A heat engine for use in conjunction with a power generating plant, including a turbine section having a number of turbines, a heat exchanger section having a number of modules through which the expanded working fluid of the power generating plant and other sources of heat are circulated, a laminar flow inducing section, and a tower section for providing a pressure differential across the turbines of the turbine section. In use, the heat engine provides the dual function of: heating air to generate an updraft such that air forces its way into the turbine sections to drive the turbines and generate additional electricity; and using incoming colder air to condense the expanded working fluid and cool other sources of heat.

The solar chimney of the present invention comprises an elongated chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end, the chamber defining a path for fluid, such as air, from the inlet to the outlet. Air updrafts in the chamber drive an internal turbine which is connected to an electric generator, or to some other machine. The chamber has the general configuration of an hourglass; the diameter of the chamber becomes progressively smaller with distance from the inlet end, until the diameter reaches a minimum value, then becomes progressively larger, as one proceeds towards the outlet end. Disposed within the chamber are one or more heat exchangers for heating air in the chamber by solar and/or wind energy.

An elevated or ground level vertical cylinder houses one or more propellers and/or turbines that are rotated by heated air convection within or around or above the cylinder. The rotating shafts of the propellers generate electricity in an area at bottom of or below the cylinder. For added, improved air flow directions and volumes; and, for stabilization of the rotating shaft or shafts, a circular pyramid collar structure is disposed below the cylinder. Heat is directed to the cylinder by a plurality of sun tracking concave mirrors that are positioned in concentric circles at various heights. The cylinder may be composed of concrete, ceramics, metal compounds or other materials and operate with a surface temperature that may range 70 to 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit. An optimized system may be constructed on less than one, one or more than one acre of land that could appear as a park like setting.

A fluid flow nozzle including an elongated first wall and an opposing spaced elongated second wall defining an elongated nozzle volume therebetween, wherein the elongated first wall has a first proximal edge and a first distal edge and wherein the elongated second wall has a second proximal edge and a second distal edge. The nozzle inlet is defined by the first and second proximal edges and an opposing nozzle outlet is defined by first and second distal edges. The elongated nozzle has a cross-sectional shape configured to accelerate a fluid flowing from the nozzle inlet to the nozzle outlet without materially increasing fluid turbulence within the flow.

A convection-driven power generator comprising a flow intake configured to supply fluid to the generator, a flow duct having a duct inlet and a duct outlet wherein the duct outlet is spaced downstream from the duct inlet along the flow duct, the duct inlet being fluidly coupled to the flow intake. A heating chamber fluidly is coupled to the duct outlet so as to receive fluid from the duct outlet, the heating chamber comprising an external wall configured to transmit light radiation incident thereon such that fluid within the heating chamber is heated by the transmitted light radiation. A flow exhaust is fluidly coupled to the heating chamber and configured to exhaust fluid heated by the heating chamber from the heating chamber. A turbine is arranged within the flow duct, downstream of the flow intake, and exposed to fluid flow through the flow duct such that when fluid flows through the flow duct the turbine is caused to rotate by the fluid flow; and at least one lens element is configured to focus the light radiation transmitted by the external wall within the heating chamber.

A venting apparatus for generating electricity, the apparatus comprising a head and a base, whereby rotation of the head relative to the base generates electricity, wherein the head includes: a receptacle in which is disposed a solar cell, and a plurality of blades disposed around a periphery of the head for rotating the head in response to airflow around and/or over the head.

An elevated or ground level vertical cylinder houses one or more propellers and/or turbines that are rotated by heated air convection within or around or above the cylinder. The rotating shafts of the propellers generate electricity in an area at the bottom of or below the cylinder. For added, improved air flow directions and volumes; and, for stabilization of the rotating shaft or shafts, a cone structure is disposed below the cylinder. Heat is directed to the cylinder by a plurality of sun tracking concave mirrors that are positioned in concentric circles at various heights. The cylinder may be composed of concrete, ceramics, metal compounds or other materials and operate with a surface temperature that may range from 70 to 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit. Disclosed embodiments include the use of heat sinks, internal blades disposed upon pyramid structures and flexible vanes and flaps.