FIELD: power engineering. SUBSTANCE: rotor and stator are mounted in relatively eccentric position, their axes 0 and 01 are parallel, coolant, such as liquid, in bottom region of space has lower heating temperature T1 than that of other coolant, such as gas, T2, in top region of space. Bottom part of rotor is immersed in bottom region of space, cooled down to I1, and in the action length of heating elements is reduced to L1 and heating elements in top region of space are heated by gas to higher temperature T2 due to which they have greater length L2. Rollers of thermal elements having smaller length L1 do not come in contact with annular surface of stator and those of thermal elements having greater length L2 act on it with force F whose vector crosses stator axis 01 and has arm R relative to rotor axis 0 thereby building up torque which sets rotor in motion; thermal elements pass in succession through bottom and top regions of space at heating temperatures T1and T2 causing reversible change in their length between L1-L2 and providing for constant running of rotor. Converter is available in two options of rotary heat engines having above-mentioned components. Thermal elements of engine shown on Fig. 2 are bimetal strips whose rollers rest on inner and outer annular surfaces of stator. Thermal elements of engine illustrated on Fig. 3 are bimetal springs whose active and passive layers face one of spring ends, respectively. EFFECT: improved design. 4 cl, 4 dwg
