Air conditioning system with discharged heat driving compression of system refrigerant

摘要

An air conditioning system. The system includes apparatus for circulating a refrigerant in a path, further having apparatus for compressing the refrigerant and generating heat in the refrigerant. The system further includes apparatus for providing a driving force to the apparatus for compressing in response to the generated heat.

主权项

1. A system for producing cooled air, wherein at least a portion of the cooled air is re-circulated, comprising:
a first set of apparatus in fluid communication along a first line for carrying refrigerant, the first set of apparatus comprising:
a first heat exchanging apparatus configured to transfer heat from the re-circulated air to refrigerant in the first line in order to evaporate the refrigerant and provide cooled air for occupant comfort;a second heat exchanging apparatus configured to transfer heat from a source, the source having a higher temperature than, and being other than, the re-circulated air, to refrigerant in the first line in order to raise the refrigerant temperature prior to compression, the second heat exchanging apparatus not being configured to provide cooling air for occupant comfort; andapparatus for compressing the refrigerant in the first line; and a second set of apparatus in fluid communication along a second line for carrying an energy recovery fluid, the second set of apparatus comprising:
a third heat exchanging apparatus for transferring heat from the refrigerant in the first line to the energy recovery fluid in the second line; andexpansion apparatus, operationally responsive to pressure of the energy recovery fluid in the second line, to provide an operational force to the apparatus for compressing the refrigerant in the first line.