Multi-fluid thermal energy conversion system

Abstract

Briefly, an engine is provided that has a cavity constructed to enable a working liquid to be vaporized upon contact with a hot liquid. As the working liquid is vaporized, the liquid rapidly expands into a vigorous gas. The ensuing rise in pressure causes a moving member to be moved, thereby converting the explosive rise in pressure within the cavity into useful work. In one embodiment, the engine is a piston engine that allows a hot liquid oil to be injected into a piston cavity. Water is then injected, which immediately flashes into steam as the water hits the hot oil. The steam causes the pressure to dramatically rise in the piston cavity, thereby driving the piston.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An engine, comprising:
 a cavity constructed to enable a working liquid to mix with a hot liquid;   a first port in the cavity constructed to deliver the hot liquid into the cavity, the hot liquid delivered into the cavity at a temperature that exceeds the flashpoint of the working liquid;   a second port in the cavity constructed to deliver the working liquid into the cavity, the working liquid having a flashpoint lower than the temperature of the hot liquid;   a third port in the cavity constructed as an exhaust;   a moving member operably coupled to the cavity and arranged to convert pressure energy in the cavity to motion energy; and   wherein the hot liquid causes the working liquid to vaporize and increase the pressure in the cavity and causing the moving member to move in response to the increased pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The engine according to  claim 1 , wherein the moving member is a piston. 
     
     
         3 . The engine according to  claim 1 , wherein the moving member is a rotor. 
     
     
         4 . The engine according to  claim 1 , wherein the hot liquid is an oil. 
     
     
         5 . The engine according to  claim 1 , wherein the working liquid is water. 
     
     
         6 . The engine according to  claim 1 , further including a heater for heating the hot liquid. 
     
     
         7 . The engine according to  claim 6 , wherein the heater is solar powered. 
     
     
         8 . The engine according to  claim 6 , wherein the heater is powered by fossil fuel. 
     
     
         9 . A method of powering an engine, comprising:
 injecting a hot liquid into a cavity, the hot liquid delivered into the cavity at a temperature that exceeds the flashpoint of a working liquid;   injecting a working liquid into the cavity, the working liquid having a flashpoint lower than the temperature of the hot liquid;   vaporizing and expanding the working liquid on contact with the hot liquid to increase the pressure in cavity; and   moving a moving member responsive to the increased pressure in the cavity.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of heating the hot liquid using a solar powered heater. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of heating the hot liquid using a fossil fuel powered heater. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9  where injecting the hot liquid further comprises injecting a hot oil. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9  where injecting the working liquid further comprises injecting water. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 9  where moving the member further comprises moving a piston. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9  where moving the member further comprises moving a rotor. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein the molar mass of the working liquid is small compared to the molar mass of the hot liquid. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the working liquid is water and the hot liquid is oil. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein the molar mass of the water is about 600 to 800 times less than the molar mass of the oil. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein the hot liquid is an oil between 200° C. and 330° C. and the working liquid is water below 100° C. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 9  where injecting the hot liquid further comprises injecting a liquid salt.