Method and apparatus for energy generation utilizing temperature fluctuation-induced fluid pressure differentials

Abstract

A method and apparatus for producing energy is provided for generating renewable energy. Captive compressed fluid cycles between two coupled containers through a motive power source. The captive compressed fluid flows between the containers in response to a difference in the pressure of the compressed fluid within the first container compared to the pressure of the compressed fluid within the second container. This pressure differential develops as the compressed fluid within the first container experiences a temperature change of a differing percentage magnitude or direction than the compressed fluid within the second container over the same period of time. The differing percentage temperature fluctuations result as the containers are provided dissimilar exposure to natural renewable or man-made energy sources or are insulated therefrom. A continuous supply of additional compressed fluid is not required, nor is fluid routinely vented to the atmosphere.

1 . An apparatus for generating energy, comprising: 
 first and second containers to contain fluid under pressure at first and second temperatures, respectively; and    a motive power source coupled with said first and second containers and adapted to generate energy in response to a flow of said fluid between said containers, in either or both directions, urged by a difference in the pressure of said fluid within one of the containers compared to the pressure of said fluid within said the other of said containers induced by a change in said first temperature of a different percentage than a change, if any, in said second temperature.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said motive power source includes one or more energy-generation devices.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said one or more energy-generation devices comprise devices that generate electricity via rotational motion.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein is included a structural support that includes a prime mover for alternating positions of said first and second containers.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for generating energy, comprising: 
 first and second containers to contain fluid under pressure;    a motive power source coupled with the first and second containers and adapted to generate energy in response to a flow of the fluid between the containers urged by a difference in the pressure of the fluid within the first container compared to the pressure of the fluid within the second container; and    a flow-control device within a flow path between the first and second containers to control the flow of the fluid between the first and second containers.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said motive source includes one or more energy-generation devices.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for generating energy, comprising: 
 a first containment of fluid under pressure;    a second containment of fluid under pressure coupled to the first containment, thereby defining a flow path between the first containment and the second containment; and    a motive power source disposed within the flow path, wherein the motive power source may generate energy in response to a flow of the fluid from the first to the second containment and may also generate energy in response to a flow of the fluid from the second to the first containment;    wherein said flow is urged by a pressure difference between the first and second containments caused by a change in temperature of said first containment of a different percentage than a change, if any, in temperature of said second containment.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said motive power source includes one or more energy-generation devices.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus for generating energy, comprising: 
 a first containment of fluid under pressure and associated with a first temperature;    a second containment of fluid under pressure coupled to the first containment, thereby defining a flow path between the first containment and the second containment, and wherein the second containment of fluid is associated with a second temperature that is cooler than the first temperature; and    a motive power source coupled to said first and second containments operable to generate energy in response to a flow of the fluid between the first and second containments and vice versa,    wherein the second temperature is changeable to become relatively warmer than the first temperature incident to subjecting the first or second containments to an environment that changes the temperature of the first or second containments.    
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for generating energy, comprising: 
 first and second containers to contain fluid under pressure at first and second respective temperatures; and    a motive power source coupled with the first and second containers operable to generate energy in response to a flow of the fluid between the containers, either direction, urged by a difference in the pressure of the fluid within the first container compared to the pressure of the fluid within the second container,    wherein substantially all fluid that flows from the first container is recovered in the second container, and substantially all fluid that flows from the second container is recovered in the second container.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said motive power source includes one or more energy-generation devices.  
   
   
       12 . A method for generating energy, comprising: 
 providing a first supply of contained fluid under pressure at a first temperature;    providing a second supply of contained fluid under pressure at a second temperature; and    generating energy as fluid flows within a flow-path between said first and second supplies, and vice versa, in response to a difference in the pressure of said first supply compared to the pressure of said second supply induced by a change in said first temperature of a different percentage than a change, if any, in said second temperature.    
   
   
       13 . A method for generating energy, comprising: 
 providing a first supply of contained fluid under pressure;    providing a second supply of contained fluid under pressure;    providing for the control of a flow of the fluid from said first supply to said second supply and from said second supply to said first supply; and    generating energy as fluid flows within the flow path between the first and second supplies, and vice versa, in response to a difference in pressure between the first supply compared to the pressure of the second supply.    
   
   
       14 . A method for generating energy, comprising: 
 providing a first containment of fluid at a first pressure and a first temperature;    providing a second containment of fluid at a second pressure and a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is relatively cooler than the first temperature;    enabling a flow of fluid from the first containment to the second containment, and vice versa, until the first and second pressures differ by a threshold amount, wherein the flow of fluid stimulates a motive power source to produce energy, said fluid flow motivated by a change in said first temperature of a different percentage than a change, if any, in said second temperature; and    exposing either the first containment or the second containment to an environment that causes the second temperature to become relatively warmer than the first temperature, thereby regenerating a pressure differential greater than the threshold amount that can be used to induce a subsequent fluid exchange between the second and first containments.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said motive power source includes one or more energy-generation devices.  
   
   
       16 . A method for generating energy, comprising: 
 providing first and second containers to contain fluid under pressure; and    providing a motive power source coupled with the first and second containers and operable to generate energy in response to a flow of the fluid between the containers urged by a difference in the pressure of the fluid within the first container compared to the pressure of the fluid within the second container, and vice versa,    wherein substantially all fluid is maintained within the system as the fluid flows between the first and second containers.    
   
   
       17 . A method for generating energy in a system comprising first and second containers adapted to contain fluid under pressure and a motive power source coupled to said first and second containers, the method comprising: 
 bringing said first and second containers to a state whereby substantially no fluid flows between said first and second containers;    subjecting said first and second containers to environments that create a first pressure differential between said first and second containers;    enabling an exchange of fluid between said first and second containers urged by said first pressure differential that stimulates said motive power source to create energy until said first pressure differential is reduced to a different pressure differential from said first differential, thereby providing a first fluid-exchange cycle; and    iteratively creating additional fluid-exchange cycles by:    (1) subjecting said first and second containers to environments that create another pressure differential between said first and second containers,    (2) stimulating said motive power source by causing another fluid-exchange cycle using said another pressure differential until said another pressure differential reduces to a desired amount, wherein said fluid exchange cycle includes fluid flowing from said first container to said second container as well as from said second container to said first container; and    (3) repeating steps (1) and (2) above.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said motive power source includes one or more energy-generation devices.  
   
   
       19 . A method for generating energy, comprising; 
 providing a first supply of fluid contained under pressure;    providing a second supply of contained fluid under pressure;    providing a flow-control device within a flow path between the first and second supplies of contained fluid to control a flow of the fluid between the first and second supplies;    providing a first pressure-measuring device to determine the pressure of the first supply of contained fluid; and    generating energy as fluid flows within the flow path between the first and second supplies, and vice versa, in response to a difference in pressure between the first supply compared to the pressure of the second supply.    
   
   
       20 . An energy-generating device, comprising; 
 means for containing a first supply of fluid under pressure at a first temperature;    means for containing a second supply of fluid under pressure at a second temperature; and    means for generating energy in response to a flow of fluid between said first and second fluid-containing means, and vice versa, urged by a difference in the pressure of said first supply compared to the pressure of said second supply induced by a change in said first temperature of a different percentage than a change, if any, in said second temperature.