Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for generating power utilizing press-retarded osmosis, in which a concentrated solution at a high hydraulic pressure is passed along one face of a semi-permeable membrane, and a dilute solution at a low hydraulic pressure is passed along the opposite face of the membrane to effect, by pressure-retarded-osmosis, the passage of at least a part of the dilute solution through the membrane forming a pressurized mixed solution. The potential energy stored in the pressurized mixed solution is converted to useful energy by depressurizing and repressurizing only the dilute solution.

Abstract: A small power plant utilizing waste heat wherein:an intermediate heat transfer medium being thermally stable and capable of lubricating bearings is interposed between a heat source and a turbine operating medium;heat of said intermediate heat transfer medium is taken off through a direct contact heat exchanger to change said turbine operating medium in phase from a liquid state to a gaseous state; anda portion of said intermediate heat transfer medium is supplied as the lubricant for the bearings of the turbine and generator.

Abstract: A method and system for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy and producing a flow of pressurized gas in a closed loop with a gas pressurizing unit, a heat storage unit, a cooling unit and a gas absorption unit. The gas pressurizing unit includes a tank in which a mother liquor such as a mixture of ammonia and water is vaporized to produce the pressurized gas flow. The pressure in the tank pumps the mother liquor up against gravity through a second heat storage tank which is part of the heat storage unit and to the cooling unit where the liquor is injected into a third cooled tank forming a part thereof. From the third tank the liquor flows through a microporous tube in a fourth tank forming part of the gas absorption unit where the liquor absorbs spent gas which is supplied thereto.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are disclosed in which a very cold gas, e.g. air, is injected into an upflowing stream of water to aerate and help lift the liquid at accelerated velocity. The gas-liquid mixture is discharged at high velocity into a separating zone converting dynamic energy into pressure energy; gas flows out to drive an expansion engine while the liquid next flows to a deep storage zone, entrapping gas as it descends at considerable velocity. The expanding gas is cooled by expansion and returned to the first stage. Meanwhile, the entrapped downflowing gas is allowed to collect above the liquid in deep storage under pressure, from whence it can be released for expansion, as in an engine, with further cooling to lower still further the temperature of the gas going to the first step. In a modification, a very cold gas, such as liquid nitrogen, may be used in the first step, means being provided for obtaining work and reliquefying the latter gas.

Abstract: The invention involves thermodynamic processes, heat engines, and ways of making gaseous fluid jets by using primarily the latent heat of condensation for the energy required. A vapor such as water vapor is mixed with a gaseous fluid such as air, and the mixture is expanded in a nozzle sufficiently to condense a substantial portion of the vapor and transform the latent heat of the condensation into kinetic energy of the gaseous fluid. The process can be used to form a gaseous fluid jet, which can be used to drive the turbine of a heat engine for either open-cycle or closed-cycle operation. Moist ambient wind can be used as the energy source for producing a jet that drives a wind turbine, or a boiler can be used to form saturated vapor mixed with the gaseous fluid and directed into the nozzle.

Abstract: Improved power cycles for improving the production of power and refrigeration and for conserving thermal energy, utilizing as a common basic characteristic, a hydride-dehydride-hydrogen power cycle in which hydrogen is reversibly combined with a hydride-forming material at a relatively low temperature and pressure, the hydrided material is then heated at constant volume to chemically compress the hydrogen, and finally the material is dehydrided by further heating the material to release hydrogen gas at relatively high pressure and temperature. The pressurized high temperature hydrogen gas as thus developed is used in various ways for producing power and refrigeration, including functioning as a low temperature heat sink for certain auxiliary or ancillary power cycles, prior to recycling the hydrogen gas for reuse in the described hydride-dehydride-hydrogen cycle.

Abstract: Method of producing high energy pressurized gas working fluid power from a low energy, low temperature heat source, wherein the compression energy is gained by using the low energy heat source to desorb hydrogen gas from a metal hydride bed and the desorbed hydrogen for producing power is recycled to the bed, where it is re-adsorbed, with the recycling being powered by the low energy heat source. In one embodiment, the adsorption-desorption cycle provides a chemical compressor that is powered by the low energy heat source, and the compressor is connected to a regenerative gas turbine having a high energy, high temperature heat source with the recycling being powered by the low energy heat source.

Abstract: A method of recovering energy by means of a cyclic thermodynamic process which is induced by means of a medium comprising at least two substances or groups of substances, one of which substances is separated from the other at a point w' defining a first thermodynamic parameter of the medium and combined with the other one of said substances at a second point w" defining second thermodynamic parameter of the medium while a differential in total pressure of the medium is maintained between the two points. The separation and combination of the two substances are induced by diffusion whereby one of the substances or groups of substances is diffused out of the other one of the substances or groups of substances at the first point and diffused into the other substances at the second point.

Abstract: The invention described herein is a new and novel prime mover device which operates as in integral component of a heat vapor cycle which, in combination, represents a heat engine system consisting of a closed, vertically oriented fluid recirculation system, utilizing a non-compressible fluid as a working medium.Wherein the device's fluid downward flowing section comprises a fluid penstock and a hydraulic turbine, whose function is the conversion of the downward flowing fluid's potential energy into kinetical energy and then into mechanical energy by driving the turbine which, in turn, drives the electrical generator.

Abstract: A gaseous fluid is combined with a liquid to form a transient foam for processing the fluid as by compression, expansion, condensation, heat exchange or chemical reaction.

Abstract: A rotary engine includes an outer body arranged to rotate on a stationary member, the outer body having an eccentric circular cavity cooperating with radial vanes from the stationary body which sequentially reciprocate so that a series of volumes sequentially increase and decrease in size. Ammonia gas under pressure is introduced on one side of the vanes and when the volumes containing the gas pass their maximum value and start to decrease, water is injected which is immediately absorbed in the ammonia gas to create a vacuum. As a consequence, a push-pull action is provided in each volume to rotate the outer member about the stationary member. A tire may be held on the outer member to provide a vehicle wheel which serves simultaneously as a rolling support and a driving engine for the vehicle.

Abstract: A solar reactor engine is disclosed which includes a concrete or other suitable housing having a reactor chamber therein. In one embodiment, the reactor chamber is cylindrical. A solar intensifier, such as a parabolic reflector, is mounted on top of the reactor housing. The parabolic reflector collects and intensifies solar rays and guides them down through a solar sight glass, mounted on top of the housing, into the reactor chamber. The concentrated beam of light is directed onto a reflector cone within the reactor chamber which disperses solar rays throughout the chamber. Hydrogen and chlorine are conducted into the reactor chamber and react with controlled explosive violence when exposed to the solar rays. Atmospheric oxygen is used as a control medium to regulate the energy given off by the reaction of the hydrogen and chlorine in the presence of solar energy. The heat and pressure thus formed are utilized to drive a turbine, the output of which is utilized to drive a suitable utilization device.

Abstract: A solar reactor engine is disclosed which includes a concrete or other suitable housing having a reactor chamber therein. In one embodiment, the reactor chamber is cylindrical. A solar intensifier, such as a parabolic reflector, is mounted on top of the reactor housing. The parabolic reflector collects and intensifies solar rays and guides them down through a solar sight glass, mounted on top of the housing, into the reactor chamber. The concentrated beam of light is directed onto a reflector cone within the reactor chamber which disperses solar rays throughout the chamber. Hydrogen and chlorine are conducted into the reactor chamber and react with controlled explosive violence when exposed to the solar rays. Oxygen is used as a control medium to regulate the energy given off by the reaction of the hydrogen and chlorine in the presence of solar energy. The heat and pressure thus formed are utilized to drive a turbine, the output of which is utilized to drive a suitable utilization device.

Abstract: A steam or vapor engine comprising a vapor generating apparatus, at least one cylinder with a piston working in the cylinder, and pipes and valves for supplying vapor from the vapor generating apparatus to a closed chamber, formed in the cylinder, and for discharging vapor from the cylinder chamber after a working stroke, and an apparatus for supplying an additive, which rapidly expands at the temperature of the vapor, to the cylinder chamber essentially simultaneously with the vapor.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus for implementing the method, for simultaneously generating electrical power and producing refrigeration, utlizing an absorption/regeneration power cycle, and performing useful work with the heat rejected from the cycle. In the cycle, a working fluid is absorbed by a carrier fluid by an exothermic chemical reaction wherein the heat released is utilized to perform useful work. After absorption, the original fluids are regenerated by an endothermic chemical reaction with the required energy supplied by an external prime source. Surplus energy stored in the fluids after regeneration is extracted and utilized to generate electrical power, produce refrigeration, and provide internally required energy.

Abstract: A process for generating energy by utilizing the osmotic pressure resulting when two liquids having different chemical potentials are each placed in contact with opposite sides of the same semipermeable membrane. The process is particularly applicable to the production of energy from the system sea water/fresh water. The sea water is in the form of an enclosed body having an outlet orifice in communication therewith. The fresh water passes through the semipermeable membrane causing the osmotic pressure which ejects a stream of salt water through the outlet orifice.

Abstract: A variable volume chamber such as defined by a cylinder and piston has closed circuit connections to a given gas and a given liquid for which the gas has a chemical affinity when in physical contact therewith. By bringing the liquid and gas together in the confines of the closed chamber, the rapid absorption of the gas creates a vacuum or implosion effect which results in the piston being driven by the pressure differential further into the cylinder. The same process can be used to drive a rotary engine, there being required no heat, ignition system, or exhaust to the atmosphere of gas.

Abstract: A gas generator is disclosed which will simply and reliably effect a gas producing reaction between a gaseous and a liquid reactant. The generator can operate at elevated temperatures and has heat exchange means incorporated. The gas generator is applied as a hydrogen generator to an energy conversion system in which hydrogen from the hydrogen-producing reaction powers a fuel cell and the reaction heat from the hydrogen producing reaction powers a thermal engine, thereby enhancing the energy conversion system relative to one in which the hydrogen generator is merely cooled and its heat is rejected as waste heat. Other possible energy conversion systems based on this gas generator are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for generating power in a variable volume engine using a liquid solvent and a soluble gas. Power is generated by decreasing the pressure within one or more variable volume chambers through the solution of ammonia in water when each chamber is at or near a maximum volume. The resulting differential between the atmospheric pressure and the reduced pressure within the chamber is used to generate mechanical power. The combing of the water and ammonia gas may take place within a conventional cylinder at a point in time when the associated piston is approximately bottom dead center. In a second embodiment, the ammonia and water is mixed in a tank at a remote location from the piston and cylinder. The cylinder is operatively connected with the tank such that the vacuum developed in the tank may be employed within the cylinder for the production of power.

Abstract: A de facto wall-less heat exchanger system wherein a non-volatile heated liquid from a nuclear, geothermal or other source of heat is introduced into a chamber containing a highly volatile fluid which is chemically non-reactive with the non-volatile liquid. The volatile fluid is converted to a pressurized vapor which may be used to drive a turbine for the production of useful energy, to pump the non-volatile liquid or to pump a different fluid.