Patent ID: 8113011
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: F25B

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for use as a heat pump comprising: a compression chamber; an inlet for allowing gas to enter the compression chamber; a compression piston stage comprising a compression piston for compressing gas contained in the compression chamber; a heat exchanger for receiving thermal energy from gas compressed by the compression piston; an expansion chamber for receiving gas after exposure to the heat exchanger; an expansion piston stage comprising an expansion piston for expanding gas received in the expansion chamber; and an exhaust for venting gas from the expansion chamber after expansion thereof; wherein the compression piston and the expansion piston are substantially rigidly coupled together by a linkage; and the compression piston comprises a compression piston aperture with a compression delivery valve for allowing gas to pass through the compression piston from the compression chamber to the heat exchanger.