US 12,098,673 B2 · Rotary closed-cycle externally-heated engine

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus, system, and method, by which a difference in the thermal energies, and/or temperatures, of two bodies, materials, gases, liquids, solids, objects, and/or other groups or collections of matter, may be harnessed to provide mechanical energy to a rotary engine and/or shaft. Also disclosed is an apparatus, system, and method, by which mechanical energy (e.g., the rotation of a shaft) may be used to produce and/or amplify a difference in the thermal energies, and/or temperatures of, and/or between, two bodies, materials, gases, liquids, solids, objects, and/or other groups or collections of matter. The disclosed thermal-to-mechanical energy conversion apparatus, as well as the complementary mechanical-to-thermal energy conversion apparatus, lacks moving parts and therefore satisfies a previously unmet need for a simple, robust, and efficient heat engine.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A heat engine, comprising:

a closed loop fluid flow conduit rotatable, in a first direction, about an axis of radial symmetry of the closed loop fluid flow conduit, said closed loop fluid flow conduit having:
a first portion formed with a curved channel from an inlet to an outlet, the inlet having a lesser cross-sectional area than a cross sectional area of the outlet;
a second portion formed with a curved channel from an inlet to an outlet, the inlet having a greater cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of the outlet;
a working fluid circulating within the closed loop fluid flow conduit in a second direction opposite said first direction;
a thermal energy source proximal the first portion of the closed loop fluid flow conduit;
and
a thermal energy sink proximal the second portion.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Rotary closed-cycle externally-heated engine

Life of this patent

Rotary closed-cycle externally-heated engine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9