Abstract

A novel portable solar energy system includes a solar concentrator, a thermal storage device, an azimuth adjustment system, an elevation system, and a heat exchanger, all mounted on a rotatable support frame. In a particular embodiment, the thermal storage device remains at a fixed vertical height and fixed tilt orientation when adjustments are made to the azimuth adjustment system and/or the elevation adjustment system.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24S 50/20 - Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors for tracking
• F24S 20/20 - Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
• F24S 23/71 - Arrangements for concentrating solar rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors with parabolic reflective surfaces
• F24S 30/00 - Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
• F24S 30/452 - Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement with two rotation axes with vertical primary axis
• F24S 50/80 - Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors for controlling collection or absorption of solar radiation
• F24S 60/10 - Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors using latent heat

Abstract

A thermal storage system includes a container, a thermal exchange device, a first thermal storage material, and a second thermal storage material. The first thermal exchange device is disposed in the container. The first thermal storage material is disposed in the container and is spaced apart from the thermal exchange device. The second thermal storage material is also disposed in the container in contact with the thermal exchange device. The first and second thermal storage materials are immiscible. The second thermal storage material is less reactive with the construction material of the thermal exchange device as compared to the first thermal storage material. Optionally, a second thermal exchange device can be submerged in the second thermal storage material. The first thermal exchange device is configured to supply heat to the second thermal storage material and the second thermal exchange device facilitates extraction of heat from the second thermal storage material.

IPC Classes  ?

• F28D 20/02 - Heat storage plants or apparatus in generalRegenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups or using latent heat
• F28D 20/00 - Heat storage plants or apparatus in generalRegenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups or

Abstract

A thermal storage system includes a container, a thermal exchange device, a first thermal storage material, and a second thermal storage material. The first thermal exchange device is disposed in the container. The first thermal storage material is disposed in the container and is spaced apart from the thermal exchange device. The second thermal storage material is also disposed in the container in contact with the thermal exchange device. The first and second thermal storage materials are immiscible. The second thermal storage material is less reactive with the construction material of the thermal exchange device as compared to the first thermal storage material. Optionally, a second thermal exchange device can be submerged in the second thermal storage material. The first thermal exchange device is configured to supply heat to the second thermal storage material and the second thermal exchange device facilitates extraction of heat from the second thermal storage material.

IPC Classes  ?

• F28D 20/02 - Heat storage plants or apparatus in generalRegenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups or using latent heat
• F28D 20/00 - Heat storage plants or apparatus in generalRegenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups or

Abstract

A thermal storage system includes a container, a thermal exchange device, a first thermal storage material, and a second thermal storage material. The first thermal exchange device is disposed in the container. The first thermal storage material is disposed in the container and is spaced apart from the thermal exchange device. The second thermal storage material is also disposed in the container in contact with the thermal exchange device. The first and second thermal storage materials are immiscible. The second thermal storage material is less reactive with the construction material of the thermal exchange device as compared to the first thermal storage material. Optionally, a second thermal exchange device can be submerged in the second thermal storage material. The first thermal exchange device is configured to supply heat to the second thermal storage material and the second thermal exchange device facilitates extraction of heat from the second thermal storage material.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24S 60/10 - Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors using latent heat
• F24S 20/20 - Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
• F24S 70/00 - Details of absorbing elements
• F24H 7/02 - Storage heaters, i.e. heaters in which the energy is stored as heat in masses for subsequent release the released heat being conveyed to a transfer fluid

Abstract

A novel portable solar energy system includes a solar concentrator, a thermal storage device, an azimuth adjustment system, an elevation system, and a heat exchanger, all mounted on a rotatable support frame. In a particular embodiment, the thermal storage device remains at a fixed vertical height and fixed tilt orientation when adjustments are made to the azimuth adjustment system and/or the elevation adjustment system.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24S 50/20 - Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors for tracking
• F24S 20/20 - Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
• F24S 23/71 - Arrangements for concentrating solar rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors with parabolic reflective surfaces
• F24S 30/452 - Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement with two rotation axes with vertical primary axis
• F24S 60/10 - Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors using latent heat
• F24S 30/00 - Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
• F24S 50/80 - Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors for controlling collection or absorption of solar radiation

Abstract

A novel portable solar energy system includes a solar concentrator, a thermal storage device, an azimuth adjustment system, an elevation system, and a heat exchanger, all mounted on a rotatable support frame. In a particular embodiment, the thermal storage device remains at a fixed vertical height and fixed tilt orientation when adjustments are made to the azimuth adjustment system and/or the elevation adjustment system.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24S 50/20 - Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors for tracking
• F24S 20/20 - Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
• F24S 30/452 - Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement with two rotation axes with vertical primary axis
• F24S 23/71 - Arrangements for concentrating solar rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors with parabolic reflective surfaces
• F24S 60/10 - Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors using latent heat
• F24S 30/00 - Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules

Abstract

A novel portable solar energy system includes a solar concentrator, a thermal storage device, an azimuth adjustment system, an elevation system, and a heat exchanger, all mounted on a rotatable support frame. In a particular embodiment, the thermal storage device remains at a fixed vertical height and fixed tilt orientation when adjustments are made to the azimuth adjustment system and/or the elevation adjustment system.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24J 2/38 - employing tracking means (F24J 2/02, F24J 2/06 take precedence;rotary supports or mountings therefor F24J 2/54;supporting structures of photovoltaic modules for generation of electric power specially adapted for solar tracking systems H02S 20/32)
• F24S 50/20 - Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors for tracking
• F24S 20/20 - Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
• F24S 30/452 - Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement with two rotation axes with vertical primary axis
• F24S 23/71 - Arrangements for concentrating solar rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors with parabolic reflective surfaces
• F24S 60/00 - Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors
• F24S 30/00 - Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules

Abstract

A novel thermal storage device is made up of a plurality of thermal storage canisters. The canisters are in thermal contact with one another so as to form a single thermal storage body. Because the thermal storage device can be broken down into a plurality of discrete thermal storage canisters, it is portable and has a high thermal storage capacity. In a particular embodiment, each canister contains a metal phase change material. In a more particular embodiment, the canisters each have a concave region such that when the canisters are assembled the concave regions, together, define a solar receiver.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24J 2/46 - Component parts, details or accessories of solar heat collectors

Abstract

A novel portable solar energy system includes a solar concentrator, a thermal storage device, an azimuth adjustment system, an elevation system, and a heat exchanger, all mounted on a rotatable support frame. In a particular embodiment, the thermal storage device remains at a fixed vertical height and fixed tilt orientation when adjustments are made to the azimuth adjustment system and/or the elevation adjustment system.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24J 2/38 - employing tracking means (F24J 2/02, F24J 2/06 take precedence;rotary supports or mountings therefor F24J 2/54;supporting structures of photovoltaic modules for generation of electric power specially adapted for solar tracking systems H02S 20/32)
• F24J 2/07 - Receivers working at high temperature, e.g. for solar power plants
• F24J 2/12 - parabolic
• F24J 2/34 - having heat storage mass
• F24J 2/54 - specially adapted for rotary movement

Abstract

A novel thermal storage device includes a container of metallic phase change material (MPCM). The MPCM has a high latent heat of fusion and a high thermal conductivity in its solid state. A thermal energy receiver is adapted to receive thermal energy from a thermal energy source and transfer the thermal energy directly to the MPCM, without the need for an intermediate thermal transfer fluid. A thermal energy discharge mechanism transfers thermal energy directly from the MPCM to a device that uses the thermal energy. In a solar energy embodiment, the thermal energy receiver is formed from a material (e.g., polished copper) that has a relatively low absorptivity value and a relatively low emissivity coefficient, which unexpectedly results in the attainment of a highly efficient solar receiver.

IPC Classes  ?

• F28D 17/00 - Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus in which a stationary intermediate heat-transfer medium or body is contacted successively by each heat-exchange medium, e.g. using granular particles

Abstract

A novel thermal storage device includes a container of metallic phase change material (MPCM). The MPCM has a high latent heat of fusion and a high thermal conductivity in its solid state. A thermal energy receiver is adapted to receive thermal energy from a thermal energy source and transfer the thermal energy directly to the MPCM, without the need for an intermediate thermal transfer fluid. A thermal energy discharge mechanism transfers thermal energy directly from the MPCM to a device that uses the thermal energy. In a solar energy embodiment, the thermal energy receiver is formed from a material (e.g., polished copper) that has a relatively low absorptivity value and a relatively low emissivity coefficient, which unexpectedly results in the attainment of a highly efficient solar receiver.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24J 2/34 - having heat storage mass