Abstract: In a method and apparatus for generating kinetic energy, thermal energy is applied to a cylinder body of a first pneumatic cylinder to result in an expansion stroke of the first pneumatic cylinder and in rotation of a flywheel assembly that is coupled to the first pneumatic cylinder. A second pneumatic cylinder is coupled to the flywheel assembly such that the expansion stroke of the first pneumatic cylinder results in a compression stroke of the second pneumatic cylinder. The first and second pneumatic cylinders are fluidly intercommunicated when the first pneumatic cylinder reaches the end of the expansion stroke, thereby reducing the temperature of working gas in the first pneumatic cylinder and increasing the temperature of working gas in the second pneumatic cylinder to result in an expansion stroke of the second pneumatic cylinder, continued rotation of the flywheel assembly, and in a compression stroke of the first pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting device includes a housing confining a receiving space and formed with an opening for access into the receiving space. The housing has a transparent side wall. A thermal conductor has a heat-absorbing portion disposed in the receiving space of the housing, and a heat-radiating portion extending out of the receiving space via the opening. The thermal conductor includes a hollow heat-conducting member that defines a sealed chamber therein and that is formed with a thermal conductor layer in the chamber. The heat-absorbing portion absorbs solar energy when the housing is irradiated by solar radiation, and transmits the solar energy to the heat-radiating portion.

Abstract: A heat transfer device includes a thermal superconducting body, which has a hollow heat transfer body and a heat transfer layer. The hollow heat transfer body is made of a heat conductive material and has a flat top portion and a flat bottom portion connected to the flat top portion and cooperating with the flat top portion to form a sealed vacuum receiving space therebetween. The heat transfer layer is made of a thermal superconductor material, is disposed in the vacuum receiving space, and forms a superconductor lining on an inner wall surface of the heat transfer body.

Abstract: In a method of conducting thermal energy, a hollow member is formed from a heat-conducting material and has inner and outer walls that confine an enclosed chamber therebetween. The chamber is filled with a superconductor material. The hollow member is subjected to a thermal energy source. A thermal conductor formed according to the aforesaid method can be incorporated in a cooking utensil, or in an electrical appliance, to permit quick and efficient conduction of thermal energy.

Abstract: In an electrical appliance, a thermal conductor includes a hollow heat-conducting member that has inner and outer walls confining an enclosed chamber therebetween, and a superconductor disposed in the chamber. A heat-insulating layer is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the outer wall. A temperature control device includes a thermoelectric unit disposed on and in thermal communication with the outer wall of the heat-conducting member. A control unit is connected to the thermoelectric unit and is operable so as to enable the thermoelectric unit to operate in either a heat-absorbing mode, where the thermoelectric unit absorbs heat from the thermal conductor so as to reduce temperature in the heat-conducting member, or a heat-radiating mode, where the thermoelectric unit radiates heat to the thermal conductor. A power source is connected to the temperature control device for supplying electric power thereto.

Abstract: In a heat-dissipating module for an electronic device, a heat-conducting unit is adapted to be disposed in close contact with a heat-generating component, and includes inner and outer tubes that cooperatively confine an enclosed chamber filled with a thermal superconductor material. A fan unit is disposed to generate currents of air through a chamber confined by the inner tube so as to dissipate the heat transferred to the heat-conducting unit from the heat-generating component. Alternatively, the heat-conducting unit can be configured into a tubular member, and a heat-dissipating unit is provided on the tubular member to help dissipate heat.

Abstract: In a method of conducting thermal energy, a hollow member is formed from a heat-conducting material and has inner and outer walls that confine an enclosed chamber therebetween. The chamber is filled with a superconductor material. The hollow member is subjected to a thermal energy source. A thermal conductor formed according to the aforesaid method can be incorporated in a cooking utensil, or in an electrical appliance, to permit quick and efficient conduction of thermal energy.

Abstract: A fluid conduit includes a hollow inner tube which is made of a heat-conducting material and which confines a first chamber, and a hollow outer tube which is made of a heat-conducting material, which is disposed concentrically around the inner tube, and which cooperates with the inner tube to form a second chamber. One of the first and second chambers is adapted to permit passage of fluid therethrough. The other one of the first and second chambers has opposing closed ends, and is filled with a superconductor material so as to provide the fluid conduit with an enhanced thermal conducting ability.

Abstract: In a water heater, an outer casing includes a hollow flue tube that extends vertically from an inner periphery of a bottom wall thereof, and an outer surrounding wall that extends uprightly from an outer periphery of the bottom wall and that cooperates with the flue tube to confine a receiving space. A heat-conducting unit is mounted inside the receiving space so as to configure the receiving space with isolated first and second chambers. The first chamber is filled with a thermal superconductor material. The second chamber is adapted for holding water therein. The heat-conducting unit includes a plurality of interconnected upright tubular members that cooperate with the outer casing to confine the first chamber therein. The second chamber is disposed externally of the tubular members. A heat-generating source is mounted below the outer casing for heating the water inside the second chamber.

Abstract: In an apparatus for conducting thermal energy, a thermoelectric unit in thermal communication with a thermal conductor is electrically operable so as to operate in a heat-absorbing mode, where the thermoelectric unit absorbs heat from the thermal conductor to reduce temperature of the thermal conductor, and a heat-radiating mode, where the thermoelectric unit radiates heat to the thermal conductor. A processor is operable so as to enable a power control circuit to control supply of electric power to the thermoelectric unit according to temperature of the thermal conductor and the thermoelectric unit sensed by a temperature sensor when the thermoelectric unit is operated in a selected one of the heat-absorbing mode and the heat-radiating mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting solar energy into electrical energy includes a solar energy collecting device for collecting light energy from the sun, and a tank for holding water therein. The tank is held in place with respect to the solar energy collecting device to enable the solar energy collecting device to direct the light energy collected thereby to the tank, thereby increasing temperature of the tank for converting the water in the tank into steam. A steam turbine and generator assembly is coupled to the tank, and receives the steam from the tank to generate electrical energy.

Abstract: An apparatus for accessing a memory device includes a read/write member adapted to be disposed adjacent to a data storing plane of the memory device, a first moving device for moving the read/write member along a first axis of the data storing plane during data access of the memory device, and a second moving device for moving the read/write member along a second axis of the data storing plane that is transverse to the first axis during data access of the memory device. A method for accessing the memory device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid conduit includes a hollow inner tube which is made of a heat-conducting material and which confines a first chamber, and a hollow outer tube which is made of a heat-conducting material, which is disposed concentrically around the inner tube, and which cooperates with the inner tube to form a second chamber. One of the first and second chambers is adapted to permit passage of fluid therethrough. The other one of the first and second chambers has opposing closed ends, and is filled with a superconductor material so as to provide the fluid conduit with an enhanced thermal conducting ability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting natural heat energy into another form of energy is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: (a) exposing one end of a superconductor body to a source of natural heat energy; (b) inserting another end of the superconductor body into a tank of a steam boiler that holds water therein such that the natural heat energy is transmitted by the superconductor body to the water held in the tank of the steam boiler so as to convert the water into steam; (c) providing the steam from the steam boiler to a steam turbine to produce a mechanical rotary motion; and (d) converting the mechanical rotary motion into electrical energy via use of an electric power generator that is coupled to the steam turbine.

Abstract: A karaoke device includes a song memory unit for storing digital audio data therein; a processing unit operable to retrieve the digital audio data from the song memory unit; an audio synthesizer unit for receiving the digital audio data and for generating a stereophonic digital audio output corresponding to the digital audio data; a digital-to-analog converting unit converting the digital audio output into an analog audio signal and adapted to be connected electrically to an external microphone unit so as to receive an external voice signal therefrom, the converting unit mixing the analog audio signal and the external voice signal and generating a mixed audio signal output; and an audio-visual signal transmitting unit including an image memory unit for storing predetermined digital video data and character data therein, control means for receiving lyrics data from the processing unit and the digital video data from the image memory unit, the control means being operable to convert the digital video data to an