Methods of laser powering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) with heat engines are disclosed. The laser powered heat engines are used in conjunction with devices for absorbing laser optical radiation, turning the laser optical radiation into heat, supplying the heat to a working fluid of the heat engine and harvesting mechanical work from expanding working fluid in the heat engine.

This invention presents methods and system for conversion of heat to electrical power through absorption of heat from any types of fluids with temperatures both higher and lower than 0 C. Heat can be absorbed from fossil or renewable energy resources. The mechanism in this invention uses a fluid or fluids' enthalpy and internal energy difference to generate power, where a reciprocating piston-cylinder system provides the required force to rotate a turbine for power generation.

This invention presents methods and system for conversion of heat to electrical power through absorption of heat from any types of fluids with temperatures both higher and lower than 0 C. Heat can be absorbed from fossil or renewable energy resources. The mechanism in this invention uses a fluid or fluids' enthalpy and internal energy difference to generate power, where a reciprocating piston-cylinder system provides the required force to rotate a turbine for power generation.

A system, in certain embodiments, includes an accumulator. The accumulator includes a first cylinder configured to receive a fluid within an internal volume of the first cylinder. The accumulator also includes a piston configured to move axially within the first cylinder. Axial movement of the piston within the first cylinder adjusts the internal volume of the first cylinder. The accumulator further includes a plurality of shape memory alloy wires configured to cause the axial movement of the piston within the first cylinder.

Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for generating continuous power. In one implementation, a system includes a heat source and a plurality of liquid piston tanks. The heat source is configured to convert heat input into a pressure. An inlet valve is provided for each of the plurality of liquid piston tanks. The inlet valve is configured to direct the pressure into a corresponding liquid piston tank displacing liquid in the corresponding liquid piston tank. A hydraulic device is configured to rotate upon application of a flow created by the displaced liquid. A generator is connected to the hydraulic device and configured to output energy created using the rotation of the hydraulic device. A condenser is configured to receive existing pressure from at least one of the plurality of liquid piston tanks via a release valve. The condenser condenses the existing pressure into a re-cycled liquid.

Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for generating continuous power. In one implementation, a system includes a heat source and a plurality of liquid piston tanks. The heat source is configured to convert heat input into a pressure. An inlet valve is provided for each of the plurality of liquid piston tanks. The inlet valve is configured to direct the pressure into a corresponding liquid piston tank displacing liquid in the corresponding liquid piston tank. A hydraulic device is configured to rotate upon application of a flow created by the displaced liquid. A generator is connected to the hydraulic device and configured to output energy created using the rotation of the hydraulic device. A condenser is configured to receive existing pressure from at least one of the plurality of liquid piston tanks via a release valve. The condenser condenses the existing pressure into a re-cycled liquid.

A negative-emission pressurized air or other compressible gas operated high-efficiency reciprocating or rotary piston engine, as autonomously considered or as part of a complex system, comprises at least a tank, at least a turbo-alternator and one or more optional fluid heaters.

Embodiments are directed to a power system for generating mechanical energy from input electrical energy. The system includes a liquid tank configured to house fluid and communicate with a fluid compressor and an evaporator, a fluid compressor configured to compress the fluid to a higher-pressure state, a fluid pump configured to receive fluid from the condenser and convert kinetic energy from the fluid to mechanical energy, and a suction fan configured to blow air between the evaporator and condenser. The evaporator changes the fluid's state from a liquid to a gas. The condenser changes the fluid's state from a gas to a liquid. The system includes an accumulator tank to hold the fluid from the condenser, a piping network that communicates the fluid between the components, an enclosure that houses the components of the power system, and a power supply that delivers electricity to the fluid compressor and electric components.

Embodiments are directed to a power system for generating mechanical energy from input electrical energy. The system includes a liquid tank configured to house fluid and communicate with a fluid compressor and an evaporator, a fluid compressor configured to compress the fluid to a higher-pressure state, a fluid pump configured to receive fluid from the condenser and convert kinetic energy from the fluid to mechanical energy, and a suction fan configured to blow air between the evaporator and condenser. The evaporator changes the fluid's state from a liquid to a gas. The condenser changes the fluid's state from a gas to a liquid. The system includes an accumulator tank to hold the fluid from the condenser, a piping network that communicates the fluid between the components, an enclosure that houses the components of the power system, and a power supply that delivers electricity to the fluid compressor and electric components.

Provided is a free-piston Stirling engine that can be easily manufactured by reducing manufacturing processes. A free-piston Stirling refrigerator comprises: a piston capable of reciprocating inside a first cylinder; a first leaf spring for controlling the reciprocating motion of the piston; a connection body for connecting the piston to the movable portion of the first leaf spring; a support arm portion for supporting the fixation portion of the first leaf spring in a state where the positional relation with the first cylinder is fixed; a washer for adjusting the movable mass mp of a piston assembly; and an attachment portion that is disposed on the connection body 13 and to which the washer is attached, and the attachment portion is disposed in such position as to enable the washer to be attached while the piston assembly is assembled, thereby reducing disassembly and reassembly processes and allowing easy manufacturing.