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APPARATUS, METHOD AND SOFTWARE FOR
USE WITH AN AIR CONDITIONING CYCLE
Title:
European Patent EP1540140
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/EP1540140.html
Document Type and Number:
Link to this page:
Abstract not available for EP1540140
Abstract of corresponding document: WO2004022920
A turbine (21) for generating power includes a rotor (23) in a rotor
chamber and at least one nozzle (22) for supplying a fluid to drive
the rotor (23). The flow of the fluid from the nozzle exit (12) is
periodically interrupted by at least one flow interrupter means (7,
11), thereby raising a pressure of the fluid inside the nozzle (22).
Two such turbines (21) could be used in a thermodynamic cycle;
the first turbine located downstream of a compressor and upstream
of a heat exchanger and the second turbine located downstream of
an evaporator and upstream of the compressor.
Abstract:
Page 1 of 31 APPARATUS, METHOD AND SOFTWARE FOR USE WITH AN AIR CONDITIONI...
8/18/2007 http://www.freepatentsonline.com/EP1540140.html
heat pump
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Gauging Systems Inc.
Liquid Level and Mass Tank Gauging Systems, Software,
Instruments, etc
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Heat Pump Manufacturer
Thousands of Prequalified Suppliers Trade Leads, Products &
Companies
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Cold Storage Doors
from world leader Thermostop Canada Gandhi Entrance
Automations Pvt Ltd
www.geapl.co.in
SPC Software for MS Excel
Easy to use software for control charts, histograms, and much
more.
www.sigmazone.com
Auto AC Air Conditioning
AC Compressors, Condensers, Driers Switches Relays Hoses
Evaporators
www.directauto.com
DRYSDALE, KENNETH WILLIAM PATTE
EVES, PAUL THOMAS
CASEY, ROBERT THOMAS
Inventors:
EP20030793477
Application Number:
09/05/2003
Filing Date:
06/15/2005
Publication Date:
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Referenced by:
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Export Citation:
DRYSDALE KENNETH WILLIAM PATTE (AU)
Assignee:
F01D1/02B
Primary Class:
F01D1/08, F25B11/02
Other Classes:
F01D1/08, F01D25/00, H02P9/14, H02K17/42, F25B11/02,
F25B1/04, F25B1/053
International Classes:

CLAIMS 1. A turbine for generating power including: a rotor
chamber; a rotor rotatable about a central axis within said rotor
chamber; at least one nozzle including a nozzle exit for supplying a
fluid from a fluid supply to said rotor to thereby drive said rotor
and generate power; at least one exhaust aperture to, in use,
exhaust said fluid from said turbine; wherein the flow of said fluid
from said at least one nozzle exit is periodically interrupted by at
least one flow interrupter means, thereby raising the pressure of
said fluid inside said at least one outer nozzle.

2. The turbine of claim 1 including at least one fluid storage means
between said fluid supply and said at least one outer nozzle.

3. The turbine of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said at least one flow
interrupter means substantially stops the flow of said fluid from
said at least one nozzle exit until the pressure inside said at least
one nozzle rises to a preselected minimum pressure, which is less
than or equal to the pressure of the fluid supply.

4. The turbine of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in use, said
flow of said fluid from said at least one nozzle is interrupted by
said at least one interrupter means for a period sufficient to bring
Claims:
said fluid immediately upstream of said at least one outer nozzle
substantially to rest.

5. The turbine of any one of claims 1 to4, wherein said rotor has a
plurality of channels shaped, positioned and dimensioned to
provide a turning moment about said central axis when refrigerant
from said at least one nozzle enters said channels.

<Desc/Clms Page number 30>

6. The turbine of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said rotor is has
a plurality of blades shaped, positioned and dimensioned to
provide a turning moment about said central axis when refrigerant
from said at least one nozzle contacts said blades.

7. The turbine of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said at least one
flow interrupter means includes at least one vane connectable to
and moveable with an outer periphery of said rotor and adapted to
interrupt the flow of said fluid out of said at least one outer nozzle
exit when said at least one vane is substantially adjacent said at
least one nozzle exit.

8. The turbine of claim7, wherein said flow interrupter means
includes a plurality of said vanes substantially evenly spaced apart
around said outer periphery of said rotor.

9. The turbine of any one of claims 1 to 8, when included in a heat
pump circuit, wherein said fluid supply is a positive displacement
compressor.

10. The turbine of claim 9 when dependent on claim 2, wherein
said fluid storage means has a capacity at least equal to a
displacement of said positive displacement compressor.

11. The turbine of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein said at least one
exhaust aperture includes diffuser and expander sections to
decrease the velocity of said fluid and maintain the pressure of the
fluid low once it has decelerated to a subsonic velocity.

12. The turbine of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein said at least
one nozzle in use supplies said fluid to said rotor at a sonic or
supersonic velocity.

13. A method of communicating a fluid supplied by a fluid supply
means at a fluid supply means pressure to a turbine rotor, the
method including; providing at least one nozzle for communicating
said fluid from said fluid supply means to said turbine rotor, to
thereby drive said rotor, the method further including providing at
least one flow interrupter means to


periodically interrupt the flow of said fluid out of said at least one
nozzle, thereby raising the pressure of said fluid inside said at least
one nozzle to a preselected minimum pressure which is less or
equal to said fluid supply means pressure before resuming the flow
of said fluid out of said at least one nozzle.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said preselected minimum
pressure is sufficient to cause the fluid to reach the local sonic
velocity at a throat of the nozzle.

15. The method of claim 14, including accelerating fluid exiting
said at least one nozzle to supersonic velocities.

16. A turbine including a rotor including two or more spaced apart
rotor windings and a stator including a plurality of stator windings
about said rotor, wherein at least two of said stator windings are
connected to a controllable current source, each controllable
current source operable to energise the stator windings to which it
is connected.

17. The turbine of claim 16, wherein each controllable current
source is operable to energise the stator windings to which it is
connected after the rotor has reached a predetermined velocity.

18. The turbine of claim 17, wherein the predetermined velocity is
the terminal velocity for the current operating conditions of the
turbine.

19. The turbine of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein each current
source increases or decreases the current through their respective
stator windings dependent on a measure of the power output from
the stator windings.

20. A method of controlling a turbine including a rotor including
two or more spaced apart rotor windings and a stator including a
plurality of stator windings about said rotor, wherein at least two
of said stator windings are connected to a controllable current
source, each controllable current


source operable to energise the stator windings to which it is
connected, the method including repeatedly measuring the power
output from the stator windings and increasing the current through
the windings if the current measure of power output is greater than
a previous measure of power output and decreasing the current
through the windings if the current measure of power output is less
than a previous measure of power output.

21. A thermodynamic cycle including a compressor, a first turbine
downstream of the compressor, a heat exchanger located
downstream of the first turbine and operable to reject heat from the
cycle to another thermodynamic cycle, an evaporator downstream
of the heat exchanger and a second turbine downstream of the
evaporator and upstream of the compressor.

22. A thermodynamic cycle including a compressor, a condenser
downstream of the compressor, a first turbine downstream of the
condenser, an evaporator downstream of the first turbine and a
second turbine downstream of the evaporator and upstream of the
compressor.

23. The thermodynamic cycle of claim 22 further including a heat
exchanger located between said first turbine and said evaporator,
the heat exchanger operable to reject heat to another
thermodynamic cycle.

24. The thermodynamic cycle of any one of claims 21 to 23,
wherein the first and second turbines are turbines according to any
one of claims 1 to 11.

25. The thermodynamic cycle of any one of claims 21 to 24,
wherein the first and second turbines are turbines according to any
one of claims 17 to20.

26. A control system for a thermodynamic cycle including a
compressor, the control system including : sensing means for
providing a measure of an output of the thermodynamic cycle ;
control means for the compressor, wherein the control means is in


communication with said sensing means to receive as inputs said
measure of an output of the thermodynamic cycle and a measure of
the work input of the compressor; wherein the control means is
operable to compute a measure of efficiency from said inputs and
vary the speed of the compressor to maximise said measure of
efficiency or to maintain said measure of efficiency at a
predetermined level.

27. The control system of claim 26, further including second
control means for a TX Valve or equivalent and sensing means for
providing a measure of the temperature of a controlled area,
wherein the second control means receives as a further input said
measure of the temperature of a controlled area, and is operable to
open or close the TX valve or equivalent in response to sensed
variations in temperature in the controlled area in relation to a
target measure.

28. The control system of claim 26 or claim 27, wherein the second
control means further receives as an input a measure indicative of
the amount of refrigerant in the cycle which is vaporised after an
evaporation phase in the cycle and to open or close the TX valve or
equivalent to maintain vaporised refrigerant after the evaporation
phase.

29. The control system of any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the
operation of the second control means to maintain vaporised
refrigerant after the evaporation phase is performed after a
predetermined delay from the control means opening or closing the
TX valve in response to said sensed variations of temperature.

30. The control system of any one of claims 26 to 29 including
third control means for a condenser in the thermodynamic cycle,
the control system varying the operation of the condenser to
maintain a required level of cooling of refrigerant by the
condenser.

31. The control system of any one of claims 26 to 30, operable to
control a turbine according to claim 17 and including fourth
control means to control


the direct current through the stator windings of said turbine.

32. The control system of claim 31, operable control the direct
current through the stator windings to dynamically maintain the
balance of said turbine when loaded.

33. The control system of claim 31, wherein the control means,
second control means, third control means and fourth control
means is a single microcontroller or microprocessor or a plurality
ofmicrocontrollers or microprocessors with at least selected
microcontrollers or microprocessors in communication with each
other to allow management of the timing of the functions of the
control system.

34. A method of controlling a turbine including a rotor including
two or more spaced apart rotor windings and a stator including a
plurality of stator windings about said rotor, wherein at least two
of said stator windings are connected to a controllable current
source, each controllable current source operable to energise the
stator windings to which it is connected, the method including
adjusting the current through the windings in order to dynamically
maintain the balance of said rotor.


Description:

APPARATUS, METHOD AND SOFTWARE
FOR USE WITH AN AIR CONDITIONING CYCLE
TECHNICAL FiELD
The present invention relates to heat pumps, turbines for use with
heat pumps and/or generators for use with heat pumps, and in
particular, but not exclusively, to improved refrigeration or air
conditioning methods and apparatus and to turbines and/or
generators for use therewith.

BACKGROUND
Present refrigeration cycles reject heat to the atmosphere. In some
cases a portion of the energy which would otherwise be rejected
may be recovered from the cycle, thereby increasing the overall
efficiency.

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of a heat pump
circuit of the prior art. Hot, high pressure refrigerant liquid enters a
throttling device, often referred to as a Tx valve, which reduces its
pressure and temperature at constant enthalpy. The heat absorbing
vapour is passed through a heat exchanger or"evaporator"which
absorbs heat from ambient temperature air blown across its
surfaces by a fan, cooling the air and thereby providing the
refrigeration effect and causing it to expand. The acquisition of
heat causes the liquid to flash to vapour and expand.

The heat laden working fluid vapour is then passed into an
accumulator which has an internal structure designed to allow any
remaining liquid to boil off prior to entering the compressor.

The energy rich warm working fluid vapour enters a compressor,
which as a result of a work input, compresses the vapour thus
raising its temperature and pressure. A significant portion of the
work input into the compressor re-appears as the heat of
compression thussuperheating the working fluid vapour.


The superheated working fluid vapour thus has its temperature
elevated above that of the ambient temperature of the environment
and enters a condenser, which has a structure similar to that of the
evaporator. A heat exchange then occurs between the superheated
working fluid vapour and the environment which is at a lower
temperature. The heat exchange continues until sufficient heat is
removed from the working fluid to cause a change of state from
hot vapour to hot liquid.

The hot working fluid liquid enters a reservoir, usually referred to
as a"receiver"which has a sufficiently large volume to support the
requirements of the thermodynamic cycle and withstand the high
pressure in the discharge line of the compressor. The hot high
pressure refrigerant liquid then enters the TX valve to complete the

Air conditioning systems have become a huge draw on electricity
power in many of the major cities of the world and are viewed as
an essential component of many large buildings in order to
maintain a level of environmental control within the building. At
the same time as air conditioning systems continue to increase in
number, it is becoming increasingly recognised that electricity is a
limited resource and in some places demand is exceeding supply or
is forecast to in the near future.

It has become important to identify potential areas for saving in
electricity consumption. If any savings can be made in air
conditioning systems, then there is potential to make an overall
huge saving in the consumption of electricity.

The saving of electricity can also lead to savings in power
distribution infrastructure upgrades. Such upgrades are becoming
necessary to deal with increasing peak loads introduced by a
rapidly growing air conditioning market.


OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of a preferred embodiment of the invention to
provide apparatus for a heat pump and/or a heat pump which will
increase the utilization of available energy in such apparatus at
present.

It is an alternative object of a preferred embodiment of the
invention to provide a method of controlling a heat pump which
will increase the efficiency of such apparatus at present.

It is an alternative object of a preferred embodiment of the
invention to provide a method of controlling a turbine and
generator which will increase the efficiency of such apparatus at
present.

It is an further alternative object of a preferred embodiment of the
invention to provide a turbineand/or a method of communicating a
fluid to a turbine which will increase the utilization of available
energy from such fluid at present.

It is a still further alternative object to at least provide the public
with a useful choice.

Other objects of the present invention may become apparent from
the following description, which is given by way of example only.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a
turbine for generating power including : a rotor chamber; a rotor
rotatable about a central axis within said rotor chamber; at least
one nozzle including a nozzle exit for supplying a fluid from a
fluid supply to said rotor to thereby drive said rotor and generate
power; at least one exhaust aperture to, in use, exhaust said fluid
from said turbine; wherein


the flow of said fluid from said at least one nozzle exit is
periodically interrupted by at least one flow interrupter means,
thereby raising the pressure of said fluid inside said at least one
outer nozzle.

Preferably, the turbine includes at least one fluid storage means
between said fluid supply and said at least one outer nozzle.

Preferably, said at least one flow interrupter means substantially
stops the flow of said fluid from said at least one nozzle exit until
the pressure inside said at least one nozzle rises to a preselected
minimum pressure, which is less than or equal to the pressure of
the fluid supply.

Preferably, when the turbine is in use, said flow of said fluid from
said at least one nozzle is interrupted by said at least one
interrupter means for a period sufficient to bring said fluid
immediately upstream of said at least one outer nozzle
substantially to rest.

Preferably, said rotor has a plurality of channels shaped, positioned
and dimensioned to provide a turning moment about said central
axis when refrigerant from said at least one nozzle enters said
channels.

Preferably, said rotor is has a plurality of blades shaped, positioned
and dimensioned to provide a turning moment about said central
axis when refrigerant from said at least one nozzle contacts said
blades.

Preferably, said at least one flow interrupter means includes at
least one vane connectable to and moveable with an outer
periphery of said rotor and adapted to interrupt the flow of said
fluid out of said at least one outer nozzle exit when said at least
one vane is substantially adjacent said at least one nozzle exit.

Preferably, said flow interrupter means includes a plurality of said
Page 10 of 31 APPARATUS, METHOD AND SOFTWARE FOR USE WITH AN AIR CONDITIO...
vanes substantially evenly spaced apart around said outer periphery
of said rotor.


Preferably, said turbine is included in a heat pump circuit, wherein
said fluid supply is a positive displacement compressor.

Preferably, said fluid storage means has a capacity at least equal to
a displacement of said positive displacement compressor.

Preferably, said at least one exhaust aperture includes diffuser and
expander sections to decrease the velocity of said fluid and
maintain the pressure of the fluid low once it has decelerated to a
subsonic velocity.

Preferably, said at least one nozzle in use supplies said fluid to said
rotor at a sonic or supersonic velocity.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a
method of communicating a fluid supplied by a fluid supply means
at a fluid supply means pressure to a turbine rotor, the method
including; providing at least one nozzle for communicating said
fluid from said fluid supply means to said turbine rotor, to thereby
drive said rotor, the method further including providing at least one
flow interrupter means to periodically interrupt the flow of said
fluid out of said at least one nozzle, thereby raising the pressure of
said fluid inside said at least one nozzle to a preselected minimum
pressure which is less or equal to said fluid supply means pressure
before resuming the flow of said fluid out of said at least one
nozzle.

Preferably, said preselected minimum pressure is sufficient to
cause the fluid to reach the local sonic velocity at a throat of the
nozzle.

Preferably, the method includes accelerating fluid exiting said at
least one nozzle to supersonic velocities.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a turbine including a rotor including two or more spaced
apart rotor windings and a stator including a plurality of stator
windings about said rotor, wherein at least two of said stator
windings are connected to a controllable current


source, each controllable current source operable to energise the
stator windings to which it is connected.

Preferably, each controllable current source is operable to energise
the stator windings to which it is connected after the rotor has
reached a predetermined velocity.

Preferably, the predetermined velocity is the terminal velocity for
the current operating conditions of the turbine.

Preferably, each current source increases or decreases the current
through their respective stator windings dependent on a measure of
the power output from the stator windings.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a
method of controlling a turbine including a rotor including two or
more spaced apart rotor windings and a stator including a plurality
of stator windings about said rotor, wherein at least two of said
stator windings are connected to a controllable current source, each
controllable current source operable to energise the stator windings
to which it is connected, the method including repeatedly
measuring the power output from the stator windings and
increasing the current through the windings if the current measure
of power output is greater than a previous measure of power output
and decreasing the current through the windings if the current
measure of power output is less than a previous measure of power
output.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a
thermodynamic cycle including a compressor, a first turbine
downstream of the compressor, a heat exchanger located
downstream of the first turbine and operable to reject heat from the
cycle to another thermodynamic cycle, an evaporator downstream
of the heat exchanger and a second turbine downstream of the
evaporator and upstream of the compressor.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a
thermodynamic cycle including a compressor, a condenser
downstream of the


compressor, a first turbine downstream of the condenser, an
evaporator downstream of the first turbine and a second turbine
downstream of the evaporator and upstream of the compressor.

Preferably, the thermodynamic cycle further includes a heat
exchanger located between said first turbine and said evaporator,
the heat exchanger operable to reject heat to another

Preferably, the first and second turbines are turbines according to
the preceding paragraphs.

The thermodynamic cycle of any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein
the first and second turbines are turbines according to the
preceding paragraphs.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a
control system for a thermodynamic cycle including a compressor,
the control system including : sensing means for providing a
measure of an output of the thermodynamic cycle ; control means
for the compressor, wherein the control means is in communication
with said sensing means to receive as inputs said measure of an
output of the thermodynamic cycle and a measure of the work
input of the compressor; wherein the control means is operable to
compute a measure of efficiency from said inputs and vary the
speed of the compressor to maximise said measure of efficiency or
to maintain said measure of efficiency at a predetermined level.

Preferably, the control system further includes second control
means for a TX valve or equivalent and sensing means for
providing a measure of the temperature of a controlled area,
wherein the second control means receives as a further input said
measure of the temperature of a controlled area, and is operable to
open or close the TX valve or equivalent in response to sensed
variations in temperature in the controlled area in relation to a
target measure.


Preferably, the second control means further receives as an input a
measure indicative of the amount of refrigerant in the cycle which
is vaporised after an evaporation phase in the cycle and to open or
close the TX valve or equivalent to maintain vaporised refrigerant
after the evaporation phase.

Preferably, the operation of the second control means to maintain
vaporised refrigerant after the evaporation phase is performed after
a predetermined delay from the control means opening or closing
the TX valve in response to said sensed variations of temperature.

Preferably, the control system further includes third control means
for a condenser in the thermodynamic cycle, the control system
varying the operation of the condenser to maintain a required level
of cooling of refrigerant by the condenser.

Preferably, the control system is operable to control a turbine
according to claim 17 and including fourth control means to
control the direct current through the stator windings of said
turbine.

Preferably, the control system is operable to control the direct
current through the stator windings to dynamically maintain the
balance of said turbine when loaded.

Preferably, the control means, second control means, third control
means and fourth control means is a single microcontroller or
microprocessor or a plurality ofmicrocontrollers or
microprocessors with at least selectedmicrocontrollers or
microprocessors in communication with each other to allow
management of the timing of the functions of the control system.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided a
method of controlling a turbine including a rotor including two or
more spaced apart rotor windings and a stator including a plurality
of stator windings about said rotor, wherein at least two of said
stator windings are connected to a controllable current source, each
controllable current source operable to


energise the stator windings to which it is connected, the method
including adjusting the current through the windings in order to
dynamically maintain the balance of said rotor.

Further aspects of the present invention, which should be
considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the
following description, given by way of example only and with
reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1: Shows a prior art thermodynamic cycle.

Figure 2: Shows a first thermodynamic cycle according to an
aspect of the present invention.

Figure 3: Shows a second thermodynamic cycle according to an
aspect of the present invention.

Figure 4: Shows a cross-sectional view of a first turbine according
to an aspect of the present invention.

Figure 5: Shows a cross-sectional view of a second turbine
according to an aspect of the present invention.

Figure 6: Shows an enlarged view of a channel of the turbine of
Figure 5.

Figure 7: Shows a third thermodynamic cycle illustrating a control
system according to an aspect of the present invention.

Figures 8-10,12 : Show flow charts of a method of controlling a
thermodynamic cycle according to aspects of the present invention.

Figure 11: Shows a diagram of a generator according to an aspect
of the present invention.

Figure 13: Shows a flow chart of an initialisation subroutine for the
control system.

Figure 14: Shows a flow chart of a schduling subroutine for the
control system.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF
THE INVENTION
The present invention is described herein with reference to its
application to a refrigeration cycle. Those skilled in the art will
recognise that the heat pumping circuit described may have a
variety of uses, for example air conditioning, refrigeration or
heating. Those skilled in art will also recognise that the
term"refrigerant"is used to describe any working fluid suitable for
use in such a circuit or cycle.

A simple refrigeration circuit of the prior art shown in Figure 1
may include, in order, a compressor, a condenser, a receiver, a
throttling valve (TX valve), an evaporator and an accumulator.
Some embodiments of the prior art may combine two of the
elements shown in Figure 1 into a single device, for example some
compressors may also include an accumulator, but the function of
each element is usually present in the circuit.

The term"turbine"is used herein to describe a device which
converts energy from a fluid stream into kinetic and/or electrical
energy. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that where the
energy is required in electrical form the turbine may include a
suitable electric power generator or alternator.

Referring next to Figure 2 a heat pump apparatus of the present
invention includes a first refrigerant circuit 10, which includes in
order, a first compressor 1 a condenser 8, a receiver 2, a TX valve,
an evaporator 5 and a turbine 21. The turbine 21 converts energy
from the refrigerant into kinetic and/or electrical energy, thereby
lowering the temperature and pressure of the first refrigerant. If
required to result in a suitable density and pressure refrigerant for
the turbine, an expander (not shown) may be provided on one or
both of the upstream and downstream sides of the turbine 21.

In some embodiments the turbine 21 may be designed to avoid
cooling the refrigerant to the point where drops of liquid
refrigerant form within the turbine 21, as this may damage the
working surfaces within the turbine 21.

In alternative embodiments the turbine 21 may be adapted, for
example


through the use of appropriately robust materials to construct the
rotor blades, to allow condensation of the refrigerant without
damage to the turbine 21.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate which qualities of the
refrigerant passing through the first evaporator 5 will affect the
heat flow into the first evaporator 5. The refrigerant leaving the
first evaporator 5 passes through a first accumulator 6 before
returning to the first compressor 1. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that the receiver 2 and accumulator 6 provides the
refrigerant reservoirs for the circuit. The accumulator 6 is shown in
outline to represent the option that it forms a part of the
compressor 1.

Referring to Figure 3, an alternative heat pump according to the
present invention is shown, which includes a first refrigerant
circuit 300 and second refrigerant circuit 400. In a preferred
embodiment the second refrigerant cycle 400 may include an
evaporator 405, accumulator, compressor, condenser, receiver and
TX valve (not shown), arranged in the same order and performing
the substantially same function as a refrigeration circuit of the prior
art. The second refrigerant may have a boiling point of less than10
C, more preferably around0 C. A suitable second refrigerant may
be R22, R134A or R123, although those skilled in the art will
appreciate that other refrigerants with suitably low boiling points
may be used.

The second refrigerant circuit 400 may be controlled by a control
system as described below with reference to Figure 7. If required,
both refrigerant circuits may be controlled by a single controller.

In a preferred embodiment the temperature of the refrigerant
entering the condenser of the refrigerant circuit 400 may be
above30 C, and preferably around60 C. The temperature of the
refrigerant entering the evaporator of the refrigerant circuit 400
may be at least10 C lower than the temperature of the refrigerant
entering the condenser 304.

In some embodiments one or more thermoelectric generators
positioned between a compressor and condenser may be provided
in order to generate electricity. Thermoelectric generators may be
particularly useful if


the refrigerant usedis R123, as the condensing temperature may be
as high as180 C and the evaporation temperature between35 C
and10 C, thereby providing a large temperature differential.

The cycle 300 includes in clockwise order a compressor 301,
condenser 307, first expander 302a, first turbine 302, second
expander 302b, a heat exchanger 304, an evaporator 305 and a
second turbine 306.

The expanders may be included on both the input and output sides
of the turbine 302 to reduce the density of the working fluid
entering the turbine 302, and to assist in maintaining a low
pressure at the output of the turbine 302 after the working fluid
returns to a subsonic velocity. In a preferred embodiment the
expander may ensure that there is no increase in the pressure of the
fluid once it has decelerated to a subsonic velocity. Without an
expander the pressure at the turbine output would otherwise rise
and impair the turbine performance.

Expanders (not shown) may also be included on one or both of the
input and output of the second turbine 306. The expanders will
include a diffuser if the refrigerant is circulating at supersonic
speeds out of the turbine 306. The expanders on the inputs of the
turbines 302,306 are necessary to lower the density of the working
fluid prior to entering the throat of the turbine nozzle. The lower
density will allow a larger throat size at the sonic point of the
working fluid and hence maintain a critical minimum mass flow
rate so as to avoid any reduction in air conditioning efficiency.
Ideally the mass flow rate should be the same as would be
experienced without the introduction of each turbine into the
thermodynamic cycle. Thevolumetric expansion before the nozzle
therefore lowers the density of the working fluid and allows a
larger diameter nozzle throat to be used without impairing either
the subsonic/supersonic transition of the working fluid at the throat
or its mass flow rate.

In two further alternative cycles, one of either the refrigerant cycle
400 and condenser 304 may be omitted.


Figure 4 shows a turbine 21, suitable for use with the heat pump
apparatus described in relation to Figures 1,2, 3. The turbine 21
may also be used in a refrigerant circuit of the prior art, such as the
circuit shown in Figure 1 or in other refrigerant circuit, preferably
either immediately upstream or downstream of the compressor,
with expanders provided about the turbine 21 if necessary. The
turbine 21 includes at least one outer nozzle 22 mounted in the
housing (not shown) of the turbine 21, which has
aconverging/diverging section adapted to accelerate the refrigerant
flowing through it to sonic or supersonic speeds.

The turbine 21 is described below with reference to its use as part
of a heat pump circuit, such as those described above, in which the
working fluid is refrigerant. The turbine 21 may perform the
function of a TX valve in addition to generating power, allowing a
TX valve to be omitted from the circuit. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate that other applications for the turbine 21 are
possible and that the working fluid may in these embodiments be
some other suitable gaseous fluid.

The flow from each outer nozzle 22 is periodically interrupted by
an interruption means. Two preferred interruption means are
explained below.

Those skilled in the relevant arts may be able to identify alternative
means for interrupting the flow from an outer nozzle 22.

A first interruption means may include one or more vanes 7
located proximate the outer periphery of the turbine rotor 23 and
adapted to substantially prevent refrigerant from flowing from an
outer nozzle 22 when the vane 7 is proximate the outer nozzle
outlet 12. Those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that the
gap between the exit of the outer nozzle 22 and the vanes 7 is
exaggerated in Figure 4 and that the actual gap will be small
enough to interrupt or significantly inhibit flow from the nozzle 22
when the vanes 7 are adjacent the nozzle exit 12.

A second interruption means 11 may include an electronically
operated valve proximate the outer nozzle outlet 12. The second
interruption


means 11 may have an extremely fast response and may, for
example, be similar in operation to an electronically operated
common rail diesel injector.

A refrigerant storage vessel 13 may be located proximate the outer
nozzle entrance 14. If the compressor supplying refrigerant to the
outer nozzle 22 is a positive displacement compressor, then the
refrigerant storage vessel 13 may have an internal volume at least
equal to a single displacement of the first compressor. The
refrigerant storage vessel 13 may have any capacity greater than
the displacement of the compressor. The refrigerant storage vessel
13 may preferably be an insulated spherical container located as
close as possible to the outer nozzle entrance 14.

The vanes 7 and second interruption means 11 may stop the flow
of refrigerant sufficiently rapidly to cause an adiabatic pressure
rise in the outer nozzle 22 without a corresponding increase in
enthalpy. The flow of refrigerant may be interrupted for a period
which is sufficiently long for the pressure inside the outer nozzle
22, and more preferably inside the refrigerant storage vessel 13, to
reach a preselected minimum pressure which is less than the
pressure supplied by the first compressor. This pressure may be
selected to ensure that when the vanes 7 and second interruption
means 11 are both open, the refrigerant exits the outer nozzle 22 at
sonic or supersonic speeds.

The period of time that each vane 7 stops the flow from the outer
nozzle 22 depends on the circumference of the turbine rotor 23, the
rotational speed of the rotor 23 and the length of the vane 7 in the
circumferential direction. In some embodiments this period of time
may be sufficiently long that a second interrupter means 11 is not
required.

In other embodiments the second interruption means 11 may be
capable of closing sufficiently rapidly that the vanes 7 are not
necessary, but in many cases the vanes 7 may provide a relatively
simple interruption means, which is capable of closing the outer
nozzle outlet 12 at high speed.


The refrigerant storage vessel 13, vanes 7 and second interruption
means 11 may assist in increasing the amount of energy recovered
from the refrigerant while still allowing sufficient refrigerant to
flow to provide an adequate overall heat absorption effect from a
refrigerant circuit. This may facilitate or assist the omission of a
receiver and TX valve from the refrigeration circuit.

The Applicant believes that when the interruption means closes,
the mass flow of the working fluid, in this case refrigerant,
between the outer nozzle 22 and the high pressure source feeding
the outer nozzle 22, which in most cases may be a first compressor,
may decrease towards zero, and the pressure in the refrigerant
storage vessel 13 and outer nozzle entrance 14 may rise towards
the maximum pressure of the discharge line of the first
compressor. This upward pressure excursion is a function of the
decrease in mass flow rate of the fluid. When the mass flow rate is
zero then the pressure difference across the outer nozzle 22 may be
substantially zero, therefore the pressure at the outer nozzle
entrance 14 is at a maximum and the kinetic energy change in the
refrigerant is zero and the enthalpy change is zero.

Thus, when the refrigerant is stopped the pressure rises at the outer
nozzle entrance 14 to the maximum value provided by the
compressor and the enthalpy change is zero. The Applicant also
believes that if the period of time when the refrigerant is
interrupted is short in comparison to the time in which the
refrigerant is allowed to flow, then the deterioration in overall
mass flow in a refrigerant circuit of which the turbine 21 is a
component will be minimal.

The Applicant further believes that an advantage of stopping the
mass flow through the outer nozzle 22 is that, if the period of the
flow interruption is sufficiently short and the increase in pressure
of the refrigerant occurs substantially adiabatically, there will be
no change in the enthalpy of the stationary refrigerant in the outer
nozzle 22. Also, if the increase in internal energy during the time
when the refrigerant is stationary and the refrigerant is compressed
compensates for the expansion of the refrigerant and its depletion
of work during the time when the mass flow is flowing, which may
be achieved by properly selecting the ratio of time during which
the refrigerant flows to time in which the refrigerant is interrupted,
then the enthalpy


extraction process may become substantially continuous. The
Applicant believes that this may result in an increased extraction of
enthalpy from the working fluid over systems of the prior art.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the timing of the
second interruption means 11 may be controlled by a processing
means (not shown). The processing means may receive
information on the angular position of the turbine rotor 23 from
any suitable means, but preferably from a hall effect sensor or
similar mounted on the turbine housing (not shown), which may
sense a suitable index mark on the rotor 23. The processing means
may also vary the speed of the turbine rotor 23 by varying the
opening times of the second interrupter 11.

While the turbine rotor 23 is shown having an impulse type blade
configuration, the Applicant has found that interrupters as
described above are also particularly suited to use with other radial
type turbine designs, for example those used in automotive
turbochargers, as is shown in Figure 11.

Referring now to Figure 5, an alternative turbine rotor 23A is
shown as having a plurality of substantially spiral shaped channels
602 leading to a central exhaust aperture 603. The central exhaust
aperture 603 may be central of the rotor 23A and may extend
substantially in the direction of the central axis of the rotor 23A.
The cross-sectional area of each channel 602 may continuously
decrease between an inlet 604 and an outlet 605.

Preferably the ratio of the area of the inlet 604 to the outlet 605
may be substantially 6: 1 in order to promote hypersonic operation
with the minimum restriction to the flow of the working fluid.

Referring next to Figure 6, the centreline 606 of each channel 602
may intersect a radius 607 of the rotor 23A on at least two points,
608,609 between the inlet 604 and the outlet 605.

A fluid flow, represented by arrows F, may enter a channel 602
through an inlet 604. As the direction of the fluid F is changed
within the


channel 602 the change in momentum of the fluid F may result in a
turning force on the rotor 23A. Preferably the turning force may be
transmitted to either a suitable electrical energy generator or any
other suitable mechanism which may be powered by a rotating
shaft. It is preferred that the fluid F execute as close as possible to
a180 change in direction within the channel 602 in order to
maximise the change in momentum and therefore the energy
imparted to the rotor 23A.

The rotor 23A may be used with an electronic second interrupter
means as described above, although those skilled in the art will
recognize that the in some embodiments the spacing 610 between
the channel entrances 604 may act as an interrupter means.

Figure 7 shows an air conditioning/refrigeration cycle, generally
referenced by arrow 100, according to another aspect of the present
invention.

Like the cycle 300 shown in Figure 3, the cycle 100 may differ
from air conditioning or refrigeration cycles of the prior art in that
the TX valve and receiver common to the cycles of the prior art,
may be omitted. The TX valve is replaced by a turbine 114, which
in this embodiment is located between the condenser 105 and
evaporator 122. An optional thermoelectric generator 103 may
precede the condenser 105.

A second turbine 130 is placed between the output of evaporator
122 and the accumulator 128. Expander 130a and 130b if present
are placed about turbine 130. This is to ensure that the density of
the working fluid entering turbine 130 is sufficiently low, so as to
allow a sufficiently large diameter nozzle to be used within turbine
130, without impairing the supersonic operation of 130, the mass
flow rate of the system or its cooling efficiency.

A secondary heat pump cycle referenced by arrow 200 contains a
heat exchanger 201 which follows expander 114c and allows heat
to be removed from the primary cycle 100, to ensure that the
temperature and pressure of


the working fluid entering evaporator 122 is sufficiently low to
allow the efficient operation of evaporator 122. The secondary
cycle contains all of the essential heat pump components described
in the prior art cycle 10 of figure 1 with the additional controls
referred to in figure 7 and described herein for cycle 100.

High pressure working fluid may exit a compressor 101 through a
compressor discharge line 102 in a substantially vapour phase and
may enter a thermoelectric generator 103 or may pass straight to a
condenser 105. The thermoelectric generator 103, if present, may
produce a low voltageDC output103a which may be converted to a
high voltage output104a through a DC to DC converter 104.

The condenser 105 removes heat from the working fluid. The
amount of heat rejected may be controlled by the speed of a
condenser fan 106 which blows air over the condenser105. The
speed of the condenser fan 106 may be determined by a variable
speed drive 107, controlled by a master variable speed drive 109
through a communications link 108. The variable speed drive 107
includes suitable software to control the speed of the condenser fan
106.

The master variable speed drive 109 may include thermocouple
inputs 110,111 and 112 to provide information on the temperature
of refrigerant into the evaporator(T1), temperature of the
refrigerant out of the evaporator (T2) and temperature of air exiting
the evaporator (T4) respectively. A further thermocouple (T4a) and
pressure sensor 115 may measure the pressure of the temperature
and pressure of the working fluid entering the turbine 114.

By measuring the temperature and pressure of the working fluid
entering the turbine and selected temperatures in the cycle, the
software in the master variable speed drive 109 may estimate the
density of the working fluid entering the turbine 114 by a software
lookup table and may adjust the speed of the compressor 101
and/or condenser fan 106 and/or evaporator fan 126 to ensure that
it is sufficiently low that the vapour passing through the throat of a
converging/diverging nozzle 117, which feeds the turbine 114, is at


a substantially sonic velocity. Expander 114a further reduces the
density of the working fluid entering turbine 114.

The sonic working fluid exiting the turbine nozzle throat may
continue to accelerate in a diverging section of the nozzle 117 until
it reaches a supersonic velocity.

The high velocity working fluid drives the turbine rotor. The
turbine may drive a load 121, for example an electric generator, via
a suitable coupling 120.

Acceleration of the working fluid within the nozzle 117, preferably
to sonic or supersonic velocities, may cause a fall in its
temperature and pressure. Energy may then be removed from the
working fluid as a result of the flowing through the turbine 114.

A mixture of high velocity low pressure working fluid in both
vapour and liquid phases is passed into an evaporator 122 via
expander 114c which is designed to prevent the working fluid
pressure from rising as the working fluid decelerates having had
kinetic energy removed from it by turbine 114. If necessary the
expander 114c may also contain a diffuser 114b to cause the
velocity of the working fluid to reduce to a subsonic value prior to
enteringexpander 114c.

The evaporator coil 123 may absorb heat from the warmer air 124
outside the evaporator 122. The cooled air 125 may be removed
from the evaporator 122 by an evaporator fan 126. The speed of
the evaporator fan 126 may be varied by a further variable speed
drive 130 connected to the power input of the evaporator fan 126
and controlled by the master variable speed drive 109 through a
communications link 108a. The speed of the evaporator fan 126
may be varied in response to the drop in temperature of the air 124
flowing over the evaporator 122.

The accumulator 128 may ensure that any remaining liquid phase
fluid is evaporated prior to entering the compressor input 129. The
accumulator


128 may also act as a working fluid reservoir to replace the
receiver used by some air conditioning/refrigeration cycles of the
prior art.

The master variable speed drive 109 may control the speed of the
compressor 101 to optimise its coefficient of performance (COP),
substantially as described herein below, although the TX valve
control will be omitted due to the elimination of the TX valve from
the cycle 100.

If the turbine 114 is driving an electrical generator 121 then the
electrical generator 121 may be either of the DC or AC type.
Preferably the generator 121 may be a high voltage DC generator
of the order of 670 volts output, In the preferred case the DC
power output 114B may be coupled into the DC bus bar 109B of
the master variable speed drive 109 through a diode and capacitor
isolation circuit, which may only allow power to flow in one
direction, thus avoiding any feedback of mains power 150 to the
generator 121.

Those skilled in the art will recognise that the air conditioning
cycles described above may be more energy efficient than those of
the prior art, due to energy recovered by the turbine and, where
used, the thermoelectric generator, as well as the control of the
compressor speed to optimize the overall Coefficient of
Performance.

Figures 8 to 10 show a series of flow diagrams illustrating an
example of the computational process of the present invention that
may be performed to control an air conditioning cycle, such as the
cycles described herein in relation to Figures 1,2, 3,7, 8 or other
cycles including those of the prior art if required.

The process may be controlled by any suitable microcontroller,
microprocessor or similar having a control output to control the
drive signal of a motor controller for a compressor. For clarity, in
the following description it is assumed that a microcontroller has
been used.

Referring to Figure 8, on power up or before execution of the
control algorithms, an initialisation routine may be performed in
which selected flags, registers and counters may be initialised,
typically by setting to zero if this is


required for the particular implementation of the control
algorithms.

Referring to Figure 13, a flow chart illustrating a possible
initialisation subrouting is shown. The time intervals at which
external devices (for example the compressor, TX valve,
condenser, generator excitation) are serviced/optimised are entered
as DEL1 toDELn. For the particular heat pump that is being
controlled, a look-up table is determined and the entries for target
coefficients of performance (COP3 toCOPn) for the heat pump
when operated at a specific temperature differentials across the
evaporator((T1-T3) (1) to(T1-T3) (n) ) are entered.

The microprocessor may read the state of a switch SW1. The
switch SW1 dictates whether the microcontroller automatically
schedules servicing/optimisation of the control parameters for the
heat pump. The current state of any required flags, counters and
registers may also be read and then initialised.

A look-up table is then formed from the entered temperature
differentials(T1-T3) (1) to(T1-T3) (n) and their associated target
coefficients of performance COP3 to COPn for use in the
servicing/optimisation of the heat pump (see herein below).
Finally, the microcontroller sets a flag that dictates manual or
automatic operation based on the status of the switchSW1.

The microcontroller receives as inputs the temperature of the
refrigerant flowing into the evaporatorT1, the temperature of the
refrigerant leaving the evaporator T2 and the compressor motor
power KW1. The set point for the heat load T3, the required motor
speed increment K2 and required motor speed decrement K3 for
the compressor and an air conditioning refrigerant constant K1 are
also entered. K1 may be determined experimentally for the
particular air conditioning cycle and represents the increment of
heat lifted per degree temperature change between T1 and T2.

Having received these inputs, the microcontroller then computes
the difference between T1 and T3. This difference is then used to
look up a corresponding coefficient of performance for the heat
pump in the stored look-up


table, where the coefficient of performance represents the heat
lifted per unit work input.

In an alternative embodiment, instead of working to a target COP,
the microcontroller may increase/decrease the compressor speed to
maximise the COP if the COP for the cycle does not just
continually increase with compressor speed. Those skilled in the
relevant arts will also appreciate that variables other than the
temperature difference across the evaporator may be used if
required.

If T1-T3 is less than or equal to zero, the heat pump is not
operating and nothing further is done by the microcontroller,
which returns to the start of the algorithm. IfT1-T3 is greater than
zero, the actual coefficient of performance COP2, which is based
on the measured variablesT1, T2 and KW1 is computed according
to equation 1:
COP2 = K1IT1-T21/KW1 equation1
Other measures relating the output of the cycle to the compressor
work input may be used if required. As herein described, the
presently contemplated preferred embodiment uses measures of
temperature difference to provide a measure of the useful heat
transferred by the system, as temperature measurements may be
relatively easily obtained. However, alternative measures of
system performance may be used that relate the system output to
the compressor input.

The computed co-efficient of performance COP2 is then compared
to the target coefficient of performance COP1. If the value of
COP1 is less than COP2, the compressor speed is increased by K2.
Conversely, if the target COP1 is greater than the computed COP2,
the motor speed is decreased by K3. A delay subroutine (not
illustrated) is then executed to allow for any lag in the response of
the cycle to the change in compressor speed. The required time
delay can be determined experimentally by forcing adjustments of
the compressor speed by increments of K2 and K3 and measuring
the maximum time for the air conditioning cycle to return to steady
state conditions. Any suitable delay subroutine may be used to
achieve this delay. The delay


subroutine is completed after any control variable is changed
before analysing and varying another control variable to ensure
that the system remains stable and/or to ensure that steady state
conditions are used to provide measures of the inputs to the control
algorithms. The execution of control algorithms may be performed
periodically at predetermined time intervals, continuously with the
appropriate time delay between each control cycle or on a schduled
basis.

Figure 9 shows diagrammatically a control algorithm to control the
operation of a TX valve, if one is provided in the heat pump. The
control algorithm may also be applied to any controllable device
that performs the same or similar function to a TX valve.

The microcontroller receives as temperature inputs the unsaturated
temperature of the air exiting the evaporator T4 and a constant T5
representing a superheat temperature value added to the
temperature of the working fluid at the evaporator output. It also
receives a pressure input P1 representing the pressure of the
working fluid at the evaporator output, a measurement of the
current status of a TX valve or equivalent TX1, and set steps K4
and K5 for incrementing and decrementing the operation of the TX
valve respectively.

The microcontroller computes T6 as the sum of T4 and T5 and
computes T7 as the product of P1 with a constant K6, which
facilitates the conversion of pressure to temperature of the working
fluid. If the temperature T6 is less than T7, the TX valve is opened
by increment K4 and if the temperatureT6. is greater than T7, the
TX valve is closed by increment K5.

Otherwise, the TX valve is maintained in its current position. The
incremental and decremental step size may optionally be the same
(K4=K5). A delay subroutine is then executed in order to allow the
cycle to reach a steady state or near steady state before any further
action is taken.

With variation of the TX valve setting, it may be advantageous to
check that the TX valve is still operating so that the refrigerant in
the suction line of the compressor after the evaporator is
sufficiently super heated to be at


the vapour state. Therefore, each time when the delay subroutine
following variation of the TX valve is invoked, the microcontroller
may perform an additional check on the operation of the TX valve.
This check may only be necessary if the control over the limits of
operation of the TX valve is not already present as part of the TX
valve and if the existing control algorithms do not bound the TX
valve within an acceptable operating range.

With variations in the compressor speed and TX valve opening, the
operation of the condenser will also vary. Therefore, the controller
may also control the drive fan to a condenser. This process is
shown in Figure 10.

The temperature inputs to the algorithm are T1 and T3 as defined
herein above, the liquid line temperature T8, measured at a
predetermined point in the heat pump, typically at a point
immediately following the condenser and the target temperature
for the liquid line temperature T10. The step size for an increment
in condenser fan speed K7 and step size for an increment in
condenser fan speed K8 are also inputs to the algorithm together
with the current condenser fan speedCFS1, minimum condenser
fan speed CFSmin and maximum condenser fan speed CFSmax.
Although the steps that use CFSmin and CFSmax are not
illustrated in Figure 11 the values of CFSmin and CFSmax bound
the allowable speed of the compressor fan.

The microcontroller first calculates T11 as the difference between
T3 and T1 and terminates the control algorithm for the condenser
fan speed if T3 is greater than or equal toT1. If T3 is less thanT1,
the cycle is operational and heat extracted by the condenser.
Themicrocontroller then calculates T12 as the difference ofT10
and T8 and if the target temperatureT10 is less than the actual
temperature T8 the current compressor speed CFS1 is increased by
K7 and if T10 is greater than T8 the current compressor speed is
decreased by K8. A further time delay is invoked after variation of
the condenser fan operation.

The microprocessor may also vary the timing of the second
interrupter 11 to optimize a selected parameter of each refrigerant
circuit. In some embodiments the heat absorbed by an evaporator
may be the selected


parameter, while in other embodiments the total power input one
or more of the compressors may be the selected parameter.

Figure 14 shows diagrammatically a control algorithm for the
scheduling of control/optimisation algorithms described herein
above. A table of time parameters is stored in memory, which
specifies when each algorithm is to be executed. This table of time
parameters will be entered by the heat pump administrator. On
power up, a pointer is set to an initial value in the table of time
parameters and the clock started. The table of time parameters lists
sequentially all of the control algorithms, a time delay variable that
indicates the time delay that should occur between each execution
for that control algorithm and an address indicating where the
control algorithm can be found in memory.

The microcontroller reads the current time of the real time clock
and adds the time delay indicated in the time parameters table to
give it the current servicing time. The current servicing time is then
read and compared with the real time clock. The process
continually cycles around a loop, checking the real time against the
current servicing time for each algorithm, until the real time clock
reaches the current servicing time for an algorithm.

When this occurs, the microprocessor exits the loop, reads the start
address for the algorithm from the time parameters table and
executes the algorithm.

After the algorithm has been executed, the microprocessor returns
to the loop as indicated by"return"in Figure 14.

The rotors in the generators of the heat pump may operate at high
rotational speeds. For example the generators and heat pump may
be designed so that the rotors revolve at 15000 rpm or more. To
maintain the performance of the generator at high revolution
speeds, it is necessary to balance the rotating group (turbine, rotor,
shaft and bearing system). Also, sealing the rotor and generator
into the refrigerant cycle may avoid problems with losses and
reliability of transferring power of the cycle through a shaft.

Furthermore, if a fixed magnet rotor is used, sensitive balancing
becomes difficult due to the magnetic field about the rotor and the
ferromagnetic


components of the rig become magnetised and if a sudden load is
applied to the generator, the resulting force can unbalance the
rotor.

The generator of the present invention includes a rotor that is
nonmagnetic and can not become magnetised. The rotor may, for
example, be produced from Lycore 150 electrical sheet steel. The
electric field emanating from the rotor is controlled by coils
provided on the rotor wound on high permeability F5 ferrite rod
formers. Other suitable materials may be used.

The turbine components in close proximity to the rotor and the
casing for the rotor may both be constructed from a suitable plastic
resistant to the high stresses applied in the generator. These
components therefore do not interfere with the electrical field from
the rotor or the electrical field from energised stator windings. The
stator windings are wound onto a toroidal core about the plastic
casing. The toroidal core may be Lycore 150 electrical sheet steel
or more preferably a high permeability specially moulded ferrite
former of F5 ferrite or equivalent.

Figures11A-D show a turbine generator generally referenced by
arrow 500. The entire generator 500 may be sealed within the air
conditioning cycle. Figure11A shows a top view of a turbine
generator 500, with covers removed for clarity and Figure11 B
shows a section though line BB in Figure11A. The turbine
generator 500 includes a turbine housing 501, a stator support
housing 502 supporting a stator 504 and cover plates 503A-D.

Figures 11 C and 11 D show a section through lines CC and DD in
Figure 11 B respectively. The turbine housing 501 contains a
turbine 505 including a rotor 506 and a nozzle 507 held in place by
a nozzle retainer 508. The nozzle 507 is supplied with refrigerant
through an inlet pipe 509. The generator rotor510 includes four
rotor coils 511-514 forming a four-pole rotor 510. The coils 511-
514 may have their ends shorted together or connected by a
resistive element which impedance/resistance increases with
temperature to provide current limiting to protect the windings of
the rotor. The coils may, for example, be formed from 1 mm
copper and have 135 turns about a 19 mm F5 ferrite former.
However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant
arts, the number of windings in both the generator rotor 510 and
stator 504,


the core used for the windings, the air gap between the generator
rotor 510 and stator windings and the number of poles provided on
the generator rotor 510 can be varied according to the requirements
for the generator 500. The turbine rotor 506 preferably has
interrupters as described above with reference to Figure 4, and may
have a blade structure as described herein in relation to Figure 4 or
5.

The windings of the stator 504 may be wired together in adjacent
groups of two or more windings. The AC outputs of each winding
group are connected to other groups at 90 degree intervals for the
four pole rotor 510.

The winding groups are each connected to a controlled DC
generator (not shown) that is operable to feed a constant direct
current though the stator windings. Capacitors isolate the windings
and DC generator from the AC output. Winding groups are
energised with a direct current creating alternate north and south
pole pairs about the rotor, which may be at 90 degree intervals,
with the like fields being placed opposite each other at 180 degree
intervals. The electric field is therefore balanced around the rotor
510 and can if necessary be adjusted to correct any imbalance in
the rotor 510 in response to any imbalance that may be detected
during operation. The other stator windings will not have a DC
generator connected to them. By way of example, there may be a
total of 18 coil groups in the stator, with four connected to DC
generators. Two, three or more than four stator windings connected
to DC generators may be provided if required.

The polarity of the DC current can be reversed periodically to
ensure that the ferromagnetic components in the turbine 500 do not
acquire a permanent magnetic bias.

Turbines of the prior art have operating speed and torque
characteristics that are fixed and can not be controlled without loss
of performance. However, the turbine 500 of the present invention
allows dynamic control of the strength of the exciting field,
changing the characteristics of the generator so that the turbine 500
can be operated at the most favourable speed and torque to
maintain operation within fixed parameters. For application to the
turbines in the heat pumps described


herein, the turbine 500 of the present invention may be used to
maintain supersonic operation.

When the turbine 500 reaches its terminal velocity, the DC current
generators are activated, causing an electric field to be generated
by the stator windings connected to the generator, which generates
an AC current in the coils of the rotor 510 as the rotor 510 rotates.
AC current is then generated in the stator windings, which are fed
to the generator output. The AC output may be rectified and if the
generator forms part of a heat pump, the energy may be used to
partially power a compressor in the heat pump.

Figure 12 shows diagrammatically a control algorithm for the
stator windings. The control algorithm shown in Figure 12 is used
after the rotor 510 has been brought up to speed and direct current
is being fed through the stator windings. The total current output
IT and total voltage output VT from the stator is measured. This
may be achieved by taking measurements of the current output 11-
In and voltage outputV1-Vn for each stator winding group.

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The total power output is computed as the product of IT and VT.
This is compared to the previous power output. If the previous
power output was less than the current power output, the direct
current through the stator windings is increased by a predetermined
step size. If the previous power output was more than the current
power output, the direct current through the stator windings is
decreased by a predetermined step size. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate that the algorithm illustrated in Figure 12 may use
to control multiple target generators.

Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to
specific components or integers of the invention having known
equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if
individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and
with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be
understood that modifications or improvements may be made
thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as
defined in the appended claims.
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SPC Software for MS Excel
Easy to use software for control
charts, histograms, and much
more.
www.sigmazone.com

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