US5404723A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid absorption receiver for solar radiation to power a Stirling cycle engine
Assignee: Solar Reactor Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1993-09-02
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Granted: 1995-04-11
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Expires: 2013-09-02
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed are apparatus and methods used to preheat a working fluid for a subsequent solar-driven dissociation reaction. The working fluid is first passed through a blackbody receiver where it absorbs thermal energy, and is subsequently exposed to direct solar radiation. The present invention allows the working fluid to absorb relatively large amounts of solar energy at elevated temperatures, while the blackbody absorber remains at a relatively low temperature, thus minimizing energy losses through reradiation and enhancing the efficiency of the overall energy exchange. Also disclosed is a non-driven-flow fluid absorption receiver for preferred use with a Stirling engine incorporating absorption of infrared radiation.
Inventors
- 👤 Robin Z. Parker
- 👤 Peter W. Langhoff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:30
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02G; F02G1/00; F02G1/04; F02G1/043; F02G1/0435; F02G1/053; F02G1/055; F24; F24S; F24S20/00; F24S20/20; F24S80/00; F24S80/20; F02G2254/00; F02G2254/30; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A fluid absorption receiver for incident solar radiation especially adapted for use as the heat source for a Stirling cycle engine having means to receive heat, comprising a concentrating reflector dish which concentrates the incident solar radiation and reflects said solar radiation into a non-imaging concentrator having a receiving end and a transmitting end which is contiguous to a sealed containment vessel which has an outer wall which is transparent at least in the portion which is in alignment with said transmitting end of said non-imaging concentrator, said sealed containment vessel containing working fluid selected from the group consisting of absorber fluid of halogens and interhalogens and a buffer fluid which is in contact with said heat receiving means for absorbing and transferring heat to said Stirling cycle engine, said heat exchange means being sealably positioned to protrude into said sealed containment vessel, and said non-imaging concentrator having an inner reflective surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A fluid absorption receiver for incident solar radiation especially adapted for use as the heat source for a Stirling cycle engine having means to receive heat, comprising a concentrating reflector dish which concentrates the incident solar radiation and reflects said solar radiation into a non-imaging concentrator having a receiving end and a transmitting end which is contiguous to a sealed containment vessel which has an outer wall which is transparent at least in the portion which is in alignment with said transmitting end of said non-imaging concentrator, said sealed containment vessel containing working fluid selected from the group consisting of absorber fluid of halogens and interhalogens and a buffer fluid which is in contact with said heat receiving means for absorbing and transferring heat to said Stirling cycle engine, said heat exchange means being sealably positioned to protrude into said sealed containment vessel, and said non-imaging concentrator having an inner reflective surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The receiver of claim 1 wherein said absorber is selcted from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, iodine, and interhalogens of chlorine, bromine, and iodine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The receiver of claim 1 wherein said buffer gas is selected from the group consisting of argon and helium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The receiver of claim 3 wherein said heat receiving means is at least one pipe heat exchanger.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The receiver of claim 4 wherein said pipe has a fin attached.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The receiver of claim 4 wherein said pipe has a baffle attached.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of absorbing incident solar radiation comprising irradiating a working fluid consisting of halogens, interhalogens and an inert gas in a containment vessel having a transparent window and a means for transferring heat to a Stirling cycle engine by collecting said incident solar radiation with a solar concentrating dish and directing said solar radiation into a non-imaging concentrator which, in turn directs said concentrated solar radiation into said containment vessel through said window, thereby heating said working fluid to effect both thermal absorption and photolytic dissociation of said halogens and interhalogens, and transferring the chemical energy stored in said dissociated halogens and interhalogens into thermal energy by means of buffering with said inert gas, absorbing said thermal energy by said means for transferring heat to thereby transfer said thermal energy to said Stirling cycle engine as heat, while circulating said working fluid in said containment vessel by convective, differential thermal flow.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of absorbing incident solar radiation comprising irradiating a working fluid consisting of halogens, interhalogens and an inert gas in a containment vessel having a transparent window and a means for transferring heat to a Stirling cycle engine by collecting said incident solar radiation with a solar concentrating dish and directing said solar radiation into a non-imaging concentrator which, in turn directs said concentrated solar radiation into said containment vessel through said window, thereby heating said working fluid to effect both thermal absorption and photolytic dissociation of said halogens and interhalogens, and transferring the chemical energy stored in said dissociated halogens and interhalogens into thermal energy by means of buffering with said inert gas, absorbing said thermal energy by said means for transferring heat to thereby transfer said thermal energy to said Stirling cycle engine as heat, while circulating said working fluid in said containment vessel by convective, differential thermal flow.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said absorber is selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, iodine, and interhalogens of chlorine, bromine, and iodine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7 where said buffer gas is selected from the group consisting of argon and helium.
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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) | 1998-04-10 | 1998-10-10 | 1999-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-10 | 2002-10-10 | 2003-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-10 | 2006-10-10 | 2007-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |