This invention provides an isothermal turbo-compressor-expander-condenser-evaporator in a single integral arrangement that is suitable for a variety of compact arrangements, such as a window air-conditioner and/or automotive-based unit. This arrangement avoids the use of rotary fluid joints and maintains the entire fluid cycle, including compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation within a single rotating shaft-based structure, with the compressor/condenser section and the expansion/evaporator section separated from each other in separate spaces and/or plena by a rotating, insulated barrier disc and associated seal.

This invention provides an isothermal turbo-compressor-expander-condenser-evaporator in a single integral arrangement that is suitable for a variety of compact arrangements, such as a window air-conditioner and/or automotive-based unit. This arrangement avoids the use of rotary fluid joints and maintains the entire fluid cycle, including compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation within a single rotating shaft-based structure, with the compressor/condenser section and the expansion/evaporator section separated from each other in separate spaces and/or plena by a rotating, insulated barrier disc and associated seal.

Rotary heat exchangers can include a ride-along compressor, at least a portion of which can be rotated along with the heat exchanger. By rotating at least a portion of the compressor along with the heat exchanger, a sealed fluid circuit containing a two-phase working fluid can be provided. A rotary heat pump or heat engine can include an evaporator and a condenser in the form of back-to-back centrifugal fans. The centrifugal fan blades or other portions of the evaporator and condenser may include internal cavities where the working fluid undergoes a phase change.

Rotary heat exchangers can include a ride-along compressor, at least a portion of which can be rotated along with the heat exchanger. By rotating at least a portion of the compressor along with the heat exchanger, a sealed fluid circuit containing a two-phase working fluid can be provided. A rotary heat pump or heat engine can include an evaporator and a condenser in the form of back-to-back centrifugal fans. The centrifugal fan blades or other portions of the evaporator and condenser may include internal cavities where the working fluid undergoes a phase change.

The invention relates to a device (1) and a method for converting thermal energy of low temperature to thermal energy of high temperature by means of mechanical energy and vice versa, said device comprising a rotor (2) that is rotatably supported about a rotational axis (3), a flow channel for a working medium that runs through a closed cycle being provided in the rotor, wherein the flow channel has a compression channel (8), a relaxation channel (10), and two connection channels (9, 11) extending substantially parallel to the rotational axis (3), and furthermore heat exchangers (13, 14) for exchanging heat between the working medium and a heat-exchange medium are provided, wherein the compression channel (8) and the relaxation channel (10) have a heat-exchange segment (8′, 10′), each of which has a heat exchanger (13, 14) that rotates together with the compression channel (8) or the relaxation channel (10) associated therewith, said heat exchanger being formed by at least one heat-exchange channel (15, 18) that conducts the heat-exchange medium.

The invention relates to a device (1) and a method for converting thermal energy of low temperature to thermal energy of high temperature by means of mechanical energy and vice versa, said device comprising a rotor (2) that is rotatably supported about a rotational axis (3), a flow channel for a working medium that runs through a closed cycle being provided in the rotor, wherein the flow channel has a compression channel (8), a relaxation channel (10), and two connection channels (9, 11) extending substantially parallel to the rotational axis (3), and furthermore heat exchangers (13, 14) for exchanging heat between the working medium and a heat-exchange medium are provided, wherein the compression channel (8) and the relaxation channel (10) have a heat-exchange segment (8′, 10′), each of which has a heat exchanger (13, 14) that rotates together with the compression channel (8) or the relaxation channel (10) associated therewith, said heat exchanger being formed by at least one heat-exchange channel (15, 18) that conducts the heat-exchange medium.

A compact energy cycle construction that operates as or in accordance with a Rankine, Organic Rankine, Heat Pump, or Combined Organic Rankine and Heat Pump Cycle, comprising a compact housing of a generally cylindrical form with some combination of a scroll type expander, pump, and compressor disposed therein to share a common shaft with a motor or generator and to form an integrated system, with the working fluid of the system circulating within the housing as a torus along the common shaft and toroidally within the housing as the system operates.

Rotary heat exchangers can include a ride-along compressor, at least a portion of which can be rotated along with the heat exchanger. By rotating at least a portion of the compressor along with the heat exchanger, a sealed fluid circuit containing a two-phase working fluid can be provided. A rotary heat pump or heat engine can include an evaporator and a condenser in the form of back-to-back centrifugal fans. The centrifugal fan blades or other portions of the evaporator and condenser may include internal cavities where the working fluid undergoes a phase change.

Rotary heat exchangers can include a ride-along compressor, at least a portion of which can be rotated along with the heat exchanger. By rotating at least a portion of the compressor along with the heat exchanger, a sealed fluid circuit containing a two-phase working fluid can be provided. A rotary heat pump or heat engine can include an evaporator and a condenser in the form of back-to-back centrifugal fans. The centrifugal fan blades or other portions of the evaporator and condenser may include internal cavities where the working fluid undergoes a phase change.

A process of transferring heat from a first relatively cold medium to a second relatively hot medium features rotating a contained amount of a compressible fluid about an axis of rotation, thus generating a radial temperature gradient in the fluid, and heating the second medium by the fluid in a section of the fluid relatively far from the axis of rotation. An apparatus for carrying out the process includes a gastight drum rotatably mounted in a frame, and a first heat exchanger mounted inside the drum relatively far from the axis of rotation of the drum.