Howard Leslie Robbins

US Patent:

8083508, Dec 27, 2011

Filed:

Jun 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/796214

Inventors:

Jack H. Irving - Los Angeles CA, US
John M. Richardson - Los Angeles CA, US
Howard M. Robbins - Thousand Oaks CA, US

Assignee:

Blue Helix, LLC - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

F01C 1/10
F01C 5/00
F03C 2/00
F03C 4/00

US Classification:

418 48, 418 15, 418270

Abstract:

A new type of progressive cavity compressor is intended primarily for 3 to 10 ton vapor-cycle air conditioning systems. Major working section elements include a rotor, a stator, inlet ports, an outlet endplate, and outlet check valves. The helical rotor is driven in an eccentric orbital path inside the helical stator. In the preferred embodiment, the rotor and stator helices have varying (non-uniform) pitch in the working section. Rotor-stator running clearances are tight, to minimize leakage. Two outlet check valves regulate refrigerant discharge flow and pressure. Efficient compression is provided over a wide range of compression ratios, corresponding to a wide range of ambient temperatures in an air conditioning application. The invention can improve the energy efficiency of air conditioning systems, especially at off-design conditions.