Solar energy system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A solar energy system comprising:
- a plurality of concentrating dishes;
a plurality of heated air collectors, each collector receiving directed rays of sunlight from one of the concentrating dishes;
a heated air distribution assembly to collect air heated in the collectors;
a thermal storage assembly operably connected to the heated air distribution assembly and having a plurality of thermal storage elements;
a steam generator operably connected to the heated air distribution assembly and the thermal storage assembly such that heated air flows directly from the collectors to the steam generator without entering the thermal storage assembly under a first condition, directly from the collectors to the thermal storage assembly under a second condition, directly from the collectors to both the thermal storage assembly and the steam generator under a third condition, and directly from the thermal storage assembly to the steam generator under a fourth condition; and
a steam turbine operably connected to the steam generator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A solar energy system includes a plurality of concentrating dishes and a plurality of heated air collectors. Each collector receives directed rays of sunlight from one of the concentrating dishes. A heated air distribution assembly collects air heated in the collectors. A thermal storage assembly is operably connected to the heated air distribution assembly and has a plurality of thermal storage elements. A steam generator is operably connected to the heated air distribution assembly and the thermal storage assembly. A steam turbine is operably connected to the steam generator.
17 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A solar energy system comprising:
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a plurality of concentrating dishes; a plurality of heated air collectors, each collector receiving directed rays of sunlight from one of the concentrating dishes; a heated air distribution assembly to collect air heated in the collectors; a thermal storage assembly operably connected to the heated air distribution assembly and having a plurality of thermal storage elements; a steam generator operably connected to the heated air distribution assembly and the thermal storage assembly such that heated air flows directly from the collectors to the steam generator without entering the thermal storage assembly under a first condition, directly from the collectors to the thermal storage assembly under a second condition, directly from the collectors to both the thermal storage assembly and the steam generator under a third condition, and directly from the thermal storage assembly to the steam generator under a fourth condition; and a steam turbine operably connected to the steam generator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A solar energy system comprising:
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a housing; a plurality of rails on an upper surface of the housing; a collector assembly frame movably connected to the rails; a plurality of parabolic mirrors secured to the frame; a plurality of heated air collectors, each collector receiving directed rays of sunlight from one of the parabolic mirrors; a heated air distribution assembly to collect air heated in the collectors; a thermal storage assembly positioned within the housing and having a storage chamber including a plurality of thermal storage elements, the storage chamber being operably connected to the heated air distribution assembly; a steam generator operably connected to the heated air distribution assembly and the storage chamber such that heated air flows directly from the collectors to the steam generator without entering the thermal storage assembly under a first condition, directly from the collectors to the thermal storage assembly under a second condition, directly from the collectors to both the thermal storage assembly and the steam generator under a third condition, and directly from the thermal storage assembly to the steam generator under a fourth condition; and a steam turbine operably connected to the steam generator. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A solar energy system comprising:
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a housing; a plurality of rails on an upper surface of the housing; a collector assembly frame movably connected to the rails; a plurality of parabolic mirrors secured to the frame; a plurality of heated air collectors, each collector receiving directed rays of sunlight from one of the parabolic mirrors; a heated air distribution assembly to collect air heated in the collectors; a plurality of azimuth control assemblies and at least one rail, each azimuth control assembly secured to a portion of the collector assembly frame and movable along one of the rails; an elevation control assembly operably connected to the parabolic mirrors to alter the elevation of the parabolic mirrors; a thermal storage assembly positioned within the housing and having a storage chamber including a plurality of inert thermal storage elements, the storage chamber being operably connected to the heated air distribution assembly; a steam generator operably connected to the heated air distribution assembly and the storage chamber such that heated air flows directly from the collectors to the steam generator without entering the storage chamber under a first condition, directly from the collectors to the storage chamber under a second condition, directly from the collectors to both the storage chamber and the steam generator under a third condition, and directly from the storage chamber to the steam generator under a fourth condition; and a steam turbine operably connected to the steam generator. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification