Heat pump using air as working fluid - has several separate turbine driven compressors giving step control

摘要

The appliance has an outer casing (1) with an inner case (2). The space (II) between them contains five turbines (T1-T5) each of which is coupled to a compressor (V2-V6) inside the inner casing (2). A further compressor (V1) has a larger duty than the others is driven by a motor (m). The compressed air is delivered into a receiver (A) through which runs a pipe coil (7) which carries the water to be heated. Branches from this coil take the water through the cooling jackets of the compressor from which it finally reaches the flow header (H). The compressed air is released from the receiver to the turbines. Valves are included in the air and water circuits to enable the turbines with their compressors to be started in stages.