The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 09, 1979
Filed:
Jan. 18, 1978
Kenneth A Williams, Belleair Shores, FL (US);
Other;
Abstract
A continuous method and closed cycle system for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy comprises vaporizing means, including an energy conversion tube comprising at least one nozzle section, for converting a liquid working fluid stream to a predominantly, by volume, vapor or an all vapor stream, turbine means operated by the stream for converting a portion of the vapor stream energy to mechanical shaft work; means for increasing the thermal and potential energy of the turbine exhaust stream and for condensing it to a substantially liquid stream; and means for recycling the liquid stream to the vaporizing means. The system has particular application to conventional refrigeration/heat pump cycles wherein the conventional throttling valve is replaced by a non-throttling nozzle and a turbine for capturing and using the work of expansion. Energy conversion tubes of the present system also find application in high flow rate, two phase flow applications, such as pressure vessel safety relief valves.