US4044753A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar energy collection system
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1976-04-28
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Granted: 1977-08-30
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Expires: 1996-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A solar energy collection system including a plurality of energy receivers supported in suspension by an array of radially extending booms above a field of heliostats which serves to reflect a plurality of beams of solar energy toward said receivers. Each of said receivers is characterized by a curved target surface substantially totally illuminated by the reflected beam. A network of interconnected conduits for conducting a working fluid along a tortuous path in juxtaposition with the target surface of each receiver, whereby the working fluid is heated for converting radiant energy to heat, and a network of conduits for collecting and conducting heated working fluid away from the receivers.
Inventors
- 👤 with respect to an invention of Fletcher James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- 👤 M. Kudret Selcuk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:51
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S23/00; F24S23/70; F24S23/77; F24S20/00; F24S20/20; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
An energy collection system particularly suited for use in collecting energy from a solar source including: A. at least one heliostat having a reflecting surface for reflecting an incident beam of radiant solar energy; and B. an energy receiver for absorbing heat from an incident beam of radiant solar energy reflected by said surface including means for converting solar energy to heat, comprising a plurality of concentrically related annular conduits and a plurality of substantially linear conduits interconnecting said annular conduits forming a network of a substantially aspherical configuration for conducting a working fluid in its liquid phase along a tortuous path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
An energy collection system particularly suited for use in collecting energy from a solar source including: A. at least one heliostat having a reflecting surface for reflecting an incident beam of radiant solar energy; and B. an energy receiver for absorbing heat from an incident beam of radiant solar energy reflected by said surface including means for converting solar energy to heat, comprising a plurality of concentrically related annular conduits and a plurality of substantially linear conduits interconnecting said annular conduits forming a network of a substantially aspherical configuration for conducting a working fluid in its liquid phase along a tortuous path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The receiver of claim 1 wherein said heliostat comprises one of a plurality of heliostats, said plurality of heliostats including reflecting surfaces collectively establishing a surface for reflecting a converging beam, and said receiver is configured to accept a converging beam of concentrated solar energy at a wide range of angles of incidence.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
130 words
An energy collection system particularly suited for use in collecting energy from a solar source including: A. a triangular array of contiguous heliostat fields, each field comprising a plurality of contiguously related heliostats of a hexagonal configuration collectively forming a surface for reflecting a conical beam of solar energy; B. a triangular array of mutually spaced energy receivers, each receiver being supported in suspension above a heliostat field of the triangular array of heliostat fields for receiving a conical beam of energy reflected by one of the array of fields; and C. means disposed within each of said receivers for converting radiant energy to heat comprising a network of tubular conduits for conducting a working fluid along a tortuous path for absorbing heat from a conical beam of reflected energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
130 words
An energy collection system particularly suited for use in collecting energy from a solar source including: A. a triangular array of contiguous heliostat fields, each field comprising a plurality of contiguously related heliostats of a hexagonal configuration collectively forming a surface for reflecting a conical beam of solar energy; B. a triangular array of mutually spaced energy receivers, each receiver being supported in suspension above a heliostat field of the triangular array of heliostat fields for receiving a conical beam of energy reflected by one of the array of fields; and C. means disposed within each of said receivers for converting radiant energy to heat comprising a network of tubular conduits for conducting a working fluid along a tortuous path for absorbing heat from a conical beam of reflected energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 3 further comprising means including a collection header commonly connected to the tubular conduits of the energy receivers for collecting heated working fluid, and means connected to said network of tubular conduits for delivering a working fluid thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 3 further comprising a radiating array of inclined booms, each having a base end and a distal end, means commonly connected to the base ends of the booms for supporting the booms in anchored relation with said system, and means for singularly connecting the receivers of said array of receivers in suspension from the distal ends of the booms of said array of booms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
153 words
A solar energy receiver for converting radiant solar energy to heat including: A. a cover shell of a downwardly opening concave configuration; B. an energy conversion unit suspended beneath said shell comprising a plurality of concentrically related conduits of substantially annular configurations, and a plurality of radially extended conduits interconnecting said concentrically related conduits for conducting a working fluid in its liquid phase along a tortuous path for absorbing heat from an incident beam of radiant solar energy; C. a delivery tube connected with said energy conversion unit for delivering a working fluid thereto; D. a header chamber concentrically related to said plurality of concentrically related conduits for converting the working fluid to a vapor as heat is absorbed from said beam; and E. means including a vapor conduit connected to said header chamber extended away from said receiver for conducting said working fluid in its vapor state away from the header chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
153 words
A solar energy receiver for converting radiant solar energy to heat including: A. a cover shell of a downwardly opening concave configuration; B. an energy conversion unit suspended beneath said shell comprising a plurality of concentrically related conduits of substantially annular configurations, and a plurality of radially extended conduits interconnecting said concentrically related conduits for conducting a working fluid in its liquid phase along a tortuous path for absorbing heat from an incident beam of radiant solar energy; C. a delivery tube connected with said energy conversion unit for delivering a working fluid thereto; D. a header chamber concentrically related to said plurality of concentrically related conduits for converting the working fluid to a vapor as heat is absorbed from said beam; and E. means including a vapor conduit connected to said header chamber extended away from said receiver for conducting said working fluid in its vapor state away from the header chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The receiver of claim 6 wherein the surface of the conduits defines a target surface substantially simultaneously illuminated by said incident beam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The receiver of claim 7 wherein said target surface is of a substantially oblated hemispherical configuration.
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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) | 1980-08-29 | 1981-02-28 | 1981-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-29 | 1985-02-28 | 1985-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-29 | 1989-02-28 | 1989-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |