Patent ID: 6357235
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: F01K,F04B

Abstract:
An apparatus for generating power, comprising:a device for elevating the pressure of a working fluid; a heater for receiving the working fluid from the pressure-elevating device and elevating the temperature of the working fluid while maintaining the working fluid at a substantially constant pressure within the heater; a turbine for receiving the working fluid from the heater and converting the energy of the working fluid into torque at an output shaft of the turbine; and means for delivering substantially all of the working fluid from the turbine to the pressure-elevating device to complete a power generation cycle; wherein the pressure elevating device comprises a first cylindrical pressure vessel, a first piston dividing the first pressure vessel into first and second chambers, an actuator for reciprocating the first piston through forward and reverse strokes, and a first valve system for selectively controlling the delivery of the working fluid to the first and second chambers such that the forward piston stroke draws working fluid under reduced pressure into the second chamber while discharging working fluid at elevated pressure from the first chamber, and the reverse piston stroke draws working fluid under reduced pressure into the first chamber while discharging working fluid at elevated pressure from the second chamber.