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:
Mar. 09, 1993
Filed:
May. 26, 1992
Paul F Swenson, Shaker Heights, OH (US);
Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
A heat pump system for an occupied space of a building comprising a fuel-fired heat engine and a heat pump compressor driven by the heat engine, the mechanical horsepower output capacity of the engine being substantially equal to the input power requirement of the compressor, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger in thermal communication with air in the occupied space, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger in thermal communication with the outdoor environment of the building, a refrigerant circuit connecting the refrigeration heat exchangers and the compressor to permit the compressor to pump heat between the heat exchangers when operated by the engine, a heat storage medium for absorbing heat rejected by the engine during its operation, the heat storage medium having a capacity to store a substantial quantity of heat for a period at least substantially as long as a maximum expected time that the engine is inoperative between ordinary cycles of operation, and a pump for selectively transferring the heat stored in the storage medium to the engine with engine coolant to preheat the engine, after it has been at rest for a time sufficient to cool off, to a temperature substantially equal to its operating temperature.