Abstract:
An energy generation system utilizes convection flow of a fluid media caused by differences in temperature to generate useful energy therefrom. A conduit for directing convection circulation permits conversion of forces associated with the movement of the fluid media in the conduit into a usable energy by its effect of a generation device as the fluid media flows past such device.

Description:
This is division of application Ser. No. 09/166,725, filed Oct. 5, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an energy generating system, and more particularly, a system suitable for use in, or external of, a house, building, factory or other structure for generating electrical, mechanical and other energy by convection utilization. 
     Power generation by solar energy using conventional technology is inefficient, providing an efficiency, for example, of about only 15%. In addition, the cost associated with solar energy generation is generally high. 
     In living areas, and in and about various other enclosed structures, convection is a naturally occurring phenomenon caused by temperature differences at upper and lower indoor positions. Its usefulness however in converting the energy of the air stream associated with such convention has heretofore been neglected, despite the ability to efficiently harness its energy. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a convection energy generating system which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a convection energy generating system which efficiently and economically converts convectional flow into useful energy. 
     It is yet a further object of the invention to utilize convection of fluid by connecting both portions high and low in temperature to each other, or operating on the chimney effect and high temperature obtainable from solar heat, air-conditioning heat, cooking heat, body heat, general living heat, etc., and produce useful electrical and/or mechanical energy, ventilation energy and other energies therefrom. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly stated, the present invention provides an energy generation system which utilizes convection flow of a fluid media caused by differences in temperature to generate useful energy therefrom. A conduit for directing convection circulation is provided for permitting conversion of forces associated with the movement of the fluid media in the conduit into a usable energy by its effect on a generation device as the fluid media flows past such device. 
     In accordance with various embodiments directed to use in generating electrical energy in a home environment or other building structure, the energy generation system comprises a conduit into which is vented heated air from the interior of the structure. The conduit is open to the outside at a top thereof, such that by virtue of the chimney effect, an upwardly rising stream of air within the conduit is produced by convection. A fan-operated generator placed in contact with the stream of air produces usable electricity. 
     In alternative embodiments also directed to electrical generation for various building structures, the conduit referred to above for channeling a stream of convected air is placed external of the building and is heated by solar rays which create the flow of air within the conduit. 
     In further embodiments, directed to use in connection with building structures as well as hand-held applications, such as for example in cameras and cellular phones, instead of employing air, a magnetic fluid is used to conduct convention forces. Energy is generated by a coil wound about a continuous enclosed conduit in which the fluid is made to circulate, and which generates electricity by Fleming&#39;s right hand rule. 
     The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of a first embodiment of a convection energy generating system in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of a second embodiment of a convection energy generating system in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of a third embodiment of a convection energy generating system in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a convection energy generating system in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of a fifth embodiment of a convection energy generating system in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 7 a  is a schematic partial plan view of the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6; 
     FIG. 7 b  is a schematic partial plan view of the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6 utilizing laterally disposed multiple fan-operated generators; 
     FIG. 7 c  is a schematic longitudinal view of a variation of the embodiments of FIG. 7 a;    
     FIG. 8 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of a sixth embodiment of a convection energy generating system in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of a seventh embodiment of a convection energy generating system in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of a eighth embodiment of a convection energy generating system in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of a ninth embodiment of a convection energy generating system in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of a tenth embodiment of a convection energy generating system in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of an eleventh embodiment of a convection energy generating system in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the pipe conduit of a twelfth embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 15 is a schematic view of the pipe conduit of a thirteenth embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a fourteenth embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of the fluid passage of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a fifteenth embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 19 is a schematic representation of the fluid passage of FIG. 18; 
     FIG. 20 is a plan view of a sixteenth embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 21 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 20, showing the fluid passage; 
     FIG. 22 is an elevational schematic representation of a pipe conduit of a seventeenth embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 23 is an elevational schematic representation of a pipe conduit of an eighteenth embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 24 is an elevational schematic representation of a pipe conduit of a nineteenth embodiment in accordance with the invention; and 
     FIG. 25 is a schematic representation of a pipe conduit of a twentieth embodiment in accordance with the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the figures, and in particular FIG. 1, an embodiment of a convection energy generating system in accordance with the invention is depicted, directed to use in ventilating a living space and converting air convection caused by environmental heat produced in a house, including for example body warmth and artificially created heat, into useful energy. A conduit  4  in the form, for example, of an exhaust pipe or a chimney, stands vertically, advantageously at the center of building structure  1 , and extends through room  2 , ceiling  2 ′ and roof  3 . Conduit  4  includes holes  6  and  6 ′ near ceiling  2 ′ of room  2 . 
     Warm convection  9  of heat produced by heating of room  2  by artificial sources and body heat is drawn into conduit  4  through holes  6 ,  6 ′ and once inside comprises a rising air stream  10  created by the chimney effect. Rising stream  10  turns a fan  11  near the upper top of conduit  4 , which in turn operates a power generator  12  drivably connected therewith. In this manner electric power can be obtained from power generator  12  by warm convection  9 . 
     Conduit  4  can provide several advantages concomitant with its usefulness in channeling rising stream  10  upward for purposes of energy generation. One advantage gained is that conduit  4  naturally provides improved ventilation to room  2  by operation of the chimney effect. Other advantages are attained in various optional embodiments. In one such advantageous embodiment, conduit  4  may be made structurally supportive to function as a post in part of building structure  1 . In an alternative embodiment, where desired, conduit  4  may be made partially transparent by glass, etc., thus functioning as a light court to supplement the lighting of room  2 . In yet another embodiment, conduit  4  may form a central support for a spiral staircase  5 , thereby improving the efficient use of space in house  1 . 
     An optional small roof  7  is provided at upper opening of conduit  4  to prevent the penetration of rainwater therein. It is noted that where conduit  4  functions as a light court, as referred to above, small roof  7  should preferably be clear or light transmissive. If small roof  7  is omitted, fan  11  rotates to force away rain and simultaneously generate electricity. A lid may be optionally provided at the upper part of conduit  4 , for purposes of selectively stopping rising stream  10 , when necessary. The cross-sectional dimensions of conduit  4  will determine the conforming shape of the lid, for example, square, rectangle, triangle, etc. 
     FIGS. 2 and 3 depict a second embodiment in accordance with the invention. Steam and hot air in a bath room  13 , and unpleasant odors  16  in a lavatory  15 , are vented and exhausted by rising stream  10  in conduit  4 . 
     FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein a passage  18  of black square pipe or round pipe, etc. are placed along an outer wall  17  and a roof  3  of building structure  1 . Power generator  12  with fan  11  are provided within passage  18  proximate a top end thereof. 
     When passage  18  is heated by solar rays  20  of the sun  19 , a rising air stream  21  is generated by heat effects within passage  18  which turns fan  11  to yield power generation. A suitable form for fan  11  includes, for example, propeller-fan, cross-flow-fan, sirocco-fan, etc. 
     Passage  18  can be built as part of building structure  1 , or can alternatively be sold as a separate adaptor to be attached to completed construction. Optionally, heat efficiency is advantageously enhanced by inclusion of a fin (not shown) having a large heat absorption capability, attached to the surface of passage  18  or where the surface is treated for enhanced heat absorption. 
     Turning now to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the invention is depicted in which a solar battery  22  is installed on roof  3  of building structure  1 , and both sides of space between roof  3  and solar battery  22  are enclosed to create a hollow passage  23 . As in the previously described embodiments, power generator  12  and fan  12  are installed advantageously at or near the top end of passage  23 . 
     When light  24  of the sun  19  shines on solar battery  22 , electric power is obtained directly therefrom, and at the same time battery panel  22  is heated by the sun. As a result, hollow passage  23  is also heated to produce rising air stream  21  by the chimney effect. This air stream is gathered together by means of air circuits, as will be more fully described with reference to FIG. 7, and turns fan  11  to generate electricity. By changing sun light to electricity through solar battery  22  and power generator  12  operated by solar heat, and therefore making more complete use of solar energy, it is possible to obtain electric power with improved thermal efficiency. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, an embodiment of the invention is shown which employs triple construction power generating equipment for further utilization of the potential of the sun. In addition to solar battery panel  22 , a hot-well  25  is placed on roof  3  and enclosed to create a hollow passage in a manner analogous to the embodiment of FIG.  4 . Rising air stream  21  produced between solar battery panel  22  and hot-well  25  turns fan  11  of power generator  12 . This integrated system, combining three forms of solar energy generation, maximizes use of the solar energy potential. In particular, radiant energy from the sun  19  is used simultaneously for generation of electric power by solar battery panel  22 , generation of supplementary electric power by operation of power generator  12  by convected rising air stream created by the heat of the sun  19 , and solar heat warming of water by hot well  25 . 
     FIG. 7 a  shows a top view of hollow passage  23  under solar battery panel  22  in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, wherein passage  23  is partitioned with separating panels to create multiple converging air circuits which consolidate and direct rising air stream  21  to fan  11  of power generator  12 . 
     The embodiment of FIG. 7 b  utilizes multiple, laterally disposed fan/generator pairs  11 ,  12 . 
     FIG. 7 c  illustrates a variation of the previous embodiment of FIG. 7 a , wherein two fan/generator pairs  11 ,  12  are placed in-line for counter-rotation. A one side of passage  23  is defined by a milky white translucent material, and the remaining side (illustrated by dashed lines) is a black punched metal. 
     FIG. 8 shows an example in accordance with another embodiment of the invention wherein the energy generation system is applied to a building in which circulation type air-conditioning is installed. It is believed to be approximately 15% more efficient to lean the southern side of building structure  1  at an angle of  30  degrees, as shown in FIG. 8, however it is nonetheless also possible to face a usual sloped roof  28  and a vertical wall  29  to the south, as shown alternatively in FIG.  9 . Building structure  1  can be also be square as shown in FIG.  10 . Solar battery panel  22  or glass, metallic plates, etc. are attached to outer wall  27  and inner walls  32 ,  32 ′,  32 ″ of building structure  1 . Air passage  31  rises up, turns at position  31 ′, descends at position  31 ″ and passes under floors  33 ,  33 ′,  33 ″ of rooms  34 ,  34 ′,  34 ″, and turns to position  31 , so that air circulates in passage  31 . Inner walls  32 ,  32 ′,  32 ″ of building structure  1  work sufficiently well as heat insulating material to protect rooms  34 ,  34 ′,  34 ″ from solar heat, while at the same time inhibiting the escape of heat from air passage  31 . Light rays from the sun  19  are changed to electricity by solar battery panel  22 , and solar heat warms up air within air passage  31  by convection. 
     Floor  33  of room  34  at the first story is made of wood, and a space of about a 50 mm to 60 mm in thickness is made between floor  33 , and 100 mm thick concrete ground  36  is deposited beneath air passage  35 . The weight of building structure  1  rests upon concrete  36 , which is also used for heat storage. Use of inexpensive concrete results in lower cost. For example, if reclaimed concrete obtained by destruction of concrete building or a new low cost cement called “Ecological Cement” (which is made of ashes reduced from refuse, limestone, etc. without producing dioxin) is used instead of concrete  36 , expense for the installation of this layer is reduced. 
     Prior to laying the concrete, damp-proof plastic film sheet  37 , such as polyethylene, is first applied, and then heat insulating material  38  is put on plastic film sheet  37 . Concrete  36  is then deposited atop heat insulating material  38 . 
     Space  35  comprises a portion of the circulating route in air passage  31  and, in a similar manner, spaces  35 ′,  35 ″ are made respectively under floor  33 ′on the second story and floor  33 ″ on the third story to join air passage  31 . Ceilings  39 ,  39 ′,  39 ″ and walls  40 ,  40 ′,  40 ″ are made of heat insulating material. 
     Air ducts  41 ,  41 ′,  41 ″ are provided near the ceiling in each room and lead to chimney  42 . Chimney  42  vents exhaust  43 ,  43 ′,  43 ″ from rooms  34 ,  34 ′,  34 ″ by the chimney effect. If an emergency stairway  44  is built within chimney  42 , the space factor is improved accordingly. If a transparent chimney  42  is built indoors, it can be used as light court. As a support, chimney  42  can also help to resist against side quake. It is also possible to apply chimney  42  to conduit  4  shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 11 shows an example of an air conditioning system. Ecological cement (described above) is deposited underground as a cement layer  46 , below a building  45 . Cement layer  46  is heated by a heater (not shown) advantageously using less expensive night service power, and works as a heat storage  47 . 
     Freezer  48 , also advantageously operated by night service power, is set on the roof of building  45 . The southern side of building is heated by solar rays  20 , which in FIG. 11 is shown as the right side. This side has a glass plate or solar panel on an outer wall  49  and an inner wall  50 , or a 2-ply glass plate  51 ,  51 ′. Heat convection fluid  52  rises up between outer wall  49  and inner wall  50 . A door  55  is attached to the southern side under floors  54 ,  54 ′ of rooms  53 ,  53 ′. The width of door  55  is about ½ the space between outer wall  49  and inner wall  50 , or 2-ply glass plate  51 ,  51 ′. A door  56  is attached to top room  53 ″, door  56  being of sufficient width to close the space between outer wall  49  and inner wall, or 2-ply glass plate  51 ,  51 ′. In the winter season, each door opens as shown by  55  and  56 , and closes as shown by  55 ′ and  56 ′ in the summer season. 
     Since each door opens in the winter season, heat convection caused by solar heat within 2-ply wall  51 ,  51 ′ warms up the space under floors  54 ,  54 ′,  54 ″ on each level, and each room is warmed by hot air  58  entering from below. The convection coming from between 2-ply wall  51 ,  51 ′ becomes a rising air stream  60  at a chimney  59 , and draws air under the floors to continue the flow of hot air to the rooms. A heat insulating layer  61  is set to thermally divide the warming space below the floor and a cooling space above the ceiling of the room below, mutually from one another. Chimney  59  can take the form of a pipe or conduit  4  of FIG. 1, and can utilize any of the aforementioned approaches, such as its secondary use as a light court. 
     Where solar heating provides insufficient warmth, forced hot air is supplied from underground heat storage source  47 . A heat exchanger  62  is also provided for purposes of making hot water, and supplies hot water within building. 
     In the summer season, doors  55  and  56  are closed at positions  55 ′ and  56 ′, and the air heated by solar rays  20  flows upwardly through via rising air stream  52  caused by convection, and does not enter the space under floors  54 ,  54 ′,  54 ″. During this time, heat convection  52  is still used to heat water via another heat exchanger  69  for supply of hot water to the building. Also, rising air stream  52  caused by this convection draws air in ceiling  54 ″ to the direction shown by the arrow designated by the numeral  70 . 
     In the summer, door  72  opens in response to the opening of a valve  73  which sends cool air  48 ′ from freezer  48  (placed on roof and operated by night service power) to above each ceiling and cool spaces F 1 , F 2 , F 3  of rooms  53 ,  53 ′,  53 ″ cooled by cool air  75  coming from above the ceilings. Cool air  75  is drawn to the direction of  70  and a fresh inflow of cool air  48 ′ from freezer  48  is sent in. 
     Electricity is generated by operation of a vertical axis type generator  78  rotated by horizontal fan  77 . The top end of chimney  59  is narrowed into a tapered shape  76 , to concentrate air stream  60  coming from below. 
     Since the space between 2-ply wall layer on the southern side of the building is comparatively narrow between walls while being expansive widthwise, a horizontal turning type fan  79  is placed at top space of 2-ply wall layer to obtain power generation by operation of a horizontal type generator  80  rotated by rising air stream  52  which turns fan  79 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 12, an energy generation system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is depicted. Machines operated by night service power for cold storage located on the roof and heat storage in the basement of FIG. 11 are combined into one unit. The combined unit, in the form of a cooler  82 , is advantageously operated by night service power  81 . Heat is stored in heat storage source  84 , such as a slab of ecological cement, transferred thereto via a water filled radiator  83  of condenser C of cooler  82 . A freezer  85  is operated by evaporator E of cooler  82  without requiring use of the roof, while concomitantly providing better cooling. Cooler  82  can be installed underground for better maintenance of cold storage. A hollow pole  87  making use of the structure of the building encloses a rising air stream  89  produced from indoor cooking, electric appliances, human body temperature, etc., within hollow pole  87 , which operates a plurality of wind power generators  90  placed downward at an outlet on the top of hollow pole  87 . 
     Cool air  91  coming from underground cooler  82  is drawn into each room replacing the warm air leaving the rooms as exhaust  93 . Warm air coming from radiator of cooler  82  in the basement is supplied to each room by rising air stream  95  within a 2-ply wall layer  94  on the southern side. A heat storage apparatus  96  is provided, throughout which a snake-shaped pipe for carrying air or water is placed to permit production of hot air or warm water, and which becomes a thermal source for such requirements as heating, hot water supply, etc., at night and cloudy weather. 
     FIGS. 13 to FIG. 21 are directed to various embodiments in accordance with the invention, wherein magnetic fluid which moves magnetism in circulation, rather than convection of air, is used for energy generation. 
     Referring to FIG. 13, an embodiment of the invention includes a closed pipe  97  filled with a magnetic fluid  98 , for instance, a fluid containing magnetic particles which are coated and dispersed in oil without coagulation, A coil  99  is wound on part of circulating passage of closed pipe  97  to get a power source  100  from the end of coil  99 . 
     Recently, it has been discovered that water or petroleum products react to a magnetic field, enabling water and the selected petroleum product to function as magnetic fluid  98  in the circulating passage of closed pipe  97 . When solar rays  20  of the sun  19  shines on pipe conduit  97 , heating same, fluid  98  moves by convection running within closed pipe conduit  97  in the direction of arrows, and electric current is generated within coil  99  by Fleming&#39;s right hand rule. 
     Referring to FIG. 14, an embodiment of the invention is depicted, wherein the above described closed pipe conduit is formed to the shape of a coil  99 , and coil  99  is wound on part of the closed pipe conduit to efficiently obtain electric current from a power source  102  tapped at opposed ends of coil  99 . 
     FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which a circuit  103  is attached to a house  104 . Pipe conduits  105  and  106  of circuit  103  are placed on the wall and roof on the southern side of house  104  which is impinged by solar rays  20  of the sun  19  (as indicated by the plurality of arrows) and pipe conduits  107 ,  108  and  109  are attached to the roof, side wall and under the floor not lit by the sun  19 . As a result, the temperature difference of the various pipe conduits  105 ,  106 ,  107 ,  108 ,  109  makes magnetic fluid  98  flow in the direction of arrow  110  within circuit  103  and electricity is obtained by a coil  111 . 
     FIG.  16  and FIG. 17 depicts an embodiment in accordance with the invention wherein circulating pipe conduits  113  and  115  filled with magnetic fluid are set on a body  114  of a cellular phone  112  and a flipper  114 ′, respectively, and generate electricity for cellular phone  112 . Since heat  116  of the hand holding cellular phone  112  warms part of pipe conduit  113  on a body of same held by the hand, and since also the heat of breadth  117  generated by the user while speaking warms pipe conduit  115  on flipper  114 ′, convection  118  of the magnetic fluid is produced, coil  119  thereby yielding electric power as a power source for cellular phone  112 . 
     FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate an embodiment in accordance with the invention wherein a circuit  123  containing magnetic fluid, a heat absorbing part  124  thereof, and coil  125 , are set on a griping part  122  of a camera  121 . 
     FIGS. 20 and 21 depict an embodiment in accordance with the invention wherein two lines of circuits  126  and  127  are set in griping part  122 . A thumb of the hand warms circuit  127  and the other four fingers transfer heat to heat absorbing part  126 , so that electric current as a power source for camera  121  is obtained from coils  128  and  129 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 22, an embodiment in accordance with the invention is depicted in which solar rays  24  shine on part of a circuit  131  in which water  130  or other fluid media is contained for circulating flow therein and heating same up, thereby creating circulation by heat convection in the direction of arrow  132 . A power generator  134  is provided to generate electricity in response to the water turbine  133  installed in circuit  131  and turned by the circulating fluid. 
     FIG. 23 illustrates an embodiment in accordance with the invention wherein part  165 ′ of closed pipe  165  which is advantageously of externally black in color and in which a thermal media  164  such as water, FREON, etc., is heated up by solar rays  20 . Heated thermal media  164  rises by heat convection to circulate in the direction of arrow  166  and operates power generator  168  by turning turbine  167 . A thermal exchange pipe  169  is wound around closed pipe  165 ″ on the opposite side to the heated side. When cool water  170  is supplied to heat exchange pipe  169 , cool water  170  is heated, and at the same time thermal media  164  is cooled down. Cooled fluid  164  descends and is heated up by solar rays  20  to rise and circulate. 
     Water  170  within thermal exchange pipe  169  is heated up through water  173  which is pushed up to a water tank  172  by pump  171 , and hot water  175  is supplied from cock  174 . Pipe  171 ′ is provided to increase the temperature of water within tank  172  by returning unused water to tank  172  by pump  171 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 24, an embodiment is depicted in which a direct heating method is employed. Water  176  is supplied from lower part  178  of a closed pipe  177  by pressure of city water without the need for installing pushing pump  171  and water tank  171  of the previously described embodiment shown in FIG.  23 . After water  176  is heated up by solar rays  20  and rises to turn turbine  167  of power generator  168 , hot water is supplied from cock  179  of a junction pipe  178 . 
     FIG. 25 illustrates an embodiment in accordance with the invention, wherein solar rays  20  are received by a panel consisting of a thin glass box  181  containing water pipes  180  or a hot well kept warm by inserting water pipes  180  into a vacuum glass pipe, and in which a cock  184  is fixed directly to closed water pipe  183  to obtain hot water. Where a fluid with a low boiling point, such as Freon, etc. is used instead of water, a heat exchange pipe  185  is wound on closed water pipe  183  to heat up water in heat exchange pipe  185  in order to get hot water from cock  186 . Turbine  167  of power generator  168  can optionally be fixed to pipe conduit  183  for power generation. 
     Air, water, streaming magnetic material, oil, steam, etc. can all be used for fluid in accordance with the intended scope of the invention. The Pipe used for passing fluid is advantageously black and rough in surface to improve heat absorption, and also advantageously has fins to improve radiation and to obtain a larger temperature difference, so that convection speed can be increased. 
     If electric power obtained by the examples of the embodiments set forth above is arranged to charge a battery, or to be reduced to daytime energy by ice-making, or warm water is arranged to pass through heat storage material, it is possible to continuously use electric power and warm water even at night, and also surplus power can be sold to a power company to earn income. 
     The unique and ground breaking invention described herein will have world-wide as well as region-wide benefits in making use of warm air usually wasted, and will further increase efficiency of thermal energy. In this regard, the invention will provide energy to any country short of national resources in a manner non-polluting to the environment. 
     Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.