Patent ID: 9638174
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: F01D,F03G,F24S,Y02E

Claim:
1. A hybrid receiver-combustor for capturing heat energy from a solar source and a fuel source, the hybrid receiver-combustor comprising: a chamber operable as a combustion zone for production of heat energy through a combustion process using the fuel source; the chamber having an aperture through which concentrated solar radiation is receivable; a fluidic seal system associated with the aperture, the fluidic seal system being operable to establish a fluidic seal for restricting fluid flow through the aperture during the combustion process; and a heat energy absorber for receiving heat energy from the concentrated solar radiation and also receiving heat energy from combustion within the chamber; the heat energy absorber comprises a heat energy transfer medium; wherein the heat energy absorber confronts the chamber and is disposed around the chamber, whereby the chamber provides a common zone relative to the heat energy absorber for receiving concentrated solar radiation and for production of heat energy through the combustion process; and wherein the heat energy absorber and the aperture cooperate to define a boundary of the chamber.