Electrical generator systems and related methods

Abstract

Various embodiments of electric generator systems are disclosed. The systems may include an electric generator whose energy source is provided by the displacement of a first fluid. The first fluid may be in a liquid state contained in a reservoir hydraulically connected to a first chamber. The first chamber may be configured to receive thermal energy utilized to convert the first fluid into a vapor. The system may also include a second chamber hydraulically connected to the first chamber to receive the vaporized fluid from the first chamber. The second chamber may be configured to condense the vaporized first fluid, causing depressurization in the second chamber. The system may be configured such that the depressurization of the second chamber may drive a second fluid through an energy converter (e.g. Turbine Generator) able to convert the first fluid condensing energy into mechanical or electrical energy. Alternatively, the system may be configured such that the depressurization of the second chamber may drive a third fluid into an energy converter (e.g. Expander) able to convert the fluid energy into mechanical or electrical energy.

1 - 2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . An electric generator system comprising:
 a reservoir containing first fluid in a liquid state;   a first chamber hydraulically connected to the reservoir to receive the first fluid from the reservoir, the first chamber being configured to receive heat energy and configured to convert the received heat energy to vaporize the first fluid;   a second chamber hydraulically connected to the first chamber to receive the vaporized fluid from the first chamber, the second chamber being configured to condense the vaporized first fluid, causing depressurization in the second chamber,   a source of second fluid;   a hydraulic connection between the second chamber and the source of second fluid, the depressurization in the second chamber causing the second fluid to flow into the second chamber through the hydraulic connection; and   a turbine coupled to the hydraulic connection,   wherein the flow of the second fluid through the hydraulic connection causes the turbine to rotate.   
   
   
       4 . The system of claim  1 , wherein at least one of the first and second fluids is water. 
   
   
       5 . The system of claim  1 , further comprising an injector configured to inject condensing liquid into the second chamber to condense the vaporized first fluid. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising an injector tank for supplying the condensing liquid to the injector. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the injector is configured to spray the condensing liquid into the second chamber. 
   
   
       8 . The system of claim  1 , wherein the first fluid in the reservoir flows to the first chamber via gravity. 
   
   
       9 . The system of claim  1 , wherein the hydraulic connection between the reservoir and the first chamber comprises a valve configured to be actuated automatically based on a parameter inside at least one of the reservoir, the first chamber, and the second chamber. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the parameter comprises at least one of pressure and temperature. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the valve comprises a flow control valve configured to control an amount of water being introduced into the first chamber. 
   
   
       12 . The system of claim  1 , wherein the first chamber comprises a heat absorbing material. 
   
   
       13 . The system of claim  1 , wherein the first chamber is in the form of a tile. 
   
   
       14 . The system of claim  1 , wherein the first chamber comprises an insulator surrounding at least a portion of the first chamber. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the insulator comprises a vacuum jacket. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the vacuum jacket comprises a reflective material placed inside the vacuum jacket. 
   
   
       17 . The system of claim  1 , wherein the first chamber comprises a plurality of first chambers. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of first chambers are hydraulically connected in series between the reservoir and the second chamber. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of first chambers are hydraulically interconnected to each other. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of first chambers are placed adjacent to one another. 
   
   
       21 . The system of claim  1 , wherein the hydraulic connection between the first chamber and the second chamber comprises a valve configured to control the condition of the vaporized first fluid flowing from the first chamber into the second chamber. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the valve is configured to be automatically actuated when pressure andior temperature inside the first chamber exceeds a threshold value. 
   
   
       23 . The system of claim  1 , wherein the second chamber comprises a relief valve located in an upper portion of the second chamber and configured to release non-condensable fluid. 
   
   
       24 . The system of claim  1 , wherein the second chamber is hydraulically connected to the reservoir to allow the condensed first fluid to the reservoir. 
   
   
       25 . The system of claim  1 , wherein the depressurization of the second chamber causes at least a portion of the second fluid in the source of second fluid to flow into the second chamber. 
   
   
       26 . The system of claim  1 , further comprising an electric generator coupled to the turbine and configured to generate electricity. 
   
   
       27 . The system of claim  1 , wherein the second fluid comprises air from atmosphere. 
   
   
       28 . The system of claim  1 , wherein the hydraulic connection comprises a nozzle valve. 
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the nozzle valve is configured to be actuated when the pressure inside the second chamber reaches a predetermined value. 
   
   
       30 . The system of claim  1 , wherein the first fluid and the second fluid do not mix one another. 
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 28 , further comprising a movable membrane configured to separate the first fluid from the second fluid. 
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the membrane is flexible. 
   
   
       33 . The system of claim  1 , wherein the heat energy comprises solar energy. 
   
   
       34 . A method of generating electricity, comprising:
 heating a first fluid to vaporize the first fluid;   allowing the vaporized first fluid to flow into a chamber;   condensing the vaporized first fluid in the chamber, causing depressurization of the chamber;   using the depressurization of the chamber, causing a second fluid to flow through a hydraulic connection between the chamber and a source of second fluid; and   coupling an electric generator system to the hydraulic connection to generate electricity from the flow of the second fluid.   
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein heating the first fluid comprises heating the first fluid with solar energy. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 32 , the first fluid and the second fluid are different from one another. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising storing the first fluid in a reservoir. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid is water. 
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein condensing the vaporized first fluid comprises injecting condensing liquid into the chamber. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising controlling a vapor condition of the vaporized first fluid flowing into the chamber. 
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein controlling the vapor condition comprising controlling the vapor condition of the vaporized first fluid via a valve. 
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the valve is configured to be automatically actuated when at least one of the pressure and temperature inside the first chamber exceeds a threshold value. 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the electric generator system comprises a turbine hydraulically coupled to the hydraulic connection. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the second fluid comprises air from atmosphere. 
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the hydraulic connection comprises a nozzle valve. 
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the nozzle valve is configured to be actuated when the pressure inside the second chamber reaches a predetermined value. 
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the first fluid and the second fluid do not mix one another. 
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 45 , separating the first fluid from the second fluid by a movable membrane disposed in the chamber. 
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the membrane is flexible.