Energy conversion systems using nanometer scale assemblies and methods for using same

An energy conversion system that is immersed in a working substance having a plurality of molecules, and that converts energy from one form to another, said system comprising:

• a first thermally conductive member;
• a second thermally conductive member;
• a first plurality of mounting points;
• a second plurality of mounting points, each of said second plurality of mounting points corresponding to one of said first plurality of mounting points;
• a plurality of nanometer members each of which is loosely mounted between one of said first and second pluralities of mounting points such that slack exists in each of said nanometer members, wherein Brownian motion causes said nanometer members to move;
• a plurality of resistive elements, each of which is thermally coupled to said first conductive member and is mounted between one of said first and second pluralities of mounting points such that there is a resistive element corresponding to each nanometer member;
• an external magnetic field that, when applied to said moving nanometer members, induces an electric field that induces current to flow;
• and
• a plurality of thermoelectric generators comprising first and second thermally responsive members, each of said first thermally responsive members being coupled to said first thermally conductive member, each of said second thermally responsive members being coupled to said second thermally conductive member.

An energy conversion system that is immersed in a working substance having a plurality of molecules, said system comprising:

• a base member;
• a plurality of nanometer scale assemblies coupled to said base member, each of said nanometer scale assemblies comprising:
• a molecular paddle having a first end fixed to said base member and a second end that is free to move;
• a piezoelectric generator comprising a portion of piezoelectric material and a resistor assembly coupled to said first end;
• and
• at least a first heat engine comprising a HOT side and a COLD side, said HOT side being thermally coupled to one of said resistor assemblies and said COLD side being thermally coupled to a first heat sink.

An energy conversion system that is immersed in a working substance having a plurality of molecules, said system comprising:

• a thermally conductive base member;
• a plurality of nanometer scale assemblies that convert energy from one form to another coupled to said base member, each of said nanometer scale assemblies comprising:
• a molecular impact mass that reduces the velocity of said molecules that impact said impact mass, said impact mass being restrained to move within a predetermined range of distance and comprising a nanometer member loosely mounted between a pair of said first and second mounting points that are fixed to said base member such that slack exists in said nanometer member, said impact mass further comprising a generator device that converts kinetic energy of said impact mass, resulting from said molecules impacting said impact mass, into a different form of energy;
• and
• a resistor coupled between said first and second mounting points and thermally coupled to said base member;
• at least a first layer of thermal insulation between said working substance and said thermally coupled resistor and base member;
• at least one heat engine comprising:
• a HOT side thermally coupled to said base member;
• and
• a COLD side thermally coupled to a heat sink;
• and
• an external magnetic field that, when applied to each of said nanometer members, if said nanometer member is moving, induces an electric field that induces current to flow.