Abstract: Mechanical energy is provided in the form of continuous reciprocating motion by causing repeated temperature alternations in wire arrays made of alloys of shape memory metals when alternating changes in the lengths of the wires result from repeatedly heating and then cooling the wires as these arrays are contacted by alternate flows of first heated and then cooled fluid such as air, with the alternate fluid flows being provided by a draft which draws first heated and then cooled air over the wires to produce contractions and then elongations along the length of the wires. In the principal embodiment the required draft is provided by a solar heated convection column which by means of valving draws air first from a solar collector and then from a cooling duct.

Abstract: The generation of electricity from radiant energy by means of effective dielectric constant changes in a light or radiation sensitive dielectric of a condenser in series with a charged condenser and a transformer is improved when both of the circuits' condensers are made light variable condensers and when a special shuttering arrangement prevents waste and loss of concentrated radiation by special placement and additional electric circuitry.