System and method for free-piston power generation based on thermal differences

An apparatus comprising:

• a generator configured to generate electrical power;
• first and second tanks each configured to receive and store a refrigerant under pressure;
• a first piston assembly having a first piston that divides a volume within the first piston assembly into first and second spaces each configured to receive the refrigerant from at least one of the tanks;
• and
• a second piston assembly having a second piston coupled to the first piston:
• wherein the second piston is configured to pull a fluid into a volume within the second piston assembly and push the fluid out of the volume within the second piston assembly;
• and
• wherein the generator is configured to generate the electrical power based on movement of the fluid.

A system comprising:

• a vehicle comprising a body;
• the vehicle also comprising a power generator, the power generator comprising:
• a generator configured to generate electrical power;
• first and second tanks each configured to receive and store a refrigerant under pressure;
• a first piston assembly having a first piston that divides a volume within the first piston assembly into first and second spaces each configured to receive the refrigerant from at least one of the tanks;
• a second piston assembly having a second piston coupled to the first piston;
• and
• a linear gear extending between the first piston assembly and the second piston assembly, a circular gear attached to and movable with at least one of the pistons and configured to move along the linear gear, and a gearbox configured to translate a rotational speed of the circular gear into a higher rotational speed for the generator;
• wherein the generator is configured to generate the electrical power based on the higher rotational speed produced by the gearbox.

A system comprising:

• a vehicle comprising a body;
• the vehicle also comprising a power generator, the power generator comprising;
• a generator configured to generate electrical power;
• first and second tanks each configured to receive and store a refrigerant under pressure;
• a first piston assembly having a first piston that divides a volume within the first piston assembly into first and second spaces each configured to receive the refrigerant from at least one of the tanks;
• and
• a second piston assembly having a second piston coupled to the first piston:
• wherein the second piston is configured to pull a fluid into a volume within the second piston assembly and push the fluid out of the volume within the second piston assembly;
• and
• wherein the generator is configured to generate the electrical power based on movement of the fluid.

A method comprising:

• storing a refrigerant under pressure in first and second tanks;
• moving a first piston in a first piston assembly based on flows of the refrigerant to and from the tanks, the first piston dividing a volume within the first piston assembly into first and second spaces each configured to receive the refrigerant from at least one of the tanks;
• moving a second piston of a second piston assembly, the second piston coupled to the first piston;
• moving a circular gear along a linear gear extending between the first piston assembly and the second piston assembly, the circular attached to and gear attached to and movable with at least one of the pistons;
• translating a rotational speed of the circular gear into a higher rotational speed;
• and
• generating electrical power based on the higher rotational speed.

A method comprising:

• storing a refrigerant under pressure in first and second tanks;
• moving a first piston in a first piston assembly based on flows of the refrigerant to and from the tanks, the first piston dividing a volume within the first piston assembly into first and second spaces each configured to receive the refrigerant from at least one of the tanks;
• moving a second piston of a second piston assembly, the second piston coupled to the first piston;
• creating a flow of fluid onto or through a generator using the second piston assembly;
• and
• generating electrical power using the generator.

A method comprising:

• storing a refrigerant under pressure in first and second tanks;
• warming the first tank and cooling the second tank to create a pressure differential between the tanks;
• moving a first piston in a first piston assembly based on flows of the refrigerant from the first tank to a first space and from a second space to the second tank, the first piston dividing a volume within the first piston assembly into the first and second spaces each configured to receive the refrigerant from at least one of the tanks, the flows of the refrigerant created based on the pressure differential;
• moving a second piston of a second piston assembly, the second piston coupled to the first piston;
• generating electrical power based on movement of at least one of the first and second pistons;
• and
• reversing the warming and cooling of the tanks in order to reverse the movement of the first and second pistons.