Abstract: A scroll expander that is efficient in a wide range of operating conditions by suppressing leakage loss and decreasing in recovered power using a simple construction includes: an expansion mechanism, including an orbiting scroll and a first fixed scroll, recovers power by expanding a refrigerant; and an auxiliary compression mechanism, including an orbiting scroll and a second fixed scroll, compresses a refrigerant using power recovered by the expansion mechanism. A tip seal is mounted only on a spiral tooth of an orbiting scroll and a fixed scroll of one of the expansion mechanism or the auxiliary compression mechanism.

Abstract: Refrigerating device formed by a main compressor (190), a condenser (140) downstream of and in fluid communication with the main compressor (190), main expansion means (170) downstream of the condenser (140) and an evaporator (180) downstream of and in fluid communication with the main expansion means (170), which also comprises a turbocompressor unit (160) in fluid communication between the evaporator (180) and the main compressor (190) and a heat exchanger (150, 152) having a hot branch (150c) connected upstream, via an inlet line (145), to the condenser (140) and downstream, via an outlet line (149), to the main expansion means (170) and a cold branch (15Of) connected, upstream, to an expansion means (142, 144) mounted on a branch (146) of the line (145) and, downstream, to a turbine portion (162) of the turbocompressor unit (160). The invention also relates to a method for circulating a refrigerating fluid inside the abovementioned device.

Abstract: An ejector device includes a nozzle having an inner wall surface defining a circular cross-sectional fluid passage extending from an inlet to a jet port. Furthermore, the fluid passage has a throat portion at a position between the inlet and the jet port, and a passage expanding portion in which the cross-sectional area of the fluid passage is enlarged from the throat portion as toward downstream. The passage expanding portion includes a middle portion in which the inner wall surface is expanded in a fluid flow direction by a first expanding angle, and an outlet portion from a downstream end of the middle portion to the jet port, in which the inner wall surface is expanded in the fluid flow direction by a second expanding angle that is larger than the first expanding angle. The ejector device can be suitably used for a refrigeration cycle apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat pump including: a compressor; a radiator; a first throttling device having a variable opening; an expander; a second throttling device having a variable opening; an evaporator; piping that connects the compressor, the radiator, the first throttling device, the expander, the second throttling device, and the evaporator so that refrigerant circulates thorough the elements in that order; and a control device for controlling the opening of the first throttling device and the opening of the second throttling device. This heat pump is capable of independently controlling the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the expander (intermediate pressure) and pressure in a high-pressure side of a refrigeration cycle, and also is capable of size reduction, or in some cases elimination, of a receiver for the refrigerant.

Abstract: There is provided an air conditioning system and method for operating an air conditioner according to a user's physical response to external conditions. The air conditioning system includes: an indoor environment sensing unit/a personal characteristic value reception unit for measuring an indoor environment and the user's physical status so as to obtain information used to operate an air conditioner; a control unit including at least a microprocessor, for finding out personal characteristic values which are used to evaluate the user's physical status on the basis of information inputted from the personal characteristic value reception unit; and a driving unit controlled by the control unit, for promptly enhancing the user's physical status.

Abstract: In a comfort system having a combination furnace and air conditioner, the two are operated simultaneously at periods of time in which emergency power is desired, with the air conditioning system being temporarily converted to cause the flow of refrigerant to pass from the evaporator to a high pressure side of said compressor rather than to the low pressure side thereof to thereby drive the compressor in reverse such that it operates as a turbine. The turbine then drives its motor in reverse to generate power to be supplied to the various components of the systems and to other appliances during emergency mode operation.

Abstract: A refrigeration process comprising, compressing low pressure vapor refrigerant to a higher temperature and pressure vapor, condensing the higher pressure vapor refrigerant into a liquid refrigerant at the higher pressure, thermally-isolating the higher pressure liquid, cooling the thermally-isolated liquid refrigerant while remaining thermally-isolated and then allowing thermal contact of the remaining low temperature and pressure liquid and a cooled substance causing the low temperature and pressure liquid to further reversibly boil to a vapor at the low pressure.

Abstract: In an ejector cycle with an ejector including a nozzle for decompressing refrigerant, a refrigerant outlet is provided in an evaporator at a position upper than a refrigerant inlet. Therefore, a circulation performance of refrigerant flowing in the evaporator can be improved. Accordingly, even when a pumping capacity generated in the ejector becomes smaller, a sufficient amount of refrigerant can be drawn into the ejector from the evaporator. Thus, a refrigerant amount supplied to the evaporator can be effectively increased. Further, a control unit controls an amount of cooling air supplied to a condenser based on the temperature of the cooling air, to control a refrigerant state to be introduced to the nozzle. In this case, a pressure increasing amount in the ejector can be effectively increased, and consumption power in the compressor can be effectively increased.

Abstract: In a refrigerating cycle, a heat radiation of a gas cooler is reduced by a heat radiation reduction member when one of a pressure and a temperature of a high pressure side refrigerant is equal to or less than a predetermined value. When a discharge pressure of the refrigerant discharged from a compressor is equal to or lower than the predetermined level, the heat radiation of the gas cooler is reduced by the heat radiation reduction member. Thus, the refrigerant pressure of the high pressure side is increased while the refrigerant pressure of a low pressure side is decreased. With this, a flow rate at a high pressure inlet of an ejector is increased. Also, a flow rate at a low pressure inlet of the ejector is increased. Accordingly, a temperature of air blown from an evaporator is decreased without frosting the evaporator even when a load of the cycle is low.

Abstract: In an ejector cycle with an ejector including a nozzle for decompressing refrigerant, a variable throttle device is disposed upstream from the nozzle to decompress and expand high-pressure refrigerant flowing from a condenser. For example, the variable throttle device decompresses the high-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state at an upstream position from the nozzle of the ejector. In addition, the variable throttle device includes a back pressure chamber having an inner pressure that changes by sensing a refrigerant temperature at a refrigerant outlet side of an evaporator, and a pressure introducing means for introducing a refrigerant pressure of a refrigerant outlet side of the evaporator to a side opposite to the back pressure chamber with respect to a diaphragm. Therefore, a pressure difference between the back pressure chamber and the side opposite to the back pressure chamber can be made smaller.

Abstract: Methods for using a hydrophobic liquid, such as mineral oil, to compress steam include using a compressor to compress a mixture of steam and the hydrophobic liquid. One embodiment includes the steam to be compressed coming from a boiling aqueous solution in an evaporator. The steam compressed with a hydrophobic liquid is routed to a heat exchanger which thermally communicates with the evaporator to create more steam. The resulting mixture of condensed steam and hydrophobic liquid from the heat exchanger is routed to a water/hydrophobic liquid separator. The hydrophobic liquid is also recycled to the compressor from the water/hydrophobic liquid separator.

Abstract: In a gas-liquid separator for an ejector cycle, a tank body is constructed such that a refrigerant sprayed from a refrigerant inlet forms a spiral stream in the tank body. The tank body has a horizontal longitudinal axis greater than a vertical axis. The refrigerant inlet is located at a distance from the horizontal longitudinal axis of the tank body such that the refrigerant sprayed from the refrigerant inlet generates a turning force and spirally flows. With this, a gas-liquid separation distance of the refrigerant increases.

Abstract: Refrigerant is circulated through a vapor compression system including a compressor, a gas cooler, an expansion device, and an evaporator. Preferably, carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant. The expansion device is a work recovery device which extracts energy from the expansion process and is coupled with a fluid pumping device that cools the refrigerant flowing through the gas cooler. The fluid pumping device pumps fluid through the gas cooler at a flow rate related to the energy extracted from the expansion process. The system provides a self-controlling mechanism to regulate the pressure in the gas cooler. If the pressure in the gas cooler increases, more energy is extracted from the expansion process, increasing the flowrate of the fluid pumping device, and decreasing the pressure of the refrigerant in the gas cooler.

Abstract: A refrigeration process comprising, compressing low pressure vapor refrigerant to a higher temperature and pressure vapor, condensing the higher pressure vapor refrigerant into a liquid refrigerant at the higher pressure, thermally-isolating the higher pressure liquid, cooling the thermally-isolated liquid refrigerant while remaining thermally-isolated and then allowing thermal contact of the remaining low temperature and pressure liquid and a cooled substance causing the low temperature and pressure liquid to further reversibly boil to a vapor at the low pressure.

Abstract: A scroll expresser of a refrigerant system includes a non-orbiting expander scroll plate and an orbiting expander scroll plate which form a plurality of expansion chambers and a non-orbiting compressor scroll plate and a orbiting compressor scroll plate which form a plurality of compression chambers. The scroll expresser expands high pressure refrigerant in the expansion chambers to low pressure vapor refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant exits the scroll expresser for evaporation. The vapor refrigerant is compressed in the compression chambers and mixes with the refrigerant exiting the compressor. Alternatively, the orbiting scroll plates are integrated into one component.

Abstract: The expansion of a high pressure or intermediate pressure refrigerant in an expansion device in a transcritical vapor compression system converts the potential energy into usable kinetic energy. The kinetic energy provides work which is employed to fully or partially drive an expansion motor unit which is coupled to rotating auxiliary machinery. By providing work to the rotating auxiliary machinery, system efficiency is improved. The auxiliary rotating machinery can be an evaporator fan or a gas cooler fan to pull the refrigerant through the evaporator and gas cooler, respectively. Alternatively, the auxiliary rotating machinery can be a water pump or an oil pump.

Abstract: An air conditioner has an evaporator, a main compressor, a condenser, and an energy recovery device. The condenser receives a compressed refrigerant from the compressor and condenses the refrigerant to either a liquid phase or a saturated liquid-vapor phase. The condensed refrigerant is passed through the energy recovery device to expand the refrigerant. The refrigerant passing through the energy recovery device is regulated to maintain the refrigerant in a high cavitation region within a motor, while maintaining within a predetermined refrigerant pressure range in the motor. During refrigerant regulation, sounds and vibrations are created that may be unpleasant to humans. A sound suppression device is included in the air conditioner to reduce or eliminate these sounds, and is positioned between the condenser and the energy recovery device.

Abstract: The expansion of a high pressure or intermediate pressure refrigerant in an expansion device in a transcritical vapor compression system converts the potential energy into usable kinetic energy. The kinetic energy provides work which is employed to fully or partially drive an expansion motor unit which is coupled to rotating auxiliary machinery. By providing work to the rotating auxiliary machinery, system efficiency is improved. The auxiliary rotating machinery can be an evaporator fan or a gas cooler fan to pull the refrigerant through the evaporator and gas cooler, respectively. Alternatively, the auxiliary rotating machinery can be a water pump or an oil pump.

Abstract: The expansion device in a refrigeration or air conditioning system is an expressor. The expresser is made up of a twin screw expander and a twin screw compressor with rotors of the expander functioning as timing gears.

Abstract: This invention relates to a refrigeration method and processes that employ a nontoxic and environmentally benign, oil-free refrigerant in a novel vapor-compression thermodynamic cycle that includes a means for enhancing cooling capacity and efficiency. A means of controlling of the process conditions and flow of the refrigerant are provided. The refrigerant in the invention in used in a transcritical cycle.

Abstract: A scroll expresser of a refrigerant system includes a non-orbiting expander scroll plate and an orbiting expander scroll plate which form a plurality of expansion chambers and a non-orbiting compressor scroll plate and a orbiting compressor scroll plate which form a plurality of compression chambers. The scroll expresser expands high pressure refrigerant in the expansion chambers to low pressure vapor refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant exits the scroll expresser for evaporation. The vapor refrigerant is compressed in the compression chambers and mixes with the refrigerant exiting the compressor. Alternatively, the orbiting scroll plates are integrated into one component.

Abstract: In an ejector used for an ejector cycle system, a nozzle has a first refrigerant passage, a second refrigerant passage, and a third refrigerant passage in this order in a refrigerant flow direction from a refrigerant inlet toward a refrigerant outlet of the nozzle. The first refrigerant passage, the second refrigerant passage and the third refrigerant passage are formed into cylindrical shapes, respectively, each having a constant passage diameter. Further, a pressure increasing portion of the ejector is also formed into a cylindrical shape having a constant passage diameter. Accordingly, the ejector can be readily manufactured in low cost.

Abstract: Studies of the variation in latent heat of fluids with temperature and the rate of heat increase with compression were applied to thermodynamic cycles represented in columns (190, 193, 199). This showed that heat may be circulated and that power output (194) can be boosted by catalysts. Practical layouts show that the present 45% efficiency of thermal power stations may be doubled. The invented layouts produce power from reject heat (185, 188) and saves the water required of cooling thermal power stations.

Abstract: In a gas-liquid separator for an ejector cycle, a tank body is constructed such that a refrigerant sprayed from a refrigerant inlet forms a spiral stream in the tank body. The tank body has a horizontal longitudinal axis greater than a vertical axis. The refrigerant inlet is located at a distance from the horizontal longitudinal axis of the tank body such that the refrigerant sprayed from the refrigerant inlet generates a turning force and spirally flows. With this, a gas-liquid separation distance of the refrigerant increases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unitary sliding-vane type compressor-expander comprising a housing with a compressor inlet and outlet, and an expander inlet and outlet. A single rotor is disposed therein defining in cooperation with the housing a compression chamber on one side and an expansion chamber on the opposite side. The rotor includes a plurality of regularly spaced vanes slidingly disposed in slots about the periphery of the rotor. The bottoms of the vane slots may be vented through a passage in the housing to the inlet air, or alternatively through a groove between the vane and vane slot to the compression or exhaust chambers. Permanent magnets are used in the vanes and housing to increase or decrease the contact force between the vane tip and housing. An integral condenser-humidifier is provided in the path of the expanded gas exhausting from the turbine outlet for condensing water out of the expanded gas and returning the condensed water to the compressor-expander.

Abstract: In an ejector used for an ejector cycle system, a nozzle has a first refrigerant passage, a second refrigerant passage, and a third refrigerant passage in this order in a refrigerant flow direction from a refrigerant inlet toward a refrigerant outlet of the nozzle. The first refrigerant passage, the second refrigerant passage and the third refrigerant passage are formed into cylindrical shapes, respectively, each having a constant passage diameter. Further, a pressure increasing portion of the ejector is also formed into a cylindrical shape having a constant passage diameter. Accordingly, the ejector can be readily manufactured in low cost.

Abstract: In an ejector cycle system, high-pressure side refrigerant is decompressed by an ejector in cooling operation for cooling a compartment, and is decompressed by a fixed restrictor in heating operation for heating the compartment. Therefore, in the heating operation, the pressure of refrigerant to be sucked into a compressor can be made lower, and the temperature of refrigerant discharged from the compressor is increased. Alternatively, in the cooling operation, a flow direction of refrigerant flowing through at least one of an exterior heat exchanger and an interior heat exchanger is identical to that in the heating operation.

Abstract: A nozzle of converging-diverging shape for creating mist flow at supersonic velocity comprising: a throat having a characteristic diameter D*; an inlet having a characteristic diameter D1, positioned a distance L1 upstream of the nozzle throat; and an outlet having a characteristic diameter D2, positioned a distance L2 downstream of the nozzle throat, wherein the ratio of L2/(D2−D*) is larger than 4, but smaller than 250; an inertia separator based thereon, and a method for supersonic separation of one or more components of a predominantly gaseous stream.

Abstract: An air conditioner for motor vehicles has a refrigerant circuit in which the refrigerant is brought into a wet vapor state. The refrigerant circuit is comprised among other things of at least one compressor (37) and a pressure ramming machine (14′) which serves as an expansion device. By means of the pressure ramming machine (14′), energy is recovered during the expansion process which can be used in the circuit for compressing the refrigerant. In addition, a method for operating an air conditioner for motor vehicles is described, according to which a pressure ramming machine is integrated into the refrigerant circuit and refrigerant is brought into a wet vapor state in the pressure ramming machine (14′).

Abstract: A pump-ejector compression unit is furnished with a receiver, and a mixing chamber of a liquid-gas ejector and a separator are located inside the receiver. An outlet of the mixing chamber is connected to the separator, the receiver is partly filled with a motive liquid, the liquid outlet of the receiver is connected to the suction side of a pump and the gas outlet of the receiver is connected to a consumer of a compressed gas. There is another embodiment of the compression unit, wherein the mixing chamber outlet is connected to a chamber for conversion of a gas-liquid flow. The introduced pump-ejector compression unit has an increased efficiency factor.

Abstract: In a refrigerant cycle system, refrigerant compressed in a first compressor is cooled and condensed in a radiator, and refrigerant from the radiator branches into main-flow refrigerant and supplementary-flow refrigerant. The main-flow refrigerant is decompressed in an expansion unit while expansion energy of the main-flow refrigerant is converted to mechanical energy. Thus, the enthalpy of the main-flow refrigerant is reduced along an isentropic curve. Therefore, even when the pressure within the evaporator increases, refrigerating effect is prevented from being greatly reduced in the refrigerant cycle system. Further, refrigerant flowing into the radiator is compressed using the converted mechanical energy. Thus, coefficient of performance of the refrigerant cycle system is improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of jet technology. Essentially a pumping-ejector unit comprises a separator and a liquid-gas ejector. Gas inlet of the ejector is connected to a source of evacuated medium, outlet of the ejector is connected to the separator and nozzle's inlet of the ejector is connected to the discharge side of a pump. The pumping-ejector unit is furnished with a jet pump. Outlet of the jet pump is connected to the suction side of the pump, nozzle's inlet of the jet pump is connected to the discharge side of the pump, evacuated medium inlet of the jet pump is connected to the separator. There is another variant of embodiment of the unit, wherein the nozzle's inlet of the jet pump is connected to a source of ejecting medium. The described pumping-ejector unit exhibits an increased reliability and effectiveness and it has a wider control range of operation modes.

Abstract: A thermodynamic cycle is disclosed that uses compression and expansion to generate refrigeration or power in which at least some of the compression is effected by hydrostatic head of the heat-exchange medium used in the cycle. In a refrigeration cycle, the head of a heat-exchange medium in the refrigeration cycle is used to compress the heat-exchange medium. A vaporous heat-exchange medium is introduced into the upper end of a down riser that extends downwardly through a heat sink. The vaporous heat-exchange medium descends through the down riser and the head of the heat-exchange medium compresses the heat-exchange medium. The heat generated by the compression is transferred to the heat sink. The heat-exchange medium is then pumped up through a return riser and passed through a pressure expansion means and evaporator. From the evaporator the heat-exchange medium is returned to the upper end of the down riser for recycling.

Abstract: An air conditioner has an evaporator, a main compressor, a condenser, and an energy recovery device. The condenser receives a compressed refrigerant from the compressor and condenses the refrigerant to either a liquid phase or a saturated liquid-vapor phase (reduced refrigerant charge content). The condensed refrigerant is passed through the energy recovery device to expand the refrigerant. The refrigerant passing through the energy recovery device is regulated to maintain the refrigerant in a high cavitation region within the motor, while maintaining within a predetermined refrigerant pressure range in the motor. The condensed and compressed refrigerant is expanded, in the motor, to a saturated liquid-vapor phase having a higher vapor content before the refrigerant exits the motor to optimize energy recovery.

Abstract: Continuous cooperative isobaric ejector method, process and apparatus are disclosed. The ejector compressor 10a is used as a primary compression source in a refrigeration system. The isobaric expansion is accomplished by centrifuging the liquid during the process of evaporation. The vapor evaporated from the liquid as it becomes progressively sub-cooled is used to power a novel continuous spiral ejector 25 compressor. The continuous isobaric ejector 10b is also used to replace the free expansion at the expansion valve.

Abstract: A positive displacement machine having a set of parallel meshing rotors employed in a compression-expansion refrigeration system receives a fluid refrigerant input from a condenser and expands the fluid in a first zone and forces substantially all of the liquid in the first zone to an evaporator. The remaining fluid from the first zone of the machine is then compressed in an adjacent second zone of the machine to form a high pressure vapor, which is then routed back to the condenser. The positive displacement machine includes a first rotor having a plurality of helical lobes disposed about a rotor periphery. At least one second rotor has a plurality of helical grooves disposed about a second rotor periphery for receiving the lobes of the first rotor during rotation of the rotors in opposite directions. A housing defines a chamber for enclosing the rotors.

Abstract: A cryogenic liquid heat exchanger system has a subatmospheric pressure reservoir, a tube, and an initial fluid ejector. The sub-atmospheric pressure reservoir has a vacuum exhaust. The tube extends through the reservoir. The initial fluid ejector has a suction chamber inlet that is functionally connected to the reservoir vacuum exhaust. The system may have a plurality of fluid ejectors connected to one or more exhausts either in series or parallel. The initial fluid ejector may receive one or more pressurized fluid streams, and the streams may be steam. A process for generating sub-atmospheric pressures in a cryogenic fluid heat exchanger reservoir includes the step of discharging an initial fluid stream into an initial fluid ejector having a suction chamber functionally connected to an exhaust of the reservoir. A process for generating sub-atmospheric pressures in a cryogenic fluid heat exchanger reservoir includes the step of using a fluid ejector to reduce the pressure in the reservoir.

Abstract: A method of cooling an aqueous liquid, which method comprises the steps of:a) placing said aqueous liquid in a vessel;b) reducing the pressure in said vessel to cause said aqueous liquid to boil;c) condensing at least some of the liquid in the vapour created as said aqueous liquid boils by heat exchange with a liquid cryogen; andd) using vapour from said liquid cryogen to at least assist in step (b).

Abstract: A cryopump having a cryopump chamber includes a purge gas valve coupled to the cryopump chamber for supplying a first quantity of warm gas to the cryopump chamber in order to purge the cryopump chamber during regeneration. A roughing valve couples the cryopump chamber to a roughing pump enabling the cryopump chamber to be roughed. An exhaust valve is coupled to the cryopump chamber for exhausting gases from the cryopump chamber during purge. A delivery valve is coupled to the exhaust valve for delivering a second quantity of warm gas directly onto surfaces of the exhaust valve for warming the surfaces of the exhaust valve.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for deriving mechanical power from expansion of a working fluid, other than water, from a liquid state at a first pressure to vapour at a second, lower pressure, which apparatus includes positive displacement machinery, wherein the in-built volumetric expansion ratio of the positive displacement machinery is between 10 and 50% of the overall volume ratio of expansion experienced by the fluid in the pressure reduction between the entry and the exit of the machinery.

Abstract: A rotating vane machine is described in which compression and energy recovery expansion is obtained within one compact design. The machine is operated in conjunction with a new thermodynamic cycle which approaches the ideal reversed Carnot cycle to optimize efficiency. The new cycle simplifies control, and enables the rotating machinery to be of simple construction.

Abstract: A vaned rotor is eccentrically located within a casing defining a cylindrical chamber. Adjacent vanes of the rotor coact with the casing to define cells. Saturated or slightly subcooled liquid refrigerant is supplied to each passing cell of the rotating rotor. The refrigerant in the cells is subjected to centrifugal forces creating a pressure gradient causing flashing of gaseous refrigerant and the cooling of the liquid refrigerant. The cell rotates into registration with ports permitting the flow of cooled liquid refrigerant to the evaporator and gaseous refrigerant to the evaporator or to the compressor as suction gas or economizer gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating an air stream that is substantially-columnated about a given axis includes a converging-diverging nozzle, a manifold in fluid communication with the nozzle, and a compressor supplying a quantity of compressed air to the manifold to induce a first air flow through the nozzle. The first air flow is characterized by sonic flow at the nozzle throat and supersonic flow at the nozzle exit. The supersonic first air flow exiting the nozzle is directed into one end of an elongate tube. The thus-directed first air flow induces a second flow of ambient air into the one end of the tube. The first air flow mixes with the second air flow within the tube and exits as an air stream that is substantially columnated about the axis of the tube.

Abstract: A novel ejector, an ejector-refrigeration system, and a method of refrigeration are disclosed. The system is particularly well suited for the utilization of energy sources such as waste heat from automobile engines and solar collectors. Further, the system is compatible with the use of environmentally benign refrigerant such as water. Unlike conventional ejectors, the novel ejector disclosed in the present invention is designed to utilize the principal of "pressure exchange" and is therefore capable of attaining substantially higher levels of performance than conventional ejectors whose operating mechanism is based on the principal of "turbulent mixing".

Abstract: A system having a matched vane compressor and impeller is described for use in either a hydraulic system or in a two phase air conditioning system. The impeller is matched to the compressor to return work to the compressor through a shaft or gearbox. The compressor is a vane compressor having longitudinally reciprocating vanes carried in a slotted disc between matched, opposed cam faces forming a series of variable geometry chambers which draw in and expel working fluid during rotation of the shaft. Compression is achieved by exposing the fluid in the chambers to high pressure fluid while the volume of the chamber is not changing. A pressurizing port is placed tangentially to the chambers for this purpose. The impeller also makes use of tangentially disposed pressure ports to expose the turning pockets of a drum to higher pressure.

Abstract: A process and system for removing condensable vapors contained within the gas stream in accordance with the process and system, condensable vapors contained within the gas stream are condensed within one or more condensers through indirect heat exchange of the gas stream with a refrigerant stream. This produces a refrigerated gas stream and a heated refrigerant gas stream. Further heat is exchanged from at least part of the heated refrigerant stream to the refrigerated gas stream and in economizing heat exchanger to form a cooled refrigerant stream from the heated refrigerant stream. The refrigeration stream is produced by combining a cryogenic stream with the at least part of the cooled refrigerant stream in a mixing chamber of an ejector or analogous equipment.

Abstract: A single-fluid two-phase turbine expander is employed in a compression-expansion refrigeration system. The turbine has nozzles of fixed, predetermined orifice and is designed for optimal operation in steady-state normal conditions. A main float valve governs the refrigerant flow to the turbine expander. In order to accommodate off-design conditions, a bypass conduit carries liquid refrigerant around the turbine expander directly to the evaporator. In this case a bypass float valve opens the bypass conduit when the liquid level in the condenser sump reaches a predetermined high level. Alternatively, a float switch and a bypass solenoid can be employed.

Abstract: A closed loop vapor cycle refrigeration system an expander-compressor is disclosed. A portion of the liquid refrigerant in the system is expanded into gas. This gas is used to operate a compressor. The compressor compresses the low pressure gas from the evaporator and discharges the compressed gas either to a primary compressor or the condenser. A novel expander-compressor device is also disclosed for use in the refrigeration system.

Abstract: A single-fluid two-phase turbine expander is employed in a compression-expansion refrigeration system. The turbine expander has its rotor mechanically coupled to the drive train of the associated refrigeration compressor, which can be a high-speed centrifugal compressor or a geared screw compressor. The turbine is a straight-forward design, with a rotor disk having peripheral vanes, and a nozzle block that houses the disk and contains a group of nozzles that are directed at the vanes. The nozzles each have an inlet orifice plate and a converging/diverging internal geometry that permits supersonic discharge. The vanes are shaped for impulse reaction and have a sharp exit bend to prevent further flashing of the two-phase mixture in the rotor.

Abstract: A refrigeration system which utilizes a portion of the energy of the condensate liquid to elevate the pressure of the gas in the suction line above the evaporator pressure is disclosed. A jet enthalpy compressor is used as a means for elevating the suction line pressure. The refrigeration system contains a reservoir which stores liquid and gas refrigerants. The liquid refrigerant from the reservoir passes to an evaporator wherein it evaporates to a low pressure gas, which is discharged into the suction line. A jet enthalpy compressor is disposed between the reservoir and the suction line. The jet enthalpy compressor contains ejectors, each ejector having a nozzle end placed in the suction line. Gas refrigerant from the reservoir is controllably discharged into the suction line through the nozzle ends of the ejectors to elevate the pressure in the suction line. The gas through the ejectors may be pulsed to further improve the efficiency of the refrigeration system.