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AssigneeNone recorded
InventorCraig C. Corcoran
Estimating the term…
A method and apparatus for producing energy is provided for generating renewable energy. Captive compressed fluid cycles between two coupled containers through a motive power source. The captive compressed fluid flows between the containers in response to a difference in the pressure of the compressed fluid within the first container compared to the pressure of the compressed fluid within the second container. This pressure differential develops as the compressed fluid within the first container experiences a temperature change of a differing percentage magnitude or direction than the compressed fluid within the second container over the same period of time. The differing percentage temperature fluctuations result as the containers are provided dissimilar exposure to natural renewable or man-made energy sources or are insulated therefrom. A continuous supply of additional compressed fluid is not required, nor is fluid routinely vented to the atmosphere.
Apparatus for generating energy comprising:
A method for generating energy, comprising;
An energy generating device, comprising;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Backward citations are indexed for grants only.
Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy: with solar energy concentrating means
With energy storage devices: of the non-thermal type, e.g. springs or batteries
Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers: conversion of thermal power into mechanical power, e.g. Rankine, Stirling or solar thermal engines
Spring, weight, inertia or like motors
Term end not estimated
Not applicable
Not applicable
This invention relates to the generation of energy.
In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification of the present application:
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the preferred embodiment of the invention wherein two fluid storage containers comprise portions of a tank that can be periodically rotated to alternate the exposure of the containers between temperature volatile and temperature stable environments;
FIG. 2 is a magnified illustration of a portion of the preferred embodiment of the invention.
Referring initially to FIG. 1, the pressure differential compressed fluid exchanger according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is designated generally by the numeral 10. The grade level of the earth is designated by the numeral 12. The preferred embodiment of the pressure differential compressed fluid exchanger 10 includes two containers that are each partitioned sections of a tank 14. More particularly, pressure differential compressed fluid exchanger 10 comprises a first container 16, a second container 18, and a motive power source coupled with the first container 16 by a first fluid coupler 22A and with the second container 18 by a second fluid coupler 22B. In this embodiment, the motive power source comprises a turbine 20 and is coupled with a turbine shaft 24. The first container 16 comprises an airtight section of the tank 14 adapted to contain pressurized fluid. Similarly, the second container 18 comprises a remaining airtight section of tank 14 and is also adapted to contain pressurized fluid. The first container 16 is separated from the second container 18 by an insulated partition 26. The first container 16 is coated by a first exterior heat conducting skin 28 and partially coated by a first interior heat conducting skin 30. Similarly, the second container 18 is coated by a second exterior heat conducting skin 32 and partially coated by a second interior heat conducting skin 34. The exterior heat conducting skins 28 and 32 are coupled with first and second exterior heat transfer appendages 36 and 38, respectively. The interior heat conducting skins 30 and 34 are coupled to first and second interior heat transfer appendages 40 and 42, respectively.
A plurality of valves and gauges are coupled with the first container 16, including a first input/exhaust valve 44, a first emergency pressure relief valve 46, a first temperature gauge 48, a first pressure gauge 50, and a pressure regulating main control valve 52 that controls the flow of compressed fluid between the first container 16 and the second container 18. Similarly, the second container 18 has coupled with it several valves and gauges, including a second input/exhaust valve 54, a second emergency pressure relief valve 56, a second temperature gauge 58, and a second pressure gauge 60. The temperature and pressure gauges along with the pressure regulating main control valve 52 are logically coupled with a computer controller 62 via the following logical connections: a first temperature link 48L, a first pressure link 50L, a second temperature link 58L, a second pressure link 60L, and a main control valve link 52L. The computer controller 62 comprises a built-in clock and manual override capability. The turbine 20 is coupled via the turbine shaft 24 with an energy storage apparatus 64. The energy storage apparatus 64 comprises a generator 66 and a battery 68.
The first container 16 is subjected to a relatively temperature volatile environment, designated generally by numeral 70. The relatively temperature volatile environment 70 is surrounded by a removable solar oven enclosure 72. A first prime mover 74 is coupled with the removable solar oven enclosure 72 via a first prime mover shaft 76. Also included as part of the pressure differential compressed fluid exchanger 10 is a solar concentrator 78 positioned in such a way as to direct sunlight toward the first container 16. The second container 18 is placed in a relatively temperature stable environment, designated generally by numeral 80. As shown, the relatively temperature stable environment 80 comprises a body of water. A second prime mover 82 is coupled with tank 14 via a second prime mover shaft 84.