US 3,984,985 A · Solar engine

Abstract

A solar engine including a vessel disposed for motion along a predetermined path and having an array of discrete expandable and contractable chambers disposed in spaced relation along the path. The vessel contains relatively non-expandable fluid while the chambers each contain a relatively expandable and contractable fluid which is of lesser density than the non-expandable fluid. The chambers along a predetermined section of said vessel are maintained at a cooler temperature than those chambers exposed to solar energy. The chambers exposed to solar energy are caused to expand upon heating of the fluid therein, causing displacement of the non-expandable fluid. At the same time, the cooled chambers are caused to contract in response to cooling of the fluid therein and permitting the inflow of an additional quantity of non-expandable fluid into the cooled section of the vessel. As a result, the cooled section of the vessel contains a greater amount of non-expandable fluid, producing a mechanical unbalance which in turn produces movement of the vessel along the path.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A solar engine comprising:

a vessel disposed for movement along a predetermined path and containing a first relatively non-expandable fluid;
a plurality of expandable and contractable chambers each disposed at a successive spaced interval along said vessel, and each containing a second relatively expandable and contractable fluid;
means for supporting said vessel for motion along said path;
means for cooling the chambers disposed along a predetermined section of said vessel to maintain the chambers in this section at a lower temperature than the temperature of those chambers exposed to solar energy;
the chambers exposed to solar energy being expandable in response to heating of said second fluid contained therein, the expansion of said chambers causing displacement of said first fluid in the section of said vessel exposed to solar energy and conveyance of said first fluid into the cooled section of said vessel;
said cooled section being heavier than the section exposed to solar energy thereby causing movement of said vessel along said path.

3 more elements

A solar engine comprising:

an elongated conduit disposed along a predetermined path;
a plurality of cells disposed in spaced relation along said conduit and in fluid communication therewith;
said conduit and said cells containing a first relatively non-expandable fluid;
a plurality of expandable and contractable chambers each disposed within a respective one of said cells and each containing a second relatively expandable fluid therein operative upon heating by received solar energy to expand and cause expansion of said chamber and expulsion of a quantity of said first fluid from said cell to said conduit;
means for supporting said conduit and plurality of cells for motion along said path;
means for cooling the cells disposed along a predetermined section of said conduit to maintain the cells in this section at a lower temperature than the temperature of those cells exposed to solar energy and thereby cause contraction of said second fluid and chambers in this section and permit inflow of a quantity of said first fluid from said conduit into said cooled cells;
said cooled cells being heavier than those cells exposed to solar energy and causing movement of said conduit and associated cells along said path.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Solar engine

Life of this patent

Solar engine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10