Thermodynamic transistor

Abstract

A thermodynamic transistor has a vacuum sealed body that has a top end and a bottom end. A first heater is positioned adjacent the bottom end of the vacuum sealed body. A working fluid fills a portion of the vacuum sealed body from the bottom end such that the first heater heats the working fluid. The working fluid is a liquid at a first temperature and becomes a gas at a second temperature.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thermodynamic transistor comprising:
 a vacuum sealed body having a top end and a bottom end;   a first heater positioned adjacent the bottom end of the vacuum sealed body;   a working fluid filling a portion of the vacuum sealed body from the bottom end;   the first heater heating the working fluid, the working fluid being a liquid at a first temperature and becoming a gas at a second temperature.   
     
     
         2 . The thermodynamic transistor of  claim 1  further comprising a second heater positioned between the top end and the bottom end of the vacuum sealed body. 
     
     
         3 . The thermodynamic transistor of  claim 2  wherein the second heater is positioned at a midpoint between the top end and the bottom end of the vacuum sealed body. 
     
     
         4 . The thermodynamic transistor of  claim 1  wherein the vacuum sealed body is a copper tube. 
     
     
         5 . The thermodynamic transistor of  claim 1  further comprising a heat absorber positioned adjacent the top end of the vacuum sealed body. 
     
     
         6 . The thermodynamic transistor of  claim 1  wherein the first heater is a pilot light. 
     
     
         7 . The thermodynamic transistor of  claim 1  wherein the first heater is an electrical resistor. 
     
     
         8 . The thermodynamic transistor of  claim 2  wherein the second heater is a pilot light. 
     
     
         9 . The thermodynamic transistor of  claim 2  wherein the second heater is an electrical resistor. 
     
     
         10 . The thermodynamic transistor of  claim 1  wherein the working fluid is water. 
     
     
         11 . The thermodynamic transistor of  claim 1  wherein the working fluid is glycol. 
     
     
         12 . The thermodynamic transistor of  claim 1  wherein the working fluid is a water and glycol mix.