Thermal Torque Engine Using Refrigerant Canisters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engines that harvest renewable energy are not suitable for generating torque through thermal differences between a heated enclosure and ambient temperature, lacking a mechanism to efficiently utilize naturally occurring thermal energy or alternate fuels to drive a wheel for electricity generation.
Innovation Solution
A thermal torque engine with a heated enclosure and a wheel partially enclosed by it, featuring diametrically opposed canisters connected by conduits, where refrigerant is pressurized within the hot box and moves to a cooler canister, creating a weight imbalance and torque as it cycles between the hot and cool environments, driven by naturally occurring thermal energy or alternate fuels like wood, gas, and propane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a conventional engine design is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot efficiently harvest thermal energy from temperature differences to generate torque
Solution Approach 1:
The engine is divided into multiple canisters (at least two) that can be independently positioned within the hot box. Each canister contains refrigerant and can be selectively heated, allowing the system to harness thermal energy across multiple discrete units rather than requiring a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal agent (such as water, glycol, or oil) is introduced as an intermediary medium to transfer thermal energy from the hot box to the refrigerant in the canisters. This thermal agent enables efficient heat transfer without requiring direct contact between the heat source and refrigerant, simplifying the overall energy harvesting mechanism.
2Power
If naturally occurring thermal energy is used to heat the hot box, then renewable energy is harvested, but the temperature difference required to pressurize refrigerant may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple heating canisters within the hot box, allowing thermal energy from multiple sources to be merged and accumulated. This aggregation of thermal energy increases the overall temperature difference available for pressurizing the refrigerant, thereby enhancing torque generation capability while maintaining reliance on naturally occurring thermal energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the thermal parameters by controlling the heating cycle of individual canisters. By selectively heating canisters and managing the thermal agent circulation, the system optimizes the temperature difference between the hot box interior and exterior to achieve sufficient pressure differential for refrigerant flow while maximizing renewable energy utilization.
3Stress or pressure
If the wheel is partially enclosed by the hot box, then thermal energy is concentrated for refrigerant pressurization, but thermal energy loss may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The hot box enclosure utilizes a flexible or thermally optimized shell structure that maintains sufficient thermal isolation to preserve heat for refrigerant pressurization while allowing controlled thermal exchange. The partial enclosure design with optimized wall properties enables pressure generation without excessive thermal energy loss to the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic heating cycles where canisters are selectively heated and cooled in sequence. This periodic thermal action allows the refrigerant to be pressurized during heating phases and then expand during cooling phases, maintaining thermal energy efficiency by utilizing the thermal cycle rather than requiring continuous high-temperature maintenance.
4Force
If diametrically opposed canisters are used in conduit communication, then torque is generated through weight imbalance, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The canister arrangement utilizes asymmetric positioning and selective heating of diametrically opposed canisters to create intentional weight imbalance. By heating only specific canisters while leaving others cooler, the system generates asymmetric mass distribution that produces torque. This asymmetric approach simplifies the control mechanism compared to requiring precise balancing of all canisters.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The engine effectively generates electricity by leveraging thermal energy differences to pressurize refrigerant, causing the wheel to turn and drive an alternator/generator, minimizing thermal energy loss through optimized hot box designs and enhancing torque with weights and thermal surface enhancements.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigerant is heated wherein the pressurized refrigerant moves to its conjoined canister outside of the hot box
Implementation Method 2
naturally occurring thermal energy is used as the thermal agent to increase the temperature within the hot box
Implementation Method 3
causing the wheel to turn by virtue of the thermal fluid transfer, gravity and imbalanced transfer of weight
Implementation Method 4
naturally occurring thermal energy is used as the thermal agent to increase the temperature within the hot box
Implementation Method 5
thermal energy to heat a thermal agent that is channeled through the thermally insulated hot box
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal torque engine comprising a hot box heated by a thermal agent and a wheel having a plurality of peripherally mounted canisters with diametrically opposed canisters connected by a conduit. One of the pair of canisters having a quantity of refrigerant that is pressurized when within the hot box. The pressurized refrigerant moves to the cooler canister with the process continuing for subsequent paired canisters as long as there is a predetermined thermal difference between the interior and exterior of the hot box.