Abstract: A system for extracting work from the expansion of a working fluid includes a vessel having at least a portion of the working fluid, a heating device in thermal communication with the portion of the working fluid in the vessel for heating the portion of the working fluid in the vessel and expanding the working fluid, and a conversion tool. The conversion tool is in fluid communication with the vessel and is configured to receive working fluid from the vessel when the working fluid expands. The conversion tool is further configured to extract work from the expanded working fluid.

Abstract: A system for extracting work from the expansion of a working fluid includes a vessel having at least a portion of the working fluid, a heating device in thermal communication with the portion of the working fluid in the vessel for heating the portion of the working fluid in the vessel and expanding the working fluid, and a conversion tool. The conversion tool is in fluid communication with the vessel and is configured to receive working fluid from the vessel when the working fluid expands. The conversion tool is further configured to extract work from the expanded working fluid.

Abstract: An evaporative cooler which includes a sealed loop of conduit with a first portion in a space to be cooled and a second portion in a space where heat is rejected, a volume of working fluid, and a fan inside the conduit loop. The fan forces air over the working fluid to accelerate its evaporation, which requires heat. Evaporation creates vapor-enriched air which carries heat and is forced by the fan to the second portion. Within the second portion, the vapor-enriched air rejects the absorbed heat before being forced back to the first portion. In certain cases, a portion of the working fluid in the vapor-enriched air condenses out and drains or is pumped back to the first portion. In certain uses, the cooler provides cooling to an area. In other uses, the cooler captures vaporized water, producing an impurity-free condensate for removal or use.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a conduit having open first and second ends, first and second thermal exchange segments disposed in-between and in fluid communication with the ends, and a means for adding fluid to the first end. The first thermal exchange segment is disposed underneath and in thermal communication with the ground, a body of water, or other location with a different temperature. The first and second ends are arranged above all other section of conduit and relative to one another so that they are communicating vessels and a change in fluid level in one changes the fluid level in the other. The means for adding fluid to the first end of the conduit causes fluid to flow freely from the first end to the second end and fluid level to rise in the second overcoming any hydrostatic pressure in the system without a pump disposed along the conduit.

Abstract: A refrigeration and/or heat transfer device includes a heating section and cooling section, a release member, and a one-way check valve affixed together in a continuous loop so working fluid may flow in one direction therein. The heating section absorbs heat and transfers such heat to the working fluid, thereby heating, expanding and increasing pressure upon the working fluid therein. The pressurized working fluid is released in a regulated manner from the heating section to the cooling section, thereby carrying the heat away. The released working fluid cools and transfers its heat to the surroundings within the cooling section. As released working fluid enters the cooling section, such fluid displaces already cooled working fluid, pushing such fluid through the one-way check valve back into the heating section to absorb heat. The working fluid may undergo a phase change or remain in a single phase throughout to enhance heat transfer.

Abstract: A system for extracting work from the expansion of a working fluid includes a vessel having at least a portion of the working fluid, a heating device in thermal communication with the portion of the working fluid in the vessel for heating the portion of the working fluid in the vessel and expanding the working fluid, and a conversion tool. The conversion tool is in fluid communication with the vessel and is configured to receive working fluid from the vessel when the working fluid expands. The conversion tool is further configured to extract work from the expanded working fluid.

Abstract: A solar array may have a primary solar panel attached to a supporting structure and an auxiliary solar panel attached at an angle to the primary panel. The primary solar panel may be positioned to collect daily solar radiation and the auxiliary solar panel may be positioned relative the primary panel to collect daily solar radiation. The daily solar radiation collected by the primary solar panel may be peak annualized daily solar radiation and the daily solar radiation collected by the auxiliary solar panel may be off-peak solar radiation.

Abstract: A refrigeration and/or heat transfer device includes a heating section and cooling section, a release member, and a one-way check valve affixed together in a continuous loop so working fluid may flow in one direction therein. The heating section absorbs heat and transfers such heat to the working fluid, thereby heating, expanding and increasing pressure upon the working fluid therein. The pressurized working fluid is released in a regulated manner from the heating section to the cooling section, thereby carrying the heat away. The released working fluid cools and transfers its heat to the surroundings within the cooling section. As released working fluid enters the cooling section, such fluid displaces already cooled working fluid, pushing such fluid through the one-way check valve back into the heating section to absorb heat. The working fluid may undergo a phase change or remain in a single phase throughout to enhance heat transfer.

Abstract: An evaporative cooler which includes a sealed loop of conduit with a first portion in a space to be cooled and a second portion in a space where heat is rejected, a volume of working fluid, and a fan inside the conduit loop. The fan forces air over the working fluid to accelerate its evaporation, which requires heat. Evaporation creates vapor-enriched air which carries heat and is forced by the fan to the second portion. Within the second portion, the vapor-enriched air rejects the absorbed heat before being forced back to the first portion. In certain cases, a portion of the working fluid in the vapor-enriched air condenses out and drains or is pumped back to the first portion. In certain uses, the cooler provides cooling to an area. In other uses, the cooler captures vaporized water, producing an impurity-free condensate for removal or use.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing energy of a working mass may include two or more immiscible liquids having different densities. The two immiscible liquids may include a predetermined proportion of oil and water. The apparatus may include a supporting structure, a hermetically sealed vessel, and an electric generator driven by fluid flow. The hermetically sealed vessel may have an elongate shape housing the working mass such that the working mass moves within the hermetically sealed vessel. An electric generator driven by fluid flow may be housed within the hermetically sealed vessel and having an inlet and an outlet. The electric generator driven by fluid flow may be configured to produce electric power as the predetermined portion of oil and water passes into the inlet and out of the outlet in response to a movement of the hermetically sealed vessel.

Abstract: A refrigeration and/or heat transfer device includes a heating section and cooling section, a release member, and a one-way check valve affixed together in a continuous loop so working fluid may flow in one direction therein. The heating section absorbs heat and transfers such heat to the working fluid, thereby heating, expanding and increasing pressure upon the working fluid therein. The pressurized working fluid is released in a regulated manner from the heating section to the cooling section, thereby carrying the heat away. The released working fluid cools and transfers its heat to the surroundings within the cooling section. As released working fluid enters the cooling section, such fluid displaces already cooled working fluid, pushing such fluid through the one-way check valve back into the heating section to absorb heat. The working fluid may undergo a phase change or remain in a single phase throughout to enhance heat transfer.

Abstract: A system for extracting work from the expansion of a working fluid includes a vessel having at least a portion of the working fluid, a heating device in thermal communication with the portion of the working fluid in the vessel for heating the portion of the working fluid in the vessel and expanding the working fluid, and a conversion tool. The conversion tool is in fluid communication with the vessel and is configured to receive working fluid from the vessel when the working fluid expands. The conversion tool is further configured to extract work from the expanded working fluid.

Abstract: Horizontal axis wind turbines are provided that have a rotor including a hub having at least one blade extending therefrom. A first rotatable member is coupled to the rotor and configured to rotate in relation to wind-induced rotation of the rotor. A tower supports the rotor and has a base. A second rotatable member is spaced from the first rotatable member toward the base of the tower. An endless member engages the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member to convey a rotational force therebetween. An electrical generator is coupled to the second rotatable member.

Abstract: A system for extracting work from the expansion of a working fluid includes a vessel having at least a portion of the working fluid, a heating device in thermal communication with the portion of the working fluid in the vessel for heating the portion of the working fluid in the vessel and expanding the working fluid, and a conversion tool. The conversion tool is in fluid communication with the vessel and is configured to receive working fluid from the vessel when the working fluid expands. The conversion tool is further configured to extract work from the expanded working fluid.

Abstract: A solar array may have a primary solar panel attached to a supporting structure and an auxiliary solar panel attached at an angle to the primary panel. The primary solar panel may be positioned to collect daily solar radiation and the auxiliary solar panel may be positioned relative the primary panel to collect daily solar radiation. The daily solar radiation collected by the primary solar panel may be peak annualized daily solar radiation and the daily solar radiation collected by the auxiliary solar panel may be off-peak solar radiation.

Abstract: An engine having a compressor for generating a flow of pressurized oxidizer, a fuel mixing system in fluid communication with the compressor for mixing fuel with the pressurized oxidizer creating a fuel-oxidizer mixture, a combustion chamber adapted to receive the fuel-oxidizer mixture, at least one ignition system connected to the combustion chamber for igniting the fuel-oxidizer mixture inside of the combustion chamber, an exhaust port in fluid communication with the combustion chamber for receiving exhaust generated by combustion of the fuel-oxidizer mixture, and a turbine having a rotating shaft and a plurality of turbine blades connected downstream of the combustion chamber for receiving the exhaust whereby the fluid force of the exhaust through the exhaust port causes the turbine blades to rotate the shaft.

Abstract: A solar array may have a primary solar panel attached to a supporting structure and an auxiliary solar panel attached at an angle to the primary panel. The primary solar panel may be positioned to collect daily solar radiation and the auxiliary solar panel may be positioned relative the primary panel to collect daily solar radiation. The daily solar radiation collected by the primary solar panel may be peak annualized daily solar radiation and the daily solar radiation collected by the auxiliary solar panel may be off-peak solar radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing energy of a working mass may include two or more immiscible liquids having different densities. The two immiscible liquids may include a predetermined proportion of oil and water. The apparatus may include a supporting structure, a hermetically sealed vessel, and an electric generator driven by fluid flow. The hermetically sealed vessel may have an elongate shape housing the working mass such that the working mass moves within the hermetically sealed vessel. An electric generator driven by fluid flow may be housed within the hermetically sealed vessel and having an inlet and an outlet. The electric generator driven by fluid flow may be configured to produce electric power as the predetermined portion of oil and water passes into the inlet and out of the outlet in response to a movement of the hermetically sealed vessel.

Abstract: A refrigeration and/or heat transfer device includes a heating section and cooling section, a release member, and a one-way check valve affixed together in a continuous loop so working fluid may flow in one direction therein. The heating section absorbs heat and transfers such heat to the working fluid, thereby heating, expanding and increasing pressure upon the working fluid therein. The pressurized working fluid is released in a regulated manner from the heating section to the cooling section, thereby carrying the heat away. The released working fluid cools and transfers its heat to the surroundings within the cooling section. As released working fluid enters the cooling section, such fluid displaces already cooled working fluid, pushing such fluid through the one-way check valve back into the heating section to absorb heat. The working fluid may undergo a phase change or remain in a single phase throughout to enhance heat transfer.

Abstract: A heat transfer system includes a conduit having open first and second ends, first and second thermal exchange segments disposed in-between and in fluid communication with the ends, and a means for adding fluid to the first end. The first thermal exchange segment is disposed underneath and in thermal communication with the ground, a body of water, or other location with a different temperature. The first and second ends are arranged above all other section of conduit and relative to one another so that they are communicating vessels and a change in fluid level in one changes the fluid level in the other. The means for adding fluid to the first end of the conduit causes fluid to flow freely from the first end to the second end and fluid level to rise in the second overcoming any hydrostatic pressure in the system without a pump disposed along the conduit.