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["WILLIAM JONES" <billj AT harborside.com>]

Wow, so many similarities.
Let's ignore for a moment the overhead input of energy required to vaporize 
methylene chloride, as if the Minto's heat source were always around the 
perfect temperature.  Then it becomes simply a question of how much energy it 
takes to heat the resulting gas to the temperature needed to overcome the 
difference in height between the lower and upper chambers, and push a given 
volume of liquid upward.  In the Jones wheel, air has to be heated to 
whatever temperature it takes to overcome the difference in _depth_ between 
the upper and lower chambers, and push a given volume of gas _downward_ into 
the float!
The same problems could arise if you try to use the sun as the heat source 
for either.  The timing of the maximum transferred gas/liquid volume must be 
such that the lower/upper chamber is on the correct side of vertical.  
Otherwise, opposing torques and even failure (which means melted bottles, in 
my case, if the Jones wheel stands still) could result.  The difference in 
angle between the early or late, and the midday, sun makes this a potential 
problem.  In the Jones wheel, low-angled rays just hit a bottle earlier in 
its rotation, making no more than a simple mirror necessary, in all 
likelihood.
When we expand the unit, I think we'll use some more sustainable choice of 
paint, like charcoal mixed with laundry starch.  It turns out my partner is 
allergic to many paints.  This is also consistent with the one $/watt goal.  
Yes, that's a ONE!
Ex Occidente Lux!!!!!!!!!!
It's really worthwhile to check out the Wikipedia article with an animation 
of the Minto.