Binary working fluid air conditioning system

• US 4,187,694 A
• Filed: 11/21/1978
• Issued: 02/12/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lawrence L. Midolo
• Original Assignee: Lawrence L. Midolo
• Inventors: Midolo, Lawrence L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Capossela, Ronald C.
• Application Number:
  US05/962,742
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• Field of Search: 62/402, 62/323, 123/119 CD, 60/618
• US Class Current: 62/402
• CPC Class Codes: F02G 2250/03 Brayton cycles
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 27/02 using waste heat, e.g. from internal-combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 9/002 characterised by the refrigerant
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 9/06 using expanders F25B9/10 takes precedence

Abstract

An air conditioning system for vehicles having a reverse Brayton cycle cooling system with a turbine drive for the rotor in the reverse Brayton cycle cooling system. A binary working fluid is used in the air conditioning system with air used in the reverse Brayton cycle cooling system. Waste heat is used to provide superheated water vapor for driving the turbine with the turbine return supplied to the air flow at the outlet of the compressor of the cooling system. The combined working fluid is supplied to a heat rejection heat exchanger where the excess water vapor is condensed and returned to the waste heat recovery system.

Claims

1. A compartment cooling system for vehicles driven by an internal combustion engine, comprising:

a compressor and an expander driven by a common drive shaft;

said compressor having an inlet port and an outlet port;

said expander having an inlet port and an outlet port;

a turbine connected to said common drive shaft;

means for supplying a noncondensible gas to the inlet port of said compressor;

a heat rejection heat exchanger connected between the outlet of said compressor and the inlet of said expander;

means for supplying a super heated condensible fluid vapor to said turbine;

said means for supplying a superheated condensible fluid vapor to said turbine including a vaporizable liquid and means for vaporizing and superheating the vaporizable liquid with waste heat from the internal combustion engine;

said turbine having a fluid outlet connected to the outlet of said compressor, means for connecting said vaporizing and superheating means to said heat rejection heat exchanger adjacent the inlet port of said expander.

2. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the vaporizable liquid is water and the noncondensible gas is air.

3. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for vaporizing and superheating the vaporizable liquid includes means for vaporizing and superheating the vaporizable liquid with exhaust gas from said internal combustion engine.

4. The device as recited in claim 3 wherein said vehicle includes a catalitic converter and said means for vaporizing and superheating the vaporizable liquid includes means for superheating the vaporizable liquid vapor with waste heat from said catalitic converter.

5. The device as recited in claim 4 wherein said means for supplying a superheated condensible fluid vapor to said turbine includes means for heating said liquid with an engine cooler heat exchanger.

6. The device as recited in claim 4 wherein said means for supplying a superheated condensible fluid vapor to said turbine includes means for heating said liquid with an oil cooler heat exchanger.

7. The device as recited in claim 3 wherein said means for supplying a superheated condensible fluid vapor to said turbine includes means for heating said liquid with an engine cooler heat exchanger.

8. The device as recited in claim 7 wherein said means for supplying a superheated condensible fluid vapor to said turbine includes means for heating said liquid with an oil cooler heat exchanger.

9. The device as recited in claim 3 wherein said means for supplying a superheated condensible fluid vapor to said turbine includes means for heating said liquid with an oil cooler heat exchanger.