Sun-chasing steam power generation system

Abstract

A solar-powered steam generator system includes a solar energy collection component, a power unit, and a generator. The solar energy collection component includes a frame, a Fresnel lens, a connector, a linkage assembly, a first driver, a second driver, and a steam pipe. The first driver is mounted on the frame and connected to the connector to drive the connector to swing around a first swing axis. The second driver is mounted on the connector and connected to the linkage assembly to drive the linkage assembly to swing around a second swing axis. The Fresnel lens focuses light onto the steam pipe to heat the water in the steam pipe, thereby generating steam which is output from the output end of the steam pipe to drive the power unit, which in turn drives the generator to generate electricity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to power generation systems; in particular, it refers to a sun-tracking steam power generation system. Prior Technology

[0002] It is known that in order to reduce carbon emissions and reduce pollution generated by power generation, the adoption of environmentally friendly renewable energy power supply devices such as solar power generation is a current industry trend. Conventional solar power supply devices are devices that convert sunlight into electricity. Although they can reduce carbon emissions and reduce pollution generated by power generation, conventional solar power supply devices are not widely used at present due to their high manufacturing and installation costs.

[0003] In addition, conventional solar power generation devices are easily affected by factors such as geography, season, weather and sunshine, which can affect the power generation. Therefore, how to provide a low-cost and stable power generation system is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a sun-tracking steam power generation system that can reduce manufacturing and installation costs and provide a stable power generation.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a solar-powered steam generator system comprising a solar energy collection component, a power unit, and a generator. The solar energy collection component includes a frame, a Fresnel lens, a connector, a linkage assembly, a first driver, a second driver, and a steam pipe. The linkage assembly is pivotally mounted on the connector, the Fresnel lens and the steam pipe are disposed on the linkage assembly, the first driver is disposed on the frame and connected to the connector to drive the connector to swing about a first swing axis, and the second driver is disposed on the connector and connected to the linkage assembly to drive the linkage assembly to swing about a second swing axis. The power unit is connected to one output end of the steam pipe, and the generator is connected to the power unit. The Fresnel lens focuses light onto the steam pipe to heat the water in the steam pipe, thereby generating steam which is output from the output end to drive the power unit, which in turn drives the generator to generate electricity.

[0006] The advantages of this invention are that, compared to conventional solar panel power generation systems, the sun-tracking steam power generation system of this invention can significantly reduce manufacturing and installation costs. In addition, through the design of the connector swinging around the first swing axis, the Fresnel lens can swing with the connector around the first swing axis in accordance with the solar trajectory formed by the Earth's rotation, thereby increasing power generation. Furthermore, through the design of the linkage assembly swinging around the second swing axis, the Fresnel lens can adjust its tilt angle with the linkage assembly around the second swing axis in accordance with the changing trajectory of the solar incidence angle formed by the Earth's revolution around the sun, thereby further increasing power generation. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a sun-chasing steam power generation system according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the sun-chasing steam power generation system of the above-described preferred embodiment. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the sun-chasing steam power generation system of the above preferred embodiment. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the sun-chasing steam power generation system of the above preferred embodiment. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a sun-chasing steam power generation system according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a sun-chasing steam power generation system according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Implementation

[0008] To more clearly illustrate the present invention, preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a sun-chasing steam power generation system 1, includes a solar energy collection assembly 10, a power unit 20, and a generator 30. The solar energy collection assembly 10 includes a frame 11, a Fresnel lens 12, a connector 13, a linkage assembly 14, a first actuator 15, a second actuator 16, and a steam pipe 17. In this embodiment, the steam pipe 17 is a spiral copper pipe.

[0009] The power unit 20 is connected to one of the output ends 17a of the steam pipe 17, and the generator 30 is connected to the power unit 20. Here, the Fresnel lens 12 focuses sunlight onto the steam pipe 17 to heat the water in the steam pipe 17, thereby generating steam in the steam pipe 17. The steam is output from the output end 17a of the steam pipe 17 to drive the power unit 20 to operate, so that the power unit 20 drives the generator 30 to operate. The generator 30 converts the kinetic energy of the power unit 20 into electrical energy for the user.

[0010] In this embodiment, the power unit 20 is a piston-type power unit 20, including a piston 21, a cylinder 22 and a flywheel assembly 23. The output end 17a of the steam pipe 17 is connected to the cylinder 22. The steam output from the steam pipe 17 can drive the piston 21, which is disposed in the cylinder 22, to move axially within the cylinder 22, thereby driving the flywheel assembly 23 to rotate. In turn, the flywheel assembly 23 can drive the generator 30 to operate. In other embodiments, the power unit 20 can also be, for example, a steam turbine engine or other power units 20 that can be driven by steam.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the linkage assembly 14 is pivotally mounted on the connector 13. The Fresnel lens 12 and the steam pipe 17 are mounted on the linkage assembly 14. The first driver 15 is mounted on the frame 11 and connected to the connector 13 to drive the connector 13 to swing around a first swing axis A1. The second driver 16 is mounted on the connector 13 and connected to the linkage assembly 14 to drive the linkage assembly 14 to swing around a second swing axis A2. In this way, the Fresnel lens 12 can swing around the first swing axis A1 with the connector 13 in accordance with the solar trajectory formed by the Earth's rotation. The Fresnel lens 12 can also adjust its tilt angle around the second swing axis A2 with the linkage assembly 14 in accordance with the changing trajectory of the solar incidence angle formed by the Earth's revolution around the sun, thereby increasing the power generation.

[0012] Furthermore, the first driver 15 and the second driver 16 can be motors. As shown in FIG1, a longitudinal reference plane S1 is defined. The first swing axis A1 is perpendicular to the longitudinal reference plane S1, and the second swing axis A2 is located on the longitudinal reference plane S1. That is, the first swing axis A1 and the second swing axis A2 are perpendicular to each other. For example, the rotation shaft of the first driver 15 is connected to the connector 13 to drive the connector 13 to rotate on the longitudinal reference plane S1, and together drive the linkage assembly 14, the Fresnel lens 12, and the vapor pipe 17 to swing around the first swing axis A1 with the connector 13 in accordance with the solar illumination trajectory formed by the Earth's rotation, so that one of the light-receiving surfaces 12a of the Fresnel lens 12 remains perpendicular to the sunlight, thereby providing a stable power generation.

[0013] In addition, the second driver 16 can drive the linkage assembly 14 to swing around the second swing axis A2 to a first position P1, a second position P2, and a third position P3 respectively. When the linkage assembly 14 is in the first position P1, the light-receiving surface 12a of the Fresnel lens 12 forms a first angle θ1 with the longitudinal reference surface S1. When the linkage assembly 14 is in the second position P2, the light-receiving surface 12a of the Fresnel lens 12 forms a second angle θ2 with the longitudinal reference surface S1. When the linkage assembly 14 is in the third position P3, the light-receiving surface 12a of the Fresnel lens 12 forms a third angle θ3 with the longitudinal reference surface S1. The first angle θ1 is smaller than the second angle θ2, and the second angle θ2 is smaller than the third angle θ3.

[0014] For example, the first included angle can be 31 degrees, the second included angle can be 55 degrees, and the third included angle can be 78.4 degrees, to correspond to the solar tilt angles of the winter solstice, spring equinox, autumn equinox, and summer solstice, respectively. The second actuator 16 can drive the linkage assembly 14 to swing around the second swing axis A2 to the first position P1 (see figure), the second position P2 (see figure), and the third position P3 (see figure) at the winter solstice, spring equinox, autumn equinox, and summer solstice, respectively. Alternatively, it can be a gradual movement over time from the first position P1 to the second position P2, from the second position P2 to the third position P3, from the third position P3 to the second position P2, or from the second position P2 to the first position P1.

[0015] Furthermore, the linkage assembly 14 includes a first linkage 141, a second linkage 142, and a third linkage 143. One end of the first linkage 141 is pivotally connected to the connector 13 and to the drive shaft of the second driver 16. The other end of the first linkage 141, relative to the end pivotally connected to the connector 13, is pivotally connected to one end of the second linkage 142. The other end of the second linkage 142 is pivotally connected to the third linkage 143. The bottom of the three-bar linkage 143 is pivotally connected to the connector 13. The pivot point between the third linkage 143 and the connector 13 is lower than the pivot point between the third linkage 143 and the second link 142. The Fresnel lens 12 and the vapor pipe 17 are mounted on the third linkage 143. Thus, when the drive shaft of the second driver 16 rotates, it can drive the first link 141 to rotate, thereby actuating the second link 142 and the third linkage 143.

[0016] Referring to Figure 1, the sun-chasing steam power generation system 1 includes a water collection tank 40 connected to the power unit 20. The water collection tank 40 is connected to a drain hole 22a at the bottom of the cylinder 22 of the power unit 20, thereby recovering the water converted from steam. The sun-chasing steam power generation system 1 further includes a water storage tank 50, a check valve 52, a vent valve 42, a return water motor 44, and a water supply pipeline 60. The water storage tank 50 is connected to an external water source W and the steam pipe 17. The water supply pipeline 60 is connected to the water storage tank 50 and the water collection tank 40, and the water supply pipeline 60 transports water from the water collection tank 40 to the water storage tank 50. The check valve 52 is installed on the water supply pipeline between the water storage tank 50 and the steam pipe 17. Located near the steam pipe 17, the vent valve 42 is installed at the upper end of the water collection tank 40, and the return water motor 44 is installed at the outlet of the water collection tank 40. The outlet of the water collection tank 40 is connected to the water supply pipeline 60, thereby allowing water from the external water source W to flow into the water storage tank 50. The water in the water storage tank 50 can be output to the steam pipe 17. The check valve 52 prevents steam from flowing back into the water storage tank 50. The water entering the water collection tank 40 can be transported to the water storage tank 50 via the return water motor 44 and the water supply pipeline 60 for recycling and reuse. In addition, when the air pressure in the water collection tank 40 is too high, the vent valve 42 can release the pressure.

[0017] Referring to Figures 1 and 4, in this embodiment, the number of solar energy collection components 10 in the sun-tracking steam power generation system 1 is multiple, and these solar energy collection components 10 are arranged as shown in Figure 4. These solar energy collection components 10 are arranged at predetermined distances D along the first swing axis A1. The solar energy collection components 10 are disposed on a horizontal reference plane S2 and have a height h. When the connecting rod assembly 14 is in the first position P1, there is a minimum distance d between the Fresnel lens 12 and the horizontal reference plane S2. The solar energy collection components 10 have a width w along the first swing axis A1. The predetermined distance D is greater than or equal to w(hd) / d. Therefore, the Fresnel lens 12 of each solar energy collection component 10 will not be affected by the shading of another adjacent solar energy collection component 10, thus affecting the light collection. In other embodiments, the number of solar energy collection components 10 in the sun-tracking steam power generation system 1 can also be one, and is not limited to multiple in this embodiment.

[0018] Please refer to Figure 5, which shows a second preferred embodiment of the sun-chasing steam power generation system 2 of the present invention. The sun-chasing steam power generation system 2 has a substantially the same structure as the sun-chasing steam power generation system 1 of the first preferred embodiment described above. The difference is that the sun-chasing steam power generation system 1 of the first preferred embodiment includes a plurality of solar energy collection components 10, a plurality of power devices 20, and a plurality of generators 30. The number of solar energy collection components 10, power devices 20, and generators 30 are arranged in a coordinated manner. That is, one solar energy collection component 10 is correspondingly provided with one power device 20 and one generator 30, and the solar energy collection components 10, power devices 20, and generators 30 can be arranged in the manner shown in the figure.

[0019] In the second preferred embodiment of the sun-tracking steam power generation system 2, the system includes a plurality of solar energy collection components 10, a power unit 20', and a generator 30'. The system further includes a steam pressure cylinder 70, which is connected to the output end 17a of the steam pipe 17 of each solar energy collection component 10 and the power unit. The output end 17a of each steam pipe 17 is connected to the power unit 20 through the steam pressure cylinder 70. In other words, the steam generated by each solar energy collection component 10 can be input into the steam pressure cylinder 70 to drive the power unit 20, which in turn drives the generator 30 to generate electricity. The steam pressure cylinder 70 has an exhaust valve 72, which releases excess steam by opening the exhaust valve 72.

[0020] In addition, the sun-chasing steam power generation system 2 can be a system containing multiple power generation combinations G, as shown in Figure 6. Each combination G includes three solar energy collection components 10, a power unit 20' and a generator 30', and each combination G can be arranged in an array as shown in Figure 6.

[0021] In summary, the advantages of this invention are that, compared to conventional solar panel power generation systems, the sun-tracking steam power generation system 1, 2 of this invention can significantly reduce manufacturing and installation costs. Furthermore, the design of the connector 13 swinging around the first swing axis A1 allows the Fresnel lens 12 to swing with the connector 13 around the first swing axis A1 in accordance with the solar trajectory formed by the Earth's rotation, thereby increasing power generation. Moreover, the design of the linkage assembly 14 swinging around the second swing axis A2 allows the Fresnel lens 12 to adjust its tilt angle with the trajectory of the changing solar incidence angle formed by the Earth's revolution around the sun, thereby further increasing power generation.

[0022] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Any equivalent changes made by applying the present invention specification and the claims should be included within the patent scope of the present invention.

[0023] 1,2: Sun-chasing steam power generation system 10: Solar energy collection components 11: Rack 12: Fresnel lens 12a: Finished surface 13: Connector 14: Linkage assembly 141: First Link 142: Second Link 143: Third Linkage 15: First Driver 16: Second Driver 17: Steam pipe 17a: Output terminal 20,20': Power unit 21: Piston 22: Cylinder 22a: Drain hole 23: Flywheel assembly 30,30': Generator 40: Water collection tank 42: Air relief valve 44: Return water motor 50: Water storage tank 52: Check valve 60: Water supply pipeline 70: Steam pressure cylinder 72: Exhaust valve A1: First swing axis A2: Second swing axis d: minimum distance D: Pre-determined distance G: Combination h: height P1: First position P2: Second position P3: Third position S1: Longitudinal reference plane S2: Horizontal reference plane W: External water source w: width θ1: First included angle θ2: Second included angle θ3: Third included angle

Claims

1. A solar-tracking steam power generation system, comprising: a solar energy collection assembly including a frame, a Fresnel lens, a connector, a linkage assembly, a first actuator, a second actuator, and a steam pipe, the linkage assembly being pivotally mounted on the connector, the Fresnel lens and the steam pipe being disposed on the linkage assembly, the first actuator being disposed on the frame and connected to the connector to drive the connector to oscillate about a first oscillation axis, the second actuator being disposed on the connector and connected to the linkage assembly to drive the linkage assembly to oscillate about a second oscillation axis; a power unit communicating with an output end of the steam pipe; and a generator connected to the power unit; wherein... The Fresnel lens focuses light onto the steam pipe to heat the water inside, thereby generating steam which is output from the output end to drive the power unit, which in turn drives the generator to generate electricity.

2. The sun-chasing steam power generation system as described in claim 1, wherein a longitudinal reference plane is defined, the first oscillation axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal reference plane, and the second oscillation axis is located on the longitudinal reference plane.

3. The sun-tracking steam power generation system as described in claim 2, wherein the second driver can drive the linkage assembly to swing about the second swing axis to a first position, a second position, and a third position respectively. When the linkage assembly is in the first position, one of the light-receiving surfaces of the Fresnel lens forms a first angle with the longitudinal reference plane. When the linkage assembly is in the second position, the light-receiving surface of the Fresnel lens forms a second angle with the longitudinal reference plane. When the linkage assembly is in the third position, the light-receiving surface of the Fresnel lens forms a third angle with the longitudinal reference plane. The first angle is smaller than the second angle, and the second angle is smaller than the third angle.

4. The sun-chasing steam power generation system as described in claim 3, wherein the number of solar energy collection components is multiple, the solar energy collection components are arranged at predetermined intervals in the direction of the first swing axis, wherein the solar energy collection components are disposed on a horizontal reference plane and have a height h, and when the linkage assembly is in the first position, the Fresnel lens has a minimum distance d between it and the horizontal reference plane, the solar energy collection components have a width w in the direction of the first swing axis, and the predetermined distance is greater than or equal to w(hd) / d.

5. The sun-chasing steam power generation system as described in claim 1, comprising a water collection tank connected to the power unit.

6. The sun-chasing steam power generation system as described in claim 5 includes a water storage tank and a water supply pipeline. The water storage tank is connected to an external water source and the steam pipe, and the water supply pipeline is connected to the water storage tank and the water collection tank. The water supply pipeline supplies water from the water collection tank to the water storage tank.

7. The solar-powered steam generator system as described in claim 1 includes a steam pressure cylinder, wherein there are multiple solar collection components, the steam pressure cylinder is connected to the output end of each steam pipe and the power unit, and the output end of each steam pipe is connected to the power unit through the steam pressure cylinder.

8. The sun-chasing steam power generation system as described in claim 7, wherein the steam cylinder has an exhaust valve.

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