Abstract: A pump uses the steam hammer effect to pump water from a reservoir into a control volume. Steam is injected into a water conduit extending between a liquid water reservoir and the control volume forms a liquid steam interface. Steam within the conduit condenses on the interface creating a region of partial vacuum. Water accelerates into the region of partial vacuum and is vented into the control volume, flow being controlled by a valve.

Abstract: A thermal-cycle powered water pump includes a conduit having a first end thereof in a water source. A rigid tank, in fluid communication with the second end of the conduit, is in an environment that experiences a daily thermal cycle. During the daily thermal cycle, heat energy transferred from the environment to the interior increases pressure in the interior, while heat energy transferred from the interior to the environment decreases the pressure in the interior. A first check valve opens a flow path from the conduit's first end to its second end only when the pressure in the tank's interior is less than a water pressure of the source of the water. A second check valve in fluid communication with the tank's outlet opens a flow path from the tank's interior to the environment only when the pressure in the interior is greater than an ambient pressure of the environment.

Abstract: A heat-activated pump removes waste heat from electronic components, at a data center, circuit board, or chip level. A set of evaporators receive heat from the electronics, converting a working fluid into vapor. Piping from the evaporators to a shared condenser(s) and back form a fluid circulation system. A pressure-control valve set for a specified electronic operating temperature allows vaporized working fluid to vent into a liquid-piston chamber, where it expands adiabatically, displacing pumped liquid in a pumping stage and expelling it from the chamber through a unidirectional valve to the shared condenser(s). The condenser(s) has a heatsink transferring heat away to a flow of cooler fluid. The pumped liquid returns in a suction cycle to the chamber through another unidirectional valve. An injector valve returns jets of condensed working fluid to the evaporator in successive brief spurts responsive to periodic pressure pulses in the chamber.

Abstract: A microfluidic valve may include a firing chamber having an orifice, a first portion of a liquid conduit connected to the firing chamber at a first port, a second portion of the liquid conduit connected to the firing chamber at a second port and a thermal resistor. The thermal resistor is to form a bubble within the firing chamber to expel liquid from the firing chamber through the orifice such that a first meniscus forms across the first port and a second meniscus forms across the second port to interrupt liquid flow between the first portion and the second portion of the liquid conduit.

Abstract: A flow energy harvesting system including a nozzle-diffuser defining a spline-shaped flow channel and a flow energy harvesting device in the spline-shaped flow channel of the nozzle-diffuser. The spline-shaped flow channel includes a converging portion, a diverging portion, and a constriction section between the converging and diverging portions. The flow energy harvesting device includes a flextensional member having a frame and a cantilever extending outward from the frame, and a stack of piezoelectric elements housed in an interior cavity defined in the frame. The cantilever is a non-piezoelectric material. The frame of the flextensional member is in the converging portion and the cantilever is in the constriction section of the spline-shaped flow channel. The frame is configured to deform and elongate the piezoelectric elements to generate a current based on the piezoelectric effect when a fluid flows through the spline-shaped flow channel and generates unbalanced forces on the cantilever due.

Abstract: An infusion extractor is provided including a plunger to be inserted into an infusing container containing the infusion mixture that has vertical inner walls oriented parallel to a vertical axis of the container. The plunger includes a first surface with a seal situated at an edge of the surface. The seal is adapted for sealing against the inner walls of the infusing container as the plunger moves within the container, to define a first chamber containing the mixture of infusible material and extract. The plunger also includes a second surface extending from the first surface and defining a second chamber; the second surface includes extract flow openings which permit flow of extract from the first chamber into the second chamber. At least a portion of the extract flow openings are situated at a depth either above or below the first surface along the vertical axis.

Abstract: Fluid pumping system and method comprise a pumping chamber with inlet and outlet ports. The pumping chamber is in thermal communication with a thermal system for alternating the gas temperature inside the pumping chamber between heated and cooled states. A first valve controls a first fluid communication between the pumping chamber and the external environment, and a second valve controls a second fluid communication between the pumping chamber and the fluid container. The pumping chamber and the valves cooperate to generate a vacuum and a negative potential pressure of the gas inside the pumping chamber by the effect of the gas temperature alternation when the gas passes from a heated state to a cooled state and by controlling the first and second fluid communications. The generated vacuum and negative potential pressure inside the pumping chamber enable pumping of the fluid from the fluid container inside the pumping chamber.

Abstract: An infusion extractor is provided including a plunger to be inserted into an infusing container containing the infusion mixture that has vertical inner walls oriented parallel to a vertical axis of the container. The plunger includes a first surface with a seal situated at an edge of the surface. The seal is adapted for sealing against the inner walls of the infusing container as the plunger moves within the container, to define a first chamber containing the mixture of infusible material and extract. The plunger also includes a second surface extending from the first surface and defining a second chamber; the second surface includes extract flow openings which permit flow of extract from the first chamber into the second chamber. At least a portion of the extract flow openings are situated at a depth either above or below the first surface along the vertical axis.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide micro-fluidic systems and devices for use in performing various diagnostic and analytical tests. According to one embodiment, the micro-fluidic device includes a sample chamber for receiving a sample, and a reaction chamber for performing a chemical reaction. A bubble jet pump is structured on the device to control delivery of a fluid from the sample chamber to the reaction chamber. The pump is fluidically coupled to one or more chambers of the device using a fluidic channel such as a capillary. A valve may be coupled to one or more chambers to control flow into and out of those chambers. Also, a sensor may be positioned in one or more of the chambers, such as the reactant chamber, for sensing a property of the fluid within the chamber as well as the presence of a chemical within the chamber.

Abstract: An engine pre-heater system comprising a housing having a passage extending therethrough for passage of coolant through the pre-heater. The housing provides at least one opening defined therein separate from the passage, and an electric heating element is inserted therein, the heating element projecting into the passage whereby the heating element is in direct contact with the coolant to heat it. The heating element is supplied with electrical power from a power source for enabling it to heat the coolant, and a lower end of the heating element is L-shaped, the lower end thus being substantially perpendicular in relationship to the remainder of the heating element, giving the heating element a greater surface area with which to contact, and thus heat the coolant. The engine pre-heater system is also operably able to heat the coolant, engine oil and transmission oil, therefore heating the coolant and warming the engine in a faster and more efficient manner for quick start-ups.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic pump comprises one or more channels having an array of resistive heaters, an inlet, outlet and a substrate as a heat sink and a means of cooling the device. The pump is operated with a fire-to-fire delay and/or a cycle-to-cycle delay to control the pumping rate and minimize heating of liquid inside the pump during its operation.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide micro-fluidic systems and devices for use in performing various diagnostic and analytical tests. According to one embodiment, the micro-fluidic device includes a sample chamber for receiving a sample, and a reaction chamber for performing a chemical reaction. A bubble jet pump is structured on the device to control delivery of a fluid from the sample chamber to the reaction chamber. The pump is fluidically coupled to one or more chambers of the device using a fluidic channel such as a capillary. A valve may be coupled to one or more chambers to control flow into and out of those chambers. Also, a sensor may be positioned in one or more of the chambers, such as the reactant chamber, for sensing a property of the fluid within the chamber as well as the presence of a chemical within the chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide micro-fluidic systems and devices for use in performing various diagnostic and analytical tests. According to one embodiment, the micro-fluidic device includes a sample chamber for receiving a sample, and a reaction chamber for performing a chemical reaction. A bubble jet pump is structured on the device to control delivery of a fluid from the sample chamber to the reaction chamber. The pump is fluidically coupled to one or more chambers of the device using a fluidic channel such as a capillary. A valve may be coupled to one or more chambers to control flow into and out of those chambers. Also, a sensor may be positioned in one or more of the chambers, such as the reactant chamber, for sensing a property of the fluid within the chamber as well as the presence of a chemical within the chamber.

Abstract: A thermodynamic pump for provides gaseous hydrogen employing a plurality of liquid hydrogen (LH2) tanks sequentially pressurized with gaseous hydrogen (GH2) from an accumulator. A heat exchanger receiving LH2 from each of the plurality of tanks as sequentially pressurized returns pressurized GH2 to the accumulator for supply to an engine.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide micro-fluidic systems and devices for use in performing various diagnostic and analytical tests. According to one embodiment, the micro-fluidic device includes a sample chamber for receiving a sample, and a reaction chamber for performing a chemical reaction. A bubble jet pump is structured on the device to control delivery of a fluid from the sample chamber to the reaction chamber. The pump is fluidically coupled to one or more chambers of the device using a fluidic channel such as a capillary. A valve may be coupled to one or more chambers to control flow into and out of those chambers. Also, a sensor may be positioned in one or more of the chambers, such as the reactant chamber, for sensing a property of the fluid within the chamber as well as the presence of a chemical within the chamber.

Abstract: A method and device for the pumping of liquids utilizes the directional growth and elimination of gaseous vesicles or bubbles to provide the motive or pumping force. In one embodiment, the pumping device is a microfluidic pumping mechanism having a channel, a bubble generator for generating a plurality of bubbles within the channel, and a venting membrane disposed over a portion of the channel downstream of the bubble generator. A one-way valve or directional resistance feature is positioned upstream of the bubble generator to introduce directional transport of bubbles within the channel. The method and device may be integrated into micro fuel cells with organic liquid fuel such that liberated gaseous bubbles may be utilized to deliver fresh fuel or circulate reusable fuel without any power-consuming components.

Abstract: Provided is a micro pump having a simple structure. The micro pump includes a pump chamber including inflow and outflow passages through which a drive fluid flows, a first valve configured to open or close the inflow passage, a second valve configured to open or close the outflow passage, and a pump chamber heating and cooling unit configured to heat or cool the pump chamber.

Abstract: A fluid control mechanism includes a laser irradiation control unit to control irradiation of a light beam generated by a laser generation unit, and a liquid tank, having at least one liquid passing port and a lens to collect the light beam in the liquid tank, to hold liquid. The laser irradiation control unit emits the light beam to the lens to collect the light beam by the lens, thereby causing thermal expansion of the liquid in the liquid tank, to control inflow/outflow of the liquid via the liquid passing port.

Abstract: A hydraulic unit has a drive shaft (52) mounted in a manifold block (54) and coupled to a torque plate (80) on a central axis. A bent axis motive unit (60) has a yoke connected to the manifold block supported for rotation on the yoke. Hollow pistons (100) in cylinders in the cylinder block allow fluid to flow through a torque plate into and form the manifold without the necessity for passing fluid through an articulating member that pivots the cylinder block.

Abstract: A pump comprises a chamber with an inlet and an outlet. A first heating element is located in proximity with the inlet, and a second heating element is located in proximity with the outlet. The first and second heating elements are configured when heated to form a bubble within the chamber. By controlling the first and second heating elements, fluid is expelled from the pump.

Abstract: A pump comprises a chamber with an inlet and an outlet. A first heating element is located in proximity with the inlet, and a second heating element is located in proximity with the outlet. The first and second heating elements are configured when heated to form a bubble within the chamber. By controlling the first and second heating elements, fluid is expelled from the pump.

Abstract: An air conditioning compressor is equipped with an oil separator for separating high-pressure refrigerant gas and lubrication oil into a gas component and an oil component. The compressor's casing has a barrel portion surrounding an outer portion of the compressor and an enlarged case potion extending from the barrel portion. The enlarged case portion has a discharge chamber disposed between an inner surface of the casing and a rear portion of the compressor for temporarily holding the gas component and the oil component. An oil sump within the discharge chamber is dimensioned to store a sufficient amount of the oil component to suppress an increase in the oil circulation ratio of an air conditioning system while maintaining a sufficient amount of the lubrication oil in the compressor casing to lubricate the compressor.

Abstract: A liquid discharging head which discharges a liquid through a discharging port utilizing an energy generated by producing air bubble including side walls which are to be brought into contact with a movable member to restrict upstream growth of a bubble, thereby stabilizing liquid discharge.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head comprises heating members for generating thermal energy to create bubbles in liquid, discharge ports forming the portions to discharge the liquid, liquid flow paths communicated with the discharge ports, at the-same time, having bubble generating areas for enabling liquid to create bubbles, movable members arranged in the bubble generating areas to be displaced along with the development of the bubbles, and regulating portions to regulate the displacement of each of the movable members within a desired range, and with energy at the time of bubble creation, the liquid being discharged from the discharge ports. For this liquid discharge head, the regulating portions are arranged to face the bubble generating areas in the liquid flow paths, and then, with the essential contact between the displaced movable members and the regulating portions, the liquid flow paths having the bubble generating areas become essentially closed spaces with the exception of the discharge ports.

Abstract: A heat driven pulse pump includes a chamber having an inlet port, an outlet port, two check valves, a wick, and a heater. The chamber may include a plurality of grooves inside wall of the chamber. When heated within the chamber, a liquid to be pumped vaporizes and creates pressure head that expels the liquid through the outlet port. As liquid separating means, the wick, disposed within the chamber, is to allow, when saturated with the liquid, the passage of only liquid being forced by the pressure head in the chamber, preventing the vapor from exiting from the chamber through the outlet port. A plurality of grooves along the inside surface wall of the chamber can sustain the liquid, which is amount enough to produce vapor for the pressure head in the chamber. With only two simple moving parts, two check valves, the heat driven pulse pump can effectively function over the long lifetimes without maintenance or replacement.

Abstract: A liquid transport device has a chamber, an inlet and an outlet for supplying liquid to and from the chamber through one-way valves, and a bubble forming system for film boiling the liquid to form a precisely controlled film bubble which expands and contracts within the liquid. The expansion and contraction motion of the bubble acts as a pressure source for expelling liquid from the chamber during bubble expansion and withdrawing liquid into the chamber during bubble contraction. Pulses of heat energy are applied to the liquid to form the film bubbles, either by pulse driving an electric heating element with power pulses or by irradiating the liquid with laser beam pulses.

Abstract: An external-combustion heat engine pump, one version consisting of four chambers, one liquid and one gas pumping chamber, a gas heating chamber and a gas cooling chamber. The two pumping chambers are connected by two tubes, one near the bottom of the chambers and one at the top of the chambers. The liquid pumping chamber, which contains a cycling container, is connected to a reservoir with tubing and a one way valve allowing liquid to enter. The gas pumping chamber is fitted with a bellows, which rises or falls as determined by the location of the cycling container. Gas enters the bellows through a one way valve connected to the bellows with tubing. The bellows is also connected to the heating chamber with tubing and with a one way gas valve which allows gas to enter this chamber.

Abstract: A water pumping system includes a solar collector assembly having a plurality of solar collectors containing a heat transfer medium therein. A circulating tube is mounted in an insulated housing and communicates with the solar collectors for conveying the heat transfer medium to circulate therethrough such that water received in the insulated housing is evaporated to vapor by means of the heat transfer medium. A receiver is provided for receiving the vapor created in the insulated housing therein. A pressure chamber communicates with the water source for conveying water contained in the water source into the pressure chamber. A conduit communicates between the pressure chamber and the receiver for conveying the vapor received in the receiver into the pressure chamber so as to force water contained in the pressure chamber into the container via a conveying tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating and delivering water by use of a campfire, comprising drawing water from a first kettle through a supply hose to a heat exchanger that is placed in the campfire. The water in the heat exchanger boils to cause a discharge of water upwardly through a delivery tube to a collecting kettle, after which the pressure in the heat exchanger drops to cause a further supply of water to be drawn from the supply kettle to the heat exchanger. Thus, quantities of hot water (e.g. a cupful in each quantity) can be discharged at short intervals (45 seconds or so) to supply cups of hot water for a beverage such as coffee, tea, etc. Other embodiments are arranged to draw water from a lower location up to the heat exchanger and then pump the water upwardly to a storage container.

Abstract: A microdevice in the form of an electrical switch. A microdevice for providing switching at a high repetition rate, including a cell divided into two chambers by a bistable movable membrane. A charge of gas in the cell and a source for directly heating the gas to increase the gas pressure and move the membrane, the source for heating including a pulsed source for generating transient gas pressure increases, with the cell including an arrangement for cooling the gas for reducing the gas pressure after an increase.

Abstract: The invention consists of a cooling system which can be powered by solar energy, utilizing solar flat plate collectors. Water, the boiling point of which has been lowered by an air vacuum, is used as a refrigerant instead of freon. The water boils at low temperature in sealed air evacuated heat exchange coils and removes heat from the environment. A solar differential temperature engine is modified to include a pump mechanism. The pump is used to transfer the vapor, generated by the boiling of the low boiling point water in the heat exchange coils, from the coils to the chambers of the differential temperature engine. The vapor then re-condenses into a liquid, without a compressor, through the differential temperature between the chambers of the engine. The re-condensed liquid then returns spontaneously to the heat exchange coils by force of gravity. The cooling system may likewise operate through house hold electic power on a standby or permenant basis.

Abstract: A heat transport system is disclosed which comprises an evaporator, a condenser, an accumulator, switching means and connecting pipe therethrough. The switching means changes the operation mode from the first mode to the second mode alternatively. In the first mode, cooled liquid flows into the accumulator. In the second mode, the capillary pressure occurring in the evaporator leads the liquid in the accumulator to the evaporator. By switching the first mode and the second mode alternatively, the heat is transported from the evaporator to the condenser. Because of the operation of the capillary pressure, the heat transport system of the present invention can work even in gravity-free environments.

Abstract: A devise useful to transport thermal energy from a hot zone to a cold zone, over distance, and around or through obstructions, comprising: evaporator (101), switch-valve assembly (300), two condensers (501), (502), check-valves, interconnecting passageways, and a liquid-vapor phase-change working fluid. The motive power causing the devise operation is exclusively thermal. Thermal energy is continuously accepted at the evaporator and continuously rejected at the condensers. The switch-valve directs vapor through open ports to one condenser at a time. The vapor pressure in that chamber increases and creates a pressure differential between the two condensers. When this difference in pressure reaches a predetermined magnitude, the switch-valve changes condensers. The evaporator vapor pressure is pulled low by the newly opened condenser and the higher vapor pressure in the just closed condenser pumps its condensate back to the evaporator. The cycle continues alternating between condensers.

Abstract: A pulse-thermal pump having a novel fluid flow wherein heat admitted to a closed system raises the pressure in a closed evaporator chamber while another interconnected evaporator chamber remains open. This creates a large pressure differential, and at a predetermined pressure the closed evaporator is opened and the opened evaporator is closed. This difference in pressure initiates fluid flow in the system.

Abstract: A fuel reactor particularly adopted for the efficient combustion of wood and wood-product fuels includes a core comprised of an inner fuel tube and an outer gas tube. Fuel is introduced into one end of the fuel tube and the combustion process is initiated. Perforations in the gas tube allow the combustion gas to progress down the fuel tube and combine with air in the gas tube. A high temperature is maintained on the gas tube to enhance the combustion process. In addition, high temperature-high pressure steam and air are introduced into the core to increase the reactivity rate of char products. The high temperature-high pressure steam is produced by a novel steam pump. The combustion gases are further processed through a gas dispersion chamber, including dispersion plates, and a gas expansion chamber. Heat is extracted from the combustion gases via a novel heat exchanger which includes a gas dispersion shelf, a radiating heat exchanger plate, a primary heat exchanger, and a condensing heat exchanger.

Abstract: A heat conducting device comprising a heat drive pump operated by using growth and contraction of steam bubbles due to heat, whereby the temperature of operating liquid condensed in a cooling portion of a heat pipe is made lower than that of the cooling portion of the heat pipe, and then the operating liquid is arranged to be returned to a heating portion of the heat pipe, as a result of which the heat pipe can be continuously operated.

Abstract: A process for conveying boilable liquids wherein the required delivery pressure is generated by alternately changing the boiling pressure of a boilable liquid from a low starting point to a boiling pressure, increased by the desired increase in pressure, by an external heat input and then the original state is reproduced by reducing the pressure to the low boiling pressure by dissipating the heat externally, is improved by avoiding the use of highly stressed wearable parts and by being able to attain greater reliability and longer life span with a faster method. For this purpose, in the vessel through which the boilable liquid to be conveyed flows a subquantity of the boilable liquid being conveyed is subjected directly to the work performing cyclic process in the wet steam region.

Abstract: An electronic equipment cooling device having: a first cyclic flow passage which includes the equipments to be cooled, a radiator or a cooling exchanger, and two stopper valves for making the direction of flow one way, and a second cyclic flow passage which includes a heat drive pump driven by heat from heating devices in the equipments and a radiator or a cooling exchanger for cooling the heat drive pump, wherein the two cyclic flow passages are connected to each other with a pressure conducting device.

Abstract: A liquid chromatographic method and apparatus is disclosed which employs an improved pump not requiring driven pistons or sliding seals. The pump comprises at least one length of tubing forming a chamber disposed between first and second check valves, controllable heating means to periodically heat liquid in said chamber effective to pump relatively low volumes of liquid from the chamber at relatively high pressures, means for measuring the pressure developed by the pump, and control means to increase and decrease the amount of heat imparted to the liquid to maintain the pump operation at a controlled pressure setpoint.

Abstract: A heat conducting device having dream pipes for spatially transporting heat without circulation of liquid by repeating heat accumulation and radiation in a boundary layers formed on wall surfaces of flow passages by forward and rearward movement of liquid with vibration applied thereto comprising a flow passage or a chamber including a heat drive pump arranged to be operated by growth and contraction of steam bubbles in which each end of the dream pipes is opened, wherein a power for forward and rearward moving the liquid in the dream pipes depends upon the heat drive pump and another end of each of the dream pipes is designed to be telescopic.

Abstract: A wobble plate type compressor is disclosed which includes a compressor housing having a plurality of cylinders and a crank chamber adjacent the cylinders therein. A reciprocative piston is slidably fitted within each of the cylinders. A drive mechanism is coupled to the pistons. The drive mechanism includes a drive shaft which is rotatably supported in an opening of a front end plate and extends into the compressor housing. The drive shaft is supported by a radial bearing. The drive shaft is attached on to an end surface of a cam rotor at an inclination angle .theta..sub.1 and rotates therewith. The angle .theta..sub.1 is predetermined so that under severe operating conditions the interior surface of the radial bearing and the exterior surface of the drive shaft are uniformly contacted with each other to prevent damages due to partial contact. In alternative embodiments, the radial bearing is formed with a conical inner surface to insure uniform contact between it and the exterior surface of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A thermal engine is disclosed which is operable as a heat pump, refrigerator, or air conditioner. Vaporized working fluid from a first evaporator, which extracts heat from elements desired to be cooled, is fed to a first region of an osmotic pump which also has a second region containing a solution of the working fluid and a preselected solute, the second region being separated from the first region by a membrane permeable to the vaporized working fluid but not to the solute. A second evaporator, which may be driven by waste heat, is operatively coupled to the second region of the osmotic pump by means of a counterflow heat exchanger having a first path for conveying relatively dilute solution from the second region of the osmotic pump to the second evaporator and a second path for conveying relatively concentrated solution from the second evaporator to the second region of the osmotic pump.

Abstract: The improved gasoline superheater is a device designed for the purpose of improving the efficiency and cleanliness of the internal combustion engine. It is a device designed in a manner to be coupled to an internal combustion engine and operated automatically without modification to the engine or any of its anti-pollution devices. The improved gasoline superheater consists of a container or canister which is sealed and contains a copper or metallic heating coil which may be connected in communication with the cooling system of the engine, so as to heat gasoline admitted through an opening in the chamber from the fuel tank commonly found on an automobile after being put under pressure by the fuel pump. Said gasoline superheating device is capable of heating gasoline to a predetermined set point as controlled by an electronic device, which set point is above the ambient pressure boiling point of gasoline, but maintaining it in a liquid state by holding it under pressure.

Abstract: A heat-driven pump for performing the transport of liquid by the function of bubbles produced by vaporization and condensation of the liquid under heating includes an inlet pipe, an inlet-side check valve, a charging pipe, a bubble forming portion, a discharging pipe, an outlet-side check valve, and an outlet pipe. The bubbles forming portion includes a heating portion for receiving heat supplied from outside, a liquid cavity formed in the heating portion having a cross-sectrion which is reduced along the longitudinal axis of the heating portion, and a vapor-liquid exchange chamber communicated with the liquid cavity and having a volume greater than the volume of a bubble extruded from the liquid cavity.

Abstract: A heat transport apparatus comprises a closed circuit including a heating block and a radiator, the heating block being provided with a recess for producing a small bubble. The bubble is grown by heating the heating block, whereby working fluid is displaced and made to circulate through the radiator.

Abstract: A passive heat transfer system is provided wherein the vapor generated by the boiling of a working fluid is harnessed to transport the working fluid from a heat source to a heat sink below the heat source. A passive circulation unit is installed in a heat transfer system between the outlet port of a heat collector and a collector drain duct that leads to a heat sink that is positioned below the heat collector. In preferred embodiments, a collector feed duct permits fluid to return to the heat collector from the heat sink and a check valve prevents flow in the opposite direction. The passive circulation unit includes an upper chamber and a lower chamber disposed in vertical array, with the lower end of the lower chamber being positioned above the heat collector outlet port. In the simplest embodiment the two chambers are connected by a vent duct that leads from the bottom region of the lower chamber to the top region of the upper chamber.

Abstract: An improved heat actuated heat exchange system having conduit in a primary heating zone, a boiler in a second heating zone, and an accumulator in a third heating zone operatively connected by other conduits to a condenser, two check valves, and a heat rejector to form an hermetically sealed device containing a condensible coolant. The coolant, which is initially heated in the primary heating zone, is flashed into vapor in the boiler to produce a vapor piston for pumping heated liquid through a check valve and into a hot accumulator. Vapor pressure in the accumulator is the motive force for circulating heated coolant through the heat rejection zone, through the second check valve, and back into the primary heating zone. Check valves are utilized as pressure isolators and determine the direction of fluid flow. The system can be utilized on energy conservation devices such as solar energy systems or heat reclaim systems as the device is receptive to most heat sources with a generally uniform distribution.

Abstract: A device for passively transporting heat in any direction, particularly downwards, from a heat source to a heat sink, which device comprises a boiler for heating a working fluid, a container for condensing vapor of the heated working fluid, means for transferring the said vapor from the boiler to the condenser, and means for transferring the working fluid from the condenser to the boiler, the said working fluid being compelled from the condenser to the boiler, when the device is in use, by expansion of a compressible medium stored in the condenser, which medium is additionally compressed by the vapor of the working fluid when the device is in use.In one embodiment the heat source for the boiler or the boiler itself is a solar collector.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump for liquids operating by heating and vaporizing a part of the pumped liquid on the motive side of the diaphragm. A center spindle upon which the diaphragm slides is shaped to permit a limited amount of liquid to leak through into the vapor side while also permitting a release of pressure at the top end of the stroke. The spindle is also shaped to permit a suitable pressure buildup during the midportion of the stroke.

Abstract: A boilerless steam displacement pump for pumping water is disclosed which uses steam not only to displace water from a chamber to pump the water but also uses the pressurized steam to charge and energize an internal water-to-steam delivery system in order to present water to the steam generating chamber without the use of any auxiliary pump. In this way steam being generated intermittently is used in one period of a cycle to supply water under pressure to the water-to-steam delivery system and then this system delivers the pressurized water to the steam generating chamber during an alternate period to produce the succeeding surge of steam.