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EP-4741654-A1 - SYSTEM FOR CONVERTING SOLAR ENERGY INTO MECHANICAL ENERGY

EP4741654A1EP 4741654 A1EP4741654 A1EP 4741654A1EP-4741654-A1

Abstract

A solar system for the generation of electricity, heating, or other purposes. The solar system comprises a Fresnel lens (1.1) to concentrate sunlight onto a metallic spherical chamber (1.2) to convert a mass of water inside it into superheated steam. This steam is used to generate electricity if expelled through an ejector nozzle (1.3) towards a turbine (1.4), once the system's electronic controller (1.8) determines the opening of an electromagnetic output valve. The turbine is connected to an electricity generator (1.5), and the kinetic energy of the steam can be used for other purposes, for example for driving a water pump or an air compressor.

Inventors

  • Salas Peral, Américo

Assignees

  • Salas Peral, Américo

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20251110

Claims (8)

  1. A solar energy conversion system for converting solar energy into mechanical energy, characterized in that it comprises: - a Fresnel lens; - an evaporation chamber having a metallic spherical shape; - a programmable electronic control center; - lines for conducting water and steam, electrical cables, and electromagnetic valves; - a frame configured to hold the Fresnel lens; - a quadrangular structure connected to said frame and configured to keep the evaporation chamber permanently at the focus of the lens and to support the necessary accessories of the system, the quadrangular structure being mounted on a solar tracker with two degrees of freedom; - an ejection nozzle; - a turbine; - a flywheel; - an electric generator; - a battery or electricity accumulator; and - accessories for an air compression device, a water pumping device, a heating device, or components necessary to drive other equipment requiring mechanical energy; wherein the system evaporates a specific mass of water in the evaporation chamber to produce superheated steam due to the Fresnel lens capability of reaching a temperature above 1600 °C, and wherein the superheated steam is used under different operating regimes of the system and provides different energy conversion capacities by adapting the dimensions as required, and the operation of the system is controlled by the programmable electronic control center.
  2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a three-chamber water doser configured to recharge the working mass in the evaporation chamber for each work cycle.
  3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the three-chamber water doser is adjustable.
  4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is installed in parallel, supplying a larger capacity accumulator or battery with two or more generating units.
  5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured to generate electricity.
  6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured to compress air, comprising a drive cylinder and a compression cylinder, pistons of the compression cylinder being connected by a rod, and including an air storage tank together with the other elements.
  7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured to pump water, comprising a drive cylinder and an impeller cylinder, pistons of the impeller cylinder being connected by a rod, and including specified components and accessories.
  8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured to provide heating and comprises a thermal mass storage tank, a heat exchange coil, and specified components and accessories.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The field of this invention is renewable energy, specifically concerning the utilization of solar energy for the generation of electricity, heating, or other purposes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Currently, the most commonly used systems involve the use of panels with photovoltaic solar cells or reflective parabolic mirrors to heat a working substance, leading to water evaporation. The produced steam is generally used to drive a turbine, which in turn powers an electricity generator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The System for Converting Solar Energy into Mechanical Energy (SCSEME) is an invention whose versatility allows it to be used in any application requiring mechanical energy. It is a system that employs a Fresnel lens to concentrate sunlight onto a relatively small metallic spherical chamber to convert a mass of water inside it into superheated steam. This steam can, for example, be used to generate electricity if expelled through an ejector nozzle towards a turbine, once the system's electronic brain determines the opening of an electromagnetic output valve. The turbine will be connected to an electricity generator via its axis, and the kinetic energy of the steam can be used for other purposes, such as driving a water pump or an air compressor. The advantage of SCSEME is that it takes advantage of the potential temperature achievable directly with a Fresnel lens, exceeding 1600 °C. Furthermore, SCSEME is an easy-to-build and thus economical system, as it does not require any reflective surfaces or intermediate fluids for energy transport. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To illustrate everything described so far, this specification is accompanied by a sheet of drawings depicting an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In these drawings: Figure 1 shows an overall diagram of the SCESEM for electricity generation according to the present invention;Figure 2 shows a diagram of the water doser 2.1;Figure 2A shows an electrical connection diagram;Figure 3 shows a diagram of the adjustable doser full and the adjustable doser empty;Figure 4 shows a diagram of the SCESEM installed in parallel;Figure 5 shows a diagram of the SCESEM for air compression;Figure 6 shows a diagram of the SCSEME for water pumping;Figure 7 shows a diagram of the SCSEME for heating; andFigure 8 shows a diagram of the stop device in which: REFERENCE LIST 1.1 represents a Fresnel lens1.2 - represents an evaporation chamber1.3 - represents a nozzle1.4 - represents a turbine1.5 - represents an electricity generator1.6 - represents a flywheel1.7 - represents a battery1.8 - represents a control center1.9 - represents a frame of the Fresnel lens1.10 - represents a solar tracker1.11 - represents a rigid quadrangular structure2.1 - represents a water dosing system2.2 - represents a main body2.3 - represents a chamber 12.4 - represents a chamber 22.5 - represents a first sliding piston2.6 - represents a compression spring2.7 - represents a fixed wall2.8 - represents a chamber 32.9 - represents an electromagnetic purge valve2.10 - represents a second sliding piston2.11 - represents a connecting rod2.12 - represents a seal2.13 - represents a fixed rod2.14 - represents a handle2.15 - represents a manual passage valve2.16 - represents an inlet check valve2.18 - represents an electromagnetic inlet valve2.19 - represents a return line2.20 - represents an electromagnetic return valve2.21 - represents a steam outlet line2.22 - represents an electromagnetic outlet valve2.23 - represents a pressure switch2.24 - represents a pyrometer2.25 - represents a safety valve1.2 - represents an evaporation chamber1.3 - represents a nozzle3.10 - represents a flexible section of the inlet line3.11 - represents a flexible section of the supply line3.12 - represents a flexible section of the return line3.13 - represents a quick coupling1.8 - represents a control center2.9 - represents an electromagnetic purge valve2.18 - represents an electromagnetic inlet valve2.20 - represents an electromagnetic return valve2.22 - represents an electromagnetic outlet valve2.23 - represents a pressure switch2.24 - represents a pyrometer8.1 - represents a servomotor3.1 - represents an adjustable water doser3.2 - represents a main body3.3 - represents a threaded piece3.4 - represents a perforated disc3.5 - represents a rods3.6 - represents a rotating movable lid3.7 - represents a O-ring3.8 - represents a water inlet line3.9 - represents an inlet line to evaporation chamber2.3 - represents a chamber 12.8 - represents a chamber 32.10 - represents a second sliding piston3.13 - represents a quick coupling4.1- represents a first SCSEME unit4.2 - represents a second SCSEME unit4.3 - represents a third SCSEME unit4.4 - represents a larger capacity battery5.1 - represents a drive cylinder5.2 - represents an electromagnetic purge valve5.3 - represents a first piston5.4 - represents a central rod5.5 - represents a second piston5.6 - represents a compression cylinder5.