Patent ID: 7331180

Claim:
An apparatus for converting a differential in thermal energy between a first thermal source having a thermal conducting fluid and a second thermal source having a thermal conducting fluid, the apparatus comprising: a first vessel for containing a gas under pressure, the first vessel being in fluid communication with said first and second thermal sources; a second vessel for containing a gas under pressure, the second vessel being in fluid communication with said first and second thermal sources; a plurality of cooperating valves for regulating a flow of thermal conducting fluid from the first and second thermal sources to the first and second vessels, the plurality of cooperating valves alternating between first and second operating positions, the plurality of cooperating valves permitting a flow of thermal conducting fluid from the first thermal source to the first vessel and from the second thermal source to the second vessel in first operating position, the plurality of cooperating valves preventing a flow of thermal conducting fluid from the first thermal source to the second vessel and from the second thermal source to the first vessel in the first operating position, the plurality of cooperating valves permitting a flow of thermal conducting fluid from the first thermal source to the second vessel and from the second thermal source to the first vessel in the second operating position, the plurality of cooperating valves preventing a flow of thermal conducting fluid from the first thermal source to the first vessel and from the second thermal source to the second vessel in the second operating position; a pressure driven actuator in fluid communication with the first and second vessels whereby the actuator is driven into reciprocating motion between a first position and a second position by alternating positive pressure and negative pressure from the first and second vessels wherein positive pressure from the first vessel coupled with negative pressure from the second vessel when the plurality of cooperating valves is in the first operating position drives the actuator to the first position and negative pressure from the first vessel coupled with positive pressure from the second vessel when the plurality of cooperating valves is in the second operating position drives the actuator to the second position.