| 摘要 |
A method and apparatus for converting work to heat comprising a body of liquid in a tank 32, a buoyant floating rotor 60 in the liquid, and means 20 for turning the rotor in the liquid so as to perform work on the liquid. The rotor is configured to dive progressively in the liquid as its speed of rotation increases, and to perform more work on the liquid as its depth increases. Preferably, the rotor is provided with external diving vanes 66 and paddles 64. As the rotor turns, it performs work on the water and heats it. The faster the rotor turns, the deeper it dives, and the more work that is done against the increased water resistance, so extracting more energy from a source of power. Preferably, mechanical friction brakes (44, fig.3), in thermal contact with the water, engage as the rotor depth increases, and ultimately limit any further diving of the rotor. A wind turbine 20 or other wind or water power source may be utilised to turn the rotor. Preferably, the wind turbine has blades located in a duct (21, fig.1) and is arranged on the same vertical shaft 28 as the rotor, so that vertical displacement of the blades in the duct results from vertical movement of the rotor and may be utilised to limit power take-up in strong winds. |
