US4189922A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Converting solar energy into electric power
Assignee: SnamProgetti SpA
•
Filing: 1978-03-08
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Granted: 1980-02-26
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Expires: 1998-03-08
Abstract
Abstract A method for converting solar energy into electric power is disclosed, in which air, preheated and precompressed is additionally heated in a solar heater and sent to work in a turbine unit connected to an electric power generator.
Inventors
- 👤 Oreste Bellofatto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:56
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02C; F02C1/00; F02C1/04; F02C1/05; F03; F03G; F03G6/00; F03G6/06; F03G6/064; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for the production of electric power by exploiting solar energy and using an expansion turbine unit, comprising the steps of compressing ambient air up to a pressure of at least from 6 to 30 bars, preheating the ambient air with the heat of the air emerging from the expansion turbine unit, further heating the preheated and compressed air in a solar heater to a temperature of at least from 500° C. to 900° C., causing the heated and compressed air to flow first through a combustion system actuated at the start of the method, then through a heat accumulator and through an auxiliary burner actuated when the solar energy is inadequate, allowing the heated and compressed air to be expanded in the turbine unit to which the electric power generator is connected, and recycling the air after the expansion in the turbine unit for at least preheating the ambient air.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for the production of electric power by exploiting solar energy and using an expansion turbine unit, comprising the steps of compressing ambient air up to a pressure of at least from 6 to 30 bars, preheating the ambient air with the heat of the air emerging from the expansion turbine unit, further heating the preheated and compressed air in a solar heater to a temperature of at least from 500° C. to 900° C., causing the heated and compressed air to flow first through a combustion system actuated at the start of the method, then through a heat accumulator and through an auxiliary burner actuated when the solar energy is inadequate, allowing the heated and compressed air to be expanded in the turbine unit to which the electric power generator is connected, and recycling the air after the expansion in the turbine unit for at least preheating the ambient air.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method for the production of electric power according to claim 1, wherein the recycled hot air also is used to heat a fluid in a closed loop.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method for the production of electric power according to claim 1, wherein the recycled hot air also is used to heat water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method for the production of electric power according to claim 1, wherein the recycled hot air also is used to produce steam.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US784005A
Cited
FR1122344A
Cited
US3152442A
Cited
US3203167A
Cited
US3699681A
Cited
US3654759A
Cited
CA1004594A
Cited
US4091622A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-02-25 | 1983-08-27 | 1984-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-02-25 | 1987-08-27 | 1988-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-02-25 | 1991-08-27 | 1992-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |