US 5,488,828 A · Energy generating apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus and method for obtaining energy is disclosed. The method includes heating a fluid in a liquid state by heat exchange with a heat source to generate a vapor of the fluid at a first elevation. The vapor of the fluid is caused to rise to a second elevation within an enclosed space and is condensed at the second elevation by heat exchange with a cold source. The liquid obtained by condensing the vapor is caused to fall from the second elevation and the energy of the falling liquid is converted to another form of energy, which is preferably electricity. The apparatus of the invention includes structure for vaporizing a liquid to form a vapor, a vapor tower for increasing the potential energy of the vapor by causing the vapor to rise along an upwardly-extending path. Structure is also provided for condensing the vapor by heat exchange with a cold source and recovering the increase in potential energy from the vapor, preferably in the form of electric power.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A method of generating energy with an apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) heating a fluid, contained in a vessel in a liquid state, by heat exchange with a heat source to generate a vapor of said fluid at a first elevation;
(b) causing the vapor of the fluid to rise to a second elevation within an enclosed space;
(c) condensing the vapor of the fluid at said second elevation by h at exchange with a cold source;
(d) causing the condensed fluid to fall from said second elevation;
(e) converting the energy of the falling fluid to another form of energy
(f) returning the fallen fluid to the vessel;
and
wherein steps (a), (b) and (c) occur at a pressure wherein said fluid vaporizes at a temperature substantially equal to the temperature of the exterior environment;
and a regulator controls the rate of heating, condensing and energy conversion, said regulator receiving inputs from temperature, pressure and fluid flow sensors positioned within the apparatus and at least one temperature sensor outside the apparatus and, based on input data provided by said sensors, regulates the rate of heating, condensing and energy conversion.

6 more elements

An apparatus for generating energy, said apparatus comprising:

vaporizing means for applying a vaporization energy to a liquid to form a vapor from said liquid, said vaporization energy being provided by a naturally-occurring heat source;
vapor tower means for increasing the potential energy of said vapor by causing said vapor to rise along an upwardly-extending path under a pressure differential;
means for condensing said vapor by heat exchange with a naturally-occurring cold source;
means for recovering said increase in potential energy from said vapor, and converting said energy increase into electric power;
pressure, temperature and flow sensors positioned inside the apparatus, and at least one temperature sensor positioned outside the apparatus;
regulator means for controlling the rate of vapor production in said vaporizing means, the rate of vapor condensation in said means for condensing, and the rate of potential energy conversion into electric power in said means for recovering said increase in potential energy, said regulator means receiving input data from said temperature, pressure and flow sensors.
wherein said vaporizing means, said vapor tower means and said means for condensing maintain the vapor at a pressure sufficient to allow said liquid to vaporize at a temperature substantially equal to an environmental temperature outside the apparatus.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Energy generating apparatus

Life of this patent

Energy generating apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30