Integral propulsion and power radiant cavity receiver

Details Integral propulsion and power radiant cavity receiver Integral propulsion and power radiant cavity receiver

2000-06-08

2001-11-06

Kim, Ted (Department: 3746)

Power plants

Reaction motor

Electric, nuclear, or radiated energy fluid heating means

Reexamination Certificate

active

06311476

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to power generating systems for orbit transfer vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a power generating system that is incorporated with a direct gain propulsion system to convert solar thermal energy into electric energy that may be stored in a battery.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Background Art
Space propulsion systems using solar thermal energy have been proposed as a means to achieve greater payload fractions. These engines can be used, for example, to provide thrust to boost payloads from low earth orbits to higher orbits or to alter the orbit of a payload. In such engines, solar radiation is captured and focused by mirrors into a “black body” where the solar radiation is used to heat a propellant, such as hydrogen. The propellant is then passed through a nozzle to create thrust.
To further reduce the weight of the orbit transfer vehicle and increase the payload fraction, U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,996 entitled “Hybrid Solar Rocket Utilizing Thermal Storage for Propulsion and Electrical Power”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, has suggested a solar thermal rocket engine that utilizes energy conversion diodes to convert stored thermal energy into electrical energy. This configuration, however, does not reduce the weight of the orbit transfer vehicle to the maximum extent possible due to the relative inefficiency with which stored thermal energy is converted into electrical energy. The inefficiency of this process necessitates the use of a large and relatively heavy thermal storage device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of the present invention to provide a solar thermal engine which does not rely on stored thermal energy for powering a craft.
It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide a solar thermal engine which employs a plurality of static power converters to convert ambient thermal energy to electrical energy which is then stored in an electrical storage device.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for propelling and powering a craft which does not rely on stored thermal energy for powering the craft.
In one preferred form, the present invention provides a solar thermal engine for propelling and powering a craft. The solar thermal engine includes a housing, a propellant annulus, a plurality of static power converters and an electrical energy storage device. The housing has an optical cavity for receiving a beam of concentrated sunlight and converting the beam into ambient thermal energy. The propellant annulus is coupled to the housing and is selectively operable in a heating mode wherein the propellant annulus transmits at least a first portion of the ambient thermal energy to heat a flow of propellant. The plurality of static power converters are coupled to the housing and receive the first portion of the ambient thermal energy when the propellant annulus is not operated in the heating mode. The plurality of static power converters employ the first portion of the ambient thermal energy to generate electrical energy. The electrical energy storage device is coupled to the plurality of static power converters and receives and stores the electrical energy generated by the plurality of static power converters. A method for propelling and powering a craft is also provided.


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