Stoves and furnaces – Tool having fluid fuel burner – Curling iron
Patent
1982-07-09
1984-05-22
Jones, Larry
Stoves and furnaces
Tool having fluid fuel burner
Curling iron
126435, 126436, 126438, 126440, 126901, 6064115, F24J 302
Patent
active
044495153
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for storing solar energy and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for collecting, intensifying, and storing solar energy for subsequent use. Heretofore, energy as a source of power has normally been collected by solar collector panels mounted on structures in open space through which fluid such as air or liquid passes for transferring the collected thermal heat to a storage chamber for subsequent use. These storage beds may take many different configurations, and one particular configuration utilized are rock beds that are positioned below the building. One problem with rock beds is that they are not a very efficient means of storing high temperatures. While these storage chambers heretofore utilized may be satisfactory for heating buildings and the like, they would not be satisfactory for operating power plants.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,056,093, there is disclosed a solar heating unit which includes a double wall boiler having a pair of spaced inner and outer hemispherical walls defining a closed chamber therebetween in which liquid that is to be heated is carried. Solar energy passes through a lens system for heating the liquid.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,043,315, there is disclosed an omni-directional solar heater collector having a transparent, spherical outer shell. A spherical inner shell is carried within the outer shell and contains a plurality of light magnifying lens spaced along the periphery thereof. A plurality of heat collecting elements is carried within the inner shell spaced from the magnifying lens so that maximum light and heat intensity focuses upon these elements.
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,169,839, 1,661,473, and 1,599,481, there are disclosed other solar heaters and accumulators in which a liquid is heated by the rays of the sun utilizing lens systems and reflecting mirrors.
One problem with the majority of the solar heaters heretofore utilized is that they do not generate and store temperatures of sufficient intensity for operation of power plants and the like during periods of time of darkness or during inclement weather when clouds and the like reduce the solar rays received by the collector.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method and apparatus for collecting, intensifying, and storing thermal energy which includes a hollow spherical vessel having an interior wall. A window is provided in the wall of the vessel for allowing concentrated rays from the sun to enter into the interior of the vessel. A spherical container is centrally located within the vessel and has a solar collector carried thereon. The solar collector, in one particular embodiment, is conically shaped and has a substantially black (or selective coating) surface thereon for receiving and absorbing the rays passing through the window of the spherical vessel. Heat absorbing means, in one particular embodiment, in the form of metal shots is carried in the spherical container for absorbing and storing the thermal energy collected by the solar collector causing radiant energy to be emitted from the spherical container. A polished reflective surface is carried on the interior wall of the spherical vessel for reflecting the radiant energy back to the spherical container intensifying the temperature of the heat absorbing means.
Normally, the heat absorbing means begins in a solid state; and as the intensity of the temperature supplied by the rays from the sun and the reflected radiant energy increases, it is changed from a solid to a liquid state. As a result of the radiant energy being reflected back and forth between the exterior wall of the spherical container and the interior wall of the vessel, the spherical container with the heat absorbing means therein is raised to very high temperatures. Transfer tubes are carried within the spherical container through which a heat transferring fluid passes for removing heat from the molten heat absorbing means for use as a source of thermal power. A vacuum is provided in the space between the external wall of t
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Jones Larry
Seige Corporation
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