example, to mate the two rotational valves together, or the motor to a valve, each shaft could employ a square hole in which is fitted a square joining pin, or a splined pin or shaft segment. This configuration can be used for joining the offset shafts of the valves or a motor to a valve. The end of each respective shaft can be correspondingly fitted with splined openings. Other conventional methods for joining the two rotating shafts can also be employed and are also considered within the scope of the invention. Rotation of the valves can be as a result of an electric motor incorporated in the valve pair unit and the raised pressure from the solar concentrators.

The valves are preferably part of a closed-system refrigerant circuit (closed to the outside environment). The first and second one way rotary valves can be mechanically coupled to each other such that they both rotate as one and that a pressurized circuit is maintained for the closed-system refrigerant circuit.

In addition to the above discussion regarding a two-valve configuration, another novel configuration for the present invention actually removes one of the positive displacement valves, which preferably is the valve on the left that was used for feeding the expansion valve. In this alternative embodiment, the high side of the refrigerant cycle containing the solar concentrators/refrigerant and condenser can be confined between the valve on the right side and the expansion valve. When the pressure from the heated refrigerant is sufficient to open the expansion valve (i.e. spring loaded dosed expansion with the pressure overcoming the spring pressure for opening the valve) the refrigerant passes into the evaporator giving up heat in the expansion. By way of conventional sensors provided in the closed circuit, the motor on the remaining valve can be activated at this time and used to circulate refrigerant from the low side (evaporator in the tank). Therefore, the refrigerant is cycled into the high side to continue the cycle (i.e. absorb solar energy—heat/pressure, etc.).

Furthermore, the condenser can be in the high side part of the circuit and serves to remove heat from the refrigerant. The condenser could be fitted with a fan or a circulating ground water system or simply by a design of very large area to dissipate the heat.

The above-described systems of the present invention can also be used for or applicable to large area coolers or refrigerators and provides a device which can provide refrigeration to areas where electricity is not present or available.

It should be recognized that certain features of one embodiment of the present invention system can be combined with other features of another embodiment of the present invention system to form a further embodiment of the present invention system.

While the invention has been described and disclosed in certain terms and has disclosed certain embodiments or modifications, persons skilled in the art who have acquainted themselves with the invention, will appreciate that it is not necessarily limited by such terms, nor to the specific embodiments and modifications disclosed herein. Thus, a wide variety of alternatives, suggested by the teachings herein, can be practiced without departing from the spirit of the invention, and rights to such alternatives are particularly reserved and considered within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A rotational multi vane positive displacement valve, comprising:

a first outer consistently cylindrical valve body housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, said first outer cylindrical valve body incorporated within a closed-system refrigerant circuit;

a first inner rotational cylinder disposed within said first outer cylindrical valve body housing and supported by a longitudinal shaft offset from a center position of said first outer housing, said first inner rotational cylinder having a plurality of spring loaded vanes along a portion of its longitudinal axis equally spaced around a circumference of said first inner rotational cylinder, said plurality of spring loaded vanes defining isolated chambers within said first outer cylindrical valve body housing, said first inner rotational cylinder co-incident with said first outer cylindrical valve body at one point;

wherein refrigerant from said closed-system refrigerant circuit entering into said valve body housing through said inlet port is directed in one direction by said first inner rotational cylinder through said outlet port to continue the refrigerant's travel through the closed-system refrigerant circuit.

2. The valve of claim 1 wherein said outlet port is located at 100 degrees in direction of rotation from said inlet port in where said inner cylinder has four vanes to define four isolated chambers within said first outer cylindrical housing.

3. The valve of claim 1 wherein said plurality is four spring loaded vanes defining four isolated chambers.

4. The valve of claim 1 wherein vanes are longitudinally placed and equally spaced from each other.

5. A solar air-conditioning and/or heating system incorporating at least one one-way rotary valve, comprising

(i) a closed-system refrigerant circuit comprising: one or more solar heat concentrators; one or more heat dissipaters in communication with said one or more solar heat concentrators; a first one-way rotary valve in communication with said one or more heat dissipaters; said first one-way rotary valve comprising an outer cylindrical valve body housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, an inner rotational cylinder disposed within said outer cylindrical valve body housing and supported by a longitudinal shaft offset from a center position of said outer housing, said inner rotational cylinder having a plurality of spring loaded vanes along a substantial portion of its longitudinal axis equally spaced around a circumference of said inner rotational cylinder and defining. isolated chambers within said outer cylindrical valve body housing, said inner rotational cylinder co-incident with said outer cylindrical valve body at one point; an evaporator having an evaporator coil in communication with the first one-way valve; and

(ii) a refrigerant disposed within and circulating through said refrigerant circuit;

(iii) an insulated tank storing at least approximately 1000 gallons of a liquid, said evaporator located within the tank;

(iv) a motor for driving the compressor; and

(v) a chilled water system comprising: a pickup radiator having a radiator coil located within the tank; a fluid pump in communication with said radiator; one or more radiators dispersed throughout a dwelling, each radiator having an inlet in communication with said liquid pump and each radiator having an outlet in communication with said pickup radiator; and a liquid, having an anti-freeze component disposed within said chilled water system.

6. The solar air-conditioning and/or heating system of claim 5 further comprising a compressor having an inlet in communication with the evaporator outlet and having a compressor outlet in communication with said one or more solar heat concentrators.

7. The solar air-conditioning and/or heating system of claim 5 wherein said one or more beat dissipaters secured to an external wall of a dwelling.

8. A solar air-conditioning and/or heating system incorporating at least one one-way rotary valve, comprising

(i) a closed-system refrigerant circuit comprising: one or more solar heat concentrators; one or more heat dissipaters m communication said one or more solar heat concentrators; a first one-way rotary valve in communication with said one or more heat dissipaters; said first one-way rotary valve comprising an outer cylindrical valve body housing, having, an inlet port and an outlet port, an inner rotational cylinder disposed within said outer cylindrical valve body housing and supported by a longitudinal shaft offset from a center position of said outer housing, said inner rotational cylinder having a plurality of spring loaded vanes along a portion of its longitudinal axis equally spaced around a circumference of said inner rotational cylinder and defining isolated chambers within said outer cylindrical valve body housing, said inner rotational cylinder co-incident with said outer cylindrical valve body at one point; an evaporator having an evaporator coil in communication with the first one-way valve; and a second one-way rotary valve m communication at an inlet with said evaporator; said second one-way valve having an outlet in communication with said one or more solar heat concentrators, said second one-way rotary valve comprising a second outer cylindrical, valve body housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, a second inner rotational cylinder disposed within said second outer cylindrical valve body housing and supported by the longitudinal shaft offset from a center position of said second outer housing, said second inner rotational cylinder having a plurality of spring loaded vanes along a portion of its longitudinal axis equally spaced around a circumference of said second inner rotational cylinder and defining isolated chambers within said second outer cylindrical valve body housing, said second inner rotational cylinder co-incident with said second outer cylindrical valve body at one point, said inner rotational cylinder and said second inner rotational cylinder both supported by the longitudinal shaft, wherein the first outer cylindrical valve body mated with said second outer cylindrical valve body;

(ii) a refrigerant disposed within and circulating through said refrigerant circuit;

(iii) an insulated, tank storing, at least approximately 1000 gallons of a liquid, said evaporator located within the tank;

(iv) a motor for driving a compressor; and

(v) a chilled water system comprising: a pickup radiator having a radiator coil located within the tank; a fluid pump in communication with said radiator; one or more radiators dispersed throughout a dwelling, each radiator having an inlet in communication with said liquid pump and each radiator having an outlet in communication with said pickup radiator; and

a liquid, having an anti-freeze component, disposed within said chilled water system;

wherein said expansion valve is controllable and provides unrestricted refrigerant flow in a solar heat mode;

wherein said first one-way rotary valve and said second one-way rotary valve are mechanically coupled to each other such that they both rotate as one and that a pressurized circuit is maintained for said closed-system refrigerant circuit.

9. The solar air-conditioning and/or heating system of claim 8 further comprising a compressor having an inlet in communication with the evaporator outlet and having a compressor outlet in communication with said one or more solar heat concentrators.

10. The solar air-conditioning and/or heating system of claim 8 further comprising a motor or generator in mechanical communication with and disposed between said first outer cylindrical housing and said second cylindrical housing.

11. The solar air-conditioning and/or heating system of claim further comprising a motor to promote circulation of the refrigerant.

12. The solar air-conditioning and/or heating system of claim 10 wherein said first valve and said second valve when mated rotate as one creating eight isolated chambers and together promoting circulation of the refrigerant through the circuit and forming a single closed pressurized circuits within the closed-system refrigerant circuit where a high pressure side is isolated from a low pressure side.

13. A rotational multi vane positive displacement valve configuration incorporating a plurality of rotational mufti vane positive displacement valves, said configuration comprising:

a first rotational multi vane positive displacement valve comprising: a first outer cylindrical valve body housing having, an inlet port and an outlet port, a first inner rotational cylinder disposed within said first outer cylindrical valve body housing, and supported by a longitudinal shaft offset from a center position of said first outer housing, said first inner rotational cylinder having a plurality of spring loaded vanes along a portion of its a longitudinal axis equally spaced around a circumference of said first inner rotational cylinder, said first inner rotational cylinder co-incident with said first outer cylindrical valve body at one point; a second rotational multi vane positive displacement valve comprising: a second outer cylindrical valve body housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, a second inner rotational cylinder disposed within said second outer cylindrical valve body housing and supported by the longitudinal shaft offset from a center position of said second outer housing, said second inner rotational cylinder having a plurality of spring loaded vanes along a portion of a longitudinal axis equally spaced around a circumference of said second inner rotational cylinder and defining isolated chambers within said second outer cylindrical valve body housing, said second inner rotational cylinder co-incident with said second outer cylindrical valve, body at one point, said first inner rotational cylinder and said second inner rotational cylinder both supported by the longitudinal shaft such that said first valve and said second valve are mechanically coupled to each other, said first outer cylindrical valve body mated with said second outer cylindrical valve body.

14. The valve configuration of claim 13 wherein said first inner cylinder has four vanes to define four isolated chambers within said first outer cylindrical housing and said second inner cylinder has four vanes to define four isolated chambers within said second outer cylindrical housing.

15. The valve configuration of claim 13 further comprising a motor or generator in mechanical communication with and disposed between said first outer cylindrical housing and said second cylindrical housing.

16. The valve configuration of claim 4 wherein said first valve and said second valve when mated rotate as one creating eight isolated chambers within a closed-system refrigerant circuit with said first valve promoting circulation of refrigerant in a high pressure side of the circuit and said second valve promoting circulation of refrigerant in a low pressure side of the circuit.