http://www.brewershilllifestyle.com/beer-thermostat/
Has anyone built power generators built out of materials with dissimilar coefficients of thermal expansion?
You know, they have various mechanisms that will turn ocean waves into power…I wonder if someone could build a mechanism that changes shape with temperature and does work? Maybe build a spring that gets heated by a parabolic mirror and does high-force, short travel work…or maybe like the spring in a thermostat. You could have hundreds of springs all tied to the same shaft with one-way bearings, and timed like cylinders in an engine so some will always be driving. The cycle is controlled by pointing the mirrors…whole system could be mechanical, until at the end is a gearbox and the generator, and a fridge full of cold beer.
Lots of things are possible.
But, what is often missed in popular articles about technology is that machinery does not come for free. If you are going to commercialize a technology, you have to take account of how much capital investment is required in order to get a certain desired output. I suspect that the kind of thing you are talking about would fail on these grounds – not because it is impossible technically, but because it is impossible economically.
Home Brewing Tools : Home-Brewing Thermostats
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Johnson Controls A19AAT-2C Freezer Temperature Controller $48.50 Use this handy controller to regulate the temperature in your freezer between 20 – 80F . Great for turning a chest freezer into a keg refrigerator. Strictly a mechanical thermostat for cooling only, it is simple to use and economical. It operates with a gas filled probe on a 6-foot capillary tube. When the gas contracts or expands in the probe, it triggers a mechanical device inside the control wh… |
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Haier HUM013EA 1-2/7-Cubic-Foot Compact Space-Saver Upright Freezer $185.80 This compact freezer offers 1.3 cubic feet of capacity and holds about fourty-six pounds of frozen food. With small spaces in mind, it comes in a compact size and has a reversible door making it fit just about anywhere. It is perfect for a dormatory room, office or apartment. It features an adjustable thermostat control and a full width coated wire shelf that can slide out to create more space…. |
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Great Northern Stainless Steel Kegerator Beer Dispenser Refrigerator $499.99 7975 Frosty Keg Features: -Beer dispenser.-Designed to keep beer fresh up to 3 months.-Premium dual gauge system, two gauges tells you the PSI in the line and how much CO2 is left in the cylinder.-Large capacity CO2 bottle designed to supply up to 4 large kegs.-Sleek and stylish stainless steel design.-Our innovative design matches nearly any decor and it comes equipped with a chrome guardrail an… |
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Johnson Controls Digital Thermostat Control Unit $68.00 Convert any freezer into a kegerator! Just plug the freezer into the outlet cord, place the gas-filled sensor in the area to be controlled and program the temperature. This manual thermostat simply turns off the freezer when it reaches the specified temperature. Other features include a lockable touchpad temperature adjustment, a 6-foot power cord and a 6-foot outlet cord…. |
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MARSHALLTOWN The Premier Line 742G Bucket Water Heater $35.00 Designed to heat water as opposed to de ice water. The heater, while immersed in water, will heat continuously past 150 F. and towards boiling, depending on the volume of water and the container’s insulation. Stainless steel guard, and automatic shut 0ff. 1000W, 120V…. |
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Koolatron P75 36-Quart Kool Kaddy Electric Cooler/Warmer, Light Grey $110.00 Ideal for long trips, big families and tailgate parties, the Koolatron™ Auto Kaddy uses thermoelectric cooling power from your vehicle’s 12-volt outlet to keep your food and drinks cold — no ice required. A long-life brushless motor and internal air circulation allows for even temperature distribution. The kaddy can be used vertically or horizontally and includes an internal shelf/divider…. |