Centrifugal heat transfer engine and heat transfer systems embodying the same

Abstract

A heat transfer engine having cooling and heating modes of reversible operation, in which heat can be effectively transferred within diverse user environments for cooling, heating and dehumidification applications. The heat transfer engine of the present invention includes a rotor structure which is rotatably supported within a stator structure. The stator has primary and secondary heat exchanging chambers in thermal isolation from each other. The rotor has primary and secondary heat transferring portions within which a closed fluid flow circuit is embodied. The closed fluid flow circuit within the rotor has a spiraled fluid-return passageway extending along its rotary shaft, and is charged with a refrigerant which is automatically circulated between the primary and secondary heat transferring portions of the rotor when the rotor is rotated within an optimized angular velocity range under the control of a temperature-responsive system controller. During the cooling mode of operation, the primary heat transfer portion of the rotor carries out an evaporation function within the primary heat exchanging chamber of the stator structure, while the secondary heat transfer portion of the rotor carries out a condenser function within the secondary heat exchanging chamber of the stator. During the cooling mode of operation, a vapor-compression refrigeration process is realized by the primary heat transfer portion of the rotor performing an evaporation function within the primary heat exchanging chamber of the stator structure, while the secondary heat transfer portion of the rotor performs a condenser function within the secondary heat exchanging chamber of the stator. During the heating mode of operation, a vapor-compression refrigeration process is realized by the primary heat transfer portion of the rotor performing a condenser function within the primary heat exchanging chamber of the stator structure, while the secondary heat transfer portion of the rotor performs an evaporation function within the secondary heat exchanging chamber of the stator. By virtue of the present invention, a technically feasible heat transfer engine is provided which avoids the need for conventional external compressors, while allowing the use of environmentally safe refrigerants. Various embodiments of the heat transfer engine are disclosed, in addition to methods of manufacture and fields and applications of use.

1 - 58 . (canceled)  
   
   
       59 . A method transferring heat between first and second heat exchanging circuits, comprising the steps: 
 (a) installing between first and second heat exchanging circuits a heat transfer engine which includes 
 a stationary housing having first and second heat transfer chambers operably connected to said first and second heat exchanging circuits, respectively, and  
 a rotatable heat transfer structure rotatably supported therewithin about an axis of rotation,  
 wherein said rotatable heat transfer structure has first and second heat transfer portions and a substantially symmetrical moment of inertia about said axis of rotation and embodies a closed fluid circuit symmetrically arranged about said axis of rotation and contains a predetermined amount of a heat carrying medium for transferring heat between said first and second portions of said rotatable heat transfer structure when said rotatable heat transfer structure is rotated within said stationary housing about said axis of rotation at an angular velocity within a predetermined range of angular velocities;  
   (b) imparting torque to said rotatable heat transfer structure so as to cause said rotatable heat transfer structure to rotate about said axis of rotation and said heat carrying medium automatically circulate within said closed fluid circuit; and    (c) controlling the angular velocity of said rotatable heat transfer structure within said predetermined range of angular velocities during step (b) so that said thermodynamic-based heat transfer process is conducted between said first and second portions of said rotatable heat transfer structure and that heat is transferred between said first and second heat transfer chambers.    
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein said transferring heat between said first and second portions of said rotatable heat transfer structure involves carrying out a thermodynamic heat transfer process within said rotatable heat transfer structure.  
   
   
       61 . A method transferring heat between first and second heat exchanging circuits, comprising the steps: 
 (a) installing between first and second heat exchanging circuits a heat transfer engine which includes 
 a stationary housing having first and second heat transfer chambers operably connected to said first and second heat exchanging circuits, respectively, and  
 a rotatable heat transfer structure rotatably supported therewithin about an axis of rotation,  
 wherein said rotatable heat transfer structure has first and second heat transfer portions and a substantially symmetrical moment of inertia about said axis of rotation and embodies a closed fluid circuit symmetrically arranged about said axis of rotation and having a return portion which extends about said axis of rotation and has a subportion with a helical geometry, and  
 said rotatable heat transfer structure further contains a predetermined amount of a heat carrying medium for transferring heat between said first and second portions of said rotatable heat transfer structure when said rotatable heat transfer structure is rotated within said stationary housing about said axis of rotation at an angular velocity within a predetermined range of angular velocities; and  
   (b) imparting torque to said rotatable heat transfer structure so as to cause said rotatable heat transfer structure to rotate about said axis of rotation and said heat carrying medium automatically circulate within said closed fluid circuit as said flow heat carrying medium flows along the subsection of said return portion having helical geometry; and    (c) controlling the angular velocity of said rotatable heat transfer structure within said predetermined range of angular velocities during step (b) so that heat is transferred between said first and second heat transfer chambers.    
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein said transferring heat between said first and second portions of said rotatable heat transfer structure involves carrying out a thermodynamic heat transfer process within said rotatable heat transfer structure.