Rotary Heat Pump Layout for Continuous Radial Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pumps and heat engines face inefficiencies due to discontinuous heat exchange in radial directions, leading to energy losses, and require minimum axial lengths for effective heat dissipation, resulting in space wastage and instability under high centrifugal forces.
Innovation Solution
The device features heat exchange channels arranged parallel to compression or expansion channels within the heat exchange sections, allowing for radial heat exchange and reducing the need for elongated connecting channels, thus minimizing space and enhancing stability by absorbing centrifugal forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If heat exchangers are arranged radially with heat exchange lines running transversely to the flow direction, then heat exchange can occur during compression or expansion, but discontinuous heat exchange in the radial direction results in large energy losses
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange lines are arranged parallel to the radial flow direction instead of transversely, changing the dimensional relationship between heat exchange and fluid flow. This allows continuous heat exchange along the entire radial path of the working medium, eliminating the discontinuous heat exchange that caused energy losses in conventional transverse arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression or expansion channels serve dual functions: both as flow channels for the working medium and as heat exchange sections. The heat exchange lines are integrated directly into these channels, allowing the same structural elements to perform both compression/expansion and heat exchange functions simultaneously, thereby achieving continuous heat exchange without additional components.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the axial section of the pipe system is extended to ensure desired heat dissipation, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but the installation cannot fall below a minimum length in the axial direction, resulting in unused space in the rotor
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange function is moved from the axial dimension to the radial dimension. By arranging heat exchange lines parallel to the radial flow direction in the compression and expansion channels, the patent achieves effective heat dissipation within the radial space of the rotor, eliminating the need for extended axial sections and optimizing rotor space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange channels are merged with the compression and expansion channels, integrating heat exchange functionality into the existing radial flow path. This combination allows heat dissipation to occur within the compact radial geometry of the rotor without requiring additional axial length, thereby optimizing space utilization while maintaining heat dissipation efficiency.
3Use of energy by moving object
If connecting channels are elongated to provide heat exchange in the axial direction, then heat exchange capability improves, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting channels are merged with the compression and expansion channels, eliminating the need for separate elongated connecting channels. The compression and expansion channels themselves serve as the heat exchange sections, with heat exchange lines integrated directly into them. This merging simplifies the overall channel configuration while maintaining comprehensive heat exchange capability throughout the radial flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression and expansion channels perform multiple functions: they serve as flow channels for the working medium, provide centrifugal compression or expansion, and simultaneously function as heat exchange sections. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated heat exchange channels, reducing device complexity while maintaining heat exchange capability.
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
This configuration enables high-efficiency conversion of mechanical energy to thermal energy with a compact, stable design, allowing for multiple devices to be connected in series and operating at high peripheral speeds with reduced flow losses and increased temperature spreads.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid is guided radially outwards on the compressor side of the rotor to increase the pressure by means of centrifugal action
Implementation Method 2
the first fluid flows radially inwards to the axis of rotation in an expander side, in which the pressure of the first fluid is reduced by means of centrifugal action
Implementation Method 3
For heat exchange between the first fluid and a second or third fluid, a heat exchanger is provided on the compressor side
Implementation Method 4
a gaseous working medium is guided in a closed thermodynamic cycle
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) and a method for converting thermal energy of low temperature to thermal energy of high temperature by means of mechanical energy and vice versa, said device comprising a rotor (2) that is rotatably supported about a rotational axis (3), a flow channel for a working medium that runs through a closed cycle being provided in the rotor, wherein the flow channel has a compression channel (8), a relaxation channel (10), and two connection channels (9, 11) extending substantially parallel to the rotational axis (3), and furthermore heat exchangers (13, 14) for exchanging heat between the working medium and a heat-exchange medium are provided, wherein the compression channel (8) and the relaxation channel (10) each have a heat-exchange segment (8', 10'), each of which has a heat exchanger (13, 14) that rotates together with the compression channel (8) or the relaxation channel (10) associated therewith, said heat exchanger being formed by at least one heat-exchange channel (15, 18) that conducts the heat-exchange medium.