EVALUATION OF THE FEASIBILITY AND PERFORMANCE POTENTIAL OF ANOVEL MODULATING, REVERSE-ERICSSON REFRIGERATION MACHINE

THIS RESEARCH INVOLVES A NEW TYPE OF REFRIGERATION MACHINE THAT PROMISES HIGH COEFFICIENT OF PERFORMANCE WITHOUT CONVENTIONAL CHLOROFLUOROCARBON (CFC) REFRIGERANTS OR ADDED MECHANICAL COMPLEXITY. THIS REVERSE-ERICSSON CYCLE MACHINE USES IN-CHARGE HEAT EXCHANGE TO CONTROL TEMPERATURES OF COMPRESSION AND EXPANSION. THIS PRINCIPLE IS PHYSICALLY REALIZED IN A NOVEL MANNER THAT PROVIDES A CLOSED SYSTEM WITH ONE ROTARY PART DELIVERING COOLING AND REJECTED HEAT TO(OPTIONALLY) REMOTE EXCHANGERS VIA SELF-PUMPING LIQUID LOOPS. CAPACITY MODULATION IS ALSO PROVIDED BY NOVEL AND SIMPLE MEANS. TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGES TO BE ADDRESSED INCLUDEDEMONSTRATION OF A BREADBOARD SYSTEM, DEVELOPMENT OF A LOSS INVENTORY AND PREDICTIVE PERFORMANCE MODEL, AND PROJECTION OF ATTAINABLE PERFORMANCE LEVELS.