Method and system for electrical and mechanical power generation using Stirling engine principles

A method for power generation, comprising:

• enclosing a fluid in a housing which receives heat energy from a power source;
• coupling the heat energy to a first zone in the housing;
• isolating a second zone in the housing from the first zone and dissipating heat away from the housing, such that a temperature difference is created between the first zone and the second zone;
• and
• providing a turbine having a portion in the housing which is put into rotational motion by fluid expansion and compression due to the temperature difference.

A method of providing working fluid circulation path through space within an enclosed housing of a heat engine, the method comprising:

• providing a turbine within the housing;
• partitioning the housing into to a first zone and a second zone;
• filling the housing, including the first zone and the second zone, with the working fluid;
• heating said first zone with the heat from a heat source;
• and
• cooling said second zone using said heat sink to dissipate the heat.

A method of enhancing the output power of an electrical generator driven by a rotational motion of a device, the method comprising:

• calibrating a performance table relating a temperature difference in the device to an amount of magnetic coupling in a control device within the electrical generator, the amount of magnetic coupling being indicative of the maximum output power of said generator at that temperature difference;
• detecting the temperature difference using a temperature sensor in the device;
• obtaining from the performance table the amount of magnetic coupling corresponding to the temperature difference;
• and
• setting the control device to that amount of magnetic coupling.

A method of enhancing the output power of an electrical generator from the rotational motion of a device, the method comprising:

• calibrating a performance table relating a rotational speed of the device to an amount of magnetic coupling in a control device within the electrical generator, the amount of magnetic coupling being indicative of the maximum output power of said generator at that temperature difference;
• detecting the rotational speed using a rotational speed sensor in the device;
• obtaining from the performance table the amount of magnetic coupling corresponding to the rotational speed;
• and
• setting the control device to that amount of magnetic coupling.

A method of operating a heat engine exposed to a heat source, the heat engine having an enclosed housing configured a working fluid space, a first zone and a second zone, the first zone and the second zone having a temperature difference therebetween, the method comprising:

• moving the working fluid in the first zone towards a first portion of the working fluid space;
• moving the working fluid in the first zone through the first portion of the working fluid space into the second zone;
• moving the working fluid in the second zone towards a second portion of the working fluid space;
• and
• moving the working fluid in the second zone through the second portion of the working fluid space into the first zone.

A method of operating a heat engine having an enclosed housing configured as a working fluid space, a heat source on one side and a heat sink on the opposite side of the heat source, the method comprising:

• providing in said housing a hot zone with a higher temperature due to heat from said heat source and a cold zone with a lower temperature due to heat conducting away by said heat sink;
• circulating the working fluid between the hot zone and the cold zone through the working fluid space;
• and
• using the motion of the working fluid to turn a turbine so as to provide mechanical power.

A method for operating a heat engine exposed to a heat source, the heat engine having an enclosed housing configured as a working fluid space, a first zone and a second zone, the first zone and the second zone having a temperature difference therebetween, the method comprising:

• moving the working fluid into a first portion of the working fluid space;
• moving the working fluid in the first portion of the working fluid space into the second zone;
• moving the working fluid in the second zone into a second portion of the working fluid space;
• and
• moving the working fluid in the second portion of the working fluid space into the first zone.