Scientific Monitoring Inc.

Phoenix Analysis and Design Technologies, Inc.

Eric R Miller

Mark Christian Johnson

Jason L Addink

Bradley Rogers

Jorge L Rosales

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. The integral condenser may comprise a substantially vertically oriented spout or an internal chamber. In another embodiment of the invention an electrical generation system is provided comprising a unitary sliding vane type compressor-expander in combination with a fuel cell. The compressor portion of the compressor-expander provides compressed air to an oxidant inlet of the fuel cell, and the spent oxidant exhaust from the fuel cell is expanded through the expander portion of the compressor-expander.

Unitary sliding vane compressor-expander and electrical generation system

Valve assembly 10 and generally T-shaped fast acting high-output valve 12 suitable to control flow of fluid through base opening 42, wherein valve 12 comprises stem 14 having pivoting end 16 and arm end 18. Two arms 20 are coupled to arm end 18 of stem 14 to form a general T-shape. Arms 20 each have a seating surface 22, a non-seating surface 24, an outer perimeter 26, and an inner perimeter 28. At least one pivoting component 30 is coupled to pivoting end 16, and a force receiving surface 32 is located at least near pivoting end 16 for allowing valve 12 to receive a force thereat and causing an opposite motion at arm end 18. Valve assembly 10 includes valve assembly housing 48, base 38 with at least one valve seat 40 and at least one base opening 42, collector diffuser apparatus 60, and fluid injector 68 with injector opening 70. At least one generally T-shaped valve 12 is pivotably coupled to base 38. Actuator rod 50 and force distributing plate 58 distributes force so that valve 12 is able to pivotably close on valve seat 40 covering base opening 42 and pivotably open from the valve seat 40 exposing base opening 42. Spring component 52 causes valve 12 to be pivotably spring-bias closed on valve seat 40.

Growing community of inventors

Phoenix, AZ, United States of America

Eric R Miller