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US 12,352,249 B1Granted
Hybrid thermodynamic cycle with isothermal heat addition via concentrated solar power array
OwnerJon McWhirterinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system includes a compressor, a concentrated solar panel (CSP) array, a turbine, and a recuperator. The turbine has a turbine casing assembly including at least a first casing and a second casing at least partially disposed around the first casing. At least one of the first casing or the second casing is at least partially transparent to solar energy concentrated from the CSP array to isothermally heat a working fluid as the working fluid passes through the turbine.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- compressing, in a compressor, a working fluid;
- heating, in a recuperator, the working fluid;
- expanding, in a turbine, the working fluid to generate work, wherein a first casing and a second casing are disposed around the turbine, the first casing and the second casing being at least partially transparent to solar energy concentrated from a solar panel array;
- isothermally heating, at least partially simultaneously with expanding the working fluid to generate work, the working fluid via the solar energy concentrated from the solar panel array;
- and
- one of:
- cooling, in a condenser or a heat exchanger, the working fluid, or
- exhausting the working fluid.
5 more elements
A system comprising:
- a compressor;
- a concentrated solar panel (CSP) array;
- a turbine having a turbine casing assembly including at least a first casing and a second casing at least partially disposed around the first casing, wherein the first casing is at least partially transparent to solar energy concentrated from the CSP array such that the solar energy is configured to isothermally heat a working fluid as the working fluid passes through the turbine;
- and
- a recuperator configured to heat the working fluid exiting the compressor with the working fluid exiting the turbine.
2 more elements
A system comprising:
- a compressor;
- a turbine including a first casing and a second casing disposed within the first casing, the second casing being at least partially transparent to solar energy, wherein the solar energy is configured to isothermally heat a working fluid passing through the turbine while the working fluid is expanded in the turbine to generate work;
- and
- a recuperator configured to heat the working fluid exiting the compressor with the working fluid exiting the turbine.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.