Compact Solar Furnace With Lens Array for Remote Heat Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar thermal systems are large, unsuitable for inhabited areas due to life-threatening temperatures, and lack the portability and maintenance efficiency needed for small, self-contained energy generation.
Innovation Solution
A compact, self-contained solar furnace with a lens array, parabolic reflector, and pressure vessel that uses solar energy to heat a heat transfer medium, which can be used to generate electricity or perform other work, featuring a sealed unit design with minimal maintenance requirements and no external power needs beyond solar energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional solar thermal systems use large central receiver systems with heliostats, then solar energy concentration and temperature generation are improved, but the system size and suitability for inhabited areas deteriorate due to life-threatening temperatures and large area coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the solar concentration function into multiple lenses arranged in an array, each lens focusing solar energy onto a portion of the pressure vessel. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high temperature generation while maintaining a compact footprint suitable for inhabited areas, resolving the contradiction between temperature generation and system area.
2Power
If conventional solar thermal systems are designed for high temperature operation, then energy generation capability is improved, but maintenance requirements and operational complexity worsen due to life-threatening temperatures and system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure vessel contains a helical heat transfer path that enables the heat transfer medium to continuously contact the vessel surface and self-regulate temperature distribution. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for external control systems and maintenance intervention, allowing high power operation with reduced maintenance requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional solar thermal systems are designed for portability and minimal external power requirements, then adaptability to remote locations is improved, but temperature generation capability and energy output worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a parabolic reflector portion that concentrates solar energy onto the pressure vessel, significantly enhancing the thermal parameters achieved by passive solar collection. This parameter change in energy concentration allows the portable unit to generate sufficient temperature and power output for practical energy generation applications while maintaining adaptability to remote locations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solar furnace efficiently raises the temperature of a heat transfer medium, enabling electricity generation or other applications like air conditioning and desalination, with minimal maintenance and no external power requirements, suitable for remote or emergency use.
Implementation Method 1
a lens array for admitting incident thermal and solar energy onto a reflector portion and a pressure vessel
Implementation Method 2
said reflector portion being generally shaped so as to concentrate said solar energy onto said pressure vessel
Implementation Method 3
which defines a continuous heat transfer path for said heat transfer medium to contact the surface of said pressure vessel
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to a solar furnace. In particular, this invention relates to a solar furnace which is capable of raising the temperature of transfer medium. In use, the heated transfer medium can be used to generate electricity or put to other work, such as, for example, air conditioning, pasteurisation or desalination. In fact, for any situation that requires a source to generate work or power. The present invention describes a solar furnace for raising the temperature of a heat transfer medium, comprising a lens array for admitting incident thermal and solar energy onto a reflector portion and a pressure vessel. The reflector portion being generally shaped so as to concentrate said solar energy onto said pressure vessel. The pressure vessel having an inlet through which said heat transfer medium is injected and a central core which defines a continuous heat transfer path for said heat transfer medium to contact the surface of said pressure vessel and exit said pressure vessel at an outlet. The solar furnace described herein is totally self-contained, requiring no additional power and can be used at the most remote locations requiring very little maintenance.