Abstract:
Method and apparatus for a solar energy generating system to provide electricity to a structure ranging from a single family dwelling to multi-unit dwellings to commercial buildings, or a power plant or power grid. The system includes a solar collector having a magnifying lens to direct and focus sun rays to a solar energy collector, a heat transfer unit, boiler, a water heater backup system, a condenser unit and steam engine, and plural electrical energy storage units to store and dispense electricity to the selected type of electricity user.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/136,879 dated Aug. 15, 2011. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to solar energy generating systems and, more particularly, is concerned with a solar energy generator that incorporates a plurality of unique components to more efficiently produce cost effective electricity. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The present invention relates to a magnified solar generator system offering improved efficiency by the use of a combination of components unique to the solar production of electricity. The system of this invention has particular utility to residential building structures where the preferred system is suited best for single family homes. Notwithstanding the preferred application, it will be understood that the system hereof is also suitable to multi-unit structures, commercial buildings and new or existing power plants, thus, the applicability of the system is quite broad. 
     While the known commercial and published patents reveal a number of systems for producing solar energy, none teach a system as unique as the one herein described. Examples of such published patents are set forth below. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,542, dated Mar. 26, 2002, Luo, disclosed an apparatus for converting solar energy into electrical energy and included a solar energy collecting device for collecting light energy from the sun, and a tank for holding water therein. The tank is held in place with respect to the solar energy collecting device to enable the solar energy collecting device to direct the light energy collected thereby to the tank, to increase the temperature of the tank for converting the water in the tank into steam. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 7,821,147, dated Oct. 26, 2010, Du Bois disclosed a portable, towable, buoyant hybrid renewable energy platform for producing and storing electrical energy using wind, water, and solar power, or a combination thereof. Included on this platform is a wind turbine that semi detaches to become a water turbine, if necessary. A small, fuel backup generator is provided for, as is a system for air portage and stabilizing the device. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 7,898,212, dated Mar. 1, 2011, Benn, et al., disclosed a portable PV modular solar generator. A plurality of wheels is attached to the bottom of a rechargeable batter container. At least one rechargeable battery is contained inside the rechargeable batter container. A power conditioning panel is connected to the rechargeable battery container. At least one rechargeable battery is contained inside the rechargeable battery container. A power conditioning panel is connected to the rechargeable battery container. At least one photovoltaic panel is pivotally connected. In a preferred embodiment, the rechargeable battery container is a waterproof battery enclosure having a knife switch connection. A mast having a rotation bar is supported by the waterproof battery enclosure. At least one solar panel support brace for supporting the photovoltaic panel is attached to the rotation bar. The power conditioning panel is waterproof, is attached to the mast and has a door. When the door is opened, at least one safety switch is opened, breaking an electric circuit. The waterproof power conditioning panel has a charge controller and an inverter. The charge controller is electrically connected to at least one rechargeable battery and at least one photovoltaic panel, and is capable of receiving auxiliary power inputs. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 7,938,615, dated May 10 2011, Michaud disclosed an atmospheric vortex engine. A tornado-like convective vortex is produced by admitting air at the base of a cylindrical wall via tangential entry ducts. The heat required to sustain the vortex is provided in peripheral heat exchange means located outside the cylindrical wall. The heat source for the peripheral exchange means can be waste industrial heat or warm sea water. The preferred heat exchange means is a, cross-flow wet cooling tower. The mechanical energy is produced in a plurality of turbines. The air can enter an arena via tangential entries or via an opening at the center of the arena floor. The invention can be used to produce mechanical energy, to reduce the temperature of cooled water or to produce precipitation. The invention includes a circular forced draft cooling tower that can operate in non-vortex mode or in vortex mode. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 7,969,133, dated Jun. 28, 2011, Zhaug, et al., disclosed a method for providing maximum power point tracking for an energy generating device using a local buck-boost converter coupled to the device. The method includes operating in a tracking mode, which includes initializing a conversion ratio for the buck-boost converter based on a previous optimum conversion ratio; a device power associated with the initialized conversion ratio is calculated. The conversion ratio is repeatedly modified and a device power associated with each of the modified conversion ratios is calculated. A current optimum conversion ratio for the buck-boost converter is identified based on the calculated device powers; the current optimum conversion ratio corresponds to one of a buck-mode, a boost mode and a buck-boost mode for the buck-boost converter. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 7,969,735, dated Jun. 28, 2011, Nakatsu, et al, disclosed a power converter which is capable of minimizing an extent to which the power converter components other than the semiconductor module are thermally affected by the heat originating from the semiconductor module. A casing houses: semiconductor modules constituting a circuit for power conversion; a capacitor electrically connected to the main circuit drive circuits, that provide the main circuit with a drive signal used in power conversion operation; a control circuit that provides the drive circuit with a control signal used to prompt the drive circuit to provide the drive signal, Within the casing, a cooling chamber, including a coolant passage is formed, and a chamber wall of the cooling chamber is formed with a thermally conductive material. At least the semiconductor modules are housed inside the cooling chamber, and at least the capacitor and the control circuit are disposed outside the cooling chamber. 
     In U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0244449 dated Sep. 30, 2010, Lee disclosed a solar-based power generator. 
     The system of this invention incorporates a unique combination of components not found in the foregoing prior art system. The improved efficiency of this combination will become more apparent in the following description and accompanying drawings. 
     While these solar energy driven systems may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as hereinafter described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention discloses a solar energy generating system for providing electricity to a structure, e.g., a single family residence. The system comprises a dome-shaped energy collector that receive radiant energy from the sun wherein the rays are magnified and collected on a heat collection head disposed in a collection chamber. A heat transfer unit having inner and outer chambers containing a heat transmission fluid transfers heat to a heat disbursement plate disposed on its distal end remote from the heat collection head, which heat disbursement plate heats water in the boiler to convert the water into super heated steam. The steam is used to drive a steam engine which turns a generator to produce electricity. The electricity is then stored in an electrical energy storage unit being either a plurality of first battery packs for use by the structure or second battery packs for use in system maintenance such as regulating heat in the boiler and returning condensed steam back to the boiler. Furthermore, the electricity generated from the system can go through a switching device or be sold on a conventional power grid. Also, the present invention can be manufactured and sized for any application. 
     An object of the present invention is to achieve a more efficient operating system for a solar energy generating system by use of a unique combination of components. A further object of the present invention is to provide a solar energy collector that incorporates a movable magnifying means to track the angle of the sun&#39;s rays from north to south and to concentrate the rays to a heat collector head; east to west tracking is accomplished by the shape of the collector dome. A further object of the present invention is the use of a specifically designed heat transfer unit to transfer heat from the solar energy collector through a boiler and into a heat disbursement plate at the bottom of the boiler while heating all areas within the boiler. A further object of the present invention is to provide a specifically designed backup water heater system using friction to produce heat to be used in the boiler at night or any other time there are insufficient sun rays. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereto, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating the preferred solar energy generating system according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged plan view of the solar energy collector for the system of  FIG. 1  showing a dome cover containing a magnifying means and a mobile means to track the sun&#39;s rays from north to south and the collection chamber heat collector head and top end of the heat transfer unit. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged scale incorporated into the solar energy collector of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of the heat transfer unit forming part of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of the boiler for incorporation into the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram, similar to  FIG. 1 , further showing the system of the present invention in relation to an exemplary single family home utilizing the system hereof. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion describes in detail at least one embodiment of the present invention. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the present invention to the particular embodiments described herein since practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For a definition of the complete scope of the invention the reader is directed to the appended claims.  FIGS. 1 through 7  illustrate the present invention wherein a solar energy generating system is disclosed and which is generally indicated by reference number  10 . 
     The present invention  10  is directed to a solar energy generating system that uniquely combines plural components that are not known with conventional commercial systems, along with several conventional components that are known and used in such commercial systems. 
     The following written description makes reference generally to all the  FIGS. 1-7  and may reference specific Figures which will be indicated in the written description. Beginning with  FIG. 1 , shown therein is the present invention  10  which is a system designed to collect radiant rays  25  from the sun  12  and convert those rays into electricity through an effective and efficient method. There are unique components within the present invention  10  including a solar energy magnifier  24 , heat collection chamber  28 , heat collector head.  23 , heat transfer unit  51 , boiler unit  50  and a backup water heater unit  81 , all unique to the present invention  10 . Other conventional components, to become more apparent hereafter, include a steam engine or steam turbine  65 , an electricity generator or alternator  70 , two electrical energy storage units which may be in the form of battery storage packs  75 ,  76  and a power switching system  77  to convert power to be used in a structure or transferred onto a conventional power grid system (not shown). 
     Dome  20  is the solar energy collector used to track the sun  12  without moving, where the dome is hemispherical in shape and is fabricated of a transparent material, such as glass, poly bicarbonate, or plastic, or the like, to allow the sun&#39;s rays  25  to pass therethrough to be magnified by a solar energy magnifier  24  and be concentrated at a central location, namely, the collection chamber  28 . The dome  20  is disposed in a receptacle-like base  22 . The angle indicator  26  of the dome  20 , as graphically illustrated in  FIG. 3 , will be set and the dome held in place using the locks  21  set to the angle of the sun  12  according to the global location of the system. Seasonal adjustments of the angle of the dome  20 , manually, or automatically, may be made to maintain the proper angle with respect to the sun  12 . The rays  25  of the sun  12  pass through a magnification lens  24 , preferable arcuate shaped to pick up the rays  25  over seasonal changes, then through a one-way pass through  27  so that the heat will be contained and restricted within the collection chamber  28 . 
     The collection chamber  28  houses a heat collector head  23  in a position to receive the focused, magnified sun rays  25 . The heat collector head  23  is thermally controlled to adjust the temperature to prevent it from overheating. The heat collector head  23  is attached to the top of the heat transfer unit  51 , shown enlarged in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , where a preferred material of construction is corrosion resistant, high heat compatible, with a high heat transfer coefficient, and expected to be manufactured from titanium, stainless steel, copper alloy or the like. It is expected that temperatures in the heat collector head  23  will range from about 500 degrees F to about 1000 degrees F; temperatures above about 1000 degrees F will be prevented (by e.g. unfocusing the solar energy magnifier  24 ) because higher temperatures may damage portions of the present invention  10 , Because a portion/extension of the heat transfer unit  51  may be exposed just below the heat collector head  23 , which extension is provided to facilitate structure  97 , it is insulated with high density insulating material  30 . The extension is expected to be about 18-24 inches long. The lower end of the heat transfer unit  51  is centrally disposed on a heat disbursement plate  53 , at the lower end of the boiler  50 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , the heat transfer unit  51 , which is a closed loop system, includes inner and outer chambers  55 ,  56  filled with heat transfer fluid which may be liquid and/or gas (the flow of which is indicated by arrows  58  on  FIGS. 4 and 7 ), preferable either glycol or cottonseed oil, or the like, for conducting and transferring heat through all areas of the boiler  50  and to the heat disbursement plate  53  in the bottom of the boiler. Since the heat transfer unit  51  is a closed loop system, flow of the heat transfer fluid which may be either liquid and/or gas can be in either direction through the heat disbursement plate  53 , where the buildup of pressure in the system, along with the heat, forces the fluid through the chambers  55 ,  56  and heat disbursement plate  53 . A computer controlled valve  54 , as known in the art, may be disposed near the top of the heat transfer unit  51  to control the flow direction. The inner and outer chambers  55 ,  56 , which contain heat transfer fluid, act as conduits through which the heat transfer fluid flows, wherein the inner and outer chambers or conduits communicate with, i.e., extends into and through at a portion of, the heat collector head  23 , the heat transfer unit  51  and the heat disbursement plate  53  so that the water in the boiler  50  is heated. The heat transfer fluid is expected to have a relatively high boiling point, well above the boiling point of water, and relatively low vapor pressure, e.g. cottonseed oil has a boiling point of about 1,850 degrees Fahrenheit and a vapor pressure of about 5 mmHg, and, the glycol family all have boiling points greater than about 350 degrees Fahrenheit and relatively low vapor pressures. 
     Heat generated within the heat collector head  23  (best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 ) is transferred by way of the heat transfer unit  51  into the boiler  50  to convert water into steam. The heat disbursement plate  53  also works together with the heat transfer unit  51  to heat the water in the boiler  50 . When more heat is needed to superheat the steam in the super heat and pressurization chamber  40  the flow of the liquid and/or gas is downward through the outer chamber  56 , through the heat disbursement plate  53 , around separator plate  85 , and up through the inner chamber  55  of the heat transfer unit  51  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , In a contrary manner, when more heat is needed to heat the water  41  in the boiler  50  to a boiling state, the flow of the liquid and/or gas is reversed so that it is downward (opposite to the condition shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 ) through the inner chamber  55  into and through the heat disbursement plate  53 , around the separator plate  85  shown in  FIG. 7 , and then up through the outer chamber  56 . That is, the system is controlled by computer  79  using valve  54  according to the temperature in the inner chamber  55  and outer chamber  56  of the heat transfer unit  51  by specific user selectable needs within the cone-shaped boiler  50  (see  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  7 ). 
     The heat disbursement plate  53  includes a secondary heat source backup friction water heater  81 , or the like, to be used to generate heat during times of the lack of sunshine. Heated mineral water from the backup friction water heater  81  enters the heat disbursement plate  53  through entrance conduit or portal  82  and associated tubing up through the inner chamber  55  and back down through the spiral tubing  57  into the heat disbursement plate  53  to return through circular heater conduit or tubing  84  and conduit or portal  83  to the backup friction water heater  81  to be reheated and used to keep the boiler  50  hot during times of little or no sunshine. 
     Heat is transferred by way of the heat transfer unit  51  into the boiler  50  to convert water into steam. The boiler unit  50  is enclosed with high density insulating material  30  and lined with reflective tiles or reflective material  93 , as best seen in  FIG. 5 , to evenly magnify and disburse heat from the heat transfer unit  51 . The boiler  50  is filled with distilled water or the like to an approximate surface level, illustrated as  41 . As the water boils the heated vapors  90  pass through the filtration system  52  to remove residual water allowing only steam to enter the super heat and pressurization chamber  40  to be super heated by means of the upper most portion of the heat transfer unit  51  where the heat transfer unit has the highest temperature and sent through heavily insulated plumbing conduit  92  to the steam engine  65 . Temperatures in the heat transfer unit  51  below filter  52  and above the waterline  41  are expected to range from about 212 F to about 300 degrees F; temperatures in the super heat and pressurization chamber  40  are expected to range from about 300 F to about 500 degrees F. Pressure in the upper portion of the boiler  50  in the area where the heated vapors  90  are shown is expected to be about 100 psi. Pressure in the super heat and pressurization chamber  40  is expected to be about 200 psi requiring a pressure relief valve  16  as would be done in the standard manner by one skilled in the art. 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the plumbing conduit  92  delivers super heated steam from the super heat and pressurization chamber  40  to the steam engine or steam turbine  65  in the direction indicated by the arrows  91 . Pressures in the steam engine/turbine  65  is expected to be about 160 to about 200 psi to assure efficient operation. Once steam has passed through the steam engine or steam turbine  65  it goes through a condenser  68 . Condensed vapors and/or liquid from the condenser  68  are pumped by means of a pump  63  through a one-way pressure valve  62 , then back into the boiler  50  to complete a closed loop system reducing the need for replacement of a large portion of lost liquid, preferably distilled water. 
     Energy is transferred through drive  66  from the steam engine or steam turbine  65  into the generator  70  where generated electrical energy is passed on through electrical wiring  71  and  72  to junction boxes  86  and to electrical energy storage units which may be in the form of plural battery storage packs  75 ,  76 , preferably two in number, for storage as would be done in the standard manner by one skilled in the art. A first battery storage pack  75  stores electrical energy to be transferred through electrical wiring  80  and used by pump  63  and backup water heater  81  or additional pumps when required. A second battery storage pack  76  stores electrical energy to be transferred through wiring  74  to a main breaker panel and switching device  77  for use in the destination structure, such as a residence, by the end user, or switched onto a conventional power grid (not shown). 
     Turning to  FIG. 6 , therein is shown an an example of an application of the present invention to a structure  97 , such as a residence, wherein the solar collector  20  is above the roof line  98  to assure it can receive the rays  25  from the sun  12 , wherein the flow of solar energy is through the solar collector chamber  28  into the heat transfer unit  51  and then into the boiler  50 , where steam exists in the boiler and flows through the plumbing conduit  92  to the steam engine  65 . The steam engine  65  converts steam energy into mechanical energy to be used by the power generator  70  to convert it into electrical energy which flows through the electrical wiring  71 ,  72  into electrical energy storage units which may be in the form of the storage battery packs  75 ,  76 . From there, the electrical energy flows through the electrical wiring  80  to the specifically designed backup water heater  81  or through the electrical conduit  74  to the switching and breaker panel  77  to be used as required by the user or placed on the power grid.  FIG. 6  also shows an exemplary single family home  97  utilizing the present invention, with a portion of the present invention, including the solar energy collector  20 , exposed on the roof  98  thereof, and the remaining components within the structure  97 . Blocks  78 , being heat and sound insulators, cover the exterior of the structure  97  housing the present invention. The following items are not actually shown on  FIG. 6  but are shown on other  FIGS. 28 ,  71 ,  72 ,  80 ,  92 . 
     Also shown in  FIG. 6  is a computer  79  which is used to control the present invention  10  as would be done in the standard manner by one skilled in the art. Computer  79  is expected to be used to control temperatures in the dome  20 , heat transfer unit  51 , heat disbursement plate  53 , super heat and pressurization chamber  40 , and the boiler  50 . Other components expected to be controlled by computer  79  include the backup water heater unit  81 , pump  63 , valve  54 , electrical energy storage units which may be in the form of battery storage packs  75 ,  76 , and power switching system  77 . 
     It is recognized that changes, variations and modifications may be made to the present invention  10  for a solar energy generating system without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, no limitation is intended to be imposed thereon except as set forth in the accompanying claims.