Involute spiral wrap device

Abstract

An involute spiral wrap scroll-type device uses two pairs of spiral wrap members connected together at opposite ends of a common rotational shaft. The device can be operated in either an expansion mode or a combination hybrid mode where each pair of spiral wrap members functions as a compressor and expander, respectively. In an expansion mode, electric current is produced via generator electrically responsive to shaft rotation. In hybrid mode, a first spiral wrap member pair functions as an expander with the second spiral wrap member pair functioning as a compressor. In this mode, the balance of shaft power between that produced by the expander and that absorbed by the compressor is either supplied by the motor/generator functioning as a motor, or converted into electricity by the motor/generator functioning as a generator. The housing can be hermetically sealed, thus promoting contamination-free operation. A throttle valve is used to control shaft rotational speed and to regulate the electric current output of the motor/generator. A differential pressure valve is used to control adverse pressure conditions in the spiral wrap members. At least one of the orbiting scrolls can be used to drive a pump. A heat exchanger is used in conjunction with a stator on the motor/generator.