Kinetic energy atom-powered engine
First Claim
1. A device for converting kinetic energy of molecules in a fluid into useful work, the device comprising:
- a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) scale or smaller housing comprising walls that define a chamber enclosing the fluid, the walls being made of a heat-transferring material and having a thickness that allows heat to be transferred through the walls into the chamber; and
at least one actuator that is subject to Brownian motion of the molecules in the fluid, the actuator being contained in the chamber and immersed in the fluid, the actuator configured to transport a magnetic material that cooperates with a component external to the chamber to induce a magnetic flux change when the actuator is in motion; and
the actuator comprising;
a leading face having a first coefficient of restitution with the molecules of the fluid; and
a trailing face disposed at an angle of more than 180 degrees from the leading face, the leading face and the trailing face being subjected to collisions with the molecules, the trailing face having a second coefficient of restitution with the molecules of the fluid, the second coefficient of restitution being lower than the first coefficient of restitution.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for converting the kinetic energy of molecules into useful work includes an actuator configured to move within a fluid or gas due to collisions with the molecules of the fluid or gas. The actuator has dimensions that subject it to the Brownian motion of the surrounding molecules. The actuator utilizes objects having multiple surfaces where the different surfaces result in differing coefficients of restitution. The Brownian motion of surrounding molecules produce molecular impacts with the surfaces. Each surface then experiences relative differences in transferred energy from the kinetic collisions. The sum effect of the collisions produces net velocity in a desired direction. The controlled motion can be utilized in a variety of manners to perform work, such as generating electricity or transporting materials.
4 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A device for converting kinetic energy of molecules in a fluid into useful work, the device comprising:
-
a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) scale or smaller housing comprising walls that define a chamber enclosing the fluid, the walls being made of a heat-transferring material and having a thickness that allows heat to be transferred through the walls into the chamber; and at least one actuator that is subject to Brownian motion of the molecules in the fluid, the actuator being contained in the chamber and immersed in the fluid, the actuator configured to transport a magnetic material that cooperates with a component external to the chamber to induce a magnetic flux change when the actuator is in motion; and
the actuator comprising;a leading face having a first coefficient of restitution with the molecules of the fluid; and a trailing face disposed at an angle of more than 180 degrees from the leading face, the leading face and the trailing face being subjected to collisions with the molecules, the trailing face having a second coefficient of restitution with the molecules of the fluid, the second coefficient of restitution being lower than the first coefficient of restitution. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A device for converting kinetic energy of molecules in a fluid into useful work, the device comprising:
-
a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) scale or smaller housing comprising walls that define a chamber enclosing the fluid, the walls being made of a heat-transferring material and having a thickness that allows heat to be transferred through the walls into the chamber; at least one actuator that is subject to Brownian motion of the molecules in the fluid, the actuator being contained in the chamber and immersed in the fluid, the actuator configured to transport a magnetic material that cooperates with a component external to the chamber in induce a magnetic flux change when the actuator is in motion; and
the actuator comprising;an axle disposed at the center of the actuator; and a blade being attached to the axle at a proximal end of the blade and configured to rotate around the axle, the axle remaining stationary when the blade rotates, the blade comprising; a leading face having a first coefficient of restitution with the molecules of the fluid; and a trailing face disposed at an angle of more than 180 degrees from the leading face, the leading face and the trailing face being subjected to collisions with the molecules, the trailing face having a second coefficient of restitution with the molecules of the fluid, the second coefficient of restitution being lower than the first coefficient of restitution.
-
-
18. A device for converting kinetic energy of molecules in a fluid into useful work, the device comprising:
-
a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) scale or smaller housing comprising walls that define a chamber enclosing the fluid, the walls being made of a heat-transferring material and having a thickness that allows heat to be transferred through the walls into the chamber; a first magnetic material disposed externally to the chamber; and at least one actuator that is subject to Brownian motion of the molecules in the fluid, the actuator being contained in the chamber and immersed in the fluid, the actuator configured to transport a second magnetic material within the chamber into cooperation with the first magnetic material to induce a magnetic flux change when the actuator is in motion; and
the actuator comprising;a leading face having a first coefficient of restitution with the molecules of the fluid; and a trailing face disposed at an angle of more than 180 degrees from the leading face, the leading face and the trailing face being subjected to collisions with the molecules, the trailing face having a second coefficient of restitution with the molecules of the fluid, the second coefficient of restitution being lower than the first coefficient of restitution. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification