ENERGY CONVERSION APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a device for converting thermal energy, i.e. a temperature difference between two sources, into mechanical energy, i.e. an internal combustion engine.

In the refrigeration devices, it is known to use a pressure difference to the motor driver which pump the cooling fluid. Check can be for example the patents of the United States of America n? 2,156 906,2,986 898 and 3,067 590. Such devices require however the power supply of the compressor, the operation and consumes energy in total.

A feature of the invention is the use of a temperature difference, in a heat transfer system to closed loop, creating mechanical energy. More specifically, the apparatus comprises an evaporator disposed in a first zone at a first temperature, a condenser disposed in a second area at a lower temperature, a first conduit connecting the outlet of 1¹ evaporator to the inlet of the condenser, a second conduit connecting the condenser outlet to the input of 1' evaporator, in the form of a closed loop, and a heat transfer fluid having a liquid phase and a vapor phase. The fluid does not contain air and the pressure in 1' evaporator is greater than the pressure in the condenser. A motor located within the first conduit is controlled by the difference in pressures of steam between 1 'evaporator and the condenser and drives a pump placed in the second conduit/that passes fluid transfer the condenser outlet to the input of 1' evaporator. The energy available at the output of the engine, due to the pressure difference prevailing in the Bath, is greater than the energy required for the pump drives the liquid from the condenser to 1' evaporator. Excess energy can be used for external work. Operation absorbs heat in the warm zone cools.

According to another feature, the apparatus includes a control valve mounted in series with the motor between) the output of 1' evaporator and the inlet of the condenser.

The invention also relates to an apparatus provided with a check valve connected in series with the pump between the outlet of the condenser and the input of 1' evaporator and preventing the return of the liquid 1¹ evaporator to the condenser.

L * evaporator has an exposed surface of large. Furthermore, the system includes apparatus for removing distilled water. A device retains heat, directly or indirectly, from the sun in the day, anda continued operation in the absence of a difference in temperature between the two zones.

Other features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent better still from the description which will follow, made with reference to the accompanying drawings on which:

figure 1 shows schematically a system according to the invention; and

figure 2 represents a system according to another embodiment of the invention.

The operation of the apparatus requires as there is a temperature difference for example between a first zone 10 at a temperature T1 and a second area 11 at a temperature T2 less than T1. An evaporator 12 is arranged in the first region 10 and a condenser 13 in the second area 11. The two zones are separated by a wall 14, of-insulating reference.

The output of 1' evaporator is connected by the conduit 16 to the inlet of the condenser 13. The output thereof is connected by the conduit 17 has the input of 1' evaporator.

A heat transfer fluid having a liquid phase and a vapor phase can be for example water. The system is emptied of air that it may contain and partially filled with liquid water. In 1¹ evaporator, the water turns to steam by absorbing heat from the area 10. The pressure increases in the conduit 16 to the output of 1' evaporator, so that the steam is directed to the condenser which is at a lower pressure. The motor 20 of the conduit 16 is controlled by the steam passing of the elevated pressure of 1' evaporator dq & ondenseur the low pressure. In the latter, the heated steam transmits its heat to the atmosphere in the region 11 and returns to the liquid state. However, due to the difference in pressure in the system, the liquid of the condenser cannot return to 1' evaporator.

A pump 21 disposed in the conduit 17 is mechanical-. member associated with the engine 20 the pressure difference and returns the liquid in 1' evaporator. The volume of the vapor is very larger than the volume of the liquid. Therefore, the work output from the engine 20 is above that which is needed to drive the pump 21, ¥ and a portion of the work can be transmitted to a load 22 external to the system.

A .24 check valve placed in the conduit 17 between the pump 21 and the input of 1 'evaporator 12 prevents the backflow of liquid 1' evaporator to the condenser. A valve 25 control in the conduit. 16 between the outlet of the evaporator 12 and the motor 20 is controlled by the pressure in 1' evaporator. It opens only when the pressure difference between 1' evaporator and the condenser which is sufficient to ensure the operation of the engine 20.

L * evaporator 12 is preferably a relatively large closed chamber, in the form of a shallow vessel. Its surface is large and promotes absorption of heat.

Figure 2 represents a that maintains the cha-

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their so as to continue/operation and the transmission of mechanical energy to a load when the temperature in the first zone is not sufficiently high with respect to that of the second zone so that the necessary pressure differential is maintained; the apparatus also aids in the removal of distilled water of the condenser. As in the case of Figure 1, the apparatus is driven by a fluid in liquid form and Bath (for example water) without the system does not contain air.

Two areas 30 and 31 are separated by a wall 32.

In the first zone, 1' to\⁷ aporateur 33 has an inlet 34 connected to a supply of suitable water not shown. The output 35 of 1' evaporator is connected by a valve 36 to a motor 37 to Bath. The output of the motor is connected to the condenser 39 in the region 31. The motor 37 is mechanically associated with a generator 40 and transmits also optionally V working to a load 41. The outlet of the condenser 39 is connected to a pump 43 and valve 44 has a retaining, and to a valve bypass 45.

During normal operation, as in the case of Figure 1, the first region 30 is at a temperature above that of the second region 31. The the evaporator 33 liquid vaporizes and creates a pressure at the outlet 35. The valve 36, when the pressure is sufficient, opens and allows the steam to pass to the motor 37 which rotates and drives the generator 40 while transmitting work to the load 41. The steam passes in the wall 32 to the condenser where it is cooled and passes into a liquid state. The pump 43 passes the condensate the outlet of the condenser 39 through the valve 44 and the valve 45 to the outlet 46 which can be connected to a suitable tank not shown.

The apparatus of Figure 2 allows the operation to proceed when the difference in temperature between the two zones 30 and 31 is not sufficient to create the required difference in pressure to cause the vapor travels to the valve 36 and controls the motor 37.

First, a burner 48 is arranged to be able to heat 1' evaporator 33. In this case, the operation of the system continues as described previously.

The apparatus enables further power conservation when the temperature difference is high, energy can be used when the temperature difference is too low. A auxiliary evaporator 50 is filled with water and has an outlet 51 connected by the valve 52 to the valve 36. The inlet 53 of 1 * evaporator 50 is connected to the valve 45. The valve 52 is adapted to open only when the temperature in evaporator 1*50 is sufficient to cause the operation of the system is maintained.

The reservoir 50 is provided for supporting a substantial pressure, and it stores energy in the form of heat.

It is preferably spherical and its outer surface is black, thereby promoting the absorption of heat, especially when the energy source is the sun. Both that the valve 52 remains closed, the thermal transfer to 1' evaporator 50 simply increases its temperature and pressure. In addition to 1 'direct storage of heat energy, some of the energy transmitted by the motor 37, when operating under control of 1' evaporator 33, drives the generator 40 whose output is connected to either the heating device 55 1' evaporator 50 is to a battery 56 through a switch 57. The energy stored in the battery 56 can be used to control the heating device 55 by closing the switch 58.

If the pressure at the output of 1 'evaporator 33 drops to a lower value than that required for the operation, the valve 36 automatically connected to the output 51 of 1' evaporator 50 to the inlet of the engine 37. Simultaneously, the control 60 changes the position of the valve 45, so that the condensate returns to the condenser 39 1⁵ evaporator 50, as in the apparatus of Figure 1. The system continues to operate with the energy stored in 1 'evaporator 50 or the battery 56, until the pressure in 1' evaporator 33 rises and controls the valve 36 so that the outlet 35 is connected to the motor 37, or until the temperature falls and that the valve 52 closes.

In a particular installation using solar energy for example, 1 * evaporator 33 normally operates the day when the sun is shining. In the heat energy is stored in 1 * auxiliary evaporator 50.

The night or when there are clouds, -the system continues to operate using the energy stored in the évappra engine/> 0.

The evaporator 33 can be cleaned if necessary, by opening the purge valve 62 and passage of water penetrating to the input 34 which drives the concentrated impurities.

Be 1' * invention has been described and illustrated as a preferred example and that can be provide equivalence technique in its constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.