Patent ID: 6098404
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: F04B

Abstract:
A liquid/vapor cycle engine comprising:a working chamber including a bottom face constructed from a heat conductive material, a top face, and a peripheral side wall coupled between the bottom face and the top face and extending therebetween for defining an interior space, the peripheral side wall having an upper extent constructed from a heat insulative material and a lower extent constructed from the heat conductive material;a flexible, elastic diaphragm constructed from the heat insulative material with a periphery connected to an inner surface of the working chamber between the upper extent of the side wall and the lower extent of the side wall of the working chamber for defining an upper subchamber and a lower subchamber which is hermetically sealed;a pair of valves mounted on the top face of the working chamber including a first valve for only allowing fluid to exit the upper subchamber and a second valve for only allowing fluid to enter the upper subchamber;a heat exchanger for subjecting the bottom face of the working chamber to a first container of a first temperature and a second container of a second temperature in a reciprocating manner, wherein the first temperature and the second temperature are different to define a temperature differential; andmeans for reciprocating the working chamber between the first and second containers;a liquid/vapor situated within the lower subchamber, the liquid/vapor having a volume less than that of the lower subchamber such that a pressure of the liquid/vapor varies in order to bias the diaphragm in a reciprocating manner for pumping fluid between the first and second valves.