Isothermal-turbo-compressor-expander-condenser-evaporator device

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A turbo-compressor-condenser-expander-evaporator (TCCEE) for a refrigerant comprising:
 a central axis assembly including a first compressor stage that provides isentropic adiabatic mechanical compression in the refrigerant, and a second compressor stage, that provides isothermal centrifugal compression in radially expanding refrigerant-filled conduits, the conduits being arranged in surfaces to induce heat transfer and a first air flow to remove heat of compression and condensation;   the central axis assembly including an expander and evaporator stage, receiving the compressed and condensed refrigerant from the second compression stage, and that provides isentropic centrifugal expansion and isothermal expansion and evaporation in radially contracting conduits, the conduits being arranged to induce a second air flow over surfaces of the condenser and evaporator; and   a prime mover to rotate the central axial assembly to supply energy sufficient to compress refrigerant and circulate the first air flow and the second air flow through the device.   
     
     
         2 . The TCCEE as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a stationary plenum to collect and direct the second air flow by the rotating action of the surfaces of the condenser and evaporator, the surfaces of the condenser and evaporator defining blade-like conduits carrying refrigerant therein. 
     
     
         3 . The TCCEE as set forth in  claim 2  further comprising an insulated barrier disc attached to the central axle axial assembly and closely fit to the stationary plenum to minimize air leakage between the insulated barrier disc and the stationary plenum. 
     
     
         4 . The TCCEE as set forth in  claim 3  further comprising an additional stationary plenum arranged around the surfaces of the compressor and condenser to collect and direct the air warmed by compression and condensation. 
     
     
         5 . The TCCEE as set forth in  claim 4  further comprising a diverter assembly operatively connected with each of the stationary plenum and the additional stationary plenum, constructed and arranged so that a destination and a source of hot air and cold air are interchangeable. 
     
     
         6 . The TCCEE as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the compressor includes a compressor shaft and a compressor shaft anchor attached to an independent motor shaft of the prime mover. 
     
     
         7 . The TCCEE as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the compressor shaft anchor is interfaced into a planetary gear transmission driven from a central axial shaft to drive the compressor shaft at a speed multiple of the central axial shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The TCCEE as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the first compressor stage comprises a shaft-driven mechanical compressor coupled through a sealed shaft or magnetic coupling attached to a stationary anchor. 
     
     
         9 . The TCCEE as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the mechanical compressor comprises a digital scroll compressor and the prime mover rotates at a constant speed. 
     
     
         10 . The TCCEE as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a housing defining a window-mounted air conditioning unit. 
     
     
         11 . The TCCEE as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the refrigerant comprises a high-molecular-weight refrigerant working fluid with less than atmospheric pressure compressor suction conditions. 
     
     
         12 . The TCCEE as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the refrigerant comprises at least one of R-123 or hydrofluoroolefin analogues intended for centrifugal compressors 
     
     
         13 . A method for compressing, condensing, expanding and evaporating a refrigerant comprising the steps of:
 providing, in a first compression stage, isentropic adiabatic mechanical compression in the refrigerant, and providing, in a second compression stage, isothermal centrifugal compression in radially expanding refrigerant-filled conduits, in which the conduits are arranged in surfaces to induce heat transfer and a first air flow to remove heat of compression and condensation;   receiving the compressed and condensed refrigerant from the second compression stage, and that provides isentropic centrifugal expansion and isothermal expansion and evaporation in radially contracting conduits, the conduits being arranged to induce a second air flow over surfaces of the condenser and evaporator; and   rotating the conduits with a central axial assembly to supply energy sufficient to compress refrigerant and circulate the first air flow and the second air flow through the device.   
     
     
         14 . The method as set forth in  claim 13  further comprising providing a stationary plenum to collect and direct the second air flow by the rotating action of the surfaces of the condenser and evaporator, the surfaces of the condenser and evaporator defining blade-like conduits carrying refrigerant therein. 
     
     
         15 . The method as set forth in  claim 14  further comprising providing an additional stationary plenum arranged around the surfaces of the compressor and condenser to collect and direct the air warmed by compression and condensation. 
     
     
         16 . The method as set forth in  claim 15  further comprising operating a diverter assembly operatively connected with each of the stationary plenum and the additional stationary plenum, constructed and arranged so that a destination and a source of hot air and cold air are interchangeable. 
     
     
         17 . The method as set forth in  claim 13  further comprising enclosing the conduits in a housing defining a window-mounted air conditioning unit.