Power generation using thermal gradients maintained by phase transitions
US7810330B1 · kind B1 · utility
1Cited by
47References
24Claims
0Family size
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Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 28, 2006 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF01K25/10
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Power is generated from an ambient environment through the use of thermodynamic engines. A thermodynamic engine is disposed in the ambient environment and converts heat provided in the form of a temperature differential to a nonheat form of energy. Conditions in the ambient environment induce a phase transition in a heat-transport medium that causes the temperature differential. The heat-transport medium is renewed by allowing inducing a reverse phase transition in the heat-transport medium, permitting the heat-transport medium to repeatedly or continuously undergo the phase transition that causes the temperature differential.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.