Process and apparatus for the production of electricity that avoids environmental waste

Abstract

The present invention describes an apparatus for generating electrical power, comprising a sealed assembly (1) including at least two chambers (2, 3), a communicating duct (4) connecting the two chambers, at least one energy conversion device (6) and a working medium (5) contained in at least one of said chambers (2, 3), the apparatus being configured to convert the energy of the working medium (5) into electrical power by passing it through the communicating duct (4).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for the generation of electrical power that avoids environmental waste. [Background technology]

[0002] Most of the current systems for the production of electricity currently cause immeasurable damage to the health of the planet by polluting and / or overheating the atmosphere, using consumable resources to their possible depletion, or even worse, resorting to the use of atomic energy.

[0003] Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas have limited reserves, are non-renewable, and their burning contributes to global warming. The continued production of energy through deforestation causes an increase in the greenhouse effect, while water to power hydroelectric plants is not universally available.

[0004] Nuclear energy sources pose significant risks if not perfectly managed and controlled, they also raise serious and unresolved issues related to the disposal of radioactive waste, and current technology relies on uranium, a limited resource.

[0005] Technologies for producing energy from renewable resources, including solar panels, photovoltaic panels, or wind turbines, have the drawback of random output, which is mainly related to the lack of possible light, sun, and wind, as well as the non-negligible drawback of visual pollution due to the large ground surface required for the installation of photovoltaic and solar panels, and the large size and considerable height of wind turbines. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a process and apparatus for the production of electrical power that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a process that does not produce any of the above problems, in particular, no global warming, no pollution, no deforestation, no dependency on coal, oil, water or uranium, no dependency on the presence of sun and wind, and moreover, a process that can be carried out in underground structures to avoid visual pollution.

[0008] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a process that does not result in leakage of water or other types of liquid into the environment.

[0009] These objects are achieved by the apparatus and process according to the claims.

[0010] The device for generating electrical power according to the present invention comprises: a sealing assembly including at least two chambers and a communicating duct, the communicating duct being arranged to provide fluid communication between the two chambers; a liquid working medium contained in at least one of the chambers; a vacuum is provided within the assembly such that the boiling temperature of a liquid working medium within the assembly is lower than the boiling temperature of the same liquid at atmospheric pressure; the volume of the liquid working medium is less than the internal volume of the entire assembly; the apparatus is configured to heat a liquid working medium contained in a first chamber of the assembly, thereby inducing transfer of the working medium in either liquid or vapor state from the first chamber to the second chamber of the assembly through a communication duct between said first and second chambers; the apparatus further comprises at least one energy conversion device disposed within the at least one chamber and / or the communicating duct and configured to convert energy of the working medium moving through the apparatus into an electrical power output; The energy-transforming device includes at least one magnetic element arranged in direct contact with the working medium.

[0011] The present invention is based on the discovery that the energy of a working medium traveling through an assembly from one chamber to the next can be collected and converted by heating the first chamber and inducing the working medium to travel to the second chamber.

[0012] The working medium moves from one chamber to another in a liquid or vapor state, preferably without a phase change, more preferably in a liquid state.

[0013] The passage of the working medium from the first to the second chamber is induced by the pressure of the vapor formed in the first chamber as a result of heating, and the liquid is therefore forced out of the first chamber and into the second chamber through the connecting duct.

[0014] To facilitate the above process, the assembly is kept under vacuum, so that a relatively small heat input is sufficient to establish a pressure that vaporizes the liquid medium in the first chamber and expels the liquid from the chamber through a communicating duct into the second chamber. A similar principle can be observed in the so-called Franklin's Thermoscope. The present invention uses this principle to produce energy by harnessing the energy contained in a working medium, preferably a liquid, that is displaced from one chamber to another.

[0015] One feature of the present invention is the use of an energy conversion device including at least one magnetic element. The at least one magnetic element is in direct contact with the working medium while the working medium is transported from one chamber to another. The device of the present invention may include one or more magnetic elements arranged to rotate and / or translate under the thrust of the working medium. The rotation or translation of the magnetic element(s) is converted into electrical power by a suitable coil or solenoid. As described below, the interaction between the magnetic element and the coil / solenoid makes it possible to harvest energy from the working medium contained in an enclosed environment.

[0016] Detailed Description of the Invention The assembly, and in particular the working medium circuit, is maintained under vacuum. The higher the vacuum created in a sealed chamber, the lower the temperature at which the liquid contained in the same chamber begins its boiling process. The present invention utilizes this principle to reduce the heat input required to evaporate the working medium.

[0017] The working medium is a pure liquid or a liquid mixture, preferably having a boiling point lower than that of water, for example, ethyl alcohol or liquid ether can be used as the working medium.

[0018] The appropriate degree of vacuum and type of liquid employed may be selected depending on the environmental conditions of any given device, i.e. altitude and / or external ambient temperature.

[0019] The number of chambers and communicating ducts in the assembly can vary. A simple embodiment with two chambers and one communicating duct between them is possible. Other embodiments may include a greater number of chambers and / or communicating ducts between the chambers. In particular, each pair of chambers can be connected by one or more communicating ducts. In some embodiments, two adjacent chambers can be joined by a single duct. In other embodiments, adjacent chambers can be connected by two or more ducts. When multiple connecting ducts are provided, one or more ducts can act as return ducts to provide continuous circulation of the working medium.

[0020] In an embodiment, the assembly is configured such that one or more of the communicating ducts act as connecting and / or structural support elements for two or more of the chambers.

[0021] In an embodiment, the assembly is configured such that working medium flowing out of the first chamber through a communicating duct returns to the same first chamber either through the same communicating duct or through another communicating duct.

[0022] The assembly may include three or more chambers forming a sequence of chambers through which the working medium is transported, each transport being considered as a transfer of the working medium from a first or initiating chamber to a second or designated chamber adjacent to the first chamber in the sequence, the transport of the working medium being manipulated as a result of heating the initiating chamber.

[0023] In an interesting embodiment of the invention, the sequence of chambers forms a closed circuit and the process is performed cyclically while the working medium traverses the sequence of chambers of the closed circuit. Thus, for example, the working medium may start the process in a first chamber and return to the same first chamber after passing through several chambers in the assembly.

[0024] In some embodiments, suitable barriers are provided in association with the chambers and / or communicating ducts, said barriers operating to prevent reverse flow of the working medium from one chamber to a previous chamber, thus providing that the working medium follows the appropriate direction from the initiation chamber through a designated destination chamber in the assembly.

[0025] The energy-transforming device of the assembly may comprise a rotating magnetic element and / or a displaceable magnetic element. A rotating magnetic element is an element arranged to rotate about an axis. A displaceable magnetic element is arranged to move through the assembly, for example between the chambers and through connecting ducts. The energy-transforming device may include any combination of rotating and displaceable elements.

[0026] The energy transforming device of the assembly further includes at least one coil or solenoid inductively coupled with the magnetic element, the at least one coil or solenoid arranged such that rotation or displacement of the magnetic element relative to the coil or solenoid induces a current in the coil or solenoid.

[0027] In an embodiment, the energy-transforming device comprises at least a rotating magnetic element, the rotating magnetic element being arranged to rotate under the thrust of the working medium when the working medium is displaced from one chamber to another. A preferred, but not exclusive, shape of the rotating magnetic element is configured in a helical shape.

[0028] The rotating magnetic element(s) may be supported by a rotating bar or a stationary bar, the bar preferably being inside the communicating duct. More preferably, the axis of the bar is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the communicating duct. In the case of a rotating bar, the rotating magnetic element may be fixed to the bar, whereby the assembly of the rotating bar and the magnetic element forms a rotating screw. In the case of a fixed bar, the rotating magnetic element may be mounted, for example, on suitable bearings, and rotate around the bar.

[0029] In an embodiment, the device comprises a plurality of rotary bars for supporting the rotary magnetic element, wherein at least one first rotary bar is connected to one or more second rotary bars in such a way as to increase the rotational speed of said one or more second rotary bars, the rotary bars may be connected by suitable transmission means for increasing the rotational speed.

[0030] The energy-transforming device may include at least one coil or solenoid inductively coupled with a rotating magnetic element, whereby rotation of the rotating magnetic element, and thus rotation of its magnetic poles, induces a current in the coil or solenoid.

[0031] Particularly preferably, the coil or solenoid can be located adjacent to, and preferably wound around, the housing in which the rotary magnetic element is arranged to rotate. Alternatively, the coil or solenoid itself constitutes the housing in which the rotary magnetic element is arranged to rotate. For example, the coil can structurally constitute a communicating duct between the two chambers.

[0032] In some embodiments, the energy-transforming device comprises at least one displaceable magnet arranged to be displaced from one chamber to another through a communicating duct by the working medium. Preferably, the apparatus comprises at least one device, preferably in the form of a grid casing, arranged within the chamber to guide said displaceable magnet as it moves through the chambers and to prevent said magnet from falling into the chamber. Preferably, a suitable grid casing is provided within each chamber of the apparatus.

[0033] If desired, some or all of the parts of the assembly of the present invention may be wound differently: one or more of the parts may be wound by one or more solenoids, or by a coil and a solenoid together, some of the parts may be formed by the coil and / or solenoid(s) themselves, and some of the parts may be formed without any winding.

[0034] The displaceable magnets may move separately within the device or may be joined together, possibly with appropriate spacers between them, to form a single displaceable element.

[0035] Particularly preferably, the displaceable magnets are arranged so that, as they move through the device, each pole of the magnet faces a pole of a preceding or succeeding magnet of the same polarity.

[0036] The energy-transforming device may include at least one coil or solenoid and at least one magnetic element arranged to rotate or move relative to the coil or solenoid, thus providing a variable magnetic field and an induced electromotive force within the coil or solenoid.

[0037] In an embodiment, the magnetic element comprises a permanent magnet.

[0038] The communicating duct(s) are preferably made of an electrically conductive metal.

[0039] The embodiment includes at least one communicating duct, and the coil or solenoid is wound around the duct or the coil or solenoid constitutes the communicating duct.

[0040] An embodiment includes a plurality of coils or solenoids, at least some of which are electrically connected to one another.

[0041] The present invention will now be further described with reference to its various embodiments.

[0042] In various embodiments, the communication ducts may be in the form of tubes that communicate with the cavities of the opposing chambers, the tubes having a suitable length and diameter.

[0043] The entire assembly is liquid and gas sealed.

[0044] A liquid is inserted into the assembly before sealing, preferably collected in the first chamber, the volume of the liquid being smaller than the total internal volume of the assembly, such that the liquid can flow freely through the communicating tube from one chamber to another chamber communicating with the first chamber.

[0045] Before sealing, a suitable vacuum is provided inside the assembly to such an extent that the heating energy required to initiate the boiling process of the liquid and consequently find an evacuation path from the first chamber through the communicating tube is minimized, in particular the heat input is lower than the heat input required to induce boiling at normal ambient conditions outside the assembly of the invention.

[0046] Both providing a vacuum and selecting a liquid with a boiling point lower than that of water may be suitably employed in combination.

[0047] After the above conditions are met, heat is applied to the liquid collected in the first chamber to an extent that induces the liquid to begin boiling.

[0048] As mentioned above, by providing a duct in the form of a tube starting from the first chamber and connecting it to the communicating chamber on the opposite side, the liquid finds its way through the tube duct and collects in the communicating chamber on the opposite side.

[0049] Depending on the position of the tube duct relative to the chamber, the liquid will either find its way out while maintaining its liquid consistency, or will condense to become liquid again when, under heating, the liquid assumes a vapor consistency and is collected in the opposite chamber.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the communicating tube duct is located in the lower part of the chamber wall so that, as a result of heating, the liquid is displaced from the first chamber to the next while maintaining its liquid state.

[0051] As the liquid passes through the communicating tube duct and collects in the opposite communicating chamber, heat can again be applied to the liquid to such an extent that the liquid is forced to find further discharge from the opposite communicating chamber. In this manner, successive applications of heat to one chamber and the communicating chamber initiate a successive displacement of the liquid.

[0052] In one embodiment, the assembly is configured with two opposing chambers, and once the liquid has collected in the opposing communicating chamber and is reheated, it is not further discharged but is returned to and collected in the first chamber, and a return connecting tube duct may be provided for this purpose.

[0053] The coil(s) and / or solenoid(s) may be located adjacent to, and preferably wrapped around, the portion(s) of the assembly to induce rotation of the rotatable magnetic element(s) within the assembly, in which case the portion(s) are preferably made of a conductive metal.

[0054] Alternatively, the coil(s) and / or solenoid(s) themselves are shaped, twisted, and positioned in such close proximity to one another that they themselves form part of the assembly portion, inducing rotation of the magnetic element(s) within the assembly portion.

[0055] When the chamber and tube duct form a closed circuit, induced electricity can build up from any coil(s) and / or solenoid to produce a final output quantity.

[0056] In embodiments where the displaceable magnet and only two opposing chambers are in communication with each other through a connecting tube duct, the magnet(s) are induced to move alternately from the first chamber to the second chamber and back to the first chamber. In such cases, the induced electricity generated inside the coil(s) or solenoid will be alternating current.

[0057] In an embodiment, the magnetic element(s) leaving one of the chambers enter the next communicating chamber by leaving the communicating tube duct, which makes it possible to avoid the generation of a magnetic field in the tube duct that would prevent the entry of the next magnetic element according to Lenz's law. In this way, the flow of permanent magnets can be carried out sequentially to ensure a constant induced charge in the coil(s) or solenoid.

[0058] With respect to the employment of both rotary and fluid magnetic elements, the faster the speed of movement of the movable magnetic element(s) and the greater the number of spirals forming the coil(s) or solenoid, the greater the amount of induced electricity.

[0059] It should be noted that once the first chamber is heated by an external source, the energy required to heat subsequent chambers will be much lower than the energy used initially, since the working medium moving from one chamber to another loses only a small amount of heat.

[0060] The device may also be partially self-powered by utilizing a portion of the final electrical energy output from the device to cycle the heating of the device's chamber.

[0061] Preferably, both the rotary and fluidic magnetic elements are heated no more than the temperature at which they lose their magnetic charge, and in any event, preferably no higher than the Curie point relative to the magnetic elements.

[0062] In special cases or if the element loses its magnetic charge due to ageing of the plant, the element is subjected to a remagnetization process using known means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0063] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for generating electrical power according to an embodiment of the present invention with a dual chamber configuration. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus for generating power of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention with a closed circuit configuration. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for generating electrical power according to an embodiment of the present invention having a multi-chamber configuration. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for generating electrical power according to an embodiment of the present invention with a closed circuit configuration and with a multi-chamber configuration. [Figure 5] In embodiments a) to c), a series of devices for generating power is shown, in which a solenoid is added to the configurations of FIGS. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a detailed diagram of an apparatus for generating electrical power according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a detailed diagram of an apparatus for generating electrical power according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0064] In the embodiment of Figure 1, the device for generating electrical power is shown to comprise a sealed assembly 1 including a first chamber 2 and a second chamber 3 communicating between each other by a duct 4. It may be noted that the communicating duct is in the form of a tube and that a working liquid 5 is enclosed within said first chamber 2.

[0065] The apparatus operates by providing heat to the working medium 5 to facilitate its transfer from the first chamber 2 to the second chamber 3 via the communicating duct 4, while converting the energy of the working medium into electrical power by an energy conversion device (not shown), which may be located, for example, along the communicating duct 4. Once liquid 5 has collected in the second chamber 3, the second chamber 3 may be heated to transfer the liquid 5 back to the first chamber 2. The process may be repeated cyclically.

[0066] FIG. 2 shows that the first chamber 2 of the device is in fluid communication with the second chamber 3 by the aforementioned communication duct 4 and by a further return duct 14 .

[0067] The assembly 1 is also provided with two barriers 15 connected to the communication duct 4 and the return duct 14. The barriers 15 are arranged to prevent backflow of the working medium 5 from one chamber to the preceding chamber.

[0068] According to the embodiment of Figure 2, the first chamber 2 is heated to transfer the working medium 5 to the second chamber 3 while generating power. The second chamber 3 is then heated to transfer the working medium 5 back to the first chamber 2 via the return duct 14. The process is repeated periodically, thereby continuously producing power.

[0069] Figure 3 shows an apparatus for generating electrical power, provided with a number of chambers 2, 3, 8, and 9. Each chamber is separated from the others by a communicating duct 4. Each communicating duct 4 is provided with a barrier 15 to prevent backflow of liquid. The final section of the tube 4 indicates the possibility of employing an unlimited number of additional chambers, up to the final chamber, indicated by an X in the diagram, provided that the entire assembly is sealed.

[0070] In this embodiment, first the first chamber 2 is sequentially heated and the working fluid 5 is pumped into the second chamber 3 while generating power. The process is then repeated by supplying heat to the second chamber 3 and generating power while the working fluid 5 is transferred to the third chamber 8. The process is then repeated again with the remaining chambers 9 and possible subsequent chambers. As in Figure 1, the liquid 5 can be transferred back by heating the chambers in the appropriate sequence.

[0071] Figure 4 shows a variation of the embodiment of Figure 3, in which multiple chambers are arranged in a closed circuit configuration. As in Figure 2, by heating the chambers in the appropriate sequence, liquid 5 can be circulated continuously through the assembly.

[0072] It should be noted that although FIG. 4 illustrates one duct 4 for connecting each adjacent pair of chambers, in other embodiments more than one duct may be provided between adjacent chambers.

[0073] 5 illustrates embodiment a), b) or c), in which the communication duct 4 is wrapped with a solenoid 16. Said solenoid 16 can generate power by interaction with a rotating and / or moving magnetic element in the duct 4. It should be noted that power is transferred from the inside to the outside of the assembly via the interaction of the moving or rotating magnet with the coil or solenoid.

[0074] FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment of an energy-transforming device 6 placed in / on a duct 4 .

[0075] The energy-transforming device 6 of this embodiment comprises a solenoid 16 inductively coupled with a rotating magnetic element 7 comprising a helical blade 26 supported by a bar 17. The bar 17 can be either a rotating bar or a fixed bar.

[0076] Each blade 26 has a magnetic pole 25 and is integral with a rotating bar 17 or can rotate around the same bar. The bar 17 has an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis 18 of the communicating duct 4.

[0077] The thrust of the working medium 5 as it is displaced from one chamber to another induces rotation of the magnetic element 7 relative to the solenoid 16. The rotation of the rotatable magnetic element 7, and therefore of its magnetic poles 25, induces a current in the solenoid 16.

[0078] It should be noted that, thanks to the inductive coupling, the power is transferred contactlessly from the magnetic element 7 inside the duct 4 to the solenoid 16 outside the duct, without the need for connecting means passing through the duct.

[0079] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment, in which the magnetic element is a displaceable magnetic element 19 .

[0080] A displaceable magnetic element 19 is arranged to move through the assembly, for example between the chambers and through the connecting ducts, so that electrical power is induced by the displacement of said element 19.

[0081] It can be noted in the figure that the device includes a grid casing 20 positioned within the chamber to guide the displaceable magnetic element 19 as it moves through the chamber and to prevent the magnet 19 from falling into the chamber. If multiple chambers are provided, each chamber of the device can be provided with its own grid casing 20.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for the generation of electrical power, said apparatus comprising: a sealing assembly (1) including at least two chambers (2, 3) and a communicating duct (4), said communicating duct (4) being arranged to provide fluid communication between said two chambers (2, 3); a liquid working medium (5) contained in at least one of said chambers (2, 3); Including, a vacuum is provided within the sealing assembly (1) such that the boiling temperature of the liquid working medium (5) within the sealing assembly (1) is lower than the boiling temperature of the same liquid at atmospheric pressure; the volume of said liquid working medium (5) is smaller than the internal volume of the whole assembly; the device is configured to heat the liquid working medium (5) contained in the first chamber (2) of the sealing assembly, thereby inducing the transfer of the working medium (5) in either liquid or vapor state from the first chamber (2) of the sealing assembly to the second chamber (3) via a communication duct (4) between the first and second chambers (2) and (3), the apparatus further comprises at least one energy conversion device (6) arranged in at least one of the at least two chambers (2, 3) and / or in the communication duct (4), configured to convert energy of the working medium (5) moving through the apparatus into an electrical power output, the energy-transforming device comprises at least one magnetic element (7, 19) arranged in direct contact with a working medium, the sealing assembly (1) comprises three or more chambers forming a sequence of chambers, the working medium (5) being transferred through the chambers by a plurality of transfer steps, each step being a transfer from a first chamber to a second chamber adjacent to the first chamber in the sequence, the transfer of the working medium (5) occurring as a result of heating any of the chambers of the device, The apparatus, wherein said sequence of chambers forms a closed circuit and a process is performed cyclically while said working medium (5) traverses the sequence of chambers of said closed circuit.

2. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the working medium (5) is a pure liquid or a liquid mixture, having a boiling point lower than that of water.

3. 3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing assembly (1) is configured such that one or more of the communication ducts (4) act as connecting and / or structural support elements for two or more chambers (2, 3, 8-13).

4. 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing assembly (1) is configured such that the working medium (5) flowing out of the first chamber (2) through a communication duct (4) returns to the same first chamber (2) either through the same communication duct (4) or through another communication duct (14).

5. 5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one or more barriers (15) are provided in association with the chambers and / or the communicating ducts (4), said barriers (15) acting to prevent a backflow of the working medium (5) from one chamber to the previous chamber.

6. The energy conversion device is at least one rotary magnetic element (7) or displaceable magnetic element (19); at least one coil or solenoid (16) inductively coupled with the magnetic element (7, 19), the at least one coil or solenoid (16) being arranged such that a rotation or displacement of the magnetic element (7, 19) induces a current in the at least one coil or solenoid (16); The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising:

7. 7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the energy-converting device comprises at least one rotating magnetic element (7), the rotating magnetic element (7) being arranged to rotate under the thrust of the working medium (5) when the working medium (5) is displaced from one chamber to another.

8. 8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the rotating magnetic element (7) is supported by a bar (17), the bar (17) being in the communicating duct (4) and the axis of the bar being parallel to the longitudinal axis (18) of the communicating duct, the bar (17) being a rotating bar that is pulled by the rotating magnetic element (7) under the thrust of the working medium, or the bar (17) being a stationary bar while the rotating magnetic element (7) rotates around the bar.

9. a coil or solenoid (16) located adjacent to and wrapped around a housing in which the rotary magnetic element (7) is arranged to rotate; or 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the coil or solenoid (16) itself defines a housing within which the rotary magnetic element is arranged to rotate, such that rotation of the rotary magnetic element generates a current in the coil or solenoid (16).

10. 10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the energy conversion device (6) comprises at least one displaceable magnet (19) arranged to be displaced from one chamber to another through a communicating duct (4) by the working medium (5), the apparatus further comprising at least one device in the form of a grid casing (20) arranged in the chamber to guide the displaceable magnet (19) as it moves through the chambers and to prevent the magnet from falling into the chambers.

11. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of displaceable magnets (19) joined together with spacer elements between the displaceable magnets (19) to form a single displaceable element.

12. 12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the displaceable magnets (19) are arranged so that, as they move through the apparatus, each pole (25) of the magnet faces a pole of a preceding or succeeding magnet of the same polarity.

13. 13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the energy transforming device comprises at least one coil or solenoid (16) and at least one magnetic element (7, 19) arranged to rotate or move relative to the coil or solenoid (16), providing a variable magnetic field and an induced electromotive force in the coil or solenoid (16).

14. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the magnetic element (7, 19) comprises a permanent magnet.

15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the communicating duct or ducts (4) are made of an electrically conductive metal.

16. 16. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises at least one communication duct (4), and a coil or solenoid (16) is wound around said duct or constitutes said communication duct (4).

17. The device of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the device comprises a plurality of coils or solenoids (16), at least some of the coils or solenoids being electrically connected to one another.

18. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a combination of a rotatable magnetic element (7) and a displaceable magnet (19).

19. 1. A process for the production of electrical power, said process comprising: Providing a device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, comprising a sealing assembly (1); providing a liquid working medium (5) contained in at least one of the chambers (2, 3) of the sealing assembly; creating a vacuum in the sealing assembly (1) such that the boiling temperature of the liquid working medium (5) in the sealing assembly is lower than the boiling temperature of the same liquid at atmospheric pressure; heating the liquid working medium (5) contained in the first chamber (2) of the sealing assembly, thereby inducing the transfer of the working medium from the first chamber (2) to the second chamber (3) of the sealing assembly (1) via a communication duct (4) between the first and second chambers (2) and converting the energy of the working medium moving through the apparatus into an electrical power output by means of at least one energy-transforming device (6) arranged in at least one of the chambers (2, 3) and / or in the communication duct (4), the energy-transforming device (6) comprising at least one magnetic element (7, 19) arranged in direct contact with the working medium; Including, A process in which the working medium (5) is transferred from the first chamber (2) to the second chamber (3) in a liquid or gaseous state.

20. 20. The process according to claim 19, wherein during the process the working medium (5) has a temperature lower than the Curie point of any magnetic element of the energy conversion device (6) to avoid demagnetization.

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