Solar-powered turbocompressor heat pump system
The turbocompressor comprises a power turbine and a compressor turbine having respective rotors on a common shaft, rotatably supported by bearings. A first working fluid is supplied by a power loop and is expanded in the turbine. A second working fluid is compressed in the turbine and is circulated in a heat pump loop. A lubricant is mixed with the second working fluid but is excluded from the first working fluid. Bearings are cooled and lubricated by a system which circulates the second working fluid and the intermixed lubricant through the bearings. Such system includes a pump, a thermostatic expansion valve for expanding the working fluid into the space between the bearings, and a return conduit system for withdrawing the expanded working fluid after it passes through the bearings and for returning the working fluid to the evaporator. A shaft seal excludes the lubricant from the power turbine. The power loop includes a float operable by liquid working fluid in the condenser for controlling a recirculation valve so as to maintain a minimum liquid level in the condenser, while causing a feed pump to pump most of the working fluid into the vapor generator. The heat pump compressor loop includes a float in the condenser for operating an expansion valve to maintain a minimum liquid working fluid level in the condenser while causing most of the working fluid to be expanded into the evaporator.
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4464908
- OSTI ID:
- 6294283
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 12 Aug 1982
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
SOLAR-ASSISTED HEAT PUMPS
DESIGN
TURBOMACHINERY
BEARINGS
COMPRESSORS
CONDENSERS
EVAPORATORS
LUBRICANTS
RANKINE CYCLE
ROTORS
VALVES
WORKING FLUIDS
AIR CONDITIONERS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUIDS
HEAT PUMPS
HEATING SYSTEMS
MACHINERY
SOLAR AIR CONDITIONERS
SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
140901* - Solar Thermal Utilization- Space Heating & Cooling
320100 - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Buildings