Method and system for generation of power using stirling engine principles

Abstract

A heat engine enclosing a chamber in a housing has two zones maintained at different temperatures. The first zone receives heat energy from an external power source. The second zone is connected to the hot zone by two conduits, such that a fluid (e.g., air, water, or any other gas or liquid) filling the chamber can circulate between the two zones. The expansion of the fluid in the hot zone and the compression of the fluid in the cold zone drive the rotation of the housing to provide a power output. The fluid may be pressurized to enhance efficiency. A cooling fluid provided in a stationary reservoir maintains a preferred operating temperature difference between the hot zone and the cold zone. A heat storage structure containing a fluid with a high heat capacity may be provided as a heat reservoir.

1 . A rotary engine, comprising:
 a housing including a chamber having, during operation, a first zone which receives energy from a heat source and a second zone which is maintained at a temperature that is lower than the temperature in the first zone;   an insulator separating the first zone from the second zone;   a first fluid provided within the chamber; and   a turbine coupled to the housing and structurally adapted such that, a torque created by the turbine in response to an expansion of the first fluid in the first zone sets the housing into rotary motion.   
   
   
       2 . A rotary engine as in  claim 1 , further comprising fluid guides provided within the chamber for guiding a flow of the first fluid between the first zone and the second zone. 
   
   
       3 . A rotary engine as in  claim 2 , wherein the fluid guides also provide structural support for the chamber. 
   
   
       4 . A rotary engine as in  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid comprises air. 
   
   
       5 . A rotary engine as in  claim 1 , further comprising a one-way valve positioned between the first zone and the second zone to prevent back-flow of the first fluid from the first zone to the second zone. 
   
   
       6 . A rotary engine as in  claim 1 , further comprising an axle which is driven into rotary motion during operation by the rotary motion of the housing. 
   
   
       7 . A rotary engine as in  claim 1 , wherein a second fluid is circulated during operation between the second zone and a reservoir external to the housing. 
   
   
       8 . A rotary engine as in  claim 7 , wherein the second fluid has a substantially higher specific heat capacity than the specific heat capacity of the first fluid. 
   
   
       9 . A rotary engine as in  claim 7 , further comprising a member attached to the housing adapted for rotation about the axis of the rotary motion of the housing. 
   
   
       10 . A rotary engine as in  claim 9 , wherein the member has a threaded passage for drawing the second fluid from the reservoir into the housing. 
   
   
       11 . A rotary engine as in  claim 9 , wherein passages coupled to the member are provided throughout the second zone for distributing the second fluid drawn by the member. 
   
   
       12 . A rotary engine as in  claim 11 , wherein one of the passages is provided as a spiral conduit in a portion of the insulation layer abutting the second zone. 
   
   
       13 . A rotary engine as in  claim 12 , wherein one of the passages is provided between the housing and a surface of the second zone of the chamber. 
   
   
       14 . A rotary engine as in  claim 1 , further comprising a heat storage structure located in the vicinity of the first zone. 
   
   
       15 . A rotary engine as in  claim 14 , wherein the heat storage structure comprises a conductive plate adapted for heat transfer between the heat storage structure and the first zone. 
   
   
       16 . A rotary engine as in  claim 15 , wherein further comprises one or more springs loaded to urge the conductive plate into contact with the first zone as a result of a rise in temperature in the first zone. 
   
   
       17 . A rotary engine as in  claim 14 , wherein the heat storage structure comprises a third fluid having a specific heat capacity higher than the specific heat capacity of the first fluid. 
   
   
       18 . A method for providing a rotary engine operating from a temperature difference, comprising:
 providing a chamber in a housing having, during operation, a first zone which receives energy from a heat source and a second zone which is maintained at a temperature that is lower than the temperature in the first zone;   insulating the first zone from the second zone;   providing a first fluid within the chamber; and   providing a turbine that drives the housing into rotary motion, the turbine being structurally adapted to create a torque in response to an expansion of the first fluid in the first zone.   
   
   
       19 . A method as in  claim 18 , further comprising providing fluid guides for guiding a flow of the first fluid between the first zone and the second zone. 
   
   
       20 . A method as in  claim 19 , wherein the fluid guides provide mechanical supporting to the chamber. 
   
   
       21 . A method as in  claim 18 , wherein the first fluid comprises air. 
   
   
       22 . A method as in  claim 18 , further comprising providing a one-way valve to prevent back-flow of the first fluid from the first zone to the second zone. 
   
   
       23 . A method as in  claim 18 , further comprising driving an axle into rotary motion by the rotary motion of the housing. 
   
   
       24 . A method as in  claim 18 , further comprising circulating a second fluid during operation between the second zone and a reservoir external to the housing. 
   
   
       25 . A method as in  claim 24 , wherein the second fluid has a substantially higher specific heat capacity than the specific heat capacity of the first fluid. 
   
   
       26 . A method as in  claim 24 , further comprising attaching to the housing a member which rotates about an axis of the rotary motion of the housing. 
   
   
       27 . A method as in  claim 26 , further comprising providing a threaded passage in the member for drawing the second fluid into the housing. 
   
   
       28 . A method as in  claim 26 , further comprising providing passages throughout the second zone to distribute the second fluid drawn by the member. 
   
   
       29 . A method as in  claim 28 , wherein providing a spiral conduit as a passage for the second fluid in a portion of the insulation layer abutting the second zone. 
   
   
       30 . A method as in  claim 29 , further comprising providing a passage between the housing and a surface of the second zone of the chamber. 
   
   
       31 . A method as in  claim 18 , further comprising providing a heat storage structure located in the vicinity of the first zone. 
   
   
       32 . A method as in  claim 31 , further comprising providing a conductive plate in the heat storage structure, the conductive plate being adapted for heat transfer between the heat storage structure and the first zone. 
   
   
       33 . A method as in  claim 32 , further comprising providing one or more springs which are loaded to urge the conductive plate into contact with the first zone as a result of a rise in temperature in the first zone. 
   
   
       34 . A method as in  claim 31 , further comprising providing a second fluid having a specific heat capacity higher than the specific heat capacity of the first fluid in the heat storage structure.