Method and apparatus for converting one form of energy into another form of energy. [unrestrained spheres are propelled by combustion gases and converted to electricity by MHD or to compressed fluid]
A method and apparatus are described for converting one form of energy into another form of energy with the use of a closed, continuous loop passageway containing a plurality of freely movable, mechanically unrestrained bodies which travel around the passageway in one direction only. Force is applied to successive ones of the bodies in one region of the passageway to thereby propel the bodies around the passageway. At a point removed from the aforesaid region, at least a portion of the kinetic energy of the propelled bodies is converted into electrical energy or a compressed fluid. Thereafter, successive ones of the bodies are returned back to the starting region where they are again propelled in one direction by application of a force thereto. The bodies, usually in the form of spheres, are propelled by expansion of a gaseous medium due to combustion of a gaseous fuel mixture or by a traveling magnetic field. The kinetic energy of the bodies is extracted either by causing the propelled bodies, formed from magnetically permeable material, to pass through an electromagnetic field to convert some of the kinetic energy to electrical energy, or by compressing fluid between the bodies to provide energy in the form of a compressed fluid.
- Assignee:
- Battelle Development Corp.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 3927329
- OSTI ID:
- 5097412
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 11 Apr 1974
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Unidirectional energy converter
Method for converting one form of energy into another form of energy
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DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
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COMBUSTION
COMPRESSED AIR ENERGY STORAGE
COMPRESSED GASES
OPERATION
SPHERES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMPRESSORS
ENERGY STORAGE
FLUIDS
GASES
OXIDATION
STORAGE
300000* - Direct Energy Conversion
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250200 - Energy Storage- Compressed & Liquified Gas