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The invention provides an energy transfer apparatus having an energy transfer chamber (optionally bounded by an energy transfer tube) in which rotating flow is established. Preferably, the apparatus has a cold-fluid-discharge end and a hot-fluid-discharge end. Also provided are methods of using such

The invention provides an energy transfer apparatus having an energy transfer chamber (optionally bounded by an energy transfer tube) in which rotating flow is established. Preferably, the apparatus has a cold-fluid-discharge end and a hot-fluid-discharge end. Also provided are methods of using such apparatuses.

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What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for transferring energy by rotating fluid within the apparatus, the apparatus having a cold-fluid-discharge end and a hot-fluid-discharge end, the apparatus including an energy transfer tube and first and second fluid flow generators, the first and second generat

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for transferring energy by rotating fluid within the apparatus, the apparatus having a cold-fluid-discharge end and a hot-fluid-discharge end, the apparatus including an energy transfer tube and first and second fluid flow generators, the first and second generators each being adapted to create a rotating fluid flow at least part of which is located inside the energy transfer tube, both generators being adjacent to the cold-fluid-discharge end, the second generator being closer to the cold-fluid-discharge end than is the first generator, wherein the cold-fluid-discharge end comprises a cold fluid outlet, wherein the hot-fluid-discharge end comprises one or more hot fluid ports, and wherein the apparatus is adapted to provide single-phase gaseous flow through two inlet passages leading respectively to the first and second generators. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a single compressor is adapted to deliver the single-phase gaseous flow to both said inlet passages. 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the apparatus is adapted such that the first generator can receive fluid at one pressure while the second generator receives fluid at a different pressure, wherein a single output flow from the compressor is divided into two separate flows leading respectively to said two inlet passages. 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a single delivery line extends from the compressor to a branch point where the delivery line branches into two separate conduits leading respectively to the two inlet passages, which lead respectively to the first and second generators. 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein a valve at the branch point is adapted to regulate flow such that the first generator receives fluid at said one pressure while the second generator receives fluid at said different pressure. 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the energy transfer tube is cylindrical with a non-conical shape. 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cold fluid outlet has an outflow temperature that can be adjusted by adjusting a pressure of fluid delivered to one of the two generators, defined as a clutching generator, while holding constant a pressure of fluid delivered to the other of the two generators. 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the rotating fluid flow created by the clutching generator is an outermost rotating flow, which is located closer to an inside wall of the energy transfer tube than is the rotating fluid flow created by the other of the two generators. 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotating fluid flow created by the second generator is an outermost rotating flow, which is located closer to an inside wall of the energy transfer tube than is the rotating fluid flow created by the first generator. 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first generator includes a passage configured to deliver pressurized fluid into a first fluid flow chamber so as to create a rotating flow in the first fluid flow chamber, the rotating flow created in the first fluid flow chamber being defined as the first rotating flow, and wherein the second generator includes a passage configured to deliver pressurized fluid into a second fluid flow chamber so as to create a rotating flow in the second fluid flow chamber, the rotating flow created in the second fluid flow chamber being defined as the second rotating flow. 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein a flow-delivery passage extends between the first and second fluid flow chambers, the first and second fluid flow chambers having internal diameters larger than an internal diameter of the flow-delivery passage. 12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein a flow-delivery passage extends between the first and second fluid flow chambers, the flow-delivery passage having an internal diameter that is larger than an internal diameter of the energy transfer tube. 13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein an extension tube extends from the second generator toward the cold-fluid outlet, said extension tube having an internal diameter adjacent to the second generator that is smaller than an internal diameter of the flow-delivery passage between the first and second fluid flow chambers. 14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the first generator surrounds the first fluid flow chamber and has a plurality of circumferentially spaced passages configured to deliver pressurized fluid into the first fluid flow chamber, and the second generator surrounds the second fluid flow chamber and has a plurality of circumferentially spaced passages configured to deliver pressurized fluid into the second fluid flow chamber. 15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the energy transfer tube has first and second ends, the energy transfer tube being in fluid communication with the first and second fluid flow chambers such that the first and second rotating flows extend respectively from the first and second fluid flow chambers, into the energy transfer tube, and toward the second end of the energy transfer tube, said one or more hot-fluid ports being adjacent to the second end of the energy transfer tube, wherein some fluid from the second rotating flow escapes through said one or more hot-fluid ports but a major portion of the second rotating flow, and at least a major portion of the first rotating flow, return back through the energy transfer tube toward its first end and escape through the cold-fluid outlet of the apparatus. 16. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein a flow-delivery passage extends between the first and second fluid flow chambers, wherein the energy transfer tube, the first fluid flow chamber, the flow-delivery passage, and the second fluid flow chamber are all coaxial to one another. 17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hot-fluid-discharge end of the apparatus is partially closed by a structure comprising a flow-blocking wall, the flow-blocking wall being located radially inwardly from a plurality of hot-fluid ports. 18. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising one or more inlet devices adapted to deliver pressurized fluid through the two inlet passages, defined as first and second inlet passages, and into first and second inlet chambers, wherein the first generator includes a passage configured to receive pressurized fluid from the first inlet chamber and deliver that pressurized fluid into a first fluid flow chamber so as to create a rotating flow in the first fluid flow chamber, the rotating flow created in the first fluid flow chamber being defined as the first rotating flow, and wherein the second generator includes a passage configured to receive pressurized fluid from the second inlet chamber and deliver that pressurized fluid into a second fluid flow chamber so as to create a rotating flow in the second fluid flow chamber, the rotating flow created in the second fluid flow chamber being defined as the second rotating flow, and wherein said one or more inlet devices define separate first and second inlet paths such that a first supply flow at one pressure can be delivered to the first inlet chamber while a second supply flow at a different pressure can be delivered simultaneously to the second inlet chamber. 19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the first inlet chamber has an annular configuration, and said one or more inlet devices define the first inlet passage through which pressurized fluid is adapted to flow when being delivered to the first inlet chamber, the first inlet passage being oblique to a radius of the first inlet chamber, and wherein the second inlet chamber has an annular configuration, and said one or more inlet devices define the second inlet passage through which pressurized fluid is adapted to flow when being delivered to the second inlet chamber, the second inlet passage being oblique to a radius of the second inlet chamber. 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said passage of the first generator lies in a plane inclined at an angle of at least one degree relative to a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the first fluid flow chamber, wherein said passage of the second generator lies in a plane inclined at an angle of at least one degree relative to a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the second fluid flow chamber, wherein said passage of the first generator has a curved configuration in a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular the central axis of the first fluid flow chamber, and said passage of the second generator has a curved configuration in a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular the central axis of the second fluid flow chamber. 21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second generators are side-by-side. 22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes a dampener that isolates the energy transfer tube from external vibrations. 23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the dampener comprises an isolation tube that surrounds the energy transfer tube, leaving an isolation space between the energy transfer tube and the isolation tube. 24. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid flow generators are collectively adapted to create at least eight fluid flow layers extending through the energy transfer tube, said fluid flow layers being counted as found in a cross section taken along a plane lying on a central axis of the energy transfer tube, each of said eight fluid flow layers extending along at least a major length of the energy transfer tube. 25. A method of operating an apparatus adapted to transfer energy by rotating fluid within the apparatus, the apparatus having a cold-fluid-discharge end and a hot-fluid-discharge end, the apparatus including an energy transfer tube and first and second fluid flow generators, both generators being adjacent to the cold-fluid-discharge end, the second generator being closer to the cold-fluid-discharge end than is the first generator, wherein the cold-fluid-discharge end comprises a cold fluid outlet, and the hot-fluid-discharge end comprises one or more hot fluid ports, the method comprising delivering pressurized fluid from the first and second generators into first and second fluid flow chambers of the apparatus so as to create first and second rotating flows that then extend respectively from the first and second fluid flow chambers through the energy transfer tube toward the hot-fluid-discharge end of the apparatus, resulting in some fluid from the second rotating flow escaping through said one or more hot-fluid ports while a major portion of the second rotating flow, and at least a major portion of the first rotating flow, return back through the energy transfer tube toward the cold-fluid-discharge end and escape through the cold-fluid outlet, the apparatus including first and second inlet passages leading respectively to the first and second generators, the method comprising delivering single-phase gaseous flow to both of said inlet passages. 26. The method of claim 25 wherein the method comprises delivering a first inflow through said first inlet passage and delivering a second inflow through said second inlet passage, and wherein the first and second inflows are provided by delivering fluid of substantially the same chemical composition to both the first and second inlet passages. 27. The method of claim 25 wherein the method comprises delivering a first inflow through said first inlet passage and delivering a second inflow through said second inlet passage, the second inflow having a flow rate that is different than, but no more than 50% greater or less than, that of the first inflow. 28. The method of claim 25 wherein gas flow emanates from said one or more hot fluid ports during operation of the apparatus. 29. The method of claim 28 wherein, during operation of the apparatus, flow emanating from said one or more hot fluid ports consists essentially of gas. 30. The method of claim 25 wherein the cold-fluid outlet has an adjustable outflow temperature, and wherein said outflow temperature can be adjusted by adjusting a pressure of fluid delivered to one of the two generators while holding constant a pressure of fluid delivered to the other of the two generators. 31. The method of claim 30 wherein said outflow temperature can be adjusted by adjusting the pressure of the fluid delivered to one of the two generators, defined as a clutching generator, while holding constant the pressure of the fluid delivered to the other of the two generators, wherein the rotating fluid flow created by the clutching generator is an outermost rotating flow, which is located closer to an inside wall of the energy transfer tube than is the rotating fluid flow created by the other of the two generators. 32. The method of claim 25 wherein the rotating fluid flow created by the second generator is an outermost rotating flow, which is located closer to an inside wall of the energy transfer tube than is the rotating fluid flow created by the first generator. 33. The method of claim 25 wherein a single compressor is used to deliver the single-phase gaseous flow to both said inlet passages. 34. The method of claim 33 wherein the apparatus is operated such that the first generator receives fluid at one pressure while the second generator receives fluid at a different pressure, wherein a single output flow from the compressor is divided into two separate flows leading respectively to said two inlet passages. 35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein a single delivery line extends from the compressor to a branch point where the delivery line branches into two separate conduits leading respectively to the two inlet passages, which lead respectively to the first and second generators, wherein a valve at the branch point is used to regulate flow such that the first generator receives fluid at said one pressure while the second generator receives fluid at said different pressure. 36. The method of claim 25 wherein the apparatus exhibits acoustic toning during operation. 37. The method of claim 36 wherein the acoustic toning is characterized by an acoustic tone propagating over a plurality of fluid flow layers in the energy transfer tube. 38. The method of claim 37 wherein the acoustic tone exists over substantially an entire length of the energy transfer tube. 39. The method of claim 25 wherein the first generator receives pressurized fluid that is delivered into the apparatus at a first inlet pressure of about 115 psi or less. 40. The method of claim 25 wherein the second generator is operated at a higher pressure than is the first generator. 41. The method of claim 25 wherein the first generator receives pressurized fluid that is delivered into the apparatus at a first inlet pressure while simultaneously the second generator receives pressurized fluid that is delivered into the apparatus at a second inlet pressure, wherein the second inlet pressure is greater than the first inlet pressure by at least 10 psi. 42. The method of claim 25 wherein the fluid flow generators are operated to collectively create at least eight fluid flow layers extending through the energy transfer tube, said fluid flow layers being counted as found in a cross section taken along a plane lying on a central axis of the energy transfer tube, each of said eight fluid flow layers extending along at least a major length of the energy transfer tube. 43. The method of claim 25 wherein the method comprises beginning operation of the apparatus by starting pressurized fluid flow through the first generator before starting pressurized fluid flow through the second generator. 44. The method of claim 43 wherein the pressurized fluid flow through the second generator is started after: i) pressurized fluid flow through the first generator has been staffed, and ii) an acoustic tone has been generated in the apparatus. 45. The method of claim 25 wherein the energy transfer tube is cylindrical with a non-conical shape. 46. The method of claim 25 wherein the first and second generators are non-moving so as to remain stationary during operation of the apparatus. 47. The method of claim 25 wherein the pressurized fluid delivered from the first and second generators into the first and second fluid flow chambers comprises at least one fluid selected from the group consisting of air and inert gas. 48. The method of claim 25 wherein the energy transfer tube bounds a generally cylindrical interior space, and wherein operation of the apparatus produces a stream of cold fluid from the cold-fluid-discharge end while simultaneously producing a stream of hot fluid from the hot-fluid-discharge end, the stream of cold fluid being at a lower temperature than pressurized fluid delivered into the apparatus, the stream of hot fluid being at a higher temperature than pressurized fluid delivered into the apparatus. 49. The method of claim 25 wherein a flow-delivery passage extends between the first and second fluid flow chambers, the first and second fluid flow chambers having internal diameters larger than an internal diameter of the flow-delivery passage. 50. The method of claim 25 wherein a flow-delivery passage extends between the first and second fluid flow chambers, the flow-delivery passage having an internal diameter that is larger than an internal diameter of the energy transfer tube. 51. The method of claim 25 wherein an extension tube extends from the second generator toward the cold-fluid outlet, said extension tube having an internal diameter adjacent to the second generator that is smaller than an internal diameter of a flow-delivery passage located between the first and second fluid flow chambers. 52. The method of claim 25 wherein operation of the apparatus results in a stream of cold fluid flowing from the cold-fluid-discharge end while simultaneously a stream of hot fluid flows from the hot-fluid-discharge end, the stream of cold fluid being at a temperature that is at least 200 degrees Fahrenheit lower than the temperature of the stream of hot fluid. 53. A method of operating an apparatus adapted to transfer energy by rotating fluid within the apparatus, the apparatus having a cold-fluid-discharge end and a hot-fluid-discharge end, the apparatus including an energy transfer tube and first and second fluid flow generators, both generators being adjacent to the cold-fluid-discharge end, the second generator being closer to the cold-fluid-discharge end than is the first generator, wherein the cold-fluid-discharge end comprises a cold fluid outlet, and the hot-fluid-discharge end comprises one or more hot fluid ports, the method comprising delivering pressurized fluid from the first and second generators into first and second fluid flow chambers of the apparatus so as to create first and second rotating flows that then extend respectively from the first and second fluid flow chambers through the energy transfer tube toward the hot-fluid-discharge end of the apparatus, resulting in some fluid from the second rotating flow escaping through said one or more hot-fluid ports while a major portion of the second rotating flow, and at least a major portion of the first rotating flow, return back through the energy transfer tube toward the cold-fluid-discharge end and escape through the cold-fluid outlet, the apparatus including first and second inlet passages leading respectively to the first and second generators, the method comprising delivering a first inflow through said first inlet passage and delivering a second inflow through said second inlet passage, and wherein the first and second inflows are provided by delivering fluid of substantially the same chemical composition to both the first and second inlet passages. 54. The method of claim 53 wherein the second inflow has a flow rate that is different than, but no more than 50% greater or less than, that of the first inflow. 55. The method of claim 53 wherein gas flow emanates from said one or more hot fluid ports during operation of the apparatus. 56. The method of claim 55 wherein, during operation of the apparatus, flow emanating from said one or more hot fluid ports consists essentially of gas. 57. The method of claim 53 wherein the cold-fluid outlet has an adjustable outflow temperature, and wherein said outflow temperature can be adjusted by adjusting a pressure of fluid delivered to one of the two generators while holding constant a pressure of fluid delivered to the other of the two generators. 58. The method of claim 53 wherein said outflow temperature can be adjusted by adjusting the pressure of the fluid delivered to one of the two generators, defined as a clutching generator, while holding constant the pressure of the fluid delivered to the other of the two generators, wherein the rotating fluid flow created by the clutching generator is an outermost rotating flow, which is located closer to an inside wall of the energy transfer tube than is the rotating fluid flow created by the other of the two generators. 59. The method of claim 53 wherein the rotating fluid flow created by the second generator is an outermost rotating flow, which is located closer to an inside wall of the energy transfer tube than is the rotating fluid flow created by the first generator. 60. The method of claim 53 wherein the apparatus exhibits acoustic toning during operation. 61. The method of claim 60 wherein the acoustic toning is characterized by an acoustic tone propagating over a plurality of fluid flow layers in the energy transfer tube. 62. The method of claim 61 wherein the acoustic tone exists over substantially an entire length of the energy transfer tube. 63. A method of operating an apparatus adapted to transfer energy by rotating fluid within the apparatus, the apparatus having a cold-fluid-discharge end and a hot-fluid-discharge end, the apparatus including an energy transfer tube and first and second fluid flow generators, both generators being adjacent to the cold-fluid-discharge end, the second generator being closer to the cold-fluid-discharge end than is the first generator, wherein the cold-fluid-discharge end comprises a cold fluid outlet, and the hot-fluid-discharge end comprises one or more hot fluid ports, the method comprising delivering pressurized fluid from the first and second generators into first and second fluid flow chambers of the apparatus so as to create first and second rotating flows that then extend respectively from the first and second fluid flow chambers through the energy transfer tube toward the hot-fluid-discharge end of the apparatus, resulting in some fluid from the second rotating flow escaping through said one or more hot-fluid ports while a major portion of the second rotating flow, and at least a major portion of the first rotating flow, return back through the energy transfer tube toward the cold-fluid-discharge end and escape through the cold-fluid outlet, the apparatus including first and second inlet passages leading respectively to the first and second generators, the method comprising delivering a first inflow through said first inlet passage and delivering a second inflow through said second inlet passage, and wherein the second inflow has a flow rate that is different than, but no more than 50% greater or less than, that of the first inflow. 64. The method of claim 63 wherein gas flow emanates from said one or more hot fluid ports during operation of the apparatus. 65. The method of claim 64 wherein, during operation of the apparatus, flow emanating from said one or more hot fluid ports consists essentially of gas. 66. The method of claim 63 wherein the cold-fluid outlet has an adjustable outflow temperature, and wherein said outflow temperature can be adjusted by adjusting a pressure of fluid delivered to one of the two generators while holding constant a pressure of fluid delivered to the other of the two generators. 67. The method of claim 63 wherein said outflow temperature can be adjusted by adjusting the pressure of the fluid delivered to one of the two generators, defined as a clutching generator, while holding constant the pressure of the fluid delivered to the other of the two generators, wherein the rotating fluid flow created by the clutching generator is an outermost rotating flow, which is located closer to an inside wall of the energy transfer tube than is the rotating fluid flow created by the other of the two generators. 68. The method of claim 63 wherein the rotating fluid flow created by the second generator is an outermost rotating flow, which is located closer to an inside wall of the energy transfer tube than is the rotating fluid flow created by the first generator. 69. The method of claim 63 wherein the apparatus exhibits acoustic toning during operation. 70. The method of claim 69 wherein the acoustic toning is characterized by an acoustic tone propagating over a plurality of fluid flow layers in the energy transfer tube. 71. The method of claim 70 wherein the acoustic tone exists over substantially an entire length of the energy transfer tube.