GB2525389A

GB2525389A - Thermal solar power generation system

Info

Publication number: GB2525389A
Application number: GB1407039.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jon Otegui Van Leeuw
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-04-21
Filing date: 2014-04-21
Publication date: 2015-10-28
Anticipated expiration: 2034-04-21
Also published as: GB201407039D0; GB2525389B

Abstract

The device comprises a vertical tower or mast 1.1 having an array of curved mirrors 1.3 stacked in a vertical array one on top of another. Incoming light 1.21 may be deflected downwards striking one of a series of inner mirrors 1.5 and then a third mirror 1.6 which deflects the light down to the next curved mirror. Light is collected and deflected at each stage until it passes through a lens 1.13 and then strikes a solar collector though which water flows. Incoming cool water 1.7 passes through a control valve 1.8 then may drop vertically down a shaft 1.9 gathering kinetic energy before passing through a water turbine 1.11 which is connected to an electrical generator 1.10. A plate 1.12 to capture geothermal energy may be fitted to pre warm incoming water. The concentrated solar energy may boil the water turning it to steam which may be used in a turbine 1.17 and in turn an alternator 1.18 to produce electricity. Low pressure steam 1.19 may be passed to a condenser. An array of such stations may be used see figure 2.

Description

Title: Thermal solar power generation system

Technical field:

Power plant engineering

Description of the invention:

This invention comprises a solar thermal power generation system which comprises (he use of mirrors which are positioned one over the other in a tower-like structure which all deflect the solar rays to a concentrated point down a channel which projects down into the ground, hence bring the power plant's surface are to a maximum. After being driven down through a separate channel by gravity and moving hydroelectric turbine, the water is converted into steam by the solar arrays awl hence driven upwards by natural circulation, where it then moves a turbine. Both turbines concerned are connected to generators, hence maximising power plant efficiency and using a simultaneous power generation system which uses both hydroelectric and thermal power systems, hence maximising power output while using only rencwablc cnergy and avoiding the usage of pumps.

The water can also he converted into steam when it is very cloudy or when the sun is set if the pipe is dnllcd deep enough so that the tcmpcraturc at the depth conccrned is high enough in order to boil the water.

Figure 1 shows a side view of the power generation system comprised in the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a top view of the system comprising more than one tower.

The power generation system concerned in this invention comprises a long structural beam [1.1] which is positioned vertically on the ground. Said height mast [1.1] comprises a set of curved mirrors [1.3] which are positioned on top of each other. The solar rays [1.21] deflected on each curved mirror [1.3] is deflected again by another mirror [1.5] in order to he then deflected by still another minor [1.6] which is positioned in front of it [1.5]. The latter [1.6] deflects the solar rays of the curved mirror [1.3] positioned over the lower curved mirror [1.22]. The combined solar rays deflected on the lower curved mirror [1.22] and those deflected on said lower minor [1.22] after being deflected by the previous outer minor [1.6], are then deflected again by the inner deflecting mirrors [1.5]. So. this process is repeated as many times as required, depending on the height and size of the mirrors [1.3. 1.22, 1.5, 1.6] and the height of the mast [1.1] which sustains all these components [1.3, 1.22, 1.5, 1.6]. The curved mirrors are sustained by elements [1.4] which sustain an electric-actuated system which can orientate the attitude and orientation of said mirrors [1.3, 1.22] according to the sun's position. The orientation movements of said minors [13, 122] should preferably be rotational movements with an axis perpendicular to the mast's [1.11 height and perpendicular to the ground level [1.23]. Similar orientation movements should also be performed to the deflecting minors [1.5, 1.6] if required. These [1.5, 1.6] are also sustained by separate elements F 1.24] which sustain an electric-actuated system which can orientate the attitude and orientation of said mirrors [1.3, 1.22] according to the sun's position.

The deflecting mirrors [1.5, 1.6] are also sustained by separate elements [1.24] and these [1.5, 1.6] should preferably he flat. The orientation of the mast [1.1] can he changed according to the sun's position by the means of an electric-actuated system [1.20] which can rotate the mast [1.1] as required according to the sun's position. Said electric actuated rotation system 11.20] comprises a rotational wheel [1.20] on which the tower masts 11.1] is positioned near the outer edge of said wheel [1.1], such that said wheel [1.20] rotates about an axis which is along the same line as the centre line of the vertical pipe [1.15] along which the soar rays are driven downwards, hence ensuring that at any orientation, the solar rays will be driven vertically through said pipe [2.12]. The rotation system [1.20] can be hydraulically actuated, electrically actuated, or both.

When the deflected solar rays reach the ground 11.23], these continue down vertical channd [1.15] into the ground.

The water [1.7] flows on the ground's surface from a river or channel into the system. Before entering into the system by gravity, the water [1.7] flow is controlled by a movable gate [1.8] which is electrically or hydraulically actuated and which regulates the flow rate of liquid water [1.7] entering into the system according to the intensity of the solar rays being driven down the channel [1.15] into the ground.

Said water [1.7] is then driven down a pipe [1.9] into the ground by gravity. Said water then drives a turbine [1.11] which is in turn drives a generator (or alternator) [1.10] which produces electricity from the water's kinetic energy. After driving said turbine [1.11], said water flows through a pipe 11.25] until being driven under the solar rays which are driven down the channel [1.15]. The solar rays hence heat the passing water and convert it into steam. The system can also use geothermal energy by driving said pipe [1.25] even further downwards into the ground before converting said water into steam by the means of geothermal heat, solar rays, or a combination of both, such that the system can continue generating electricity when the sun is set or when it is very cloudy.

The so'ar rays pass through a transparent lens 11.13] proper of converting liquid water into steam. If any geothermal heat is used, the latter is transferred to the flowing liquid water by the means of geothermal heat transfer plates [1.12].

However, it is recommended to only use gravity to drive water down into the ground and only solar rays to convert water into steam due to the very high cost that a geothermal installation could offer, both at the construction and operation phases.

After the water is converted into steam in the pipe [1.25] after passing under said transparent lens F 1.13]. the steam is driven upwards by natural circulation through a pipe 11.16]. The steam then drives a turbine [1.17] which in turn drives a generator (or alternator) [1.18]. After droving said turbine F 1.17], the steam is driven by natural circulation through a pipe 11.19] out of the system. The steam can then either he released into the environment, or he condensed by a secondary water circuit, or be used for industrial or domestic applications, such as heating applications.

The result is a totally renewable power generation system, which maximises power generation efficiency and electricity production by the means of only natural sources, which can be gravity and solar rays, or a combination of gravity, solar rays and geothermal heat.

The very design of the tower mast. [1.1] and the architecture of the entire system offer a power plant design which could maximise electricity production with the minimum surlace area. Thus, the system concerned in this invention offers the advantage of using a very small surface area especially due to the architecture of the tower [1.1] and the positioning of the minors [1.3, 1.22. 1.5. 1.6]. hence offering a totally renewable highly efficient power generation system at a cost effective and environmentally friendly manner, while using a very small ground surface area.

The system can also comprise various more than one tower masts 12.6] while comprising only one water turbine [2.3] and one steam turbine set [2.10]. Tn such architecture, the water is driven through the same channel [2.1] and is then driven down a pipe [2.2] down into the ground by gravity. Then, the water drives a water turbine [2.3] which in turn drives a generator (or allemator) which produces electricity. Alter driving the turbine 12.3], the water is driven through a distribution pipe [2.5] on each side of the previous pipe by gravity. Said water is then distributed from said pipe [2.5] into separate pipes [2.4]. Each of said separate pipcs project under a towcr [2.6] and hence under thc pipe [2.12] through which the solar rays flow downwards after being deflected by the tower's minors [2.7]. The solar rays, which are deflect down the pipe [2.12] into the ground after bcing deflccted by thc mirrors [2.7].

convert the flowing water into steam when reaching the lower end of the pipe [2.12]. Thus, the solar rays convert the liquid water flowing through the underground pipes [2.4] into steam. The steam is then driven by natura' circulation into a collection pipe [2.8]. The collection pipes [2.8] drive the steam towards a single pipe [2.13] the system should preferably comprise two steam collection pipes (one at each side) [2.8]. All pipes [2.4] hence connected to the steam collection pipes 12.8] which in turn drive the steam towards one single pipc [2.13] in order to reduce construction costs and thc number of components uscd. After being driven through the collection pipes [2.8]. the steam is driven upwards by natural circulation through an upward projccting pipe [2.13]. Said pipe [2.13] drives the steam upwards until reaching the ground surface or just below the ground surface. Once the steam has reached that point, it drives a steam turbine [2.10], which in turn drives a generator set 12.11] and produces electricity. After driving said steam turbine 12.1], the steam is then driven through a pipe [2.9] which rises on top of the ground's level in order to minimise construction costs.

As can hc seen on Figure 2, thc tower masts [2.6] arc separatc of cach other, and can be turncd [2.6] to orientate thesc [2.6] as rcquired according to the sun's position. The tower masts [2.6] are positioned near the edge of the turning wheels [2.14] which rotate about an axis which is positioned at the same position as the centre line of the vertical pipe 12.12], hence ensuring that at any orientation, the solar rays will be driven vertically through said pipe 12.12]. The rotation system 11.20] can he hydraulically actuated, dectrically actuated, or both.

The systems comprised on Figures 1 and 2 can comprise all piping [1.9, 1.14, 1.15. 1.16, 2.5, 2.4, 2.8, 2.13] over ground, but this would require the construction of higher towers 11.1.

2.6]. Furthermore, the positioning of all piping systems 11.9-1.14, 1.15, 1.16. 2.5, 2.4, 2.8, 2.13] over ground would only be suitable in the case that the system is situated in a mountainous area, hence with the water falling from a higher point. However, the construction costs would he reduced. The steam turbine [1.17, 2.10] and the water turbine set [1.11, 2.4] and/or the colTesponding generators (and/or alternators) of said systems [1.17, 2.10, 1.11, 2.4] can be positioned over ground, but only in mountainous areas. However, the positioning of systems over ground would require the construction of buildings. hence adding to the construction costs already required.

The exit pipe of the system [1.19. 2.9] can be positioned underground to sparc space as well.

but construction costs would increase as a result.

The generator (or alternator) sets 11.10] driven by the water turbines can he positioned horizontally, but this would however require more dynamic components such as connecting shafts and gearboxes, and larger volumes of space, hence increasing construction costs further. Therefore, it is preferable to maintain said generators (or alternators) [1.10] in a vertical position.

The system comprised in this invention can also be used for domestic and/or industrial heating applications, where the steam which is driven upwards through the stcam pipe [1.16] can he directly driven through the exit pipe [1.19] to residential or industrial areas for heating applications, without the need to drive a steam turbine [1.17] and a generator/alternator [1.18].

The system can also comprise a salt evacuation pipe at the area 11.12] On which liquid water is converted into steam if sea water is used. Said architecture would hence comprise a salt evacuation pipe on the bottom surface [1.12] of said area of the pipe.

The system comprised on the present invention can also be used to power a floating vessel or to produce electricity using a floating vessel F 1.23]. which should preferably he an offshore vessel [1.23]. Said vessels [1.23] should preferably be wind power generation offshore vessels, or solar thermal power generation offshore vessels. These architectures would use sea water [1.7] and/or unsalted water [1.7] from a sea, channel, canal or river [1.7] on which the vessel concerned would be floating, to be driven by gravity down a pipe [1.9] to the bottom of the vessel's hull, hence driving a water turbine [1.11]. The tower masts [1.1] with all deflecting mirrors [1,3, 1,5, 1.6] are positioned on the vessel's upper surface [1.23], an hence would deflect solar rays into the vertical pipe [1.15] which would run down into the vessel's hull [1.23] and convert the flowing water through the pipe [1.14] into steam. The steam would then be driven through a pipe [1.16] by natural circulation and drve a steam turbine 11.17] before being either released into the environment or used for heating andlor industrial applications.

If the vessel concerned is an offshore thermal power generation vessel, the steam would he released into the environment using a low leve' pipe [1.19] positioned at a low height above the water surface [1.7] or a chinmey positioned further apart from said tower masts [1.1]. The steam could also he driven through a pipe 11.19] from the olTshore solar thermal power generation vessel to the shore and can be used for heating, industrial or commercial applications prior of being released into the environment.

Therefore, said architecture would create a solar thermal power generation vessel, which could simultaneously produce electricity and steam for residential, industrial or commercial applications. The vessel should preferably he a floating vessel and should more preferably he positioned offshore and would suppiy both electricity and steam to the seashore, river shore.

channel shore, or canal shore for any relevant applications.

If said architecture is comprised on a ship, said steam could be used for heating applications and/or being evacuated through the exit pipe [L19] towards the ship's chimneys. The steam turbine [I. i 7] and water turbines [111] can each drive the ship's propellers directly and/or drive a generator 11.10, 1.18] to produce electricity, which can a'so he used for electric ship propulsion system applications and to power the ship's electrical and electronic systems. This architecture would offer environmentally friendly shipping with no or very little fossil fuel consumption, and would hence being shipping costs to a minimum, hence making ships more cost effective to operate. Said architecture should preferably he used in ships which navigate in sunny and/or very sunny areas, particularly near and/or in equatorial regions. Said architecture shou'd preferably use the existing masts olthe ship as the tower masts [1.1] such that said mirrors could be retrofitted onto the existing masts [1.1] of the ship. This architecture would simplify the design of the ship's propulsion and power generation system, hence minimising volume usage and weight and maximising efficiency and minimising costs.

The power generation system comprised in this invention should preferably he configured such that each of said tower masts [1.1] comprises at least 20, preferably 50 and most preferably 100 of said curved mirrors [1.3], positioned on top of each other along with the corresponding inclined mirrors 11.5, 1.6].

The power generation system comprised in this invention is very suitable to he comprised in a floating vessel [1.23] which should preferably be offshore and/or attached to the seafloor, river floor or lake floor by the manes of jacks, cables, ropes or structural beams, such that it does not change in attitude or position due to any forces generated by waves and/or currents, and which comprises said tower masts [1.11 on said vessel's upper surlace 11.23]. Said system architecture with the exception of the tower masts [1.11 and preferably also the exit pipe [1.19], should be embedded in said vessel's hull. This architecture would hence be using the water on which the vessel floats and hence creating a scAar thermal power generation vessel.

The advantage of using an offshore floating vessel to generate electricity using the power system compnsed in this invention is that the costs of drilling, digging and removing earth from the ground would he eliminated, hence positioning the entire system in a floating structure or mega structure.

The entire power generation system can also be entirely positioned on said vessel's upper surlace [1.23], but this means that the vessel's upper surface [1.23] would have to be positioned very low under the water level, and therefore, this architecture is much less recommended.

The mirrors [1.3, 1.5, 1.6] and the mast's [1.1] rotational system 11.20] of the power generation system comprised in this invention should he controlled by a computer-controlled electronic system which monitors the time in accordance with the data, and hence calculates the sun's positions and send commands to the actuators in order to orientate the tower masts [1.1] and the mirrors [1.3. 1.5, 1.6]. If said power generation system is comprised in a floating vessel or on a floating vessel, a gyroscopic system can assist the computer to identify the vesseFs attitude, and hence to send commands to the actuators to make corrections to the orientations of the tower masts [1.1] and the mirrors [1.3, 1.5, 1.6].

If the power generation system comprised in the present invention should preferably he positioned beside a river, sea, channel or canal, or if comprised in or on a floating vessel, said vessel should float on a sea, liver, channel or canal.

The power generation system compnsed lfl Ellis invention can he configured such that said water turbines [1.11.2.3] and steam turbines [1.17. 2.10] drive at least one generator/alternator each, such that each can drive more than one generator/alternator if required.

Said elements ol die power generation system comprised inn this invention should he made of a composite material, preferably carbon fibre reinforced plastics or glass fibre reinforced plastics, or a metallic material, preferably steel or an aluminium alloy, or cement, or concrete, or a combination of at least two of said materials.

Said systems described in the present invention can be used to provide power to and/or heat and/or comprised in mountainous areas, high altitude places, low altitude places, lake shores, sea shores. takes. rivers, river sides, seas, ships. boats, submarines, trains. trucks, lorries, trailers, aircraft, air cushion ground effect vehicles, ground effect vehicles, maritime vehicles, naval vehicles, helicopters, airplanes, space planes, spacecraft, space stations, buildings, houses.,factories, factory buildings, telecommunication towers, communication towers, airports, airport control towers, hospitals, tower blocks, towers, skyscrapers, qualTies, mines, harbours, cranes, power stations, cooling towers, antennas, oceanographic vessels, icehreakers, offshore vessels, wind turbine offshore vessels, oil tankers, container vessels, solar thermal power generation offshore vessels, thermal power generation offshore vessels, offshore vessels. workboats, work vessels, tugs, marine vessels, oil rigs, oil rig towers, oil drilling towers, oil drilling vessels, industrial vessds, crane masts, cranes, wind turbines, wind turbine masts, signalling masts, signalling towers, railway signalling towers, railway signalling masts, traffic light masts, jack-up cranes, jack-up vessels, jack-up ships, jack-up rigs, rigs, barges, floating barges. sea barges, river barges, canal barges, railway eatenary pillars, railway catenary masts, road traffic masts, road lighting masts, street lighting masts.

So, the present invention comprises a power generation system which comprises mirrors which are mounted vertically one on top of each other on a tower mast and which deflect the solar rays fomilng a cumulative light beam which is driven downwards into a vertical pipe and converts water into steam, hence being then driven upwards through another pipe by natural circulation and then driving a steam turbine(s), after said water is driven down through a separate pipe by gravity and drives a water turbine(s).

The preferred embodiments are thereol the following.

A power generation system according to the above in which said steam and water turbines each drive at least one generator/alternator which produces electricity.

A power generation system according to the above which comprises said tower masts being positioned along the outer edge of a rotational wheel which makes part of a hydraulically and/or electrically actuated rotational orientation system to rotate and so orientate said tower masts, preferably about a vertical rotation axis, according to the sun's position, such that said system's rotational wheel rotates said tower masts about an axis which is at the same position as the centre line of said vertical pipe where said solar rays are driven down to convert water into steam.

A power generation system according to the above which comprises curved minors which collect the solar rays and deflect these vertically towards an inclined mirror. which deflects it further to another inclined mirror athng a preferably horizontal plane, and which the latter deflects it again downward towards the next bottom curved mirror, hence forming an each time stronger cumulative light beam as said light beam is driven downwards until entering said vertical pipe, and in which both of said deflecting mirrors should preferably comprise an even flat planar surface.

A power generation system according to the above which comprises hydraulically or electric motor-actuated systems to orientate said mirrors to their required orientation in accordance to the sun's position, preferably in a rotational motion whose axis of rotation is perpendicular to said tower mast's height and to said minors' frontal view.

A power generation system according to (lie above in which said water turbine and steam turbine should comprise its rotational axis positioned vertically or horizontally such that the rotational axis ol said turbines should he equal or perpendicu'ar to that ol the generators/alternators which are driven by said turbines.

A power generation system according to the above which comprises a water flow control gate at the system's entrance, hence controlling the flow of water into said pipe by gravity according to the intensity of the light beam which converts said water into steam.

A power generation system according to the above which comprises beams which sustain each of said curved milTors separately at each lcvcl and/or both of said deflecting mirrors together at each level to the tower mast which sustains all mirrors on their required positions, such that said beams should prelerably he orientated horizontally.

A power generation system according to the above in which water flows by gravity from said water turbine to the point where said solar beam converts it into steam, either through a horizontal pipe, or through a vertical pipe prior of being driven horizontally, such that geothermal heat could be used at the bottom of said system's pipe in order to use said geothermal heat when solar light is minimal.

A power generation system according to the above in which said honzontal pipe drives water by gravity to a distribution pipe such that, preferably after driving said water turbine, said water is distributed to various pipes. each one driving water under a one of said tower masts in order to convert water into steam, such that said steam is then coflected together by a collection pipe which drives the steam to another upward projecting pipe by natural circulation prior of driving said steam turbine and/or being used for heating applications and/or being released into the atmosphere.

A power generation system according to the above which is comprised on a floating vesse', hence comprising said mast on the floating vessel's deck, preferably using the vessel's masts as a retrofitted system option. and in which the water flows downwards by gravity towards a lower positioned area in the vessel's hull, gets converted into steam by the light beam driven through a vertical pipe into the hull, and then drives a steam turbine and/or is being used for heating application purposes before being driven towards another pipe for evacuation, such that al of said systems are embedded inside the vessel's hull, hence creating a thermal solar power gcncration vessel.

A power generation system according to the above which comprises said architecture in a wind power generation vessel, such that said mirrors would he attached using the masts of the wind turbine(s) as said tower masts, hence creating a multifunctional and multisource power generation vessel.

A power generation system according to the above which comprises a salt evacuation pipe at the bottom pipe area where liquid water is converted into steam if said water comes from the sea in the case that said system would he situated in a ship or near the sea.

A power generation system according to the above in which the steam is evacuated through a cooling tower, or through a pipe which drives said steam to an external source of Uquid water which should preferably he that from which the latter was initially taken into the system, or through a pipe which is cooled by a secondary cooling water circuit, or through a ship's chinmeys/exhaust pipes.

A power generation system according to the above in which said systems are positioned either at or above ground level, or below ground level with exception of said tower masts and preferably also said steam evacuation pipe.

A power generation system according to the above in which said steam can either be used to drive a steam turbine or not, prior of being driven through a pipe above ground or underground towards residential and/or industrial areas for heating and/or industrial purposes.

A power generation system according to the above which can be positioned in a mountainous region and/or in an elevated terrain, in which water can be driven into the system by gravity from an elevated terrain positioned at high altitude by gravity and/or by gravity in said system architecture previously described.

A power generation system according to the above which on each of said tower masts comprises at least 20. preferably 50 and most preferably 100 of said curved minors.

positioned on top of each other along with the corresponding inclined mirrors.

A power generation system according to the above which is comprised in a floating vessel which should preferably be offshore and/or attached to the seafloor, river floor or lake floor by the manes ofjacks, cables, ropes or structural beams, such that it does not change in attitude or position due to any forces generated by waves and/or currents, and which comprises said tower masts of claim 1 on said vessel's upper surface and said system architecture of claim I embedded in said vessel's hull and/or on said vessel's upper surface, hence using the water on which it floats and hence creating a solar thermal power generation vessel.

A power generation system according to the above which comprises an electronic control unit which controls the orientation and rotation of said tower masts and said mirrors by calculating the sun's position, and hence the required orientations of said mirrors and said tower masts in accordance to the local time and sending commands to these, which should preferably be assisted by a gyroscopic system if said power generation system is comprised in said vessels.

A power generation system according to the above which is comprised beside a river, sea, channel or canal, or on a sea, river, channel or canal if comprised in or on said floating vessels.

A power generation system according to the above in which said elements are made of a composite material, preferably carbon fibre reinforced plastics or glass fibre reinforced plastics, or a metallic material, preferably steel or an aluminium alloy, or cement, or concrete, or a combination of at least two of said materials.

A power generation system according to the above which is used to supply power and/or heat to and/or comprised in mountainous areas, high altitude places, low altitude places, lake shores, sea shores, lakes, rivers, river sides, seas, ships. boats, submarines, trains, trucks.

lorries, trailers, aircraft, air cushion ground eRect vehicles, ground effect vehicles, maritime vehicles, naval vehicles, helicopters, airplanes. space planes. spacecraft. space stations, buildings, houses, factories, factory buildings, telecommunication towers, communication towers, airports, airport control towers, hospitals, tower blocks, towers, skyscrapers, quarries, mines, harhours, cranes, power stations, cooling towers, antennas, oceanographic vessels, icebreakers, offshore vessels, wind turbine offshore vessels, oil tankers, container vessels, solar thermal power generation offshore vessels, thermal power generation offshore vessels, offshore vessels, workboats. work vessels, tugs. marine vessels, oil rigs, oil rig towers, oil (frilling towers, oil drilling vessels, industrial vessels, crane masts, cranes. wind turbines.

wind turbine masts, signalling masts, signalling towers, railway signalling towers, railway signalling masts, traffic light masts, jack-up cranes, jack-up vessels, jack-up ships, jack-up rigs, rigs, barges, floating barges, sea barges, river barges, canal barges, railway catenary pillars, railway catenary masts, road traffic masts, road lighting masts, street lighting masts.

Claims

Claims: 1) A power generation system which comprises mirrors which are mounted vertically one on top of each other on a tower mast and which deflect the solar rays forming a cumulative light beam which is dnven downwards into a vertical pipe and converts water into steam, hence being then driven upwards through another pipe by natural circulation and then driving a steam turbine(s), after said water is driven down through a separate pipe by gravity and drives a water turbine(s).
2) A power generation system according to claim I in which said steam and water turbines each drive at least one generator/alternator which produces electricity.
3) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 2 which comprises said tower masts of claim I being positioned along the outer edge of a rotational wheel which makes part of a hydraulically and/or clcctncally actuated rotational orientation system to rotate and so orientate said tower masts of claim I, preferably about a vertical rotation axis.according to the sun's position, such that said system's rotafional wheel rotates said tower masts of claim I about an axis which is at the same position as the centre line of said vertical pipe of claim 1 where said solar rays are driven down to convert water into steam.
4) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 3 which comprises curved mirrors which collect the solar rays and deflect these vertically towards an inclined minor, which deflects it further to another inclined mirror along a preferably horizontal p'ane, and which the latter deflects it again downward towards the next bottom curved mirror, hence forming an each time stronger cumulative Ught heam as said light beam is driven downwards until enter ng said vertical pipe of claim 1, and in which both of said deflecting mirrors should preferably comprise an even flat planar surface.
5) A power generation system according to claims I to 4 which comprises hydraulically or electric motor-actuated systems to orientate said minors of claim 4 to their required orientation in accordance to the sun's position, preferably in a rotational motion whose axis of rotation is perpendicular to said tower mast's height and to said minors' frontal view.
6) A power generation system according to claims I to 5 in which said water turbine and steam turbine of claim 1 should comprise its rotational axis positioned vertically or horizontally such that the rotational axis of said turbines should he equa' or perpendicular to that of the generators/alternators which are driven by said turbines.
7) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 6 which comprises a water flow control gate at the system's entrance, hence controlling the flow of water into said pipe of claim 1 by gravity according to the intensity of the light beam which converts said water into steam.
8) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 7 which comprises beams which sustain each of said curved mirrors of claim 4 separately at each level and/or both of said deflecting mirrors of claim 4 together at each level to the tower mast which sustains all mirrors on their required positions, such that said beams shoffid preferably he orientated horizontally.
9) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 8 in which water flows by gravity from said water turbine of daim I to the point where said scAar beam converts it into steam, either through a horizontal pipe, or through a vertical pipe prior of being driven horizontally, such that geothermal heat could be used at the bottom of said system's pipe in order to use said geotherma' heat when solar light is minimal.
10) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 9 in which said horizontal pipe of claim 9 drives water by gravity to a distribution pipe such that, preferably after driving said water turbine of daim I, said water is distributed to various pipes, each one driving water under a one of said tower masts of claim 1 in order to convert water into steam, such that said steam is then collected together by a collection pipe which drives the steam to another upward projecting pipe by natural circulation prior of driving said steam turbine of claim 1 and/or being used for heating applications and/or being released into the atmosphere.
11) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 10 which is compnsed on a floating vessel, hence comprising said mast of claim I on the floating vessel's deck, preferably using the vessel's masts as a retrofitted system option, and in which the water flows downwards by gravity towards a lower positioned area in the vessel's hull, gets converted into steam by the Ught beam driven through a vertical pipe into the hull, and then drives a steam turbine and/or is being used for heating application purposes before being driven towards another pipe for evacuation, such that all of said systems of claims 1 to 10 are embedded inside the vessel's hull, hence creating a thermal solar power generation vessel.
12) A power generation system according to claims I to II which comprises said architecture of claim 11 in a wind power generation vessel, such that said mirrors of claim 4 would be attached using the masts of the wind turbine(s) as said tower masts of claim 1, hence creating a multifunctional and multisource power generation vessel.
13) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 12 which comprises a salt evacuation pipe at the bottom pipe area where liquid water is converted into steam if said water conies froni the sea in the case that said systeni would be situated in a ship or near the sea.
14) A power generation system according to claims ito 13 in which the steam is evacuated through a cooling tower, or through a pipe which drives said steam to an cxtcrnal source of liquid water which should preferably be that from which the latter was initially taken into the system, or through a pipe which is cooled by a secondary cooling water circuit, or through a ship's chimneys/exhaust pipes.
15)A power generation system according to claims I to 14 in which said systems oldaims I to 14 are positioned either at or above ground level, or below ground level with exception of said tower masts of claim 1 and preferably also said steam evacuation pipe.
16)A power generation system according to claims I to 15 in which said steam can either he used to drive a steam turbine or not, pnor of being dnven through a pipe above ground or underground towards residential and/or industrial areas for heating and/or industriai purposes.
17) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 16 which can be positioned in a mountainous region and/or in an elevated terrain, in which water can he driven into the system by gravity from an elevated terrain positioned at high altitude by gravity and/or by gravity in said system architecture comprised on claims 1 to 16.
18) A power generation system according to claims 1 to 17 which on each of said tower masts of claim I, comprises at least 20, preferably 50 and most preferably 100 of said curved minors of claim 4, positioned on top of each other along with the corresponding inclined mirrors of claim 4.
19)A power generation system according to claims 1 to 18 which is comprised in a floating vessel which should preferably be offshore and/or attached to the seafloor, river floor or lake floor by the manes of jacks, caNes, ropes or structural beams, such that it does not change in attitude or position due to any forces generated by waves and/or currents, and which comprises said tower masts of claim 1 on said vessel's upper surface and said system architecture of claim I embedded in said vessel's hull and/or on said vessel's upper surface, hence using the water on which it floats and hence creating a solar thermal power generation vessel.
20) A power generation system according to claims I to 19 which comprises an dectronic control unit which controls the orientation and rotation of said tower masts of claim 1 and said mirrors of claim 4 by calculating the sun's position, and hence the required orientations of said mirrors of claim 4 and said tower masts of claim 1 in accordance to the local time and sending commands to these, which should preferably be assisted by a gyroscopic system if said power generation system is comprised in said vessJs of claims 11. 12 and 19.
21) A power generation system according to claims I to 20 which is comprised beside a river, sea, channel or canal, or on a sea, river, channel or canal if compnsed in or on said floating vessels of claims 11, 12 and 19.
22) A power generation system according to claims I to 21 in which said dements of claims 1 to 21 are made of a composite material, preferably carbon fibre reinforced plastics or glass fibre reinforced plastics, or a metallic material, preferably steel or an aluminium alloy, or cement, or concrete, or a combination of at least two of said materials.
23) A power generation system according to claims I to 22 which is used to supply power and/or heat. to and/or comprised in mountainous areas, high altitude places, low altitude places, lake shores, sea shores, lakes, rivers, river sides, seas, ships, boats, submarines, trains, trucks. lolTies, trailers, aircraft, air cushion ground effect vehicles, ground effect vehicles, maritime vehicles, naval vehicles, helicopters, airplanes, space planes, spacecraft, space stations, buildings, houses,factories, factory buildings, telecommunication towers, communication towers, airports, airport control towers.hospitals, tower blocks, towers, skyscrapers, quarries, mines, harbours, cranes, power stations, cooling towers, antennas, oceanographic vessels. icebreakers, olfshore vessds, wind turbine offshore vessels, oil tankers, container vessels, solar thermal power generation offshore vessels, thermal power generation offshore vessels, offshore vessels.workhoats, work vessels, tugs, marine vessels, oil rigs, oH rig towers, oil drilling towers, oil drilling vessels, industrial vessels, crane masts, cranes, wind turbines, wind turbine masts.,sigiialliiig masts, signalling towers, railway signafling towers, railway signalling masts, traffic light masts. jack-up cranes, jack-up vessels, jack-up ships, jack-up rigs, rigs, barges, floating barges. sea barges. river barges. canal barges, railway catenary pillars.railway catenary masts, road traffic masts, road lighting masts, street lighting masts.