Aeronautics and astronautics – Aircraft power plants – High altitude
Reexamination Certificate
2007-03-29
2009-12-29
Dinh, Tien (Department: 3644)
Aeronautics and astronautics
Aircraft power plants
High altitude
Reexamination Certificate
active
07637457
ABSTRACT:
A solar thermal powered aircraft powered by heat energy from the sun. A Rankine-Brayton hybrid cycle heat engine is carried by the aircraft body for producing power for a propulsion mechanism, such as a propeller or other mechanism for enabling sustained free flight. The Rankine-Brayton engine has a thermal battery, preferably containing a lithium-hydride and lithium mixture, operably connected to it so that heat is supplied from the thermal battery to a working fluid. A solar concentrator, such as reflective parabolic trough, is movably connected to an optically transparent section of the aircraft body for receiving and concentrating solar energy from within the aircraft. Concentrated solar energy is collected by a heat collection and transport conduit, and heat transported to the thermal battery. A solar tracker includes a heliostat for determining optimal alignment with the sun, and a drive motor actuating the solar concentrator into optimal alignment with the sun based on a determination by the heliostat.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3376706 (1968-04-01), Angelino
patent: 3708979 (1973-01-01), Bush et al.
patent: 2005/0242232 (2005-11-01), Bennett
G. Angelino: “Perspectives for the Liquid Phase Compression Gas Turbine”. Journal of Engineering for Power, Apr. 1967, pp. 229-237, XP008097680.
Dinh Tien
Lawrence Livermore National Security LLC
Lee John H.
Tak James S.
LandOfFree
Rankine-Brayton engine powered solar thermal aircraft does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Rankine-Brayton engine powered solar thermal aircraft, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Rankine-Brayton engine powered solar thermal aircraft will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-4149412