Solar Energy Directed to a Cylinder Containing a Propeller Used to Generate Electricity

Abstract

An elevated or ground level vertical cylinder houses one or more propellers and/or turbines that are rotated by heated air convection within or around or above the cylinder. The rotating shafts of the propellers generate electricity in an area at bottom of or below the cylinder. For added, improved air flow directions and volumes; and, for stabilization of the rotating shaft or shafts, a circular pyramid collar structure is disposed below the cylinder. Heat is directed to the cylinder by a plurality of sun tracking concave mirrors that are positioned in concentric circles at various heights. The cylinder may be composed of concrete, ceramics, metal compounds or other materials and operate with a surface temperature that may range 70 to 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit. An optimized system may be constructed on less than one, one or more than one acre of land that could appear as a park like setting.

Claims

1. A system (100) for heating air within a cylinder (110) to rotate a propeller and to generate electricity from a shaft connected to the propeller, the system comprising: a) the cylinder comprising a circular cylinder wall, an interior surface (114), an exterior surface (112), an upper end (115), a lower end (117) an upper void (116) defined by the circular cylinder wall at the upper end, a lower void (118) defined by the circular cylinder wall at the lower end; b) a first propeller disposed within the cylinder, the first propeller attached to a first rotational shaft (320) the first rotational shaft attached to a power generator.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the cylinder is positioned above ground level.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein a wind and shaft support cone (200) is disposed within the cylinder and lower portions of the first rotational shaft are disposed within the wind and shaft support cone.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the wind and shaft support cone defines an upper void defined by an upper end of the shaft and support cone, the upper void having a smaller circumference as compared to a lower void, the lower void defined by a lower end of the wind and shaft support cone.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein a lower end of the wind and shaft support cone is disposed at ground level.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the cylinder is supported above ground level by use of a support structure.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the first propeller comprises a plurality of blades (305) and each respective blade comprises a distal edge (360) and each respective distal edge is retained by a wind blade void (120) with the wind blade void defined within the inner surface of the cylinder wall.

8. The system of claim 6 further including a second propeller within the cylinder, the second propeller disposed below the first propeller, the second propeller attached to a second rotational shaft, the second rotational shaft defining a center void wherein the first rotational shaft is disposed within the center void of the second rotational shaft and the second rotational is attached to the power generator.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein the first propeller is disposed above the upper end of the cylinder and a second propeller is disposed at the upper end of the cylinder and the second propeller is connected to a second rotational shaft and wherein the first rotational shaft is disposed within a void defined by the second shaft and the first rotational shaft and second rotational shaft are connected to the power generator.

10. The system of claim 3 further including a plurality of parabolic concave mirrors directed towards the cylinder.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the cylinder is positioned upon the ground and vents at the bottom of the cylinder allow air to flow into the cylinder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a top and side perspective view of a disclosed embodiment

[0018] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a disclosed embodiment

[0019] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a disclosed embodiment and environmental elements

[0020] FIG. 4 is a top and side perspective view of a disclosed embodiment and environmental elements

[0021] FIG. 5A is a sectional view of a disclosed embodiment

[0022] FIG. 5B is a sectional and subterranean view of a power generation system

[0023] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a disclosed embodiment

[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective and sectional view of a dual propeller and dual shaft system

[0025] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a chimney and CO.sub.2 removal system

[0026] FIG. 9 is a top view of a plurality of chimney CO.sub.2 removal systems

[0027] FIG. 10 is an expanded top view of a chimney CO.sub.2 removal system and related components

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

[0028] 100 Solar heated elevated cylinder system [0029] 110 cylinder [0030] 112 exterior surface of cylinder [0031] 114 interior surface of cylinder [0032] 115 upper end of cylinder [0033] 116 upper void of cylinder defined by circular cylinder wall [0034] 117 lower end of cylinder [0035] 118 lower void of cylinder defined by circular cylinder wall [0036] 120 wind blade void defined within inner surface of cylinder wall [0037] 150 support structure of cylinder [0038] 200 circular pyramid base or wind and shaft support cone [0039] 210 upper void of wind and shaft support cone [0040] 218 lower edge of wind and shaft support cone [0041] 220 lower void of wind and shaft support cone [0042] 230 outer surface of wind and shaft support cone [0043] 300 upper or first propeller [0044] 305 blade of upper propeller [0045] 310 distal tip of upper propeller [0046] 320 rotational shaft or first rotational shaft of upper or first propeller [0047] 350 lower or second propeller [0048] 355 blade of lower propeller [0049] 360 distal tip of lower propeller [0050] 370 rotational shaft of lower or second propeller [0051] 400 power generator [0052] 500 chimney and CO.sub.2 removal system [0053] 510 outer chimney wall or chimney funnel [0054] 512 shadow of chimney funnel [0055] 520 fabric disposed around the chimney funnel [0056] 530 solar heat platform [0057] 540 perimeter platform skeleton [0058] 545 fabric disposed over the perimeter platform skeleton [0059] 542 platform support posts [0060] 560 CO.sub.2 and water storage containers [0061] 570 air blade turbines of chimney and CO.sub.2 removal system [0062] 600 reflective mirror or solar tracking parabolic concave mirror [0063] 630 support pole for solar tracking parabolic concave mirror [0064] 700 ground level

[0065] These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the associated drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0066] The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims and their equivalents. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.

[0067] Unless otherwise noted in this specification or in the claims, all of the terms used in the specification and the claims will have the meanings normally ascribed to these terms by workers in the art.

[0068] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words comprise, comprising and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of including, but not limited to. Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively. Additionally, the words herein, above, below, and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 1, a solar heated elevated cylinder system 100 is shown in a park-like setting. A wind and shaft support cone 200 has a bottom portion defining a bottom void that has a greater diameter as compared to the upper portion that defines the upper void. The proportionally or shape overcomes shortfalls in the related art by providing a stable base while providing room for air flow at the bottom of the cylinder.

[0070] At the top portion of the cylinder 110, and inside surface 114 defines a wind blade void 120. A distal tip 305 of a propeller or upper propeller may be contained with the wind blade void to provide added stability to the propeller.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 2, a cylinder is shown having an outer surface 112 with the outer surface receiving solar energy or heat from a plurality of mirrors 600 that are sometimes supported by support poles 630. A support structure 150 positions the bottom portion 117 of the cylinder above the ground. This above ground positioning in conjunction with the wind and shaft support cone provide operational advantages in that ambient air may be drawn from the bottom of the cylinder and further allowed or directed into the cylinder by the narrow or narrowing portions of the wind and shaft support cone 200.

[0072] Disclosed embodiments may include one or more turbines, propeller systems or other power generation systems disposed at or near or in proximity to the cylinder so as to take advantage of concentrated solar energy or concentrated solar power (CSP) produced by the exterior parabolic concave reflectors or mirrors.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 3, a dislocated system 100 is shown in conjunction with electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations. The relative compact design of the system allows for a plurality of systems to be installed along roadways or freeways.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 4, a disclosed system 100 is shown in the center of a plurality of concave parabolic reflective mirrors disposed upon support poles. Such mirrors may be movable and programed to rotate to track the position of the sun or otherwise be solar tracking. The mirrors may be positioned in concentric circles around the cylinder and elevated at varying heights to maximize the solar energy or heat directed to and delivered to the cylinder.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 5A a sectional view of a disclosed embodiment shows the inside surface 114 of the cylinder defining a wind blade void 120. Optionally a track may be used to secure or guide the tip of a blade during movement with the track attached to the inside surface of the cylinder.

[0076] The upper void 210 of the wind and shaft support cone will accept a rotating shaft. The upper void may also contain a bearing or other mechanism of securing the rotating shaft or concentric shafts in a two propeller/turbine system.

[0077] Below ground level 700 or within the cone, a power generator 400 may be in mechanical connection with the rotating shaft to convert the rotation of the shaft into electricity.

[0078] With respect to the inner and/or outer surfaces of the cylinder and/or cone structure, upwardly spiraling protrusions channels, bumps, rivulets, bands, rifling or cyclonic twisting may be of benefit in increasing upward airflow convection speed. Such upward spiraling caused by such spiral grooves overcomes shortfalls in the art by maximizing the probability to intermix for mingled-molecular heat conduction/absorption/transfer off of the cylinder and conde surfaces. Expanded per air molecule separation-distances therefore occurs to lighten the air; which increases upward airflow convection speed. The inner cylinder lightened air mass [i.e., greatly lowered air pressure inside cylinder] will then be constantly energized via heat derived from exterior Concentrated Solar Power CSP mirrors.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 5B, a power generator 400 is shown in connection with the rotating shaft.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 6, a sectional view of a disclosed system 100 is shown with the lower edge 218 of the wind and shaft support cone resting on the ground 700. Reflective mirrors are directing sunlight towards the cylinder. A top or upper propeller 300 is shown disposed at the upper end of the cylinder.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 7, a duel propeller or dual turbine system is shown with an upper propeller 300 in mechanical connection with a rotational shaft 320, with said rotational shaft disposed within a hollow second rotational shaft of the lower propeller 350. FIG. 7 also shows an upper propeller mounted above the top edge of the cylinder. Such a configuration allows the lower propeller 350 the maximum amount of air flow. The excess air flow rising past the lower propeller may then be utilized by the upper propeller, with the upper propeller disposed an at upper distance so as to not slow down the airflow used by the lower propeller. The upper propeller may be supported by a frame structure and contained in a circular track. The two shafts may separately integrate or be in attachment to the power generator.

[0082] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a disclosed CO.sub.2 removal system 500 using a chimney system and other components integrated with the disclosed elevated cylinder system 100. The artful use of filters combined with the significant air flow achieved by the cylinder system enables the extraction of CO.sub.2 on an unprecedented scale as CO.sub.2 collectors strip CO.sub.2 out of the wind stream of the system.

[0083] In general, air is dawn though the fabric 545 covering the perimeter platform skeleton and air is drawn in through the fabric 520 around the frame of the chimney funnel 510.

[0084] FIG. 9 depicts a plurality of disclosed CO.sub.2 removal systems 500 connected by roads.

[0085] FIG. 10 depicts one disclosed CO.sub.2 removal system that includes a plurality of CO.sub.2 and water storage containers 560.

[0086] The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while steps are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps in a different order. The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not only the systems described herein. The various embodiments described herein can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the detailed description.

[0087] All the above references and U.S. patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various patents and applications described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

[0088] These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. In general, the terms used in the following claims, should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above detailed description explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses the disclosed embodiments and all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under the claims.

[0089] While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms.