Abstract:
In a process and a device for generating mechanical and/or electric power by means of a rotating body fitted with paddles, said power is to be economically generated by a very compact unit. This is achieved in that the rotating body (3) is fitted inside a working chamber (2) directed substantially along the line of gravity with a lower heating device (8) generating vapour bubbles in the fluid and an upper condensing device (9), whereby the paddles (2) of the rotating body (3) have a cross-sectional contour which ensures forward movement regardless of the direction of a flow perpendicular to the direction of rotation.
Abstract:
A power plant for exploitation of the temperature difference between different water layers in a pelagic area (2), comprising a closed system which is filled with ethane which is both in the liquid and vapour phases. The system comprises two heat exchanging apparatuses (13, 9) which are in fluid communication with each other, of which the first (13) supplies heat to the ethane by means of heat exchange with water from a relatively warmer water layer, while the other (9) removes heat from the ethane by means of heat exchange with water from a colder water layer, whereby a difference in pressure is created in the system which is utilized to take energy out of the system. In order to make the system large enough and the ethane pressure high enough to give a reasonable power yield, the heat exchanging apparatuses are placed in respective chambers (5, 4) which are comprised by cavities in solid or consolidated rock (1). The necessary fluid communications (6, 17) and water pipes (10, 12, 15, 16) are also blasted in the rock with fluid cross-sections large enough to make pressure losses small.
Abstract:
A mass, such as a portion of water in a tank (6) or a weight (10) is lifted when fluid in heat exchanger (2) is exposed to warm temperature, such as during the daytime. The fluid expands in response to the warm temperature and expands bladder (5) or pushes piston (8), thereby raising water to tank (10) or lifting weight (10). Once in tank (10), the water provides kinetic energy through influence of gravity to turbine (12) which produces useful electricity. Similarly, the weight (10) can produce useful mechanical power through chains (12) and gears (11).
Abstract:
A device for current generation and storage with superconductors in the cold sink in which a shelved store (1) has been set up in difficult ground after a cold wall (2) has been formed by the cold sink. Air is to be cooled by thermal and mechanical effects until it can be broken down into its component parts (low-pressure fractionation). Preferably nitrogen, possibly with the addition of helium, is to be continuously cooled further under the protection of the preferably insulated cold wall and finally stored at the lowest pressures and temperatures until it facilitates the production of electric power by means of generators in the shortest possible time on being re-heated. The temperatures attainable in the cold wall make it likely that primarily the useful properties of superconducting materials can be exploited because, for instance, the viscosity is reduced and it is possible to counter heating through resistances. The useful storage may be extended to other materials.
Abstract:
A power generation system of the ocean thermal energy conversion type including one of a closed or open system and a working fluid capable of undergoing a change in state from a liquid to a vapor state and back to the liquid state after expansion. The system includes an evaporator (18) and a condenser (20), and a liquid line communicating a liquid (ocean water) at a required temperature to cause condensation of the working fluid after the working fluid has been evaporated and expanded through a turbine (26). The liquid line in communication with cold water is characterized by a well disposed in solid land (38) adjacent the ocean and the direct supply of water either comprising a water fluid or for evaporating the working fluid. Water flow from the system may be released to an aquaculture preserve (14).
Abstract:
A heat engine (10) which is intended to receive thermal input energy from waste heat, low grade heat, a renewable energy source of any other convenient heat source, and which comprises an air compressor (11) arranged to receive an input of ambient air via input (12), and having an output (13) for delivering a supply of compressed air from the compressor to an air-driven motor (14) which provides a mechanical power output (15), a heat exchanger (16) arranged along the path of travel of compressed air from the compressor output (13) to the motor (14) and which is intended to be supplied with thermal input energy from any suitable heat source e.g. waste heat or solar energy heating a warm water supply (17) to the heat exchanger whereby the heat exchanger transfers thermal energy indirectly to the delivered supply of compressed air running between the compressor output and the motor, and a mechanical feed-back taking part of the power output of the motor to the compressor to operate the latter, leaving a net gain of power output to operate any required energy consumer e.g. an electricity generator (19).
Abstract:
A device that can be portably designed is useful to liquefy gasses extracted from isolated containers or to regassify them, reversing their liquefaction, possibly also to create or to decompose the solid aggregated state of such substances. For this purpose, pneumatic cylinders (3) are operated as Stirling engines, using the heat containers (81, 82, 83) as regenerators. The compression work is carried out by overlying or suspended loads (5), whereas return results from changes in volume or pressure of gasses the boiling point of each lies clearly below temperatures which are presently considered as waste heat. The work carried out on these gasses can thus be accumulated for reverse processes. Other advantageous uses are conceivable, for example freeze-drying with no net energy consumption.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for transferring cold seawater from lower ocean depths up1978 ward toward sea level for use in ocean thermal energy conversion systems (14) wherein an in situ desalination process (12) is utilized to create a density differential between the desalinated water and the surrounding seawater. The desalinated water being of a lesser density than the surrounding seawater, rises naturally upward through a conduit (16) and is utilized as a heat transfer medium in the ocean thermal energy conversion system. The desalinated water, which is a by-product of the energy conversion system, may be utilized for domestic consumption or alternatively dispersed into the near surface region (photic zone) of the ocean to increase the nutrient concentration therein.
Abstract:
An energy conversion system for deriving useful power from the thermal gradients in the ocean (12), or from solar, geothermal, or other sources of low level heat, by using warm water to heat a confined working gas such as air whereby a pressure increase results due to warming the gas, arranging so that the expansion moves a piston (14) or other device to extract power, and then cooling the gas and compressing it back to initial conditions while directly or indirectly contacting it with cooler water to thereby decrease the work needed for recompression. Net useful work results from the difference between the work of expansion at higher temperature and the work of recompression at lower temperature.
Abstract:
An inverted accumulator for underwater use comprises an air-filled low pressure chamber (1) which is lowered down to the seabed. The chamber is connected to a piston/cylinder device (2). The pressure difference will be capable of activating a piston stroke which is used to perform a task, such as opening or closing a valve (3).