US 5,467,600 AGranted

Naturally circulated thermal cycling system with environmentally powered engine

OwnerKazuo Kuroiwainventor

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Abstract

A thermal cycling system comprising an evaporator and a radiator and two separate conduits extending between the evaporator and the radiator to form a closed cycle. The evaporator is arranged to receive thermal energy available around the evaporator and the radiator radiates heat of the fluid medium flowing from the evaporator to the radiator. A power-free engine is arranged on the first and second conduits and comprises actuating pistons, at least one pressurizing cylinder, and a crankshaft operatively interconnecting the actuating pistons and the pressurizing piston. The arrangement is such that the actuating pistons are moved by the high pressure of the fluid medium in the evaporator and thereby actuate the pressurizing piston. The high pressure fluid medium is controlled such that it flows through the actuating cylinders to the radiator and radiates heat there at. The fluid medium having a low temperature and low pressure is then pumped up by the pressurizing piston, which is actuated by the actuating pistons.

A system for thermally cycling a compressible fluid medium contained in the system, comprising:

an evaporator for evaporating and heating the fluid medium in the system to a first temperature and a first pressure;
a radiator coupled to the evaporator for radiating the heat of the fluid medium in the system to a second temperature lower than the, first temperature and a second pressure lower than the first pressure;
at least three actuating cylinders coupled to the evaporator and the radiator each having an inlet valve and an outlet valve in an end thereof;
an actuating piston disposed in each of the actuating cylinders having a pressure receiving surface S.sub.1 ;
at least one pressurizing cylinder coupled to the evaporator and the radiator having an inlet valve and an outlet valve in an end thereof;
a pressurizing piston disposed in said pressurizing cylinder having a pressure receiving surface S.sub.2, wherein S.sub.2 has a smaller cross sectional area than S.sub.1 such that the total volume of the at least three actuating cylinders is greater than the total volume of the at least one pressurizing cylinder,
rotatable body means operatively coupled to the at least three actuating pistons and the at least one pressurizing piston;
a first inlet pipe having one end connected to the evaporator and another end connected to each of the at least three actuating cylinders;
a first outlet pipe having one end connected to each of the at least three actuating cylinders and another end connected to the radiator;
a second inlet pipe having one end connected to the radiator and another end connected to the at least one pressurizing cylinder;
a second outlet pipe having one end connected to the at least one pressurizing cylinder and another end connected to the radiator;
and
a flow control valve arranged on the first inlet pipe, wherein at least one of the actuating cylinder inlet valves is open when the flow control valve is open.

10 more elements

Abstract

Claims25