Microturbine Sun Tracker With Single-Axis Solar Dish Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar dish engines face high initial costs, complexity due to multiple axis steering, maintenance issues from moving parts and flammable working fluids, and are not suitable for electrical power generation using combined Concentrated Solar Energy (CSE) and closed cycle microturbine systems.
Innovation Solution
A Microturbine Sun Tracker system with a Solar Ray Concentrator, Microturbine, Solar Receiver, Heat Exchanger, Radiator, and Power Electronics, utilizing a closed Brayton cycle and single-axis rotation with declination tilting, which converts concentrated solar energy into electrical power with minimal maintenance and no cooling fluids, suitable for on-site and portable applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional solar dish engines use open cycle microturbines with power electronics conversion, then electrical output power generation is achieved, but high initial purchase cost and system complexity occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the power electronics conversion stage from the system by using a direct-drive configuration where the microturbine alternator directly produces grid-compatible electricity, eliminating the need for complex rectification and inversion equipment while maintaining electrical output power generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the microturbine engine and electrical generator into a single integrated unit where the turbine directly drives the alternator rotor, merging the mechanical energy conversion and electrical generation functions into one unified system that reduces overall complexity
2Measurement precision
If Stirling engine solar dish systems use simultaneous 2 axis steering, then solar tracking accuracy is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex simultaneous two-axis steering to track the sun, the patent inverts the approach by using a single-axis horizontal rotation system combined with fixed倾角 mounting, simplifying the steering mechanism while maintaining effective solar tracking capability through the earth's rotational axis alignment
3Power
If Stirling engine solar dish systems use multiple moving parts and seals, then mechanical power transmission is achieved, but working gas leakage and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical piston-cylinder seal system of Stirling engines with a gas turbine blade rotor system that has no moving seals or pistons, eliminating working gas leakage pathways while maintaining efficient mechanical power transmission through the turbine-alternator direct drive connection
Solution Approach 2:
The microturbine rotor serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the turbine for energy extraction and the rotor for the alternator, combining mechanical power generation and electrical generation in a single rotating component that eliminates the need for separate mechanical transmission systems with seals
4Strength
If conventional solar dish engines use heavy structure to retain high weight, then structural strength is improved, but portability and installation flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a horizontal rotation mounting system that allows the entire solar dish assembly to dynamically track the sun by rotating along the earth's rotational axis, providing adaptability for different installation locations and orientations while maintaining structural integrity through optimized support mechanisms
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 system achieves efficient electrical power generation with reduced maintenance, portability, and low profile design, capable of rooftop deployment, using non-flammable working fluids and hermetically sealed components, suitable for residential use without transmission lines, and offering long-term operation with minimal maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
An integrated dish form concentrating solar collector mounted onto a frame having single axis rotation and secondary declination tilting, reflects the collected sun rays to the solar receiver
Implementation Method 2
concentrating solar collector... concentrates solar rays onto a receiver tubes
Implementation Method 3
The solar receiver absorbs the concentrated sun ray solar heat energy reflected ray from the solar concentrator and transfers it to the microturbine engine
Implementation Method 4
The heat exchanger preheats the compressor discharge gas before entering the solar receiver for further heating of the gas working fluid
Implementation Method 5
The radiator cools the microturbine closed cycle working fluid prior to entering the compressor rotor inlet
Implementation Method 6
solar energy heats the working fluid of the microturbine and this resultant heated gas energy is directed to the microturbine turbine rotor causing rotor spool rotation
Implementation Method 7
heated gas energy is directed to the microturbine turbine rotor causing rotor spool rotation
Implementation Method 8
rotor spool rotation and resultant output electricity... converts high frequency high AC voltage from the engine alternator/stator to useful output volts and frequency
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates electrical power generation using renewable sun energy in a Microturbine Sun Tracker (MST), a system for useful electrical output power that combines a Concentrated Solar Energy (CSE) with a closed cycle Microturbine powerplant.The solar light ray energy of the CSE is directed into a solar receiver with an integrated closed cycle microturbine powerplant, heating the working fluid of the microturbine to cause the turbine rotor/power spool rotation and subsequent output electricity. Also the (MST) system combines the dish form (CSE) and the closed cycle microturbine powerplant to a common frame that incorporates a single axis 360° rotation capability and secondary declination tilting capability.