Solar energy collector and power generation system
OwnerSteven Robert Prippsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure solves the problem of solar energy capture and storage for solar power generating devices. This power system does not rely on batteries to accomplish energy generation during nighttime operating hours or during cloudy days. Solar energy is collected in a chamber equipped with opposing parabolic mirrors and a gaseous medium. The solar energy collector traps the majority of incoming sunlight and, through the processes of thermal radiation, heat conduction, and heat convection, converts said sunlight into useable heat energy. The heated gaseous medium is pumped to a Stirling engine for the purpose of conversion to mechanical power.
Claims15
A solar energy collector and power generation system comprising:
- a. a solar energy collector to capture sunlight in a pair of opposing parabolic mirrors,
- b. a working gas to carry heat energy provided by said sunlight,
- c. a storage tank to store said working gas,
- d. a duct to provide a means of communication between said solar energy collector and said storage tank,
- e. a Stirling engine to convert the heat energy of said working gas into mechanical work,
- f. a power generating device coupled to said Stirling engine,
- g. a system of valves and gas lines to direct hot working gas from said storage tank to said Stirling engine,
- h. a system of valves and gas lines to direct cold working gas from said Stirling engine back to said storage tank,
- i. a pump to propel said working gas through said power generation system,
- j. a 2-axis mount for said solar energy collector, whereby said solar energy collector and power generation system captures and stores solar energy, then converts said solar energy into mechanical and electrical power,
- wherein the solar energy collector further includes:
- i. a chamber,
- ii. a transparent pane located at a sun facing end of said chamber,
- iii. a large parabolic mirror located at an opposing end of said chamber,
- iv. a small parabolic mirror sited in the interior of said chamber,
- v. said large and small parabolic mirrors situated so that they both reflect captured sunlight into the center point of each,
- vi. said chamber constructed of materials capable of supporting said transparent pane, said large parabolic mirror, and said small parabolic mirror,
- vii. said chamber filled with the working gas,
- whereby said solar energy collector traps the majority of incoming sunlight and, through the processes of thermal radiation, heat conduction, and heat convection, converts said sunlight into useable heat energy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.