Solar-powered generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar-powered generator systems are not inexpensive and efficient, particularly in converting solar energy into electricity, and often require complex mirror arrays to heat water externally.
Innovation Solution
A solar-powered generator design featuring an inner chamber with a reflective surface and photovoltaic cells, surrounded by an outer water chamber, where sunlight is directed to heat the water from within, generating steam to drive a turbine and produce electricity, with a magnifying glass to concentrate sunlight and control valves for water and steam management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If mirrors are used to focus sunlight on the outside of a water-containing tower, then solar energy can be captured to heat water, but the system becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of directing sunlight from the outside to heat the water tank externally, this invention inverts the approach by allowing sunlight to enter the inner chamber and heating the water from within the tank through the inner spherical wall. This eliminates the need for complex external mirror arrays while maintaining effective solar energy capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a nested structure with an inner spherical chamber containing reflective surfaces and photovoltaic cells, surrounded by an outer water-containing chamber. This nested arrangement allows sunlight to be trapped and reflected within the inner chamber while simultaneously heating the water in the outer chamber, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple water heating system is used, then the device is inexpensive, but electricity generation efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The inner spherical wall serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural container, a thermal barrier, and a mounting surface for both reflective materials and photovoltaic cells. This multi-functionality allows the system to generate both thermal energy (for steam production) and electrical energy (through photovoltaic cells) using a single integrated structure, thereby increasing power output without proportionally increasing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges thermal energy conversion and electrical energy conversion into a single integrated system. The inner chamber combines reflective surfaces for thermal concentration with photovoltaic cells for direct electricity generation, while the outer chamber handles water heating and steam production. This combination allows the system to produce both steam for mechanical work and electricity simultaneously, enhancing overall power generation capacity.
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
This design efficiently generates electricity using solar energy, is cost-effective, and environmentally friendly, capable of producing large amounts of power in sunny areas, with no pollution and adaptable for remote or metropolitan use, including hydrogen generation for additional energy on cloudy days.
Implementation Method 1
a magnifying glass (convex lens) mounted outside the outer spherical wall and near the passage. The magnifying glass (convex lens) is configured to concentrate the sunlight so that more sunlight travels through the passage into the inner chamber of the sphere.
Implementation Method 2
The passage is arranged to allow for sunlight to pass through the outer chamber and enter the inner chamber. Sunlight entering the inner chamber through the tube passage bounces off of the inner reflective surface heating the inner sphere
Implementation Method 3
The sunlight will bounce off of the inner reflective surface until it is absorbed as energy through the inner spherical wall and then is absorbed by the water in the outer chamber.
Implementation Method 4
The sunlight will bounce off of the inner reflective surface until it is absorbed as energy through the inner spherical wall and then is absorbed by the water in the outer chamber.
Implementation Method 5
The water in the outer chamber will be heated until the water turns to steam.
Implementation Method 6
The container also has an outer spherical wall defining an outer chamber located between the inner spherical wall and the outer spherical wall. The inner spherical wall defining an inner chamber and having an inner reflective surface containing photovoltaic cells. Simultaneously, the sunlight striking the photovoltaic cells to generate electricity.
Implementation Method 7
The water in the outer chamber will be heated until the water turns to steam. Next the steam is allowed to exit the outer chamber through the outlet port and is direct to the steam turbine which drives the electrical generator to produce additional electrical energy.
Data Source
AI summary
A solar-powered generator captures solar energy and generates steam with the energy. The generator includes a container formed with an inner spherical wall defining an inner chamber and having an inner reflective surface containing photovoltaic cells and an outer spherical wall defining an outer chamber located between the inner and outer spherical walls. The container is formed to allow for sunlight to enter the inner chamber. An inlet port is configured to allow water to enter the outer chamber and an outlet port is configured to allow steam to exit the outer chamber, whereby sunlight entering the inner chamber through the passage bounces off of the inner reflective surface allowing thermal energy to heat the water in the outer chamber to create steam to generate electricity through an external steam turbine. While simultaneously using radiant energy to be absorbed by photovoltaic cells to generate additional electricity.