FR2841606A1 - Equipment for producing mechanical energy from solar energy, comprises tubular energy collector which supplies hot air under pressure to a closed circuit tube containing umbrella shaped pistons - Google Patents

Abstract

The energy collector consists of a tube (2) with fins which is mounted as a spiral on a concave conical reflecting base (1) which has a protective cover (3). Hot air under pressure is fed through an accumulator (18) and valve (5) to a closed U tube partly filled with water (6). The tube contains umbrella type pistons (9) attached to a continuous chain which drives wheel (8) to give mechanical energy.

Description

SOLAR GENERATOR

THERMAL PARAPUMP

HIGH YIELD

  The present invention relates to a high efficiency solar energy generator. This generator collects solar energy thanks to a heat concentration system which expands air or any other gas while imparting an acceleration generating a flow of air or any other gas at a temperature of 1000C. at 120'C, at a determined flow and pressure. This device supplies supercharged air to a pump which transforms this air flow into mechanical energy by the use of an air flow in a water column or any other

liquid.

  This type of device offers the advantage of directly transforming solar energy into mechanical energy which can operate either an agricultural machine or a lifting or irrigation pump,

  either to activate a generator capable of powering a whole series of electrical devices or even a house, an autonomous installation or an industrial process, or even propel a boat.

  The aim of this invention is to optimally capture the available solar energy and to transform it into mechanical energy with the highest possible yield, this energy having to be exploitable as simply as possible. The existing collectors are either 30 concentrators of solar energy which supply this energy in the form of hot water or steam under pressure which requires expensive technology and with a low efficiency in order to be usable directly in devices such as turbine steam, pump, etc ...; or solar oven systems by concentration of direct solar radiation which can only be used in the form of an oven

Cooking.

  The invention therefore aims to overcome the drawbacks 40 mentioned above by producing a solar generator at cost price

  reduced using simple technologies therefore inexpensive and with maximum efficiency.

  The first part of the device that is the solar collector consists

  in a concave conical envelope which may possibly be made of ABS, the internal surface of which is covered with a reflective surface such as optionally an aluminum deposit under vacuum or else chromium plating, the external surface being heat insulated.

  In a first version, this envelope supports a tubular spiral collector formed of a finned tube whose winding direction allows the air flow to benefit from the force of CORIOLIS; the dimensioning of the section of this tube changes as a function of the expansion of the air circulating inside and of the energy supply which increases from the start to the end of the collector. This change in section corresponds to a gradual increase in the area of the fin welded to the tubing as well as in the section of the tube itself. This manifold serves to ensure a constant expansion of the air while promoting an acceleration of this air flow by reducing the pressure drop in the manifold manifold, in

  combining a radius of gyration which goes on increasing with an elevation of this one according to the convection force and with a variation of the section of the tube which makes it possible to modulate pressure drop, flow rate and speed.

  The collector is fixed to the envelope of the solar collector by means of tubing support made of insulating material such as possibly wood or PMMA. This tubing is made of a material promoting heat exchange with air such as possibly copper. Its surface is covered with a material constituting a selective absorbent envelope such as possibly black chromium, the emissivity of which is 0.10 for infrared wavelengths corresponding to the operating temperature of the collector. The distance which separates the tubing from the casing is determined so as to allow the reflection on the casing of the rays which pass between the different stages of tubing and which are picked up by the lower surface of the tubing and its fin, this arrangement optimizing the collection of solar energy on the entire surface

  of the cone of the available reflective envelope.

  In a second version, the concave conical envelope is arranged in the form of a helicode staircase, the degrees of which rise from one convolution to the other with a constant increase in the planar section of the staircase or possibly in the section vertical thereof, in this case the envelope may possibly be made of polyester lined with heat insulation. On this envelope is disposed a second skin which may possibly consist 40 of a stamped copper sheet or any other material or association of materials favoring the capture and the heat exchange, the shape of which conforms to the concave conical envelope on its general slope while having a vertical offset in the convolutions making it possible to arrange a sealed air circulation corridor 45 which will have a regularly increasing air passage section. A seal is ensured at the junction in each angle of the degrees between the copper sheet skin and the lower envelope by a bonding which is flexible enough to absorb the differences in thermal expansion between the two materials and which may be 50 polyurethane glue. This collector is used to ensure a constant expansion of the air expansion while promoting an acceleration of this air flow by reducing the pressure drop in the circulation corridor of the collector, by combining a radius of gyration which is going to get bigger with an elevation of this one following the convection force and with a variation of the section of the corridor which

  modulates pressure drop, flow rate and flow speed.

  The whole of this device makes it possible to generate a flow of air at a rate and pressure sufficient to allow this flow to be released into the

  mechanical power generator which consists of U-shaped piping in which is a column of water or any other liquid.

  In this sealed pipe, a drive chain can circulate in a closed circuit, possibly consisting of a stainless steel cable on which a set of collapsible "umbrellas" is placed at fixed intervals.

  These "umbrellas" consist firstly of a fixed part which serves both as a guide system in the piping and as a primary articulation center of the whale recall system, of a set of whales allowing the opening thus that the closure of the umbrella and which supports a membrane which may possibly be rubber, or the air will be retained in the water column in order to exert a vertical thrust from bottom to top equal to the weight of the volume of water displaced. A sliding counterweight on the cable, orientable and articulated, 30 ensures both the opening and closing of the umbrella, as a secondary center of articulation for all of the whales. It should be noted that this mechanical assembly can possibly be replaced by a monobloc piece with steel frame and counterweight molded in rubber. These counterweights ensure the opening of the umbrellas in the ascending phase of the circuit, as well as the closing of these in the descending phase of the circuit, the dimensioning of the counterweights being determined as a function of the air volume storage capacity of the membranes of each umbrella and therefore the effective unitary thrust of each membrane to ensure the opening of the umbrella in phase

  ascending and maintaining it in this phase.

  It should be noted that having a folding umbrella on the way down allows resistance to the minimum advance of the generator drive chain in the water and thus optimizes the energy balance yield. of the generator. A non-return valve equips the connection between the air tubing at the outlet of the solar collector supplying the power generator and the lower part of the generator in order to prohibit the flow of water from the generator into the solar collector. A volumetric accumulator placed upstream of the valve ensures regulation of the air flow before it is ejected into the water column, especially during the device start-up phase. At the top of the U3 piping is placed a generator head made up of a outer casing serving both as a sealing casing for the device and as a system for guiding and holding the generator drive wheel. This drive wheel has a mechanism for guiding, centering and holding the fixed parts of the umbrellas as well as the arms by which

  the forces and the drive torque are transmitted to an axis.

  This a.xe rests on two sealed ball bearings in order to ensure efficient guidance and minimum friction resistance. One end of the axle is fitted with a coupling system which transmits the working torque to a mechanical receiver or to an electric generator via a multiplier gear train.

  This device therefore comprises two independent but complementary assemblies. The first object of the invention is on the one hand a high efficiency solar generator making it possible to obtain expanded air of approximately 30% at a temperature of 80 to 120 ° C. as well as at a pressure

from 0.2 to 0.35bar.

  This first goal is achieved by the fact that the following measures, taken individually or in combination with each other, are applied: First version of generator possible: - the collector casing has the shape of a concave cone

  which supports the manifold manifold whose generator of the profile is not necessarily a straight line.

  - the manifold manifold is in the form of a tube

  winding in widening spirals and following the profile of the envelope while rising from one convolution to the other.

  - the manifold includes one or more fins, the cross section of which increases from the beginning to the end of the tubing in a linear fashion in order to

  guarantee a constantly increasing collection and exchange area.

  - the cross-section of the manifold is increasing so as to allow an expansion of the air or gas present in it while promoting an acceleration of the flow by a reduction in the pressure drop combined with a convection force , - The collector has a winding of one convolution on the other in the direction of the top in order to allow an ascent of the hot gases

flowing through the tubing.

  - the direction of winding of the collector takes into account and uses the

  CORIOLIS strength to promote the acceleration of the air flow.

  - the inner envelope of the cone of the solar collector is

  reflective in order to return the radiation not directly striking the tubing on the lower surface of the latter.

  Second possible generator version: - the collector casing has the shape of a concave cone in the form of a helical staircase which supports the collector skin, the

  average generator of the profile is not necessarily a straight line.

  - The collector is in the form of a skin providing a corridor winding in widening spirals and following the profile of the envelope while rising from one convolution to the other and being

  offset vertically or in any other direction with respect to the envelope enabling a watertight corridor to be arranged.

  - The seal between the skin and the envelope of the sensor is made by a sufficiently flexible bonding to absorb the differences of

  dilation between the skin and the envelope.

  - The collector consists of a sealed corridor, the section of which increases from the beginning to the end of the tubing in a linear fashion 35 in order to guarantee a constantly increasing collection and exchange surface. the section of the collector lane increases so as to allow an expansion of the air or gas present therein while promoting an acceleration of the flow by reducing the loss of

  charge combined with convective force.

  - The collector has a winding of a convolution on the other in the direction of the top in order to allow an ascent of the hot gases

flowing through the tubing.

  - the direction of winding of the collector takes into account and uses the

  CORIOLIS strength to promote the acceleration of the air flow.

  The second object of the invention is on the other hand a high-efficiency power generator which uses a flow of air or any other gas overpressed in a column of water or any other liquid and transforms it into a mechanical force which can be directly used to activate a

  mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic receiver, or an electric generator.

  This second object is achieved by the fact that the following measures, taken individually or in combination with one another, are applied: - the air flow is released in a hydraulic device operating in closed circuit, part of which is made up tight piping in

  U partially submerged in which a drive chain rotates.

  - this chain is equipped with "umbrellas" arranged at regular intervals whose function is to capture the air flow released in the

  liquid column and have work done on it.

  - these umbrellas are foldable so that they open in the phase

  ascending and closing in the descending phase.

  - these umbrellas are equipped with waterproof membranes capable

  trapping air or gas bubbles at the bottom in the ascending phase.

  - these umbrellas have an autonomous centering system which

  allow guidance and centering in the piping as well as at the level of the receiving wheel in the upper part.

  - a valve system ensures that there is always an air flow arriving in the water column in normal operation

  and that there is no draining of the piping in the event of an interruption due to lack of air pressure or stopping.

  - a temperature regulation system makes it possible to maintain

  optimum fluid temperature in the liquid column.

  - a gas accumulator is placed upstream of the valve so

  to regulate the air flow entering the liquid column.

  Other characteristics will appear better on reading the sketches shown below and will specify the technical advantages of the present invention.

  - Figure I shows an overview of the complete device with the solar collector consisting of its concave conical envelope (Rep 1) on which is installed the finned collecting tube (Rep 2), this tube has a winding which is both circular and follows the conical profile of the envelope while describing a helicode from one turn to the other in order to favor the principle of convection of a hot gas with respect to its ambient medium. The conical envelope is covered with a protective plate (Rep 3) which can be made of methyl methacrylate (PMM), the function of this plate is to keep the internal part of the solar collector clean in order to keep the function optimal. of reflection of the internal surface of the cone and therefore of promoting exchange. It is quite obvious that the dimensions of the cone are not limited, likewise for the value of the inclination of the slope or of the straight or non-straight profile thereof or also of the length of the exchanger pipe, as of

  number of fins welded to it.

  A connecting pipe (Rep 4) supplies the retro pump with compressed air, a gas accumulator (Rep 18) regulates the air flow 20 before the valve (Rep 5) which seals the immersed piping (Rep 6) in a liquid which may possibly be water and in which a drive chain (Rep 7) circulates in a closed circuit, it is driven by the air flow. A receiving wheel (Rep 8) guides and receives the "umbrellas" (Rep 9) which are driven by a convective force 25 linked to the vertical thrust of the air pockets trapped under the

  membranes and transmitting their force from the bottom to the top which thus generate a torque.

  - Figure 2 shows the detail of an umbrella in the ascending phase with its fixed guide piece (Rep 10) which is also a primary axis of articulation of the whale recall system (Rep 11), the whales (Rep 12) are themselves articulated on the counterweight base (Rep 13). They support the waterproof rubber membrane (Rep 14) 35 which traps part of the air flow released in the water column at the bottom. The action of the sliding counterweight (Rep 13) ensures the opening of the umbrella as soon as it finds itself in an ascending phase in the closed circuit and also maintains the maximum opening of the umbrella despite the vertical thrust exerted by the pocket d retained air

under the membrane of the umbrella.

  - Figure 3 shows the detail of an umbrella in the downward phase with its fixed part (Rep 10) and which shows the whole of the 45 whale recall system (Rep 11) in extension with the whales

  (Rep 12) pulled down by the action of the sliding counterweights (Rep 13). This configuration ensures minimum resistance to the advancement of the drive chain in the downward phase and therefore makes it possible to obtain an optimization of the generator output.

  o0 - Figure 4 shows the detail of the receiving wheel (Rep 8) which guides and picks up the handwheels (Rep 16) of the fixed part of the umbrellas (Rep 9). These flywheels are captured by guides (Rep 17) which are articulated at the end of the wheel arms (Rep 18) and allow the guiding and transmission of the force from the drive chain to the receiving wheel. The articulation of these guides makes it possible to follow the relative rotation of the fixed parts of the umbrella (Rep 16) which varies throughout the trajectory described from reference point A to reference point B. The articulation of these guides (Rep 17) benefits also a spring return system which ensures good positioning of the guides (Rep 17) at the start of contact at the point

A of the trajectory.

  - Figure 5 shows the detail of the section of the solar collector first version with its conical casing (Rep 1) and its collecting tube with fin (Rep 2) _ The section of the tube varies in increments between the low point which corresponds to the inlet and the high point which corresponds to the outlet of the tubing. It should be noted that the dimension of the fin also varies by increasing from one convolution to the other, this increase in the section of the fin (s) (in the present case, only one fin is shown) allows '' ensure a constant increase in the solar radiation capture surface and therefore optimize the total radiation capture surface. The protective plate (Rep 3) ensures the cleanliness of the internal part 25 of the sensor as well as the optimization of the reflection of the radiation from

  the envelope. The insulation (Rep 20) ensures the minimum heat loss from the sensor.

  - Figure 6 shows the detail of the section of the solar collector

  second version with its envelope (Rep 21) and its skin (Rep 19) which may possibly be made of copper sheet.

  In operation, the solar radiation is focused on the upper face of the solar collector, it consists of direct radiation for a variable part and diffuse radiation; the proportion between the two types of radiation varies from 20 to 50% of diffuse radiation 40 depending on the region, the average amount of energy available per m2 being 1KWh / M2. The geometrical arrangement in concave cone of the envelope (Rep 1) of the solar collector with an indicative value which can be in this case 200, makes it possible to capture a maximum of energy dispensed. The spiral staging of the air duct or the tubing (Rep 2) ensures maximum exposure to radiation and therefore conditions

  optimum exchange either by direct capture of the radiation or indirect capture by refraction on the envelope (Rep 1). This arrangement of the sensor was chosen to obtain an optimal energy balance.

  The operating principle of this sensor, based partially on the expansion of the air, responds to the following data: either Vt the total volume of expanded air or Vo the volume of air at room temperature or t the temperature difference between room temperature and exchange temperature at the level of the pipe or the air duct (from 80 to 1000C) or pj the average coefficient of expansion of the gas in the pipe we have the equation: t = Vo (1 + t 'The dimensioning of the tubing or air duct is corcélé to the following data: either Vt the total volume of expanded air or t 'the unit time of gas flow which is the second or From the gas flow rate of the tubing or duct of air either Vi the speed of movement of the gas in the pipe or Se the gas passage section in the pipe or the air duct we have the equation: De = Vt from which we deduce the equation: Se = De vi The power generator is designed to operate with a minimum of losses the energy produced by the solar collector, its closed circuit architecture ensures the cancellation of the weight constraints of the moving parts and its low operating speed minimizes the energy losses by a low inertia. Losses due to friction 35 or to resistance to advancement are minimized by ball bearings at the axis of the receiving wheel (Rep 8) on the one hand, and by the folding of the umbrellas (Rep 9) in downward phase or the shape of the counterweights (Rep 13) as well as the guide rings (Rep 16). The operating principle of the power generator responds to the following data: either V 'the unit volume of water moved under an umbrella or Nb the number of umbrellas simultaneously working at t' or Vé the speed of rise of the umbrellas in the column of water (approximately 0.32 m / s) or Pu the useful power delivered by the generator or the yield due to losses (friction of the bearings + resistance to the advancement of the umbrellas on the descent) we have the equation: pu = V 'x NbxVé x

Claims (12)

  1 High efficiency solar thermal generator comprising on the one hand a solar collector formed by an insulating enclosure (Rep I + Rep or Rep 18 + Rep 20) and a protective plate (Rep 3). In this enclosure is arranged, depending on the version, either a finned tube (Rep 2), or an air circulation corridor arranged between the skin (Rep 19) and the envelope (Rep 18). The air or gas entering at low point in the tubing 10 of the version 1 sensor or the circulation corridor of the version 2 sensor is expanded under the action of heat exchange, it undergoes an acceleration under the combined effect of l constant enlargement of the radius of gyration of the air duct, of the expansion force of the expanded air, of the elevation of this going in the direction of the convection force of a hot gas, of the 15 CORIOLIS force and the reduction in the pressure drop of the piping by the increase in the section thereof. This hot pressurized air is exploited in a power generator which transforms this flow of air or any other gas into mechanical energy in a sealed U-shaped tube in which is placed a column of water or any other liquid. In this tube circulates a drive chain (Rep 7) on   which are arranged at regular intervals umbrellas (Rep 9) which capture the flow of air or gas in the tube to make it perform work in the column of water or liquid. These umbrellas are foldable in the downward phase and open automatically in the upward phase.   A take-up wheel (Rep 8) transforms the lifting force of the umbrellas   (Rep 9) linked to the drive chain (Rep 7) in mechanical torque.   2 Generator according to claim 1, characterized in that the casing (Rep 1) of the solar collector in the first version is of concave conical shape whose generator of the profile may not be a straight line.   3 Generator according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that in the first version of the solar collector, the   tubing (Rep 2) has one or more fins.   4 Generator according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that in the first version of solar collector, the tubing (Rep 2) is wound in spirals widening according to the general profile 40 of the concave conical envelope (Rep 1) and rising convolution on the other.   Generator according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that in the first version of solar collector, the tubing (Rep 2) or the air or gas circulation corridor of the second   version of solar collector, the section of the air duct increases from the beginning to the end, both in area of air passage section and in heat exchange area. II   6 Generator according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that in the first version of solar collector, the pipe (Rep 2) or the gas circulation corridor of the second version of solar collector, the conduit in which the gas flow circulates evolves in widening spirals in order to constantly decrease the pressure drop of the   leads and promote an acceleration of the gas flow.   7 Generator according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that in the second version of solar collector, the casing (Rep 21) is a concave conical enclosure on which is   arranged an ascending spiral corridor in the form of a staircase whose generator profile may not be a straight line and widening from one convolution to the other.   8 Generator according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that in the second version of solar collector, a skin (Rep 19) is arranged on the envelope (Rep 21), it is of a material promoting heat exchange and conforming to the shape of the envelope (Rep 2 1) with an offset that can be vertical or in any other direction   in order to create an air or other gas circulation corridor.   9 Generator according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that in the second version of solar collector, the assembly of the skin (Rep 19) and of the envelope (Rep 18) provides a gas circulation corridor going in spirals widening and rising from one convolution to the next.   Generator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the second version of solar collector, the assembly of the skin (Rep 19) and the casing (Rep 21) is done by   bonding with an adhesive that is flexible enough to maintain a seal while absorbing the differences in expansion between the materials.   11 Generator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the mechanical force generator, each   umbrella (Rep 9) is equipped with a waterproof membrane (Rep 14) which has the function of capturing the air or gas released in the water or liquid column in order to transmit a mechanical lifting force equal to the weight the volume of water or liquid displaced under the membrane.   12 Generator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the mechanical force generator, the umbrellas (Rep 9) are foldable in the downward phase of the closed circuit performed by the drive chain (Rep 7).   13 Generator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the mechanical force generator, the umbrellas (Rep 9) are reffliable in descending phase by the action of a counterweight (Rep 13).   14 Generator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the mechanical force generator, the umbrellas (Rep 9) have a self-centering system with respect to the tube (Rep 6).   Generator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the mechanical force generator, the receiving wheel (Rep 8) has a centering and articulated drive gripping system (Rep 17) with a spring return system and 10 relative rotation of the orientation of the flywheels of fixed parts of   umbrellas (Rep 16) relative to the semi-circular trajectory of these parts on the receiving wheel (Rep 8).