Patent ID: 9097242
Filing Date: 2015-08-04
Classification: F01K,F03G

Abstract:
1. An engine for extracting energy from a heat source, comprising: a shaft adapted to be rotatably coupled to a support and being rotatable in a first direction; and a plurality of stages, each of the stage having: a plurality of vessels coupled to and spaced about the shaft, one or more of the plurality of vessels comprising thermally insulative material, and thermally conductive material thereon sized and shaped to enhance heat transfer; a plurality of conduits connecting the plurality of the vessels of the each stage together, each conduit having one end connected to one of the plurality of vessels and another end connected to another one of the plurality of vessels; a working fluid provided in the each stage is different from the other stages, and the working fluid in each of the stage has a different boiling point such that when the working fluid in one of the plurality of vessels is heated by the heat source, the working fluid in one of the plurality of vessels experiences an increase in vapour pressure causing at least part of the working fluid to flow from the one of the plurality of vessels into another of the plurality of vessels located above the one of the plurality of vessels to produce a gravitational moment that encourages rotation of the shaft in the first direction; and hollow structures adapted to rotate with the each stage, the each stage independently rotatable about the shaft from each of the other stages, and containing cooling fluid to modulate the temperature of working fluid in each stage.