Gravity Motor Actuated By Weight Of Condensed Vapor Patents (Class 60/675)
  • Patent number: 11692745
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for expelling heat may be provided. For example, an apparatus may comprise a rotating assembly, a support structure, a condenser water tank, and a control system. The apparatus may rotate the rotating assembly such that tanks of the assembly are rotated into and out of the condenser water tank. The rotation may be self-starting and controlled by a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventor: Richard Stockton Trenbath
  • Patent number: 10895248
    Abstract: A geothermal energy system utilizes a Catherine Wheel that spins around an axle to produce power. The Catherine Wheel has a plurality of wheel arms extending radially out from the axle. A fin portion extends from the radial portion at an offset angle, to an exhaust end. A first working fluid, such as supercritical carbon dioxide flows through an arm conduit within the wheel arm and second working fluid, such as a simply hydrocarbon mixes with the first working fluid and both flow through a turbine. The turbine is configured within the wheel arm conduit and it turns as the combined working fluids vaporize. The fluids are expelled and the second working fluid may be condensed and recirculated while the first working fluid may be expelled back into a geothermal reservoir. The geothermal energy system efficiently and effectively produces power by using geothermal energy to vaporize a hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Inventors: Kang Zhou, Hassan Jafari
  • Patent number: 9488128
    Abstract: A thermal torque engine comprising a hot box heated by a thermal agent and a wheel having a plurality of peripherally mounted canisters with diametrically opposed canisters connected by a conduit. One of the pair of canisters having a quantity of refrigerant that is pressurized when within the hot box. The pressurized refrigerant moves to the cooler canister with the process continuing for subsequent paired canisters as long as there is a predetermined thermal difference between the interior and exterior of the hot box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventor: Scott Sparkman
  • Patent number: 9267489
    Abstract: An engine for converting thermal energy to kinetic energy includes a first zone, a second zone, and a movable loop extending between the first zone and the second zone. Containers are attached to the loop such that the loop and the containers are movable conjointly between the first zone and the second zone. Each of the containers is adapted to receive a varying amount of a working fluid therein and is adapted to be in a plurality of states, including a first state, in which it contains a first amount of the working fluid, and a second state, in which it contains a second, larger amount of the working fluid. Each of the containers is caused to be in its first state as it moves through the first zone and in its second state as it moves through the second zone so as to impart motion to the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Inventor: Seong Woong Kim
  • Patent number: 9157332
    Abstract: The hydrodynamic energy generation system includes a vertically aligned housing comprising a hollow interior and an opening at a top, wherein the housing is at least partially submerged in a body of water, a valve coupled to a top of the housing for regulating an amount of water that enters the opening at the top and falls into the housing, wherein the valve is located under a water line, a water wheel coupled to a generator that produces electrical power when the water wheel is moved by water that falls into the housing, a reservoir located below the water wheel for holding water, a pump for removing water from the reservoir, and a water jet for receiving water from the pump and jettisoning water towards the water wheel, so as to move the water wheel and cause the generator to produce electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Inventor: Ibrahim Hanna
  • Patent number: 9097242
    Abstract: An engine for extracting energy from a heat source, comprising a support, a shaft rotatably coupled to the support and being rotatable in a first direction, a plurality of vessels coupled to and spaced about the shaft, a working fluid provided in the plurality of vessels, and a plurality of conduits connecting the vessels together in a circuitous fluid circuit. Each conduit has an outlet end connected to one of the plurality of vessels, an inlet end connected to another one of the plurality of vessels, and a one-way check valve configured to allow the working fluid to flow out of the one vessel via the outlet end, through the conduit and into the another vessel via the inlet end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Inventor: Harold Emerson Godwin
  • Patent number: 8984883
    Abstract: A hydroelectric and geothermal system includes a fluid communication channel that includes a first portion that extends from the earth's surface toward a subterranean hot area, a second portion connected to the first portion and in thermal communication with the subterranean hot area, and a third portion connected to the second portion and that extends to the earth's surface. A first turbine generator is configured to convert kinetic energy of a fluid flowing substantially under the influence of gravity in the first portion of the fluid communication channel into electrical energy. A second turbine generator is configured to convert kinetic energy of a vapor flowing within or out from the third portion of the fluid communication channel into electrical energy. The system also includes a valve arrangement configured for manipulation to hold the fluid in the second portion of the fluid communication channel in thermal communication with the subterranean hot area to produce the vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: William Riley
  • Patent number: 8776519
    Abstract: The various embodiments provide a power-generating plant including a dynamic floating platform that is configured to efficiently produce 100 MW of power using a honeycomb configuration of mist lift cells. The mist lift columns are configured to optimize performance and to adjust configurations of components to compensate for changes in orientation of the platform and temperature of sea water in order to manage power output of the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Van Ryzin, Steven Rizea
  • Patent number: 8739540
    Abstract: A hermetic Rankine cycle in a sealed casing powers an internal centrifugal condensate pump with an internal vapor turbine during forced convective heat transfer between a heat source and a heat sink. No work is imported into the cycle during operation. A centrifugal pumping disk shears the working fluid against a heating surface, sweeping evolving vapor into radial vortices which provide sink flow conduits to a vapor space at the center of the cylindrical turbine. Convective mass flow through the vapor space to the condensing end of the casing spins the turbine and the centrifugal pumping disk which is connected to it. Vapor is continuously swept from the heating surface, so bubbles do not form and superheat while blocking heat flux into liquid working fluid. Vapor is sucked through the radial vortices into the central vapor space and into the condensing end of the casing along the low pressure gradients in vortex cores established by cooling power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: McCutchen Co.
    Inventors: Wilmot H. McCutchen, David J. McCutchen
  • Publication number: 20140109564
    Abstract: A power-generating tower comprises: at least one of the lower heat-exchange assemblies, at least one of the upper heat-exchange assemblies, a tower structure arranged to support each upper heat-exchange assembly, at least one ascending circulating-fluid column within the tower structure, at least one descending circulating-fluid column within the tower structure, and at least one turbine. Each ascending column is arranged and connected to receive the circulating fluid from at least one of the lower heat-exchange assemblies and to convey the circulating fluid thus received upward and into at least one of the upper heat-exchange assemblies. Each descending column is arranged and connected to receive the circulating fluid from at least one of the upper heat-exchange assemblies and to convey the circulating fluid thus received downward and into at least one of the lower heat-exchange assemblies. The turbine is arranged to be driven by flow of circulating fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Steven A. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20140096520
    Abstract: A thermal energy conversion plant, wherein a pressurized liquefied working fluid gasifies in an evaporator unit located at the lower level of a closed-loop thermodynamic circuit, ascends through a widening ascending conduit to a condenser unit located at the upper level of said thermodynamic circuit, condenses and falls because gravity powering a power extraction apparatus, before entering back into the evaporator, and restarting the cycle. A much lighter pressuring gas could be optionally included in the widening ascending conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventor: Gaspar Pablo Paya Diaz
  • Patent number: 8646272
    Abstract: There is provided a Rankine cycle system which generates electricity by using heat as an energy source, in which a conventional pump for carrying a working fluid is not used, thereby reducing the cost of manufacturing the Rankine cycle system, saving the electric power consumed to operate the pump and therefore obtaining a greater output of power, and in which a control system is used to automatically operate the Rankine cycle system, thereby enabling to stably operate the Rankine cycle system even though a heat source is intermittently supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Energy Research
    Inventors: Young Jin Baik, Huyng Kee Yoon, Ki Chang Chang, Min Sung Kim, Young Soo Lee, Ho Sang Ra, Seong Ryong Park, Jun Tack Park
  • Patent number: 8640461
    Abstract: A power-generating tower comprises: at least one of the lower heat-exchange assemblies, at least one of the upper heat-exchange assemblies, a tower structure arranged to support each upper heat-exchange assembly, at least one ascending circulating-fluid column within the tower structure, at least one descending circulating-fluid column within the tower structure, and at least one turbine. Each ascending column is arranged and connected to receive the circulating fluid from at least one of the lower heat-exchange assemblies and to convey the circulating fluid thus received upward and into at least one of the upper heat-exchange assemblies. Each descending column is arranged and connected to receive the circulating fluid from at least one of the upper heat-exchange assemblies and to convey the circulating fluid thus received downward and into at least one of the lower heat-exchange assemblies. The turbine is arranged to be driven by flow of circulating fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Steven A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8633604
    Abstract: An engine is provided that utilizes an active heat exchanger such as a heat pump to transfer heat into and remove heat from a low boiling point liquid that is disposed in a pair of diametrically opposed containers. The addition of heat into the low-boiling point liquid causes the liquid to move vertically from a bottom container to a top container, transforming the transferred heat energy into potential energy. The top container is allowed to fall under the weight of the transferred liquid, transforming the potential energy to kinetic energy which is used to perform the desired work. The expanding low-boiling point liquid can also be used to advance a magnetic back and forth through a wire coiling to produce an electric current, converting the transferred heat energy into electrical energy. The use of an active heat exchanger such as a heat pump permits the use of one unit of electrical energy to transfer 3 to 5 units of heat energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Miller
  • Patent number: 8393153
    Abstract: To convert energy, firstly a non-gaseous carrier medium is converted into a gaseous carrier medium by the introduction of thermal energy, so that the gaseous carrier medium rises and gains potential energy. Then the gaseous carrier medium is converted back at a specified height into a non-gaseous carrier medium. The potential energy of the recovered non-gaseous carrier medium can then be converted into another desired energy form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Klaus Wolter
  • Patent number: 8042338
    Abstract: This invention consists of a process for utilizing the atmospheric temperature variation with height to produce useful energy. It is accomplished by the use of a lighter than air condensable fluid or mixture of fluids circulating between heat exchangers at different altitudes, with a two phase flow return.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: Anthony Russo
  • Publication number: 20110169277
    Abstract: An engine is provided that utilizes an active heat exchanger such as a heat pump to transfer heat into and remove heat from a low boiling point liquid that is disposed in a pair of diametrically opposed containers. The addition of heat into the low-boiling point liquid causes the liquid to move vertically from a bottom container to a top container, transforming the transferred heat energy into potential energy. The top container is allowed to fall under the weight of the transferred liquid, transforming the potential energy to kinetic energy which is used to perform the desired work. The expanding low-boiling point liquid can also be used to advance a magnetic back and forth through a wire coiling to produce an electric current, converting the transferred heat energy into electrical energy. The use of an active heat exchanger such as a heat pump permits the use of one unit of electrical energy to transfer 3 to 5 units of heat energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Miller
  • Publication number: 20110000212
    Abstract: A non-gaseous carrier medium is converted into a gaseous carrier medium by means of introduced heat energy, so that the gaseous carrier medium rises to a predefined height. The gaseous carrier medium is compressed. The compressed gaseous carrier medium is reconverted at the predefined height into a non-gaseous carrier medium by means of a cooling circuit receiving heat of the carrier medium. The heat received by the cooling circuit is then returned to be used for heating the carrier medium at any desired suitable location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Klaus Wolter
  • Publication number: 20100212321
    Abstract: A power-generating tower comprises: at least one of the lower heat-exchange assemblies, at least one of the upper heat-exchange assemblies, a tower structure arranged to support each upper heat-exchange assembly, at least one ascending circulating-fluid column within the tower structure, at least one descending circulating-fluid column within the tower structure, and at least one turbine. Each ascending column is arranged and connected to receive the circulating fluid from at least one of the lower heat-exchange assemblies and to convey the circulating fluid thus received upward and into at least one of the upper heat-exchange assemblies. Each descending column is arranged and connected to receive the circulating fluid from at least one of the upper heat-exchange assemblies and to convey the circulating fluid thus received downward and into at least one of the lower heat-exchange assemblies. The turbine is arranged to be driven by flow of circulating fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Steven A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7694515
    Abstract: An engine is provided that utilizes an active heat exchanger such as a heat pump to transfer heat into and remove heat from a low boiling point liquid that is disposed in a pair of diametrically opposed containers. The addition of heat into the low-boiling point liquid causes the liquid to move vertically from a bottom container to a top container, transforming the transferred heat energy into potential energy. The top container is allowed to fall under the weight of the transferred liquid, transforming the potential energy to kinetic energy which is used to perform the desired work. The expanding low-boiling point liquid can also be used to advance a magnetic back and forth through a wire coiling to produce an electric current, converting the transferred heat energy into electrical energy. The use of an active heat exchanger such as a heat pump permits the use of one unit of electrical energy to transfer 3 to 5 units of heat energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Miller
  • Patent number: 7578139
    Abstract: A controller reduces a rotational speed of a Rankine cycle from a predetermined normal rotational speed during an operation of a compressor in a predetermined state when the controller determines that a predicted refrigerant flow quantity, which is predicted by assuming that the compressor is operated in a sole operation of the Rankine cycle at the predetermined normal rotational speed of the Rankine cycle, exceeds a predetermined flow quantity. The predetermined state is a state that satisfies a predetermined condition, which relates to the sole operation of the Rankine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Michio Nishikawa, Atsushi Inaba, Hironori Asa, Hiroshi Kishita
  • Patent number: 7363760
    Abstract: A free walking beam that uses the principles of the Stirling cycle to drive a piston reciprocatatively through a housing cylinder to pivot alternately around a pair of parallel power output shafts to provide a high torque means of generating mechanical energy. The heat differential required for the Stirling cycle is provided by an external heat source such as ambient heat, solar-heated fluid, or recovered waste heat that is applied to the lower end of the housing cylinder when in a substantially vertical position that elevates the piston to the opposing end thereof to create an imbalanced state thereby initiating the rotational freefall of the superior end of the housing cylinder which drives the power output shaft on which it is pivoting. The process is then repeated with the other power output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Craig R McCrea
  • Patent number: 6931852
    Abstract: A steam engine increases efficiency and prevents corrosion, abrasion, and the like in a part receiving steam pressure. A heater and a cooler are provided on one side of a U-shaped fluid container, and a piston for output is provided on its other side. The heater heats working fluid to vaporize the fluid. The expansion pressure of steam of the working fluid depresses a fluid level in a first vertical pipe. The liquid component of the working fluid flows from the first vertical pipe into a second vertical pipe, thereby applying pressure to the piston in an upward direction. Then, the liquid component of the working fluid functions as a liquid piston directly receiving the expansion pressure of the steam, so that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of corrosion, abrasion and the like in the part receiving steam pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Yatsuzuka, Yasumasa Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 6922998
    Abstract: A heat engine includes a plurality of heating side expansion chambers and cooling side expansion chambers, positioned on opposite sides of an axis, for providing rotation of an apparatus about its axis when the fluids inside the chambers expand and contract on the same side and plane of a rotational axis. This is accomplished by, shifting the weight of fluids off-balance, or a weight, when the fluid, expands and exerts a pressure on an elastic wall inside an expansion chamber and contracts and reduces pressure on an elastic wall inside an expansion chamber, or by moving an element or ring, through actuators, when fluids expand and contract in the expansion chambers. The engine further includes a heat source and a structure for supporting the expansion chambers and heat source, and providing direction of a desired motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: George E. Bittner
  • Patent number: 6651434
    Abstract: A liquid is evaporated by the sun, raised as vapor, condensed and stored in tanks. These tanks are connected to a turbine. Turbine is feed by the condensed liquid, and then the liquid is evaporated again. The system is closed and the liquid has an intermediate boiling point between ambient temperature in sun areas (South) and ambient temperature in shade areas (North).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Gines Sanchez Gomez
  • Patent number: 6644026
    Abstract: There is provided, an embodiment, a machine and a method for utilizing the roll of on imbalanced seesaw-like system to obtain useable power. A buoy 11 filled with air is immersed in water inside a container 13, at each end of rolling seesaw. One buoy 11 displaces water outwards, by the force of its buoyancy, in one container 13, while another buoy 11 displaces water inward, by derivative force acting on it in an outwards direction, in the other container 13. The buoys 11 are connected by a pipe 10, which moves the buoys, back and forth, in the containers 13. During the roll, one container 13 becomes heavier than the other and always on the same side of the rolling path, which keeps the seesaw rolling in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Ezra Shimshi
  • Publication number: 20030033806
    Abstract: A heat engine includes a plurality of heating side expansion chambers and cooling side expansion chambers, positioned on opposite sides of an axis, for providing rotation of an apparatus about its axis when the fluids inside the chambers expand and contract on the same side and plane of a rotational axis. This is accomplished by, shifting the weight of fluids off-balance, or a weight, when the fluid, expands and exerts a pressure on an elastic wall inside an expansion chamber and contracts and reduces pressure on an elastic wall inside an expansion chamber, or by moving an element or ring, through actuators, when fluids expand and contract in the expansion chambers. The engine further includes a heat source and a structure for supporting the expansion chambers and heat source, and providing direction of a desired motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: George E. Bittner
  • Patent number: 6510687
    Abstract: A power plant and method for the generation of power from flowing air utilizes a generally vertically extending duct having an inlet open to atmosphere at an elevation above an outlet. A spray system is mounted adjacent the inlet for spraying droplets of a predetermined amount of water into the air causing the air and droplet mixture to become cooler and denser than the outside air to create a down draft of fluid within the duct. A power system mounted adjacent the outlet recovers energy from the downdraft of fluid passing through it. The predetermined amount of water sprayed is greater than the amount of water that would theoretically and potentially evaporate in the air throughout the entire elevation over an unlimited time period using fresh water droplets. The power plant can also be synergistically combined with desalination systems and aquaculture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Sharav Sluices Ltd.
    Inventors: Dan Zaslavsky, Rami Guetta, Rony Hitron, Grigory Krivchenko, Michael Burt, Michael Poreh
  • Patent number: 6434941
    Abstract: A room temperature heat engine, wherein only one pipe structure for connecting a high pressure part to a low pressure part, which is a fatal structural defect of the room temperature heat engine for decorative toys (water drinking bird, peace bird) which merely produces a weak and small mechanical energy, is improved so as to produce much powerful mechanical energy for practical use of the engine, no energy source being required because the energy used for power generation is a beat obtained from the atmospheric temperature, the high and low temperature parts are connected to each other through at least two pipes, the high temperature and low temperature parts are formed in a stationary large-sized structure, two pipes are used exclusively for a gas-only pipe and a liquid-only pipe, and a turbine wheel is installed in the fluid-only pipe so as to turn the waterwheel under a fluid flow from the low temperature part for power generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventors: Hanako Narutomi, Hiroshi Usui
  • Patent number: 6434942
    Abstract: A building, or other self-supporting structure, incorporating a multi-stage system for energy generation, is disclosed. The system comprises several elements connected together to form a loop within the self-supporting structure. A moving fluid circulates within the loop. Part of the loop is comprised of a series of connected solar building blocks incorporated into the walls of the structure. The building blocks concentrate and collect solar radiation, to directly produce electricity by means of embedded photovoltaic cells, and to heat a moving fluid which carries thermal energy away from the solar cells and vertically up to a gas turbine connected to an electrical generator. The returning fluid, is condensed to a liquid and directed downwardly to a liquid turbine connected to an electrical generator. A return pipe closes the loop by returning the fluid to the bottom of the series of building blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: Walter T. Charlton
  • Patent number: 6422016
    Abstract: A system generates energy using the difference in elevation between an upper elevation (e.g., at the top of a mountain) and a lower one (e.g., at or near the bottom of the mountain.) The system includes a compressor located at the upper location which supplies compressed gas through a conduit to a mixing chamber at the lower elevation. A plurality of turbine-generator sets are located at different elevations along the conduit for extracting energy from the compressed gas. A control unit connected to the conduit supplies pulses of the compressed gas to the mixing chamber for mixing with mercury to produce a mercury-gas mixture. An injector injects pulses of the mercury-gas mixture into a turbine so as to impact against the turbine blades and drive the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Mohammed Alkhamis
  • Patent number: 6412281
    Abstract: An energy generating system includes a conduit in the form of a loop with an upflow section and a downflow section. A working liquid such as water is received within the conduit and has an ambient temperature and a boiling point. A supply subsystem including a vessel in communication with an input port at a lower portion of the upflow section of the conduit is configured to provide to the conduit a pumping liquid. The pumping liquid has a boiling point greater than the ambient temperature and less than the boiling point of the working liquid. A heating subsystem is configured to heat the working liquid within the conduit to a temperature greater than the boiling point of the pumping liquid by a predetermined differential. Accordingly, the pumping liquid is vaporized after passing through the input port into the working fluid, thereby generating pumping gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
  • Patent number: 6240729
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting thermal energy to mechanical motion including a frame mounted onto an axle above a heat source. A flow circuit including at least three elongate chambers connected by fluid conduits is mounted onto the frame, and one-way valves provided in the flow circuit permit one-way fluid flow within the flow circuit. The heat source heats a motive fluid contained within the chambers beyond its boiling point, which increases the vapor pressure within the heated chamber, thereby forcing fluid out of the chamber and into the chamber immediately downstream in the flow circuit. The increased weight of the downstream chamber creates a torque about the axle, rotating the frame in an upstream direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: WaferMasters Incorporated
    Inventors: Woo Sik Yoo, Taro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5873249
    Abstract: A system generates energy using the difference in elevation between an upper elevation (e.g., at the top of a mountain) and a lower one (e.g., at or near the bottom of the mountain.) In one embodiment, the system includes a compressor located at the upper location which supplies compressed gas through a conduit to a mixing chamber at the lower elevation. A control unit connected to the conduit supplies pulses of the compressed gas to the mixing chamber for mixing with mercury to produce a mercury-gas mixture. An injector injects pulses of the mercury-gas mixture into a turbine so as to impact against the turbine blades and drive the turbine. In further embodiments, the elevation differential is employed in combination with a pair of weights which are raised and lowered between the two elevations and which are used, when lowered, to generate a driving force for respective turbines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Mohammed Alkhamis
  • Patent number: 5488828
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining energy is disclosed. The method includes heating a fluid in a liquid state by heat exchange with a heat source to generate a vapor of the fluid at a first elevation. The vapor of the fluid is caused to rise to a second elevation within an enclosed space and is condensed at the second elevation by heat exchange with a cold source. The liquid obtained by condensing the vapor is caused to fall from the second elevation and the energy of the falling liquid is converted to another form of energy, which is preferably electricity. The apparatus of the invention includes structure for vaporizing a liquid to form a vapor, a vapor tower for increasing the potential energy of the vapor by causing the vapor to rise along an upwardly-extending path. Structure is also provided for condensing the vapor by heat exchange with a cold source and recovering the increase in potential energy from the vapor, preferably in the form of electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Inventor: Pierre Brossard
  • Patent number: 5483798
    Abstract: Convection towers which are capable of cleaning the pollution from large quantities of air, of generating electricity, and of producing fresh water utilize the evaporation of water sprayed into the towers to create strong airflows and to remove pollution from the air. Turbines in tunnels at the skirt section of the towers generate electricity, and condensers produce fresh water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Melvin L. Prueitt
  • Patent number: 5125233
    Abstract: An apparatus wherein adjacent tubes are arranged directing fluid containing vessels therebetween, wherein the vessels are mounted upon an endless belt supported by upper and lower pulleys. The vessels are alternatively heated and cooled within the respective conduits to effect continuous rotation of the belt and conversion of heated energy to mechanical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventors: John A. Evanger, Rory A. Ellison
  • Patent number: 4760706
    Abstract: Method and system for generating electric power utilizing a coolant circuit, in which a coolant is evaporated at a lower level position, allowed to rise via tubing to a higher level position, liquified at the higher level position, and allowed to flow down to the lower level position in tubing where it impinges a hydraulic turbine connected to a generator. The preferred embodiment includes a vertical tube system of approximately 3000 m length, composed of a long tube for rising vapors and fall tubes for falling liquid coolant. Multiple cooling systems located at the higher level position, including a counterflow cooling system, forced-draught type air cooler, and a step-by-step cooling process, are utilized to liquify the coolant and provide working vapor to power the cooling systems. The coolant is composed to C.sub.3 H.sub.8 and NH.sub.3, which is varied on a percent composition basis to match atmospheric weather conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Inventor: Gamal E. Nasser
  • Patent number: 4757687
    Abstract: An electric power generating system includes a substantially conically tapering tower adapted to provide for the condensation of a vaporized fluid which has risen to the top of the tower. The condensate falls back to ground level, in a stream which actuates an electrical current generating turbine. The system can provide for the vaporization of the fluid to occur as a result of proximal association with a flowing water source, and a subsequent super heating of the vaporized fluid by proximal association with a source of waste heat such as a neighboring power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Inventor: Gamal E. D. Nasser
  • Patent number: 4570444
    Abstract: A solar-powered motor with a wheel-like rotor having a rim separated into hollow compartments. The rotor is designed to revolve around a horizontal axis while containing a volatile liquid in some of its rim compartments. The rotor has a hub, also with separate compartments, and hollow spokes interconnecting the hub with the rim compartments. The interior of the rotor is designed to receive a compressed gas in its hub and sequentially route it, through the hollow spokes, to rim compartments on one side of the rotor axis. When the compressed gas makes contact with the liquid surface in that part of the rim it exerts pressure on that surface. The pressure on the liquid surface forces the liquid to the opposite side of the rotor and into the rim, through an interconnecting series of passageways in the spokes and hub, at a level higher than its original level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Inventor: Walter Gould
  • Patent number: 4450689
    Abstract: A power plant for exploitation of the temperature difference between different water layers in a pelagic area (2), comprising a closed system which is filled with ethane which is both in the liquid and vapor phases. The system comprises two heat exchanging apparatuses (13, 9) which are in fluid communication with each other, of which the first (13) supplies heat to the ethane by means of heat exchange with water from a relatively warmer water layer, while the other (9) removes heat from the ethane by means of heat exchange with water from a colder water layer, whereby a difference in pressure is created in the system which is utilized to take energy out of the system. In order to make the system large enough and the ethane pressure high enough to give a reasonable power yield, the heat exchanging apparatuses are placed in respective chambers (5, 4) which are comprised by cavities in solid or consolidated rock (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Inventor: Per H. Moe
  • Patent number: 4441321
    Abstract: An ocean thermal energy converter (OTEC) generates electricity from warm surface water in dropping 100 meters or so, and then raises it back to the surface using its own thermal energy in a large floating vacuum chamber. The mist flow process as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,216,657 is employed to accelerate water droplets and water vapor upward from the bottom of the chamber under a pressure difference created by spraying cold water from lower ocean levels into the same chamber. The cold water is sprayed upward and parallel to the upper side walls of the chamber to control the flow of the warm droplets, as well as condense the vapor. This cold spray has too small an initial velocity to reach the top of the chamber, but receives momentum from the accelerated warm droplets. The warm water may be injected substantially vertically or alternatively at an angle inclined toward the axis of the chamber to assist in coalescing and concentrating the stream after the individual droplets have been accelerated upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: R & D Associates
    Inventor: Stuart L. Ridgway
  • Patent number: 4430861
    Abstract: The present invention provides an open cycle ocean thermal energy conversion plant for deriving power from the thermal differential between the surface waters and cold waters at a depth in tropical oceans. Warm surface water is sprayed into a lower chamber which is at pressure approximately equal to the vapor pressure of the warm water where part of the water evaporates. The vapor then passes through a venturi or venturis dividing the lower chamber from the upper chamber which is maintained at pressure approximately equal to the vapor pressure of the cold water. The pressure difference across the venturi(s) causes the vapor to emerge into the upper chamber at supersonic speed. Cold water injected into the supersonic jets gains momentum and energy from the jets which causes it to be forced upward to the top of the chamber where it is collected. In the process the vapor is cooled and condensed by cold water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventor: William H. Avery
  • Patent number: 4391100
    Abstract: A closed loop sealed recirculatory water conservation solar power generator is provided herein. It includes a stationary hollow globular water boiler having a water inlet, a steam outlet conduit and a refractor lens window. A parabaterol reflector directs the sun's rays towards the refractor lens window to generate heat to boil the water. A primary steam-powered turbine is connected to the steam outlet conduit and is joined via a steam condensing radiator and a condenser to provide a water outlet which feeds a closed reservoir. A secondary water-powered turbine is provided for the generation of electricity and is connected to the reservoir in such a way that it is selectively driven by water from the reservoir. A valve automatically sequenced for periodic opening is provided, to permit flow of water from the reservoir to the secondary turbine to drive the turbine, and for periodic closing to cut off the flow of water to permit the secondary turbine to remain at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Inventor: Derrick A. Smith
  • Patent number: 4382365
    Abstract: A method and system of energy conversion derived from temperature and pressure differentials that may be provided between high and low elevations. A solution of a liquid in a gas is transported in a first conduit from a low elevation to a high elevation, whereby the absolute pressure and the temperature of the solution change. Some of the liquid separates out of the solution in the first conduit in the form of particles suspended in the remaining solution to create a mixture of the separated particles and the remaining solution in the first conduit as a result of the changes in absolute pressure and temperature, so that at any particular position in the first conduit where the separation takes place, the average proportional density of the mixture after the separation has taken place is decreased in relation to the density of the solution at such position prior to the separation taking place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1983
    Assignees: Gene Sadao Kira, Jens Ole Sorensen
    Inventors: Gene S. Kira, Jens O. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 4372123
    Abstract: A thermal-gravity engine is driven by a changing of the temperature of a vaporizable working fluid (55) in a closed-loop fluid system and the force of gravity operates on a reciprocating lever (12). One or more weight chambers (21), a storage chamber (24), and flow lines (25 and 26) therebetween are arranged in a closed-loop fluid flow system through which the working fluid is pumped. A temperature differential is produced between the two chambers to pump liquid from the storage chamber into each weight chamber in an up position to increase the weight of the weight chamber on an end of the reciprocating lever to move it down in response to the increased weight. The storage chamber is located below each weight chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Austin
  • Patent number: 4355516
    Abstract: A thermodynamic motor has a pulley belt (47) extending semi-circumferentially around a frame (21) for ultimately transmitting the rotational motion of the frame (21) to a rotationally driven unit (49). In differing embodiments the thermodynamic motor comprises containers (33, 333, 334, 335) which are shaped to facilitate the rapid and substantially uniform vaporization of a volatile liquid substance (37) contained therein. Further embodiments described herein include those utilizing detachable containers; cooling means (123) to hasten condensation of the volatile liquid (37); and, a thermostatic control system for maintaining a temperature differential between the containers in each pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Inventor: Charles V. Jones
  • Patent number: 4350015
    Abstract: A closed circuit machine for converting thermal energy into work has a heating fluid circulating therethrough which constitutes a source of heat. The machine includes a tank adapted to hold liquid and traversed by a first coil for circulating the heating fluid. The coil has two ends which are attached to a basin containing liquid. A condenser is positioned above the tank and serves to condense the fluid in the gaseous state, thereby and serving as a cold source capable of removing heat from the tank via a thermally insulated pipe. A hydraulic motor is positioned in the lower portion of a liquid return pipe system which connects the condenser and tank. A Venturi tube is positioned around the condenser, which is coated with a spongy material. The spongy material is continuously humidified, and the combination of the humidified spongy material and the air moving within the Venturi tube accelerates evaporation and therefore the amount of condensed liquid leaving the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Inventor: Herve d'Achon
  • Patent number: 4333314
    Abstract: A heat engine comprises first and second tanks radially mounted for rotation with respect to an axis of rotation and so as to be spaced from each other, a conduit connecting the tanks for transfer of fluid therebetween, a relatively heavy fluid disposed in the tanks for transfer therebetween, apparatus for heating the heavy fluid, and apparatus for introducing a relatively volatile fluid in a condensed state into direct contact with the heavy fluid for vaporization of the volatile fluid at predetermined times during the rotation of the tanks about the axis of rotation such that the expansion of the vaporized volatile fluid causes the heavy fluid to be cyclically transferred from a predetermined one of the tanks to the other of the tanks so as to maintain the rotation of the tanks about the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Inventor: Robert W. Allen
  • Patent number: 4318275
    Abstract: A method of providing useful work utilizing the difference between higher and lower elevations and an attendant difference in temperature. The method includes the step of providing a working medium comprised of more than one component, the components having different temperature values at which they vaporize and condense. Vapors of the working medium are condensed at the location of the higher elevation, and are directed under the force of gravity to means at a lower elevation capable of utilizing the medium in liquid form to produce useful work. The working medium in liquid form absorbs heat at the lower elevation and produces the vapors for the condensation step, the vapors being directed from the lower elevation to the higher elevation for condensing. The composition of the working medium is adjusted to response to changes in ambient temperature to provide a system having maximum efficiency in extracting work from the working medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Melvin H. Brown, William H. Tingle