Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for converting temperature differentials to usable energy employs a crystalline fusible material (47) having a fusion temperature in the range of from 70.degree. to 120.degree.. The fusible material (47) is mounted inside a cylinder housing (26) for driving a piston (22) therein as the fusible material (47) is alternately frozen and thawed by warm and cool fluid which is alternately circulated around and through the cylinder housing (26). The cool fluid is obtained from an unrefrigerated, ambient cool water source, such as tap water, ground water, evaporative cooler, or the like. Warm fluid is obtained from waste heat, solar heat, etc. In this system, a fine control is provided to insure that the crystalline fusible material (47) does not totally freeze or thaw, but rather remains in a transient state at all times. The piston (22) is linked to a hydraulic accumulator (12) for creating and maintaining hydraulic pressure. Hydraulic fluid (74) from the hydraulic accumulator (12) is used to drive a power take-off device (14). A regeneration system reclaims waste heat from the hydraulic accumulator (12) and the power take-off device (14) for reuse by a warm water source (18).

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First Claim