Solar powered turbine system

Claim 2

A turbine system comprising a turbine and a compressor mounted on a common rotatable shaft; means for transferring solar radiant heat energy to a working fluid substantially at atmospheric pressure; means for coupling the heated working fluid to said turbine for expansion to a subatmospheric pressure; and means for coupling the expanded working fluid to said compressor for recompression substantially to atmospheric pressure and for resupply to said transfer means for reheating.

Claim 3

A turbine system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said working fluid comprises air.

Claim 4

A turbine system as set forth in claim 1 including a load coupled to said shaft for rotatable driving thereby.

Claim 5

A turbine system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transfer means comprises absorber means for receiving solar radiation, and for transferring heat energy therein to said working fluid; and solar radiation collection and concentration means for concentrating solar radiation and supplying the concentrated radiation to said absorber means.

Claim 6

A turbine system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said absorber means comprises a housing having a radiation entrance opening, and said collection and concentration means comprises a generally dish-shaped reflector for reflecting and focusing solar radiation for passage through said radiation entrance opening.

Claim 7

A turbine system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for coupling the heated working fluid to said turbine comprises a conduit coupled between said transfer means and said turbine for supplying the fluid for rotatably driving said turbine.

Claim 8

A turbine system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for coupling the expanded working fluid to said compressor comprises a conduit coupled between said turbine and compressor for supplying the fluid for rotatably driving said compressor.

Claim 9

A turbine system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for coupling the expanded working fluid to said compressor and then to said transfer means comprises first conduit means coupled between said turbine and compressor, and second conduit means coupled between said compressor and transfer means, and further including a recuperator having a pair of flow paths respectively coupled along said first and second conduit means for effecting cooling of the working fluid in said first conduit means and heating of the working fluid in said second conduit means.

Claim 10

A turbine system as set forth in claim 8 further including a heat sink coupled along said first conduit means between said recuperator and compressor for further cooling the working fluid.

Claim 11

A turbine system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transfer means includes a solar absorber comprising a hollow housing having a rdiation entrance opening for receiving radiation and for directly communicating the housing interior with ambient atmosphere to maintain the housing interior at atmospheric pressure; means for supplying working fluid into the housing interior; a plurality of heat transfer members in the housing interior for absorbing radiant heat energy and for transferring the absorbed heat energy to the working fluid; and means for passing the heated working fluid out of said housing.

Claim 12

A turbine system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said heat transfer members are formed to have relatively reflective surfaces, and are mounted within the housing generally parallel to each other.

Claim 13

A turbine system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said heat transfer members are freely suspended within said housing.

Claim 14

A turbine system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said heat transfer members are formed from a relatively porous ceramic material.

Claim 15

A turbine system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for supplying working fluid into the housing interior comprises an opening formed in the housing generally opposite the radiation entrance opening, and said means for passing the heated working fluid out of said housing comprises a plurality of openings formed in the housing and positioned such that working fluid passing through said plurality of openings first passes in heat exchange relation with said heat transfer members.

Claim 16

A turbine system comprising a turbine and a compressor mounted on a common rotatable shaft; means for absorbing solar radiant heat energy and for transferring the absorbed heat energy to a working fluid substantially at atmospheric pressure; means for coupling the heated working fluid to said turbine for expansion therethrough to a subatmospheric pressure; means for coupling the expanded working fluid to said compressor for recompression substantially to atmospheric pressure; and means for coupling the recompressed working fluid to said absorber means for reheating.

Claim 17

A turbine system comprising a turbine and a compressor mounted on a common rotatable shaft; means for absorbing solar radiant heat energy and for transferring the absorbed heat energy to a working fluid substantially at atmospheric pressure; means for coupling the heated working fluid to said turbine for expansion therethrough to a subatmospheric pressure; means for coupling the expanded working fluid to said compressor for recompression substantially to atmospheric pressure; and means for coupling the recompressed working fluid to said absorber means for reheating.

Claim 18

A turbine system as set forth in claim 15 including heat exchanger means for passing working fluid flowing from said turbine to said compressor in heat exchange relation with working fluid flowing from said compressor to said absorber means.

Claim 19

A turbine system as set forth in claim 16 further including a heat sink coupled between said heat exchanger means and compressor.

Claim 20

A solar absorber comprising a hollow housing having a solar radiation entrance opening; a plurality of parallel heat transfer members freely suspended within said housing and each having a relatively reflective surface for reflecting and absorbing radiation heat energy; said members being arranged to define and surround a central cavity communicating with the entrance opening; a supply opening formed in said housing generally opposite the radiation entrance opening and communicating with the central cavity for introduction of a working fluid into the housing interior; and a plurality of outlet openings formed in said housing such that working fluid flowing between said supply opening and outlet openings passes first in heat exchange relation with said heat transfer members.

Claim 21

A solar absorber comprising a hollow housing having a solar radiation entrance opening; a plurality of parallel heat transfer members freely suspended within said housing and each having a relatively reflective surface for reflecting and absorbing radiation heat energy; said members being arranged to define and surround a central cavity communicating with the entrance opening; a supply opening formed in said housing generally opposite the radiation entrance opening and communicating with the central cavity for introduction of a working fluid into the housing interior; and a plurality of outlet openings formed in said housing such that working fluid flowing between said supply opening and outlet openings passes first in heat exchange relation with said heat transfer members.

Claim 24

The method of claim 19 including freely suspending the heat transfer members within the housing.

Claim 25

The method of claim 19 including forming the heat transfer member from a relatively porous ceramic material.

Claim 26

The method of claim 19 wherein said circulating step comprises supplying working fluid to the housing via a fluid supply opening formed in the housing generally opposite the radiation entrance opening; and passing the fluid from the housing via a plurality of fluid outlet openings formed in the housing such that fluid movement between the supply opening and outlet openings guides the fluid into heat exchange relation with the heat transfer members.

Claim 27

A turbine system comprising a turbine and a compressor mounted on a common rotatable shaft; means for transferring solar radiant heat energy to a working fluid substantially at atmospheric pressure including a solar absorber comprising a hollow housing having a radiation entrance opening for receiving radiation; means for supplying working fluid into the housing interior comprising an opening formed in the housing generally opposite the radiation entrance opening; a plurality of heat transfer members in the housing interior for absorbing radiant heat energy and for transferring the absorbed heat energy to the working fluid; and means for passing the heated working fluid out of said housing comprising a plurality of openings formed in the housing and positioned such that working fluid passing through said plurality of openings first passes in heat exchange relation with said heat transfer members; means for coupling the heated working fluid to said turbine for expansion to a subatmospheric pressure; and means for coupling the expanded working fluid to said compressor for recompression substantially to atmospheric pressure and for resupply to said transfer means for reheating, said heat transfer members arranged within said housing to define and surround a central cavity communicating between the radiation entrance opening and the working fluid supply opening.

Claim 28

A turbine system comprising a turbine and a compressor mounted on a common rotatable shaft; means for transferring solar radiant heat energy to a working fluid substantially at atmospheric pressure including a solar absorber comprising a hollow housing having a radiation entrance opening for receiving radiation; means for supplying working fluid into the housing interior comprising an opening formed in the housing generally opposite the radiation entrance opening; a plurality of heat transfer members in the housing interior for absorbing radiant heat energy and for transferring the absorbed heat energy to the working fluid; and means for passing the heated working fluid out of said housing comprising a plurality of openings formed in the housing and positioned such that working fluid passing through said plurality of openings first passes in heat exchange relation with said heat transfer members; means for coupling the heated working fluid to said turbine for expansion to a subatmospheric pressure; and means for coupling the expanded working fluid to said compressor for recompression substantially to atmospheric pressure and for resupply to said transfer means for reheating, said heat transfer members arranged within said housing to define and surround a central cavity communicating between the radiation entrance opening and the working fluid supply opening.

Claim 29

A turbine system as set forth in claim 15 including reflector means for receiving solar radiation, and for concentrating and reflecting the radiation to said absorber means.

Claim 30

A turbine system as set forth in claim 15 wherein said absorber means comprises a hollow housing having a radiation entrance opening for receiving radiation; means for supplying working fluid into the housing interior; a plurality of heat transfer members in the housing interior for absorbing radiant heat energy and for transferring the absorbed heat energy to the working fluid; and means for passing the heated working fluid out of said housing.

Claim 31

A turbine system as set forth in claim 25 wherein said heat transfer members are formed to have relatively reflective surfaces, and are freely suspended within said housing generally parallel to each other.

Claim 32

A turbine system as set forth in claim 25 wherein said means for supplying working fluid into the housing interior comprises an opening formed in the housing opposite the radiation entrance opening, and said means for passing the heated working fluid out of said housing comprises a plurality of openings formed in the housing and positioned such that working fluid passing through said plurality of openings first passes in heat exchange relation with said heat transfer members.

Claim 33

A turbine system comprising a turbine and a compressor mounted on a common rotatable shaft; means for absorbing solar radiant heat energy and for transferring the absorbed heat energy to a working fluid substantially at atmospheric pressure, comprising a hollow housing having a radiation entrance opening for receiving radiation; means for supplying working fluid into the housing interior comprising an opening formed in the housing opposite the radiation entrance opening; a plurality of heat transfer members in the housing interior for absorbing radition heat energy and for transferring the absorbed heat energy to the working fluid; and means for passing the heated working fluid out of said housing comprising a plurality of openings formed in the housing and positioned such that working fluid passing through said plurality of openings first passes in heat exchange relation with said heat transfer members; means for coupling the heated working fluid to said turbine for expansion therethrough to a subatmospheric pressure; means for coupling the expanded working fluid to said compressor for recompression substantially to atmospheric pressure; and means for coupling the recompressed working fluid to said absorber means for heating, said heat transfer members arranged within said housing to define and surround a central cavity communicating between the radiation entrance opening and the working fluid supply opening.

Claim 34

A turbine system comprising a turbine and a compressor mounted on a common rotatable shaft; means for absorbing solar radiant heat energy and for transferring the absorbed heat energy to a working fluid substantially at atmospheric pressure, comprising a hollow housing having a radiation entrance opening for receiving radiation; means for supplying working fluid into the housing interior comprising an opening formed in the housing opposite the radiation entrance opening; a plurality of heat transfer members in the housing interior for absorbing radition heat energy and for transferring the absorbed heat energy to the working fluid; and means for passing the heated working fluid out of said housing comprising a plurality of openings formed in the housing and positioned such that working fluid passing through said plurality of openings first passes in heat exchange relation with said heat transfer members; means for coupling the heated working fluid to said turbine for expansion therethrough to a subatmospheric pressure; means for coupling the expanded working fluid to said compressor for recompression substantially to atmospheric pressure; and means for coupling the recompressed working fluid to said absorber means for heating, said heat transfer members arranged within said housing to define and surround a central cavity communicating between the radiation entrance opening and the working fluid supply opening.

Claim 35

A turbine system comprising a turbine and a compressor mounted on a common rotatable shaft; an absorber for absorbing solar radiation heat energy and for transferring the same to a working fluid substantially at atmospheric pressure; means for coupling the heated working fluid for expansion through said turbine to a subatmospheric pressure; means for coupling the expanded working fluid to said compressor for recompression substantially to atmospheric pressure; means for coupling the recompressed working fluid to said absorber for reheating; a recuperator for passing the expanded working fluid and the recompressed working fluid in heat exchange relation with each other to cool the former and to heat the latter; and a heat sink coupled between said recuperator and compressor for further cooling the expanded working fluid.

Claim 36

A turbine system comprising a turbine and a compressor mounted on a common rotatable shaft; an absorber for absorbing solar radiation heat energy and for transferring the same to a working fluid substantially at atmospheric pressure; means for coupling the heated working fluid for expansion through said turbine to a subatmospheric pressure; means for coupling the expanded working fluid to said compressor for recompression substantially to atmospheric pressure; means for coupling the recompressed working fluid to said absorber for reheating; a recuperator for passing the expanded working fluid and the recompressed working fluid in heat exchange relation with each other to cool the former and to heat the latter; and a heat sink coupled between said recuperator and compressor for further cooling the expanded working fluid.

Claim 37

A turbine system as set forth in claim 29 wherein said absorber comprises a hollow housing having a radiation entrance opening for receiving radiation; means for supplying working fluid into the housing interior; a plurality of heat transfer members in the housing interior for absorbing radiant heat energy and for transferring the absorbed heat energy to the working fluid; and means for passing the heated working fluid out of said housing.

Claim 38

A solar absorber comprising a hollow housing having a solar radiation entrance opening; a plurality of parallel heat transfer members within said housing and each having a relatively reflective surface for reflecting and absorbing radiation heat energy; and means for circulating a working fluid through said housing in heat exchange relation with said heat transfer members, said circulating means including a fluid supply opening formed in said housing generally opposite the radiation entrance opening; and a plurality of fluid outlet openings formed in said housing such that passage of the fluid through said housing causes said fluid to move in heat exchange relation with said heat transfer members, said heat transfer members being arranged to form and surround a central cavity communicating between the fluid supply opening and the radiation entrance opening.

Claim 39

A solar absorber comprising a hollow housing having a solar radiation entrance opening; a plurality of parallel heat transfer members within said housing and each having a relatively reflective surface for reflecting and absorbing radiation heat energy; and means for circulating a working fluid through said housing in heat exchange relation with said heat transfer members, said circulating means including a fluid supply opening formed in said housing generally opposite the radiation entrance opening; and a plurality of fluid outlet openings formed in said housing such that passage of the fluid through said housing causes said fluid to move in heat exchange relation with said heat transfer members, said heat transfer members being arranged to form and surround a central cavity communicating between the fluid supply opening and the radiation entrance opening.

Claim 42

The method of claim 32 including providing air as the working fluid.

Claim 43

The method of claim 32 including coupling a rotatably driven load to said shaft whereby said load is rotatably driven upon rotation of the turbine.

Claim 44

The method of claim 32 including transferring radiant heat energy to the working fluid within an absorber having heat transfer members for absorbing the heat energy and for transferring the same to the working fluid; and collecting and concentrating with reflector means solar radiation for supply to the absorber.

Claim 45

The method of claim 32 including transferring radiant heat energy to the working fluid within an absorber having a relatively small radiation entrance opening; and concentrating and reflecting solar radiation for passage through the opening with a generally dish-shaped reflector.

Claim 46

The method of claim 32 including passing the expanded working fluid and the recompressed working fluid in heat exchange relation with each other to cool the former and to heat the latter.

Claim 47

The method of claim 37 including further cooling the expanded working fluid subsequent to heat exchange passage with respect to the recompressed working fluid.

Claim 54

A turbine system comprising a turbine and a compressor mounted on a common rotatable shaft; a hollow housing having a radiation entrance opening for receiving radiation; means for supplying working fluid into the housing interior substantially at atmospheric pressure; a plurality of heat transfer members in the housing interior for absorbing radiant heat energy and for transferring the absorbed heat energy to the working fluid, said heat transfer members arranged within said housing to define and surround a central cavity communicating between the radiation entrance opening and said means for supplying working fluid; means for coupling the heated working fluid to said turbine for expansion to a subatmospheric pressure; and means for coupling the expanded working fluid to said compressor for recompression substantially to atmospheric pressure and for resupply to said housing interior.

Claim 55

A turbine system comprising a turbine and a compressor mounted on a common rotatable shaft; a hollow housing having a radiation entrance opening for receiving radiation; means for supplying working fluid into the housing interior substantially at atmospheric pressure; a plurality of heat transfer members in the housing interior for absorbing radiant heat energy and for transferring the absorbed heat energy to the working fluid, said heat transfer members arranged within said housing to define and surround a central cavity communicating between the radiation entrance opening and said means for supplying working fluid; means for coupling the heated working fluid to said turbine for expansion to a subatmospheric pressure; and means for coupling the expanded working fluid to said compressor for recompression substantially to atmospheric pressure and for resupply to said housing interior.

Claim 56

A turbine system as set forth in claim 42 wherein said working fluid comprises air.

Claim 57

A turbine system as set forth in claim 42 including a load coupled to said shaft for rotatable driving thereby.

Claim 58

A turbine system as set forth in claim 42 further including solar radiation collection and concentration means for concentrating solar radiation and supplying the concentrated radiation to said radiation entrance opening.

Claim 59

A turbine system as set forth in claim 45 wherein said collection and concentration means comprises a generally dish-shaped reflector for reflecting and focusing solar radiation for passage through said radiation entrance opening.

Claim 60

A turbine system as set forth in claim 42 wherein said means for coupling the heated working fluid to said turbine comprises a conduit coupled between said housing and said turbine for supplying the fluid for rotatably driving said turbine.

Claim 61

A turbine system as set forth in claim 42 wherein said means for coupling the expanded working fluid to said compressor comprises a conduit coupled between said turbine and compressor for supplying the fluid for rotatably driving said compressor.

Claim 62

A turbine system as set forth in claim 42 wherein said means for coupling the expanded working fluid to said compressor and then to said housing interior comprises first conduit means coupled between said turbine and compressor, and second conduit means coupled between said compressor and said housing interior, and further including a recuperator having a pair of flow paths respectively coupled along said first and second conduit means for effecting cooling of the working fluid in said first conduit means and heating of the working fluid in said second conduit means.

Claim 63

A turbine system as set forth in claim 49 further including a heat sink coupled along said first conduit means between said recuperator and compressor for further cooling the working fluid.

Claim 64

A turbine system as set forth in claim 42 wherein said heat transfer members are formed to have relatively reflective surfaces, and are mounted within the housing generally parallel to each other.

Claim 65

A turbine system as set forth in claim 51 wherein said heat transfer members are formed from a relatively porous ceramic material.

Claim 68

The method of claim 53 including forming the heat transfer member from a relatively porous ceramic material.

Claim 69

The method of claim 53 wherein said circulating step comprises supplying working fluid to the housing via said fluid supply opening which is formed in the housing generally opposite the radiation entrance opening; and passing the fluid from the housing via a plurality of fluid outlet openings formed in the housing such that fluid movement between the supply opening and outlet openings guides the fluid into heat exchange relation with the transfer members.

Claim 72

The method of claim 56 including providing air as the working fluid.

Claim 73

The method of claim 56 including coupling a rotatably driven load to said shaft whereby said load is rotatably driven upon rotation of the turbine.

Claim 74

The method of claim 56 including collecting and concentrating with reflector means solar radiation for supply to the absorber.

Claim 75

The method of claim 59 wherein said reflector means comprises a generally dish-shaped reflector.

Claim 76

The method of claim 56 including passing the expanded working fluid and the recompressed working fluid in heat exchange relation with each other to cool the former and to heat the latter.

Claim 77

The method of claim 61 including further cooling the expanded working fluid subsequent to heat exchange passage with respect to the recompressed working fluid.