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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Heat engine and thermodynamic cycle

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6018602
A method of and apparatus for converting source heat to work is described. The method is characterized by a gas phase working fluid thermodynamic prime mover cycle of isentropic temperature rise followed by heat acquisition followed by isentropic temperature drop followed by heat rejection to a heat sink accomplished by a variety of embodiments. Although deemphasized herein, it is further characteristic that these same embodiments going through the same motions in the same directions will to a limited extent pump heat to the heat source at the expenditure of work should the temperature difference of the sink/source become smaller than required for prime mover operation. In this invention, heat is exchanged between the compressed working fluid and the hot body only and the expanded working fluid and the cold body only.
Assignee:
IFI; EDB-82-014142
Patent Number(s):
US 4270351
OSTI ID:
6018602
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English