Heat engine

Abstract

A thermal engine is provided. The thermal engine includes a chassis, a work output member, and an operating mechanism for operating the work output member. The chassis supports one or more thermal engine components including a work output member. The work output member is adapted to generate and output mechanical power to a power generation system for generating electrical power. The operating mechanism includes a first array of actuator strips and a second array of actuator strips connected to displace the work output member in a first direction and a second direction, respectively, in response to heat exposure. The thermal switching mechanism is operable to periodically expose each of the first array of actuator belts and the second array of actuator belts to heat to cause periodic displacement of the work output member in the first direction and the second direction to generate mechanical power.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 364,805 filed on May 17, 2022 and U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 371,259 filed on August 12, 2022. The contents of these prior applications are incorporated herein by reference as if their entire contents were set forth. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to heat engines and, more particularly, to heat engines operable at low temperature sources and / or at low temperature differentials (eg, between natural environments, or between natural environments and a waste heat source). Background Art

[0003] Concerns about global warming and the need to address these concerns have led to major changes in policies around the world, especially in developed countries, to reduce the use of fossil fuels in energy demand. Although fossil fuels are available in large quantities and still address a major part of global energy demand, interest in utilizing alternative energy sources with lower environmental impact has been growing. Some examples of alternative energy sources include nuclear energy and known technologies that use wind and / or solar energy. However, these technologies have significant limitations that hinder their widespread use. For example, nuclear power plants have significant installation risks and environmental side effects from radioactive waste contamination. In addition, although the use of renewable energy sources such as solar energy systems or wind power plants has the advantages of not polluting the environment and not causing global warming, they still have significant limitations compared to fossil fuels; for example, higher costs, irregularities, and their availability depending on geographical location. Therefore, many studies are aimed at addressing these needs to reduce the use of fossil fuels and explore potential methods to increase feasibility, as well as reduce the investment costs associated with the use of natural or renewable energy sources. In addition, it is expected that these potential solutions will also help solve the problem of global warming.

[0004] Another example of a natural energy source may be the large amounts of thermal energy stores present in the environment (i.e., air, water, and land). However, the low temperature differences between these thermal energy stores limit their use in addressing energy needs. Most conventional methods for generating electricity from thermal energy require a fairly high temperature working fluid to do work, e.g., a sufficiently sudden expansion of a gas to produce usable mechanical motion for generating electricity, which is the functional principle of gas turbines, steam power plants, and other combustion engine types used for generating electricity. Alternatively, the use of heat pipes as an effective heat transfer mechanism is known and has been used for decades, compared to other conventional approaches to heat exchange systems. Typically, heat pipes are known for waste heat recovery and have been employed in some practical applications, however, the low temperature waste heat exchanged by heat pipes cannot yet be used for power generation.

[0005] Some systems that use natural resources to generate electricity have been developed. For example, U.S. Patent 2017 / 0314539 describes a rotary actuator that includes a fiber with a torsion structure that rotates continuously in response to temperature fluctuations to convert thermal energy that has been wasted in the surrounding environment into mechanical energy, which is then used to generate electricity. U.S. Patent 4,341,075 describes a method and apparatus for converting low-temperature thermal energy into mechanical energy or electrical energy, wherein at least one liquid or gas chamber performs work in response to temperature changes. U.S. Patent 10,615,720 describes a generator including a deformation unit and a piezoelectric unit. The deformation unit is coupled to the piezoelectric unit and includes a conductive polymer that is configured to deform when exposed to moisture, thereby applying mechanical force to the piezoelectric unit to generate electricity. U.S. Patent 10,072,638 describes a device for collecting thermal energy using pulse heating. In addition, U.S. Patent 9,488,128 describes a thermal torque engine that uses a hot box heated by a thermal medium and a wheel with multiple peripherally mounted tanks, wherein the tanks opposite along the diameter are connected by pipes. By alternately exposing the opposing tanks to heat that occurs as the pressurized refrigerant moves to the opposing tanks, the change in balance caused by the shifting of the center of gravity of the refrigerant creates a torque that moves the wheels. U.S. Patent Publication 2014 / 0150419 describes an engine having a plurality of movable masses (e.g., fluids contained in containers and movable between containers) coupled to and arranged around an axis. When subjected to a pressure differential, the masses move to a higher container, thereby increasing their potential energy and creating a gravitational torque that causes the plurality of masses to rotate in a particular direction.

[0006] There remains a need for a system that overcomes at least one of the deficiencies known in the art, such as a system that can effectively utilize low temperature heat and / or low temperature differentials present in natural thermal storage to generate electricity for small as well as large applications. Summary of the invention

[0007] In one aspect, a heat engine is provided. The heat engine includes a chassis for supporting one or more heat engine components. The heat engine also includes a work output member, which is supported on the chassis and is suitable for generating mechanical power and outputting the mechanical power to a power generation system for generating electricity. The heat engine also includes an operating mechanism, which is coupled to the work output member and is suitable for operating the work output member to generate mechanical power. The operating mechanism includes a first actuator band array, which is operably connected to the work output member and is suitable for displacing the work output member in a first direction in response to heat exposure. The operating mechanism also includes a second actuator band array, which is operably connected to the work output member and is suitable for displacing the work output member in a second direction in response to heat exposure. In addition, the operating mechanism includes a thermal switching mechanism, which is operable to periodically expose each of the first actuator band array and the second actuator band array to heat, thereby causing periodic displacement of the work output member in the first direction and the second direction to generate mechanical power.

[0008] On the other hand, a power generation system is provided. The power generation system includes a power generation system for generating electricity and a heat engine operably coupled to the power generation system. The heat engine includes a chassis for supporting one or more heat engine components. The heat engine also includes a work output member, which is supported on the chassis and is suitable for generating mechanical power and outputting the mechanical power to the power generation system for generating electricity. The heat engine also includes an operating mechanism, which is coupled to the work output member and is suitable for operating the work output member to generate mechanical power. The operating mechanism includes a first actuator band array, which is operably connected to the work output member and is suitable for displacing the work output member in a first direction in response to heat exposure. The operating mechanism also includes a second actuator band array, which is operably connected to the work output member and is suitable for displacing the work output member in a second direction in response to heat exposure. Additionally, the operating mechanism includes a thermal switching mechanism operable to periodically expose each of the first and second arrays of actuator bands to heat to induce periodic displacement of the work output member in the first and second directions to generate mechanical power. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 A simplified schematic diagram of a power generation system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is shown.

[0011] Figures 2 to 9 A heat engine according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0012] Figures 10 to 13A heat engine according to a second exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0013] Figures 14 to 21 A heat engine according to a third exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0014] Figure 22 to Figure 26 A heat engine according to a fourth exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0015] Figures 27 to 31 A heat engine according to a fifth exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0016] Figure 32 to Figure 36 A heat engine according to a sixth exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0017] Figures 37 to 43 A heat engine according to a seventh exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0018] Figures 44 to 51 A heat engine according to a first version of the eighth exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0019] Figure 52 to Figure 56 A heat engine according to a second version of the eighth exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0020] Figure 57 to Figure 59 A heat engine according to a third version of the eighth exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0021] Figure 60 to Figure 62 A heat engine operating using solar thermal energy according to a ninth exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0022] Figure 63 to Figure 67 A heat engine according to a tenth exemplary embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present disclosure provides a heat engine that can be operated by using abundant thermal energy existing in nature (e.g., by using a low temperature difference between two adjacent environments (such as air, water or land) and / or by using heat from a low temperature resource (such as low temperature waste heat). The thermal energy stored in the environment fluctuates within tens of degrees Celsius depending on the geographical location, for example, due to daily temperature changes and / or seasonal temperature changes, and the heat engine of the present disclosure can use this temperature change to generate electricity. Examples of such natural thermal energy resources include, but are not limited to, the temperature difference between the water at the bottom of the ocean, sea, lake, etc. and a nearby geographical location that experiences sub-zero temperatures in winter, or solar thermal energy collected where the nearby land or sea is at a lower temperature, and / or land and deserts that experience significant temperature changes between day and night, etc. The thermal energy is converted by the heat engine described herein into the mechanical output required to generate electricity. In addition, the heat engine according to various exemplary embodiments proposed herein can operate to generate electricity from natural resources regardless of the actual temperatures of the two adjacent environments, that is, whether they are too high or too low, as long as they are different.

[0024] The heat engines described herein not only provide an effective solution to global warming by reducing the temperature of the environment (e.g., one of the adjacent environments in which the heat engine is implemented), but also reduce the demand for fossil fuels. Compared with other traditional systems, these heat engines provide an economical and efficient way to generate electricity using thermal energy from a normal temperature environment and other resources. In addition, the heat engines according to the present disclosure can be implemented in various power generation applications (e.g., but not limited to renewable power plants, battery charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs), offshore and isolated bases, especially in very hot or very cold locations, and telecommunications stations that require little infrastructure). In addition, without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter, these heat engines can be scaled to, for example, power small or large appliances, vehicles, houses, buildings, etc. Some exemplary embodiments of the heat engine will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Figure 1A simplified schematic diagram of an exemplary power generation system 100 according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The power generation system 100 can be configured to generate electricity for powering facilities (such as houses, buildings, remote bases, telecommunication stations / towers, electric vehicle chargers, etc.). As shown, the power generation system 100 includes a heat engine 102, a power generation system 104 including a generator for generating electricity, a power conditioning system 106, and a heat exchanger 114 connected to the heat engine 102 and configured to provide thermal energy to the heat engine 102. The power generation system 100 may also include a controller 110, which is used to operate one or more components of the power generation system 100, such as the heat engine 102 and the heat exchanger 114, based on one or more data signals received from, for example, the heat engine 102, the heat exchanger 114, and the power generation system 104. The data signal may include, for example, temperature, flow, pressure data signals, etc., which can be used by the controller 110 to control the operation of one or more components of the power generation system 100. It should be appreciated that in various embodiments, the controller 110 may include additional instrumentation and control systems for controlling the operation of other components of the power generation system 100 .

[0026] The heat engine 102 may be a device that can convert heat or thermal energy received from a thermal energy source via a heat exchanger 114 into useful work and provide a mechanical output (e.g., by means of a rotating or swinging member) that can drive a mechanical load. The heat engine 102 may include a gearbox and / or other mechanical mechanisms to adjust the rotational output of the heat engine 102 required for power generation. In various embodiments, the thermal energy source (hereinafter referred to as a heat source) may be any low-temperature source, including but not limited to low-temperature waste heat from a power plant, or may be a natural heat storage source (such as an ambient thermal energy gradient between two or more adjacent or nearby geographic locations), or solar energy, geothermal energy, or other types of available heat sources (e.g., waste heat or thermal energy from other commercial or industrial processes). In some examples, solar thermal energy (such as solar thermal energy collected in evacuated glass tubes commonly used for solar water heaters or solar refrigerators, or solar thermal energy collected by mirror collectors, or solar thermal energy collected by any other collection device) may also be effectively used to operate the (multiple) heat engines 102 described herein. It will be appreciated that while the present disclosure is provided with respect to heat engines that may operate in low temperature gradients and environments, the concepts presented herein may be similarly implemented utilizing high temperature sources without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0027] The power generation system 104 may be a device or system capable of converting mechanical power (received from the heat engine 102) into electrical power. The power generation system 104 may include a conventional (rectified electromagnetic) generator, an alternator, a piezoelectric generator, etc. In some examples, the power generation system 104 may be a generator, and may also include any devices associated with a generator, such as bearings, thermal management / cooling systems, (multiple) transformers, alternating current (AC)-direct current (DC) inverters / converters, DC-DC converters, control electronics, couplings, gears / drives, clutches, transmissions, etc.

[0028] The output of the power generation system 104 may be fed into the power conditioning system 106 for converting the generated power into a suitable form required according to the final application. In various embodiments, the power conditioning system 106 may include AC and / or DC converters, transformers for stepping up or down voltage, etc., to make the power output from the power generation system 104 suitable according to the requirements of the final application. For example, the power conditioning system 106 may be configured to debug or modify the power output generated from the generator, such as rectification or inversion, or change the voltage for use as a charging station, or for connecting the power plant to the power grid.

[0029] In some embodiments, the controller 110 may include operable connections to various sensors and systems of the power generation system 100, and may be configured to receive information about one or more operating parameters thereof (such as temperature, pressure, frequency, voltage, current, etc.) or the position of one or more actuators, and send commands to the various actuators and systems through the connections to operate, for example, the heat engine 102 and the heat exchanger 114. Although a single controller is shown, it should be understood that the power generation system 100 may include multiple controllers, for example, separate controllers for controlling the operation of, for example, the heat engine 102, the heat exchanger 114, the power generation system 104, etc. In some embodiments, the controller 110 may be implemented as a computing device (e.g., a computer) having a single microprocessor or multiple microprocessors, computer memory (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium), and other components that are configured to receive inputs from sensors and / or other components of the heat engine 102, the heat exchanger 114, and the power generation system 104, and generate output signals based on these inputs. For example, such a controller may include memory, secondary storage devices, clocks, and processing hardware for performing tasks consistent with the present disclosure.

[0030] Now refer to Figures 2 to 9 , depicts an example of a heat engine 102 according to one embodiment. The heat engine 102 includes an engine chassis 202 having a longitudinal axis 204 and a transverse axis 206. The engine chassis 202 supports one or more heat engine components, including but not limited to the components described herein. Figure 3 As more clearly shown in FIG. 2 , the engine chassis 202 may be implemented as a rectangular chassis frame having a first longitudinal end 208 and a second longitudinal end 210 longitudinally opposite the first longitudinal end 208 along the longitudinal axis 204. The chassis 202 may include a first longitudinal arm 212 and a second longitudinal arm 214 extending along the longitudinal axis 204, and a first transverse arm 216 and a second transverse arm 218 disposed at opposite longitudinal ends of the chassis 202 and extending transversely between the first longitudinal arm 212 and the second longitudinal arm 214 along the transverse axis 206. In some embodiments, the chassis 202 may also include a third transverse arm 220 disposed proximate to the first transverse arm 216, a fourth transverse arm 222 disposed proximate to the second transverse arm 218, and a fifth transverse arm 224 disposed between the third transverse arm 220 and the fourth transverse arm 222 (e.g., extending transversely in the center of the chassis 202). In addition, a longitudinal support arm 226 may extend longitudinally between the fifth transverse arm 224 and the third transverse arm 220. The structural configuration of the chassis 202 is merely an example, and it will be appreciated that any other forms, shapes, and structures of the chassis 202 may alternatively be implemented to achieve similar results.

[0031] In one embodiment, the heat engine 102 includes a work output member, such as an output shaft 228 mounted on one longitudinal end (e.g., the first longitudinal end 208 of the chassis 202). The heat engine 102 can be configured to convert thermal energy into mechanical work, for example, by rotating the output shaft 228. The rotation of the output shaft 228 can be used as an input to the power generation system 104 via the gearbox 230, wherein the power generation system 104 converts the received input mechanical rotational power into electricity. For example, the gearbox 230 may include one or more components for performing multiple functions, including but not limited to increasing the rotational speed of the output shaft 228, and / or converting the rotation of the output shaft 228 into a suitable input rotational power for the power generation system 104 (e.g., converting bidirectional rotation into unidirectional rotation), and transmitting the rotational power to a conductor shaft or rotor (not shown) of the power generation system 104 via an exit shaft (not shown) to generate electricity through a known mechanism.

[0032] The heat engine 102 also includes an operating mechanism that is coupled to the work output member (ie, the output shaft 228 in this example) and is configured to operate the work output member to generate mechanical rotational power. Figure 4 and Figure 7As more clearly shown in FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, the output shaft 228 can be mounted on a mounting assembly 232 that is coupled to and between the first and third transverse arms 216, 220 and to the longitudinal support arm 226 of the chassis 202. The mounting assembly 232 includes a mounting wall 233 that is coupled to the third transverse arm 220 and the longitudinal support arm 226. In addition, a mounting base member 234 and a mounting top member 236 (including bearings for supporting the output shaft 228 therein) extend longitudinally between the first and third transverse arms 216, 220 and are coupled to the mounting wall 233. The mounting assembly 232 can also support a gear assembly 238 for operating the output shaft 228, in this example causing the output shaft 228 to rotate. In one embodiment, the gear assembly 238 can be a rack and pinion assembly having a linear rack gear 240 meshing or engaging with a circular gear or pinion 242 such that linear movement of the rack gear 240 causes rotation of the pinion gear 242, which in turn rotates the output shaft 228. The linear rack gear 240 can be supported on a guide rod 244 extending transversely along the length of the first transverse arm 216. The linear rack gear 240 can include an elongated through-receiving cavity (not shown) that allows the guide rod 244 to pass therethrough and mount the gear 240 thereon. As shown, the guide rod 244 can be fixed to the first longitudinal arm 212 and the second longitudinal arm 214 via fixing mechanisms 246 and 248, respectively, on each end. The guide rod 244 can be adapted to provide smooth linear movement restriction and guidance for the rack gear 240 during operation. It should be understood that the gear assembly 238 and its components are merely examples, and other arrangements can be used to achieve similar results without departing from the claimed subject matter.

[0033] In addition, as part of the operating mechanism, the heat engine 102 may also include an actuation mechanism 249 having one or more actuation components, which is configured to operate the work output member by displacing the work output member when exposed to heat. To this end, the actuation mechanism 249 may include a first actuator band array 250 (first actuation component) and a second actuator band array 252 (second actuation component) configured to drive the rack gear 240 in a first direction (indicated by arrow D1) and an opposite second direction (indicated by arrow D2) on the guide rod 244. In one embodiment, each of the first actuator band array 250 and the second actuator band array 252 includes a single actuator band made of a material having a high thermal expansion or contraction coefficient (therefore, hereinafter referred to as the first actuator band 250 and the second actuator band 252). It should be understood that the thermal expansion coefficient represents the tendency of a material to change (or increase) in, for example, its size, shape, area, volume and / or density in response to temperature changes. Similarly, the coefficient of thermal contraction represents the tendency of a material to change (or reduce) its size, shape, area, volume, and / or density, etc., in response to a change in temperature. Thus, a high coefficient of thermal expansion or contraction may correspond to a material's higher tendency to change its size in response to a gentle, low temperature change (e.g., caused by a normal temperature thermal energy source). Thus, when exposed to a temperature change, the actuator strips 250, 252 expand or contract to change their respective lengths, thereby exerting a push / pull force on the linear rack gear 240, which in turn causes the gear 240 to shift in the first direction D1 or the second direction D2, as will be explained later in the following description. The alternating periodic displacement of the linear rack gear 240 in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 in turn causes bidirectional rotation of the work output member (e.g., the output shaft 228). In an exemplary embodiment, the actuator bands 250, 252 may be implemented as stretched rubber bands, i.e., rubber bands in a stretched configuration that undergo significant contraction in response to an increase in temperature and significant expansion in response to a decrease in temperature and / or when heat is removed. In addition, in some embodiments, the gearbox 230 may include one or more components (not shown) that convert these bidirectional rotations to unidirectional rotations, increase the rotational speed to the level required by the power generation system 104 to generate electricity, and transmit these output rotational powers to the generator assembly via an exit shaft.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment (in Figure 6 and Figure 7), the linear rack gear 240 includes a belt mounting member 254 having a first end 256 and a second end 258 that are adapted to receive and secure one end of each of the first actuator belt 250 and the second actuator belt 252 to these ends, respectively. In some embodiments, the belt mounting member 254 can be formed integrally with the linear rack gear 240, while in some alternative embodiments, the belt mounting member 254 can be a separate component coupled to the linear rack gear 240. The belt mounting member 254 can include a receiving hole on each of the first end 256 and the second end 258 to receive and secure a first end of a corresponding one of the first actuator belt 250 and the second actuator belt 252 therein. In addition, in one embodiment, the second end of each of the first actuator belt 250 and the second actuator belt 252 is configured to be secured to the chassis 202 using a fastening member (such as a bushing). For example, as Figure 5 As shown, the second end of the first actuator band 250 is fixed at the second longitudinal end 210 to the end of the first longitudinal arm 212 near or adjacent to the second transverse arm 218 of the chassis 202 by the bushing 260. Similarly, the second end of the second actuator band 252 is fixed at the second longitudinal end 210 to the end of the second longitudinal arm 214 adjacent to the second transverse arm 218 of the chassis 202 by the bushing 262.

[0035] In order to provide significant changes in the length of the strips 250, 252, and thus the shifting force applied to the gear 240, the length and / or cross-section of the strips 250, 252 to be exposed to the temperature change can be selected based on the percentage of expansion / contraction of the material of a given length in response to the temperature change. Thus, for materials with a high coefficient of thermal expansion / contraction, the longer the length of the strip exposed to the temperature change (i.e., heat in this example), the greater the change in length, and thus the greater the shift provided to the gear 240. Thus, for small applications, the length and / or cross-section of the strips 250, 252 to be exposed to the temperature change can be kept smaller than for larger applications, and can be varied accordingly to achieve similar results.

[0036] In some embodiments, the actuator strips 250, 252 can be configured to extend between the longitudinal ends 208, 210 of the chassis 202 and along the entire length of the longitudinal arms 212, 214 in one or more suitable configurations to have a desired length to be exposed to heat. For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the actuator strips 250, 252 can extend linearly, covering the length of the corresponding longitudinal arms 212, 214 three times in an S-shaped configuration. However, the strips 250, 252 can be positioned in any other configuration along the length of the longitudinal arms 212, 214 to achieve similar results.

[0037] To support the straps 250, 252, the chassis 202 may support a plurality of strap contact assemblies mounted at different locations on the chassis 202 so that the actuator straps 250, 252 extend along the length of the longitudinal arms 212, 214. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the chassis 202 may support six strap contact assemblies 264, 266, 268, 270, 272, 274 so that the straps 250, 252 extend between the strap mounting member 254 and the bushings 260, 262. As shown, two strap contact assemblies, such as a first assembly 264 and a second assembly 266, may be configured to support the first actuator strap 250 at the first longitudinal end 208 and may be connected to the first transverse arm 216 adjacent to the first longitudinal arm 212. Similarly, two belt contact assemblies, such as the third assembly 268 and the fourth assembly 270, can be configured to support the second actuator belt 252 at the first longitudinal end 208 and can be connected to the first transverse arm 216 adjacent to the second longitudinal arm 214. In addition, one belt contact assembly, such as the fifth assembly 272, is configured to support the first actuator belt 250 at the second longitudinal end 210 and can be mounted on the second transverse arm 218 adjacent to the first longitudinal arm 212. Finally, one assembly, such as the sixth assembly 274, is configured to support the second actuator belt 252 at the second longitudinal end 210 and can be mounted on the second transverse arm 218 adjacent to the second longitudinal arm 214. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, each of the components 264 to 274 includes a corresponding free-rotating pulley (such as pulleys 276a to 276f, collectively referred to as pulley 276), which is mounted on a corresponding free-running plain bearing (such as bearings 278a to 278f, collectively referred to as bearing 278), which is in turn mounted on a corresponding shaft (such as shafts 280a to 280f, collectively referred to as shaft 280) fixed to the chassis 202, as shown. It should be understood that the number and location of these components 264 to 274 are also merely exemplary and can be changed to achieve similar results.

[0038] The first and second actuator belts 250 and 252 may be configured to be supported on these belt contact assemblies 264 to 274 such that these assemblies allow the belts 250, 252 to accommodate changes in their length when exposed to temperature changes (heat in this example) and to exert forces on the rack gear 240 during operation. For example, when the actuator belts 250, 252 are exposed to heat and change their lengths (by contracting or expanding), the actuator belts 250, 252 generate bidirectional forces acting on both ends thereof, which in turn generate torques on the corresponding pulleys 276 in each of the six assemblies 264 to 274. In addition, since one end of the belts 250, 252 is fixed to the chassis 202, the pulleys 276 transmit an increased force to pull the other end of the belts 250, 252 connected to the gear assembly 238 and displace the gear 240 in the corresponding directions D1 and D2.

[0039] As described above, in an exemplary embodiment, the first actuator band 250 and the second actuator band 252 may be stretched elastomeric bands (such as stretched rubber bands) that are fixed at one end to the band mounting member 254 of the gear assembly 238 and fixed at their respective second ends to the chassis 202, while also supported on the respective band contact assemblies 264 to 274 as explained above. Due to their high coefficient of thermal contraction, these stretched elastomeric actuator bands 250, 252 contract when exposed to thermal energy to change their respective lengths, thereby applying a tensile force to displace the gear 240 in the first direction D1 (i.e., toward the first longitudinal arm 212) and the opposite second direction D2 (i.e., toward the second longitudinal arm 214), respectively. According to various alternative embodiments, the actuator bands 250, 252 may be made of other similar elastomers, including but not limited to silicone-based rubbers, polyurethanes, styrene-butadiene copolymers, natural rubbers, and / or any other material having a large coefficient of thermal expansion or contraction. Furthermore, the actuator strips 250, 252 may be used in many different shapes and configurations, such as, but not limited to, strips having circular, rectangular, or other types of cross-sectional profiles. In some other embodiments, the actuator strips 250, 252 may be implemented in the shape of long sheets of flat plates, or long tubes, and / or any other tubular structures to achieve similar results. Furthermore, while two actuator strips are shown and described in this embodiment, it should be understood that the heat engine 102 may include any number of actuator strips as desired and appropriate for the end application.

[0040] The heat engine 102 may also be connected to a heat exchanger 114 to receive thermal energy and expose the first and second actuator straps 250, 252 to thermal energy or heat. In an exemplary embodiment, the heat exchanger 114 may be implemented as a heat pipe 282 configured to expose the actuator straps 250, 252 to heat. As will be appreciated, a heat pipe is a two-phase heat transfer device that uses the latent heat of a fluid to transfer thermal energy from one place (e.g., an evaporator section) to another place (e.g., a condenser section) by means of simultaneous evaporation and condensation in a sealed container. In an exemplary embodiment, such as the embodiment shown herein, the heat pipe may be a thermosyphon, while in other alternative embodiments, the heat pipe may be a wick heat pipe, or any other type of heat pipe known in the art. In yet other embodiments, the heat engine 102 may utilize any other type of heat exchange mechanism, including but not limited to radiation, conduction, and convection, to transfer thermal energy to the first and second actuator straps 250, 252.

[0041] As shown, the heat exchanger or heat pipe 282 includes a first heat exchanger section 284 (e.g., an evaporator section (hereinafter referred to as evaporator section 284)), which has a working fluid therein to receive heat or thermal energy from a heat source. The heat pipe 282 also includes a second heat exchanger section 286 (e.g., a condenser section (hereinafter referred to as the first condenser section 286)) and a third heat exchanger section 288 (also a condenser section (hereinafter referred to as the second condenser section 288)), which is positioned downstream of the first heat exchanger section 284 and is fluidly connected to the first heat exchanger section 284 via a heat switching mechanism 290. As shown in the example shown, the first condenser section 286 and the second condenser section 288 can be positioned along the first longitudinal arm 212 and the second longitudinal arm 214, respectively. Although the heat pipe 282 is shown and described as including only two condenser sections, it is understood that the heat pipe can have any number of condenser sections according to the needs of the final application. During operation, the liquid working fluid absorbs heat in the first heat exchanger section or the evaporator section 284 and is converted into a pressurized vapor state. Then, the evaporated heated working fluid moves to the condenser sections 286, 288, where the evaporated heated working fluid discharges heat and condenses back into liquid. In order to facilitate faster condensation of the evaporated working fluid, the condenser sections 286, 288 can remain non-insulated or partially insulated from the outside. Then, the condensed working fluid returns to the evaporator section 284 to repeat the process. In some examples, in the case where the environment where the condenser sections 286, 288 are positioned is set at a higher height than the height of the environment where the evaporator section 284 is placed, a thermosiphon type heat pipe 282 is available or even preferred, whereby the heat pipe 282 is oriented so that gravity helps the heated working fluid to return quickly from the condenser sections 286, 288 to the evaporator section 284. Examples of working fluids may include, but are not limited to, water, carbon dioxide, ammonia, nitrogen, or any other fluid suitable for operating the heat pipe 282. In some embodiments, the heat pipe 282 may be a low temperature heat pipe that may be configured to use a working fluid with a low boiling point (such as ammonia). However, any other working fluid may alternatively be used to achieve similar results. The detailed operation of the evaporator section 284 and the condenser sections 286, 288 of the present disclosure will be described later with reference to Figure 8 and 9 Give a description.

[0042] The heat pipe 282 may also include a first intermediate section 292, which may be an insulating section, configured to be fluidly connected between the first heat exchanger section or evaporator section 284 and the second heat exchanger section or first condenser section 286 via a heat switching mechanism 290. Similarly, the heat pipe 282 includes a second intermediate section 294, which is also an insulating section, configured to be fluidly connected between the evaporator section 284 and the third heat exchanger section or second condenser section 288 via a heat switching mechanism 290. Each of the first insulating section 292 and the second insulating section 294 is placed in a cooler environment than the environment of the evaporator section 284 and is thermally isolated from the outside to deliver the evaporated working fluid to the corresponding first condenser section 286 and second condenser section 288.

[0043] In addition, the first intermediate section or first insulation section 292 is fluidly connected to the first condenser section 286 via a first flow connection member 296, and the second intermediate section or second insulation section 294 is fluidly connected to the second condenser section 288 via a second flow connection member 298. Fig. 9As more clearly shown in FIG. 2 , the condenser sections 286, 288 can be positioned above the corresponding insulation sections 292, 294 and the bottom pan 202, while the insulation sections 292, 294 can be positioned below the bottom pan 202. Therefore, the flow connection members 296, 298 can be arranged in a vertical direction, which can extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 204 of the bottom pan 202 to connect the insulation sections 292, 294 to the corresponding condenser sections 286, 288. In addition, the heat pipe 282 can also include a first fluid return section 300 connected between the first condenser section 286 and the evaporator section 284 through a third flow connection member 302. Similarly, the second fluid return section 304 can be connected between the second condenser section 288 and the evaporator section 284 via a fourth flow connection member 306. As shown, the flow connection members 302, 306 can also be positioned in a vertical position, and the fluid return sections 300, 304 can be positioned above the corresponding condenser sections 286, 288. In some embodiments, the flow connection members 296, 298, 302 and 306 can include a one-way check valve to allow the working fluid to flow one-way based on the pressure difference during operation. In some embodiments, in the case where the colder environment is at a higher altitude or altitude than the warmer environment, the heat pipe 282 is oriented so that the flow connection members 296, 298 can be considered to define the top portion of the heat pipe 282, and the evaporator section 284 can define the lower portion of the heat pipe 282. Therefore, the evaporated working fluid releases heat and (with the help of gravity) flows downward through the corresponding one of the condenser sections 286, 288. As should be understood, the entire construction and arrangement of the various components of the heat pipe 282 described above are merely examples, and other constructions can also be implemented to achieve similar results without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0044] In addition, in some embodiments, each of the condenser sections 286, 288 may be a hollow polygonal container (such as a hollow rectangular cube-shaped container) including one or more receiving cavities 308 disposed therein to receive the first actuator strap 250 and the second actuator strap 252 extending therethrough. For example, the receiving cavity 308 may be configured to have a cross-sectional profile complementary to the cross-sectional profile of the corresponding actuator strap 250, 252, for example, a tubular profile. The receiving cavity 308 may be configured to extend through the entire length of the corresponding condenser section 286, 288 and may be fixed (e.g., welded) to the end of the corresponding condenser section 286, 288. Therefore, the portion of the actuator strap 250, 252 extending within the receiving cavity 308 is the portion exposed to temperature changes, i.e., to the heat released by the evaporated working fluid flowing through the corresponding condenser section 286, 288. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the condenser sections 286, 288 may include three tubular receiving chambers 308 for receiving the respective actuator straps 250, 252 that are wrapped three times along the length of the respective longitudinal arms 212, 214. In order to have heat conduction to the actuator straps 250, 252, in some embodiments, the receiving chambers 308 may be made of a thermally conductive material such as copper, while the remainder of the condenser sections 286, 288 may remain partially insulated or non-insulated from the outside to allow the cooler environment to cool the condenser sections 286, 288 and thus the evaporated working fluid flows through them quickly enough after the heat released from the evaporated working fluid is absorbed by the actuator straps 250, 252. To this end, the outer body of the condenser sections 286, 288 may be made of aluminum, for example, which has half the thermal conductivity compared to the copper body of the receiving chamber 308. In addition, the insulating sections 292, 294 can be thermally isolated from the outside to prevent any heat from being lost from the evaporated working fluid before the evaporated working fluid reaches the condenser sections 286, 288. As the heat is released in the condenser sections 286, 288, the condensed working fluid flows back to the evaporator section 284 via the fluid return sections 300, 304. In addition, the fluid return sections 300, 304 are not thermally isolated from the outside so that any uncondensed working fluid also returns to the evaporator section 284.

[0045] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the heat switching mechanism 290 may be a flow control valve (hereinafter referred to as flow control valve 290), and may be positioned in the evaporator section 284 to control and direct the heated working fluid to flow to the first condenser section 286 or the second condenser section 288 via the corresponding adiabatic sections 292, 294. In one example, the flow control valve 290 may be implemented as a directional control valve that selectively allows the fluid to flow from the evaporator section 284 to one of the condenser sections 286, 288 at a time. Depending on the position of the flow control valve 290, the heated or evaporated working fluid is directed to the first adiabatic section 292 and the first condenser section 286 (i.e., when the valve 290 is operated to be in the first valve position) or the second adiabatic section 294 and the second condenser section 288 (i.e., when the valve is operated to be in the second valve position). Thus, the position of the flow control valve 290 can be alternately and periodically switched between the first valve position and the second valve position to alternately and periodically direct the heated working fluid to each of the first condenser section 286 and the second condenser section 288, thereby periodically exposing the corresponding actuator belts 250, 252 to temperature changes or heat. As explained above, since the belts 250, 252 are connected to the chassis 202 at one end, the continuous contraction or expansion (depending on the material) of the belts 250, 252 in response to the periodic exposure to heat generates torque on the pulleys 276, which in turn transmit an increased force to pull the gear assembly 238, thereby causing the gear assembly 238 to periodically shift in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 to cause bidirectional rotation of the output shaft 228.

[0046] The flow control valve 290 can be driven and switched between a first valve position and a second valve position by a valve operating system 310. In some embodiments, the valve operating system 310 can be implemented as a mechanical actuation system that is configured to mechanically operate the flow control valve 290, for example, by a snap mechanism connected to one or more moving parts (e.g., the output shaft 228 of the heat engine 102). In some alternative embodiments, the valve operating system 310 can be implemented as a small external power source. In some further embodiments, the valve operating system 310 can be part of the controller 110, wherein the controller 110 can be configured to receive data signals from the heat engine 102, the heat pipe 282, and the power generation system 106, and can be configured to control the operation of the flow control valve 290 based on the received data signal. As will be understood, the mechanical valve operating system 310 can be used for small to medium-sized power generation applications, and for large applications, the electric valve operating system 310 can be implemented. However, it should be understood that the external power generation system can consume much less electricity than the expected power generation capacity of a large power plant.

[0047] In some exemplary embodiments, the heat engine 102 and the heat pipe 282 can be located in any facility that experiences a temperature difference, so that the evaporator section 284 is placed in an environment having a temperature T1 greater than the temperature T2 of the environment in which the condenser sections 286, 288 and the insulation sections 292, 294 are located. In short, the evaporator section 284 is placed in a warmer environment, while the condenser sections 286, 288 and the insulation sections 292, 294 are placed in a colder environment. As will be understood, due to daily temperature changes and seasonal temperature changes, the thermal energy stored in the environment fluctuates within tens of degrees Celsius depending on the location. The heat pipe 282 can be placed in any such environment, and can be configured to use the stored thermal energy to expose the actuator belts 250, 252 to the thermal energy to drive the output shaft 228 and generate electricity, as described above. In addition, the heat engine 102 can be implemented in an environment with extreme weather conditions from very cold locations to very hot places, and the temperature difference of two nearby natural heat storages can be used. Thus, by using the thermal capacity of land, water, air, and / or other natural resources, heat engines 102 using heat pipes 282 can allow for the generation of electricity for both small and large applications. In some other embodiments, heat pipes 282 can be connected to a low temperature waste heat source and use the low temperature waste heat to generate electricity in a manner similar to that described above.

[0048] Now refer to Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , the operation of the heat pipe 282 will be described in more detail. As explained above, the evaporator section 284 of the heat pipe 282 is positioned or located in an environment E1 having a temperature T1, while the condenser sections 286, 288 are positioned or located in an environment E2 having a temperature T2. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the temperature T2 is lower than the temperature T1 because the evaporator section 284 is positioned in a warmer environment compared to the environment of the condenser sections 286, 288. The working fluid in the evaporator section 284 absorbs heat from the high temperature environment and is converted from a liquid state to a heated state and / or an evaporated state. Then, by switching the flow control valve 290 between the first valve position and the second valve position, the heated or evaporated fluid is periodically directed to each of the condenser sections 286, 288 in an alternating manner. As Figure 8As shown, in a first fluid flow cycle, for example, when the flow control valve 290 is in the first valve position, the flow of the heated or evaporated working fluid is directed to follow the fluid path indicated by the first set of arrows 802, i.e., to the first condenser section 286 via the first thermally insulating section 292 and the first flow connection member 296. As the evaporated working fluid flows through the first condenser section 286, the first actuator belt 250 disposed therein is exposed to the heat released by the working fluid. The portion of the first actuator belt 250 exposed to the heat then contracts, which generates a bidirectional force acting on the ends of the actuator belt 250 and generates a torque on the pulley 276 of the components 264, 266, and 272 supporting the first actuator belt 250. Since one end of the belt 250 is fixed to the chassis 202, the pulleys 276a, 276b and 276e transmit an increased force to pull the connected end of the rack gear 240, thereby causing the gear assembly 238 to shift in the first direction D1 and rotating the output shaft 228 in the first direction D1. The evaporated working fluid, as it moves along the condenser section 286, condenses back to liquid form, which along with any remaining uncondensed amount is returned to the evaporator section 284 via the first fluid return section 300 and the third flow connection member 302, as shown by arrow 804.

[0049] Furthermore, in the next fluid flow cycle, e.g., when the flow control valve 290 is in the second valve position, the flow of the heated or evaporated working fluid is directed to follow the fluid path indicated by the third set of arrows 806, i.e., to the second condenser section 288 via the second thermally insulating section 294 and the second flow connection member 298. As the evaporated working fluid flows through the second condenser section 288, the second actuator band 252 is exposed to heat and contracts in a manner similar to that described above to pull the gear assembly 238 in the second direction D2.

[0050] In one embodiment, as explained above, by periodically switching the position of the flow control valve 290, the first actuator band 250 and the second actuator band 252 are periodically exposed to heat to periodically shift the gear assembly 238 in opposite first and second directions D1 and D2, thereby producing continuous bidirectional rotation of the output shaft 228. The bidirectional rotation can also be converted to continuous unidirectional rotation by the gearbox 230, and the speed is increased to the level required by the power generation system 104 for power generation by using appropriate mechanisms and gears. The power generation system 104, which is then coupled to the exit shaft of the gearbox 230, produces electricity that can be adjusted according to the application of the power generation system 100. For example, the electricity can be rectified for use as a charging power plant, or can be regulated to be connected to the grid, or can be fed to an inverter, the output of which can be used for other applications.

[0051] Now refer to Figure 10 to Figure 62, an alternative exemplary embodiment of a heat engine according to the concepts presented in this disclosure is provided.

[0052] Figures 10 to 13 A heat engine 2102 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The heat engine 2102 includes a chassis 2004 having two opposite longitudinal ends and configured to support various components of the engine 2102. The heat engine 2102 includes a work output member 2006 mounted on one longitudinal end of the chassis 2004. In one embodiment, as shown in the figure, the work output member 2006 can be implemented as a belt drive device (hereinafter referred to as a drive device 2006), which includes an active member (e.g., an active pulley member) 2008 and a shaft 2011 ( Fig.11 and Fig.12 2008 and a driven member 2010 (e.g., a driven pulley member) on a gearbox 2014 (shown) and connected to the active member 2008 by a drive belt 2012. The rotation of the active member 2008 in turn drives the driven member 2010. In this embodiment, the output rotation of the driven member 2010 is transmitted to the generator assembly via an exit shaft (not shown) through a gearbox 2014 in a manner similar to that described above. The drive device 2006 of this embodiment is configured to produce unidirectional rotation, as will be described in the following description, and therefore, in this example, the gearbox 2014 may not include a device for converting the bidirectional rotation of the output shaft into unidirectional rotation. However, similar to the gearbox 230, the gearbox 2014 in this embodiment may also include a mechanism for increasing the rotational speed, rectifying and / or regulating the rotational output provided to the generator assembly to generate electricity.

[0053] In addition, if Fig.11 As shown, in some embodiments, the heat engine 2102 can include a continuous actuator belt 2016 that extends around the chassis 2004, which causes the drive device 2006 to displace when exposed to heat. For example, the actuator belt 2016 can have two ends connected together and can be supported as a loop on a plurality of belt contact assemblies (e.g., ten belt contact assemblies in this embodiment) mounted on the chassis 2004, such that a first array portion 2018 having four long sections of the belt 2016 extends along a first longitudinal arm, and a second array portion 2020 having four long sections of the belt 2016 extends along a second longitudinal arm of the chassis 2004. As shown, a third array portion 2019 (having two sections) of the belt 2016 extends (in a loop) along a transverse arm 2027 at a second longitudinal end of the chassis 2004. The belt contact assembly in this embodiment can also include an arrangement of pulleys, bearings, and shafts, and therefore, for simplicity, is referred to as a pulley arrangement hereinafter. For example, (in Fig.112004) comprises a first set of two pulley devices 2022, 2024 mounted on a first transverse arm 2026 (disposed at a first longitudinal end of the chassis 2004) adjacent to the first longitudinal arm and a second set of two pulley devices 2028, 2030 mounted on the first transverse arm 2026 adjacent to the second longitudinal arm. A third set of three pulley devices 2032, 2034, 2036 is mounted on a second transverse arm 2027 (disposed at a second longitudinal end of the chassis 2004) adjacent to the first longitudinal arm, and a fourth set of three pulley devices 2038, 2040, 2042 is mounted on the second transverse arm 2027 adjacent to the second longitudinal arm. Each of the pulley arrangements 2022, 2024, 2028, 2030, 2032, 2034, 2036, 2038, 2040, and 2042 includes its respective shaft, such as shaft 2044 (only some of which are shown) and a single-sided rotational bearing, such as bearing 2046 (only some of which are shown). In this exemplary embodiment, the shaft 2044 of the pulley arrangement 2030 (e.g., the pulley arrangement positioned at the end of the first transverse arm 2026 and adjacent to the second longitudinal arm) may also rotatably support the active member 2008 of the drive assembly 2006.

[0054] The heat engine 2102 also includes a heat exchanger, such as a heat pipe 2282, for providing thermal energy to the actuator strip 2016 to drive the drive device 2006 in a manner similar to that described above. For example, the heat pipe 2282 includes an evaporator section 2284, which can be placed in a warm or hot environment or can be connected to a low temperature waste heat source, and two condenser sections 2286, 2288, which are placed in a cooler environment than the environment of the evaporator section 2284. The condenser sections 2286, 2288 can be fluidly connected to the evaporator section 2284 via a flow control valve 2290 in a manner similar to that described above. The condenser sections 2286, 2288 are partially insulated or non-insulated from the exterior and are positioned along the longitudinal arms of the chassis 2004 to provide thermal heat exposure to the first array portion 2018 and the second array portion 2020 of the actuator strip 2016, respectively. For example, in this embodiment, each condenser section 2286, 2288 may also include a plurality of heat-conducting tubular receiving cavities 2058 (such as Fig.13 ), these tubular receiving cavities extend through the condenser sections to receive therein corresponding segments of the actuator strip 2016. In the illustrated embodiment, each condenser section 2286, 2288 includes four tubular receiving cavities 2058 to receive four long segments of each of the first array portion 2018 and the second array portion 2020 forming the actuator strip 2016.

[0055] In addition, the first insulation section 2292 and the second insulation section 2294 may also be connected between the evaporator section 2284 and the corresponding condenser sections 2286, 2288 via the flow control valve 2290. The insulation sections 2292, 2294 are connected to the corresponding condenser sections 2286, 2288 through the corresponding fluid connection members 2064, 2066. In addition, the fluid return sections 2068, 2070 connect the condenser sections 2286, 2288 back to the evaporator section 2284 via the corresponding fluid connection members 2072, 2074 in a similar manner as described above.

[0056] In operation, the working fluid absorbs heat in the evaporator section 2284 and moves to the flow control valve 2290. When the flow control valve 2290 is operated (such as by the valve operating system described above) to be in the first valve position, the heated working fluid is directed to flow along (at Fig.12 and Fig.13 The first fluid path (indicated by arrow 2076 in FIG. 1 ) is directed to the first condenser section 2286 via the first insulation section 2292 and the first flow connection member 2064. As the evaporated working fluid flows through the first condenser section 2286, heat is transferred to the first array portion 2018 of the actuator strip 2016. The working fluid, as it moves along the condenser section 2286, condenses back into a liquid, which, along with any remaining uncondensed mass, is returned to the evaporator section 2284 via the fluid return section 2068 and the flow connection member 2072, as shown in FIG. Fig.13 As shown in the figure) by arrow 2078.

[0057] In some embodiments, the total length of each of the array portions 2018, 2020 of the actuator belt 2016 (which are exposed to heat in the corresponding condenser sections 2286, 2288) can be less than half the total length of the actuator belt 2016. Therefore, as the first array portion 2018 of the belt 2016 is exposed to heat, it contracts bidirectionally due to the restriction of the two pulley assemblies 2022 and 2032 at both ends. Due to the corresponding single-sided rotation bearings 2046, this contraction generates a force that causes all the pulley assemblies (e.g., assemblies 2022, 2024, 2032, 2034, and 2036) connected to the array portion 2018 to rotate in one direction (indicated by arrow RD). The contracting portions add to each other, which in turn pulls the second array portion 2020 toward the first condenser section 2286 (i.e., the warmer section), thereby rotating the active member 2010 in that direction.

[0058] Similarly, when the flow control valve 2290 is switched to the second valve position, the heated working fluid is directed to flow along (at Fig.12 and Fig.13The second fluid path (shown by arrow 2080 in FIG. 1 ) is directed to the second condenser section 2288 via the second insulation section 2294 and the flow connection member 2066. As the evaporated working fluid flows through the second condenser section 2288, heat is transferred to the second array portion 2020 of the actuator strip 2016. The working fluid, as it moves along the condenser section 2288, condenses back into a liquid, which along with any remaining uncondensed amount is returned to the evaporator section 2284 via the fluid return section 2070 and the flow connection member 2074, as shown in FIG. Fig.13 As shown in the figure) by arrow 2082.

[0059] As the second array portion 2020 is exposed to heat, in a similar manner as described above, it contracts to again displace the active member 2008 in the same direction due to the one-sided rotation bearings 2046 on the pulley assemblies 2030 and 2042 at the ends. Thus, due to the one-sided rotation bearings 2046 on all pulley assemblies, in this exemplary embodiment, by periodically switching the position of the flow control valve 2290 and periodically exposing the array portions 2018, 2020 of the actuator belt 2016, continuous one-way rotation of the active member 2008 is achieved, which in turn unidirectionally drives the driven member 2010 to provide input rotation to the generator assembly to generate electricity.

[0060] Now refer to Figures 14 to 21 , a heat engine 3102 according to a third exemplary embodiment is provided. Heat engine 3102 may be a scaled-up version of heat engine 2102 for implementation in large power generation applications. As shown, heat engine 3102 includes a chassis 3004 having two opposing longitudinal ends and configured to support various components of engine 3102. As will be appreciated, chassis 3004 in this embodiment may be constructed to be larger than the previously described chassis to fit and accommodate larger applications. For example, Fig.16 , the chassis 3004 may include a base frame portion 3006, a top frame portion 3008, and a plurality of support members 3010 connected between the top frame portion 3008 and the base frame portion 3006 to form a hollow box-like structure for the chassis 3004 having a height H. The base frame portion 3006 has a frame structure with two longitudinal arms 3012, 3014, two transverse arms 3020, 3022 on a first longitudinal end of the chassis 3004, and two transverse arms 3024, 3026 on a second longitudinal end of the chassis 3004. Similarly, the top frame portion 3008 also includes two longitudinal arms 3016, 3018, two transverse arms 3028, 3030 on a first longitudinal end of the chassis 3004, and two transverse arms 3032, 3034 on a second longitudinal end of the chassis 3004.

[0061] In addition, the heat engine 3102 includes a work output member 3036 mounted on one longitudinal end of the chassis 3004. In this embodiment, the work output member 3036 can be implemented as a belt drive device (hereinafter referred to as the drive device 3036), which includes an active member 3038 and a driven member 3040 connected to the active member 3038 by a transmission belt 3042. The rotation of the active member 3038 in turn drives the driven member 3040, and the output rotation of the driven member 3040 is transmitted to the generator assembly through the gear box 3044 via an exit shaft (not shown) in a similar manner to the above. The belt drive device is only an example, and it can be understood that in various alternative embodiments, other types of work output members can also be used to achieve similar results.

[0062] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the heat engine 3102 may include a plurality of continuous actuator strips 3046, each of which is stretched multiple times around the chassis 3004 as a loop (similar to the actuator strips 2016 described above), and arranged in layers or stacks along the length of the longitudinal arms 3012 and 3016, 3014 and 3018, and one of the transverse arms disposed at the second longitudinal end of the chassis 3004 to cover the entire height H of the chassis 3004, thereby forming a U-shaped configuration. Each of the actuator strips 3046 (like the other actuator strips previously described) may be implemented as a strip having a tubular cross-section that is adapted to expand or contract when exposed to heat and displace the drive device 3036. For example, as Fig.17 As shown, the strips 3046 can be arranged so that the first array portion 3048 of the strips 3046 extends through the height H between the first longitudinal arm 3012 of the base frame portion 3006 and the first longitudinal arm 3016 of the top frame portion 3008, respectively. Similarly, the second array portion 3050 of the strips 3046 can extend through the height H between the second longitudinal arm 3014 and the second longitudinal arm 3018, and the third array portion 3052 can extend through the height H between the transverse arm 3026 and the transverse arm 3034. In one example, the heat engine 3102 can include 26 actuator strips 3046 that are stacked or layered to form 104 long segments extending in each of the array portions 3048 and 3050. However, the number of long segments and actuator strips 3046 in each array 3048, 3050 is merely an example and can be changed to achieve similar results. For example, instead of multiple actuator straps, heat engine 3102 may include a single long actuator strap that is extended multiple times in a stacked manner in a U-shaped configuration to achieve a similar result.

[0063] Each of the actuator straps 3046 can have two ends connected together to form a loop supported on a plurality of strap contact assemblies 3054 (e.g., ten strap contact assemblies in this embodiment, five assemblies along each of the longitudinal arms) that are mounted around the chassis 3004 in a similar manner as described above with reference to Fig.11 As shown and described. As shown, one of the belt contact assemblies 3054 (such as belt contact assembly 3054A) can be configured to support the active member 3038 in addition to supporting the actuator belt 3046. Each of the belt contact assemblies 3054 can be adapted to extend through a height H of the chassis 3004. In addition, as shown Fig.18 As shown, each belt contact assembly 3054 includes a shaft 3056 supporting a plurality of pulleys 3058, wherein both ends of the shaft 3056 are each mounted on a single-sided rotating bearing 3060, and wherein assembly 3054A includes two pairs of single-sided rotating bearings 3060 on which the corresponding shafts 3056 are supported. As will be appreciated, in this embodiment, the bearings 3060 may be mounted in such a manner that their respective rotational directions allow the actuator belt 3046 to move in only one direction. For example, the bearings 3060 on the external belt contact assemblies (e.g., assemblies 3054A, 3054E) disposed on either side of the chassis 3004 may be adapted to rotate in a first rotational direction RD1, while the bearings 3060 on the other assemblies (i.e., assemblies 3054C, 3054D, and 3054E) may be adapted to rotate in an opposite second rotational direction RD2. The rotational directions RD1 and RD2 may be configured such that they cooperate to move the actuator belt 3046 in only the first rotational direction RD1, as shown in FIG. Fig.17 shown.

[0064] The heat engine 3102 also includes a heat exchanger (such as a heat pipe 3062) for providing thermal energy to the actuator belt 3046 to drive the drive device 3036. For example, the heat pipe 3062 includes an evaporator section 3064 and two condenser sections 3066, 3068, which can be placed in a warm or hot environment or can be connected to a low temperature waste heat source, and the two condenser sections are placed in a cooler environment than the environment of the evaporator section 3064. In this embodiment, the condenser sections 3066, 3068 can be constructed as a hollow block (such as a heat pipe 3062) extending along a height H and between the longitudinal ends of the chassis 3004. Fig. 203064). In addition, the condenser sections 3066, 3068 can be fluidly connected to the evaporator section 3064 via a flow control valve 3070 in a similar manner as described above. The condenser sections 3066, 3068 are partially or non-insulated from the exterior and are adapted to provide heat exposure to the first array portion 3048 and the second array portion 3050 of the actuator strip 3046, respectively. To this end, each condenser section 3066, 3068 may include a plurality of heat-conducting receiving cavities 3072 (e.g., tubular receiving cavities (e.g., Fig. 20 and Fig.21 3046) to receive therein corresponding long sections of the actuator strips 3046 and transfer heat from the working fluid flowing around them to the corresponding sections of the actuator strips 3046. In the example shown, each condenser section 3066, 3068 includes 104 tubular receiving cavities 3072, so that each tubular receiving cavity 3072 receives a corresponding long section of the strip within the corresponding first array portion 3048 and second array portion 3050.

[0065] In addition, the first insulation section 3074 and the second insulation section 3076 can also be connected between the evaporator section 3064 and the corresponding condenser sections 3066, 3068 via the flow control valve 3070. In some embodiments, such as in the example shown, the insulation sections 3074, 3076 can be connected via corresponding fluid connection pipes 3078, 3080 ( Fig.15 3068 from the outside of the chassis 3004. The fluid connection conduits 3078, 3080 may be adapted to extend along the height H of the chassis 3004. In some embodiments, the first and second insulating sections 3074, 3076 may be fluidly connected to the center of the respective flow connection conduits 3078, 3080 such that the conduits facilitate the flow of heated working fluid from the insulating sections 3074, 3076 into the respective condenser sections 3066, 3068. In addition, the heat pipe 3062 may include a first return connection conduit 3086 via an opening 3085 ( Fig.21 3084) connected to the first condenser section 3066 and via an opening 3091 (only one is shown) provided in a second return connection conduit 3092 Fig. 20 Two fluid return members 3088, 3090 (only one is shown) connected to the second condenser section 3068. Fluid return members 3082, 3084, 3088 and 3090 facilitate the return of condensed working fluid and uncondensed working fluid to the evaporator section 3064.

[0066] In operation, the working fluid absorbs heat in the evaporator section 3064 and moves to the flow control valve 3070. When the flow control valve 3070 is operated (such as by a valve operating system) to be in a first valve position, the heated working fluid is directed to follow a first fluid path (indicated by arrow 3093), i.e., to the first condenser section 3066 via the first thermally insulating section 3074 and the first flow connection conduit 3078. As the heated working fluid flows through the first condenser section 3066, heat is transferred to the first array portion 3048 of the actuator strip 3046. The heated working fluid, as it moves along the condenser section 3066, cools or condenses back into a liquid, which, along with any remaining uncondensed volume, is returned to the evaporator section 3064 via the two fluid return members 3082, 3084 and the first return connection conduit 3086. As the first array portion 3048 of the belt 3046 is exposed to heat, the first array portion contracts to apply a bidirectional force to rotate the belt contact assembly 3054 (i.e., the assembly supporting the array portion 3048) in its respective rotational direction (i.e., one of RD1 and RD2). As explained above, the rotation of the assembly 3054 in its respective rotational direction cooperates to move the actuator belt 3046 in the first direction RD1, thereby rotating the active member 3038 in that direction.

[0067] Similarly, when the flow control valve 3070 is switched to the second valve position, the heated working fluid is directed to follow a second fluid path (indicated by arrow 3094), i.e., to the second condenser section 3068 via the second thermally insulating section 3076 and the second flow connection conduit 3080. As the heated working fluid flows through the second condenser section 3068, heat is transferred to the second array portion 3050 of the actuator strip 3046. The heated working fluid, as it moves along the condenser section 3068, cools or condenses back into a liquid, which along with any remaining uncondensed volume is returned to the evaporator section 3064 via the two fluid return members 3088, 3090 and the second return connection conduit 3092. As the second array portion 3050 of the strip 3046 is exposed to heat, it contracts to exert a bidirectional force to rotate the strip contact assembly 3054 (i.e., the assembly supporting the array portion 3050) in its respective rotational direction. Rotation of the contact assembly 3054 cooperates to move the actuator strip 3046 again in the first direction RD1 , thereby rotating the active member 3038 in that direction.

[0068] Thus, by periodically switching the position of the flow control valve 3070 and periodically exposing the array portions 3048, 3050 of the actuator band 3046 to heat, continuous unidirectional rotation of the active member 3038 is achieved, which in turn unidirectionally drives the driven member 3040 to provide input rotation to the generator assembly to produce electricity.

[0069] Now refer to Figure 22 to Figure 26 , a heat engine 4102 according to a fourth exemplary embodiment is provided. The heat engine 4102 includes structural features similar to those described with reference to the heat engine 3102, wherein the heat engine 4102 includes a box-shaped chassis 4004 having a top frame and a base frame, and a drive device 4036 mounted on a first longitudinal end of the chassis 4004 and including an active member 4038 and a driven member 4040 connected to the active member 4038 by a transmission belt 4042, all of which are implemented in a similar manner. The output rotation of the driven member 4038 is also provided to the generator assembly through a gear box 4044 in a manner similar to that described above.

[0070] In this embodiment, the heat engine 4102 includes an actuator band 4046, which can be implemented to have a height HB (in Fig.24 The actuator belt 4046 is a single flat sheet-like stretch belt (shown in FIG. 4 ) extending through the height H1 of the chassis 4004. The actuator belt 4046 is folded multiple times along the longitudinal arms of the chassis 4004 and one of the transverse arms disposed at the second longitudinal end of the chassis 4004 (opposite to the location where the drive device 4036 is disposed) to form a U-shaped structure as shown. The first array portion 4048 of the belt 4046 (shown in FIG. 4 ) is folded multiple times along the longitudinal arms of the chassis 4004 and one of the transverse arms disposed at the second longitudinal end of the chassis 4004 (opposite to the location where the drive device 4036 is disposed) to form a U-shaped structure as shown. Fig.25 4004) extends on one side of the chassis 4004, i.e., between the longitudinal arms 4012 of the base frame and the longitudinal arms 4016 of the top frame of the chassis 4004. Similarly, a second array portion 4050 of the belt 4046 extends on the other side of the chassis 4004, i.e., between the longitudinal arms 4014 of the base frame and the longitudinal arms 4018 of the top frame of the chassis 4004. In addition, a third array portion 4052 extends transversely at a second longitudinal end and extends between the transverse arms 4026 of the base frame and the transverse arms 4034 of the top frame of the chassis 4004. The belt 4046 can be supported on belt contact assemblies 4054 (e.g., ten belt assemblies 4054) arranged around the chassis 4004, wherein one of the assemblies 4054A supports the ends of the belt 4046 and the active member 4038. In the example shown, the shaft 4056 of the belt contact assembly 4054 can be implemented as an elongated cylindrical shaft extending through the height H1 of the chassis 4004 and adapted to support the sheet-like actuator belt 4046. In addition, the shaft 4056 is adapted to support pulleys and one-way rotating bearings 4060, which have their respective directions of rotation, implemented in a manner similar to that previously described with reference to the bearings 3060 of the heat engine 3102.

[0071] The heat engine 4102 also includes a heat exchanger, such as a heat pipe 4062, for providing thermal energy to the actuator belt 4046 to thereby drive the drive device 4036. For example, the heat pipe 4062 includes an evaporator section 4064, which can be placed in a warm or hot environment or can be connected to a low temperature waste heat source, and two condenser sections 4066, 4068, which are placed in a cooler environment than the environment of the evaporator section 4064. In this example, each of the condenser sections 4066, 4068 can be implemented as a hollow block extending through the height H1 (i.e., one condenser section 4066 is between the longitudinal arms 4012 and 4016, and the other condenser section 4068 is between the longitudinal arms 4014 and 4018) and extending between the longitudinal ends of the chassis 4004. In addition, the condenser sections 4066, 4068 can be fluidly connected to the evaporator section 4064 via the flow control valve 4070 in a similar manner as described above. The condenser sections 4066, 4068 are partially or non-insulated from the exterior and are adapted to provide thermal heat exposure to the first array portion 4048 and the second array portion 4050 of the actuator strip 4046, respectively. To this end, each condenser section 4066, 4068 may include a plurality of heat conductive hollow through-receiving cavities 4072 (e.g., Fig.23 and Fig.25 4046) to receive segments of the actuator strip 4046 therein and transfer heat from the working fluid flowing around them to the corresponding segments of the actuator strip 4046. As shown in the example shown, the hollow through-receiving cavity 4072 is configured to have a rectangular cross-section that is complementary to the rectangular profile of the strip 4046.

[0072] In addition, the first insulation section 4074 and the second insulation section 4076 may also be connected between the evaporator section 4064 and the corresponding condenser sections 4066, 4068 via the flow control valve 4070. The insulation sections 4074, 4076 are also connected to the corresponding condenser sections 4066, 4068 from the outside of the bottom plate 4004 via the corresponding fluid connection pipes 4078, 4080 extending along the height H1 of the bottom plate 4004. In addition, the heat pipe 4062 includes two fluid return members 4082, 4084 connected to the first condenser section 4066 at one end via the first return connection pipe 4086 and connected to the evaporator section 4062 at the other end. Similarly, the two fluid return members 4088, 4090 are connected at one of the second condenser sections 4068 via the second return connection pipe 4092. Fluid return components 4082 , 4084 , 4088 , and 4090 facilitate the return of condensed working fluid and uncondensed working fluid to evaporator section 4064 .

[0073] The heat engine 4102 including the heat pipe 4062 and the flow control valve 4070 can be constructed to operate in a manner similar to the above-described heat engine 3102 so as to similarly periodically expose the array portions 4048 and 4050 to heat, thereby moving the actuator band 4046 and producing unidirectional rotation of the active member 4038 and the driven member 4040.

[0074] Now refer to Figures 27 to 31 , a heat engine 5102 according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. The heat engine 5102 may be the above Figures 2 to 9 102. The heat engine 5102 may include a large box-shaped chassis 5004 having a height H2 similar in structure to the chassis 3004, 4004 described above. The chassis 5004 includes two longitudinal ends 5005, 5007. The heat engine 5102 may include a work output member 5006 ( Fig.29 As shown, the work output member is implemented as an output shaft (hereinafter referred to as output shaft 5006) similar to the above-mentioned output shaft 228. The output shaft 5006 can be mounted on a mounting assembly 5008, which is disposed on the chassis 5004 at the first longitudinal end 5005. For example, the output shaft 5006 is supported on and driven by the top gear device and the bottom gear device, and the top gear device has a top linear rack gear 5009A ( Fig. 27 ) and a top pinion (not shown), the bottom gear arrangement having a bottom linear rack gear 5009B and a bottom pinion gear 5010 ( Fig.29 In some embodiments, the gear arrangement may further include a driven gear member 5011 coupled to a gearbox 5013 that converts bidirectional rotation of the output shaft 5006 into unidirectional rotation to provide input to the power generation system in a manner similar to the aforementioned gearbox 230.

[0075] In addition, the heat engine 5102 includes a first array 5250 of actuator strips and a second array 5252 of actuator strips, which are configured to drive the linear rack gear 5009 in a first direction (indicated by arrow D1) and an opposite second direction (indicated by arrow D2) respectively when exposed to heat. Fig.28In the embodiment shown), multiple actuator strips (similar to the actuator strips 250, 252 described above) can be arranged in a layered or stacked manner to extend across the height H2 and form corresponding arrays 5250, 5252. In the example shown, the heat engine 5102 includes 26 strips in each of the first array 5250 and the second array 5252. Alternatively, the first array 5250 and the second array 5252 of actuator strips can each be implemented as a single long tubular strip that is folded and extended into multiple layers (26 layers in this example) to cover the height H2 and form the corresponding arrays 5250, 5252. The number of layers shown herein is merely an example and can be changed to accommodate the scale of the application without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0076] In addition, in the example shown, each actuator strap in a corresponding layer of the first array 5250 of actuator straps can have one end secured to the chassis 5004 (such as secured at the second longitudinal end 5007 along a vertical axis (not shown) extending between the fastening mechanism 5246 and the fastening mechanism 5247). The second end of each actuator strap in the first array 5250 can be secured to a strap mounting member 5019 on the first longitudinal end 5005. In some examples, the strap mounting member 5019 can be part of the mounting assembly 5008, while in some alternative examples, can be constructed as a separate component to achieve a similar result. In addition, each actuator strap in a corresponding layer of the second array 5252 of actuator straps can have one end secured to the chassis 5004 (i.e., secured at the second longitudinal end 5007 along a vertical axis (not shown) extending between the fastening mechanism 5248 and the fastening mechanism 5249). Additionally, the second ends of the actuator strips in the second array 5252 may be secured to the strip mounting members 5019 on the first longitudinal end 5005. Fig.30As more clearly shown in FIG. 5 , the mounting assembly 5008 includes a mounting plate 5017 coupled to the top and bottom linear rack gears 5009, wherein the mounting plate 5017 includes a plurality of belt mounting members 5019 for receiving and securing respective respective layers on each of the first array 5250 and the second array 5252 of actuator belts to the belt mounting members. For example, each layer of the belt mounting members 5019 can be implemented in a manner similar to the belt mounting members 254 described above, wherein each layer of the belt mounting members 5019 includes a respective first end for receiving and securing the second end of the respective layer of the actuator belts in the first array 5250 and a respective second end for receiving and securing the second end of the respective layer of the actuator belts in the second array 5252. In addition, the mounting plate 5017 is configured to be supported on the top guide rod (not shown) and the bottom guide rod 5015 to move in directions D1 and D2, respectively, in response to forces applied by the first array 5250 and the second array 5252 of actuator belts. The top guide bar can be secured at the ends to the top longitudinal arms 5016 and 5018, respectively, by fastening mechanisms 5246 and 5248. Similarly, the bottom guide bar 5015 can be secured at the ends to the bottom longitudinal arms 5012 and 5014, respectively, by fastening mechanisms 5247 and 5249.

[0077] In addition, a plurality of belt contact assemblies 5020 are disposed around the chassis 5004 to movably support the first array 5250 and the second array 5252 of actuator belts, each of which includes a shaft 5022, a pulley 5024, and a free-spinning bearing (not shown). Each of the belt contact assemblies 5020 can be configured to extend along the height H2 of the chassis 5004 and can be positioned around the chassis 5004 in a configuration similar to that provided for the belt contact assemblies 264, 266, 268, 270, 272, 274 described above. In addition, in the example shown, each belt contact assembly 5020 can include a shaft implemented as an elongated cylindrical shaft 5022 supporting a plurality of pulleys (one for each layer of actuator belts) and two free-spinning bearings mounted at the ends of the shaft 5022. As the array of actuator bands 5250 , 5252 are exposed to heat, the band contact assembly 5020 cooperates to move the actuator bands 5250 , 5252 in directions D1 and D2 in a manner similar to the actuator bands 250 and 252 described above for producing bi-directional rotation of the output shaft 5006 .

[0078] Similar to the other heat engines described above, in this embodiment, the heat engine 5102 also includes a heat exchanger 5062 (e.g., a heat pipe) for providing thermal energy to the first array 5250 and the second array 5252 of actuator strips to thereby drive the output shaft 5006. As shown, the heat pipe 5062 includes an evaporator section 5064 and two (or more in some alternative examples) condenser sections 5066, 5068, which are placed in a warm or hot environment or can be connected to a low temperature waste heat source, which are placed in a cooler environment than the environment of the evaporator section 5064. In addition, the condenser sections 5066, 5068 can be fluidly connected to the evaporator section 5064 via a flow control valve 5070 in a similar manner as described above. In this embodiment, the condenser sections 5066, 5068 can be constructed as a hollow block extending along the height H2 and extending between the longitudinal ends 5005, 5007 of the chassis 5004. The condenser sections 5066, 5068 may be partially insulated or non-insulated from the exterior and may be adapted to provide thermal exposure to the first array 5250 and the second array 5252 of actuator strips, respectively. Each condenser section 5066, 5068 may include a plurality of thermally conductive containment cavities 5072 ( Fig.29 5250, 5252 therein and transfer heat from the heated working fluid flowing around them to the actuator strips. In the example shown, each condenser section 5066, 5068 includes 104 tubular receiving cavities 5072, such that each tubular receiving cavity 5072 receives a corresponding long segment of the actuator strips of the respective first array portion 5250 and second array portion 5252.

[0079] In addition, the first insulation section 5074 and the second insulation section 5076 may also be connected between the evaporator section 5064 and the corresponding condenser section 5066, 5068 via the flow control valve 5070. In the illustrated embodiment, the insulation sections 5074, 5076 are connected to the corresponding condenser sections 5066, 5068 from the inside of the chassis 5004 via corresponding fluid connection pipes 5078, 5080 (for example, in order to achieve a compact design). The fluid connection pipes 5078, 5080 may be adapted to extend along the height H2 of the chassis 5004. In addition, the heat pipe 5062 may include two fluid return members 5082, 5084 connected to the first condenser section 5066 via a first return connection pipe 5086 and two fluid return members 5088, 5090 connected to the second condenser section 5068 via a second return connection pipe 5092. Fluid return components 5082 , 5084 , 5088 , and 5090 may facilitate the return of condensed working fluid and uncondensed working fluid to evaporator section 5064 .

[0080] In operation, the working fluid absorbs heat in the evaporator section 5064 and moves to the flow control valve 5070. When the flow control valve 5070 is in the first valve position, the heated working fluid can be directed to follow the first fluid path, i.e., to the first condenser section 5066 via the first thermally insulating section 5074 and the first flow connection conduit 5078. As the heated working fluid flows through the first condenser section 5066, heat is transferred to the first array portion 5250. The working fluid, as it moves along the condenser section 5066, cools or condenses back into a liquid, which along with any remaining uncondensed amount is returned to the evaporator section 5064 via the two fluid return members 5082, 5084 and the first return connection conduit 5086. As the first array portion 5250 is exposed to heat, it contracts to displace the top and bottom linear rack gears 5009 in the first direction D1, thereby rotating the output shaft 5006 also in the direction D1.

[0081] Similarly, when the flow control valve 5070 is switched to the second valve position, the heated working fluid is directed to follow the second fluid path, i.e., to the second condenser section 5068 via the second thermally insulating section 5076 and the second flow connection conduit 5080. As the evaporated working fluid flows through the second condenser section 5068, heat is transferred to the second array portion 5252. The working fluid, as it moves along the condenser section 5068, condenses back into a liquid, which along with any remaining uncondensed volume is returned to the evaporator section 5064 via the two fluid return members 5088, 5090 and the second return connection conduit 5092. As the second array portion 5252 is exposed to heat, it contracts to displace the top and bottom linear rack gears 5009 in the second direction D2, thereby causing the output shaft 5006 to rotate in the direction D2 as well.

[0082] Therefore, by periodically switching the position of the flow control valve 5070 and periodically exposing the array portions 5250, 5252 of the actuator belt, continuous bidirectional rotation of the output shaft 5006 is achieved, which is then converted into unidirectional rotation by the driven gear member 5011 and the gear box 5013 for providing input to the power generation system.

[0083] Now refer to Figure 32 to Figure 36 , a heat engine 6102 according to a sixth exemplary embodiment is provided. The heat engine 6102 includes a chassis 6004 and an output shaft 6006 ( Fig.35), where these components are implemented in a similar manner to the chassis 5004 and output shaft 5006 described above. The gear arrangement may also include a driven gear member 6013 coupled to a gearbox 6014 that converts the bidirectional rotation of the output shaft 6006 into a unidirectional rotation for providing input to the generator assembly. It will be appreciated that in embodiments where a unilaterally restricted rotary bearing is not used, the conversion of bidirectional rotation to unidirectional rotation may be utilized, and various mechanisms that provide the required conversion are well known.

[0084] In this example, the heat engine 6102 includes a single piece of sheet-like actuator strip 6052 that extends through the height H3 of the chassis 6004. The actuator strip 6052 defines a first array 6053 of actuator strips and a second array 6054 of actuator strips that are each connected in a manner similar to the heat engine 5102 described above to drive the gear arrangement 6009 in directions D1 and D2. For example, each of the first array 6253 of actuator strips and the second array 6254 of actuator strips can have one end fixed to the chassis 6004 and a second end fixed to the mounting plate 6016, and a linear rack gear 6009 (at the top and bottom) of the mounting assembly 6008. The coupling of the actuator strip 6052 to the mounting plate 6016 drives the output shaft 6006 in directions D1 and D2 in a manner similar to that described above. In addition, the actuator belt 6052 is supported on a plurality of belt contact assemblies 6020 disposed about the chassis 6004 in a similar manner as described above.

[0085] In addition, the heat engine 6102 includes a heat exchanger 6062 for providing thermal energy to the actuator strip 6052 to thereby drive the output shaft 6006. The heat exchanger 6062 is also implemented in a similar manner, except that the condenser sections 6066, 6068 can include a hollow receiving cavity 6070 having a profile complementary to the cross-sectional profile of the actuator strip 6052. In addition, the heat pipe 6062 includes an evaporator section 6064 that heats the working fluid, for example, from a low temperature source or a low temperature gradient environment. The flow control valve 6070 directs the heated working fluid flow to one of the condenser sections 6066, 6068 via the first and second insulating sections 6074, 6076, thereby exposing one of the arrays 6053, 6054 to heat.

[0086] As the first array portion 6053 is exposed to heat, it contracts to displace the top and bottom linear rack gears 6009 in a first direction D1, thereby rotating the output shaft 6006 in direction D1. As the position of the valve 6070 is switched and the second array portion 6054 is exposed to heat, it contracts to displace the top and bottom linear rack gears 6009 in a second direction D2, thereby rotating the output shaft 6006 in the opposite direction D2. Thus, by periodically switching the position of the flow control valve 6070 and periodically exposing the array portions 6053, 6054 of the actuator band 6052, continuous bidirectional rotation of the output shaft 6006 is achieved, which in turn is converted into a unidirectional rotation by the driven gear member 6013 and the gear box 6014 for providing input to the generator assembly.

[0087] Now refer to Figures 37 to 43 , a heat engine 7102 according to a seventh exemplary embodiment is provided. The heat engine 7102 includes a chassis 7004 and a rotating cylinder 7006 rotatably supported on the chassis 7004. As shown, the chassis 7004 includes a mounting frame 7008 supported on a pair of legs 7010, which can facilitate the installation of the heat engine 7102 at a facility. The mounting frame 7008 includes a first arm 7012 and a second arm 7014 spaced apart to define a length L of the chassis 7004. The cylinder 7006 is rotatably supported on a main shaft 7016 (a work output member in this example), which is connected to the first arm 7012 and the second arm 7014 at its ends. In addition, the mounting frame 7008 and the main shaft 7016 divide the cylinder 7006 into two longitudinal half sections 7006-1, 7006-2 along the length L2 of the cylinder 7006, one longitudinal half section on each side of the mounting frame 7008.

[0088] The barrel 7006 includes a first face 7018 facing and coupled to the first arm 7012 and a second face 7020 facing and coupled to the second arm 7014. Fig.37 and Fig.41As shown, the main shaft 7016 is connected to the first arm 7012 and the second arm 7014 respectively by bearings 7022 and 7024, which are in turn connected to bearing seats 7026, 7028 fixedly attached to the first arm 7012 and the second arm 7014 respectively. The bearings 7022 and 7024 can be configured to facilitate the rotation of the main shaft 7016 during operation, as will be described in the following description. In addition, the first fixed bevel gear 7030 and the second fixed bevel gear 7032 are fixedly mounted on the first arm 7012 and the second arm 7014 respectively. In one embodiment, the fixed bevel gears 7030, 7032 and the bearing seats 7026, 7028 can be fixed to the mounting frame 7008, and therefore can not rotate relative to the frame 7008.

[0089] In addition, the heat engine 7102 includes a plurality of actuator band groups or arrays 7033 that are spaced apart and arranged along the circumference of the barrel 7006 such that a first array 7033-1 of actuator band groups is arranged on a first section 7006-1 of the barrel 7006 and a second array 7033-2 of actuator band groups is arranged on a second section 7006-2 of the barrel 7006. In an exemplary embodiment, each array of actuator band groups 7033 includes a first actuator band 7034 and a second actuator band 7036 extending longitudinally between the first face 7018 and the second face 7020 of the barrel 7006 (at Fig.39 The engine 7102 also includes a plurality of active mechanisms 7037 ( Fig.40 As shown in the figure, these active mechanisms are connected to the corresponding actuator belt set 7033 and are suitable for generating a rotational power provided to the power generation system and using a part of the generated rotational power to rotate the cylinder 7006. For example, each active mechanism 7037 includes a first chain and sprocket device 7038 and a second chain and sprocket device 7040, the first chain and sprocket device is arranged on the first face 7018 and includes a chain 7041 (having sections 7041-1, 7041-2) moving on a sprocket 7039, and the second chain and sprocket device is arranged on the second face 7020 and includes a chain 7043 (having sections 7043-1, 7043-2) moving on a sprocket 7045. Each of the first chain and sprocket device 7038 and the second chain and sprocket device 7040 is configured to fix the corresponding actuator belt set 7033 to the cylinder 7006 and the mounting frame 7008. The first end of the first actuator band 7034 is secured by a fastening mechanism such as a bolt fastener 7042 ( Fig.40The first end of the first actuator belt 7034 is movably secured to the first chain segment 7041-1 of the first chain and sprocket arrangement 7038 at the first face 7018 by a movable fastening mechanism 7044. In addition, the first end of the second actuator belt 7036 is movably secured to the first chain segment 7041-1 of the first chain and sprocket arrangement 7038 at the first face 7018 by a movable fastening mechanism 7046 (shown more clearly in FIG. 1 ). Fig.40 The second end of the second actuator belt 7036 is movably secured to the first chain segment 7043-1 of the second chain and sprocket arrangement 7040 at the second face 7020 (more clearly shown in FIG. 1 ). The second end of the second actuator belt 7036 is also movably secured to the second chain segment 7041-2 of the first chain and sprocket arrangement 7038 by a movable fastening mechanism 7048.

[0090] In some embodiments, the heat engine 7102 may include a mounting flange 7050 extending circumferentially on the second face 7020 of the barrel 7006. The mounting flange 7050 is configured to support the second chain and sprocket arrangement 7040 and the guide rod 7052. For example, the mounting flange 7050 may include a plurality of apertures 7054 disposed thereon to allow the chain segments 7043-1 and 7043-2 and the guide rod 7052 to pass therethrough and be secured to components of the engine 7102, as described herein. In some embodiments, the mounting flange 7050 may be a separate component coupled to the barrel 7006 by some fastening mechanism. However, in some other embodiments, the mounting flange 7050 may be integrally formed with the barrel 7006. The guide rod 7054 may include a spring member 7056 and may be coupled to the second chain segment 7043-2 of the second chain and sprocket arrangement 7040 by a movable fastener 7057 to allow linear movement of the actuator band as it expands or contracts in response to heat exposure. The spring member 7056 may be biased in a tensioned position and may be configured to be compressed by the action of the chain 7043 to accommodate dimensional changes in the actuator band set 7033 when exposed to heat.

[0091] In addition, if Fig.40 As shown, each of the chain and sprocket assemblies 7038 and 7040 is connected to a corresponding fixed bevel gear 7030, 7032 via a corresponding drive shaft 7058 (only one side is shown), a pair of bearings 7060, and a rotating gear such as a bevel gear 7062. In an exemplary embodiment, the bearing 7060 can be a one-way rotating bearing that is configured to rotate the shaft 7058 and, in turn, the bevel gear 7062 in only one direction. In addition, in some embodiments, the heat engine 7102 includes a drive assembly 7064 that is disposed on one of the faces of the barrel 7006 (such as the second face 7020) and mounted on the second arm 7014, such as Fig.38 and Fig.41As shown. The drive device 7064 can be configured to transfer the rotation generated by the main shaft 7016 to the power generation assembly 7066, which can include a gearbox with a mechanism for increasing the rotation, a coupled power generation device including a generator, control elements, and output adjustment elements, which are required to control and adopt the power plant for a given application. In an exemplary embodiment, the drive device 7064 can be implemented as a timing pulley device (hereinafter referred to as the timing pulley device 7064), which respectively includes a driving pulley 7068 and a driven pulley 7070 and a timing belt 7072 that connects the driving pulley 7068 to the driven pulley 7070. The driving pulley 7068 is driven by the rotation of the main shaft 7016 and is configured to drive the driven pulley 7070, which in turn transfers the rotation to the power generation assembly 7066. The timing pulley device 7064 includes teeth and grooves on the outer diameter of the pulley body and complementary teeth and grooves on the inner surface of the timing belt 7072. The timing pulley arrangement 7064 may be configured to provide the additional function of preventing slippage when the heat engine 7102 is running. It will be appreciated that other types of gear arrangements may be used to achieve similar results.

[0092] The heat engine 7102 described in this exemplary embodiment can be placed in a position with two adjacent different temperature environments, so that one environment temperature is higher or warmer than another environment temperature. For example, the bottom of the lake contains a large amount of water (e.g., at 4 degrees Celsius), and when the external temperature of the lake can be lower than or about 0 degrees Celsius in winter, and can be at or above +30 degrees Celsius in summer, significant heat energy extraction potential can be provided. The heat engine 7102 according to this embodiment can be used in such a position in most summer, spring and autumn, where the top layer remains unfrozen. In addition, the heat engine 7102 can also be operated in hot and very hot positions, where the underwater position is much colder than the outside. For this reason, the heat engine 7102 can be placed and the size of the barrel 7006 can be selected so that one of the sections 7006-1, 7006-2 of the barrel 7006 remains exposed to a first environment with a temperature T1 and another section in the sections 7006-1, 7006-2 is in a second environment with a temperature T2 lower than the temperature T1. Thus, the section of the cylinder 7006 having a corresponding array of actuator band sets 7033 that is exposed to heat provides a torque that is transmitted to rotate the spindle 7016 and the cylinder 7006, thereby causing another section of the cylinder 7006 having another array of actuator band sets 7033 to be periodically exposed to a warmer environment on its own.

[0093] In operation, as one of the segments (such as segment 7006-1) is exposed to a warm temperature T1, the actuator bands 7034, 7036 in the first array 7033-1 of the actuator band group are exposed to heat, causing these actuator bands to contract. As the bands 7034, 7036 contract, their shortened lengths are added together by the active mechanism 7037. For example, the contraction of the bands 7034, 7036 can exert a pulling force on the moving fastener 7046, thereby pulling the chain 7043 toward the opposite face (i.e., the first face 7018) and causing the sprocket 7045 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. As a result, the shaft 7058 rotates in a counterclockwise direction, which in turn is transmitted to the corresponding bevel gear 7062 and the fixed bevel gear 7032. Therefore, the rotation of the shaft 7058 and bevel gear 7062 for each of the actuator belt sets 7033-1 in the segment 7006-1 helps to rotate the main shaft 7016 in the same direction to generate rotational power, which is transmitted to the power generation assembly 7066 through the timing pulley device 7064. In addition, since the fixed bevel gear 7032 does not rotate relative to the mounting frame 7008, the rotation of the shaft 7058 and bevel gear 7062 causes the cylinder 7006 itself to rotate.

[0094] As the barrel 7006 rotates, another segment (i.e., segment 7006-2) is exposed to a warmer environment, and the corresponding array of actuator band set 7033-2 contracts and rotates the corresponding shaft and bevel gear in a similar manner to produce rotation of the main shaft 7016 and again rotate the barrel 7006 in the same direction. The exemplary arrangement of fixed bevel gear 7032, shaft 7058, and bevel gear 7062 serves as a thermal switching mechanism of this embodiment by periodically rotating the barrel 7006 to periodically expose the actuator band arrays 7033-1 and 7033-2 to heat. Therefore, by rotating the barrel 7006, the segments 7006-1, 7006-2 are periodically exposed to the heat of the warmer environment to generate rotational power provided to the power generation assembly 7066. However, when the actuator band sets 7033, which have been contracted by the heat of the warmer environment, move to the cooler environment, these actuator band sets are relaxed, which in turn causes the sprocket 7045 to rotate in the opposite direction (i.e., clockwise) and thus hinders the unidirectional rotation of the main shaft 7016. For this reason, since the shaft 7058 is supported on two bearings 7060 that only allow rotation in one direction, the shaft 7058 is only allowed to rotate in one direction (i.e., counterclockwise) and rotation in the opposite direction is restricted, thereby producing the unidirectional rotation of the main shaft 7016.

[0095] Furthermore, in some embodiments, such as in some embodiments for larger applications, the heat engine 7102 can be enlarged to include multiple barrels 7006, each of which has a greater number of actuator strips (such as Fig.42 and Fig.43 As shown), these actuator bands are mounted on each shaft 7058, and work in a similar manner to the above to rotate the corresponding cylinder and generate output rotational power. In addition, in some other embodiments, for example, in the case where the positions with different temperatures are too far apart, a modified structure with two cylinders can be used, in which one cylinder is inserted into each environment and connected to the other cylinder by a mechanical connection device (such as a chain and a belt) so as to transfer the displacement generated between the two. For example, in this embodiment, the actuator bands 7034, 7036 may not be connected to the cylinder body, but can be moved by its rotation in the circumference of the cylinder. By inserting each of the two cylinders 7006 into one of the two environments, the displacement generated is for the corresponding array of the actuator band group that periodically moves from one environment to another environment. The connection mechanism can be constructed to connect the two sections, and the force generated by the actuator band group in the warmer environment drives the connection mechanism to shift the other array of the actuator band group from a colder environment to a warmer environment, and vice versa.

[0096] Now refer to Figures 44 to 51 , a heat engine 8102 according to an eighth exemplary embodiment is provided. The heat engine 8102 includes a chassis 8004 and a plurality of cylinders 8006 supported on the chassis 8004. In the example shown, the heat engine 8102 includes six cylinders spaced apart and arranged in a circular configuration around the chassis 8004. However, it should be understood that the number and arrangement of the cylinders shown and described herein are merely examples, and the heat engine 8102 may include an additional or fewer number of cylinders depending on the desired application.

[0097] The chassis 8004 may be implemented as a long base steel cylinder 8008 having a work output member (e.g., a main shaft 8009 rotatable therein) to generate rotational power for the power generation system. The drive device 8011 may be configured to transmit the rotation generated by the main shaft 8009 to a power generation assembly 8013, which may include a gearbox having a mechanism for increasing rotation, a coupled power generation device including a generator, control elements, and output adjustment elements that are required to control and employ the power plant for a given application. In some examples, the drive device 8011 may be implemented as a timing pulley device that includes a driving pulley 8015 and a driven pulley 8017, respectively, and includes a belt 8019 (in Fig.48 8014). The driving pulley 8015 is driven by the rotation of the main shaft 8009 and is configured to drive a driven pulley 8017 which in turn feeds the rotation to the power generation assembly 8013.

[0098] In this embodiment, the base cylinder 8008 can be divided into a lower part 8008-1 of the evaporator section 8010 containing the heat pipe 8012 and an upper part 8008-2 supporting the cylinder 8006 (hereinafter referred to as the condenser cylinder 8006) used as the condenser section. Therefore, the lower part 8008-1 of the base cylinder 8008 containing the evaporator section 8010 can be positioned in a warmer environment, while the upper part 8008-2 and the condenser cylinder 8006 can be positioned in a colder environment. In some embodiments, the heat pipe 8012 can be implemented as a thermosyphon to allow the upper part 8008-2 and the lower part 8008-1 to be positioned at a large distance from each other, even up to one hundred meters or more in some cases. In addition, due to the vertical configuration of the heat engine 8102, as explained above, the condensed working fluid can be returned to the evaporator section by gravity. Furthermore, heat engine 8102 may be implemented in any location or facility having two environments with different ambient temperatures from each other. For example, the bottom of a lake contains a large amount of water (e.g., at 4 degrees Celsius) and provides significant thermal energy extraction potential when the lake's external temperature can be as low as -40 degrees Celsius or below in the winter and as high as +40 degrees Celsius or above in the summer.

[0099] In addition, if Fig.45 As shown, the upper portion 8008-2 of the base barrel 8008 includes a first set of support arms 8014 (hereinafter referred to as top support arms 8014) extending radially outward at the top of the upper portion 8008-2 and a second set of support arms 8016 (hereinafter referred to as bottom support arms 8016) extending radially outward at the bottom of the upper portion 8008-2. The top support arms 8014 and the bottom support arms 8016 are configured to mount the condenser barrel 8006 therebetween. As will be understood, the base barrel 8008 and the top support arms 8014 and the bottom support arms 8016 can be configured to serve as insulating sections that fluidly connect the evaporator section 8010 to the condenser barrel 8006 and extend between the evaporator section 8010 and the condenser barrel 8006.

[0100] In addition, each condenser barrel 8006 can be supported on a corresponding barrel shaft 8018 having a corresponding axis of rotation. For example, the barrel 8006 can be supported on the corresponding shaft 8018 by a pair of bearings 8020, wherein the outer portion of the bearing 8020 can be attached and retained on the support arms 8014, 8016 by a first bevel gear 8022. In addition, a second bevel gear 8024 is supported on the outer portion of the bearing 8020 and is connected to the first bevel gear 8022 to transfer the rotational torque from the barrel shaft 8018 of the condenser barrel 8006 to the main bevel gear 8026, which in turn rotates the main shaft 8009. As will be understood, the mounting device described herein for mounting each of these condenser cylinders 8006 to the upper portion 8008-2 of the base cylinder 8008 enables the rotation axis of each of these condenser cylinders 8006 (corresponding to the cylinder axis 8018) to be parallel to the rotation axis of the base cylinder 8008 (corresponding to the main shaft 8009), and the rotation of each of these cylinder shafts 8018 assists the rotation of the main shaft 8009 through appropriate connecting mechanical elements.

[0101] In the example, the heat engine 8102 also includes one or more flow control valves 8028 ( Fig.45 ), the flow control valve in this embodiment is used as a heat switching mechanism, associated with each of the condenser cylinders 8006, and when switched to the corresponding valve position, can be configured to guide the heated working fluid to the top portion of one of the condenser cylinders 8006 via the flow connection member 8030. In some embodiments, the flow control valve 8028 can be implemented as a simple one-way valve that allows one-way fluid flow based on its position. In some embodiments, each condenser cylinder 8006 can have its own flow control valve 8028, which can be selectively actuated during operation to allow the heated working fluid to flow into a corresponding one of the cylinders 8006. In some other embodiments, the heat engine 8102 can include a single flow control valve 8028, which can be switched to different positions to guide the heated working fluid to one of the cylinders 8006 at a time. As explained previously, the flow control valve 8028 can be mechanically or electrically operated to switch between different valve positions during operation.

[0102] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the condenser barrels 8006 includes a corresponding array 8032 of actuator strips having one or more actuator strips 8033 disposed circumferentially on the outer surface of the condenser barrel 8006. As previously explained, the array 8032 of actuator strips is configured to change its size, such as to contract or expand, when exposed to warm temperatures or heat. Fig.46 and Fig.47As shown, each condenser cylinder 8006 includes an inner cylindrical shell 8070 and an outer metal cylindrical shell 8072, which define a fluid channel space 8073 therebetween. The actuator band 8033 can be positioned to contact the outer cylindrical shell 8072. In addition, the inner surface (not shown) of the inner cylindrical shell 8070 can be covered with an insulator layer. During operation, based on the position of the flow control valve 8028, the heated working fluid can be directed into the top of one of the cylinders 8006, and then into the fluid channel space 8073, so that the working fluid flows from the top of the cylinder 8006 to the bottom. Since the inner shell 8070 is insulated, the heat released by the working fluid flowing in the space 8073 is transferred to the outer shell 8072, and then transferred to the array 8032 of the actuator bands in contact with the outer shell 8072. Furthermore, as the working fluid passes through the space 8073 , the working fluid is condensed and returned to the evaporator section 8010 via a corresponding return pipe 8075 .

[0103] In an exemplary embodiment, each array 8032 of actuator strips includes a large number of individual strips 8033 that can be connected at one end in a side-by-side arrangement to a fixed flange 8034 disposed at the bottom of the barrel 8006. The second end of each actuator strip 8033 can be connected to a movable flange 8036 that is configured to move linearly up and down along the axis of the barrel 8006 on one or more guide rods 8038. The movable flange 8036 is configured to move up and down in response to dimensional changes of the actuator strips 8033 in response to heat. Fig.49 As shown, the guide rod 8038 can be fixed to the second fixed flange 8040 at one end by a fastening mechanism 8042, and can be configured to slide through one or more guide holes 8044 provided on the movable flange 8036. In this example, each condenser cylinder 8006 has four guide rods 8038, which are equidistantly positioned around the circumference of the condenser cylinder 8006. However, any other configuration and / or number of guide rods can be used to achieve similar results.

[0104] In addition, if Fig.50 and Fig.51As shown, in order to convert the linear contraction or expansion of the actuator band 8033 into the bidirectional rotation of the drive shaft 8043, a plurality of drive devices 8045 may be provided on the condenser cylinder 8006. For example, the condenser cylinders 8006 may each have four drive devices 8045, which are equidistantly positioned around the circumference of the cylinder 8006. In some embodiments, the drive device 8045 may include a linear gear member 8046, which may be connected to the movable flange 8036 at one end by a fastening mechanism 8047, and pass through an orifice 8048 provided on the second fixed flange 8040 to engage with a rotating gear member 8050 at the other end. The linear gear member 8046 may be linearly driven (i.e., driven up and down) by the action of the actuator band 8033 and the movable flange 8036, and thus may be configured to rotate the gear member 8050. The linear gear member 8046 is also connected to a spring guide rod 8052 (hereinafter referred to as spring rod 8052) by a movable fastening mechanism 8054. The spring rod 8052 includes a spring 8053 supported thereon and is fixedly connected to the second fixed flange 8040 to provide a return force for the displaced actuator bands 8033 in the event that they experience relaxation when exposed to cooler temperatures.

[0105] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the rotating gear member 8050 is mounted on a first bearing 8056, which is supported on one end of the shaft 8043. The shaft 8043 is in turn mounted on a second bearing 8058 and connected to a bevel gear 8060 at the other end. In some embodiments, the first bearing 8056 and the second bearing 8058 can be single-sided rotating bearings, and the first bearing 8056 can move freely in opposite directions relative to the second bearing 8058. Therefore, the bidirectional rotation of the gear member 8050 is converted into a unidirectional rotation of the bevel gear 8060. The bevel gear 8060 is also connected to a bevel gear 8022 that is engaged with the outer portion of the bearing 8020 and is therefore rotatable. The shaft 8018 passes through the bearing, and the outer portion of the bearing is fixed to the top surface of the cylinder 8006 above the support arms 8014 and 8016. Therefore, the bevel gear 8022 is mounted on the shaft 8018 and is free to rotate relative to the cylinder 8006. The bevel gear 8024 is also mounted and fixed to the shaft 8018. Therefore, bevel gear 8024 rotates together with shaft 8018 rotated by bevel gear 8022.

[0106] In addition, if Fig.48As shown, bevel gear 8022 can be operably connected to main bevel gear 8015 via bevel gear 8077, shaft 8078, a pair of bearing housings 8080, bearings 8082, and bevel gear 8084. Therefore, the rotation of bevel gear 8022 is transmitted to main bevel gear 8015 via the above mechanical connection, and main bevel gear 8015 in turn rotates main shaft 8009 to provide output power to power generation assembly 8013.

[0107] Now refer to Figure 52 to Figure 56 , a second version of heat engine 8102 (hereinafter referred to as heat engine 8102A) is provided. Heat engine 8102A includes the same components as heat engine 8102 described above, and therefore the reference numerals in these figures representing the same components as those of heat engine 8102 have not changed. However, in this version, drive device 8045 for converting the linear movement of actuator belt 8033 into bidirectional rotation of shaft 8043 is replaced by a different drive device 9045. In the version shown (as shown in FIG. 1 ), the drive device 8045 is replaced by a different drive device 9045. Fig.55 and Fig.56 ), the drive device 9045 includes a chain member 9004 rotatably supported on a sprocket 9006. The chain member 9004 is connected to the movable flange 8036 at one end by a fastening rod 9008, and is connected to the spring rod 8052 at the other end by a fastening mechanism 8054. The sprocket 9006 is supported on two unidirectional rotating bearings 8056 and 8058, and is rotatable to produce a unidirectional rotation of the bevel gear 8060 in a manner similar to that described above. The unidirectional rotation of the bevel gear 8060 also produces rotation of the bevel gear 8022, the shaft 8018, and the main shaft 8009 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the heat engine 8102.

[0108] Now refer to Figure 57 to Figure 59 , another version of heat engine 8102 (hereinafter referred to as heat engine 8102B) is provided. In these figures, for components that are the same as corresponding components of heat engine 8102, the reference numerals remain the same. In this version of heat engine 8102, instead of multiple actuator strips, heat engine 8102B includes an array 1032 having a single-piece sheet-like actuator strip 1034 that is formed as a thin hollow cylinder mounted on the outer shell of each of the condenser cylinders 8006. Actuator strip 1034 can be connected to movable flange 8036 and is configured to rotate spindle 8009 in a manner similar to that described above. In addition, although Fig.58 and Fig.59 The gear arrangement 9045 is shown as being implemented as a chain and sprocket arrangement (as described above), but it will be appreciated that a drive arrangement 8045 including a linear gear member 8046 and a rotating gear member 8050 may also be used without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0109] Now refer to Figure 60 to Figure 62 , a heat engine 1102 according to a ninth exemplary embodiment is provided. In some embodiments, the heat engine 1102 of this example is configured to operate using solar thermal energy. For explanation purposes, the heat engine 1102 is constructed and implemented in a manner similar to the heat engine 8102 described above. The heat engine 1102 includes a plurality of condenser cylinders 1106, which are arranged and supported on a chassis 1104 and are adapted to receive heated fluid from an evaporator section 1110 via one or more flow control valves (not shown) in a manner similar to the heat engine 8102 described above. In one example, the heat engine 1102 can be positioned at a facility that is well exposed to sunlight, and therefore an umbrella 1105 can be positioned on top of the heat engine 1102 to cover each of the condenser cylinders 1106 and prevent them from being exposed to direct sunlight, thereby also creating a relatively cool environment for the cylinders 1106 compared to the environment of the evaporator section 1110. As shown, the entire heat engine assembly 1102 may be supported on a base 1108 , however, in some additional or alternative embodiments, the assembly may be supported on the chassis 1104 itself.

[0110] The heat engine 1102 may be operably connected to a solar thermal energy capture system 1112 that captures solar energy from solar radiation to provide thermal energy for heating a working fluid within the evaporator section 1110. The heated working fluid is then provided to the condenser section, i.e., the condenser barrel 1106 in this example, via a flow control valve in a periodic manner in a manner similar to that described above to cause a work output member (not shown) to rotate and generate electricity.

[0111] The solar thermal energy capture system 1112 (hereinafter referred to as system 1112) includes a plurality of solar thermal energy collector panels 1114 arranged around a water container 1116. In certain example embodiments, the solar thermal energy collector panels 1116 may partially surround the water container 1116, while in some other examples, the collector panels 1116 may be arranged to completely surround the water container 1116. In addition, in some embodiments (such as the embodiments shown herein), the water container 1116 may have an upper portion 1116-1 and a lower portion 1116-2, such that the upper portion 1116-1 is connected to the chassis 1104 and is suitable for accommodating the evaporator section 1110 therein. The water container 1116 may be cylindrical or cubic, or may be implemented in any other shape and / or design. As will be understood, the size and capacity of the water container 1116 may be selected according to the desired end application, based on the size and scale of the heat engine 1102 and the solar thermal energy collector panels 1114. The water container 1116 and the collector plate 1114 are adapted to provide thermal energy for the heat engine 1102 to operate.

[0112] As shown, the solar thermal collector panels 1114 (hereinafter referred to as collector panels 1114) are appropriately angled to face the sun and capture solar energy. Each collector panel 1114 includes an array of dual coaxial long glass tubes 1118, which are positioned parallel to each other and close to each other, and are appropriately tilted along their lengths to face and receive sunlight. Each pair of glass tubes is coaxially sealed together, and the space between them is evacuated to minimize any heat loss. In addition, the inner glass tube (not shown) in each pair of glass tubes has a blackened outer surface, that is, painted black or other dark colors to capture solar heat therein. When the collector panel 1114 is exposed to sunlight, the blackened outer surface of the inner glass tube and the vacuum between the glass tube allow the water flowing through the inner glass tube to absorb solar heat. In addition, the inner glass tubes in each collector panel 1114 are connected together on one side to the first tube 1120, which is in turn connected to, for example, the upper portion 1116-1 of the water container 1116. The inner glass tube is connected together at the other end to the second tube 1122 ( Fig.61 As shown), the second tube is further connected to, for example, the lower portion 1116-2 of the water container 1116.

[0113] In operation, when the working fluid (e.g., water) in the inner glass tube is heated to, for example, up to 90 degrees Celsius by absorbing solar thermal energy, the heated water moves upward and flows to the upper portion 1116-1 of the water container 1116 via the first tube 1120. The displaced heated water in the inner glass tube is replaced by cooler water from the bottom of the water container 1116 via the second tube 1122. This circulation of water continues as the collector plate 1114 continues to absorb solar thermal energy from solar radiation. The evaporator section 1110 (positioned in the upper portion 1116-1 of the water container 1116) absorbs heat from the heated water in the upper portion 1116-1 to heat the working fluid therein, and operates the heat engine 1102 in the same manner as the heat engine 8102 described above to output rotational power and generate electricity.

[0114] Furthermore, while heat engine 1102 is shown and described as being implemented in accordance with heat engine 8102, it should be understood that the solar thermal energy capture system 1112 described herein may be implemented in a similar manner with any other type of heat engine described above to enable the corresponding type of heat engine to operate using solar thermal energy.

[0115] Now refer to Figure 63 to Figure 67, a heat engine 1202 according to a tenth exemplary embodiment is provided. The heat engine 1202 includes a chassis 1204 defining a first longitudinal end 1206 and a second longitudinal end 1208. The chassis 1204 may be divided into sections 1210, 1212, 1214, and 1216. In some embodiments, the sections 1210, 1212, 1214, and 1216 may be separated by flange members 1218, 1220, 1222, 1224, and 1226. The evaporator section 1228 may be disposed at the first longitudinal end 1206 and may be mechanically coupled to, for example, the flange member 1218 disposed at the first longitudinal end 1206 of the chassis 1204 by any known fastening mechanism. The chassis 1204 may also support a first condenser section 1230 and a second condenser section 1232 (such as a first condenser section 1230) branching off at the second longitudinal end 1208 of the chassis 1204. Fig.64 ). The first condenser section 1230 and the second condenser section 1232 may be adapted to support a first actuator strap 1256 (ie, a first actuator strap array in this example) and a second actuator strap 1258 (ie, a second actuator strap array in this example) therein, respectively.

[0116] In this exemplary embodiment, the base pan 1204 also supports a first tube 1234 and a second tube 1236 (in the example embodiment) extending within the base pan 1204 and along the length L of the base pan 1204 between the evaporator section 1228 and the condenser sections 1230 and 1232. Fig.65 1234 may be configured to direct heated working fluid (such as the working fluid described in the previous embodiments) received from evaporator section 1228 to one of condenser sections 1230 and 1232 during operation. Second tube 1236 may be configured to provide a return fluid path for cooled or condensed working fluid returning from condenser sections 1230 and 1232 to evaporator section 1228 through a respective one of connection portions 1231 and 1233 during operation.

[0117] In one embodiment, the bottom pan 1204 also includes a heat exchanger section 1238 disposed downstream of the evaporator section 1228. The heat exchanger section 1238 may include a first heat exchanger component 1240 ( Fig.65 ) and a second heat exchanger component 1242 (shown more clearly in Fig.66 1246 ), the first heat exchanger component and the second heat exchanger component cooperate to heat ambient air (drawn in from air inlet 1246) and cool the heated working fluid received from evaporator section 1228 during operation. As shown, heat exchanger section 1238 can be implemented in section 1210 of chassis 1204.

[0118] like Fig.65 As shown, the heat exchanger section 1238 can be configured to be fluidly connected to the second tube 1236 and the first tube 1234 via a first valve element 1244 and a second valve element 1250, respectively. For example, the first tube 1234 can be connected to the upper heat exchanger component or the second heat exchanger component 1242 via the second valve element 1250, which is suitable for guiding the heated working fluid in the first tube 1234 to the heat exchanger section 1238 via the fluid inlet 1247 when operated. Similarly, the second tube 1236 is connected to the lower heat exchanger component or the first heat exchanger component 1240 via the first valve element 1244, which is suitable for guiding the condensed working fluid collected in the first heat exchanger component 1240 to the second tube 1236 via the outlet 1245 when operated. In some examples, the first valve element 1244 and / or the second valve element 1250 can be manually or electrically operated and can be implemented as a one-way valve to only allow fluid to flow into and / or out of the heat exchanger section 1238. However, other configurations of the valve elements 1244, 1250 can also be implemented to achieve similar results. The heat exchanger section 1238 can also be fluidly connected to the external environment and can be configured to receive ambient air therein via an air inlet 1246. The ambient air absorbs heat from the heated working fluid in the heat exchanger section 1238 to output a cooled or condensed working fluid via an outlet 1245. The heated ambient air is periodically directed to expose each of the actuator bands 1256 or 1258 to heat, which will be explained below.

[0119] In one embodiment, the heat engine 1202 may also include one or more heat switching mechanisms, such as a first heat switching mechanism 1248 ( Fig.66 shown) and the second heat switching mechanism 1276 ( Fig.67 ), these thermal switching mechanisms may be operable to periodically expose the first actuator band 1256 and / or the second actuator band 1258 to heat to cause the work output member (e.g., output shaft 1260 ( Fig.67 To this end, in one embodiment, as shown Fig.66As shown, the first thermal switching mechanism 1248 includes a fan assembly 1262 and an airflow control valve 1264. The fan assembly 1262 includes a first fan and a second fan and is adapted to expose the actuator strips 1256, 1258 to heat by forced convection. The fan assembly 1262 can be configured to draw heated air from the heat exchanger section 1238 and direct it toward one of the actuator strips 1256, 1258 via the airflow control valve 1264. For example, the first fan of the fan assembly 1262 can draw heated air from the second heat exchanger section 1242 and direct it toward either the first tube 1252 or the second tube 1254, which have the first actuator strip 1256 and the second actuator strip 1258 supported therein, respectively. In some examples, the first tube 1252 and the second tube 1254 can be thermally insulated to allow the actuator strips 1256, 1258 to absorb heat from the heated air flowing therein. In addition, the second fan of the fan assembly 1262 can be configured to draw in ambient air via the ambient air inlet 1268 to be directed to the other of the first duct 1252 and the second duct 1254 via the airflow control valve 1264. In some examples, the fan assembly 1262 can be powered by utilizing a portion of the power generated by the heat engine 1202, while in some other exemplary embodiments, the fan assembly 1262 can be powered by an external power source.

[0120] In addition, the airflow control valve 1264 can be configured to direct the airflow (cooler and / or warmer) to the first tube 1252 via the first passage 1265 or to the second tube 1254 via the second passage 1266. The airflow control valve 1264 can be automatically controlled to periodically switch between the first valve position and the second valve position at regular intervals. In one example, the airflow control valve 1264 can be a four-way two-position valve, and in other examples, it can be any other type of valve capable of performing the functions described herein. For example, in the first valve position, the airflow control valve 1264 can direct the warm airflow (i.e., the heated air from the heat exchanger section 1238) to the first tube 1252 via the first passage 1265 for exposing the first actuator band 1256 to heat, and can direct the cooler ambient air (the ambient air inlet 1268 from the fan assembly 1262) to the second tube 1254 via the second passage 1266 for exposing the second actuator band 1258 to the cooler air. Similarly, in the second valve position, the airflow control valve 1264 can direct the warm air flow via the passage 1266 to the second tube 1254 for exposing the second actuator band 1258 to heat, and direct the cooler ambient air via the passage 1265 to the first tube 1252 for exposing the first actuator band 1256 to cooler air.

[0121] In the example shown, the actuator bands 1256 and 1258 are implemented as prestressed elastomeric bands that are configured to contract when exposed to heat and expand when cooled. However, other types and configurations of actuator bands 1256, 1258 (including the actuator bands described in the various examples above) may also be implemented to achieve similar results. In addition, the prestressed actuator bands using weighted components described in this example may also be implemented as, for example, active mechanism 7037 ( Fig.40 As shown), drive device 8045 ( Fig.51 shown) and / or drive device 9045 ( Fig.56 In some examples, the actuator bands 1256 and 1258 are fixedly coupled at one end to fixed mounting structures 1269 and 1270 disposed in the respective first and second tubes 1252 and 1254. In addition, the actuator bands 1256 and 1258 are connected to the fixed mounting structures 1269 and 1270 via the drive assembly 1272 ( Fig.67 ) is movably coupled to work output member 1260 to drive or rotate work output member 1260.

[0122] like Fig.67As shown, the work output member 1260 is mounted on a mounting assembly 1273, which in turn is coupled to the flange member 1226 of the chassis 1204 by any known suitable fastening mechanism. The mounting assembly 1273 also supports a drive assembly 1272 for rotating the output shaft 1260 in response to the contraction and expansion of the actuator bands 1256, 1258. The mounting assembly 1273 includes a housing 1274 having a second thermal switching mechanism 1276 (such as a fluid flow control valve (hereinafter referred to as fluid flow control valve 1276)) configured to switch heat exposure between the actuator bands 1256 and 1258. In some embodiments, the first thermal switching mechanism 1264 or the fluid flow control valve 1276 or both can be operable when operating the heat engine with or without the function of a heat exchanger. For example, when the heat exchanger section 1238 is operating, only the first thermal switching mechanism 1264 is operable, and when the heat engine 1202 is operating without the heat exchanger section 1238, only the fluid flow control valve 1276 is operable to periodically expose the actuator bands 1256 and 1258 to heat. To operate the heat engine 1202 without the heat exchanger section 1238, the second valve element 1250 can be closed to prevent any heated working fluid in the first tube 1232 from entering the heat exchanger section 1238, thereby directing all heated working fluid to either of the condenser sections 1230, 1232. In some additional or alternative embodiments, the thermal switching mechanism 1248 and the fluid flow control valve 1276 are operably connected to switch heat exposure between the actuator bands 1256 and 1258. The fluid flow control valve 1276 can be operated by a valve operating system (not shown) and can be configured to be in a first valve position to expose the first actuator band 1256 to heat and in a second valve position to expose the second actuator band 1258 to heat, in a manner similar to that described above in other example embodiments.

[0123] In addition, the mounting assembly 1273 includes a central support tube 1278 that is coupled to the mounting plate 1280 at one end and supports a power generation housing 1282 at another end. The power generation housing 1282 can accommodate a gearbox, a power generation system (such as Figure 1 systems 104), power conditioning systems (such as Figure 1The drive assembly 1272 includes a first movable mounting structure 1284 for movably mounting the first actuator belt 1256 and a second movable mounting structure 1286 for movably mounting the second actuator belt 1258. As shown, each of the first movable mounting structure 1284 and the second movable mounting structure 1286 can be a U-shaped structure with two open ends, which are fixed to corresponding movable plates (e.g., fixed to the first movable plate 1288 and the second movable plate 1290), and the corresponding movable plates are also fixed to the first actuator belt 1256 and the second actuator belt 1258, respectively.

[0124] In addition, the drive assembly 1272 includes a first active rod 1292 and a second active rod 1294, the first active rod being coupled to the first movable mounting structure 1284, which in turn is operably coupled to the first actuator band 1256, and the second active rod being coupled to the second movable mounting structure 1286, which in turn is operably coupled to the second actuator band 1258. To this end, the mounting plate 1280 may include through holes to allow the active rods 1292, 1294 to pass therethrough and be coupled to the respective movable mounting structures 1284 and 1286. In an exemplary embodiment, the drive assembly 1272 also includes a first weighted rod 1296 having a first weight component 1298 and operably coupled to the first active rod 1292, and a second weighted rod 1300 having a weight component 1302 and operably coupled to the second active rod 1294.

[0125] The mounting assembly 1273 also includes a first retainer 1304 having a first end that rotatably supports the first active rod 1292 and the first weight rod 1296 and a second end that rotatably supports the second active rod 1294 and the second weight rod 1300. The first retainer 1304 also supports a fixed non-rotating shaft 1308 that is coupled to the active rods 1292, 1294 and the weight rods 1296, 1300 through corresponding gear assemblies 1310 (only one is shown). Each of the gear assemblies 1310 can include a corresponding gear positioned on a bearing to allow free-running gear movement. Therefore, during operation, the gear assembly 1310 accommodates linear movement of the rod without rotating the shaft 1308.

[0126] The mounting assembly 1273 also includes a second retainer 1312 having a first end that movably supports the first active rod 1292 and the first weight rod 1296 and a second end that movably supports the second active rod 1294 and the second weight rod 1300. The second retainer 1312 also rotatably supports the output shaft 1260 therein. In one example, the output shaft 1260 may include two independent and integrated coaxial shafts. (Multiple) output shafts 1260 may be rotatably engaged with the active rods 1292, 1294 and the weight rods 1296, 1300 through corresponding gear assemblies 1314 (only one is shown), and the corresponding gear assemblies each have a bevel gear and / or a non-bevel gear supported on a unidirectional rotating bearing to convert the bidirectional rotation of the (multiple) output shafts 1260 into a unidirectional rotation. In some embodiments using non-bevel gears, the rotor axis of the generator housed in the power generation housing 1282 may not be parallel to the weight rods 1296 and 1300. In some examples, each of the active rods 1292, 1294 and the weighted rods 1296, 1300 may include corresponding internal gear teeth (not shown), which extend, for example, along a portion of their respective lengths, for mating with the gear assemblies 1310 and 1314. Similarly, each of the active rods 1292, 1294 and the weighted rods 1296, 1300 may also include corresponding external gear teeth (not shown), which extend, for example, along a portion of their respective lengths, for mating with corresponding gears disposed on each end of the first retainer 1304 and the second retainer 1312.

[0127] In a first operating mode using the heat exchanger section 1238, a first heat switching mechanism 1248 may be utilized. To this end, heated working fluid from the evaporator section 1228 is received in the tube 1234. In an exemplary embodiment, the valve elements 1244, 1250 may be operated to direct the heated working fluid into the heat exchanger section 1238. The air inlet 1246 of the heat exchanger section 1238 also draws in ambient air that is heated by the heated working fluid flowing through the heat exchanger section 1238. In a first cycle of operation, in this example, the valve position of the air flow control valve 1264 is set to a first valve position to direct heated air from the heat exchanger section 1238 to the first tube 1252 and to direct cooler ambient air to the second tube 1254. Similarly, in a second cycle of operation, in this example, the airflow control valve 1264 is switched to a second valve position to direct heated air from the heat exchanger to the second duct 1254 and to direct cooler ambient air to the first duct 1252. As previously described, when in the first valve position, the airflow control valve 1264 directs heated air from the heat exchanger section 1238 to the first duct 1252 via the passage 1265 to expose the first actuator band 1256 to heat, and simultaneously directs cooler ambient air drawn from the inlet 1268 of the fan assembly 1262 to the second duct 1254 via the passage 1266 to expose the second actuator band 1258 to cooler air. Similarly, when in the second valve position, the airflow control valve 1264 directs heated air from the heat exchanger section 1238 via the passage 1266 to the second tube 1254 to expose the second actuator band 1258 to heat, and simultaneously, directs cooler ambient air from the fan assembly 1262 via the passage 1265 to the first tube 1252 to expose the first actuator band 1256 to cooler air.

[0128] In another additional or alternative operating mode that does not utilize the heat exchanger section 1238, only the fluid flow control valve 1276 is operable. To this end, the second valve element 1250 is closed to direct the heated working fluid from the evaporator section 1228 to either the first condenser section 1230 and the corresponding first tube 1252 or the second condenser section 1232 and the corresponding second tube 1254 in a manner similar to that described above based on the position of the fluid flow control valve 1276. Thus, in the first valve position of the fluid flow control valve 1276, the heated working fluid is directed to the first condenser section 1230, thereby exposing the first actuator band 1256 to heat. Similarly, in the second valve position, the heated working fluid is directed to the second condenser section 1232, thereby exposing the second actuator band 1258 to heat. In this embodiment, the heated working fluid transfers heat to the respective actuator bands 1256 and 1258 by conduction rather than forced convection.

[0129] In some additional or alternative embodiments, the first thermal switching mechanism 1248 and the second thermal switching mechanism (i.e., fluid flow control valve) 1276 can be operably connected and configured to cooperate to periodically expose the actuator bands 1256 and 1258 to heat. For example, when the fluid flow control valve 1276 is switched to the first valve position, the airflow control valve 1264 is also switched to the first valve position to expose the first actuator band 1256 to heat and the second actuator band 1258 to cooler ambient air, and when the fluid flow control valve 1276 is switched to the second valve position, the airflow control valve 1264 is also switched to the second valve position to expose the second actuator band 1258 to heat and the first actuator band 1256 to cooler ambient air. In some embodiments, when the first heating mechanism 1247 and the second heating mechanism 1276 cooperate, the valve elements 1250 and 1244 can be controlled to allow a portion of the heated working fluid in the tube 1234 to be directed to the heat exchanger section 1238 and one of the condenser sections 1230, 1232. Thus, the actuator bands 1256, 1258 can be exposed to heat by conduction from the respective condenser sections 1230, 1232 and by forced convection from the respective tubes 1252, 1254 via the fan assembly 1262.

[0130] In operation, when one of the actuator bands 1256 or 1258 is exposed to heat, the other is simultaneously exposed to cool air, causing one actuator band (exposed to heat) to contract on one side, while the other actuator band (exposed to cool air) expands on the other side. As one of the actuator bands 1256 or 1258 contracts, the corresponding U-shaped movable mounting member 1284 or 1286 is pulled in a downward direction, and as the other of the actuator bands 1256 or 1258 expands, the corresponding U-shaped movable mounting member 1284 or 1286 moves in an upward direction. As the U-shaped movable mounting member 1284 or 1286 is pulled downward, a corresponding one of the active rods 1292, 1294 is also pulled downward by means of a gear assembly supported on each of the first retainer 1304 and the second retainer 1312. The corresponding weighted rods 1296 and 1300 are also constrained to move upward and downward in a similar manner by means of the gear assembly supported on the retainers 1304, 1312. In some embodiments, the weighted components 1298 and 1302 are adapted to provide a downward force through the corresponding weighted rods 1296 and 1300 to counteract the downward movement of the active rods 1292 and 1294 and pull them back upward. The reaction force provided by the weighted components 1298 and 1302 can maintain the prestress required to effectively operate the actuator belts 1256 and 1258.

[0131] When the actuator bands 1256, 1258 operate, the active rods 1292, 1294 and the weighted rods 1296, 1300 cause the work output member 1260 to rotate bidirectionally. As previously explained, the work output member 1260 is mounted on a plurality of one-way rotating bearings and bevel gears, which are arranged to convert the bidirectional rotation of the shaft 1260 into a one-way rotation, which is then provided to the power generation housing 1282. The housing 1282 may include a suitable mechanism for increasing the speed of the one-way rotation required to generate electricity.

[0132] The heat engine 1202 uses forced convection to heat and / or cool the actuator bands 1256, 1258 by using a fan assembly 1262. Using forced convection allows faster heating and cooling of the actuator bands 1256, 1258, thereby reducing the operating time cycle of the actuator bands 1256, 1258 and increasing the power generation capacity and efficiency of the heat engine 1202. The fan assembly 1262 can be operated by using a small portion of the power generated by the heat engine itself or by using an external power source. Therefore, by adding an additional fan assembly to the heat engine, the total mechanical power extracted from such a heat engine is increased. Therefore, the device effectively reduces the time required to convert thermal energy into electricity. In addition, the counterweight components 1298, 1302 provide a low-cost and effective device for providing the required prestress on the actuator bands 1256, 1258.

[0133] As will be appreciated, the structure and configuration of heat engine 1202 described above are merely examples, and the concepts presented may be applied to any other heat engine configuration to achieve similar results.

[0134] For simplicity and clarity of explanation, reference numerals may be reused in the accompanying drawings, where appropriate, to indicate corresponding or similar elements. In addition, many specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the examples described herein. However, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the examples described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other cases, generally known methods, processes, and components are not described in detail to avoid confusing the examples described herein. In addition, this description should not be considered to limit the scope of the examples described herein.

[0135] It should be understood that the examples and corresponding figures used herein are for illustrative purposes only. Different configurations and terms may be used without departing from the principles expressed herein. For example, components and modules may be added, deleted, changed, or arranged in different connections without departing from these principles.

[0136] The steps or operations in the flowcharts and figures described herein are examples only. Without departing from the above principles, these steps or operations may have many variations. For example, the steps may be performed in a different order, or steps may be added, deleted or changed. Although the above principles have been described with reference to certain specific examples, various changes thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A heat engine comprising: a chassis for supporting one or more hot engine components; a work output member supported on the chassis and adapted to generate mechanical power and output the mechanical power to a power generation system for generating electricity; as well as an operating mechanism, the operating mechanism being coupled to the work output member and being adapted to operate the work output member to generate the mechanical power, the operating mechanism comprising: a first array of actuator straps operably connected to the work output member and adapted to displace the work output member in a first direction in response to heat exposure; a second array of actuator straps operably connected to the work output member and adapted to displace the work output member in a second direction in response to heat exposure; and A thermal switching mechanism is operable to periodically expose each of the first and second arrays of actuator bands to heat to induce periodic displacement of the work output member in the first and second directions to generate the mechanical power.

2. The heat engine according to claim 1, wherein: One or more of the first array of actuator strips and the second array of actuator strips include one or more actuator strips, and wherein each of the one or more actuator strips is made of a material having a high coefficient of thermal expansion or contraction and is adapted to change size in response to heat exposure.

3. The heat engine according to claim 2, wherein: One or more actuator bands in each of the first array of actuator bands and the second array of actuator bands are stretched elastomeric bands adapted to change their respective lengths in response to heat exposure.

4. The heat engine according to claim 2, wherein: One or more actuator bands in each of the at least one first actuator band array and the at least one second actuator band array are made of one of rubber, silicone-based rubber, polyurethane, styrene butadiene copolymer, natural rubber, and elastomer.

5. The heat engine according to claim 1, wherein: The chassis comprises a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, and wherein: The work output member is supported at least on the first longitudinal end; and Each of the first and second actuator strap arrays is supported between the first and second longitudinal ends and is operably connected to the work output member at the first longitudinal end.

6. The heat engine according to claim 5, wherein: The thermal switching mechanism is supported on one or more of the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end of the chassis.

7. The heat engine of claim 1, wherein: The operating mechanism comprises: a gear assembly supported on the chassis and adapted to rotate the work output member, the gear assembly comprising a driving member and a driven member, the driven member supporting the work output member thereon; wherein the first actuator band array is operably connected to a first end of the active member and the second actuator band array is operably connected to a second end of the active member, each of the at least one first actuator band array and the at least one second actuator band array is adapted to periodically displace the active member in one of the first direction and the second direction when periodically exposed to heat to cause the driven member to rotate, and wherein rotation of the driven member causes rotation of a work output member supported thereon.

8. The heat engine of claim 7, wherein: The active component is a linear rack gear, and the driven component is a pinion gear.

9. The heat engine of claim 1, wherein: The operating mechanism includes a belt mounting member supported on one longitudinal end of the chassis, the belt mounting member including a first end and a second end, the first end being used to receive and secure one end of the first actuator belt array to the first end, and the second end being used to receive and secure one end of the second actuator belt array to the second end.

10. The heat engine of claim 9, wherein: The other end of each of the first array of actuator strips and the second array of actuator strips are connected together to form a continuous loop.

11. The heat engine of claim 9, wherein: Another end of each of the first array of actuator straps and the second array of actuator straps is secured to another longitudinal end of the chassis.

12. The heat engine of claim 1, wherein: The chassis comprises a box-like structure having a top frame and a bottom frame defining a height of the chassis, and wherein each of the first actuator band array and the second actuator band array comprises a plurality of actuator bands arranged in a layered manner to extend through the height of the chassis.

13. The heat engine of claim 1, wherein: The chassis comprises a box-like structure having a top frame and a bottom frame defining a height of the chassis, and wherein each of the first actuator strip array and the second actuator strip array comprises an actuator strip having a height equal to the height of the chassis.

14. The heat engine of claim 1, the heat engine being located at a facility having a first environment with a first ambient temperature and a second environment with a second ambient temperature, the second ambient temperature being lower than the first ambient temperature, and wherein: The heat exposure is provided to the first array of actuator strips and the second array of actuator strips as a temperature gradient between the first temperature and the second temperature.

15. The heat engine of claim 1, wherein: The heat exposure is provided by a heat source including one or more of a low temperature waste heat source, a solar thermal energy source, a geothermal energy source, and a natural heat source including heat from one or more of land, air, and water.

16. The heat engine of claim 15, wherein: The solar thermal energy source includes one or more of an evacuated glass tube and a mirror collector for collecting solar thermal energy.

17. The heat engine of claim 1, wherein: Each of the first actuator belt array and the second actuator belt array is supported on a plurality of belt contact assemblies mounted on the chassis, each of the plurality of belt contact assemblies comprising one or more pulleys mounted on a shaft arrangement and supported on one or more bearings.

18. The heat engine of claim 17, wherein: The plurality of belt contact assemblies includes a first set of belt contact assemblies rotatable in a first rotational direction and a second set of belt contact assemblies rotatable in a second rotational direction, and wherein the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction are configured to cooperate to produce unidirectional rotation of the work output member.

19. The heat engine of claim 17, wherein: The one or more bearings include a single-sided rotary bearing, and wherein the first and second arrays of actuator bands are adapted to produce unidirectional rotation of the work output member when supported on the single-sided rotary bearing.

20. The heat engine of claim 17, wherein: The one or more bearings include a free-spinning bearing, and wherein the first actuator band array and the second actuator band array are adapted to produce bi-directional rotation of the work output member when supported on the free-spinning bearing and when at least one end of each of the first actuator band array and the second actuator band array is secured to the chassis.

21. The heat engine of claim 1, wherein: The thermal switching mechanism includes a flow control valve adapted to switch a valve position to direct heat to one of the first and second actuator band arrays, and wherein periodically switching the valve position of the flow control valve periodically exposes each of the first and second actuator band arrays to heat.

22. The heat engine of claim 1, wherein: The operating mechanism includes a heat exchanger fluidly connected to a heat source and the thermal switching mechanism, the heat exchanger including a first heat exchanger section having a working fluid for absorbing heat from the heat source, the heated working fluid being adapted to expose the first and second actuator strip arrays to heat.

23. The heat engine of claim 22, the heat engine being located at a facility having a first environment with a first ambient temperature and a second environment with a second ambient temperature, the second ambient temperature being lower than the first ambient temperature, wherein: The first heat exchanger section is positioned in the first environment with the first ambient temperature.

24. The heat engine of claim 1, wherein: The operating mechanism includes a heat exchanger fluidly connected to a heat source and the heat switching mechanism, the heat exchanger including a second heat exchanger section and a third heat exchanger section, the second heat exchanger section being adapted to expose the first array of actuator bands supported in the second heat exchanger section to heat depending on the position of the heat switching mechanism, the third heat exchanger section being adapted to expose the second array of actuator bands supported in the third heat exchanger section to heat depending on the position of the heat switching mechanism.

25. The heat engine of claim 24, the heat engine being located at a facility having a first environment with a first ambient temperature and a second environment with a second ambient temperature, the second ambient temperature being lower than the first ambient temperature, wherein: The second heat exchanger section and the third heat exchanger section are positioned in the second environment.

26. The heat engine of claim 1, wherein: The chassis includes a first arm and a second arm spaced apart to define a length of the chassis; The work output member includes a rotatable shaft connected at one end to the first arm and connected at a second end to the second arm; and wherein, The operating mechanism comprises: A rotating cylinder is rotatably supported on the shaft and includes a first longitudinal section adapted to mount the first actuator band array thereon and a second longitudinal section adapted to mount the second actuator band array thereon.

27. The heat engine of claim 26, wherein: A first end of each of the first and second actuator band arrays is operably coupled to the shaft at one of the first arm or the second arm via a corresponding active mechanism, the active mechanism being adapted to rotate the shaft in response to periodic heat exposure of the first and second actuator band arrays.

28. The heat engine of claim 27, wherein: Each of the first array of actuator bands and the second array of actuator bands comprises at least one first actuator band and a second actuator band, and wherein the active mechanism comprises: a first chain and sprocket arrangement adapted to movably connect one end of each of the first actuator belt and the second actuator belt to the rotating cylinder and the first arm; and A second chain and sprocket arrangement is adapted to movably connect the other end of the second actuator belt to the rotating cylinder and the second arm.

29. The heat engine of claim 28, wherein: Each of the first chain and sprocket arrangement and the second chain and sprocket arrangement is connected to a fixed bevel gear on each of the respective first and second arms of the chassis by means comprising: A drive shaft, a pair of one-sided rotary bearings, and a rotary gear member, wherein the pair of one-sided rotary bearings are adapted to rotate the shaft and the rotary gear member in one direction.

30. The heat engine of claim 27, wherein: The drive assembly comprises: a fastening mechanism adapted to fixedly secure one end of the first actuator band to the rotating cylinder; and a guide rod secured to the fastening mechanism and the second chain and sprocket arrangement, the guide rod being adapted to support a spring member adapted to permit movement of the first and second actuator bands in each of the first and second actuator band arrays in response to heat exposure.

31. The heat engine of claim 1, wherein: The operating mechanism includes a plurality of heat engine barrels supported on the chassis, and wherein the first actuator band array and the second actuator band array are disposed on an outer surface of each of the plurality of heat engine barrels.

32. The heat engine of claim 31, wherein: The operating mechanism includes a thermal switching mechanism coupled to each of the plurality of thermal engine cylinders.

33. The heat engine of claim 31, wherein: The chassis is a cylindrical structure having the work output member rotatable therein, and the chassis comprises: a lower portion fluidly coupled to a heat source via an evaporator section; and An upper portion includes a first set of support arms extending radially outward at a top of the upper portion and a second set of support arms extending radially outward at a bottom of the upper portion, the first set of support arms and the second set of support arms being adapted to mount corresponding hot engine barrels thereon.

34. The heat engine of claim 31, wherein: Each of the plurality of heat engine barrels includes a heat-insulating inner cylindrical shell and a heat-conductive outer cylindrical shell, the inner cylindrical shell and the outer cylindrical shell defining a fluid channel space therebetween, the outer cylindrical shell being in contact with the first actuator band array and the second actuator band array disposed on the outer surface of the corresponding heat engine barrel, and wherein a heated working fluid is received into the fluid channel space so that the first actuator band array and the second actuator band array disposed on the outer surface are exposed to heat of the heated working fluid.

35. The heat engine of claim 31, wherein: The chassis is a cylindrical structure having the work output member rotatable therein, and wherein each of the first actuator band array and the second actuator band array comprises a plurality of actuator bands operatively connected to the work output member by means comprising: a first fixing flange member disposed at a first longitudinal end of each of the plurality of heat engine barrels and adapted to fixedly fix a first end of each of the plurality of actuator straps; a second fixed flange member disposed at a second longitudinal end of each of the plurality of heat engine barrels, the second fixed flange member being adapted to support a gear device for rotating the work output member; A drive arrangement is provided for movably coupling the second end of each of the plurality of actuator bands to the gear arrangement.

36. The heat engine of claim 35, wherein: The driving device comprises: a movable flange member disposed between the first fixed flange member and the second fixed flange member and adapted to movably secure the second end of each of the plurality of actuator bands to the movable flange member; a driving gear member connected at one end to the movable flange member and connected at the other end to the gear arrangement through the second fixed flange member, the movable flange member and the driving gear member being adapted to move linearly in response to expansion or contraction of the actuator band due to heat exposure, and wherein linear movement of the linear gear member causes rotation of the gear arrangement and the work output member.

37. The heat engine of claim 36, wherein: The driving gear member is also operably coupled to a spring guide rod via a movable fastening mechanism, and wherein the spring guide rod is fixedly connected to the second fixed flange member.

38. The heat engine of claim 35, wherein: The driving device comprises: a movable flange member disposed between the first fixed flange member and the second fixed flange member and adapted to movably secure the second end of each of the plurality of actuator bands to the movable flange member; and a chain and sprocket arrangement operatively coupled to a gear arrangement for rotating the work output member, the chain and sprocket arrangement comprising a chain member adapted to: rotatably supported on a sprocket, the sprocket being supported on the second fixed flange member; connected at one end to a movable flange by a fastening rod; connected at the other end to a spring guide; and Wherein, the spring bar is fixedly coupled to the second fixing flange member.

39. The heat engine of claim 1, wherein: The chassis comprises a plurality of sections, and wherein the operating mechanism comprises: a heat exchanger section disposed in one of the plurality of sections and adapted to receive a heated working fluid to heat a first ambient air flow in the heat exchanger section; a fan assembly having an ambient air inlet to receive a second ambient air flow therein, the fan assembly being adapted to direct the heated first ambient air flow toward one of the first actuator strip array and the second actuator strip array via an airflow control valve and to direct the second ambient air flow toward the other of the first actuator strip array and the second actuator strip array, and wherein: The air flow control valve is operable to control the direction of each of the heated first ambient air flow and the second ambient air flow to one of the first actuator band array and the second actuator band array.

40. The heat engine of claim 39, wherein: The operating mechanism comprises a drive assembly adapted to operatively connect the work output member to the first actuator band array and the second actuator band array, the drive assembly comprising: a first movable mounting structure and a second movable mounting structure, the first movable mounting structure and the second movable mounting structure supported on the chassis and adapted to be movably connected to the first actuator strip array and the second actuator strip array, respectively; a first active rod and a second active rod, the first active rod and the second active rod being connected to the first movable mounting structure and the second movable mounting structure, respectively; and a first weighted rod and a second weighted rod, the first weighted rod and the second weighted rod being connected to the first active rod and the second active rod, respectively, and wherein the first and second active rods and the first and second weighted rods rotatably engage the work output member and are adapted to allow the work output member to rotate in response to displacement of each of the first and second actuator band arrays in response to heat exposure.

41. A power generation system comprising: a power generation system adapted to generate electricity; as well as A heat engine operably coupled to the power generation system, the heat engine comprising: a chassis for supporting one or more hot engine components; a work output member supported on the chassis and adapted to generate mechanical power and output the mechanical power to the power generation system; and an operating mechanism, the operating mechanism being coupled to the work output member and being adapted to operate the work output member to generate the mechanical power, the operating mechanism comprising: a first array of actuator straps operably connected to the work output member and adapted to displace the work output member in a first direction in response to heat exposure; a second array of actuator straps operably connected to the work output member and adapted to displace the work output member in a second direction in response to heat exposure; and A thermal switching mechanism is operable to periodically expose each of the first and second arrays of actuator bands to heat to induce periodic displacement of the work output member in the first and second directions to generate the mechanical power.

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