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A method and apparatus for conversion of heat into liquid fluid power includes at least two hydropneumatic (hp) accumulators, each having a gas reservoir and a liquid reservoir therein separated by a movable separator. Liquid added to a liquid reservoir of a first accumulator causes gas compression

A method and apparatus for conversion of heat into liquid fluid power includes at least two hydropneumatic (hp) accumulators, each having a gas reservoir and a liquid reservoir therein separated by a movable separator. Liquid added to a liquid reservoir of a first accumulator causes gas compression in the gas reservoir of the accumulator. Gas is conducted from the first accumulator through a heat exchanger and into a gas reservoir of a second accumulator. Expansion of the gas in the second accumulator causes working liquid to be expelled from the second accumulator. After expansion of the gas in the second accumulator, working liquid is added to the liquid reservoir of the second accumulator gas is conducted through a cooling heat exchanger to the gas reservoir of the first accumulator, causing working liquid to be expelled. The fluid power produced through the expelled working liquid is stored or utilized to operate hydraulic devices.

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1. A method for conversion of heat energy into liquid fluid power, utilizing at least two hydropneumatic (hp) accumulators, wherein each hp accumulator includes: at least one hp accumulator bounding wall,an internal gas reservoir,an internal liquid reservoir, anda movable separator intermediate of t

1. A method for conversion of heat energy into liquid fluid power, utilizing at least two hydropneumatic (hp) accumulators, wherein each hp accumulator includes: at least one hp accumulator bounding wall,an internal gas reservoir,an internal liquid reservoir, anda movable separator intermediate of the gas reservoir and the liquid reservoir, comprising:(a) adding working liquid to a first liquid reservoir of a first hp accumulator, wherein a first separator in the first hp accumulator moves to compress gas in a first gas reservoir of the first hp accumulator,(b) subsequent to commencement of (a), conducting gas from the first gas reservoir through a first heat exchanger, wherein the conducted gas absorbs heat energy from the first heat exchanger,(c) subsequent to commencement of (b), expanding gas that has been heated by passing through the first heat exchanger, in a second gas reservoir of a second hp accumulator, wherein a second separator of the second hp accumulator moves to cause working liquid to be expelled from a second liquid reservoir of the second hp accumulator,(d) subsequent to (c), adding working liquid to the second liquid reservoir, wherein the second separator moves to cause gas to be expelled from the second gas reservoir,(e) subsequent to commencement of (d), conducting gas from the second gas reservoir through a second heat exchanger wherein conducted gas is cooled and releases heat energy to the second heat exchanger,(f) subsequent to commencement of (e), receiving gas that has been cooled by passing through the second heat exchanger, in the first gas reservoir, wherein the first separator moves to cause working liquid to be expelled from the first liquid reservoir,(g) at least one of storing or using to power at least one device, at least a portion of liquid fluid power produced by expulsion of the working liquid in at least one of (c) and (f). 2. The method according to claim 1wherein in (g) the liquid fluid power is stored by pressurizing working liquid in a liquid accumulator. 3. The method according to claim 1wherein in (g) the liquid fluid power is used to cause operation of at least one of a hydraulic cylinder and a hydromotor. 4. The method according to claim 2 and further comprising: repeating steps (a) through (g) a plurality of times. 5. The method according to claim 4 and further comprising: (h) subsequent to at least one (g), releasing pressurized working liquid from the liquid accumulator to cause operation of at least one of a hydraulic cylinder and a hydromotor. 6. The method of claim 1 and further comprising: repeating (a) through (f) a plurality of times. 7. The method of claim 6wherein in repeated (a) through (f) the at least one second bounding wall of the second hp accumulator is maintained at a higher temperature than the at least one first bounding wall of the first hp accumulator. 8. The method of claim 7wherein in repeated (a) through (f) working liquid in the second liquid reservoir is maintained at a higher temperature than working liquid in the first liquid reservoir. 9. The method of claim 8wherein in repeated (a) through (f) working liquid in the second liquid reservoir is maintained fluidly separated from working liquid in the first liquid reservoir through at least one movable heat insulator. 10. The method of claim 7 and further comprising: subsequent to commencement of each (d) and prior to each (e) (d1) conducting gas from the second gas reservoir through the first heat exchanger wherein the gas gains heat energy,(d2) subsequent to commencement of (d1), expanding gas heated in (d1) in a third gas reservoir of a third hp accumulator, wherein a third separator of the third hp accumulator moves to cause working liquid to be expelled from a third liquid reservoir of the third hp accumulator,(d3) subsequent to (d2), adding liquid to the third liquid reservoir, wherein the third separator moves to cause gas to be expelled from the third gas reservoir,wherein prior to each repeated (e), gas from the second gas reservoir is moved through the third gas reservoir in (d1) through (d3) before passing through the second heat exchanger. 11. The method according to claim 7wherein the at least one of the first gas reservoir and the second gas reservoir is in operative connection with a gas blower, andwherein in at least one of each repeated (a) and (c), a gas blower operates to move gas and aid convective heat transfer. 12. The method according to claim 7 and further comprising: subsequent to commencement of each (a) and prior to each (b)(a1) conducting gas from the first gas reservoir through the second heat exchanger wherein the gas loses heat energy,(a2) subsequent to commencement of (a1), receiving gas cooled in (a1) in a third gas reservoir of a third hp accumulator, wherein a third separator of the third hp accumulator moves to cause working liquid to be expelled from a third liquid reservoir of the third hp accumulator,(a3) subsequent to (a2), adding liquid to the third liquid reservoir, wherein the third separator moves to cause gas to be expelled from the third gas reservoir, wherein prior to each repeated (b) gas from the first gas reservoir is moved through the third gas reservoir in (a1) through (a3) before passing through the second heat exchanger. 13. The method according to claim 7wherein in each (a) the working liquid added to the first liquid reservoir is first passed through a first port of a hydraulic transformer,wherein in each (b) working liquid expelled from the second liquid reservoir is passed through a second part of the hydraulic transformer,wherein in each (e) working liquid added to the second liquid reservoir is first passed through the second port of the hydraulic transformerwherein in each (f) working liquid expelled from the first liquid reservoir is passed through the first port of the hydraulic transformer. 14. The method according to claim 7wherein in at least one of each (a) or (c) the first or second hp accumulator comprisestwo liquid reservoirs and one gas reservoir, wherein the separator between the two liquid reservoirs and the one gas reservoir includes a piston that moves, andwherein the liquid reservoirs are at different pressures. 15. Apparatus comprising: a first hydropneumatic (hp) accumulator includingat least one first accumulator bounding wall, a first internal gas reservoir,a first internal liquid reservoir,a first movable separator configured to maintain fluidly separate the first gas reservoir and the first liquid reservoir,a second hp accumulator including: at least one second accumulator bounding wall,a second internal gas reservoir,a second internal working liquid reservoir,a second movable separator configured to maintain fluidly separate the second gas reservoir and the second liquid reservoir,a first heat exchanger, wherein the first heat exchanger is configured to deliver heat to gas passing therethrough,a second heat exchanger, wherein the second heat exchanger is configured to take heat away from gas passing therethrough,at least one working liquid manifold including at least one valve, wherein the at least one working liquid manifold is configured to be selectively operative to enable working liquid to be delivered to and expelled from each of the first liquid reservoir and the second liquid reservoir,at least one gas manifold including at least one gas valve, wherein the at least one gas manifold is configured to be selectively operative to enable gas in the first gas reservoir to be movable through the first heat exchanger to the second gas reservoir, and gas in the second gas reservoir to be movable to the first gas reservoir through the second heat exchanger,wherein the at least one liquid manifold is operative to cause working liquid to be added to the first liquid reservoir to cause the first separator to move and compress gas in the first gas reservoir, andwherein with the gas in the first gas reservoir compressed, the at least one gas manifold is operative to enable gas to move from the first gas reservoir to the second gas reservoir through the first heat exchanger,and wherein when the gas heated by passing through the first heat exchanger is delivered to the second gas reservoir, the at least one liquid manifold is operative to enable working liquid to be expelled from the second liquid reservoir responsive to second separator movement due to expansion of gas in the second gas reservoir,and wherein the at least one liquid manifold after gas expansion in the second gas reservoir, is operative to cause working liquid to be added to the second liquid reservoir which is operative to cause the second separator to move,and wherein when the second separator is moved responsive to working liquid added to the second liquid reservoir, the at least one gas manifold is operative to enable gas to move from the second gas reservoir to the first gas reservoir through the second heat exchanger,and wherein when the gas cooled by passing through the second heat exchanger is delivered to the first gas reservoir, the at least one liquid manifold is operative to enable working liquid to be expelled from the first liquid reservoir due to movement of the first separator responsive to receipt of gas in the first gas reservoir. 16. The apparatus according to claim 15 and further comprising: a working liquid accumulator, wherein the liquid accumulator is in operative connection with at least one of the first liquid reservoir and the second liquid reservoir,wherein the liquid accumulator is operative to store at least a portion of fluid power produced by expulsion of working liquid from at least one of the first liquid reservoir and the second liquid reservoir. 17. The apparatus according to claim 15wherein the at least one gas manifold and the at least one liquid manifold are configured to be operated in coordinated relation to repeatedly cause in a cycle:working liquid to be added to the first liquid reservoir,gas to move from the first gas reservoir to the second gas reservoir through the first heat exchanger,working liquid to be expelled from the second liquid reservoir,working liquid to be added to the second liquid reservoir,gas to move from the second gas reservoir to the first gas reservoir through the second heat exchanger,working liquid to be expelled from the first liquid reservoir. 18. The apparatus according to claim 17wherein after a plurality of repeated occurrences of the cycle, the at least one first bounding wall has a lower temperature than the at least one second bounding wall. 19. The apparatus according to claim 18wherein after a plurality of repeated occurrences of the cycle, the working liquid in the first liquid reservoir is cooler than the working liquid in the second liquid reservoir. 20. The apparatus according to claim 19wherein the at least one liquid manifold includes a liquid buffer, wherein the liquid buffer includes two buffer liquid reservoirs and a movable heat insulator, wherein the movable heat insulator is operative to fluidly separate the two buffer liquid reservoirs within the buffer. 21. The apparatus according to claim 15 and further comprising: a third hp accumulator including at least one third accumulator bounding wall,a third internal gas reservoir,a third internal working liquid reservoir,a third movable separator configured to fluidly separate the third gas reservoir and third liquid reservoir,wherein the third accumulator is in operative gas connection with the at least one gas manifold, and in operative working liquid connection with the at least one liquid manifold,and wherein the at least one gas manifold and at least one liquid manifold are configured to be operative in coordinated relation to repeatedly cause in a cycle: working liquid to be added to the first liquid reservoir,gas to move from the first gas reservoir to the second gas reservoir through the first heat exchanger,working liquid to be expelled from the second liquid reservoir,working liquid to be added to the second liquid reservoir,gas to move from the second gas reservoir to the third gas reservoir through the first heat exchanger,working liquid to be expelled from the third liquid reservoir,working liquid to be added to the third liquid reservoir,gas to move from the third gas reservoir to the first gas reservoir through the second heat exchanger, andworking liquid to be expelled from the first liquid reservoir. 22. The apparatus according to claim 17 and further comprising: a gas blower, wherein the gas blower is operative to urge gas to move in the first gas reservoir to aid in convective heat transfer. 23. The apparatus according to claim 17 and further comprising: a gas blower, wherein the gas blower is operative to urge gas to move in the second gas reservoir to aid in convective heat transfer. 24. The apparatus according to claim 17 and further comprising: a liquid power accumulator in operative connection with the second liquid reservoir, wherein expulsion of the working liquid from the second liquid reservoir in each sequence increases liquid power stored in the power accumulator. 25. The apparatus according to claim 17 and further comprising: a hydromotor, wherein the hydromotor is in operative driving connection with a gas blower, wherein the gas blower is in operative connection with at least one of the first gas reservoir and the second gas reservoir,and wherein the hydromotor is driven by flow of working liquid. 26. The apparatus according to claim 15 and further comprising: a third hp accumulator including at least one third accumulator bounding wall,a third internal gas reservoir,a third internal working liquid reservoir,a third movable separator configured to fluidly separate the third gas reservoir and third liquid reservoir,wherein the third accumulator is in operative gas connection with the at least one gas manifold, and in operative working liquid connection with the at least one liquid manifold,and wherein the at least one gas manifold and at least one liquid manifold are configured to be operative in coordinated relation to repeatedly cause in a cycle: working liquid to be added to the first liquid reservoir,gas to move from the first gas reservoir to the third gas reservoir through the second heat exchanger,working liquid to be expelled from the third liquid reservoir,working liquid to be added to the third liquid reservoir,gas to move from the third gas reservoir to the second gas reservoir through the first heat exchanger,working liquid to be expelled from the second liquid reservoir,working liquid to be added to the second liquid reservoir,gas to move from the second gas reservoir to the first gas reservoir through the second heat exchanger, andworking liquid to be expelled from the first liquid reservoir. 27. The apparatus according to claim 17wherein the at least one liquid manifold includes at least one hydraulic transformer having at least three liquid ports,wherein a first liquid port is in operative fluid connection with the first liquid reservoir, and wherein a second liquid port is in operative fluid connection with the second liquid reservoir. 28. The apparatus according to claim 17wherein at least one of the first hp accumulator and the second hp accumulator comprises two second liquid reservoirs and a movable piston, wherein the movable piston separates the second gas reservoir from each of the two second liquid reservoirs. 29. The apparatus according to claim 21wherein at least one of the first hp accumulator, the second hp accumulator and the third hp accumulator comprises two liquid reservoirs and a movable piston, wherein the movable piston separates the gas reservoir from each of the two liquid reservoirs. 30. The apparatus according to claim 26wherein at least one of the first hp accumulator, the second hp accumulator and the third hp accumulator comprises two liquid reservoirs and a movable piston, wherein the movable piston separates the gas reservoir from each of the two liquid reservoirs. 31. The method according to claim 10wherein in at least one of each (a), (c) or (d2) the first, second or third hp accumulator comprisestwo liquid reservoirs and one gas reservoir, wherein the separator between the two liquid reservoirs and the one gas reservoir includes a piston that moves, and wherein the liquid reservoirs are at different pressures. 32. The method according to claim 12wherein in at least one of each (a), (a2) or (c) the first, second or third hp accumulator comprisestwo liquid reservoirs and one gas reservoir, wherein the separator between the two liquid reservoirs and the one gas reservoir includes a piston that moves, and wherein the liquid reservoirs are at different pressures.