Energy conversion system

An efficient energy conversion system comprising:

• A Brayton cycle engine having a compressor section and a turbine section;
• a first sensible heat storage unit having an inlet connected to the outlet of said compressor section;
• means for connecting the outlet of said first sensible heat storage unit to the inlet of said turbine section;
• and
• a second sensible heat storage unit coupled to the outlet of said turbine section to recapture waste heat therefrom.

Apparatus for the conversion of solar energy into mechanical energy comprising:

• a receiver loop adapted to be used with solar radiation focused to a predetermined location, said receiver loop including a solar energy receiver at said predetermined location adapted to transfer energy from said focused solar radiation to a gas stream;
• sensible heat storage means that provides a substantially constant exhaust gas temperature during operation;
• a power loop including a Brayton cycle engine;
• and
• means for connecting said sensible heat storage means into said receiver loop such that energy from gas heated by focused solar radiation is stored therein, and for connecting said sensible heat storage means at the input to said Brayton cycle engine during a discharge cycle so as to transfer stored energy to power said Brayton cycle engine, whereby the power loop of which the Brayton cycle engine is a part is isolated from the solar energy receiving loop by virtue of said sensible heat storage means.

Apparatus for the conversion of solar energy into mechanical energy comprising:

• an open-ended solar energy receiver adapted to transfer energy from focused solar radiation to a gas stream;
• sensible heat storage means that provides a substantially constant exhaust gas temperature during operation;
• a Brayton cycle engine;
• and
• means for connecting said sensible heat storage means to said receiver such that energy transferred to the gas heated by the receiver is stored therein, and for connecting said sensible heat storage means at the input to said Brayton cycle engine during a discharge cycle so as to transfer stored energy to power said Brayton cycle engine, whereby the Brayton cycle engine is isolated from the solar energy receiver by virtue of said sensible heat storage means to permit use of an open-ended receiver.

Apparatus for the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy comprising:

• a receiver loop including means for focusing solar radiation to a predetermined location, a gas stream, and means including a solar energy receiver at said predetermined location for transferring energy from said focused solar radiation to said gas stream;
• sensible heat storage means that provides a substantially constant exhaust gas temperature during operation;
• a power loop including a Brayton cycle engine and means coupled to said Brayton cycle engine for generating electric power;
• and
• means for connecting said sensible heat storage means into said receiver loop such that energy from gas heated by focused solar radiation is stored therein, and for connecting said sensible heat storage means at the input to said Brayton cycle engine during a discharge cycle so as to transfer stored energy to power said Brayton cycle engine, whereby the power loop of which the Brayton cycle engine is isolated from the solar energy receiving loop by virtue of said sensible heat storage means.