Patent US4022024A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4022024A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thermosiphon engine and method
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-05-13
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Granted: 1977-05-10
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Expires: 1995-05-13
Abstract
Abstract A thermal engine in which two interconnected columns of liquid form a closed path with one of the columns being heated and the other being cooled thereby to induce circulation of the liquid in the closed path. A fluid actuated rotary member is placed in the path and power can be taken from a shaft connected thereto. The column in which the liquid rises can be heated by sunlight, especially by attaching panels to the column, or it can be heated by combustion, and the column in which the liquid moves downwardly may be cooled by radiation or convection or by passing a cooling fluid therealong.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugenio Eibenschutz Abeles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:26
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03B; F03B13/00; F03B17/00; F03B17/005; F03G; F03G6/00; F03G6/003; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A thermosiphon engine comprising channel means defining a closed path for liquid flow and including a pair of upstanding columns, said columns including a first column in which liquid flows upwardly and a second column in which liquid flows downwardly, a liquid actuated rotary member in said path having a shaft from which power can be taken as liquid flows in said path and actuates said member, said first column comprising first means to absorb heat and said second column comprising second means to reflect or radiate heat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A thermosiphon engine comprising channel means defining a closed path for liquid flow and including a pair of upstanding columns, said columns including a first column in which liquid flows upwardly and a second column in which liquid flows downwardly, a liquid actuated rotary member in said path having a shaft from which power can be taken as liquid flows in said path and actuates said member, said first column comprising first means to absorb heat and said second column comprising second means to reflect or radiate heat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A thermosiphon engine according to claim 1 in which said rotary member is disposed in said path between the upper ends of said columns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A thermosiphon engine according to claim 1 in which said first means comprise panel elements exposed to sunlight and in heat exchange with said first column, and heat insulation on the sides of said panels which face away from the sunlight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A thermosiphon engine according to claim 3 in which said first column is inclined and said panelss are distributed therealong to prevent an upper panel from shading a lower panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A thermosiphon engine according to claim 1 in which said second means includes means for circulating a coolant fluid along said second column in heat exchange relation therewith.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A thermosiphon engine according to claim 5 in which said fluid is air.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A thermosiphon engine according to claim 5 in which said fluid is water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A thermosiphon engine according to claim 1 in which said first means compriss a heat conductive element connected to said first column near the bottom in heat exchange relation therewith and projecting therefrom and adapted for being heated by combustible material placed beneath the element and ignited.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A thermosiphon engine according to claim 1 in which said second means includes a jacket surrounding said second column and adapted to have a cooling fluid passed therethrough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A thermosiphon engine according to claim 1 in which said second means includes panel means connected to said second column in heat exchange relation therewith and projecting therefrom and operable to produce a cooling effect on the liquid descending in said second column.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of thermosiphon energy conversion comprising the steps of: heating a liquid and causing said liquid to flow upwardly in a first liquid conduit whereby thermal energy is converted to mechanical liquid flow energy; causing said liquid to flow from an upper part of said first conduit to the upper portion of a second liquid conduit wherein said liquid flows downwardly in said second conduit causing a siphoning of the liquid in said first conduit; causing said liquid to flow from a lower part of said second conduit to a lower part of said first conduit thus providing a flowing liquid path; and placing a liquid actuated rotary member in the flowing liquid path whereby the mechanical flow energy is converted to rotary energy.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of thermosiphon energy conversion comprising the steps of: heating a liquid and causing said liquid to flow upwardly in a first liquid conduit whereby thermal energy is converted to mechanical liquid flow energy; causing said liquid to flow from an upper part of said first conduit to the upper portion of a second liquid conduit wherein said liquid flows downwardly in said second conduit causing a siphoning of the liquid in said first conduit; causing said liquid to flow from a lower part of said second conduit to a lower part of said first conduit thus providing a flowing liquid path; and placing a liquid actuated rotary member in the flowing liquid path whereby the mechanical flow energy is converted to rotary energy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10 including the step of cooling the liquid as it flows downwardly in the second conduit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 10 including the steps of inclining said first conduit; and placing a plurality of heat absorbing panels in heat conducting relation to said first liquid conduit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-09 | 1980-11-08 | 1981-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-09 | 1984-11-08 | 1985-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-09 | 1988-11-08 | 1989-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |