US3984985A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar engine
Assignee: Laitram LLC
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Filing: 1975-04-17
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Granted: 1976-10-12
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Expires: 1995-04-17
Abstract
Abstract A solar engine including a vessel disposed for motion along a predetermined path and having an array of discrete expandable and contractable chambers disposed in spaced relation along the path. The vessel contains relatively non-expandable fluid while the chambers each contain a relatively expandable and contractable fluid which is of lesser density than the non-expandable fluid. The chambers along a predetermined section of said vessel are maintained at a cooler temperature than those chambers exposed to solar energy. The chambers exposed to solar energy are caused to expand upon heating of the fluid therein, causing displacement of the non-expandable fluid. At the same time, the cooled chambers are caused to contract in response to cooling of the fluid therein and permitting the inflow of an additional quantity of non-expandable fluid into the cooled section of the vessel. As a result, the cooled section of the vessel contains a greater amount of non-expandable fluid, producing a mechanical unbalance which in turn produces movement of the vessel along the path.
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Lapeyre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:45
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03G; F03G3/00; F03G3/087; F03G3/091; F03G6/00; F03G6/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A solar engine comprising: a vessel disposed for movement along a predetermined path and containing a first relatively non-expandable fluid; a plurality of expandable and contractable chambers each disposed at a successive spaced interval along said vessel, and each containing a second relatively expandable and contractable fluid; means for supporting said vessel for motion along said path; means for cooling the chambers disposed along a predetermined section of said vessel to maintain the chambers in this section at a lower temperature than the temperature of those chambers exposed to solar energy; the chambers exposed to solar energy being expandable in response to heating of said second fluid contained therein, the expansion of said chambers causing displacement of said first fluid in the section of said vessel exposed to solar energy and conveyance of said first fluid into the cooled section of said vessel; said cooled section being heavier than the section exposed to solar energy thereby causing movement of said vessel along said path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A solar engine comprising: a vessel disposed for movement along a predetermined path and containing a first relatively non-expandable fluid; a plurality of expandable and contractable chambers each disposed at a successive spaced interval along said vessel, and each containing a second relatively expandable and contractable fluid; means for supporting said vessel for motion along said path; means for cooling the chambers disposed along a predetermined section of said vessel to maintain the chambers in this section at a lower temperature than the temperature of those chambers exposed to solar energy; the chambers exposed to solar energy being expandable in response to heating of said second fluid contained therein, the expansion of said chambers causing displacement of said first fluid in the section of said vessel exposed to solar energy and conveyance of said first fluid into the cooled section of said vessel; said cooled section being heavier than the section exposed to solar energy thereby causing movement of said vessel along said path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A solar engine according to claim 1 wherein said chambers are provided by a web of elastic material disposed in said vessel and affixed to a surface thereof at spaced intervals to define said chambers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A solar engine according to claim 2 wherein said web includes a surface confronting said chambers having a thermally absorptive coating thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
196 words
A solar engine comprising: an elongated conduit disposed along a predetermined path; a plurality of cells disposed in spaced relation along said conduit and in fluid communication therewith; said conduit and said cells containing a first relatively non-expandable fluid; a plurality of expandable and contractable chambers each disposed within a respective one of said cells and each containing a second relatively expandable fluid therein operative upon heating by received solar energy to expand and cause expansion of said chamber and expulsion of a quantity of said first fluid from said cell to said conduit; means for supporting said conduit and plurality of cells for motion along said path; means for cooling the cells disposed along a predetermined section of said conduit to maintain the cells in this section at a lower temperature than the temperature of those cells exposed to solar energy and thereby cause contraction of said second fluid and chambers in this section and permit inflow of a quantity of said first fluid from said conduit into said cooled cells; said cooled cells being heavier than those cells exposed to solar energy and causing movement of said conduit and associated cells along said path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
196 words
A solar engine comprising: an elongated conduit disposed along a predetermined path; a plurality of cells disposed in spaced relation along said conduit and in fluid communication therewith; said conduit and said cells containing a first relatively non-expandable fluid; a plurality of expandable and contractable chambers each disposed within a respective one of said cells and each containing a second relatively expandable fluid therein operative upon heating by received solar energy to expand and cause expansion of said chamber and expulsion of a quantity of said first fluid from said cell to said conduit; means for supporting said conduit and plurality of cells for motion along said path; means for cooling the cells disposed along a predetermined section of said conduit to maintain the cells in this section at a lower temperature than the temperature of those cells exposed to solar energy and thereby cause contraction of said second fluid and chambers in this section and permit inflow of a quantity of said first fluid from said conduit into said cooled cells; said cooled cells being heavier than those cells exposed to solar energy and causing movement of said conduit and associated cells along said path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
A solar engine according to claim 4 wherein each of said plurality of cells comprises: a first expandable and contractable housing in fluid communication with said conduit and containing said non-expandable fluid; a second closed expandable and contractable housing defining said chamber and in mechanical engagement with said first housing; said first housing being expandable upon heating of the expandable fluid therein to cause contraction of said first housing and displacement of said non-expandable fluid from said first housing to said conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A solar engine according to claim 5 wherein each of said first and second housings includes a bellows construction providing intended expansion and contraction, said housing being disposed for expansion and contraction along a common axis and having thermally insulative means disposed between the confronting portions of said first and second housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A solar engine according to claim 4 wherein said elongated conduit and plurality of cells are disposed around a circular path, and wherein said supporting means includes a support structure for maintaining said plurality of cells for rotation in a generally vertical plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A solar engine according to claim 4 wherein said conduit is of flexible construction disposed around a predetermined closed path; and wherein said supporting means includes a plurality of rollers around which said flexible conduit is disposed for movement along the predetermined path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A solar engine according to claim 4 further including one or more reflecting surfaces disposed with respect to said non-cooled cells to reflect solar energy thereon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A solar engine according to claim 4 wherein the surface of each of said cells exposed to solar energy includes a thermally absorptive coating.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US389515A
Cited
US3509716A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-10-12 | 1980-04-12 | 1980-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-12 | 1984-04-12 | 1984-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-12 | 1988-04-12 | 1988-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |