Abstract: A heat pump system including a heat engine having a valve assembly positioned to divide the heat engine chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. A piston is positioned within the heat engine and includes a first piston head in the first chamber, a second piston head in the second chamber, and a connecting rod connecting the first and second piston heads and extending through a bore in the valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a one-way inlet valve and a one-way outlet valve in fluid communication with each of the first and second heat engine chambers. The valve assembly is also in fluid communication with a condenser and evaporator of the heat pump system. The system may also include improved one-way valves, a condensate pump, and a novel shifting valve.

Abstract: A heat pump system (10) including a heat generator (15), a heat engine (26) supplied with heat engine working fluid (18) by the heat generator (15) having a heat engine cylinder chamber (34), a heat engine piston (32), and a heat engine piston rod (35), a preheating chamber (31) employing the heat engine working fluid (18) to heat the heat engine cylinder chamber (34), a compressor (40) driven by the heat engine (26) employing compressor working fluid having a compressor cylinder chamber (46), a compressor piston (44), and a compressor piston rod (47), a spacer (50) separating and joining the heat engine piston rod (35) and the compressor piston rod (47), a sealing assembly (38) associated with the spacer (50) separating the heat engine working fluid (18) and the compressor working fluid, and a valve assembly (60) communicating with the heat engine cylinder chamber (34) and controlling the ingress and egress of heat engine working fluid (18) to the heat engine (26).

Abstract: A heat pump system (10) including a heat generator (15), a heat engine (26) supplied with heat engine working fluid (18) by the heat generator (15) having a heat engine cylinder chamber (34), a heat engine piston (32), and a heat engine piston rod (35), a preheating chamber (31) employing the heat engine working fluid (18) to heat the heat engine cylinder chamber (34), a compressor (40) driven by the heat engine (26) employing compressor working fluid having a compressor cylinder chamber (46), a compressor piston (44), and a compressor piston rod (47), a spacer (50) separating and joining the heat engine piston rod (35) and the compressor piston rod (47), a sealing assembly (38) associated with the spacer (50) separating the heat engine working fluid (18) and the compressor working fluid, and a valve assembly (60) communicating with the heat engine cylinder chamber (34) and controlling the ingress and egress of heat engine working fluid (18) to the heat engine (26).

Abstract: A heat pump system (10) including a heat generator (15), a heat engine (26) supplied with heat engine working fluid (18) by the heat generator (15) having a heat engine cylinder chamber (34), a heat engine piston (32), and a heat engine piston rod (35), a preheating chamber (31) employing the heat engine working fluid (18) to heat the heat engine cylinder chamber (34), a compressor (40) driven by the heat engine (26) employing compressor working fluid having a compressor cylinder chamber (46), a compressor piston (44), and a compressor piston rod (47), a spacer (50) separating and joining the heat engine piston rod (35) and the compressor piston rod (47), a sealing assembly (38) associated with the spacer (50) separating the heat engine working fluid (18) and the compressor working fluid, and a valve assembly (60) communicating with the heat engine cylinder chamber (34) and controlling the ingress and egress of heat engine working fluid (18) to the heat engine (26).

Abstract: A heat pump system (10) including a heat generator (15), a heat engine (26) supplied with heat engine working fluid (18) by the heat generator (15) having a heat engine cylinder chamber (34), a heat engine piston (32), and a heat engine piston rod (35), a preheating chamber (31) employing the heat engine working fluid (18) to heat the heat engine cylinder chamber (34), a compressor (40) driven by the heat engine (26) employing compressor working fluid having a compressor cylinder chamber (46), a compressor piston (44), and a compressor piston rod (47), a spacer (50) separating and joining the heat engine piston rod (35) and the compressor piston rod (47), a sealing assembly (38) associated with the spacer (50) separating the heat engine working fluid (18) and the compressor working fluid, and a valve assembly (60) communicating with the heat engine cylinder chamber (34) and controlling the ingress and egress of heat engine working fluid (18) to the heat engine (26).

Abstract: A freeze-resistant hydrant (10, 110) extending between a first area having a temperature at least intermittently below freezing and a second area having a temperature constantly above freezing including, a heat-transfer tube (20, 120), a first end (21, 121) of the heat-transfer tube proximate the first area, a second end (22, 122) of the heat-transfer tube extending into the second area, a water line (35, 135) interposed within the heat-transfer tube from a location within the second area to the first end of the heat-transfer tube, a control valve (50, 150) on the, water line in proximity to the heat-transfer tube, and a heat-transfer fluid (R,R) in the heat-transfer tube for transferring heat from the second end of the heat-transfer tube to the control valve.

Abstract: A submersible pump cylinder (10; 110) for immersion in and displacement of a fluid (W), including a cylindrical housing (20; 120), a plunger assembly (45; 145) positioned for reciprocating motion within the cylindrical housing, a sealing sleeve assembly (85; 185) attached to the cylindrical housing and to the plunger assembly and overlapped to maintain a convolution (90; 190; 190') which moves during the reciprocating motion of said plunger assembly, and a balance valve (55) associated with the plunger assembly maintaining pressure within the flexible sleeve, whereby the flexible sleeve is maintained in engagement with the housing and the plunger assembly and substantially without frictional interengagement during motion of the plunger assembly.

Abstract: A heat pump system (10, 210) includes a power section (11, 211) having a generator (15, 215) for converting a first working fluid from a liquid to a relatively high pressure gas, a power unit (25, 222) providing energy by the conversion of the relatively high pressure gas to relatively low pressure gas to power a drive piston (27, 228') for intermittently delivering a power stroke, a power section condenser (51, 251) converting the first working fluid from relatively low pressure gas to the liquid, a compressor section (12, 212) intermittently driven by the drive piston, the compressor section having a compressor (75, 275) converting relatively low pressure gas second working fluid to relatively high pressure gas second working fluid for circulating the second working fluid through a compressor section condenser (108, 308) and a compressor section evaporator (115, 315) to effect heating and cooling operations.

Abstract: A heat pump system (10, 210) includes a power section (11, 211) having a generator (15, 215) for converting a first working fluid from a liquid to a relatively high pressure gas, a power unit (25, 222) providing energy by the conversion of the relatively high pressure gas to relatively low pressure gas to power a drive piston (27, 228') for intermittently delivering a power stroke, a power section condenser (51, 251) converting the first working fluid from relatively low pressure gas to the liquid, a compressor section (12, 212) intermittently driven by the drive piston, the compressor section having a compressor (75, 275) converting relatively low pressure gas second working fluid to relatively high pressure gas second working fluid for circulating the second working fluid through a compressor section condensor (108, 308) and a compressor section evaporator (115, 315) to effect heating and cooling operations.

Abstract: A solar powered water heating system including an atmospherically sealed regulating valve (40) initially opening to pass fluid at a minimum selected pressure and remaining open to pass fluid until the fluid pressure reaches a selected reduced pressure including a housing (41), a valve housing cap (42) enclosing the open end of the housing, a valve element (60) movable axially of the housing, a first chamber (47) in the housing axially of the valve element in one direction, a second chamber (58) in the housing axially of the valve element in the other direction, a bore (70, 83) extending through the valve element connecting the first chamber and the second chamber, a fluid inlet passage (45) supplying fluid to the first and second chambers, a third chamber (51) in the housing communicating with fluid outlet passages, and a biasing element (85) permitting movement of the valve element for fluid communication between the first chamber and the third chamber at the minimum selected pressure in the fluid inlet pass

Abstract: A solar powered water heating system (10) for heating water in a storage tank (T) including a solar collector (C) for converting a refrigerant from a liquid to a gaseous state, a pump (30) communicating with the solar collector via a first refrigerant supply line and operable by the gaseous state of the refrigerant, a heat exchanger (20) communicating with and receiving refrigerant from the pump, the heat exchanger transferring heat from the refrigerant to water passing therethrough from the storage tank, and lines (35) supplying condensed refrigerant in the heat exchanger to the pump for return circulation to the solar collector.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting low level thermal radiation into mechanical work. The apparatus incorporates a collector (11) to receive and concentrate low level thermal energy to generate a pressure by vaporizing a working fluid. An expansible chamber (70), having at least one movable wall, defined by a diaphragm (54), is selectively in fluid communication with the collector (11). A movable piston (61) is operatively associated with the movable wall of the expansible chamber (70). A connecting rod (71) is secured at one end to the movable piston (61); the other end of the connecting rod (71) is suitable for connecting to a mechanical load. A valve spool (73), slidably associated about the surface of the connecting rod (71) effects fluid communication of the expansible chamber (70) alternately with the collector (11) and an exhaust chamber (124), the latter having a pressure substantially less than the work pressure of the collector (11).

Abstract: A valve (10) for a water temperature control system having a heat exchanger (C), a tank (T), and a pump (P) for circulating heat transfer fluid through a supply line (11, 12, 13) from the tank to the heat exchanger and through a return line (14, 15) from the heat exchanger to the tank including a valve housing (20) interposed in both the supply line and the return line having supply inlet and supply outlet connections (24, 25), having return inlet and return outlet connections (26, 28), and having first and second drain connections (29), a valve element (45) associated with the valve housing having a first position for normally circulating the heat transfer fluid from the supply inlet connection to the supply outlet connection and from the return inlet connection to the return outlet connection and having a second position discontinuing circulation through the supply inlet connection and the return outlet connection and connecting the supply outlet connection to the first drain connection and the return outle