Patent ID: 8621867

Claim:
A rotary energy conversion device comprising: a heat absorber having a working fluid therein; an energy source to provide energy to the heat absorber, wherein at least 51% of the energy provided is radiant energy; a power converter in fluid communication with the heat absorber; a heat rejecter in fluid communication with each one of the heat absorber and power converter; wherein the heat rejecter has a pump capable of receiving the working fluid from the power converter and pumping the working fluid to the heat absorber; and a recuperating heat exchanger having a first channel for the working fluid from the power converter and a second channel for the working fluid from the pump; whereby (i) the heat absorber, the power converter, and the heat rejecter are connected together to rotate as a single rotary unit relative to a shaft and (ii) rotation of the single rotary unit increases contact between the working fluid and internal surfaces of the heat absorber and the heat rejecter thereby increasing heat flux.