US20030033806A1 - Apparatus and method for a heat engine field of the invention - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for a heat engine field of the invention Download PDFInfo
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- US20030033806A1 US20030033806A1 US09/931,607 US93160701A US2003033806A1 US 20030033806 A1 US20030033806 A1 US 20030033806A1 US 93160701 A US93160701 A US 93160701A US 2003033806 A1 US2003033806 A1 US 2003033806A1
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- Prior art keywords
- heat engine
- chamber
- cooling
- heat
- heating
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01K—STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES
- F01K25/00—Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided for; Plants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for
- F01K25/02—Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided for; Plants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for the fluid remaining in the liquid phase
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03G7/00—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for
- F03G7/06—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using expansion or contraction of bodies due to heating, cooling, moistening, drying or the like
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a heat engine, and more particularly to a heat engine that shifts weight off-balance, or moves actuators, to provide a rotational motion.
- this channel is associated with structural elements supporting the chambers that must have the means for pivoting the assembly of the chambers, as well as the supporting structural elements about a pivot shaft. Furthermore, the liquid transfer through this channel results in a pressure drop that decreases. Accordingly, the power produced by this engine that is based on the transfer of liquid under pressure results in severe leakage problems. What is needed is a heat engine that is simple to construct and free of maintenance problems that reduce the operating ability of the engine.
- a heat engine includes a plurality of heating side expansion chambers and cooling side expansion chambers, positioned on opposite sides of an axis, for providing rotation of an apparatus about its axis when the fluids expand and contract, on the same side and plane of a rotational axis. This is accomplished by, shifting the weight of fluids off-balance, or a weight, when the fluid, expands and exerts a pressure on an elastic wall inside an expansion chamber and contracts and reduces pressure on an elastic wall inside an expansion chamber, or by moving an element or ring, through actuators, when fluids expand and contract in the expansion chambers.
- the engine further includes a heat source and a structure for supporting the expansion chambers and heat source, and providing direction of a desired motion.
- a method of operating a heat engine includes engaging a heat source, and heating and cooling a plurality of expansion chambers for expanding or contracting a fluid that shifts the weight of pistons to an off-balance position providing a rotational motion of the apparatus. Also, the heat engine structure is operated to provide reciprocating, rotating or linear direction from the rotational motion of the apparatus.
- FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of the heat engine rotating about an axis using a liquid in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the heat engine rotating about an axis using a gas in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the heat engine rotating in a horizontal plane using a liquid in another embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of the heat engine rotating in a horizontal plane using a gas in another embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of the heat engine reciprocating about an axis using an off-center element in another embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of the heat engine reciprocating about an axis using a ring in another embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 1 shows apparatus 10 rotating counter-clockwise 11 with a cooling side expansion chamber 12 diametrically opposed to a heating side expansion chamber 13 that rotates about axis 14 .
- a second fluid 20 expands and exerts a force against a first wall 15 that pushes a second moment element 17 toward axis 14 .
- a first fluid 19 in cooling-side chamber 12 is cooling, and contracts, reducing a force against a second wall 26 where a first moment element 16 pulls away from axis 14 .
- the first fluid 19 and second fluid 20 is water.
- the fluid can be a plurality of expandable liquids
- the first moment element 16 and second moment element 17 are generally a piston, or a weight attached to a shaft that move toward or away from axis 14 .
- the cooling source is ambient air.
- cooling may be from a plurality of sources including water or refrigeration.
- the apparatus 10 includes cooling-side chamber 12 and heating-side chamber 13 is solidly connected to element 23 , and rotates around axis 14 using element 25 that communicates with structure 24 .
- the first wall 15 of heating-side chamber 13 and second wall 26 of cooling-side chamber 12 are a plurality of devices including but not limited to a flexible membrane, diaphragm, or bladder.
- first wall 15 and second wall 22 are also an elastic membrane, diaphragm, or bladder
- the second fluid 20 in expansion chamber 13 and first fluid 19 in expansion chamber 12 are highly expandable liquid when heated. However, the fluids are a gas in another embodiment of the claimed invention.
- the second moment element 17 communicates and is solidly connected 21 to the first wall 15 in heating-side chamber 13 .
- the first moment element 16 communicates and is solidly connected 22 to the second wall 26 in cooling-side chamber 12 .
- heat 18 is received from a plurality of sources including but not limited to solar energy, gas combustion, body heat, electric heating, solid combustion, nuclear, waste heat and the like.
- the expansion chambers can be a plurality in number, shape and size depending upon the application.
- one side of the expansion chambers can be transparent for additional solar heating.
- apparatus 10 can be designed to produce a directional motion that is rotational, reciprocating or linear from its output rotation.
- the cooling side expansion chambers lag the heating side expansion chamber about 45 to 180 degrees.
- apparatus 30 is shown rotating counter-clockwise 31 with a cooling side expansion chamber 32 diametrically opposed and connected 36 to a heating side expansion chamber 33 that rotates about axis 34 .
- a second fluid 40 expands and exerts a force against a first wall 35 pushing a third fluid 42 out of the heating-side chamber 33 toward, and into, the cooling-side chamber 32 .
- a first fluid 39 in the cooling-side chamber 32 is cooling, and contracting, reducing a force against a second wall 46 where a third fluid 42 moves into cooling-side chamber 32 from heating-side chamber 33 .
- the cooling source is ambient air. However, cooling may be from a plurality of sources including water or refrigeration.
- cooling-side chamber 32 filling with a third fluid 42 , and heating-side chamber 33 being emptied of a third fluid 42 , allows gravity to rotate element 43 , when the heat 38 is applied, by shifting the weight of the fluids off-balance.
- the element 43 rotates counter-clockwise 31 when the heat 38 supply is mounted on one side of the apparatus 30 structure 44 .
- channel 41 is a tube, pipe or hose connecting the heating-side chamber 33 to cooling-side chamber 32 .
- the apparatus 30 includes cooling-side chamber 32 and heating-side chamber 33 solidly connected 36 to element 43 that rotates around axis 34 using rotating connection 45 that communicates with structure 44 .
- a channel 21 that carries a third fluid 42 between the chambers interconnects the cooling-side chamber 32 and heating-side chamber 33 .
- the first wall 35 of heating-side chamber 33 and second wall 40 of cooling-side chamber 32 are a plurality of devices including but not limited to an elastic membrane, diaphragm, and bladder, or a flexible membrane, diaphragm and bladder.
- the second fluid 40 in heating-side chamber 33 and the first fluid 39 in cooling-side chamber 32 are highly expandable gases when heated with air being the preferred gas. However, the first fluid 39 and second fluid 40 can also be a highly expandable liquid.
- the third fluid 42 is a non-compressible liquid that travels from heating-side chamber 33 to cooling-side chamber 32 , when a heat 38 source is applied, as a result of the expansion of the first wall 35 and contraction of the second wall 46 .
- heat 38 is received from a plurality of sources including but not limited to solar energy, gas combustion, electric heating, body heat solid fuel, waste heat, nuclear, and the like.
- the heating-side chamber 33 and cooling-side chamber 32 are a plurality in number, shape and size depending upon the application.
- one side of the expansion chambers can be transparent for additional solar heating.
- apparatus 30 can be designed to produce an output motion that is rotational, reciprocating, or linear.
- the cooling side expansion chambers lag the heating side expansion chamber about 45 to 180 degrees. Nevertheless, a system with a single cooling-side and heating-side chamber will work by itself by heating at the bottom and cooling at the top.
- FIG. 3 shows apparatus 50 with a cooling side chamber 51 and a heating side chamber 52 mounted on an off-level plane 55 fixed in place by structure 54 .
- the cooling-side chamber 51 and heating-side chamber 52 diametrically opposed about axis 57 , are interconnected by channel 58 and rotates around axis 57 with wheels 56 contacting the off-level plane 55 .
- the cooling side chamber 51 contains an internal first baffle 62 , with a second fluid 60 , inside cooling-side chamber 51 on the side of the first baffle 62 connected by channel 58 .
- the opposite side of the first baffle 62 in chamber 51 contains a first fluid 59 .
- the heating side chamber 52 contains an internal second baffle 63 , with a second fluid 60 , inside heating-side chamber 52 on the side of the second baffle 63 connected by channel 58 .
- the opposite side of second baffle 63 in heating-side chamber 52 contains a third fluid 61 .
- the third fluid 61 expands around the second baffle 63 pushing the second fluid 60 toward the cooling side chamber 51 .
- the inside of cooling-side chamber 51 the second fluid 60 rises and collects pushing the first fluid 59 around the first baffle 62 .
- the cooling source is ambient air. However, cooling may be from a plurality of sources including water or refrigeration.
- the result is a shift in weight from the heating side chamber 52 to the cooling side chamber 51 , on the off-level plane 55 , allowing rotation of apparatus 50 in the horizontal plane.
- the shift in weight creates an off-balance with gravity moving the off-balance weight into a stable condition.
- the rotation moves cooling-side chamber 51 to the heating side where the chambers reverse, the cooling-side becoming the heating-side and vice versa.
- the process pushes the second fluid 60 back toward chamber 52 , now the cooling-side chamber, and rotation of apparatus 50 continues.
- the third fluid 61 , and the first fluid 59 are the same highly expandable gas, with air being the preferable gas.
- the second fluid 60 is a plurality of liquids with water being the preferable liquid.
- the heat 53 source can be a plurality of sources including but not limited to gas burner, electric, nuclear, waste heat, body heat, solid fuel, or solar energy.
- chamber 51 and chamber 52 can be a plurality of shapes and sizes depending upon the application.
- heat 53 sources can be mounted on the opposite side of apparatus 50 , with the off-level plane 55 tilting in a reverse direction that will allow apparatus 50 to rotate in the opposite direction.
- the cooling side expansion chambers lag the heating side expansion chamber about 45 to 180 degrees.
- cooling-side chamber 79 and heating-side chamber 75 are diametrically opposed about axis 72 , interconnected by channel 82 , and rotatably mounted on structure 71 .
- Chamber 79 contains expandable element 78
- chamber 75 contains expandable element 76 .
- the expandable element 78 and expandable element 76 are a plurality of devices, including but not limited to an elastic bladder, membrane, and diaphragm, or a flexible bladder, membrane, and diaphragm.
- a second fluid 77 expands collapsing a first element 76 pushing a first fluid 74 toward and expanding a second element 78 , of chamber 79 , where a third fluid 80 is compressed as it is cooled.
- the cooling source is ambient air. However, cooling may be from a plurality of sources including water or refrigeration.
- first fluid 74 is pushed out of the first element 76 and into the second element 78 an off-balance of weight occurs where gravity moves apparatus 70 , rotating about axis 72 , into a stable condition.
- fluid 77 and fluid 80 are a gas and 74 is a liquid.
- fluid 77 and fluid 80 can be a highly expandable liquid and 74 can be a gas.
- chamber 75 , first element 76 , chamber 79 and second element 78 can be a plurality in number, shapes, and sizes depending on the application.
- heat 81 source can be mounted on the opposite side of axis 72 allowing the apparatus 70 to rotate in a reverse direction.
- heat 81 can be a plurality of sources including gas heating, solid fuel, solar energy, nuclear or electric resistance.
- FIG. 5 shows a reciprocating heat engine apparatus 100 , with a fixed element 130 whose center is offset from an axis 101
- the apparatus 100 contains a first chamber 102 , a second chamber 103 , a third chamber 104 , a fourth chamber 105 , a fifth chamber 106 , a sixth chamber 107 , a seventh chamber 108 , and an eighth chamber 109 , positioned radial about axis 101 .
- the first chamber 102 communicates with the second chamber 103 at a fifth wall 123 .
- the second chamber 103 communicates with the third chamber 104 at a fourth wall 122 .
- the third chamber 104 communicates with the fourth chamber 105 at a third wall 121 .
- the fourth chamber 105 communicates with the fifth chamber 106 at a second wall 120 .
- the fifth chamber 106 communicates with the sixth chamber 107 at a first wall 119 .
- the sixth chamber 107 communicates with the seventh chamber 108 at an eighth wall 126 .
- the seventh chamber 108 communicates with an eighth chamber 109 at a seventh wall 125 .
- the eighth chamber 109 communicates with the first chamber 102 at a sixth wall 124 .
- Each chamber contains an inward moving, to element 130 , actuator radial to axis 101 .
- the first chamber 102 contains a first actuator 110 .
- the second chamber 103 contains a second actuator 111 .
- the third chamber 104 contains a third actuator 112 .
- the fourth chamber 105 contains a fourth actuator 113 .
- the fifth chamber 106 contains a fifth actuator 114 .
- the sixth chamber 107 contains a sixth actuator 115 .
- the seventh chamber 108 contains a seventh actuator 116 .
- the eighth chamber 109 contains an eighth actuator 117 .
- the first actuator 110 , second actuator 111 , third actuator 112 , fourth actuator 113 , fifth actuator 114 , sixth actuator 115 , seventh actuator 116 , and eighth actuator 117 communicate radial with an off center internally fixed element 130 that is usually a cam or crank shaft.
- the fixed element 130 whose center is offset from axis 101 produces a rotation about axis 101 as the actuators move inward toward axis 101 and outward from axis 101 .
- the first chamber 102 and fifth chamber 106 are diametrically opposed about axis 101 .
- the second chamber 103 and sixth chamber 107 are diametrically opposed about axis 101 .
- the third chamber 104 and seventh chamber 108 are diametrically opposed about axis 101 .
- the fourth chamber 105 and eighth chamber 109 are diametrically opposed about axis 101 .
- the chambers are solidly connected together, by a first spoke 131 at the fifth chamber 106 , by a second spoke 132 at the first chamber 102 , by a third spoke 133 at the seventh chamber 108 , and by a fourth spoke 134 at the third chamber 104 , comprising structure 150 that is rotate-able about axis 101 .
- the expansion chambers are about 45 degrees apart. This distance can vary about 22 to 180 degrees depending upon the number of chambers and actuators in a particular design. A practitioner in the art understands that there can be a plurality of chambers in number, shape and size. Also, the actuators are pistons, push rods, or the like.
- the structure 150 is connected to shaft 151 and does not communicate with element 130 .
- the fluid 118 located in all chambers is a highly expandable liquid or gas.
- a heat 140 source is located externally to the chambers and can be generated from gas combustion, solar energy, solar concentrating lens, nuclear, waste heat solid fuel or electric.
- the cooling source is ambient air. However, cooling may be from a plurality of sources including water or refrigeration.
- the heat 140 expands fluid 118 in the third chamber 104 when it comes into contact with the chamber.
- the expanded fluid 118 exerts a pressure that pushes the third actuator 112 extending it into and exerting a force on element 130 .
- the diametrically opposed seventh chamber 108 contains fluid 118 that is cooling and contracting allowing the seventh actuator 116 to retract that reduces a force on element 130 .
- the element 130 is fixed off-center from axis 101 . When the actuators exert a force against the fixed off-center element 130 , the force exerted against element 130 allows ring 150 to rotate.
- FIG. 6 An opposite arrangement, as shown in FIG. 6, is possible with the chambers positioned at the center of an apparatus 200 pushing outward against a fixed ring 230 whose center is offset from the axis 201 .
- the apparatus 200 contains a first chamber 202 , a second chamber 203 , a third chamber 204 , a fourth chamber 205 , a fifth chamber 206 , a sixth chamber 207 , a seventh chamber 208 , and an eighth chamber 209 , positioned radial about axis 201 .
- the first chamber 202 communicates with the second chamber 203 at a first wall 220 .
- the second chamber 203 communicates with the third chamber 204 at a second wall 221 .
- the third chamber 204 communicates with the fourth chamber 205 at a third wall 222 .
- the fourth chamber 205 communicates with the fifth chamber 206 at a fourth wall 223 .
- the fifth chamber 206 communicates with the sixth chamber 207 at a fifth wall 224 .
- the sixth chamber 207 communicates with the seventh chamber 208 at a sixth wall 225 .
- the seventh chamber 208 communicates with an eighth chamber 209 at a seventh wall 226 .
- the eighth chamber 209 communicates with the first chamber 202 at an eighth wall 227 .
- Each chamber contains an outward moving actuator to ring 230 radial to axis 201 .
- the first chamber 202 contains a first actuator 210 .
- the second chamber 203 contains a second actuator 211 .
- the third chamber 204 contains a third actuator 212 .
- the fourth chamber 205 contains a fourth actuator 213 .
- the fifth chamber 206 contains a fifth actuator 214 .
- the sixth chamber 207 contains a sixth actuator 215 .
- the seventh chamber 208 contains a seventh actuator 216 .
- the eighth chamber 209 contains an eighth actuator 217 .
- the first actuator 210 , second actuator 211 , third actuator 212 , fourth actuator 213 , fifth actuator 214 , sixth actuator 215 , seventh actuator 216 , and eighth actuator 218 communicate radial with external ring 230 whose center is offset from axis 201 .
- the first chamber 202 and fifth chamber 206 are diametrically opposed about axis 201 .
- the second chamber 203 and sixth chamber 207 are diametrically opposed about axis 201 .
- the third chamber 204 and seventh chamber 208 are diametrically opposed about axis 201 .
- the fourth chamber 205 and eighth chamber 209 are diametrically opposed about axis 201 .
- the chambers are solidly connected together by a first spoke 231 at the fifth chamber 206 , by a second spoke 232 at the first chamber 202 , by a third spoke 233 at the seventh chamber 208 , and by a fourth spoke 234 at the third chamber 204 , comprising structure 250 that is fixed off-center about axis 201 .
- the expansion chambers are about 45 degrees apart. This distance can vary about 22 to 180 degrees depending upon the number of chambers and actuators in a particular design. A practitioner in the art understands that there can be a plurality of chambers in number, shape and size. Also, the actuators are pistons, push rods, or the like.
- structure 250 is fixedly connected to shaft 251 .
- the fluid 218 located in all chambers is a highly expandable liquid or gas.
- a heat 240 source is located externally to the chambers and can be generated from gas combustion, solar energy, a solar concentrating lens, nuclear, waste heat solid fuel or electric.
- the cooling source is ambient air. However, cooling may be from a plurality of sources including water or refrigeration.
- the heat 240 expands fluid 218 in the seventh chamber 208 when it comes into contact with the chamber.
- the expanded fluid 218 exerts a pressure that pushes the seventh actuator 216 extending it into ring 230 .
- the diametrically opposed third chamber 204 contains fluid 218 that is cooling and contracting allowing the third actuator 212 to retract. This occurs with each set of diametrically opposed, about axis 201 , chambers and actuators creating a reciprocating engine.
- the ring 230 rotates at the actuators push against it because the structure 250 is positioned off-center of axis 201 .
- a method of operating a heat engine apparatus 110 includes engaging a heat 18 source. This could include starting gas or solid fuel combustion to generate heat. It could also use solar energy or nuclear energy to generate heat. The next step is heating fluid 20 , in expansion chamber 13 , expanding fluid 20 that exerts a force against wall 15 and pushes piston 17 toward axis 14 . Concurrently, the step of cooling fluid 19 , in expansion chamber 12 , contracting fluid 19 that reduces a force against wall 20 and pulls piston 16 away from axis 14 .
- the cooling source is ambient air. However, cooling may be from a plurality of sources including water or refrigeration.
- a plurality of expansion chambers can be heated and cooled with fluids inside the expansion chambers, allowing shifting of the weight of the pistons to an off-balance position and thereby providing a motion. Also, the heat engine structure is operated to provide direction of a motion that is rotational, reciprocating or linear depending on the application. Similar operation occurs with apparatus 30 in FIG. 2, apparatus 50 in FIG. 3, and apparatus 100 in FIG. 5.
- FIGS. 1 through 6 there can be a plurality of materials of construction including but not limited to metals or plastics or a combination thereof.
Abstract
A heat engine includes a plurality of heating side expansion chambers and cooling side expansion chambers, positioned on opposite sides of an axis, for providing rotation of an apparatus about its axis when the fluids inside the chambers expand and contract on the same side and plane of a rotational axis. This is accomplished by, shifting the weight of fluids off-balance, or a weight, when the fluid, expands and exerts a pressure on an elastic wall inside an expansion chamber and contracts and reduces pressure on an elastic wall inside an expansion chamber, or by moving an element or ring, through actuators, when fluids expand and contract in the expansion chambers. The engine further includes a heat source and a structure for supporting the expansion chambers and heat source, and providing direction of a desired motion.
A method of operating a heat engine includes engaging a heat source, and heating and cooling a plurality of expansion chambers for expanding or contracting a fluid that shifts the weight of pistons to an off-balance position providing a rotational motion of the apparatus. Also, the heat engine structure is operated to provide reciprocating, rotating or linear direction from the rotational motion of the apparatus.
Description
- The present invention relates to a heat engine, and more particularly to a heat engine that shifts weight off-balance, or moves actuators, to provide a rotational motion.
- There are various converters known for transforming heat energy into mechanical energy. One type known in the art is a differential-temperature heat engine that operates on the basis of a vapor pressure differential between two chambers. The operation requires gravitational forces to provide motion that occurs when evaporation of the liquid in one chamber is condensed back into another chamber. The increasing weight of the condensed liquid causes the pivoting of the system about a rotational axis. However, in engines utilizing a liquid that is transferred from one side to the opposite side of the rotation axis, there is a need to make use of a connecting channel between diametrically opposed chambers of the engine. This complicates construction of the engine because this channel is associated with structural elements supporting the chambers that must have the means for pivoting the assembly of the chambers, as well as the supporting structural elements about a pivot shaft. Furthermore, the liquid transfer through this channel results in a pressure drop that decreases. Accordingly, the power produced by this engine that is based on the transfer of liquid under pressure results in severe leakage problems. What is needed is a heat engine that is simple to construct and free of maintenance problems that reduce the operating ability of the engine.
- It is an aspect of the claimed invention to expand or contract a fluid on the same side and plane of a rotational axis, to shift a weight off-balance that allows the engine to pivot about the axis from gravitational forces.
- It is yet another aspect of the claimed invention to provide an engine that is simple to construct and easy to maintain.
- A heat engine includes a plurality of heating side expansion chambers and cooling side expansion chambers, positioned on opposite sides of an axis, for providing rotation of an apparatus about its axis when the fluids expand and contract, on the same side and plane of a rotational axis. This is accomplished by, shifting the weight of fluids off-balance, or a weight, when the fluid, expands and exerts a pressure on an elastic wall inside an expansion chamber and contracts and reduces pressure on an elastic wall inside an expansion chamber, or by moving an element or ring, through actuators, when fluids expand and contract in the expansion chambers. The engine further includes a heat source and a structure for supporting the expansion chambers and heat source, and providing direction of a desired motion.
- A method of operating a heat engine includes engaging a heat source, and heating and cooling a plurality of expansion chambers for expanding or contracting a fluid that shifts the weight of pistons to an off-balance position providing a rotational motion of the apparatus. Also, the heat engine structure is operated to provide reciprocating, rotating or linear direction from the rotational motion of the apparatus.
- FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of the heat engine rotating about an axis using a liquid in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the heat engine rotating about an axis using a gas in a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the heat engine rotating in a horizontal plane using a liquid in another embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of the heat engine rotating in a horizontal plane using a gas in another embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of the heat engine reciprocating about an axis using an off-center element in another embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of the heat engine reciprocating about an axis using a ring in another embodiment of the invention.
- While the claimed invention is described below with reference to a heat engine, a practitioner in the art will recognize the principles of the claimed invention are viable in other applications.
- FIG. 1 shows
apparatus 10 rotatingcounter-clockwise 11 with a coolingside expansion chamber 12 diametrically opposed to a heatingside expansion chamber 13 that rotates aboutaxis 14. Asheat 18 is supplied to heating-side chamber 13, asecond fluid 20 expands and exerts a force against afirst wall 15 that pushes asecond moment element 17 towardaxis 14. At the same time afirst fluid 19 in cooling-side chamber 12 is cooling, and contracts, reducing a force against asecond wall 26 where afirst moment element 16 pulls away fromaxis 14. Thefirst fluid 19 andsecond fluid 20 is water. However, the fluid can be a plurality of expandable liquids Thefirst moment element 16 andsecond moment element 17 are generally a piston, or a weight attached to a shaft that move toward or away fromaxis 14. The cooling source is ambient air. However, cooling may be from a plurality of sources including water or refrigeration. The result of asecond moment element 17 being pushed toward and close toaxis 14, while afirst moment element 16 is contracted and pulled away fromaxis 14, allows gravity to rotateelement 23, when theheat 18 is applied, by shifting the weight of thefirst moment element 16 andsecond moment element 17 to an off-balance condition. Theelement 23 rotates clockwise 11 when theheat 18 supply is mounted on one side of theapparatus 10structure 24. A practitioner in the art can readily understand the heat engine will rotate clockwise if theheat 18 supply is mounted on the opposite side of theapparatus 10structure 24. - The
apparatus 10 includes cooling-side chamber 12 and heating-side chamber 13 is solidly connected toelement 23, and rotates aroundaxis 14 usingelement 25 that communicates withstructure 24. Thefirst wall 15 of heating-side chamber 13 andsecond wall 26 of cooling-side chamber 12 are a plurality of devices including but not limited to a flexible membrane, diaphragm, or bladder. A practitioner in the art understandsfirst wall 15 andsecond wall 22 are also an elastic membrane, diaphragm, or bladder Thesecond fluid 20 inexpansion chamber 13 andfirst fluid 19 inexpansion chamber 12 are highly expandable liquid when heated. However, the fluids are a gas in another embodiment of the claimed invention. Thesecond moment element 17 communicates and is solidly connected 21 to thefirst wall 15 in heating-side chamber 13. Thefirst moment element 16 communicates and is solidly connected 22 to thesecond wall 26 in cooling-side chamber 12. A practitioner in the art readily understands thatheat 18 is received from a plurality of sources including but not limited to solar energy, gas combustion, body heat, electric heating, solid combustion, nuclear, waste heat and the like. Furthermore, the expansion chambers, either for heating or cooling, can be a plurality in number, shape and size depending upon the application. Also, one side of the expansion chambers can be transparent for additional solar heating. Furthermore,apparatus 10 can be designed to produce a directional motion that is rotational, reciprocating or linear from its output rotation. Finally, the cooling side expansion chambers lag the heating side expansion chamber about 45 to 180 degrees. - In FIG. 2,
apparatus 30 is shown rotatingcounter-clockwise 31 with a coolingside expansion chamber 32 diametrically opposed and connected 36 to a heatingside expansion chamber 33 that rotates aboutaxis 34. Asheat 38 is supplied to heating-side chamber 33, asecond fluid 40 expands and exerts a force against afirst wall 35 pushing athird fluid 42 out of the heating-side chamber 33 toward, and into, the cooling-side chamber 32. At the same time afirst fluid 39 in the cooling-side chamber 32 is cooling, and contracting, reducing a force against asecond wall 46 where athird fluid 42 moves into cooling-side chamber 32 from heating-side chamber 33. The cooling source is ambient air. However, cooling may be from a plurality of sources including water or refrigeration. The result of cooling-side chamber 32 filling with athird fluid 42, and heating-side chamber 33 being emptied of athird fluid 42, allows gravity to rotateelement 43, when theheat 38 is applied, by shifting the weight of the fluids off-balance. Theelement 43 rotatescounter-clockwise 31 when theheat 38 supply is mounted on one side of theapparatus 30structure 44. A practitioner in the art can readily understand the heat engine will rotate clockwise if theheat 38 supply is mounted on the opposite side of theapparatus 30structure 44. Finally,channel 41 is a tube, pipe or hose connecting the heating-side chamber 33 to cooling-side chamber 32. - The
apparatus 30 includes cooling-side chamber 32 and heating-side chamber 33 solidly connected 36 toelement 43 that rotates aroundaxis 34 usingrotating connection 45 that communicates withstructure 44. Achannel 21 that carries athird fluid 42 between the chambers interconnects the cooling-side chamber 32 and heating-side chamber 33. Thefirst wall 35 of heating-side chamber 33 andsecond wall 40 of cooling-side chamber 32 are a plurality of devices including but not limited to an elastic membrane, diaphragm, and bladder, or a flexible membrane, diaphragm and bladder. Thesecond fluid 40 in heating-side chamber 33 and thefirst fluid 39 in cooling-side chamber 32 are highly expandable gases when heated with air being the preferred gas. However, thefirst fluid 39 andsecond fluid 40 can also be a highly expandable liquid. Thethird fluid 42 is a non-compressible liquid that travels from heating-side chamber 33 to cooling-side chamber 32, when aheat 38 source is applied, as a result of the expansion of thefirst wall 35 and contraction of thesecond wall 46. A practitioner in the art readily understands thatheat 38 is received from a plurality of sources including but not limited to solar energy, gas combustion, electric heating, body heat solid fuel, waste heat, nuclear, and the like. Furthermore, the heating-side chamber 33 and cooling-side chamber 32, are a plurality in number, shape and size depending upon the application. Also, one side of the expansion chambers can be transparent for additional solar heating. Finally,apparatus 30 can be designed to produce an output motion that is rotational, reciprocating, or linear. Finally, the cooling side expansion chambers lag the heating side expansion chamber about 45 to 180 degrees. Nevertheless, a system with a single cooling-side and heating-side chamber will work by itself by heating at the bottom and cooling at the top. - FIG. 3
shows apparatus 50 with a coolingside chamber 51 and aheating side chamber 52 mounted on an off-level plane 55 fixed in place bystructure 54. The cooling-side chamber 51 and heating-side chamber 52, diametrically opposed aboutaxis 57, are interconnected bychannel 58 and rotates aroundaxis 57 withwheels 56 contacting the off-level plane 55. The coolingside chamber 51 contains an internalfirst baffle 62, with asecond fluid 60, inside cooling-side chamber 51 on the side of thefirst baffle 62 connected bychannel 58. The opposite side of thefirst baffle 62 inchamber 51 contains afirst fluid 59. Theheating side chamber 52 contains an internalsecond baffle 63, with asecond fluid 60, inside heating-side chamber 52 on the side of thesecond baffle 63 connected bychannel 58. The opposite side ofsecond baffle 63 in heating-side chamber 52 contains athird fluid 61. Asheat 53 is applied to theheating side chamber 52, thethird fluid 61 expands around thesecond baffle 63 pushing thesecond fluid 60 toward the coolingside chamber 51. The inside of cooling-side chamber 51 thesecond fluid 60 rises and collects pushing thefirst fluid 59 around thefirst baffle 62. The cooling source is ambient air. However, cooling may be from a plurality of sources including water or refrigeration. The result is a shift in weight from theheating side chamber 52 to the coolingside chamber 51, on the off-level plane 55, allowing rotation ofapparatus 50 in the horizontal plane. The shift in weight creates an off-balance with gravity moving the off-balance weight into a stable condition. The rotation moves cooling-side chamber 51 to the heating side where the chambers reverse, the cooling-side becoming the heating-side and vice versa. The process pushes thesecond fluid 60 back towardchamber 52, now the cooling-side chamber, and rotation ofapparatus 50 continues. Thethird fluid 61, and thefirst fluid 59 are the same highly expandable gas, with air being the preferable gas. Thesecond fluid 60 is a plurality of liquids with water being the preferable liquid. Theheat 53 source can be a plurality of sources including but not limited to gas burner, electric, nuclear, waste heat, body heat, solid fuel, or solar energy. A practitioner in the art will readily see thatchamber 51 andchamber 52 can be a plurality of shapes and sizes depending upon the application. Furthermore,heat 53 sources can be mounted on the opposite side ofapparatus 50, with the off-level plane 55 tilting in a reverse direction that will allowapparatus 50 to rotate in the opposite direction. Finally, the cooling side expansion chambers lag the heating side expansion chamber about 45 to 180 degrees. - As seen in FIG. 4, looking at
apparatus 70 in the vertical plane, cooling-side chamber 79 and heating-side chamber 75 are diametrically opposed aboutaxis 72, interconnected bychannel 82, and rotatably mounted onstructure 71.Chamber 79 containsexpandable element 78, andchamber 75 containsexpandable element 76. - The
expandable element 78 andexpandable element 76 are a plurality of devices, including but not limited to an elastic bladder, membrane, and diaphragm, or a flexible bladder, membrane, and diaphragm. Asheat 81 is applied tochamber 75, asecond fluid 77 expands collapsing afirst element 76 pushing afirst fluid 74 toward and expanding asecond element 78, ofchamber 79, where athird fluid 80 is compressed as it is cooled. The cooling source is ambient air. However, cooling may be from a plurality of sources including water or refrigeration. Consequently, as afirst fluid 74 is pushed out of thefirst element 76 and into thesecond element 78 an off-balance of weight occurs where gravity movesapparatus 70, rotating aboutaxis 72, into a stable condition. The process is repeated aschamber 79 comes into contact with theheat 81 source further allowing rotation aboutaxis 72. In this embodiment of thepreferred invention fluid 77 andfluid 80 are a gas and 74 is a liquid. However, a practitioner in the art readily understands thatfluid 77 andfluid 80 can be a highly expandable liquid and 74 can be a gas. Furthermorechamber 75,first element 76,chamber 79 andsecond element 78 can be a plurality in number, shapes, and sizes depending on the application. The cooling side expansion chambers lag the heating side expansion chamber about 45 to 180 degrees. Also, heat 81 source can be mounted on the opposite side ofaxis 72 allowing theapparatus 70 to rotate in a reverse direction. Finally,heat 81 can be a plurality of sources including gas heating, solid fuel, solar energy, nuclear or electric resistance. - FIG. 5 shows a reciprocating
heat engine apparatus 100, with afixed element 130 whose center is offset from anaxis 101 Theapparatus 100 contains afirst chamber 102, asecond chamber 103, athird chamber 104, afourth chamber 105, afifth chamber 106, asixth chamber 107, aseventh chamber 108, and aneighth chamber 109, positioned radial aboutaxis 101. Thefirst chamber 102 communicates with thesecond chamber 103 at afifth wall 123. Thesecond chamber 103 communicates with thethird chamber 104 at afourth wall 122. Thethird chamber 104 communicates with thefourth chamber 105 at athird wall 121. Thefourth chamber 105 communicates with thefifth chamber 106 at asecond wall 120. Thefifth chamber 106 communicates with thesixth chamber 107 at a first wall 119. Thesixth chamber 107 communicates with theseventh chamber 108 at aneighth wall 126. Theseventh chamber 108 communicates with aneighth chamber 109 at aseventh wall 125. Finally, theeighth chamber 109 communicates with thefirst chamber 102 at asixth wall 124. - Each chamber contains an inward moving, to
element 130, actuator radial toaxis 101. Thefirst chamber 102 contains afirst actuator 110. Thesecond chamber 103 contains asecond actuator 111. Thethird chamber 104 contains athird actuator 112. Thefourth chamber 105 contains afourth actuator 113. Thefifth chamber 106 contains afifth actuator 114. Thesixth chamber 107 contains asixth actuator 115. Theseventh chamber 108 contains aseventh actuator 116. Finally, theeighth chamber 109 contains aneighth actuator 117. - The
first actuator 110,second actuator 111,third actuator 112,fourth actuator 113,fifth actuator 114,sixth actuator 115,seventh actuator 116, andeighth actuator 117 communicate radial with an off center internally fixedelement 130 that is usually a cam or crank shaft. The fixedelement 130 whose center is offset fromaxis 101 produces a rotation aboutaxis 101 as the actuators move inward towardaxis 101 and outward fromaxis 101. Thefirst chamber 102 andfifth chamber 106 are diametrically opposed aboutaxis 101. Thesecond chamber 103 andsixth chamber 107 are diametrically opposed aboutaxis 101. Thethird chamber 104 andseventh chamber 108 are diametrically opposed aboutaxis 101. Thefourth chamber 105 andeighth chamber 109 are diametrically opposed aboutaxis 101. The chambers are solidly connected together, by afirst spoke 131 at thefifth chamber 106, by asecond spoke 132 at thefirst chamber 102, by athird spoke 133 at theseventh chamber 108, and by afourth spoke 134 at thethird chamber 104, comprisingstructure 150 that is rotate-able aboutaxis 101. The expansion chambers are about 45 degrees apart. This distance can vary about 22 to 180 degrees depending upon the number of chambers and actuators in a particular design. A practitioner in the art understands that there can be a plurality of chambers in number, shape and size. Also, the actuators are pistons, push rods, or the like. Finally, thestructure 150 is connected toshaft 151 and does not communicate withelement 130. - The fluid118 located in all chambers is a highly expandable liquid or gas. A
heat 140 source is located externally to the chambers and can be generated from gas combustion, solar energy, solar concentrating lens, nuclear, waste heat solid fuel or electric. The cooling source is ambient air. However, cooling may be from a plurality of sources including water or refrigeration. - The
heat 140 expands fluid 118 in thethird chamber 104 when it comes into contact with the chamber. The expandedfluid 118 exerts a pressure that pushes thethird actuator 112 extending it into and exerting a force onelement 130. Concurrently, the diametrically opposedseventh chamber 108 contains fluid 118 that is cooling and contracting allowing theseventh actuator 116 to retract that reduces a force onelement 130. This occurs with each set of diametrically opposed, aboutaxis 101, chambers and actuators creating a reciprocating engine. Theelement 130 is fixed off-center fromaxis 101. When the actuators exert a force against the fixed off-center element 130, the force exerted againstelement 130 allowsring 150 to rotate. - An opposite arrangement, as shown in FIG. 6, is possible with the chambers positioned at the center of an
apparatus 200 pushing outward against a fixedring 230 whose center is offset from theaxis 201. Theapparatus 200 contains afirst chamber 202, asecond chamber 203, athird chamber 204, afourth chamber 205, afifth chamber 206, asixth chamber 207, aseventh chamber 208, and aneighth chamber 209, positioned radial aboutaxis 201. Thefirst chamber 202 communicates with thesecond chamber 203 at afirst wall 220. Thesecond chamber 203 communicates with thethird chamber 204 at asecond wall 221. Thethird chamber 204 communicates with thefourth chamber 205 at athird wall 222. Thefourth chamber 205 communicates with thefifth chamber 206 at afourth wall 223. Thefifth chamber 206 communicates with thesixth chamber 207 at afifth wall 224. Thesixth chamber 207 communicates with theseventh chamber 208 at asixth wall 225. Theseventh chamber 208 communicates with aneighth chamber 209 at aseventh wall 226. Finally, theeighth chamber 209 communicates with thefirst chamber 202 at aneighth wall 227. - Each chamber contains an outward moving actuator to ring230 radial to
axis 201. Thefirst chamber 202 contains afirst actuator 210. Thesecond chamber 203 contains asecond actuator 211. Thethird chamber 204 contains athird actuator 212. - The
fourth chamber 205 contains afourth actuator 213. Thefifth chamber 206 contains afifth actuator 214. Thesixth chamber 207 contains asixth actuator 215. Theseventh chamber 208 contains aseventh actuator 216. Finally, theeighth chamber 209 contains aneighth actuator 217. - The
first actuator 210,second actuator 211,third actuator 212,fourth actuator 213,fifth actuator 214,sixth actuator 215,seventh actuator 216, andeighth actuator 218 communicate radial withexternal ring 230 whose center is offset fromaxis 201. Thefirst chamber 202 andfifth chamber 206 are diametrically opposed aboutaxis 201. Thesecond chamber 203 andsixth chamber 207 are diametrically opposed aboutaxis 201. Thethird chamber 204 andseventh chamber 208 are diametrically opposed aboutaxis 201. Thefourth chamber 205 andeighth chamber 209 are diametrically opposed aboutaxis 201. The chambers are solidly connected together by afirst spoke 231 at thefifth chamber 206, by asecond spoke 232 at thefirst chamber 202, by athird spoke 233 at theseventh chamber 208, and by afourth spoke 234 at thethird chamber 204, comprisingstructure 250 that is fixed off-center aboutaxis 201. The expansion chambers are about 45 degrees apart. This distance can vary about 22 to 180 degrees depending upon the number of chambers and actuators in a particular design. A practitioner in the art understands that there can be a plurality of chambers in number, shape and size. Also, the actuators are pistons, push rods, or the like. Finally,structure 250 is fixedly connected toshaft 251. - The fluid218 located in all chambers is a highly expandable liquid or gas. A
heat 240 source is located externally to the chambers and can be generated from gas combustion, solar energy, a solar concentrating lens, nuclear, waste heat solid fuel or electric. The cooling source is ambient air. However, cooling may be from a plurality of sources including water or refrigeration. - The
heat 240 expands fluid 218 in theseventh chamber 208 when it comes into contact with the chamber. The expandedfluid 218 exerts a pressure that pushes theseventh actuator 216 extending it intoring 230. Concurrently, the diametrically opposedthird chamber 204 contains fluid 218 that is cooling and contracting allowing thethird actuator 212 to retract. This occurs with each set of diametrically opposed, aboutaxis 201, chambers and actuators creating a reciprocating engine. Thering 230 rotates at the actuators push against it because thestructure 250 is positioned off-center ofaxis 201. - Now referring back to FIG. 1, a method of operating a
heat engine apparatus 110 includes engaging aheat 18 source. This could include starting gas or solid fuel combustion to generate heat. It could also use solar energy or nuclear energy to generate heat. The next step is heatingfluid 20, inexpansion chamber 13, expandingfluid 20 that exerts a force againstwall 15 and pushespiston 17 towardaxis 14. Concurrently, the step of coolingfluid 19, inexpansion chamber 12, contractingfluid 19 that reduces a force againstwall 20 and pullspiston 16 away fromaxis 14. The cooling source is ambient air. However, cooling may be from a plurality of sources including water or refrigeration. A plurality of expansion chambers can be heated and cooled with fluids inside the expansion chambers, allowing shifting of the weight of the pistons to an off-balance position and thereby providing a motion. Also, the heat engine structure is operated to provide direction of a motion that is rotational, reciprocating or linear depending on the application. Similar operation occurs withapparatus 30 in FIG. 2,apparatus 50 in FIG. 3, andapparatus 100 in FIG. 5. - In referring back to FIGS. 1 through 6, there can be a plurality of materials of construction including but not limited to metals or plastics or a combination thereof.
- While there has been illustrated and described what is at present considered to be a preferred embodiment of the claimed invention, it will be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications are likely to occur to those skilled in the art. It is intended in the appended claims to cover all those changes and modifications that fall within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.
Claims (78)
1. A heat engine in combination:
a) a plurality of heating side expansion chambers and cooling side expansion chambers, positioned on opposite sides of an axis, for expanding and contracting fluids;
b) an elastic wall communicating with said chambers for expanding and contracting when said fluids expand or contract;
c) a means for shifting a weight off-center balance when said elastic wall expands or contracts, allowing gravity to rotate the apparatus about said axis;
d) a heat source for expanding said fluids;
e) a cooling source for contracting said fluids; and
f) a structure for supporting said expansion chambers, heat and cooling source, and providing an output motion in a particular direction from the rotation of said apparatus.
2. The heat engine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said heat is from a plurality of sources.
3. The heat engine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said motion is rotational.
4. The heat engine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said motion is linear.
5 The heat engine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said motion is reciprocal.
6. The heat engine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said expansion chamber is selected from the group consisting of a bladder, diaphragm, and membrane.
7. The heat engine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said expansion chamber is a plurality of shapes.
8. The heat engine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said fluid is a gas.
9. The heat engine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said fluid is a liquid.
10. The heat engine as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said shape further comprises one side of transparent material allowing said chamber to act as a solar collector.
11. The heat engine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said expansion chamber is a plurality of materials.
12. The heat engine as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said liquid is highly expandable.
13. The heat engine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said heating side expansion chamber and said cooling side expansion chamber are diametrically opposed about the axis.
14. The heat engine as claimed in claim 13 , wherein said cooling side is positioned and lags said heating side.
15. The heat engine as claimed in claim 14 , wherein said heating and cooling sides are positioned about 45 degrees to 180 degrees apart.
16. The heat engine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said means for shifting a weight is a piston connected to said elastic wall that creates said off-center balance.
17. The heat engine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said means for shifting a weight is a channel allowing flow of said fluid, from said heating side to cooling side, by expansion of said heating side chamber elastic wall and the contraction of said cooling side chamber elastic wall that creates said off-center balance.
18. The heat engine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said fluids expand and contract on the same side and plane of said axis.
19. The heat engine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said cooling is from a plurality of sources.
20. A method of operating a heat engine apparatus comprising:
a) engaging a heat source;
b) heating and cooling a plurality of expansion chambers for expanding or contracting a fluid that with a weight shifting means moves said weight to an off-balance position providing a rotation of the apparatus; and
c) operating a structure for providing direction of said rotation.
21. The method of operating a heat engine as claimed in claim 20 , wherein said heat is from a plurality of sources.
22. The method of operating a heat engine as claimed in claim 20 , wherein said motion is rotational.
23. The method of operating a heat engine as claimed in claim 20 , wherein said motion is linear.
24. The method of operating a heat engine as claimed in claim 20 , wherein said motion is reciprocal.
25. The method of operating a heat engine as claimed in claim 20 , wherein said expansion chamber is selected from the group consisting of a bladder, diaphragm, and membrane.
26. The method of operating a heat engine as claimed in claim 20 , wherein said expansion chamber is a plurality of shapes.
27. The method of operating a heat engine as claimed in claim 20 , wherein said fluid is a gas.
28. The method of operating a heat engine as claimed in claim 20 , wherein said fluid is a liquid.
29. The method of operating a heat engine as claimed in claim 26 , wherein said shape further comprises one side of transparent material allowing said expansion chamber to further act as a solar collector.
30. The method of operating a heat engine as claimed in claim 20 , wherein said expansion chamber is a plurality of materials.
31. The method of operating a heat engine as claimed in claim 28 , wherein said liquid is highly expandable.
32. The method of operating a heat engine as claimed in claim 20 , wherein said heating side expansion chamber and said cooling side expansion chamber are diametrically opposed about the axis.
33. The method of operating a heat engine as claimed in claim 32 , wherein said cooling side is positioned and lags said heating side.
34. The method of operating a heat engine as claimed in claim 33 , wherein said sides are positioned about 45 degrees to 180 degrees apart.
35. The method of operating a heat engine as claimed in claim 20 , wherein said means for shifting a weight is a piston connected to said elastic wall that creates said off-center balance.
36. The method of operating a heat engine as claimed in claim 20 , wherein said means for shifting a weight is a channel allowing movement of said fluid, from said heating side chamber to said cooling side chamber, by expansion of said heating side chamber elastic wall and contraction of said cooling side chamber elastic wall that creates said off-center balance.
37. The method of operating a heat engine as claimed in claim 20 , wherein said fluids expand and contract on the same side and plane of said axis.
38. The method of operating a heat engine as claimed in claim 20 , wherein said heat is from a plurality of sources.
40. A heat engine in combination:
a) a plurality of heating side expansion chambers and cooling side expansion chambers, positioned on opposite sides of an axis, for expanding and contracting fluids;
b) a means for shifting a weight off-center balance when said fluids expands or contracts, allowing gravity to rotate the apparatus about said axis;
c) a heat source for expanding said fluids;
d) a cooling source for contracting said fluids; and
e) a structure for supporting said expansion chambers, heat and cooling source, and providing an output motion in a particular direction from the rotation of said apparatus.
41. The heat engine as claimed in claim 40 , wherein said heat is from a plurality of sources.
42. The heat engine as claimed in claim 40 , wherein said motion is rotational.
43. The heat engine as claimed in claim 40 , wherein said motion is linear.
44. The heat engine as claimed in claim 40 , wherein said motion is reciprocal.
45. The heat engine as claimed in claim 40 , wherein said expansion chamber is a plurality of shapes.
46. The heat engine as claimed in claim 40 , wherein said expansion chamber further comprises an internal baffle.
47. The heat engine as claimed in claim 40 , wherein said fluid is a liquid.
48. The heat engine as claimed in claim 40 , wherein said expansion chamber is a plurality of materials.
49. The heat engine as claimed in claim 47 , wherein said liquid is highly expandable.
50. The heat engine as claimed in claim 40 , wherein said cooling side is positioned and lags said heating side.
51. The heat engine as claimed in claim 50 , wherein said heating and cooling sides are positioned about 45 degrees to 180 degrees apart.
52. The heat engine as claimed in claim 40 , wherein said means for shifting a weight is a channel allowing movement of said fluid, from said heating side chamber to said cooling side chamber, by expansion of said fluid around said baffles that creates said off-center balance.
53. The heat engine as claimed in claim 40 , wherein said cooling is from a plurality of sources.
54. A heat engine in combination:
a) a plurality of heating side expansion chambers and cooling side expansion chambers, positioned on opposite sides of an axis, for expanding and contracting fluids;
b) a means for rotating an element about an axis, when said fluids expands or contracts, by using inward moving actuators radial positioned about said axis;
c) a heat source for expanding said fluids;
d) a cooling source for contracting said fluids; and
e) a structure for supporting said expansion chambers, heat and cooling source, said element, and providing an output motion in a particular direction from the rotation of said apparatus.
55. The heat engine as claimed in claim 54 , wherein said motion is rotational.
56. The heat engine as claimed in claim 54 , wherein said motion is linear.
57. The heat engine as claimed in claim 54 , wherein said motion is reciprocal.
58. The heat engine as claimed in claim 54 , wherein said expansion chamber is a plurality of shapes.
59. The heat engine as claimed in claim 54 , wherein said fluid is a liquid.
60. The heat engine as claimed in claim 54 , wherein said expansion chamber is a plurality of materials.
61. The heat engine as claimed in claim 54 , wherein said heating is from a plurality of sources.
62. The heat engine as claimed in claim 59 , wherein said liquid is highly expandable.
63. The heat engine as claimed in claim 54 , wherein said cooling side is positioned and lags said heating side.
64. The heat engine as claimed in claim 63 , wherein said heating and cooling sides are positioned about 45 degrees to 180 degrees apart.
65. The heat engine as claimed in claim 54 , wherein said element is selected from the group consisting of a cam, and a crank shaft.
66. The heat engine as claimed in claim 54 , wherein said cooling is from a plurality of sources.
67. A heat engine in combination:
a) a plurality of heating side expansion chambers and cooling side expansion chambers, positioned on opposite sides of an axis, for expanding and contracting fluids;
b) a means for rotating a ring about an axis, when said fluids expand or contract, by using outward moving actuators radial positioned about said axis;
c) a heat source for expanding said fluids;
d) a cooling source for contracting said fluids; and
e) a structure for supporting said expansion chambers, heat and cooling source, said element, and providing an output motion in a particular direction from the rotation of said apparatus.
68. The heat engine as claimed in claim 67 , wherein said motion is rotational.
69. The heat engine as claimed in claim 67 , wherein said motion is linear.
70. The heat engine as claimed in claim 67 , wherein said motion is reciprocal.
71. The heat engine as claimed in claim 67 , wherein said expansion chamber is a plurality of shapes.
72. The heat engine as claimed in claim 67 , wherein said fluid is a liquid.
73. The heat engine as claimed in claim 67 , wherein said expansion chamber is a plurality of materials.
74. The heat engine as claimed in claim 67 , wherein said heating is from a plurality of sources.
75. The heat engine as claimed in claim 72 , wherein said liquid is highly expandable.
76. The heat engine as claimed in claim 67 , wherein said cooling side is positioned and lags said heating side.
77. The heat engine as claimed in claim 76 , wherein said heating and cooling sides are positioned about 45 degrees to 180 degrees apart.
78. The heat engine as claimed in claim 67 , wherein said ring is selected from a plurality of materials.
79. The heat engine as claimed in claim 67 , wherein said cooling is from a plurality of sources.
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PCT/US2002/025565 WO2003016680A1 (en) | 2001-08-16 | 2002-08-12 | Apparatus and method for a heat engine |
US10/803,147 US6922998B2 (en) | 2001-08-16 | 2004-03-17 | Apparatus and method for a heat engine |
US11/159,558 US7131270B2 (en) | 2001-08-16 | 2005-06-22 | Apparatus and method for a heat engine |
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US09/931,607 US20030033806A1 (en) | 2001-08-16 | 2001-08-16 | Apparatus and method for a heat engine field of the invention |
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US11/159,558 Continuation-In-Part US7131270B2 (en) | 2001-08-16 | 2005-06-22 | Apparatus and method for a heat engine |
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US10/803,147 Expired - Fee Related US6922998B2 (en) | 2001-08-16 | 2004-03-17 | Apparatus and method for a heat engine |
US11/159,558 Expired - Fee Related US7131270B2 (en) | 2001-08-16 | 2005-06-22 | Apparatus and method for a heat engine |
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US11/159,558 Expired - Fee Related US7131270B2 (en) | 2001-08-16 | 2005-06-22 | Apparatus and method for a heat engine |
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- 2004-03-17 US US10/803,147 patent/US6922998B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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- 2005-06-22 US US11/159,558 patent/US7131270B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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US9267489B2 (en) | 2008-08-04 | 2016-02-23 | Seong Woong Kim | Engine for conversion of thermal energy to kinetic energy |
US8899046B2 (en) * | 2010-06-18 | 2014-12-02 | Cyclo Dynamics B.V. | Method of converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, and an apparatus |
US20130074500A1 (en) * | 2010-06-18 | 2013-03-28 | Cyclo Dynamics B.V. | Method Of Converting Thermal Energy Into Mechanical Energy, And An Apparatus |
WO2012067479A1 (en) * | 2010-11-19 | 2012-05-24 | Guillermo Cruz Mendoza | Device for converting heat to triaxial potential mechanical work with amplification of dilations |
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US20160010587A1 (en) * | 2013-03-22 | 2016-01-14 | Hiroyasu Yamamoto | Drive device |
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US20160319803A1 (en) * | 2015-04-30 | 2016-11-03 | Richard Cartledge | Renewable Energy System and Methods for Creating Renewable Energy |
US10047728B2 (en) * | 2015-04-30 | 2018-08-14 | Richard Cartledge | Renewable energy system and methods for creating renewable energy |
US20180355854A1 (en) * | 2015-04-30 | 2018-12-13 | Richard Cartledge | Renewable energy system and methods for creating renewable energy |
US10794368B2 (en) * | 2015-04-30 | 2020-10-06 | Richard Cartledge | Renewable energy system and methods for creating renewable energy |
CN108533345A (en) * | 2018-01-25 | 2018-09-14 | 贾东明 | A kind of Movers suitable for low-temperature heat source |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2003016680A1 (en) | 2003-02-27 |
US6922998B2 (en) | 2005-08-02 |
US20040172941A1 (en) | 2004-09-09 |
US20050235646A1 (en) | 2005-10-27 |
WO2003016680B1 (en) | 2003-04-03 |
US7131270B2 (en) | 2006-11-07 |
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