| 摘要 |
Method and apparatus are described for converting relatively low temperature heat energy, for example, up to approximately 212 DEG F., into useful work. A heated zone having a temperature range including a first predetermined temperature and a cooled zone having a second temperature range including a second predetermined temperature are provided. A meltable wax material whose melting and resolidification occur within a preselected temperature range positioned along the thermal gradient between said first and second temperatures is alternately placed in heat exchange relationship with said heated and cooled zones for producing cyclic melting and resolidification of said wax material. The wax material may be separated into multiple discrete units for increasing its surface-to-volume ratio for augmenting the rate of heat flow into and out of the material during its melting and resolidification. The resultant relatively large cyclic expansion of the wax material within a relatively non-compressible liquid confined in a rigid container, produces cycles of relatively high pressure which are then used to perform useful mechanical work or are used for conversion into an energy form suitable for long term storage and which can later be used to produce useful work.
|
