Showing papers on "Solar power published in 1983"

Solar power station

Abstract: A solar power station for providing illumination or a signal generally including a storage battery-powered signaling element, a solar generator for recharging the storage battery and a bracket assembly for supporting the remainder of the components. The bracket assembly is lightweight and supports the solar generator in an orientation to provide adequate exposure to ambient light in a wide variety of sun positions. The signaling element is disposed substantially above the solar generator in order to minimize obstructions therebetween. The apparatus is adapted to be self-contained, to be independent in operation, and to be left unattended for substantial periods of time.

Photovoltaic power regulation system

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the charge rate and voltage of storage batteries of a solar power generating system using a single voltage regulator module to monitor and control the state of charge of any number of cells of a battery and a number of solar modules.

Solar power supply for load requiring high starting current

Abstract: The invention comprises a photovoltaic panel for converting solar energy into electric energy, a load and a capacitor connected to the photovoltaic panel for receiving current produced by the panel and storing the current to produce an output voltage which increases with the amount of stored current. A relay connects the photovoltaic panel and capacitor to the inductive load when the output voltage of the capacitor has reached a predetermined level which corresponds to an optimum operating voltage range of the photovoltaic panel.

Efficiency of luminescence in luminescent solar concentrators.

Abstract: The power efficiency of luminescence excited by solar radiation in luminescent solar collectors is calculated for a glass sheet doped with Cr3+. The achievable chemical potential for an optically thick absorber irradiated by diluted blackbody radiation as a function of Cr3+ concentration, sheet thickness, sunlight dilution, and luminescence quantum yield leads directly to overall conversion efficiency of solar power to luminescence power.

Solar power generator

Abstract: PURPOSE:To improve sun beam collecting efficiency and simplify the structure without additionally providing the sun tracking sensor by providing plurality of solar cells on the substrate, arranging them so that the amount of light received is equalized, charging them through the inverse current blocking diodes and rotating the battery block so that a generated voltage becomes almost constant in order to track the sun at all times. CONSTITUTION:Resistance values of voltage dividing resistors 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b are set so that the voltages of voltage diving points Va', Vc' become equal when the amount of light received of the solar batteries 2a, 2c is equal, and the amount of light received- generated voltage characteristics of solar batteries 2a, 2c are compensated. The gradient angle compensating signals S1, S2 are generated as the light signals in accordance with generated voltages Va, Vc of solar batteries 2a, 2c from the voltage check circuit 20. When the gradient angle compensating signal S1 is input, a thyristor 32a turns ON by the positive half-cycle of the commercial power supply 35, a positive half-value voltage is applied to the tracking motor 34 and it rotates normally. If the gradient angle compensating signal S2 is applied, a thyristor 32b turns ON by the negative half-cycle of the commercial power supply 35, and then the positive half-value voltage is applied to the tracking motor 34 and it rotates reversely.

Thermal power and other thermal applications

Abstract: This chapter discusses six different approaches to the large-scale generation of solar–thermal power. This chapter provides an overview on thermal energy and various thermal applications. The systems discussed in this chapter are the central power tower system, the distributed collector system, the stationary reflecting/tracking absorber (SRTA), ocean thermal energy, satellite solar power station, and heliohydroelectric power generation. The great advantage of using solar energy in refrigeration and cooling applications is that the maximum amount of solar energy is available at the point of maximum demand. There are two quite different major applications, the first in the cooling of buildings and the second in the refrigeration for food preservation or for storing vaccines for medical purposes. In solar heating applications, the hot fluid from the collectors can often be used to heat the interior of the building directly, but most solar cooling applications involve a solar powered engine system. Four main methods that have been adopted are: (i) the compression refrigeration cycle in which the refrigeration side is driven by a solar powered engine, (ii) absorption systems, (iii) evaporative cooling, and (iv) radiative cooling. A solar pond is both a massive heat collector and heat storage system, and compared with a conventional collector and heat store, it is relatively inexpensive. Other advantages of solar pond are: (i) problems that could occur with dirt settling on the surface and reducing collection efficiency are eliminated, (ii) extracting energy from the pond is very straightforward as the lowest hot layer can be pumped to the power station and returned to the pond for reheating, (iii) solar ponds can operate continuously throughout the year provided the storage capacity is chosen to match the demand, and (iv) a solar pond power system can, like a hydroelectric plant, provide peaks of power on demand.

Installation for heating a liquid by solar power

Abstract: The installation for heating a liquid (1) by solar power with at least one solar collector (7) is arranged so that it does not require a rotary pump and excludes the danger of heated liquid returning back to a collector (7) cooled during an insufficient radiation (6). According to the invention, an overflow sector (5) is connected to the upper portion of the solar collector (7) in the heated liquid compartment. The level (4) of the overflow sector is located at a given distance above the level (14) of a liquid column which communicates through the conduit (10) and conveys the liquid to be heated by the solar collector (7).

Limits to solar power conversion efficiency with applications to quantum and thermal systems

Abstract: An analytical framework is presented that permits examination of the limit to the efficiency of various solar power conversion devices. Thermodynamic limits to solar power efficiency are determined for both quantum and thermal systems, and the results are applied to a variety of devices currently considered for use in space systems. The power conversion efficiency for single-threshold energy quantum systems receiving unconcentrated air mass zero solar radiation is limited to 31 percent. This limit applies to photovoltaic cells directly converting solar radiation, or indirectly, as in the case of a thermophotovoltaic system. Photoelectrochemical cells rely on an additional chemical reaction at the semiconductor-electrolyte interface, which introduces additional second-law demands and a reduction of the solar conversion efficiency. Photochemical systems exhibit even lower possible efficiencies because of their relatively narrow absorption bands. Solar-powered thermal engines in contact with an ambient reservoir at 300 K and operating at maximum power have a peak conversion efficiency of 64 percent, and this occurs for a thermal reservoir at a temperature of 2900 K. The power conversion efficiency of a solar-powered liquid metal magnetohydrodydnamic generator, a solar-powered steam turbine electric generator, and an alkali metal thermoelectric converter is discussed.

Heating and hot-water system

Abstract: This system consists of a water boiler (1), a solar power water heater (6), which is arranged upstream of an electrical steam generator (9), which in turn feeds a steam turbine (13) via a nozzle (12), the steam turbine (13) being connected to a generator (15). The electrical current produced by the generator (15) is additionally used, together with the electrical energy obtained from a solar power collector (17), for heating the steam generator (9). In this way, external electrical energy can be saved.

Space power system utilizing Fresnel lenses for solar power and also thermal energy storage

Abstract: A solar power plant suitable for earth orbits passing through Van Allen radiation belts is described. The solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency is estimated to be around 9 percent, and the expected power-to-weight ratio is competitive with photovoltaic arrays. The system is designed to be self-contained, to be indifferent to radiation belt exposures, store energy for periods when the orbiting system is in earth shadow (so that power generation is contant), have no moving parts and no working fluids, and be robust against micrometeorite attack. No electrical batteries are required.

Solar powered turbine driven pump - has hand operated water and refrigerant pumps to start up operation

Abstract: The installation pumps water from a well (101) and is driven by a turbine (103) The turbine is driven from a closed circuit refrigerant cycle with an evaporator (102), a condenser (104), and a refrigerant pump (105) The evaporator is heated by hot water from a solar panel (106) and the condenser is cooled by water from the well The turbine drives both water pump (107,108) and the refrigeration pump (105) through gearing (110), gullies (112, 113,114) and drive belts (115,116) The operation is started using hand operated pumps (117,118) Once the operating pressures and flows have been attained and the turbine is running, the installation operates solely from solar power