Patent ID: 6311476
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: B64G,F24S,Y02E

Abstract:
A solar thermal engine for propelling and powering a craft, the solar thermal engine comprising:a housing having an optical cavity adapted for receiving a beam of concentrated sunlight and converting the beam into ambient thermal energy;a propellant annulus coupled to the housing and selectively operable in a heating mode wherein the propellant annulus transmits at least a first portion of the ambient thermal energy to heat a flow of propellant;a plurality of static power converters coupled to the housing, the static power converters receiving the first portion of the ambient thermal energy when the propellant annulus is not operated in the heating mode, the plurality of static power converters employing the first portion of the ambient thermal energy to generate electrical energy; andan electrical energy storage device coupled to the plurality of static power converters, the electrical energy storage device receiving and storing the electrical energy generated by the plurality of static power converters.