Abstract:
A building, or other self-supporting structure, incorporating a multi-stage system for energy generation, is disclosed. The system comprises several elements connected together to form a loop within the self-supporting structure. A moving fluid circulates within the loop. Part of the loop is comprised of a series of connected solar building blocks incorporated into the walls of the structure. The building blocks concentrate and collect solar radiation, to directly produce electricity by means of embedded photovoltaic cells, and to heat a moving fluid which carries thermal energy away from the solar cells and vertically up to a gas turbine connected to an electrical generator. The returning fluid, is condensed to a liquid and directed downwardly to a liquid turbine connected to an electrical generator. A return pipe closes the loop by returning the fluid to the bottom of the series of building blocks.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to static structures, such as a building, which incorporate a system for producing electricity, and more particularly to a static structure incorporating a system that produces electricity by using solar radiation and different kinds of energy transformation for maximum efficiency. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The recent energy crisis, as illustrated by skyrocketing fuel prices and electric power outages in the state of California, has brought back the idea that there is a need to develop alternate sources of energy. One available source of energy is the Sun, providing electromagnetic radiation in the form of heat radiation and light radiation. Another source of energy is the gravitational field of the Earth, in the form of kinetic energy of falling water, for instance. Power generating devices have been developed in the past to take advantage of one or the other source of energy, or both in combination. 
     The two sources of energy can be combined to increase efficiency. Another way to increase efficiency is to concentrate the solar radiation, using reflectors and/or lenses. The high frequency part of the spectrum in solar radiation can be used to directly produce electricity by means of photovoltaic cells. The heat produced by the low frequency end of the spectrum can be used to heat or evaporate a fluid and bring it to a higher elevation. The fluid can then acquire kinetic energy by falling back to a lower level, and power a hydraulic turbine/electric generator assembly. The thermal energy carried by the heated fluid can also provide electricity by powering a heat turbine/electric generator assembly. 
     Several combinations of the above elements have been disclosed in the past. 
     Smith (U.S. Pat. No. 4,391,100) and Arthur (U.S. Pat. No. 4,010,614) disclose systems for converting solar radiation into electricity that include a concentrator and a boiler for producing steam. The steam moves upward and is used to drive a primary steam-powered turbine coupled to an electric generator. The steam is then condensed and the produced water falls down to a secondary water-powered turbine coupled to an electric generator. The water then goes back to its initial location in the boiler and is ready for a new cycle. 
     The present inventor (U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,012) discloses a building block, to be used in static structures such as walls and for converting solar radiation into electricity that include a concentrator and photovoltaic cells. The excess heat concentrated at the photovoltaic cells is extracted by means of a circulating fluid that carries the thermal energy away. 
     Johnson (U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,927), Newman (U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,554), Stark (U.S. Pat. No. 4,249,516), Kelly (U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,164) and Bell (U.S. Pat. No. 4,002,031) disclose systems for converting solar radiation into electricity that include a concentrator and photovoltaic cells. In each case, the excess heat concentrated at the photovoltaic cells is extracted by means of a circulating fluid that carries the thermal energy away to a secondary system where it can be used to drive a steam-powered turbine coupled to an electric generator. 
     Doe (U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,029) and Thompson (U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,103) disclose systems for concentrating solar radiation, and using the produced heat to evaporate a moving fluid. This fluid is then used to drive a steam-powered turbine coupled to an electric generator. 
     Vanzo (U.S. Pat. No. 4,910,963) and Lindmayer (U.S. Pat. No. 4,149,903) disclose systems for directly converting solar radiation into electric current by means of photovoltaic cells. In a second phase, thermal energy is converted into electric energy by means of a steam-powered turbine coupled to an electric generator. 
     Falconer (U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,328), Bliamptis (U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,189), McFarland (U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,704) and Parker (U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,971) disclose systems for converting solar radiation into electricity in a two-phase process. In a first stage, solar radiation is used to evaporate a fluid that moves up to a primary steam-powered turbine or engine coupled to an electric generator. In a second stage, the fluid is condensed and falls back to a lower height. Its gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy that is used to drive a liquid-powered turbine or engine coupled to an electric generator. 
     Iozzi (U.S. Pat. No. 4,306,416) and Morey (U.S. Pat. No. 4,095,429) disclose systems in which heat (from solar radiation or any other source) is used to evaporate a fluid and make it move upward to a higher position where it gets gravitational potential energy. The fluid is then condensed and driven downward in order to convert its potential energy into kinetic energy that can be used to activate a hydraulic turbine and thus, produce electricity. 
     Each of the foregoing U.S. patents is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     All of these systems fall short of thoroughly taking advantage of the possibilities offered by the combination of solar and gravitational energy. Their low efficiency and high cost of manufacture and installation have been an obstacle to their wider application. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the aforesaid problems and deficiencies of the prior art by an integrated building system in which several components which use solar energy are combined into a system utilizing a plurality of solar building blocks incorporated into a static structure such as a wall. 
     An advantage of the present invention is to provide an autonomous system for producing electricity, by which a building can produce its own energy and not depend entirely on an electric company for its power supply. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is its efficiency. By collecting the unused energy in one element of the system to power the next element of the system, the waste of energy is minimized. 
     A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a loop in which no fuel is necessary and in which the fluid used to collect and transport energy is continuously recycled and fed back into said loop. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide an integrated approach to the designing and building of residences, office buildings, hotels, and other buildings in which the energy necessary to run the building.(for lighting, heating, air conditioning, electric appliances, etc . . . ) is produced within the structure of the building itself, therefore combining the cost of building materials with the cost of the energy supply. This would lower the total life-cycle cost of a building, compared to an older building retro-fitted with a solar power installation according to previous inventions. 
     The advantages of this invention are obtained by a system of several elements connected together to form a loop within a static structure, such as a wall of building or of a power generating structure, and by a method of operating the system. A moving fluid circulates within the loop. Part of the loop is comprised of a series of connected building blocks incorporated into the walls of a building. The building blocks also concentrate and collect solar radiation, to directly produce electricity by means of embedded photovoltaic cells, and to heat a moving fluid which cools, and carries the thermal energy away from, the solar cells and vertically up to a gas turbine connected to an electrical generator. The returning fluid, now condensed to a liquid, is directed downwardly to a liquid turbine connected to an electrical generator. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an electricity producing system is comprised of a fluid loop in a vertical plane located within a static structure and which includes a conventional gas or steam turbine coupled to an electric generator. The turbine is powered by the thermal energy carried by a moving fluid heated by solar energy collected by a building block that is part of the static structure and located at a lower level. A condenser and/or heat exchanger located at an upper level then returns the fluid to a liquid state. A substantially vertical pipe directs the flow of the liquid fluid vertically downward and back to a lower level. During the fall, the fluid is accelerated by the effect of gravity. A conventional hydraulic turbine coupled to an electric generator is powered by the kinetic energy of the fluid at the bottom of the vertical pipe. And a return pipe closes the loop by returning the fluid to the bottom of the series of building blocks. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view, partially in cross section, of a building which incorporates the electricity generating elements forming a vertical loop. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art building block taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the figures wherein like elements have the same number throughout the several views, and in particular with reference to FIG. 1 there is depicted a schematic representation of a building  10  which incorporates the elements of an integrated electricity producing system. 
     Building  10  has an outer wall  10 ′ comprised of a plurality of building blocks  1 . Building blocks  1  are described in greater detail hereinbelow with reference to FIG.  2 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, a system for producing electricity, using an electromagnetic radiation S from the sun and a gravitational field g from the earth, comprises: building blocks  1  incorporated into walls  10 ′ of building  10  or the like exposed to the electromagnetic radiation S; a geometrically situated loop comprised in part of blocks  1  and a plurality of electricity generating elements; and a moving fluid  3  circulating in the loop. In a preferred embodiment fluid  3  is water. The various electricity generating elements in the loop are powered by the different kinds of energy carried by fluid  3 . 
     Each building block  1 , when installed in wall  10 ′, has a substantially vertically extending duct  43 . A substantially vertical alignment of ducts  43  within adjacent blocks  1  (see also FIG. 2) forms a substantially vertical flow channel or primary pipe  4 . Primary pipe  4  has an upper opening  4   a  and a lower opening  4   b.    
     Upper opening  4   a  is connected to an input of a check or one-way valve  5 , an output of which is connected to an input opening  9   a  of a heat turbine/primary electric generator assembly  9  with a fluid conduit or pipe  8 . Assembly  9  is comprised of a conventional saturated steam driven turbine  9 ′ and a conventional electrical generator  9 ″ which is driven by turbine  9 ′. 
     An overflow reservoir  7  is connected through a pressure. relief valve  6  to pipe  8  between the output of one-way valve  5  and input opening  9   a  of electric generator assembly  9 . 
     An output opening  9   b  of heat turbine/primary electric generator assembly  9  is connected to an input  11   a  of a condenser  11 . 
     An output  11   b  of condenser  11  is connected to a top opening  13   a  of a substantially vertical secondary pipe  13 . 
     A bottom opening  13   b  of pipe  13  is connected to an input opening  15   a  of a hydraulic turbine/secondary electric generator assembly  15 . Assembly  15  is comprised of a conventional falling water driven turbine  15 ′ and a conventional electrical generator  15 ″ which is driven by turbine  15 ′. 
     An output opening  15   b  of hydraulic turbine/secondary electric generator assembly  15  is connected to a input end  17   a  of a return pipe or line  17 . To complete or close the loop, an output end  17   b  of return pipe  17  is connected to lower opening  4   b  of primary pipe  4 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, each building block  1  is used as a load bearing member of building  10  and has a body  21 . Body  21  has an opposed inner side  23  and a cover or outer side  25 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, a main portion of body  21  is preferably molded of a suitable material having compressive strength, such as glass. Cover  25  acts as a focusing lens and is preferably a Fresnel lens made of a clear material such as glass or plastic. 
     Inner side  23  is provided with a layer of insulation  24 . Body  21  has a generally pyramidal recess  27  covered by outer side  25 . In an alternate embodiment, recess  27  has can be conical. Recess  27  has side walls  29 , an inner end  31  and an outer end opening  35  for exposure to electromagnetic radiation S. Each building block  1  further comprises a conventional photovoltaic cell  33  mounted on a portion of a front side  34  of duct  43  and thus disposed in body  21  within inner end  31  of recess  27 . 
     Side walls  29  preferably have a reflective surface by means of which collimated sunlight passing through cover  25  is reflected and concentrated towards inner end  31  of recess  27 . 
     External reflectors (not shown) can also be mounted, extending outwardly from outer edges of cover  25 ; the surface of the external reflectors making an appropriate angle with the surface of cover  25  so as to increase the collecting area for electromagnetic radiation and concentrate said electromagnetic radiation onto cover  25 . The external reflectors can be made of a reflective material such as aluminum foil supported by a rigid structure extending around cover  25  of each building block  1 . 
     A conventional electric battery  37  is disposed within body  21 , and electric connectors  39  connect photovoltaic cell  33  to electric battery  37 . Electric power generated by photovoltaic cell  33  upon the impingement of electromagnetic radiation S on photovoltaic cell  33  passing through outer end opening  35  can be stored in electric battery  37  or directly used to power an associated power utilization device (not shown). An electric circuit  41  connects electric battery  37  to the associated power utilization device so as to provide power thereto. Excess energy produced may be transmitted to commercial power companies by means of an inverter (not shown) and thereby stored in a network with further cost savings or profit resulting to an owner of the electricity producing system or building. 
     Duct  43  is substantially vertical in building block  1  when installed in wall  10 ′. Duct  43  is defined by an internally black coated hollow tube having a rectangular cross section comprised of a back wall which abuts a portion of layer  24  on a side of body  21  distant from cover  25 , a front side  34  on which photovoltaic cell  33  is mounted, and by a first and second side walls. Duct  43  is adapted for the flow of moving fluid  3  therein and can have other appropriately shaped cross sections. Inner end  31  is provided with a spacing  45  around photovoltaic cell  33  for the passage of a heat radiation part of electromagnetic radiation S and impingement of heat radiation onto front side  34  of duct  43  for heating fluid  3  moving within duct  43 . The portion of duct front side  34  facing cover  25  is preferably black for better absorption of the heat radiation. 
     Referring again to FIG. 1, primary pipe  4  provides a continuous flow of heated fluid  3  in a substantially vertical upward direction as shown by arrow  3   a . When fluid  3  reaches the topmost building block  1 , at upper opening  4   a , it is a combination of water and saturated steam. A moisture separator (not shown) could be installed at this point to remove the water before fluid  3  reaches heat turbine  9 ′. The removed water could then be returned to primary pipe  3  with a conduit (not shown) or to some other location in the loop. One other location is at end  17   b  of return pipe  17 , in which case it may be desirable to locate a one-way valve in return pipe  17  just upstream of the entrance of the conduit. One-way valve  5  prevents fluid  3  from falling back into primary pipe  4 , and pressure relief valve  6  relieves any excess of pressure within heated fluid  3  that could damage the system. 
     At upper opening  4   a  of primary pipe  4 , heated fluid  3  contains thermal energy and built-up pressure. The pressure and the thermal energy power the turbine of the primary electric generator assembly  9 , and primary electric generator  9  produces electricity. 
     Fluid  3  coming out of output opening  9   b  of heat turbine/primary electric generator assembly  9  is still hot and/or in a gaseous phase. Condenser  11  condenses fluid  3  to a relatively cooled liquid state by removing thermal energy. 
     At this point, fluid  3  has given away a large portion of its thermal energy, but the physical location of fluid  3  in the loop is higher than its starting point at the lower opening  4   b  of primary pipe  4 . Given the mass M and a relative height h of the location in the loop of fluid  3 , nominally the height of secondary pipe top opening  13   a , a given volume of fluid  3  will have a gravitational potential energy E G . The gravitational potential energy E G  can be calculated by the formula: 
     
       
           E   G   =M×g× ( h−h   0 ) 
       
     
     where g is the acceleration vector due to gravity at the surface of the earth; and h 0  is a base height, which is normally the location of turbine opening  15   a . The gravitational potential energy E G  can be retrieved by directing fluid  3  to enter into and fall down from relative height h back to relative height h 0 , thus gaining kinetic energy. 
     The substantially vertical secondary pipe  13  provides a substantially vertical and downward path for fluid  3  and allows fluid  3  to be accelerated by the gravitational field of the earth. The actual kinetic energy gained by falling fluid  3  may be less than E G  if friction forces between falling fluid  3  and an inner wall surface  13   c  of secondary pipe  13  are not negligible. Frictions between fluid  3  and the inner wall surface  13   a  of secondary pipe  13  can be minimized by using low-friction materials for secondary pipe  13 , such as PVC or a teflon-coated material. 
     Hydraulic electric generator assembly  15  is used to convert the kinetic energy carried by falling fluid  3  into electric power. 
     At the bottom of the loop, return pipe  17  returns fluid  3  to an initial location at lower opening  4   b  of primary pipe  4  and thereby allows a continuous flow of fluid  3 . Return pipe  17  can be installed with a downward inclination, output end  17   b  being lower than input end  17   a , so as to allow fluid  3  to be accelerated by gravity and to enter primary pipe  4  with an initial speed. A pump (not shown), powered by electricity produced for example by photovoltaic cells  33 , can also be used, when necessary, to give fluid  3  an initial speed at the bottom of primary pipe  4 . 
     Thus, it can be seen that the vertical loop of the multi-stage system for energy production includes an integral part of the wall  10 ′ of building  10  for a riser portion, a heat turbine  9 ′ and condenser  11  and connecting piping located at a top loop portion of the loop, a down spout that is mounted in building  10  and is denoted secondary pipe  13 , a hydraulic turbine  15 ′ located at a bottom loop portion, and a return pipe  17  also mounted in building  10 . 
     In operation, the sun&#39;s sunlight or electromagnetic radiation impinges wall  10 ′ and the light portion thereof strikes the plurality of photovoltaic cells  33 , thereby conventionally generating an electrical current that is delivered to storage batteries  37 . In addition, because of the concentration of the sunlight by walls  29  of building block body  21  and by the focusing lens mounted on cover  25 , the sunlight heats the air in cavity  27  and duct front side  34 . This heat is transferred to water  3  circulating by natural convection and/or a pump (not shown) in pipe  43  in blocks  1 . By being successively heated in the vertically stacked building blocks  1 , the temperature of water  3  keeps increasing as it rises in ducts  43  until it boils and generates a saturated steam. The saturated steam drives heat turbine  9 ′, which in turn drives electrical generator  9 ″ and generates electrical energy. The still gaseous effluent from turbine  9 ′ is then condensed into a liquid in condenser  11  and the liquid is directed into a down spout  13 . At the bottom of down spout  13  is a hydraulic turbine which drives a second electrical generator  15 ″. From there water  3  returns to entrance  4   b  of primary pipe  4 . 
     Although the integral static structure has been described herein as being a building, in an alternative embodiment, it could simply be a wall erected, for example, on a side of a mountain with the down spout and return being mounted to supporting structure either connected to the wall or to the mountain side. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the heat turbine/primary electric generator assembly  9  can be replaced with a thermionic or thermoelectric generator (not shown), that can convert thermal energy contained in the heated moving fluid  3  directly into electricity, without the use of a turbine. In yet another alternate embodiment of the invention, a Stirling engine (not shown) can be used instead of the heat turbine to power a dynamo-like electric generator (hot shown). 
     In still another alternate embodiment of the invention, condenser  11  can be coupled to a heat exchanger (not shown) in which a secondary fluid (not shown) retrieves some thermal energy still carried by the heated moving fluid  3 . The secondary fluid could be water and could be used to drive a further thermoelectric or thermionic generator, for domestic heating, or as a hot water supply for domestic use. 
     In alternate embodiments, any appropriate fluid, other than water, can be used to maximize the efficiency of the system. The efficiency depends on the height on the structure, the nature of the heat-to-electricity conversion means that is used, the local climate, and other possibly intervening factors. Some examples of other fluids can include alcohols, chlorinated organic compounds or mixtures of water and glycol. Preferably, the fluid will have a liquid state at around room temperatures and pressure, and a gaseous state at temperatures which are reached inside duct  43  of building block  1 . 
     Although only a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.