Patent ID: 11859549
Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS PLC
Field: Engines, pumps, turbines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F  Y | IPC F

Claim 18:
19. A thermodynamic apparatus comprising:
a casing;
a compressor module within the casing and comprising a first heat exchanger, and a first rotor;
a turbine module within the casing and comprising a second heat exchanger, and a second rotor;
a regenerative heat exchanger within the casing and arranged in series with the compressor and turbine modules along a central axis such that the regenerative heat exchanger is provided between the compressor module and the turbine module; and
a shaft rotatable about the central axis and extending through each of the compressor module, turbine module, and regenerative heat exchanger, both the first and second rotors being carried on and rotatable with the shaft;
wherein the compressor module, turbine module, and regenerative heat exchanger define a working fluid flow duct which extends, in series, through each of (a) a compressor module inlet to a compressor module outlet, (b) a first path through the regenerative heat exchanger, (c) a turbine module inlet to a turbine module outlet, and (d) a second path through the regenerative heat exchanger, which is in heat transfer communication with the first path;
wherein the compressor module includes a third heat exchanger that is provided in flow series between the first rotor and the compressor module outlet, and the third heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat to a first heat transfer unit from working fluid passing the third heat exchanger; and
wherein the turbine module includes a fourth heat exchanger that is provided in flow series between the second rotor and the turbine module outlet, and the fourth heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from a second heat transfer unit to working fluid passing the fourth heat exchanger.