Inventors:
William F. Diggs - Baltimore MD
International Classification:
F24J 302
Abstract:
A solar energized steam generator includes a flux collector or projection lens for collecting and concentrating solar energy, and a reflector funnel for enhancing and concentrating the solar energy still further. The lower end of the funnel is connected by means of a conduit to an insulated vault, made of, for example, rock, gravel, stone, sand, or the like, whereby the heated air is conducted directly to the vault so as to heat the same to extremely high temperatures. An air duct, operatively connected to the vault, is disposed in heat exchange relationship with a steam generator and is also fluidically connected to the reflector funnel through a fluid duct or conduit, a fan or blower being disposed within the duct or conduit for recirculating the air throughout the system. The blower may be a two-speed blower so as to operate at high speed during time periods wherein solar energy is being received by the lens and funnel amplifier, and at low speed during those time periods when such energy is not being received, and in order to maximize the interception and collection of the radiated solar energy, the lens is mounted upon an altazimuth system which continuously varies the disposition of the lens relative to the sun in order to continuously properly align the lens therewith throughout the solar day, as well as adjusts the position of the lens so as to compensate for the alteration of the relative disposition between the sun and earth throughout the solar year.
