Pressure exchanging ejector and refrigeration apparatus and method

Abstract

A novel ejector, an ejector-refrigeration system, and a method of refrigeration are disclosed. The system is particularly well suited for the utilization of energy sources such as waste heat from automobile engines and solar collectors. Further, the system is compatible with the use of environmentally benign refrigerant such as water. Unlike conventional ejectors, the novel ejector disclosed in the present invention is designed to utilize the principal of 'pressure exchange' and is therefore capable of attaining substantially higher levels of performance than conventional ejectors whose operating mechanism is based on the principal of 'turbulent mixing'. The pressure exchanging ejector with a compressible working fluid utilizes the oblique compression and expansion waves occurring within jets emanating from the discharges of a plurality of supersonic nozzles so as to impart energy to a secondary gaseous fluid wherein the said waves are caused to move relative to the housing of said ejector by virtue of a motion inducing means applied to said nozzles, said nozzles being incorporated in a rotor. In the disclosed invention, the pressure exchanging ejector is utilized as an ejector-compressor with a vapor-compression refrigeration system whereby said working fluid constitutes the refrigerant.