Abstract: Systems and methods for converting thermal energy, such as solar energy, from a localized thermal energy source to another form of energy or work comprise dual thermodynamic cycle systems that utilize the liquid-to-gas phase transitions of a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen and a working fluid such as sulfur hexafluoride to drive prime movers. Heat transfer between the fluids as they undergo the phase transitions is used to increase the energy in the system and its work output, and improve system efficiency.

Abstract: Systems and methods to efficiently utilize thermal energy such as solar energy, geothermal energy, waste-heat energy, bio-mass combustion energy, or other equivalent forms of energy, convert the thermal energy to another useful form of energy, such as electricity or mechanical work using a thermodynamic cycle in which a working fluid medium may be expanded in a constant pressure environment to move a storage medium comprising another fluid, slurry or mass to a higher potential energy level, from which the storage medium may be released through a generator or the like to produce another form of energy.