A power generator and a method of generating power

Abstract

The invention relates to a power generator. The power generator comprises a vessel provided with a heat exchanging unit for alternatingly heating and cooling an organic based working fluid contained in the interior of the vessel during operation of the power generator. Further, the power generator comprises a mechanical unit associated with the vessel and provided with a reciprocating moving element that moves responsive to the heating and cooling process. The heat exchanging unit is arranged for heating the working fluid from below an evaporation temperature and for cooling the working fluid from above the evaporation temperature. Further, the power generator comprises a pressure transferring structure for transferring a pressure exerted by gas in the vessel towards the mechanical unit for driving the reciprocating moving element.

1 . A power generator, comprising a vessel provided with a heat exchanging unit for alternatingly heating and cooling an organic based working fluid contained in the interior of the vessel during operation of the power generator, further comprising a mechanical unit associated with the vessel and provided with a reciprocating moving element that moves responsive to the heating and cooling process, wherein the heat exchanging unit is arranged for heating the working fluid from below an evaporation temperature and for cooling the working fluid from above the evaporation temperature, the power generator further comprising a pressure transferring structure for transferring a pressure exerted by gas in the vessel towards the mechanical unit for driving the reciprocating moving element. 
     
     
         2 . A power generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure transferring structure includes a barring element barring gas to flow towards the mechanical unit. 
     
     
         3 . A power generator according to  claim 2 , wherein the barring element is a flexible membrane sealing an opening in a top part of the vessel. 
     
     
         4 . A power generator according to  claim 2 , wherein the barring element is a rigid plate movable in a cylindrical housing. 
     
     
         5 . A power generator according to  claim 2 , wherein the barring element is a partitioning module that separates the gas from a further medium contacting the reciprocating moving element. 
     
     
         6 . A power generator according to  claim 2 , wherein the barring element is rigidly connected to the reciprocating moving element. 
     
     
         7 . A power generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical unit comprises a hollow cylinder receiving the reciprocating moving element. 
     
     
         8 . A power generator according to  claim 7 , wherein the hollow cylinder is mounted on the vessel. 
     
     
         9 . A power generator according to  claim 7 , wherein the pressure transferring structure includes a tube interconnecting the vessel to the mechanical unit. 
     
     
         10 . A power generator according to  claim 9 , wherein the barring element is arranged in the channel of the pressure transferring structure. 
     
     
         11 . A power generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanging unit comprises a tube extending through the interior of the vessel, the tube having an input port and an output port exterior to the vessel for alternatingly flowing the tube with a heating and a cooling fluid. 
     
     
         12 . A power generator according to  claim 11 , wherein the heat exchanging unit comprises a further tube extending through the interior of the vessel for heating and cooling the working fluid using separate tubes. 
     
     
         13 . A power generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the reciprocating moving element is provided with a counter load exerting a static force on the moving element. 
     
     
         14 . A power generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is pre-pressurized with the working fluid. 
     
     
         15 . A power generator according to  claim 14 , wherein the vessel is pre-pressurized at a pressure of circa 10 bar. 
     
     
         16 . A power generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is a closed container. 
     
     
         17 . A power generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the vessel has an inner diameter that is larger than a diameter of the flexible membrane. 
     
     
         18 . A power generator according to  claim 1 , further comprising a controller controlling a process of alternatingly heating and cooling the working fluid contained in the interior of the vessel. 
     
     
         19 . A power generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the working fluid is a CFC, HCFC, HFC, HC or PFC, preferably chlorodifluoromethane. 
     
     
         20 . A method of generating power, comprising the step of alternatingly heating and cooling an organic based working fluid contained in the interior of a vessel for moving a reciprocating moving element of a mechanical unit, wherein the working fluid is heated from below an evaporation temperature and wherein the working fluid is cooled from above an evaporation temperature, the method further comprising the step of transferring a pressure exerted by gas in the vessel towards the mechanical unit for driving the reciprocating moving element.