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Title:
DECOMPRESSION DRIVER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/047536
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A decompression driver produces mechanical work by taking a high-pressure refrigerant, a pressurized gas, a combination of pressurized gases, fluid or media under pressure, from a high-pressure state to a low-pressure state and produce mechanical work. The resulting mechanical work may be used to generate electricity, pump any fluid or gas or any other mechanical work desired. A scroll compressor newly manufactured in accordance with the present invention, or a modified off-the-shelf scroll compressor may function as a decompressor in performing such a task. The scroll compressor is originally designed to compress a low-pressure gas in order to obtain a high-pressure gas. The unique scroll compressor of the present invention works in reverse of this function: a fluid under pressure or compressed gas is used to decompress through a modified scroll driver, thereby generating electricity.

Inventors:
SWEET JEFFREY RANDALL (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2013/061137
Publication Date:
March 27, 2014
Filing Date:
September 23, 2013
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
SWEET JEFFREY RANDALL (US)
International Classes:
F04C18/02; F04C29/00
Foreign References:
JP2006125340A2006-05-18
EP2128384A12009-12-02
JP2011012633A2011-01-20
US20040172945A12004-09-09
US20090257900A12009-10-15
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
KASHA, John R. (14532 Dufief Mill RoadNorth Potomac, Maryland, US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A scroll expander, comprising:

a fixed scroll head that receives a compressed fluid;

a bottom scroll that oscillates with respect to the fixed scroll head as the compressed fluid is expanded;

a crankshaft connected to the bottom scroll;

a generator; and

a coupling that couples the generator to the crankshaft allowing the mechanical energy created by the expanded fluid to be transmitted to the generator to produce electrical energy.

2. The scroll expander of claim I, wherein the fixed scroll head receives the compressed fluid through a high-pressure inlet located at a center of the fixed scroll and the bottom scroll and secured to the fixed scroll.

3. The scroll expander of claim I, wherein the bottom scroll oscillates on a pressurized oil bearing.

4. The scroll expander of claim 3, wherein the pressurized oil bearing is supplied with oil through a center hole in the crankshaft.

5. The scroll expander of claim 1, wherein the crankshaft is supported by a tapered bearing.

6. The scroll expander of claim 5, wherein the crankshaft is supported by the tapered bearing is installed within a thrust plate reservoir.

7. The scroll expander of claim 6, wherein a housing support structure is attached to the thrust plate reservoir to align the crankshaft and provide radial support.

8. The scroll expander of claim 1, wherein a generator support structure supports the generator and aligns the generator with the crankshaft.

9. The scroll expander of claim 1, wherein the generator shares oil lubrication with the pressurized oil bearing via lubrication holes and ports running through the coupling.

10. The scroll expander of claim 1, wherein oil pressure and flow is used to hydraulically lift the bottom scroll to a tighter scroll tip tolerance.

1 1. The scroll expander of claim 1, wherein the crankshaft ties all moving parts together and distributes oil to all moving parts.

12. The scroll expander of claim 1, wherein the crankshaft is connected to a rotor of the generator.

13. The scroll expander of claim 12, wherein the rotor via rotational motion with induction to a stator serves as a motor to start a decompression process by using electricity from a source.

14. The scroll expander of claim 12, wherein the rotor via rotational motion with induction to a stator serves as a generator with run-capacitors.

15. A method for generating electricity from a compressed fluid, comprising:

receiving a compressed fluid in a fixed scroll head; oscillating a bottom scroll with respect to the fixed scroll head as the compressed fluid is expanded;

turning a crankshaft connected to the bottom scroll through the oscillation of the bottom scroll; and

generating electricity by coupling a generator to the crankshaft.

Description:
DECOMPRESSION DRIVER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/704,497, filed September 23, 2012, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates, generally, to scroll compressors and, more particularly, scroll compressors whose design has been modified to perform work by decompressing pressurized gas, gases or fluids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a scroll fluid apparatus, and, more particularly, to a scroll compressor, a scroll expander or decompressor, a scroll pump, etc.

Generally, a scroll fluid apparatus comprises two scroll members each having an end plate and an upstanding wrap of a vortical form disposed on a surface of the end plate, with the two scroll members being arranged such that the wraps are in meshing engagement with each other. One of the two scroll members is capable of moving in orbiting movement with respect to the other scroll member while the one scroll member is prevented from rotating on its own axis whereby a gas is compressed or expanded to produce a motive force or transfer a liquid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A decompression driver produces mechanical work by taking a high- pressure refrigerant, a pressurized gas, a combination of pressurized gases, fluid media under pressure, from a high-pressure state to a low-pressure state and produce mechanical work. The resulting mechanical work may be used to generate electricity, pump any fluid or gas or any other mechanical work desired. A scroll compressor newly-manufactured in accordance with the present invention, or a modified off-the-shelf scroll compressor may function as a decompressor in performing such a task. The scroll compressor is originally designed to compress a low-pressure gas in order to obtain a high-pressure gas. The unique scroll compressor of the present invention works in reverse of this function: a fluid under pressure or compressed gas is used to decompress through a modified scroll driver, thereby generating electricity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figures 1, 2 and 3 show different aspects of a scroll compressor modified in accordance with the present invention to perform work by decompressing a pressurized gas, pressurized gases or pressurized fluids, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0006] Figure 4 is flowchart showing a method for generating electricity from a compressed fluid, in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] The preferred scroll compressor operating in reverse, known as a scroll expander, can be used to perform mechanical work from the expansion of a fluid, compressed air or gas.

[0008] The resulting mechanical work may be used to generate electricity, pump any fluid or gas or any other mechanical work desired. An example of the working principle that applies is the following: if a given scroll compressor consumes 35KW or 43.4HP when compressing, when de-compressing approximately 35KW or 43.4HP will be available to produce electricity or mechanical work.

A scroll compressor, modified to work in reverse of its normal operational mode will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawing figures. Figures 1, 2 and 3 show different aspects 100, 200, and 300 of a scroll compressor modified in accordance with the present invention to perform work by decompressing a pressurized gas, pressurized gases or pressurized fluids, in accordance with various embodiments. The top scroll or scroll head 1 is fixed or bolted in place. The scroll head 1 is modified to receive a pipe 17 directly into the inlet thereof. The pipe 17 is secured in place so as not to leak incoming high- pressure fluid or gas that enters the center of the scroll head 1. The bottom scroll 2, which moves or oscillates, rides on a pressurized oil bearing which receives injected oil at 13 or 15. Quality high-speed bearings, which for example may be needle bearings, minimize friction losses and are lubricated with injected oil at 13 or 15, which is fed through a center hole in the crankshaft 20. A high-speed tapered bearing 4, which supports the crankshaft 20, is installed within the thrust plate oil reservoir 16. An alignment bearing 5, which includes a housing support structure, is attached to the thrust plate 16 to accurately align the crankshaft 20 and provide additional radial support. A fixed or flexible shaft coupling 6 couples a generator 10 to the crankshaft 20. A generator frame support structure 7 aligns the shafts and supports the generator within the entire assembly. The generator frame support structure 7 is mounted above the service flange 8. A service access flange 8, which is equipped with a gasket or O-ring, provides assembly and maintenance access. The generator frame 9 is supported by the upper support structure 7 and provides accurate alignment of the generator 10 with the crankshaft 20 accurately aligned. All generator bearings may receive injected lubrication via the joined shafts with lubrication holes and ports running through the shafts. The generator is either an induction type device or a highly-efficient permanent magnet type generator.

When high pressure air or refrigerants are used, some cooling for the generator 10 may be routed directly downward through the thrust plate 16 and exhausted via piping to the low pressure exhaust outlet 14. The system bearing, thrust plate and shaft lubrication oil, returns to the high pressure oil pump inlet through bottom piping. Lubrication oil is injected into the thrust plate oil reservoir with adequate flow and at a pressure that is lower than the inlet oil pressure at 15 to enhance performance of bearings 3, 4, 5, of crankshaft 20, of thrust plate 16, and of bottom scroll 2. A given amount of oil pressure and flow may be used to hydraulically lift the bottom scroll 2 to a tighter scroll tip tolerance while also offsetting, relieving or enhancing the pressurized oil thrust force between the thrust plate 16 and the bottom scroll 2. The oil pressure and flow is regulated through a first pressure regulating valve (PRV) 27. The exhaust is located directly at the scroll set 1 and 2 exhaust area, where the lowest pressure is exhausted via decompression through the scroll set 1 and 2. High-pressure oil injection at a higher pressure than oil injection point 13 is regulated by a second PRV 28. A certain volume and pressure is injected at this point to lubricate the scrolls for endurance but most importantly assist with optimizing the scroll tip sealing for greater decompression performance to achieve the highest mechanical work possible. The thrust plate oil reservoir is sealed to hold a volume of pressurized oil, for system optimization and enhancement. The high-pressure inlet pipe 17 is located directly at the center of the scrolls, secured to the fixed scroll head 1. The inlet pipe may be welded or sealed in any manner so it does not leak into the low pressure area. The oil return reservoir holds enough volume of oil to allow settling time when air fluid or vapor may be mixed during the exhausting 14 and cooling 11 processes. The settled oil then provides adequate net positive suction head (NPSH) for the oil pump 26. A site glass insures adequate oil volume held in the oil reservoir 18. A low oil safety switch may be installed to protect the de-compressor. The crankshaft 20 with oil distributer ties all moving parts together, flows and distributes oil to all moving parts and is accurately aligned. The inner stator is fixed in place and permanently mounted.

The rotor is attached to the crankshaft 20 and via rotational motion with induction to the stator 21 may serve as a motor and or a generator with run- capacitors. Wires through the shell carry electrical current utilizing run capacitors, generated by motion between the rotor 22 and the stator 21. The motor may be used to start the decompression process by using electricity from a given source. When at adequate RPM and load a transfer switch may switch on the fly to allow run capacitors to induce the generating field, transferring the motor to a generator and back to a motor as desired. A tapered support bearing in support housing 25 is installed at the bottom of the crankshaft 20 just above the service flange. This tapered support bearing and support housing 25 supports the weight and rotation of the crankshaft 20. The support housing centers the support bearing 24 and crankshaft 20 to accurately align and support the entire bearing and shaft drive train. A high pressure oil pump maintains high pressure oil supply as required for the scroll set 1 and 2 inlet, along with bearings 3, 4, 5, 24 and the thrust plate 16. A PRV (pressure regulating valve) is used to supply oil pressure as needed for adequate flow and pressure. A PRV is also used to supply oil pressure as needed to lubricate and assist the scroll tip sealing during decompression. Bearing support frame and plane bearing, lubricated via oil injection at 13 and pressure down the hole in the center of the crankshaft 20. The bottom end of the crankshaft 20 is plugged or sealed to allow high pressure feed to all the bearings and thrust plate. Sealed access to the bottom of the crankshaft 20 is provided at the bottom of the housing.

[0012] Figure 4 is flowchart showing a method 400 for generating electricity from a compressed fluid, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0013] In step 410 of method 400, a compressed fluid is received in a fixed scroll head.

[0014] In step 420, a bottom scroll is oscillated with respect to the fixed scroll head as the compressed fluid is expanded.

[0015] In step 430, a crankshaft connected to the bottom scroll is turned through the oscillation of the bottom scroll.

[0016] In step 440, generate electricity is generated by coupling a generator to the crankshaft.

[0017] Although only a single embodiment of the decompression driver has been shown and described, it will be obvious to those having ordinary skill in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

[0018] While the present teachings are described in conjunction with various embodiments, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

Further, in describing various embodiments, the specification may have presented a method and/or process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments.