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US4462213A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Solar-wind energy conversion system

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-10-16
•
Granted: 1984-07-31
•
Expires: 2001-10-16
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Abstract

Abstract A combined solar-wind energy conversion system in which the combined effects of solar and wind energy are utilized in raising water from a lower to an upper water storage tank to increase its potential energy for generation of electricity. Incoming solar energy heats water to form steam which is temporarily stored. The stored steam is vented to one of first and second steam storage tanks from which it is coupled to first and second water pumping tanks. When the water enters one of the water pumping tanks, it forces the water temporarily stored therein to flow upwards the first steam storage tank. As soon as the water pumping tank is emptied, the steam condenses forming a partial vacuum in the tank. The vacuum causes water to be drawn from the lower water storage tank into the corresponding water pumping tank and the process repeated. The second water pumping tank is filled while the first water storage tank is emptied. Water flowing from the first water storage tank turns an electrical generator. Wind energy is also used to raise water from the second water storage tank to the first water storage tank to increase the available energy. When excess electrical energy is available, it is used to electrolyze water into hydrogen and oxygen which are stored for later burning during periods when insufficient wind and solar energy are available.

Inventors

  • 👤 Arlin C. Lewis

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 21:38
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03D; F03D9/00; F03D9/10; F03D9/11; F03D15/00; F03D15/10; F03D9/20; F03D9/25; F03G; F03G3/00; F03G3/087; F03G3/094; F03G3/096; F03G6/00; F03G6/06; F03G6/065; F24; F24S; F24S23/00; F24S23/70; F24S30/00; F24S30/40; F24S30/42; F24S30/422; F03D1/00; F03D1/04; F03D80/00; F03D80/70; F05; F05B; F05B2220/00; F05B2220/61; F24S2030/10; F24S2030/14; F24S2030/145; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/46; Y02E10/47; Y02E10/70; Y02E10/72; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/36; Y02E70/00; Y02E70/30; Y02P; Y02P80/00; Y02P80/10

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 119 words
In combination: boiler means responsive to input solar energy for producing steam; means for producing kinetic mechanical energy in response to wind movement; means receiving said steam and producing kinetic mechanical energy; means for producing electrical energy in response to both said kinetic mechanical energy produced in response to input solar energy and produced in response to said wind movement; means for storing energy produced in response to said electrical energy, said means for producing electrical energy also producing electrical energy in response to energy stored by said storing means, and heating means receiving the output of said means for storing to heat said boiler when the solar energy received by said boiler means falls below a predetermined level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 119 words
In combination: boiler means responsive to input solar energy for producing steam; means for producing kinetic mechanical energy in response to wind movement; means receiving said steam and producing kinetic mechanical energy; means for producing electrical energy in response to both said kinetic mechanical energy produced in response to input solar energy and produced in response to said wind movement; means for storing energy produced in response to said electrical energy, said means for producing electrical energy also producing electrical energy in response to energy stored by said storing means, and heating means receiving the output of said means for storing to heat said boiler when the solar energy received by said boiler means falls below a predetermined level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 50 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of generating electricity comprises: collecting water from said first water storage tank in a series of bucket members coupled to an endless chain to thereby rotate said endless chain; and operating electrical generating means in response to rotation of said endless chain.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 58 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said means to produce kinetic energy in response to wind energy comprises a turbine wheel oriented in a direction facing the wind, a venturi surrounding said turbine wheel having a high pressure inlet directed toward the wind and, means to permit said venturi to turn in response to charges in wind direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 39 words
The system of claim 3 further comprising a hollow mast having a shaft therein, said means permiting said venturi to turn comprising bearings coupling said venturi to said mast, and gear means coupling said turbine wheel to said shaft.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 20 words
The system of claims 3 or 4 wherein said turbine wheel is positioned in a throat portion of said venturi.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 72 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said shaft produces rotational power from said turbine wheel, said system further comprising a worm gear coupled to said shaft to produce reciprocating movement in response to rotational movement from said shaft, said means for storing energy comprising a pair of water storage tanks positioned one above the other and, means receiving said reciprocating movement to transfer water from the lower tank to the upper tank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said means receiving said reciprocating movement comprises a drive shaft having a piston at one end, said piston located in a pumping station intermediate said upper and lower tanks.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3152442A Cited
US3459953A Cited
US4229941A Cited
US4189925A Cited
US4206608A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1987-07-31 1988-01-30 1988-07-31 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-07-31 1992-01-30 1992-07-31 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-07-31 1996-01-30 1996-07-31 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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