A hydraulic propulsion system converts heat or thermal energy into hydraulic energy, and such hydraulic energy into mechanical work. The hydraulic propulsion system includes a thermal unit, a hydraulic cylinder with pistons and springs mounted therein, one or more hydraulic motors, one or more hydraulic accumulators, and one or more electrical energy generators, as well as a plurality of flow control valves to control the flow of hydraulic fluid between the various components. The hydraulic propulsion system may be enhanced by an energy transmission unit including a wave generator.

A bootstrap hydraulic reservoir includes a bootstrap chamber to hold hydraulic fluid, a piston chamber fluidly connected to a pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system, a piston having a bootstrap end portion held within the bootstrap chamber and a pressure end portion held within the piston chamber, and a hydraulic accumulator fluidly connected to the pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system. The hydraulic accumulator accumulates pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pressure line. The bootstrap hydraulic reservoir also includes a valve fluidly connected to the pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system between the hydraulic accumulator and an outlet of a pump of the hydraulic fluid system. The valve includes an actuator selectively moves the valve to an open position when the pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system is de-pressurized.

A hydraulic propulsion system converts heat or thermal energy into hydraulic energy, and such hydraulic energy into mechanical work. The hydraulic propulsion system includes a thermal unit, a hydraulic cylinder with pistons and springs mounted therein, one or more hydraulic motors, one or more hydraulic accumulators, and one or more electrical energy generators, as well as a plurality of flow control valves to control the flow of hydraulic fluid between the various components. The hydraulic propulsion system may be enhanced by a sonic transmission unit including a sonic wave generator.

A bootstrap hydraulic reservoir includes a bootstrap chamber to hold hydraulic fluid, a piston chamber fluidly connected to a pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system, a piston having a bootstrap end portion held within the bootstrap chamber and a pressure end portion held within the piston chamber, and a hydraulic accumulator fluidly connected to the pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system. The hydraulic accumulator accumulates pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pressure line. The bootstrap hydraulic reservoir also includes a valve fluidly connected to the pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system between the hydraulic accumulator and an outlet of a pump of the hydraulic fluid system. The valve includes an actuator selectively moves the valve to an open position when the pressure line of the hydraulic fluid system is de-pressurized.

Underground facilities built for storing electric energy in the form of gravity and buoyant energy are described herein. In one embodiment, the facility is disposed in a thixotropic fluid beneath the ground surface and houses water to maintain a positive buoyancy and a piston having a bulk density greater than the water. In another embodiment, the underground facility is configured as a buoyant capsule arranged in a cylinder filled with water, where the cylinder is sealed except for openings in a bottom half of the cylinder to allow near unimpeded water flow from a location inside to a location outside of the cylinder. In another embodiment, the underground facility is configured as a negatively buoyant capsule.

A hydraulic propulsion system converts heat or thermal energy into hydraulic energy, and such hydraulic energy into mechanical work. The hydraulic propulsion system includes a thermal unit, a hydraulic cylinder with pistons and springs mounted therein, one or more hydraulic motors, one or more hydraulic accumulators, and one or more electrical energy generators, as well as a plurality of flow control valves to control the flow of hydraulic fluid between the various components. The hydraulic propulsion system may be enhanced by a sonic transmission unit including a sonic wave generator.

A water hammer arrester configured for connection with a plumbing system. The water hammer arrester has a cap assembly, a piston assembly, and a base assembly. The cap assembly receiving the piston assembly therein. The base assembly having a connector for connection with a plumbing fixture in the plumbing system.

A water hammer arrester having a cap assembly, a piston assembly, a pair of o-rings, and a base assembly, wherein the cap assembly, piston assembly and base assembly are made from plastic.

A device for isothermal compression, constant-pressure power generation and physical energy storage includes an air storage tank, a weight, a piston and a piston rod. An inner cavity of the air storage tank is divided into first to third chambers by first and second heat conducting baffles. The piston is arranged in the second chamber. The piston rod has a lower end connected with the piston and an upper end connected with the weight. First and second elastic sealing belts are arranged in the first and third chambers, respectively. The first chamber includes a first water injection port and a first water outlet above the first elastic sealing belt, and the third chamber includes a second water injection port and a second water outlet above the second elastic sealing belt. A bottom of the air storage tank includes an air injection port and a compressed air outlet.