Power plants – Utilizing natural heat – Solar
Patent
1997-05-15
1999-09-21
Nguyen, Hoang
Power plants
Utilizing natural heat
Solar
6064115, B60K 1600
Patent
active
059539178
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a thermo-volumetric motor and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a hydraulically driven thermo-volumetric motor. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hydraulically driven thermo-volumetric motor which exchanges heat with a phase change substance having a relatively high latent heat of fusion. The present invention further relates to a method for generating motion by using energy stored in the form of latent heat.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are a myriad of motors which are commercially available. The motors are usually driven by combustible fuels, electricity, solar energy, or a combination of any one or more of these sources of energy. Each energy source has its own drawbacks. For example, most combustible fuels when burnt produce gases which are harmful to the environment. Furthermore, if the fuel is not completely burnt the unburnt fuel can be exhausted and also adversely affect the environment.
Alternative sources of energy, such as photovoltaic generated electricity has been used for driving motors. Electricity in remote areas is somewhat restricted in that the storage of sufficient quantities of electrical energy in, for example, batteries takes up large amounts of space, is relatively expensive, and can also be extremely heavy. Solar energy is inherently restricted for at least the following reasons. Solar energy is only available during sunlight hours and may vary in intensity depending on the season of the year. Particularly cold areas of the world may never lend themselves to solar energy as an alternative energy supply. Furthermore, photovoltaic generated electricity is relatively expensive to produce.
When solar energy has been used as an energy source it is usually absorbed on a collector panel. The absorbed heat from the panel is then exchanged with a fluid, in the form of specific heat, and ultimately used in a variety of ways to drive a motor or generator. Relatively small quantities of energy can be stored in the form of specific heat and solar powered electric motors, for example, have relatively little power. Furthermore, solar energy when used to drive a motor or generator is limited by the cost of photovoltaic cells and storage batteries.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An intention of the present invention is to provide a thermo-volumetric motor which can operate relatively efficiently and environmentally safely.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a thermo-volumetric motor comprising: incompressible fluid, said incompressible fluid path having pressure transfer means and actuating means in fluid communication with each other; compressible fluid, said compressible fluid path including heat transfer means in fluid communication with the pressure transfer means, the heat transfer means including a first phase change substance having a relatively high latent heat of fusion, and cooling means in fluid communication with the heat transfer means and the pressure transfer means whereby, in use, heat from a heat source can be absorbed by the first phase change substance so that at least a portion of the first phase fuses and thereafter when said portion of the first phase change substance solidifies and releases latent heat the compressible fluid can absorb said latent heat and expand, thus moving the pressure transfer means wherein the incompressible fluid is forced along the incompressible fluid path thus moving the actuating means which can be adapted to provide motive power, the cooling means thereafter cooling the compressible fluid after said compressible fluid is released from the pressure transfer means.
Preferably, the compressible continuous fluid path further comprises a pump operatively coupled to the actuating means and in fluid communication with the heat transfer means, the cooling means, and the pressure transfer means wherein movement of the actuating means drives the pump thereby pumping the compressible fluid through the compressible flui
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Murphy Peter Lawrence
Solomon Terry Howard
Nguyen Hoang
Thermal Energy Accumlator Products Pty Ltd
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