GB2485614A

GB2485614A - Solar powered air turbine

Info

Publication number: GB2485614A
Application number: GB1019772.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tamunoemi Chamberlain Oyibo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-22
Filing date: 2010-11-22
Publication date: 2012-05-23
Also published as: GB201019772D0

Abstract

A solar powered electricity generator comprising a fan 1 which drives air into a solar heated sphere (2, Fig 2) where it is heated and allowed to expand to drive a turbine 4 which turns an electrical generator 5. A concentrator bowl 3 is used to reflect sunlight onto the sphere. The sphere may made of a carbon composite and be located inside a second sphere made of a glass composite. The turbine may have a vertical axis of rotation. The fan may be powered by a thermoelectric module which is attached to a molten salt container which stores heat in the turbine system thus providing a source of thermal energy during periods of low solar activity; such as cloud cover and nighttime.

Description

Description of the Invention

Background of the invention

Micro generation of electricity from renewable sources, especially with regards to solar electricity generation relies on heat engines and photovoltaic's (PVs).

While (PVsJ are arrays of cells containing a solar photovoltaic material that converts solar radiation into direct current electricity. Heat engines converts' thermal energy to mechanical output. As such, this invention is categorised as a heat engine, utilising the solar radiation trapped in the sphere as heat and converted into mechanical energy via the a helical shaped turbine incorporated in the system's design.

FIELD of the INVENTION

The present invention relates to multiple designs, arrangements and type of molten salt engines, omnidirection helix turbines and low pressure turbines for extracting and converting the kinetic energy from pressure and temperature differences in a fluid (air) into mechanical rotary energy for the preferred production of electricity.

The mechanical output is called work, and the thermal energy input is called heat. Heat engines typically run on a specific thermodynamic cycle. Heat engines can be open to the atmospheric air or sealed and closed off to the outside (open or closed cycle).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Considered broadly, the molten salt heat engine and turbine system according to the invention are of heat driven engine (sterling type engine) incorporated with and molten salt storage system, a sphere shaped combustion chamber partially enclosed in another sphere, and the generating system; which comprises of a vertical axis turbine encased in an open ended cylindrical housing linked to the combustion chamber by pressure outlet valves. Energy is provided in the form of concentrated solar energy directed to the sphere by a reflective parabolic bowl that encircles the bottom hemisphere of the sphere. The beauty of the invention is its simplicity, in essence, made of three parts; the Sphere, the pressure activated vertical turbine system within and the electrical motor and generator, combining effortlessly to produce electrical energy, as a result of the sum of their various functionalities.

The Sphere, which is moulded from a polymeric material with light absorbing and heat retaining properties, acts like a green house, trapping the heat from the parabolic mirror that leads to a build up of the pressure with the sphere. The trapped heat activates the heat-ducted fan, which drives in air into the engine compressing the air further, leading to higher pressures and temperatures in the sphere. This build up in pressure leads to the flow of the fluid (air) to the lower pressured lower part of the system the turbine (which has a cooler surface temperature) where a pressure and temperature gradient exists at the turbine created valve. This converts the thermal energy in the sphere to mechanical energy due to rotation of the valve, which in turn is converted into electrical energy by the electric motor and generator located at the base of the turbine located outside the sphere. The system utilises forced convection with the aid of the turbine.

This entire system is mounted above the ground on a frame.

In the drawings, which form a part of this specification, Fig. 1 is a semi-diagrammatic view of a sphere and sphere frame according to one embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 is a side elevation view, with some parts deleted for clarity of illustration, of the sphere of Fig. 1; showing the sphere mounted; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the molten salt turbine. On a larger scale than label 1 in Figure. 1, The labels on the diagrams as they relate to parts of the invention are; Figure 1 1. The outer casing for the molten salt heat activated turbine 3. The solar concentrator bowl 4. The outer casing for the vertical axis turbine connected to a generator, which is also the pressure outlet for the system 5. The electrical generator, which converts the rotational energy of the vertical axis turbine into electrical energy Figure 2 2. The Sphere, which is moulded from a polymeric material with light absorbing and heat retaining properties, acts like a green house, trapping the heat from the parabolic mirror that leads to a build up of the pressure with the sphere 9. The support frame for the system and Leg portions which are pivoted to a frame in any suitable manner.

Figure 3 7. The molten salt container attached to a thermoelectric module and the air inlet ducted propeller.

8. The compressor system. Compresses the inlet air, thereby increasing its velocity as it enters the sphere.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Pressure activated sphere system In the illustration of the invention detailed in this document, the internal system 1 comprises of two spheres, the inner sphere containing a turbine made of carbon composite and the outer sphere which in effect is made of a transparent glass composite each which forms an air pocket as detailed in the diagram with the inner sphere. The outer glass sphere with regards to functionality acts as a solar concentrator, focusing the sun's rays to the inner sphere. Which acts as a heat sink.

The molten salt heat turbine system The turbine is a single anti clockwise helical turbine, made up of composite material, which makes it light weight yet structurally sound for optimal mechanical energy conversion. The VAT (vertical axis turbine) is shaped as an airfoil so that air flows faster over the top than under the bottom. There is, therefore, a greater pressure below the aerofoil than above it. This difference in pressure contributes to the rotational of the turbine.

The turbine system includes the cylindrical tube casing (a polymeric material such as a polycarbonate) containing a ducted heat fan connected to a molten salt storage system by a shaft. A turbine mounted on a rotor shaft connected to a compressor, which runs vertically. Among the advantages of this arrangement are that generators and gearboxes can be placed close to the ground. The turbine comprises of two sections; the upper section via which it connects to the inner sphere, has a larger diameter and the lower section 2, which is smaller in diameter than the upper section is exposed to the outside environment.

These unique properties of the turbine are defined by their stated functionalities, which include; the role of a heat exchanger and a pressure valve.

The Turbine is mounted on a vertical axis. Leg sections 2 and 3 are hollow extrusions of suitable polymeric material, typically a polycarbonate. Pivot connectors 4 are also of polymeric material and are advantageously formed by injection moulding from glass fibre-reinforced polyester composition.

The Outer solar concentrator bowl The Solar concentrator consists of concave reflector, forming an open bowl like shape partially encasing the sphere system, with an opening at the bottom for the turbine, The main particularity of concentrator is that solar rays are focused the same way as in the lens, i.e. the concentrator itself is placed between the light source (sun) and the object, at which rays are focused -that is much more suitable. Main advantages of the device -it is cheep, easy and compact It can be used both as a "solar oven" and in systems of heating and high-effective electric sources. This device is more convenient and safe to use compare with common mirror based solar heaters because it is not require to hang heated dish in the air

Claims

Claims documentTHE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVEPROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS: 1. The combination of the two sphere design with a turbine system and the solar concentrators as with all intended functions of deriving thermal energy from a fluid for electrical conversion. As such, the sections are comprised off; the lower portion, an upper portion, and a turbine system interconnecting the lower and upper portions; and the open bowl array solar concentrator.
2. The Turbine system as described and illustrated in the diagram and as defined for similar functionalities. The unique incorporation and manipulation of molten salts in the manner described and/or illustrated in this claim, and the combination of molten salts technology to a turbine system in any similar configuration as described and illustrated in this claim.
3. The unique combination of the outside open bow concentrator with designs matching the description, illustration and similar functionalities made in claims 1 and 2.