Thermal panel powered heat engine
US4051678A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 1975 |
| Grant date | Oct 4, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 12, 1995 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF22B1/006
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A heat engine operating from power derived from the difference in temperatures between, for example, solar heat ambient air and an underground water source. A plurality of enclosed tanks are supported in radially opposed pairs from a framework which is rotatable about a horizontal axis. Each tank has its interior divided by a flexible membrane to provide first and second chambers. The first chamber of each tank contains a liquid propellant, and the two first chambers of each radially opposed pair of tanks are interconnected for fluid communication therebetween. The second chamber of each tank contains a high vapor pressure fluid and is coupled to an evaporator coil positioned adjacent its tank and to a condensor coil positioned adjacent the radially opposite tank. The lower-most tank has its first chamber first coil within a hot reservoir to cause the high vapor pressure fluid to expand, applying pressure to the flexible diaphragm of that tank. This forces the liquid propellant from that tank to the radially opposite, elevated tank in which it applies pressure to the diaphragm, forcing the high vapor pressure fluid from that tank to its second coil which is within a cold reservoir,…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.