초록 ▼

In a system for converting heat energy to mechanical energy, a working fluid is vaporized and then permitted to expand in an expander. The vaporized working fluid is introduced to a condenser including a container and a conduit for guiding the working fluid through the container. A condensing medium

In a system for converting heat energy to mechanical energy, a working fluid is vaporized and then permitted to expand in an expander. The vaporized working fluid is introduced to a condenser including a container and a conduit for guiding the working fluid through the container. A condensing medium in a generally solid state is disposed in the container in contact with the conduit to absorb heat from and thereby condense the working fluid. In response to the absorbed heat, the condensing medium liquifies, in which state it can be supercooled at ambient temperatures and stored for an extended period of time. The supercooled condensing medium can be triggered at a predetermined time to release the absorbed heat to the system. The provision of a super-coolable condensing medium in the condenser minimizes the heat loss thus providing a significant increase in the overall efficiency of the system.

대표청구항 ▼

In combination for providing a controlled transfer of heat from a first chemical: means for providing for a heating of the first chemical; a container; conducting means providing for a flow of the first chemical in the heated state through the container; second chemical means disposed in the contain

In combination for providing a controlled transfer of heat from a first chemical: means for providing for a heating of the first chemical; a container; conducting means providing for a flow of the first chemical in the heated state through the container; second chemical means disposed in the container separated from the conducting means but in heat-conducting relationship to the first chemical for absorbing heat from the first chemical in the heated state, the second chemical means being normally disposed in a solid crystalline state and being provided with characteristics for beinG converted from the solid crystalline state to a liquid state at a controlled temperature and for being retained in the liquid state at temperatures below the controlled temperature; the second chemical means having characteristics for storing the absorbed heat energy without any heat loss of such heat energy until triggered at a predetermined time at the controlled temperature and for releasing the absorbed heat at the controlled temperature upon such triggering; means for providing for a triggering of the second chemical means into the crystalline state at the controlled temperature to provide for a release of heat from the second chemical means; means responsive to the heat released by the second chemical means for using such released heat to provide work energy; and means for providing for the heating of the second chemical means by the first chemical flowing through the container to convert the second chemical means from the crystalline state to the liquid state at the controlled temperature.