Abstract: An open cycle heat engine supplies steam from a steam generator to an ejector in which the moving steam draws in atmospheric air to mix with the steam to make a flowing air-steam mixture. A first nozzle follows the ejector and effects adiabatic expansion of the air steam mixture. A thermal engine, e.g., a turbo-generator, has an input connected to the first nozzle and an outlet, and converts the kinetic energy in the mixture into a useful form, such as electricity. A second nozzle connected to the outlet of said thermal engine effects adiabatic expansion of the mixture leaving the thermal engine, and exhausts it to the atmosphere. The open cycle heat engine exhaust is at a low density, and is carried aloft when it is discharged into the atmosphere. This open cycle can have an energy conversion efficiency of 90%.

Abstract: An open cycle latent heat engine has an elevator (10) rising preferably several thousand feet from a lower level entrance (12) to a higher level exit (13). Warm water vapor is input at the lower level of the elevator passageway (10) to cause moist air to rise, and a condensate remover (17) in an upper region of the elevator passageway removes condensate from the adiabatically expanded air. A compressor passageway (20) descending from exit (13) of the elevator passageway to the region of elevator passageway entrance (12) receives a portion of the air discharged from the exit and adiabatically and gravitationally compresses the dry air descending in the compressor passageway. An ejector arranged in the lower region of the compressor passageway has a nozzle (15) receiving ambient atmosphere flowing into the entrance of elevator passageway (10), where subatmospheric pressure air from compressor passageway (20) merges to help sustain the flow through ejector nozzle (15).

Abstract: An atmospheric latent heat engine has a passageway extending from a converging entrance nozzle upward to an exit at a substantially higher elevation. Turbo generators, arranged within the passageway, can be powered to start up an air flow through the passageway; condensate is removed downstream of the nozzle; and a boiler injects warm water vapor into the air mixture before it rises in the elevator. Once a design flow state is established, by cooperation of the turbo generators and the boiler, the turbo generators can be switched to output work derived from the air flow and the vapor expansion.

Abstract: The invention involves thermodynamic processes, heat engines, and ways of making gaseous fluid jets by using primarily the latent heat of condensation for the energy required. A vapor such as water vapor is mixed with a gaseous fluid such as air, and the mixture is expanded in a nozzle sufficiently to condense a substantial portion of the vapor and transform the latent heat of the condensation into kinetic energy of the gaseous fluid. The process can be used to form a gaseous fluid jet, which can be used to drive the turbine of a heat engine for either open-cycle or closed-cycle operation. Moist ambient wind can be used as the energy source for producing a jet that drives a wind turbine, or a boiler can be used to form saturated vapor mixed with the gaseous fluid and directed into the nozzle.