| 摘要 |
The present invention provides a heat engine (10) comprising a fluid circuit (12) for a working fluid. The fluid circuit includes: a heat exchanger (18, 20) for receiving heat energy from a first external source (16) for supply to the working fluid. An expander (22) downstream from the heat exchanger generates work from the supplied heat energy. A condenser (24) downstream from the expander transfers heat energy from the working fluid to a second external source (26) at a lower temperature than the first external source; and a pressure transfer region (30) downstream of the condenser and upstream of the heat exchanger conveys fluid around the fluid circuit and comprises: a first reservoir (32) arranged to receive fluid from the condenser. A second reservoir (34) is arranged to receive fluid from the first reservoir and to convey it downstream towards the heat exchanger; and a valve arrangement (36, 38, 40, 44) for controlling conveyance of fluid from the first and the second reservoirs. The valve arrangement is configured for selectively filling the second reservoir from the first reservoir, isolating the first reservoir from the second reservoir and discharging the second reservoir at high pressure to the heat exchanger. |
