Abstract: A thermal pump system energized by a daytime heating phase and a night time cooling phase associated with a naturally occurring environmental heating and cooling cycle includes a hydraulic fluid source, a thermal fluid expansion chamber having a fixed internal volume, and a hydraulic accumulator at least partially filled by a compressible gas. A first unidirectional flow valve connected to a first duct permits flow only out of the hydraulic fluid source during the night time cooling phase. A second unidirectional flow valve connected to a second duct permits flow only out of the thermal fluid expansion chamber upon expansion of the hydraulic fluid trapped in the thermal fluid expansion chamber due to heating during the daytime heating phase. The thermal fluid expansion chamber has a thermally conductive wall communicating thermal energy from the naturally occurring heating and cooling cycle to the hydraulic fluid trapped in the fixed internal volume.

Abstract: The invention is a self-contained process shutdown device that detects abnormal pressures and initiates shutdown by removing the pneumatic or hydraulic pressure needed for a given process or flow to continue. The process' pressure is detected by means of a switch-gauge (a pressure gauge with high and low alarm electrical contacts) which has a pressure sensing port connected to the monitored pressure. The contacts from the switch-gauge are connected to an electronic logic circuit that sends one or more shutdown pulses to trip a pulse driven solenoid and initiate the shutdown. This device provides indicator lamps to show statuses and alarms as well as switch or pushbuttons to activate the “Reset” and “Test” functions. The electrical power is supplied by a power module that is constituted of battery cells connected in such way that it provides a dual voltage output to feed the electronic logic separate from the pulse driven solenoid driver circuit.

Abstract: The invention is a self-contained process shutdown device that detects abnormal pressures and initiates shutdown by removing the pneumatic or hydraulic pressure needed for a given process or flow to continue. The process' pressure is detected by means of a switch-gauge (a pressure gauge with high and low alarm electrical contacts) which has a pressure sensing port connected to the monitored pressure. The contacts from the switch-gauge are connected to an electronic logic circuit that sends one or more shutdown pulses to trip a pulse driven solenoid and initiate the shutdown. This device provides indicator lamps to show statuses and alarms as well as switch or pushbuttons to activate the “Reset” and “Test” functions. The electrical power is supplied by a power module that is constituted of battery cells connected in such way that it provides a dual voltage output to feed the electronic logic separate from the pulse driven solenoid driver circuit.

Abstract: A photovoltaic energy system that accumulates mechanical energy, i.e., pneumatic or hydraulic pressure, or performs mechanical work, i.e., pumping water, without using electrochemical batteries. The system includes one or more photovoltaic panels, one or more high capacitance electrical capacitors, an electrical motor and an electric/electronic control circuit. In essence, the system takes the energy produced by the photovoltaic modules and accumulates it in the capacitors. Once enough energy is accumulated to run the motor, the controller circuit activates the motor. As the motor consumption is larger than the power produced by the photovoltaic module, it takes current from the charged capacitors and the voltage in the capacitors quickly decreases. Once the voltage reaches a minimum where the operation of the motor is no longer practical, the control circuit stops the motor to let the photovoltaic modules recharge the capacitors and the cycle is then repeated.