Patent ID: 7836695
Filing Date: 2010-11-23
Classification: F01K,F03G,F05B,F22B,F24S,F28D,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A solar energy system comprising: a plurality of concentrating dishes; a plurality of heated air collectors, each collector receiving directed rays of sunlight from one of the concentrating dishes; a heated air distribution assembly to collect air heated in the collectors; a thermal storage assembly operably connected to the heated air distribution assembly and having a plurality of thermal storage elements; a steam generator operably connected to the heated air distribution assembly and the thermal storage assembly such that heated air flows directly from the collectors to the steam generator without entering the thermal storage assembly under a first condition, directly from the collectors to the thermal storage assembly under a second condition, directly from the collectors to both the thermal storage assembly and the steam generator under a third condition, and directly from the thermal storage assembly to the steam generator under a fourth condition; and a steam turbine operably connected to the steam generator.