Method for converting thermal energy at a low temperature into thermal energy at a relatively high temperature by means of mechanical energy, and vice versa

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heat pumps have low coefficients of performance due to high flow energy losses and friction losses, especially when using centrifugal force-based thermodynamic cycles, which limits their efficiency in converting thermal energy between low and high temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A closed thermodynamic cycle using a working medium that is guided radially around the axis of rotation in a compressor and expansion unit, utilizing centrifugal acceleration to maintain flow energy and achieve efficient compression and expansion, with a gaseous working medium and high pressure to minimize pressure losses, and using a co-rotating heat exchanger to retain flow energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional heat pumps use centrifugal force-based thermodynamic cycles with guide passages or vanes, then compression and expansion can be achieved, but high flow energy losses and friction losses occur leading to low coefficient of performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow energy lossesVSAvoidcoefficient of performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes guide passages and vanes from the centrifugal compression system. By extracting these flow-directing components, the invention eliminates the source of high flow energy losses and friction losses that plagues conventional centrifugal heat pumps, thereby improving the coefficient of performance while maintaining the centrifugal force-based thermodynamic cycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a flow path where the working medium moves through essentially equipotential surfaces during compression and expansion. By guiding the working medium radially outward during compression and radially inward during expansion without guide vanes, the system minimizes energy losses and maintains higher coefficient of performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

2Stress or pressure

If the working medium is guided radially outwards or inwards to increase or decrease centrifugal force, then pressure increase or reduction is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure of working mediumVSAvoidcompressor and expansion unit design

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the compressor and expansion unit into a single rotatably mounted assembly that shares a common axis of rotation. This merging of functions into one integrated device achieves the desired pressure variations through radial guidance of the working medium while reducing overall device complexity compared to separate compression and expansion systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dynamic radial guidance of the working medium during rotation to achieve pressure control. By varying the radial position of the working medium during the rotational cycle, the system dynamically adjusts centrifugal force to produce the required pressure increases and reductions without complex valve mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Significantly improves the coefficient of performance and efficiency by retaining flow energy and reducing friction losses, allowing for effective conversion of thermal energy between low and high temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

the working medium is guided essentially radially outwards or inwards with respect to an axis of rotation, whereby an increase or reduction in the centrifugal force acting on the working medium is generated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

Reversible adiabatic compression of the working medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdiabatic compression: Adiabatic Heating

Implementation Method 3

reversible adiabatic expansion of the working medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdiabatic expansion: Adiabatic Cooling

Implementation Method 4

isobaric heat dissipation from the working medium, isobaric heat supply to the working medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2183529B1Method for converting thermal energy at a low temperature into thermal energy at a relatively high temperature by means of mechanical energy, and vice versa

Publication Date: 2017.05.24 ECOP TECH

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AI summary

Method for converting thermal energy at a low temperature into thermal energy at a relatively high temperature by means of mechanical energy, and vice versa, with a working medium which runs through a closed thermodynamic circulation process, wherein the circulation process has the following working steps: - reversible adiabatic compression of the working medium, - isobaric conduction away of heat from the working medium, - reversible adiabatic relaxing of the working medium, - isobaric supply of heat to the working medium, and wherein the increase or decrease in pressure of the working medium is produced during the compression or relaxing, increasing or decreasing the centrifugal force acting on the working medium, with the result that the flow energy of the working medium is essentially retained during the compression or relaxing process.