US 4,047,385 AGranted

Solar to electrical energy converting system

OwnerHeinz J. Brinjevecinventor

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

This energy system comprises a metal sphere equipped on the outside thereof with two centrally located arc-shaped and pivoted arms which meet on the top of the sphere and are joined by means of a spring loaded connection. Each of said arms consists of a bank of spaced convex lenses which focus the rays of the sun into intensely hot focal points on the surface of the sphere. Inside, the sphere are coils of pipe containing water which is converted to steam by means of a heating liquid in which these pipes are immersed, so that the heating liquid which is heated by the surface of the sphere, in turn heats the coiled pipe changing the contained water to steam. The steam is fed to an engine or turbine which in turn powers a dynamo which supplies electrical power. The heating fluid inside the sphere also circulates through a furnace which takes over the heating of the liquid during the absence of the sun's rays. Heat sensing devices spread the arms from the sphere when it becomes overheated beyond a predetermined temperature. In addition the system is provided with the usual control valves, thermostats, and a heat exchanger.

Claims3

Dependent claims

Apparatus and method for converting solar energy to electricity through the medium of heat comprising in combination a heating unit which collects the rays of the sun by means of convex lenses, which converge these rays into heat producing focal points which come in contact with a metal container, said container having a heating liquid whose boiling point is considerably higher than that of water, therein;

and a steam producing pipe coil immersed in said heating liquid;
means for breaking contact between said focal points and said container for the purpose of controlling the heat in said container;
a steam turbine which is powered by said steam producing coil;
a dynamo for producing electrical power which is operated by said steam turbine, a source of water which feeds said steam coil;
a heat exchanger which preheats the water entering said steam coil, said heat exchanger utilizing the spent steam from said turbine for preheating the water;
a furnace for heating said heating fluid to a steam producing temperature when the rays of the sun are not available;
a storage tank, which communicates with said heating container, which contains a supply of heating fluid for the purpose of replenshing said fluid as required;
and standard temperature and liquid flow controls for proper operation.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 05/725,251Filed 21 Sep 1976
Priority: CA 23641325 Sep 1975
Granted: 13 Sep 1977
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

F03G 6/067
Having a Rankine cycle: binary cycle plants where the fluid from the solar collector heats the working fluid via a heat exchanger
F24S 23/00
Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
Y02E 10/44
Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers: heat exchange systems
Y02E 10/46
Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers: conversion of thermal power into mechanical power, e.g. Rankine, Stirling or solar thermal engines