Thermal-to-mechanical energy converter - involves alternate heating and cooling of refrigerant in flexible chamber coupled to piston

摘要

The energy converter comprises a cylindrical housing (401) with an end cover (402) containing a large number of passageways. The other end of the housing is covered with a flexible membrane (403) connected to a sliding rod (406). The housing is filled with a refrigerant and when the cover (402) is heated e.g. by the sun's rays, the working fluid evaporates and creates a pressure which pushes the diaphragm outwards. Cooling water is then allowed to flow through the passages in the cover (402) condensing the refrigerant and causing the diaphragm to retract.