Patent US1816334A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3965683A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3965683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar electrical generating system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-05-09
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Granted: 1976-06-29
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Expires: 1994-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A lens is used to concentrate solar rays to heat an expansible fluid. Energy is extracted from the fluid to drive an electric current generator. The heated fluid may first pass through a heat sink to provide a more continuous flow of heated fluid to the current generating system. The lens itself may be biconvex and comprise two or more plates. If desired, the volume between the plates may be filled with a fluid, preferably having the same index of refraction as the material of the plates. Suitable apparatus may be provided to control the aximuth and bearing of the lens so that it is always situated as nearly as possible between the sun and the fluid container.
Inventors
- 👤 Sydney Dix
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:02
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S23/00; F03; F03G; F03G6/00; F03G6/06; F03G6/065; F03G6/071; F03G6/074; F24S23/30; F24S50/00; F24S50/20; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44; Y02E10/46; Y02E10/47
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
Apparatus for generating electrical current including means for capturing solar rays comprising a lens having a pair of plates having a volume enclosed therebetween, sealing means located about the periphery of said plates to seal the volume therebetween while permitting diametrical expansion and contraction of said plates as they are heated and cooled by the sun, while maintaining the focal length of said lens substantially constant, liquid means within said volume having substantially the same index of refraction as the material of said plates, and means for increasing and decreasing the amount of said liquid means in the volume between said plates, means for controlling the azimuth and bearing of said lens to generate maximum heat by the passage of solar rays relative therethrough regardless of the position of the sun relative thereto, heat exchanger means upon which the solar rays passing through said lens are directed for heating a fluid therein, means for passing a fluid through said heat exchanger means so as to heat the fluid therein, thereby creating an expansible fluid, means through which said fluid may be expanded to transfer energy, means for converting the energy to electrical energy, means for selectively storing at least a portion of the energy in said fluid during periods of less than maximum use thereof, and means for selectively storing at least a portion of the electrical energy generated during periods of less than maximum use thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
Apparatus for generating electrical current including means for capturing solar rays comprising a lens having a pair of plates having a volume enclosed therebetween, sealing means located about the periphery of said plates to seal the volume therebetween while permitting diametrical expansion and contraction of said plates as they are heated and cooled by the sun, while maintaining the focal length of said lens substantially constant, liquid means within said volume having substantially the same index of refraction as the material of said plates, and means for increasing and decreasing the amount of said liquid means in the volume between said plates, means for controlling the azimuth and bearing of said lens to generate maximum heat by the passage of solar rays relative therethrough regardless of the position of the sun relative thereto, heat exchanger means upon which the solar rays passing through said lens are directed for heating a fluid therein, means for passing a fluid through said heat exchanger means so as to heat the fluid therein, thereby creating an expansible fluid, means through which said fluid may be expanded to transfer energy, means for converting the energy to electrical energy, means for selectively storing at least a portion of the energy in said fluid during periods of less than maximum use thereof, and means for selectively storing at least a portion of the electrical energy generated during periods of less than maximum use thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said lens further includes means for controlling the chemical composition of said liquid means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said controlling means comprises means for passing an electrical current through said liquid means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid energy storage means comprises an eutectic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said passing means includes means for pressurizing the fluid to be passed through said heat exchanger.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus for generating electrical current including means for capturing solar rays comprising a lens having a pair of plates having a volume enclosed therebetween, means for substantially sealing said volume while allowing for expansion and contraction of said plates as they are heated and cooled by the sun, liquid means within said volume, and means for passing an electrical current through said liquid means to control the chemical composition of said liquid means, means for heating a fluid by means of the solar rays passing through said lens, and means for extracting energy from the fluid thus heated and for converting the energy into electrical current.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus for generating electrical current including means for capturing solar rays comprising a lens having a pair of plates having a volume enclosed therebetween, means for substantially sealing said volume while allowing for expansion and contraction of said plates as they are heated and cooled by the sun, liquid means within said volume, and means for passing an electrical current through said liquid means to control the chemical composition of said liquid means, means for heating a fluid by means of the solar rays passing through said lens, and means for extracting energy from the fluid thus heated and for converting the energy into electrical current.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 6 including means for increasing and decreasing the amount of said liquid means within said volume as said plates expand and contract, and wherein said liquid means has an index of refraction substantially equal to that of said plates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 6 including means for maintaining said lens oriented toward the sun as the sun moves relative to the lens location.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
99 words
Apparatus for generating usable energy from solar energy comprising a lens including a pair of plates of substantially equal circular peripheries, defining a volume therebetween, a liquid in said volume, means extending about the peripheries of said plates for retaining the peripheral edges thereof in a substantially constant relationship, for maintaining has been deleted and in its place the focal length of said lens in substantially constant relationship in spite of diametric thermal expansion, and for preventing said liquid from escaping from said volume, and means for heating a fluid by means of solar energy passing through said lens.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
99 words
Apparatus for generating usable energy from solar energy comprising a lens including a pair of plates of substantially equal circular peripheries, defining a volume therebetween, a liquid in said volume, means extending about the peripheries of said plates for retaining the peripheral edges thereof in a substantially constant relationship, for maintaining has been deleted and in its place the focal length of said lens in substantially constant relationship in spite of diametric thermal expansion, and for preventing said liquid from escaping from said volume, and means for heating a fluid by means of solar energy passing through said lens.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said liquid has an index of refraction substantially equal to that of at least one of said plates.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 9 including means for increasing and decreasing the amount of said liquid in said volume as said plates expand and contract.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 9 including means for passing an electrical current through said liquid to control the chemical composition thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 9 including means for constantly orienting said lens toward the sun during those hours that the sun can provide solar energy thereto.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 9 including means for storing the heat energy in said fluid and for releasing the stored heat energy at a later time.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-29 | 1979-12-29 | 1980-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-29 | 1983-12-29 | 1984-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-29 | 1987-12-29 | 1988-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |