Method and apparatus utilizing thermally conductive pumps for conversion of thermal energy to mechanical energy

A heat-driven engine comprising:

• (a) a thermally conductive pump having latent heat, to which a working medium is admitted and within which the working medium absorbs said latent heat while undergoing a phase change from a low enthalpy phase to a high enthalpy phase before being expelled from the pump;
• (b) a restrictive cooling element which accepts said working medium in its high enthalpy phase and allows said working medium to release its latent heat and undergo a phase change from a high enthalpy state to a low enthalpy phase;
• (c) a first passage, through which said working medium traverses between said thermally conductive pump and said restrictive cooling element;
• (d) a second passage, through which said working medium traverses between said restrictive cooling element and said thermally conductive pump, said second passage having a heat exchanger, which places said working medium in thermal contact with a heat source or heat sink;
• (e) a heat pump in thermal contact with said thermally conductive pump and said restrictive cooling element, whereby heat is removed from said restrictive cooling element and conducted to said heat pump by said heat exchanger;
• and
• (f) a power transmission element linking the thermally conductive pump to the heat pump and which powers the heat pump.