Patent Publication Number: US-2016233829-A1

Title: Solar water-collecting, air-conditioning, light-transmitting and power  generating house

Description:
This application is a Divisional application of application Ser. No. 14/168,578 filed Jan. 30, 2014; the contents of Ser. No. 14/168,578 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The world&#39;s population has already exceeded seven billion people and it continues to grow exponentially higher. By the year 2050 we may reach 9.5 billion people. The needs for drinking water, nutritious food, and clean energy are more urgent than ever before. While the planet&#39;s population is increasing, we also continue the pollution of lands, rivers, and oceans through toxic emissions, mainly by burning fossil fuels to power heavy industry and vehicles. Chemicals are discarded into rivers and oceans from industry and agricultural fertilizers. These are the facts of our daily news and contribute to global warming and climate change. 
     One problem with current centralized power production facilities is the loss of efficiency and therefore additional resources required to send electricity from the power plant to each of the consuming locations, for example a multitude of households. A similar problem is faced by water utilities; fresh water must be located, treated in a central location, and then pumped to the many locations in which it is to be used. 
     A solution is needed which can increase self-sufficiency. In particular, the costs of producing energy and clean water heavily tax the environment; there is a need for a low-cost method for meeting those needs on a mass scale. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a system for collecting solar energy and fresh water may be disclosed. The system may include one or more assemblies of collector modules, each of which module may contain a photovoltaic cell and a thermal fluid. The thermal fluid may be used to heat a building and/or produce electricity. The assembly may further be coupled to a collection shaft which may collect water and/or disseminate light through a building. Various configurations of single modules, single assemblies, or multiple large-scale assemblies are also possible. If integrated with a house, the system may reduce the net energy consumption of the household. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which: 
       Exemplary  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a collector module for solar energy. 
       Exemplary  FIG. 1 a    shows a detailed view of the location of a photovoltaic cell in relation to a concentrating lens of a collector module for solar energy. 
       Exemplary  FIG. 2  shows a solar house incorporating a plurality of collector modules. 
       Exemplary  FIG. 3  shows a schematic diagram of a thermal fluid system connected to multiple collector modules. 
       Exemplary  FIG. 4  shows an assembly of collector modules on the roof of a building coupled to a system of reflective mirrors. 
       Exemplary  FIG. 5  shows a schematic diagram of a field system incorporating multiple assemblies of collector modules. 
       Exemplary  FIG. 5 a    shows a single assembly of collector modules coupled to a water collection tank. 
       Exemplary  FIG. 5 b    shows a perspective view of a field system incorporating multiple assemblies of collector modules. 
       Exemplary  FIG. 6  shows a see-through version of a collection shaft with water/light conduction tubes leading off of it. 
       Exemplary  FIG. 6 a    shows an assembly of collector modules which may be used in conjunction with the shaft in exemplary  FIG. 6 . 
       Exemplary  FIG. 6 b    shows a top-down view of the collection shaft of exemplary  FIG. 6 . 
       Exemplary  FIG. 6 c    shows a view of an opening of one of the conduction tubes of exemplary  FIG. 6 . 
       Exemplary  FIG. 7  shows a side-view of a vertical farming high rise building. 
       Exemplary  FIG. 7 a    shows a tracking system for use with an assembly of collector modules. 
       Exemplary  FIG. 8  shows a stylized “light place.” 
       Exemplary  FIG. 9  shows a stylized “water place.” 
       Exemplary  FIG. 10  shows a cooling and ventilation system incorporated into the water storage tank and collection shaft of an embodiment similar to that as shown in exemplary  FIG. 2 . 
       Exemplary  FIG. 11  shows several possible designs for light-reflecting mirrors for use with an assembly of collector modules. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows. 
     As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiment are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. 
     According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a system for collecting solar energy and fresh water may be disclosed. The system may include one or more assemblies of collector modules, each of which module may contain a photovoltaic cell and a thermal fluid. The thermal fluid may be used to heat a building and/or produce electricity. The assembly may further be coupled to a collection shaft which may collect water and/or disseminate light through a building. Various configurations of single modules, single assemblies, or multiple large-scale assemblies are also possible. If integrated with a house, the system may reduce the net energy consumption of the household. 
     Referring to exemplary  FIGS. 1 and 1   a , a collector module  10  for solar energy may include a concentrating lens  11 , a solar photovoltaic (PV) cell  30 , and a thermal container  12 . Concentrating lens  11  may as thick or as thin as desired for a particular application. Concentrating lens  11  may further be constructed of an acrylic thin-film material, or as desired. Lens  11  may further be constructed of a multiple-micro-lens material. According to one non-limiting example, lens  11  may be constructed of an acrylic thin-film material with a thickness of approximately 0.3175 cm. Additionally, lens  11  may be colored or colorless, as desired, for example to enhance its aesthetic quality, and/or lens  11  may be in any shape, for example a hexagonal shape. PV cell  30  may be located proximate to the focal point of lens  11 . Thermal container  12  may be located below lens  11 . For example, PV cell  30  may be located on the top exterior surface of thermal container  12 . Thermal container  12  may further be painted black. Lens  11 , PV cell  30 , and thermal container  12  may be constructed in a 1:1 ratio for every collector module  10 , or multiple lenses  11  may be employed for a single thermal container  12 , as desired. 
     According to one non-limiting example, one or more collector modules  10  could be affixed to the roof of a building, for example the roof of a house, to provide solar energy collection for the building. Lens  11  may be coated with a water- and particulate-resistant material to protect the integrity and functionality of collector module  10 . 
     In the use of collector module  10 , exemplary temperatures may reach 700-800° Celsius. A thermally-conductive fluid  40  may be used in thermal container  12  to capture and absorb the heat created by concentrating lens  11 . Thermally-conductive fluid  40  may be for example molten salt, thermally-conductive oil, or as desired. Fluid  40  may be conducted to and from container  12  through feeder tube  16  and drainage tube  15 . Where multiple thermal containers  12  are used in a single application, thermal containers  12  may be connected in parallel or in series through feeder/drainage tubes  16 / 15 , as desired. Feeder tube  16  and drainage tube  15  may allow thermally-conductive fluid  40  to flow in a closed-loop system to transfer the heat energy elsewhere to perform work, for example to heat a building or to heat water to produce steam to drive a turbine-generator for electricity, or as desired. 
     According to at least one exemplary embodiment, an application of collector module  10  can produce electric energy of at least 0.45 KW/m2 and at an efficiency of at least 90%. 
     Referring now to exemplary  FIG. 2 , a solar house  100  may include a concave roof assembly provided with a plurality of interconnected thermal containers  12  holding a thermally conductive fluid in fluid communication with feeder tube  16  and drainage tube  15 . Water- and light-collecting shaft  105  may pass downward through floors  103  of solar house  100  and may terminate below the ground line  109  within a basement. Shaft  105  may cause water to flow through the building into a water-collection container  107 . 
     As solar energy is absorbed by the fluid in thermal containers  12 , the fluid may be transferred down by drainage tube  15  to the basement of solar house  100 . There may be temperature sensors (not shown) that would, when desired, allow the heated fluid to circulate within the building at each floor  103 . When the temperature inside the building is sufficiently high, the heated fluid may flow to a system of storage tanks  17 ,  18 . From storage tanks  17 , 18  the fluid may be pumped into the floors at night to heat the building, or may be used in a steam-turbine generator (not shown) for electricity generation, or as desired. 
     Exemplary  FIG. 3  shows one non-limiting embodiment  300  of a set of six thermal containers  12 , each with a concentrating lens, connected in parallel. Each thermal container  12  may contain a thermally-conductive fluid which may further flow through feeder and drainage tubes  16 / 15 , as substantially described above. The fluid may flow to a heat exchanger  14 , where it may heat another fluid, for example water/steam, to be used in a steam-turbine generator (STG)  19 . Steam condenser  26  may collect outgoing cool air from STG  19  and transfer it back to heat exchanger  14 . At night, the thermally-conductive fluid may be transferred to a storage container  17  containing a heat-storage material, for example molten salt. From storage container  17 , feeder tube  16  may draw the thermally-conductive fluid back to thermal containers  12  for re-heating. 
     Exemplary  FIG. 4  illustrates another non-limiting exemplary embodiment  400  wherein a concave assembly  101  holding a plurality of solar energy collecting modules and/or thermal containers, as shown in exemplary  FIGS. 1-3  and described above, is further fitted with at least one mirror  29 . Mirror  29  may be hinged to concentrate solar energy onto assembly  101 , and may be adjusted throughout the day or year to maximize the efficiency of the solar energy collecting modules and/or thermal containers. 
     Now referring to exemplary  FIGS. 5-5   b , a field system  500  utilizing a plurality of solar energy- and/or water-collecting assemblies  101  may be disclosed. Field system  500  may be designed or adapted to work in various environments. For example, in a desert application, a water- and particulate-resistant coating on each lens used together with a concave shape of each assembly  101  may allow water and sand to slide off the lenses. Water can then be filtered and collected separately, such as in container  107 . This is an advantage because conventional projects may develop a plaque-like substrate that deposit on the lower part of such conventional parabolic mirrors, and must be cleaned frequently. 
     Each assembly  101  may be concave and formed in any shape, for example, hexagonal. Each assembly  101  may further be coupled to a mirror  29  which may assist in the efficiency of the collection of solar energy. Each assembly  101  may also be coupled to a collecting shaft  105  for water or any other matter which may fall upon the surface of assembly  101 . 
     A thermally-conductive fluid may travel in a closed-loop system to and from assemblies  101  by way of feeder and drainage tubes  16  and  15 , respectively. Heated fluid may be taken from assemblies  101  by way of drainage tube  15  to one or more heat exchangers  14 ,  26 , and/or  27 . Heat exchanger  14  may provide access to one or more thermal storage containers  17  and  18 . The flow of heat to and from thermal storage containers  17 ,  18  may be controlled in part based on time of day. For example, heat may be stored in the containers during the day to be used later at night. Additionally, the stored heat may be transferred back into the system at night to maintain a desired viscosity in the fluid, for example when using molten salt. Heat exchanger  26  may be used to heat water or water vapor into steam, which may be used in STG  19  to produce electricity. Spent vapor from STG  19  may then flow to a heat exchange loop including a heat exchanger  27  in fluid communication with an air cooled condenser  25 , further cooling and condensing the water, after which it may return to heat exchanger  26 . 
     According to one non-limiting example, field system  500  may be a stand-alone solar power system. Field system  500  may also be integrated with a building or other structure to provide electricity and/or heat to the building or structure. 
     Additionally, PV cells may be integrated with the thermal containers  12  in a fashion similar to as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1   a , and as described above. The PV cells may be connected together and thereby form an additional electricity source for field system  500 . A high-temperature resistant PV material may be used, for example, gallium arsenide (GaAs), or as desired. 
     Each assembly  101  may be coupled to a collection shaft  105  which may further lead to a storage container  107 . A filter  503  may be placed proximate to the bottom portion of shaft  105 . Filter  503  may be, for example, a semi-permeable membrane through which water may flow but particulate matter may not flow. The water may then fall to a purifying filter  504  before entering container  107 . Located proximate to filter  503  may be a door  502  operated by a sensor  501  by way of an opening mechanism  505 . Sensor  501  may detect for an accumulation of particulate matter, and when a threshold level has been reached, door  502  may be opened to allow the particulates to drop out. Alternatively, door  502  may remain open at all times, allowing particulates to continuously drop out of shaft  105 . 
     Exemplary  FIGS. 6, 6   a , and  6   b  show a distribution system  600  for water and light which can incorporate solar-energy collection assembly  101  utilizing thermal containers  12 . Collection shaft  105  may be coupled proximate to the bottom of a concave assembly  101 , which itself may be affixed to the roof of a building, to collect water and light and distribute it to different parts of the building. One or more conducting tubes  606  may lead from shaft  105  to different parts of the building, for example to each floor or to each room, where there may be openings  603  through which water and/or sunlight may pass. Light may be reflected or conducted through tubes  606  using mirrors or a fiber optic system, or as desired. Water may flow through tubes  606  using gravity or pumps, or as desired. Shaft  105  may additionally have an outer shell  601 , which may have an aesthetically pleasing cylindrical shape. 
     Exemplary  FIG. 6 c    shows a cross-sectional view of a tube  606 , as described above, with an opening  603 . Mirrors  604  may be placed around opening  603 , which may scatter or spread the entering light, thereby causing it to more efficiently brighten the interior area. 
     The advantages of this embodiment may be realized when installed by itself or as integrated with a building. For example, when integrated with a residential building, either single-family or a multi-family apartment building, the energy consumption of each affected household may be decreased. Additionally, the calming effects of a light place or a water place may be integrated with this embodiment as further described below. 
     Exemplary  FIG. 7  shows a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a vertical farming high rise building  700  which may incorporate a solar-energy collection assembly  101  utilizing thermal containers  12 . Collection shaft  105  may conduct collected rain water down through building  700  to a storage container  107 . In the event water is needed in a part of building  700 , water may be diverted in a manner similar to as described above and shown in exemplary  FIG. 6 , or water may be pumped up from container  107 , as desired. 
     Now referring to exemplary  FIG. 7 a   , a tracking system may be utilized with any of the above-described embodiments incorporating solar-energy collection assembly  101  utilizing thermal containers  12 . At least one mirror  29  may be coupled to collection assembly  101  to concentrate the solar light. A pair of base structures  704  may support collection assembly  101  over a bearing system  703 . Bearing system  703  may allow collection assembly  101  to rotate. A piston  705  may be coupled to collection assembly  101  and one of base structures  704 , which may allow collection assembly  101  to tilt to various angles. Bearing system  703  and piston  705  may allow collection assembly  101  to be mounted on roofs with different pitches, or on the exterior wall of a structure, and continually track the sun as its position changes over the course of the year or a single day. 
     Exemplary  FIG. 8  shows a stylized representation of a light place  800 , incorporating a conducting tube  606 , opening  603 , and mirrors  604 , as shown in exemplary  FIG. 6 c    and described above. Light place  800  may be a decorative output for light conducted by conducting tube  606 , and may be designed to be aesthetically pleasing, for example in the shape of a fireplace, and may provide light to an interior room of a building. 
     Exemplary  FIG. 9  shows a stylized representation of a water place  900 . Water place  900  may be a decorative output for water conducted by conducting tube  606  and may be designed to be aesthetically pleasing, for example in the shape of a fireplace, and may provide a calming waterfall to an interior room of a building. The water for water place  900  may be provided via a conducting tube  606  as shown in exemplary  FIG. 6  and described above. Water place  900  may include a fountain  901 , a reservoir  902 , and a pump  903 . The power for pump  903  may be supplied by an in-building generator, for example a generator for which the power is supplied by a solar-energy collection assembly  101  and any of the above-described embodiments. The evaporation inherent in an open-water system such as water place  900  may also cool the room in which it is located, thereby reducing the need for other air-conditioning energy costs. 
     Exemplary  FIG. 10  shows a cooling system using water collected in a storage container  107 , for example as shown  FIG. 2  and described above. A ventilator fan  1006  may move cool air from the top of container  107  through a filter  1002 . The air may then be propelled by fan  1006  through shaft  105  and exit openings  603  into the interior of a building. The propelled air may thus cool the rooms into which it enters. A sensor  1003  may be installed at the fan  1006  to control the functioning of fan  1006 , causing it to run or stop as desired. Fan  1006  may be powered by an in-building generator, for example a generator for which the power is supplied by a solar-energy collection assembly  101  and any of the above-described embodiments. 
     Exemplary  FIG. 11  illustrates several non-limiting exemplary embodiments of a solar mirror  29  as described above. As shown in exemplary  FIG. 11 , the mirror may be a plate ( 29 ), a lotus flower design ( 29   a ), a rose petal design ( 29   b ), a sub flower petal design ( 29   c ), or as desired. Other designs for a mirror are also envisioned. Such flower-related designs may improve the aesthetic qualities of the solar-energy collecting assembly to which the mirror may be coupled. 
     Referring now generally to exemplary  FIGS. 1-11 , a variety of different configurations and usages are envisioned. A plurality of collector modules may be combined in a solar energy collecting assembly. The solar energy collecting assembly may further include one or more reflecting mirrors and/or a tracking system, and the assembly may be used individually or set up as a field of energy collectors. The heated thermal fluid from the collector modules may be used to heat an interior area and/or produce electricity. Also, a concave-shaped assembly may be used to collect water for other applications. Additionally, an open-structured water collection shaft may also be used to conduct light into the interior of a building. 
     The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.